Chapter 1738: One After Another (II)

Li Suining merely bowed, then chose an appropriate level of detail and gave a brief account. Li Ximing listened without a word, silently committing everything to memory so that he could discuss it in detail with Liu Changdie later.

Yet as he watched the young man speak with calm assurance, suspicion gradually arose within Li Ximing, Since he has neither attained a divine ability nor possesses a talisman seed, how could he withstand my Fate Divine Ability? If I place him under its command, will he not fall into my grasp?

Furthermore, doubts still lingered in his heart, yet he had no choice but to hurry to the Eastern Sea. Naturally, he had to put certain measures in place before departing.

He smiled and said, "I must travel to the Eastern Sea to obtain spirit materials for you... but my pill furnace is still here on the mountain. How about watching over it for me while you study your Formation Dao scriptures?"

Li Suining had no intention of refusing. He hurriedly nodded and solemnly accepted the task. Li Ximing reached into his sleeve, condensed a ritual fan with his divine ability, and handed it to him.

He instructed gravely, "I will have you serve as my alchemy attendant for a while. Simply channel your mana into this fan and tend the furnace flame until I return."

"Yes!"

Li Suining treated it as a matter of the utmost importance and nodded solemnly. The moment he gave his assent, a hidden radiance gleamed in Li Ximing's eyes. Concealing his hand within his sleeve, he formed a seal, and the Light of the Six Directions sprang forth.

It was none other than [Radiance Under Heaven]!

Their exchange appeared to be little more than a formality, but once this relationship of command and obedience was established within [Radiance Under Heaven], its mystic immediately responded, placing Li Suining under the supervision of the Fate Divine Ability!

If Li Suining harbored even the slightest resentment or disloyalty, Li Ximing would sense it at once! The golden fan in his hand would then immediately respond and tear him to pieces.

The colorless Light of the Six Directions flickered gently at his fingertips, allowing Li Ximing to relax slightly.

According to the response from [Radiance Under Heaven], his respect for me is sincere. It seems his feelings for the family are genuine as well, without the slightest trace of deceit... It appears... this child must have encountered some extraordinary opportunity...

If it truly was the latter and Li Suining had encountered some opportunity related to the Heaven-Governing Dao, then beyond feeling relieved, Li Ximing would instead have to consider whether there was something wrong with the opportunity itself. Regardless, with [Radiance Under Heaven] exerting its influence, Li Ximing could set his concerns aside for the time being.

From what I can see, he is a good child at the moment... I must not wrong him. This arrangement will have to suffice for now. Once I return, I will send him into seclusion. We can discuss the matter carefully after Zhouwei emerges from seclusion.

He promptly made his way out of the mountain, then instructed Li Minggong to seal the great formation of Zhijing Mountain and forbid anyone from entering. "Go and invite Daoist Master Nanwu here to stand guard over the mountain in my place... Something has happened in the Eastern Sea. I will return shortly."

Only then did he hurriedly ride the wind into the sky and enter the great void.

————

The night was dark and somber.

Dark clouds blanketed the sky above Chengyun Gate, without the slightest trace of iridescent light. A young man with a slightly pale face stood upon a high platform, gazing into the night sky. His long robe, patterned with white feathers and dark arcane markings, fluttered gently in the air, lending him a somewhat oppressive air.

He was none other than Daoist Master Changyun, the master of Chengyun Gate. He stood silently upon the high platform without uttering a word. The raging wind merely stirred his hair, while his eyes held an unfathomably grave look.

Beside him stood another young man dressed in black, similarly unmoved amid the fierce wind. He stood a full head taller than Daoist Master Changyun, with the long spear in his hand planted against the ground. His divine ability surged around him, giving him an immensely imposing presence.

After an unknown length of time, the spear-wielding young man lowered his eyes and reminded him, "My lord, that person instructed you to keep others from seeing you while cultivating such a secret technique..."

Changyun calmly shook his head. "There will be no opportunity after this, Chonggong."

The spear-wielding Daoist Master was none other than Zhong Qian, the sect master of Chengyun Gate!

