#1099 - Crossing the mountain

Mount Zhi Jing.

Mountain sunlight flickered, white flowers rolled, Li Ximing sat upright on the mountain top, his aura steady, holding a roll of secret letters in his hand, pondering in silence.

‘Fu Xun… has indeed established a cave in the sea,’

Li Ximing put away the letter in his hand, lowered his eyebrows and pondered, secretly pondering:

“Back then, both Ying Hebai and the Xu River Demon King came… but looking at their appearances, it’s hard to say whether they understood the mystery… Fortunately, Que Wan has already left, otherwise, according to Senior Liu’s letter, Fu Xun might still come to visit. Zhen Tao Prefecture is not suitable for seclusion.”

After returning from Jiuqiu that day, Li Ximing naturally went to Chongzhou as soon as possible. Cui Changfu is now respectful and has been accompanying him. He just expressed his wishes, and this True Person immediately went deep into the sea to find Huyao. Obviously, the entire Cui family's attitude has undergone earth-shaking changes.

It wasn't that Li Ximing had never been here before. Back then, he was also a dignified Purple Mansion Venerable. The only thing that could make the Cui family feel fearful was Li Zhouwei's visit:

‘Ming Huang came here once, and Cui Changfu achieved supernatural powers that night. The Cui family was obviously frightened. Cui Changfu is actually older than me, and he is also a dignified Purple Mansion Venerable, but he calls himself a junior.’

The little demon Huyao was promoted all the way because of the Li family, and he also did his best and did not dare to neglect. This trip was quite smooth. If there is any regret… it can only be that Cui Jueyin had already entered seclusion and failed to meet him.

The Dragon Clan's actions were not slow. When Li Ximing returned to the lake from Chongzhou two years ago, he had already received a reply from Liu Changdie, along with a mention of Zhen Tao Prefecture's protection by the Dragon Clan back then, and expressed his gratitude.

This letter frightened Li Ximing a lot. Only then did he understand that Chang Xiao had such a trick back then because his aunt took action. However, Liu Changdie did not fully believe the Xu River Demon King's words, and neither did Li Ximing. He sneered in his heart:

‘Back then, my aunt clearly said that she would not take action. Even if I escaped to Liehai, she could not meet me. This statement must be false. Perhaps it was for Ming Huang's sake, or perhaps someone behind Liu Changdie was making arrangements. It must not be out of affection.’

Guo Nanwu felt a chill in his heart when he heard the first half of the sentence, but when Li Ximing finished speaking, his face was already full of smiles, and he praised:

“Senior’s Taoism is amazing, and his alchemy is superb. We juniors admire him endlessly!”

Li Ximing didn't expect that one day his Taoism would be praised by others. He suppressed the laughter in his heart in a hasty manner. Seeing that Guo Nanwu was about to pay for the pills, he just waved his hand to decline.

In the past two years, he has made several furnaces of pills. The most important one is the [Empty Sleeve Mysterious Dao Powder] from the Sima family. He secretly hid two more pills and carefully hid them, preparing them for Li Zhouwei.

When he came back from overseas, he actually lost some cultivation because of Yan Dushui's matter, but he understood that the cultivation speed of the former 『Yetian Gate』 was due to the clever use of Lu Dan and several spiritual pills. His next cultivation can be said to be far away. He took out several kinds of pills from his pill reserves to perfunctorily pass it off, and was reluctant to use the [Empty Sleeve Mysterious Dao Powder].

Guo Nanwu was indeed short of money and gratefully accepted. Li Ximing then raised his glass, looked at the pills, and suddenly remembered that Guo Nanwu in front of him was a Shaoyang cultivator, and immediately became vigilant:

‘…It’s really connected everywhere… Guo Nanwu is very useful right now, I can’t let him be dragged in by Fu Xun!’

So he looked at him with a smile and asked:

“Nanwu, have you been to the East China Sea in the past few years?”

Guo Nanwu gathered his blue sleeves, seemingly pondering the meaning of his words, and hesitated:

“Not much, but my younger generations have gone there a lot… and many things have happened. I am worried that the East China Sea is far away, so I have not had the opportunity to investigate in detail… A few days ago, I asked True Person Kuang Yu, and then I had the idea of going to take a look.”

As he said these words, his eyes carefully observed Li Ximing's reaction. Li Ximing immediately misunderstood and suspected that it was the seduction of the person behind Fu Xun, and tentatively said:

“East China Sea… I don’t go there often anymore. The area around Lulai Island is being watched by my enemies, and there is also danger. The world is turbulent, so it is not appropriate to act rashly.”

After hearing these words, Guo Nanwu instead received some hints, quietly turning the cup, horrified and startled:

‘That’s right, why would the Li family kill my family for no reason? Several True Persons have always disbelieved it, which shows that the calculations are inaccurate. It seems that an enemy is plotting, and Senior Zhao Jing also knows… but it’s not good to bring it to the surface, secretly reminding me that Lulai Island is not allowed to go.’

