The Mirror Legacy

Chapter 1469: Profound Lake Unified Origin Qi (II)

Li Ximing stepped forward and glanced over it. The pool contains [Wall-Sinking Water], also a Mansion Water spirit item. It is usually used by high-level cultivators to quench artifacts… The owner of this cave dwelling is likely no ordinary figure. Could they be an artifact smith…

Still… I have only heard of the Mansion Water alchemy method of the Mifann Dao lineage[1] Li Encheng once gained great fame from it, but I never considered Mansion Water being used for artifact forging…

The central table stood slightly higher. Li Ximing did not dwell on his thoughts. He descended through the air, his gaze sweeping across the surface. A jade box was neatly placed on the table. Li Ximing glanced at it, touched it lightly with a finger, and immediately understood what was inside.

Purple Mansion Realm spirit water, a Purple Mansion Realm spirit water of the Mansion Water Dao!

Only a cave dwelling of this level could obtain such a thing with ease!

Li Ximing let out an excited breath, gently picked up the jade box, and first wrapped it with his divine ability before slowly opening it. Inside was a small, deep blue lake.

The lake’s colors varied with depth. Lotus flowers bloomed, reeds swayed, and tiny white egrets the size of grains of rice flew back and forth across the surface, their feathers distinct and lifelike, as if truly alive.

As his gaze settled upon it, a reflection of the rising sun appeared on the lake. In the next instant, all phenomena shattered, turning into clear, azure ripples that revealed the true form of the spirit water.

Li Ximing recognized it at once, Cave Egret Origin Water!

The Li Family lived by the lake. Although they lacked a Mansion Water inheritance, Moongaze Lake had once been one of the great marshes of the world. With many records and legends surrounding it, Mansion Water was actually easy for them to recognize.

The most detailed record of [Cave Egret Origin Water] appeared in the Xiao Family’s gifted text, Two Hundred Years of Linghai Prefecture’s Scenery. It was also called [Profound Lake Unified Origin Qi].

The Snow Ji Gate had once experienced turmoil because of it, and so the book recorded, Of the profound turtle kind, it commands lake demons. Born white, ten years red, a hundred years green, and once every three hundred years it produces, spitting out Profound Lake Unified Origin Qi. It can stabilize lakes and marshes, as well as observe transformations. When taken on the night of the new moon, it greatly benefits Lesser Yin and Baleful Essence and grants an eye upon the cheek.

Although Two Hundred Years of Linghai Prefecture’s Scenery was part of the Xiao Family’s inheritance, it was not dedicated to recording spirit items. It only mentioned a few lines, yet it was enough for the Li Family to remember this object deeply.

[Cave Egret Origin Water]… There are only a few advanced Mansion Water Dao lineages left in the world. This makes it even more precious. Not to mention… it is likely something certain Dao lineages desperately seek.

He was overwhelmed with excitement. Quietly, he stored it in his sleeve, deeply moved.

Only an opportunity like this could yield something of this level. Those cultivators who roam outside, which one does not hide their techniques and spirit items within formations? You can hardly even kill them, let alone obtain something like this.

This cave dwelling had been tightly concealed by a Purple Mansion Realm formation. Though it was not as vast as a mountain-guarding formation, its quality was extremely high, compact and formidable. If it had been him alone, he might not have been able to break it at all.

Even if the formation were to be broken, the treasured land and everything within the cave could not be preserved. Without that bead granted from above, he would likely only be staring helplessly at the formation.

Suppressing his excitement, he dispersed into light and swept the area with his spiritual sense. He quickly checked each entrance of the hall, only to find them all tightly shut, prompting him to scan more carefully.

Where is the formation plate?!

The cave dwelling was so orderly, without any sign of chaos. The owner had likely not died suddenly outside, but had left in a planned manner. To put it bluntly, in such cave dwellings, the most valuable item was almost always the formation plate.

Now that he had already obtained the extremely rare [Cave Egret Origin Water], the Purple Mansion Realm grand formation, though slightly less rare, was not far behind in value. Even if he continued exploring, he needed to refine the formation plate and imprint his mark on it first, otherwise he would only run into obstacles everywhere!

Yet after scanning the hall, with its drifting white mist and vast emptiness, he could not find any trace of a formation platform. Left with no choice, Li Ximing closed his eyes slightly and called upon the Immortal Artifact.

He had only just closed his eyes for a moment before realization struck. Striding forward, he returned to the table. He did not linger, and moved past it, immediately turning his gaze to the massive mural behind it and reaching out gently.

The back of the profound turtle was snow-white, with extremely intricate patterns. As his divine ability made contact, the mist-like whiteness gradually lit up, revealing a deep blue disc covered in fine patterns.

It was precisely the formation plate of the grand formation within this cave dwelling, embedded within the wall!

So cautious… such methods! It seems the original owner did not even trust those who entered the formation, and deliberately nested the formation plate within the protection of the formation itself…

Li Ximing pondered for a moment, placing a hand over the formation plate as his divine ability circulated. Streams of heavenly light poured into it, dyeing it a faint gold. After seven minutes, the light within the cave flickered slightly. The Purple Mansion Realm grand formation had changed ownership.

It’s mine!

Now that he had taken control of the formation plate, the name and properties of the formation gradually revealed themselves, [Profound Turtle Mansion-Stabilizing Spirit Formation]!

This was also a Purple Mansion Realm spirit formation, yet its properties and power were entirely different from the Li Family’s [Zhaoguang Profound Purple Spirit Formation]. It possessed three distinct abilities, [Trial of Pit], [Spirit Preservation], and [Profound Mansion].

The method of [Trial of Pit] was extremely peculiar. Beneath the formation lay a Pit Water nexus that was capable of continuously producing a certain type of Pit Water Qi. This was very likely the source behind the transformation of the Earth Fiend’s Cold Spring outside.

The method of [Spirit Preservation] concerned the central pool. Over time, it would continuously condense [Wall-Sinking Water]. Once the pool was filled for over a hundred years, it would produce a portion of white feather spirit material.

The final ability, [Profound Mansion], normally gathered the surrounding earth veins, water veins, and spirit veins, twisting them into a single foundation for the Profound Mansion. This enhanced spiritual energy, and when attacked, all damage taken by the formation would be redirected onto this foundation.

In other words, all three abilities lacked any active offensive function. Even the final defensive ability felt almost perfunctory, as if added as an afterthought, leaving Li Ximing inwardly shaken.

The intent behind this cave dwelling is too obvious. Every aspect was crafted according to the owner’s will for a specific purpose. If the owner truly dictated whatever ability they wanted, then the formation’s creator is no ordinary formation master!

To condense Purple Mansion Realm spirit material… just the thought is enough to stir desire. It is something beyond the understanding of people today!

However, precisely because these abilities were so demanding, even someone like him who did not understand formations could see that both [Trial of Pit] and [Spirit Preservation] were built upon the final [Profound Mansion]. All transformations relied on the interaction between earth veins, water veins, and spirit veins. If the location changed, the first two abilities would likely fail.

As he compared it with the Li Family’s [Zhaoguang Profound Purple Spirit Formation], Li Ximing gained a deeper understanding. He quietly looked at the formation plate before him, filled with emotion as he thought, The [Zhaoguang Profound Purple Spirit Formation] at home is the Li Family’s Purple Mansion Realm formation. This one belongs to a true Purple Mansion Realm figure. It serves a different master. How could they be the same?

1. This is not the same as Mifan Dao lineage. This is referring to the now ruined Mifann Sect of old. First appearing in Chapter 480. ☜