The Mirror Legacy

Chapter 1582: Radiant Essence Of Qi (I)

Daoist Nun Xiangchun was, after all, connected to the dragons. Although Li Zhouwei had never heard of any ties between the dragons and the Douxuan Dao lineage, the dragons remained one of the greatest powers in the world. Backed by the Dragon Monarch, they naturally possessed methods of their own.

Although there were potential conflicts of interest, and the dragons might one day become his enemies, their intentions remained unclear. At the very least, the White Dragon Succession had brought him more benefits than trouble thus far. When he broke through, the dragons had even sent spirit treasures as gifts.

With that in mind, he nodded to the Daoist nun and replied, "Since our paths happen to coincide, let's go together."

The surrounding regions had already been thoroughly searched, and there was nowhere else worth going. Having her guide the way would save him a good deal of effort.

Xiangchun's expression brightened at once. Meanwhile, Daoist Master Yuming flicked his sleeves and said with easy magnanimity, "I only came in to try my luck. I've already made some worthwhile gains, so I'm satisfied. I won't be venturing deeper. I'll stay around the outskirts, pick up a few more odds and ends, then find a weak point in the formation and head back!"

It was undoubtedly a wise decision. Although Daoist Master Yuming had little lifespan remaining and had entered with the intention of risking his life to accumulate resources, those gains only mattered if he could bring them out. If he truly lost his life here, he would leave empty-handed and forfeit far more than he gained.

After watching him depart on the wind, Xiangchun gave a slight nod and then took flight alongside Li Zhouwei. As they traveled, she lowered her voice and said, "Jiangbei has been unstable for quite some time. The Yue Cultivating Sect has kept its mountain closed and refuses to emerge, while the Shen Family has lost a considerable amount of territory. Fortunately, the old man is shrewd. He took the opportunity to relocate people overseas and settle them in the outer-sea. If I had to guess, they're effectively preparing to become an outer-sea clan."

Li Zhouwei nodded inwardly. With the [Zhen Tao Residence] established overseas, his family's circumstances were excellent as well, and they had every means to withdraw far from the turmoil. If his family had not been such a crucial piece on the board, they would have left long ago.

Aloud, he merely said, "After all, their younger generations are lacking... And Jiangbei is becoming increasingly dangerous."

Xiangchun slowly shook her head. "Not necessarily... though the danger is certainly real."

The dragons controlled the Eastern Sea. If the Shen Family was truly making preparations of some kind, there was little chance that those moves had escaped their notice. Li Zhouwei quietly committed the information to memory.

As they continued onward, Xiangchun asked softly, "Fellow Daoist, you haven't left the lake much in recent years, have you?"

Li Zhouwei gave a slight nod. With the broader situation between north and south unfolding as it was, and with the interests of his clan to consider, he had little freedom to travel.

He simply replied, "Moongaze Lake lies right along the river. The situation there is far too unstable."

Xiangchun's eyes shifted thoughtfully as she said softly, "Not necessarily... There are indeed still a few factions keeping an eye on you, and they'll probably try to test your intentions. If you truly wish to protect the bloodline at the lake, then remaining cautious is the right choice for now. But once you advance further to possess three divine abilities, or even take another step to become a Grand Daoist Master with perfected divine abilities, it won't matter anymore...

"By that point, there will be only a handful of people in the world who can truly suppress you. Lesser figures may still try to probe your strength, but they won't be able to bear the price of doing so."

Her expression gradually grew more serious and composed. "When that day comes, you should visit the Eastern Sea more often. The Dragon Son has repeatedly spoken up for you before the other dragon lineages. If you're willing to make a few visits to the Dragon Palace afterward and meet with him, it would make things much easier for him as well."

Li Zhouwei considered her words for a moment and understood that the Dragon Son she referred to was Dingjiao. The crown prince of the White Dragon Succession carried himself with remarkable grace. Both he and his father, the Bei Sea Dragon King, belonged to the faction that favored treating him generously and strengthening ties. Dingjiao had sought him out long ago to establish a friendship and had even personally taken him to visit the late Crown Prince of Wei...

Looking at it now, it's impossible to tell truth from falsehood. At the very least, not a single other dragon has been willing to approach me. The White Dragon lineage has also been under considerable pressure because of it...

Li Zhouwei fell silent for a moment before nodding. "Thank you for the reminder, Fellow Daoist."

