The Mirror Legacy

Chapter 1583: Radiant Essence Of Qi (II)

Li Zhouwei listened quietly. With his current level of Dao conduct, he could naturally grasp the implications behind her words.

His thoughts raced like lightning. The Lesser Yang is divided into three branches. Both Beiyao and Xiyan carry directional designations in their names, corresponding to North Lesser Yang and West Lesser Yang within the Dao.

Yet I have never heard anyone refer to Dragon Monarch Xiyang as East Lesser Yang, even though his name contains the character Xi[1]! Since Lesser Yang gives rise to Radiant Essence, it's highly likely that this great figure was assigned to the [Radiant Essence] Position!

Only then did he realize why the [Radiant Essence] Position remained so influential despite lacking a true master. After all, Dragon Monarch Xiyang, who had obtained one of the remains of the Lesser Yang Devil Monarch, still walked the world. Judging from Xiangchun's words, there had even once been an Intercalary Position associated with it...

No wonder. Even without a master holding the Fruition Attainment, it's practically no different from an active position.

His thoughts stirred, but Xiangchun paid no attention and continued calmly, "Then there's Tianwu of True Essence... That lord possesses the prestige of an Imperial Monarch, but simply refuses to acknowledge it himself."

True Monarch Tianwu had always been deeply respected, and Xiangchun was no exception. She spoke rather casually of the deceased True Monarchs, yet referred to True Monarch Tianwu alone as lord. Li Zhouwei was still contemplating the implications hidden within her words when both he and the suddenly silent Xiangchun raised their heads at the same time.

A hazy white radiance was flowing in the distance. A vast white formation stretched across heaven and earth, filling the horizon. The aura of powerful divine abilities spread steadily outward, while lightning and True Fire flickered across the barrier's surface.

Even from an immense distance away, Li Zhouwei's golden eyes could still make out streams of light scattered throughout the sky, some near and some far.

Quite a gathering of notable figures.

Neither of them rushed forward. Xiangchun began calculating on her fingers as though divining something, while Li Zhouwei surveyed the surroundings. After only a brief glance, he spotted a patch of golden light and frowned.

His eyes narrowed. "Hm?"

Cultivators were clearly engaged in battle within the overlapping layers of radiant illusion.

As his power to search the unseen quietly activated, Xiangchun lowered her hand, having noticed it as well. "It's still early. Why don't we go claim a share of the spoils first?"

Li Zhouwei had already seen the situation clearly through his ability and was about to suggest the same. Stepping forward on a ray of light, he closed the distance rapidly. The golden radiance swelled before his eyes, blossoming into countless brilliant manifestations. It was a Buddhist cultivator formation, its radiance seemingly without end.

Now close enough to see clearly, Xiangchun’s eyes landed on the middle-aged man trapped within the sea of radiance and asked softly, "Minghuang, do you recognize him?"

Strictly speaking, Li Zhouwei had never met the man before. However, the endlessly extending mystical passes borne aloft by those golden clouds had been recorded in his family's archives; thus, he immediately recognized them. It was none other than the Bright Yang spirit treasure, the [Huai River Map]!

Protected by the spirit treasure, layers of green light interwove and solidified like metal, supporting a middle-aged man whose expression was exceptionally grim. It was Si Yuanli.

Brilliant light filled the sky as an enormous golden body stood overhead. The golden body possessed a long face, dark eyes, and a pair of horse-like ears. Its appearance was terrifying, yet strangely familiar. There was no doubt about it. This golden body was their old enemy, Daisi.

The other golden body was even larger. It was entirely snow-white, with layer upon layer of feathers draped behind it with a head that bore three faces. The faces on either side displayed expressions of laughter and sorrow, while the central face radiated solemn authority, its eyes wide with wrath.

Keeping their distance, the two remained unnoticed by Si Yuanli. At that moment, he was struggling to withstand the combined assault of the two Mahas. Fortunately, he was protected by a spirit treasure and still had the presence of mind to pull several talismans from his storage pouch, holding them ready in his hand. Despite his predicament, he remained relatively composed.

Li Zhouwei answered casually, "We have some ties with his family."

Daoist Master Xiangchun replied, "One is a third-incarnation Daisi and the other a fourth-incarnation Yanbai. Both are quite formidable, but he's managed to hold out this long without showing the slightest intention of compromising. Seems he's rather greedy as well."

There were countless opportunities within the grotto heaven, and nobody wanted to waste time. For the situation to remain deadlocked like this, Si Yuanli was most likely refusing to surrender even a fraction of his gains. Li Zhouwei started to wonder where he could make use of the enhancement from [Illuminating Sun and Moon].

He raised his halberd and replied, "If it concerns Buddhist cultivators, then I insist on getting involved."

Daoist Master Xiangchun smiled. "Go ahead. I'll watch your back. When the grand formation is about to break, I'll warn you. But if you can't return in time, I won't be able to wait for long."

Li Zhouwei answered, "Of course."

A glimmer flashed through Li Zhouwei's golden eyes. His ability to search the unseen had already revealed numerous openings. Rising upon a streak of light, he shot forward at tremendous speed. [Heaven-Venerating Gate] immediately materialized high above, carrying an overwhelming manifestation of bright light as it crashed downward.

