Chapter 1778: Reassignment (II)

Realization immediately dawned on Liu Changdie, though a trace of melancholy entered his voice. "I see... I actually considered the Western Sea as well, but certain things happened that made it inconvenient for me to contact anyone there... Yet after going in circles, it still comes back to the Western Sea. May I ask what the item is?"

Zang Tiaozi opened his palm, revealing a patch of crimson sand that gleamed as it churned and leaped continuously.

The Daoist Master stated, "[Vermilion Temple Golden Court Sand]!"

Liu Changdie did not seem surprised. A look of understanding flashed across his face as he sighed. "Just as I thought! It's from the [Mercury Circulation Terrace], isn't it?"

Zang Tiaozi shook his head. "It's enough that you know. There's no need to say more."

The [Mercury Circulation Terrace] Liu Changdie spoke of had once been a major sect of the Western Sea and had enjoyed a period of great prosperity. Its Grand Daoist Master, Miaoqi, had advanced steadily step by step, eventually crossing the Purple Mansion Threshold late in life and becoming one of the foremost figures in the world.

Unfortunately, turmoil erupted in the Western Sea, and Grand Daoist Master Miaoqi suddenly perished. Then, another Dao lineage, the [Western Mansion Origin Grotto Gate], subsequently rose to prominence. A great battle had broken the backbone of the [Mercury Circulation Terrace], and it had never recovered since... The [Vermilion Temple Golden Court Sand] had been one of the prized spirit items wielded by the Daoist Master of the [Mercury Circulation Terrace]!

Liu Changdie had traveled widely and had also spent time in the Western Sea, where he had known people from the [Mercury Circulation Terrace]. He therefore felt somewhat melancholy, but Zang Tiaozi was far less sentimental and merely smiled. "This item lies between the Plain and Metal Daos. It excels at transforming into a vast rain of treasured cinnabar that fills the sky. If it can be refined into a dharma artifact or incorporated into an art, the benefits would surely surpass anything you might imagine. It can rival spirit waters and spiritual flames!"

Spirit waters and spiritual flames inherently possessed value far beyond ordinary spirit items. By comparing this object to them, Zang Tiaozi was clearly emphasizing just how precious it was. Liu Changdie hurriedly took several jade boxes from his sleeve and showed their contents to the Daoist Master one by one, only for Zang Tiaozi to shake his head repeatedly and say, "The only thing I want is the [Unified Qi White Cosmos Stone]!"

Liu Changdie immediately found himself in a difficult position. The [Unified Qi White Cosmos Stone] in his possession was meant to be exchanged for the [Genkwa-Piercing Profound Light]. How could he use it up beforehand?

But if I don't use the [Unified Qi White Cosmos Stone], he has little interest in my other spirit items. I'd have to add a great many more before he'd agree to the exchange...

He hesitated again and again, opening his mouth several times, but ultimately said nothing.

Even though he regarded the Li Family as his own clan, faced with something so extraordinarily valuable that acquiring it might empty his entire savings, he clearly could not make such a decision in an instant.

After considering it for a moment, he said, "Senior, please hold on to this item for me. I'll go gather what I can and make some inquiries, so that I can put together something of comparable value and exchange for it."

Zang Tiaozi naturally nodded and escorted him all the way out of the mountain. Liu Changdie took hold of his hand and pleaded repeatedly, "I know that [Whole Pill] spirit items are extremely scarce nowadays and that many Dao lineages are searching everywhere for them... but this portion of the spirit item is of vital importance to me. Please reserve it for me. I will definitely return soon to make the exchange!"

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Summer leaves drifted down through the mountains, and the yellow hues of autumn emerged once more. On a jade table deep within the secluded cave dwelling sat two white jade boxes, gleaming brilliantly beneath the light of Bright Yang. The Daoist Master seated within the cave slowly exhaled and opened his eyes.

He rose to his feet and shook out his sleeves. Most of his injuries had already healed, and there was no visible fluctuation in his aura. Li Ximing calculated the time on his fingers and was slightly surprised that he had healed so quickly.

It has actually been more than a year since I sent that message to Yang Ruiyi...

Li Ximing felt somewhat disappointed. He estimated that Situ Huo had already taken control of Jiangbei, which meant that even extricating himself had become a problem. Still, he had been mentally prepared for this possibility, so he did not show much disappointment.

It seems I'll have to find another opportunity...

The jade piece in his sleeve began humming incessantly. Li Ximing quickly stepped out of the cave dwelling and, as expected, found Daoist Master Chengqian standing outside with his hands clasped behind his back, pacing to and fro.

The moment he saw Li Ximing, he smiled, and the first thing he said was, "Congratulations, Fellow Daoist!"

Li Ximing was slightly taken aback. "What is there to congratulate me for?"