She smiled faintly and finally shifted the conversation. "I heard that Majestic Light Luoxia left no instructions for the various Dao lineages and has effectively ignored your existence... Quite interesting, isn't it? I wonder where Daoist Master Xue[1] went after heading south."

Her eyes gleamed as she looked directly at Li Zhouwei, though it seemed she was speaking more to herself than to him.

She continued, "Daoist Master Xue has perfected his divine abilities and brought his five divine abilities to their utmost limits. The Surplus Position already lies within sight. In ancient times, a figure like him would have served as a hall master or acting ruler of an Immortal Mansion. Wanlin Heaven may seem vast, but if he had been born there, he would be seated beside the one occupying the highest seat."

Daoist Master Xue?!

The image of that man immediately surfaced in Li Zhouwei's mind. Keeping his tone casual, he asked, "Daoist Master Xue? May I ask his full name..."

Daoist Nun Xiangchun turned to look at him with a strange look flickering through her eyes. She answered, "His surname is Xue, with the given name Yang. He belongs to the Majestic Light Profound Lineage and is an orthodox Tongxuan cultivator."

"An orthodox Tongxuan cultivator..." Li Zhouwei raised an eyebrow and deliberately asked, "Would you place him on the same level as Daoist Master Donghua?"

Daoist Nun Xiangchun had not expected him to bring up Li Jiangqun. After a moment's thought, she replied, "It's difficult to compare them directly. Luoxia dared to proclaim himself the Majestic Light Profound Lineage, expounding the teachings and serving as the foremost Tongxuan authority beneath heaven.

“Although the Origin Mansion never made such declarations in its day, the very fact that it dared call itself an Origin Mansion reflected the bearing of a Profound Lord. In that regard, there are some similarities. However... while Daoist Master Donghua's innate ability far surpassed his, the Dao lineage was already in decline during his era. Moreover, he died young, and the Dao conduct he possessed at the time cannot compare to what Xue Yang has achieved today."

Only after hearing her explanation did Li Zhouwei realize something. "Origin Mansion..."

Over the years, he had heard of many Immortal Mansions, yet whenever high-level cultivators spoke of the Origin Mansion, they invariably meant the Moonlight Immortal Mansion at Moongaze Lake. Some even referred to it directly as the Moonlight Origin Mansion. Clearly, there was a reason for that title.

He murmured, "So that's how the distinction is made... It seems Daoist Master Donghua was the inheritor of the Moonlight Profound Lineage."

"Precisely." Daoist Nun Xiangchun said softly, "An orthodox Qingxuan cultivator and one of the Three Profundities."

Having long remained close to the dragons, she knew far more than most. Raising her head slightly, she continued with a hint of coldness in her voice. "In the ancient times, the Golden Positions had many masters, and these titles were carefully distinguished. Golden Core Realm cultivators bore many different honorifics.

“According to their authority and Dao lineage, they were classified as [Divine Monarchs], [Mansion Monarchs], [True Monarchs], or [Imperial Monarchs]... Nowadays, with the old order in ruins, everyone is simply called a True Monarch. As for how many actually possess the stature and freedom befitting a True Monarch... that's another matter entirely."

She cut herself off and looked at him. "Isn't your Emperor of Wei known as the [Bright Radiant Primordial World-Governing Imperial Monarch]? Tuoba Xuantan should also be called an Imperial Monarch. As for the rest, most are unworthy of their titles. Even they would feel ashamed to claim them openly. The Emperor of Qi... would not dare!"

A trace of amusement entered her voice. "Shi Chang[2] has a guilty conscience! Even if turbulent times create heroes, he was never fit to be one...

"Driven onto the crest of the storm by circumstance, he had seized a Golden Position for himself. Then, understanding he was sitting atop a volcano, he desperately sought to secure Metal Virtue through his own achievements in transformation and reform. Unfortunately, he trusted the wrong people. In the end, he died, his kingdom perished, and his entire lineage was slaughtered. The great figures of the Golden One Dao lineage calculated everything perfectly and stripped him of all advantage... The reason [Radiant Essence] can still support two Intercalary Positions even today is largely due to the foundation he laid back then!"

1. Refers to Xue Yang, the Grand Daoist Master of Luoxia. ☜

2. The Emperor of Qi State. ☜