The Mirror Legacy

Chapter 1517: Reverent Yang Mountain (II)

When the Li Family had first obtained this dharma robe, they had treated it as a supreme treasure. But from his current perspective, unless it was an ancient dharma artifact, everything else ultimately fell short. Moreover, this item had originally been crafted from a helmet of a Murong Family cultivator, the [Desert Profound Armor]. The cultivators of the Azure Pond Sect had then been ordered to refine it. Aside from the [Desert Profound Sky Iron] it originally contained, how could they have used any truly valuable materials?

He could not help but shake his head and replied, “In your opinion, how should this be improved?”

Master Dingyang examined it back and forth before replying, “In this state… it can barely qualify even as material for refining a spirit embryo. Aside from the [Desert Profound Sky Iron], none of the other parts are worth keeping. You might as well melt it down, extract the [Desert Profound Sky Iron], and refine it anew…”

Li Ximing pondered briefly, then tapped his storage pouch and poured out a number of items, piling them onto the table in a glittering heap. Master Dingyang swept his sleeve over them, selecting only a few.

Two of these items had been gifts from other factions when Li Zhouwei had reached the Purple Mansion Realm. The ones selected were all from the Supreme Yang Dao lineage, namely the [Brightwild Scales] and the [Ornate Stone Bone]. The remaining two were a blade and a spear, both artifacts forged with ancient techniques. They were the [Yuancha] and the [Bright Candle Saber], obtained from Master Baiyin and belonging to the Mifan Dao lineage.

These are the only things worth showing…

Master Dingyang picked up the [Bright Candle Saber] and examined it, offering a word of praise before saying, “If these items are dismantled, you can piece together some usable materials. As for the rest, that depends on your family. With what you have now, without any Purple Mansion Realm materials, you will not come close to a spirit artifact. At best, I can custom-forge a good dharma artifact and leave it to you to refine into a spirit embryo.”

Fortunately, Li Ximing had come precisely to discuss this in advance. He said seriously, “I am showing you this as a model. The plan is to forge something along the lines of this scaled armor. After all, the spirit artifact you are working on is not yet finished, and this matter is still far off. If you happen to come across suitable materials, whether from your own stock or through trades with other cultivators, please help acquire them for my family. This is a long-term plan!”

Master Dingyang stroked his beard, nodding thoughtfully as he replied, “I do still have a small portion of [Lesser Heavenly Radiant Metal] left over from crafting sword ornaments for a sword immortal. It is barely suitable, though perhaps too valuable… As for Bright Yang spirit items or materials… I have none on hand.”

“There is no need to rush,” replied Li Ximing.

The Li Family did possess a Purple Mansion Realm resource gifted by the Kong Family, also in the form of scales. Unfortunately, it was of the Pit Water attribute and unusable.

Li Ximing took out a brocade box from his sleeve, revealing pearl-like white stones inside, and said softly, “These are [Six-Form Spirit Stones] of the [True Essence] Dao. They are compatible with all True Essence disciplines and should be useful. They can serve as a backup option.”

Only then did Master Dingyang show some genuine consideration. After letting him look, Li Ximing put it away and brought out another box. Inside lay three long white feathers that looked almost metallic.

He said seriously, “These are [Under-Neck Feathers]. I leave them with you as collateral. First, as a sign of sincerity. Second… if anyone comes to you to forge treasures and you encounter suitable materials, please exchange them on my behalf.”

Li Ximing understood this well. Just as he, as an alchemist, had seen many Purple Mansion Realm materials for consumption, this man would surely encounter far more materials for artifact forging than he ever could. Searching across the ends of the world would be less effective than trading through him. Since the man had already agreed to design it for his family, he might as well swallow his pride and entrust the matter fully to him.

Master Dingyang saw through his intent, accepted the jade box from his hand, and the two exchanged jade tokens. Stroking his beard, the old man said, “I understand…”

Li Ximing smiled faintly and said in a low voice, “If there is anything you need from me, feel free to ask…”

Then his tone shifted, and he said seriously, “As for the [Supreme Shaman] spirit embryo you promised me back then… is there any news now?”

Master Dingyang shook his head. “How could it be that fast?!”

Li Ximing himself had used the rapid refinement methods of the Pavilion Viewing faction, along with spiritual essence from the Xiukui Dao to accelerate the process. Master Dingyang followed a different Dao lineage and would never expend such spiritual essence for him, so it was naturally far slower. Realizing this, Li Ximing felt a sting of regret.

For two major matters in a row, I had no choice but to prepare the spirit embryos in advance, which cost me two portions of the spiritual essence of the [Guarding Toward the White Yang]… If I had not been in such a rush back then, those two portions would have been better used now to refine this armor…

He had no time to think further when a noise suddenly came from outside the pavilion. Master Dingyang excused himself and quickly brought someone in.

The old man’s expression had turned stern as he said coldly, “The man is right here… ask him yourself!”

Li Ximing saw that the man entering had a head full of gray hair and wore a black robe covered in brown circular patterns. He recognized him at a glance and smiled. “Fellow Daoist Luo, how have you been lately!”

“So it is Brother Zhaojing!”

This man was none other than Daoist Master Luo, a devil cultivator from the southern border. Seeing Li Ximing, his face lit up with delight, then he examined him with some surprise. “So it truly is the path of regrowth. Your body has completely recovered, Fellow Daoist!”

The man had probably assumed he would be unwilling to use a pill. In truth, Li Ximing had taken one, but he did not reveal his wealth and simply laughed it off. As expected, Daoist Master Luo soon set his sights on the spirit embryo.

“I have passed by this place several times and seen the treasure on that altar… I must say, I am quite envious…”

Li Ximing suddenly thought of something. He smiled and refused, not giving the man time to press further, and said, “Take a look, Fellow Daoist!”

He produced an item from his hand. Inside the box, layered clouds seemed to fold over one another, with a faint yellow-white glow within. It was the [Wondrous Wisdom Tendril] gifted by Liu Changdie.

The [Wondrous Wisdom Tendril] was a spirit item of the [Gathering Wood] Dao. In all of Jiangnan, Daoist Master Luo was the only person Li Ximing knew who cultivated this Dao lineage.

Sure enough, when Daoist Master Luo saw the spirit item, his smiling eyes froze. He examined it closely for a while, then said with clear surprise, “[Wondrous Wisdom Tendril]… Have you been to the Western Sea, Fellow Daoist?”

These Purple Mansion figures were all well-versed in the origins of their Dao lineages, and he had seen through it in a single sentence. Li Ximing did not mention Liu Changdie and simply said, “I obtained it by chance. Can you make use of it, Fellow Daoist?”

“To say it is useless would be impossible.” Daoist Master Luo seemed to be examining its quality. After a while, he spoke absentmindedly, his eyes never leaving the material. “Put yourself in my place. If you came across a Bright Yang material, even if you had no immediate use for it, would you not still take it? It is only a matter of price…”

Li Ximing knew this man was cunning. He chuckled inwardly, closed the jade box, and sighed. “So that is how it is… I thought that since it is rare to meet a Fellow Daoist of this Dao, and I happen to have a matching material, it would be useful. But it seems it has no immediate use after all!”