‘If I make this matter clear, I will instead intervene in the struggle between the Li family and their enemies… I should just pretend to be stupid.’

So he nodded solemnly, and even felt a little guilty for his suspicion, and replied:

“Junior understands!”

This conversation between a chicken and a duck achieved unexpected results. Li Ximing did not expect him to understand at one point, and was immediately overjoyed, thinking:

‘So transparent, so obedient… It’s a pity that he’s not from my family… What a pity, what a pity…’

Guo Nanwu is intelligent and knows the general situation. Li Ximing has always been very satisfied with him and felt a bit of pity for his talent. He heard Guo Nanwu ask:

“Senior Zhao Jing, what is the movement in the wilderness now…?”

Li Ximing smiled bitterly in his heart and sighed, shaking his head:

“It’s hard to say… I heard that Protector Liu has already arrived in the wilderness. With such a big movement, the North cannot be unaware. The conflict between the two sides is about to break out. There really won’t be many years of peace!”

Yang Ruiyi personally saw Li Zhouwei's injury, and this general still had some appeasement towards the Li family and did not order him to come. However, Li Ximing estimated that he could not get rid of it, and the [Double Fire Two Bright Instruments] were still hanging in the inner formation to assist Li Jiangqian, which was really troublesome.

However, these words cannot be said to outsiders. Li Ximing casually talked about the manpower in the wilderness, and a person hurriedly came up the mountain and whispered a report:

“True Person Qing Hu has returned from Shu and is in the tent for a secret meeting with the Lord… Now please ask the True Person to go over.”

Li Ximing sighed in his heart and stood up. Guo Nanwu immediately bid farewell knowingly and stepped into Taixu to leave, while Li Ximing secretly regretted:

‘Finally back, and time is short, can't delay… I already asked Sima Yuanli about that 【Clarity Convergence Pill】, but he was evasive. These pills are used one less each time. If I don't cut some flesh from him, he won't give it!’

His worries weren't just this, but also some unease:

‘Minghuang is in seclusion, but there are still many who want to test him. That Guangchan Maha is across the river, definitely aiming for my family. I must prepare… Now that both sides are preparing more and more thoroughly, in a year or two at most, conflict will inevitably arise.’

Two years ago, when he entered the Sun and Moon Shining Together Heaven and Earth, Li Zhouwei could still talk to him in detail. A mere two years is definitely not enough for him to come out of seclusion, and he won't even have much time to truly attack the Divine Power realm. At this moment, it's impossible for him to come out of seclusion to help.

‘Although I have achieved Fate Divine Power, I must be even more careful. I must help Zhouwei get through this period… Only then will we have time to breathe.’

He had considered this point long ago. He lowered his eyebrows slightly, shook his sleeves, and a golden scroll was revealed. It was clear that he had read it for a long time, and the runes within revealed several colorful characters:

【Divine Mind Doppelganger Mystic Scroll】.

……

Wilderness.

Dark, iridescent light shrouded the mountain peak, like an airtight shadow, concealing all traces beneath layers of black light. In the main hall, dark colors surged, like a dark sea.

A man sat on the high main seat. Although his appearance was ordinary, the armor on his body floated with mysterious light. He sat quietly for a while, and then a man came up from the front of the hall.

Nourished by the 【Empty Sleeve Profound Path Powder】 at any cost over these years, the divine power brilliance of this Qinghu Real Person Sima Yuanli was abundant, obviously having reached the peak, and even the aura of Rising Sun faintly fluctuated. He should have failed to raise his immortal foundation within a year or two.

Which Divine Power doesn't experience several failures? Sima Yuanli had no regrets, only rejoicing that the timing was good, even allowing him time to go to Shu. Now, standing in front of the hall, Yang Ruiyi immediately raised his eyebrows and asked him:

“How did the Qing fellow reply?”

His tone was very impolite. Sima Yuanli hurriedly said:

“General Qing agreed to set out from Shu to attack Longdi… but stubbornly refused to withdraw the troops near Tongmo, and even… was very disdainful of the Coordinated Effort strategy that this subordinate proposed.”

The geography of the Song Kingdom was good. Several mountain ranges almost cut off the connection between Shu and Song, leaving only the Mushroom Forest Plain and Tongmo County as passages. Qing Jifang was obviously coveting something. Yang Ruiyi's face was somewhat gloomy, and he refrained from speaking, only saying:

“If he refuses to withdraw, then he refuses to withdraw… Let the Prince of Yuyang stay in the country… But how should we deal with the manpower in Mushroom Forest Plain and Guyan?”

Sima Yuanli was obviously a little embarrassed, and hurriedly said:

“General Qing… General Qing said that he hadn't had enough fun in the last fight with the Prince of Wei.”

The latest and most complete novels are at 6_9_shu_ba.