He had attained the Purple Mansion Realm not long ago, but his divine ability already radiated immense power. His features were keen and commanding. When he had met Li Xuanfeng years ago, traces of youthfulness had still lingered on his face, but they had now vanished completely, replaced by the majesty and composure of a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator.

Changyun looked to the side and said calmly, "War is about to erupt in the south, so they will inevitably come and order me there. They are feigning ignorance and hoping to force us to swallow our grievances in silence."

His words were deeply sarcastic, yet there was no trace of dejection on his face, as though having his secret exposed was no great concern.

After a while, golden-white light surged in from the distance, and an energetic Daoist descended from it. However, he was riding an auspicious cloud beneath his feet, making the entire sight seem rather incongruous.

"Brother Changyun!"

The monk called out as he landed on the platform. He was unsurprised to find that Changyun had long known he was coming.

After offering a bow, he said with a somewhat awkward expression, "I have received orders to invite you south to defend the riverbank."

Zhong Qian's expression shifted slightly at those words, but Changyun smiled and invited the monk inside.

After studying his face, he shook his head. "Fellow Daoist Minghui... These past few years have not been easy for you either!"

The awkwardness on Minghui's face gradually faded, and he let out a deep sigh. "Your eyes are truly discerning, Daoist Master. I have been treading on thin ice along this riverbank. Summoning you south today was bound to offend you, so naturally, they handed the task to me..."

After the war to establish the state, the Li Family had gained an opportunity to recuperate, but Minghui had truly suffered over the past few years. He had been transferred to Shanji, where every annual probing attack was assigned to him! He had already tasted Tinglan's Boundless Water-Fire more than once!

After venting his complaints, Minghui secretly glanced at Zhong Qian. He discerned the radiant flames surging around the man with one look, and was immediately astonished by his extraordinary presence.

What powerful destiny! If this man were to convert to Buddhism, he would undoubtedly achieve great things!

While Minghui continued observing him in secret, Changyun was already sneering inwardly, Ch'i Lanyan... Oh, Ch'i Lanyan. I have been in seclusion for so long, yet you just had to force me out! Very well, very well. A minor cultivator from the Ch'i Family gains the Profound Order's support and suddenly thinks he can command the wind and rain. What utter stupidity!

Are there so few great figures in the world who know about this? Yet every one of them has learned to behave and feign ignorance. Only this fool allowed himself to be pushed to the forefront, thinking he had uncovered a few secrets. Now, he dares to scheme against my Golden One Dao Lineage...

Just as Ch'i Lanyan had predicted years ago, the Golden One Dao Lineage was indeed enraged. Yet Changyun, or rather Zhang Yun[1] of the Golden Feather Sect, regarded Ch'i Lanyan's audacity as nothing more than ignorance.

My Dao has always been the one scheming against others and controlling all sides. Yet now, he dares to scheme against me!

His thoughts grew dark. Before him, Minghui could no longer contain himself and stared at him with undisguised envy. "Daoist Master, you have already attained three divine abilities! What astonishing speed. Even the Golden Core Realm immortal descendants are no better than this!"

Regardless of how much flattery and courtesy Minghui intended, Changyun could not help feeling sensitive to his words. After all, Changyun was a hidden agent of the Golden Feather Sect, so the remark sounded almost sarcastic to his ears. His somewhat gloomy eyes swept repeatedly over the monk.

Does this monk know something or not... His words are so pointed. Could the Lotus Temple know as well? Given Jinlian's identity and status... he should not ordinarily have access to such information...

Regardless, he replied calmly, "It was merely good fortune."

Minghui shook his head and sighed. "I hear that the Yang Family's Purple-Gold Hall has already opened. Trouble is bound to break out along the river sooner or later. Besides coming here to perform this thankless task, I also have one or two questions to ask you."

"Oh?"

Changyun raised his brows. The monk looked deeply troubled and deliberated for a long while. Only after seeing the great formation close did he furtively say, "You and I have been friends for many years... Do you know any way to seek death... Teach me..."

The solemn and worried Zhong Qian could not keep the corner of his mouth from twitching. Changyun stared at Minghui blankly, then replied with a peculiar expression, "How strange. The world is so vast, and there are already so few paths to survival. How could there possibly be any shortage of paths to death?"

1. Given name of Daoist Master Changyun. ☜