Daoist Master Chengqian gestured for him to accompany him, lowering his head as he explained with a smile, "Word has come from the mountain. It's about a reassignment of garrison duties!"

He then unfurled the golden scroll in his hand and passed it to Li Ximing. Several dozen words were written clearly across it. In essence, Daoist Master Xianyao and Sima Yuanli were to report to Timber Mountain, while Li Ximing and Chengqian were to depart immediately for Stillness Sea to quell the demonic unrest.

Chengqian explained, "Many of the Shamanic Kingdoms in the south have already been conquered, throwing the region into turmoil. Once Daoist Master Zhusheng came north, those demon kings suddenly lost the deterrent that had kept them in check and shamelessly began testing the waters... That's why the two of us are being sent there!"

Had this happened a year ago, Li Ximing would certainly have smiled knowingly, understanding that Yang Ruiyi had done him this favor. But an entire year had already passed, leaving him somewhat puzzled. He suppressed his doubts for the moment, returned the golden scroll with a salute, and stepped out of the cave dwelling. Sure enough, he found Daoist Master Qinghu, Sima Yuanli, waiting outside.

The two exchanged no unnecessary words. Li Ximing and Daoist Master Chengqian took their leave together, rode the wind into the dark and hazy great void, and sped southward.

Once they had left the mountain, Daoist Master Chengqian looked much more relaxed, and Li Ximing also breathed a sigh of relief. Only when he finally had a moment to speak did he frown and ask, "To be reassigned out of nowhere... Has the situation changed over the past year?"

Daoist Master Chengqian replied, "Fellow Daoist was in seclusion cultivating and recovering from your injuries, so I did not dare disturb you... Quite a few things have changed over the past year. Fortunately, none of them involved any major battles. Timber Mountain was only tested once or twice by the Merciful Ones. From the look of it, they merely wanted to find out who was stationed here.

"But quite a few major things happened at Mount Tangdao."

Li Ximing gave him a puzzled look, and Daoist Master Chengqian continued, "Not long after you entered seclusion, word came from the mountain. Military Commissioner Situ held off the forces from the north, but upon reaching Mount Tangdao, he suddenly received orders to head south and attend his majesty at the Song court. He remained there for several months... so the Daoist Master... had no choice but to stay in the north."

These words left Li Ximing deep in thought, and he immediately understood what had happened, Yang Ruiyi wasn't able to return to the Wilderness... Instead, he remained behind to guard Mount Tangdao...

"How did General Yang react?"

Daoist Master Chengqian replied, "I haven't heard of any particular reaction from him. Privately, however, everyone is saying that there will probably be another major operation in the north and that they are determined to retake the Great Primordial Hidden Radiance Mountain... That must be why General Yang has been kept stationed here."

Before Li Ximing could respond, Chengqian continued with a faint smile, "Ordinarily, summoning him back would only have involved a formal audience at court, but Military Commissioner Situ simply did not return. He remained at court for quite some time, petitioning the Song court to gather the surviving descendants of the Situ Family and allow him to reestablish the clan."

Li Ximing narrowed his eyes slightly as he realized Situ Huo's intentions and asked, "How did his majesty respond?"

Daoist Master Chengqian remained perfectly courteous, giving no indication of where he personally stood on the matter. He merely replied, "The Situ Family has long since lost its direct line. Fortunately, after a thorough investigation, they discovered that when Mount Tangdao collapsed in the past, the Purple Smoke Blessed Land took in a group of collateral branches of the Situ Family. They are still in Yufu, and have now been placed under Senior Situ's authority."

He sighed with emotion and added, "The whole affair then dragged on for an entire year. Senior Situ only arrived at Mount Tangdao a month ago. Our reassignment was probably ordered by Lord Yang before he left." ℴ

Li Ximing silently worked through the implications and remained quiet for a long while. The true direct descendants of the Situ Family are still in the hands of the Buddhist cultivators. Now that Situ Huo has become such a prominent figure in the south, the destiny of those direct descendants has risen along with his status...

As he was pondering this, Chengqian suddenly turned solemn and said, "Many thanks, Fellow Daoist Zhaojing!"

Li Ximing was slightly taken aback and turned to look at him as he thought, So he realizes that it's thanks to me that he no longer has to remain stationed at Timber Mountain... Everyone is wounded right now, and whoever is stationed furthest north is the one most likely to run into trouble... He is perceptive indeed!

Li Ximing could not help but laugh and shake his head. Rather than answer him directly, he said with a smile, "Once we reach the Southern Sea, I still have some private matters to attend to. I may have to trouble you, Chengqian."

The young man gave him a thoughtful look before hurriedly replying, "I understand! Please do not worry, Daoist Master!"

With most of his injuries healed and no longer restricted to being stationed at Timber Mountain, Li Ximing's mood improved considerably. He took a talisman from his sleeve and sensed through it with his Fate Divine Ability. "Qusi... I still need to head farther south."