This was much more straightforward. Yang Ruiyi laughed in anger for a moment and asked:

“What? He wants to kill Li Ximing to provoke the Prince of Wei? That would be fine on ordinary days, but at this time, he even wants to disgust my Song court!”

Sima Yuanli secretly looked at his face, his voice lowered, and his address immediately changed, saying:

“I spoke euphemistically for a long time, but Qing Jifang only mentioned one condition—saying that my Great Song is too fierce in inheriting martial arts, fully receiving the light of cultivating martial arts, and there is a vacancy in holding the Xuan, but the blessing of Tianchen cannot fall to Shu, hoping that we will step back… and give them one more…”

Yang Ruiyi threw the vermilion pen in his hand and slapped it on the table, resolutely saying:

“This matter is absolutely impossible!”

There was a hint of anger in his eyes, and he said sternly:

“This was something that was agreed upon long ago. However much ability one has, that's how much light one receives. Now, the position of holding the Xuan is earned by our dynasty's own ability. How can we give it to them!”

“If he, Qing Jifang, has the ability, then he can increase the glory of the heavens himself, making the Cultivating Martial Arts Star brighter. Naturally, there will be more positions for him. This is a matter that benefits both countries. There is no reason for me to cede it!”

Sima Yuanli hurriedly lowered his head, using some embarrassing wording to say the other party's words in a gentler way:

“Qing Jifang said… The Li family is close to the Golden Feather, and should have been merged into the Shu Kingdom along with the Golden Feather, but was snatched by my Great Song in advance. That Prince of Wei should also be from Shu… In this way, the inclination of the light of cultivating martial arts should be four Song and three Shu…”

Yang Ruiyi laughed in anger for a moment and said:

“Preposterous!”

With a crash, he rolled up the wooden slip and knocked it on the table, saying:

“What is that Qing Jifang? Hated by people and loathed by dogs, would the Golden Feather help him? They can't wait for the Li family to belong to us! If he had passed Xiping Mountain back then, do you think Li Zhouwei would not have fought him to the death! And he dares to mention conferring titles!”

Sima Yuanli could only silently lower his head. Yang Ruiyi also retracted the anger on his face, stood with his hands behind his back, and said in a low voice:

“There is no need to pay attention to this matter. I don't think the Shu Emperor will let him run wild. It's just inevitable that there will be one or two troops to make things difficult, thinking of moving a few more points of territory eastward…”

Sima Yuanli secretly looked up and raised his eyebrows, saying:

“In that case, who should we leave on the lake? Should we invite the Prince of Wei out?”

Yang Ruiyi glanced at him, but ultimately shook his head and said faintly:

“There's no need for him. You just take care of your own affairs. I'll leave Real Person Tinglan behind to guard the Mushroom Forest Plain, so that the two sides can watch and help each other.”

Sima Yuanli's face suddenly changed. He was in charge of attacking Shan Ji, and without Tinglan, he was simply cut off. He gritted his teeth and replied:

“But Shan Ji…”

Yang Ruiyi didn't answer him, showing a bit of careful consideration, and asked:

“I vaguely remember that your family's junior… Sima Xunhui—is now at the peak of Foundation Establishment, right!”

Sima Yuanli's face suddenly changed, and he lowered his eyebrows with some suspicion and uncertainty, saying in a low voice:

“Yes… This child still has some ability, and has been summoned by the Song Emperor… He is the most promising in the family… He was given the title of Lieutenant General.”

When Yang Ruiyi heard the four words "summoned by the Song Emperor", his original thoughts were suddenly disrupted. He frowned thoughtfully and pondered:

‘In this case, it's not good for me to interfere.’

He closed his eyes for a long time, then suddenly opened his mouth and said:

“Real Person Xianyao of Guoling Peak has been familiar with your Sima family for generations. You go to Guoling Peak for me and invite him to the wilderness for a chat.”

Sima Yuanli hesitated and said:

“His lifespan is running out…”

Yang Ruiyi narrowed his eyes and said:

“What I want is for his lifespan to be running out.”

Sima Yuanli hurriedly went down. Only then did Yang Ruiyi put down the wooden slip in his hand and paced quietly in the main hall:

‘The struggle between the Dragon Clan and the Compassionate Path in combining with the heavens will eventually come to an end. The Compassionate Path will not be willing to lose too much in the sea. This battle must be fought. Even if I don't act, the north will act…’

He seemed a little annoyed:

‘I heard that the Xiangxiong Kingdom is seeking pills from the Great Mountain Furnace… I simply don't have the time to pay attention to the Shu Kingdom, otherwise I would never let that Qing fellow be so arrogant… Every adult is making their own plans… How can anyone be allowed to maneuver in the general trend of the world!’

Main characters in this chapter

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Li Ximing 【Early Purple Mansion】

Sima Yuanli 【Early Purple Mansion】

Guo Nanwu 【Early Purple Mansion】

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ps: Guoling Peak is Xianyao, not Chengqian. I wrote the wrong generation, sorry sorry ^