Boom!

Streams of radiant light surged endlessly. Seeing that Si Yuanli below lacked the ability to break free and was even beginning to hesitate, Daisi had become somewhat complacent. Mahas delighted in crushing the morale of others, especially powerful Purple Mansion Realm cultivators.

He immediately sneered, "Fellow Daoist, you'd better hand over a few treasures already! Who else is going to save you? Chi Buzi?! Hahaha!"

The moment mocking laughter left his mouth, a chill ran down Daisi's spine. Looking up, he was caught completely off guard by the streak of golden light racing toward him and the descending heavenly gate. He was instantly alarmed.

[Heaven-Venerating Gate]? It's Li Zhouwei!

Shock and fury surged through his heart. He immediately circulated his mana as golden radiance erupted from his body. A purple-black spirit bowl flew from his chest and rose into the air, absorbing the torrent of heavenly light pouring down. Yet he treasured the [Kongsijiang Demon Bowl] too much to place it directly beneath [Heaven-Venerating Gate]. Instead, he spat out a stream of golden light.

"Hah!"

After being pinned down by the two Mahas for so long, Si Yuanli was already in an awkward and humiliating position. His face had gone pale as he agonized over how much of his spirit items he would have to surrender. Their strength far exceeded his own, and he feared he would never escape without paying a heavy price. The frustration had been simmering in his chest for quite some time.

The moment he saw this development, he was overjoyed. "Fellow Daoist Minghuang! Thank you for your assistance! I will repay this favor generously!"

Back then, he and Li Xuanfeng had addressed one another as equals. Now his tone had become noticeably warmer. As he saw the Bright Yang radiance descend from the heavens, he found the colors exceptionally pleasing to the eye. He could not help but sigh inwardly, I really didn't make a mistake forging ties with Moongaze Lake! That marriage alliance was an excellent investment! To think it could actually persuade Li Zhouwei to take action!

The brilliant radiance in the sky suddenly exploded outward. [Heavenly Radiance, Hidden Light] struck Daisi's stream of golden qi before it could fully form, shattering it instantly. Yet at the same moment, a streak of white qi shot forward and manifested beneath the [Heaven-Venerating Gate].

It was the snow-white, three-faced Maha. Sounds of weeping and laughter rang out simultaneously from his three mouths as he raised a bronze seal high overhead and activated a divine ability. The sound crashed toward Li Zhouwei's face like a bolt of thunder.

"Hum!"

With the Body Divine Ability, [Sovereign In Peril], in full operation, Li Zhouwei charged forward with halberd in hand. Qilin patterns emerged across his body. The Buddhist sounds that should have penetrated his mind lost all effect, leaving only tangible waves of mana surging toward him. Yet those currents were split apart one after another before his weapon, dissolving into golden light that circled unwillingly around him.

Still, the Maha showed not the slightest fear. Producing an unremarkable bronze seal, he raised it to impede the descending heavenly gate. All three faces twisted into fury.

Accustomed to throwing his weight around in the north, he immediately bellowed, "Impudent fiend!"

The familiar words echoed in Li Zhouwei's ears. A smile appeared on his face, though anger simmered beneath it. Bright light gradually filled his eyes, and the sign of a solar eclipse emerged between his brows. [Sovereign In Peril] had already carried him directly before the Maha.

Li Zhouwei bellowed, "What are you supposed to be?!"

Streams of black-gold radiance burst forth in a frenzy. They lashed Yanbai one after another within the sea of brightness, causing his expression to change immediately.

Boom!

The Maha's incomparably sturdy dharma body stiffened instantly. Impact marks spread across his frame as the black-gold radiance touched down lightly before rapidly climbing along his limbs. Harsh creaking sounds echoed through the air.

Yanbai snarled, "You dare, fiend!"

Daisi's expression shifted slightly as he stepped into the air. Regret welled up inside him, These cultivators from the Great Mahayana Dharma Realm are more stubborn than the last... They just had to provoke him! What grudge do you even have against him? If you push him too far and he refuses to back down, do you think the White Qilin is known for having a good temper?

Knowing he could not afford to delay, Daisi immediately activated the [Kongsijiang Demon Bowl] and poured his full strength into suppressing Si Yuanli below, whose divine ability was beginning to wane.

A vicious expression crept onto his face. "If you still refuse to yield, don't blame us for taking harsher measures!"

Only then did he realize that Si Yuanli had already released his spell seal and was simply standing there with an odd expression on his face.

"Hm?"

He slowly turned his gaze and finally discovered that, at some point without his noticing, a man in green robes had appeared beside him. The man watched him with a cheerful smile, casually toying with a small Pristine Water cauldron. A dark bead hung heavily at his waist, while a golden tassel swayed gently in the wind.

As Daisi looked over, countless manifestations of Pristine Water appeared around them. Oppressive divine ability surged higher and higher, every trace of it locking firmly onto him. The pressure was so overwhelming that he dared not move even a fraction.

The man even smiled, revealing a row of neat white teeth as he said, "You recognize me, don't you, Fellow Daoist? Hmm?"

1. 晞 (Xī): radiant dawn light; a term associated with the emergence of brightness. ☜