Chapter 1561: In One Decisive Push (II)
Chapter 1561: In One Decisive Push (II)
Turbid Slaughter Mausoleum.
A faint white mist drifted through the sky, while jagged white bones lay scattered across the ground. Waves of chilling air surged through the area as several minor cultivators moved cautiously among the remains with talismans in hand.
The sky itself felt strange. It was not dim, but instead resembled a vast, resplendent gem, glowing with a deep purple hue.
"What a fine piece of treasured land..."
Devil winds surged and coiled through the air. A man stood suspended in the sky, holding a long-handled blade as he drew the surrounding Baleful Qi into a swirling vortex around him. Helian Wumeng's devilish eyes were fixed upon the great void, flickering with shifting light as though trying to discern something within it.
Beside him stood a tall middle-aged man, one hand resting on the dharma sword at his waist. His bearing was imposing as he said in a low voice, "The fluctuations of spiritual energy change three times a day now. The signs are beginning to show."
Helian Wumeng knew that his elder possessed far greater Dao conduct and would naturally be more versed in such transformations. He smiled and asked, "Have the juniors arrived?"
Helian Wujiang nodded leisurely. "Changyu and Changying have both reached Jiangbei. They are pillars of the family, so it is only right that they go and contend for their chance."
Helian Wumeng's gaze swept swiftly across the great void. He saw a strand of Valley Water light rising from one side, while blazing True Fire surged from another, each claiming its own domain.
He let out a cold scoff. "They've all come."
Helian Wujiang shook his head and replied, "They spread their Dao far and wide, and only after great effort did they produce Xindu. Several factions poured in countless resources, even preparing spirit items for him. They may have already wasted such items on many other candidates along the way. Naturally, they intend to reclaim their investment, especially those great families of Zhao State."
The Helian Family had risen steadily in recent years, breaking free from the hardships of Mobei and subduing numerous tribes. Inevitably, they had made many enemies and were far from amicable with several major clans. Helian Wumeng was just about to mock them when, from the other side of the great void, a cascade of golden light flickered into view, pouring down like a layered waterfall.
Two figures, an old man and a young one, emerged from within. Both wore robes patterned with golden flames, adorned with motifs of metal and drifting sands. The moment they appeared, their presence illuminated the surroundings, exuding immense authority.
Helian Wujiang said softly, " The Golden Feather Sect. It belongs to the True Monarch Taiyuan... He is the one recorded in the texts as Daoist Geng of the One Dao and Lasting Green. It is a top-tier Dao lineage."
Helian Wumeng nodded silently. He had always been defiant toward both heaven and earth, yet even he felt a trace of reverence upon hearing this name. With a hint of awe, he said, "So it is him... The evergreen tree of Metal Virtue."
Before his words had fully faded, a stretch of white clouds drifted in from the southwest, shifting and transforming in the sky. Several figures could be vaguely seen standing within, exchanging greetings with those from the Golden Feather Sect.
Mount Changhuai.
Soon, divine abilities began to manifest all around. Multicolored clouds gathered, one after another, as figures revealed themselves and waited within the sky.
Helian Wumeng let out a laugh. "Normally they shout about killing each other, yet when it comes time to divide a grotto heaven, they all show up, acting friendlier than ever. Those who fight stop fighting, those who kill stop killing..."
"Is that not the case everywhere?" Helian Wujiang smiled and said, "Otherwise, why would people like Bai Ziyu[1] bother getting involved?"
Helian Wumeng lifted his head amid the gathering of divine abilities. His gaze quickly found a patch of brilliant light, yet the person he expected was nowhere to be seen. He asked, "This is...?"
Helian Wujiang's gaze turned deep as he muttered, "Li Ximing."
In the heavy great void, radiant lights appeared one after another. A man in white-golden Daoist robes now stood to the south. Li Ximing drew his sleeves together and swept his gaze across the area.
More than half a year had passed since Li Zhouwei had entered seclusion. During this time, Li Ximing devoted himself to cultivating his arts and advancing his cultivation, leaving him with no leisure at all. But with the aid of talisman qi, his [Great Radiant White Light] had progressed steadily. At one point, struck by a sudden insight, he took a great leap forward and unexpectedly condensed another strand of crimson light.
This should have been a joyous matter, yet just as he completed his cultivation, he sensed the spiritual energy by the shore stirring violently. A sense of unease rose in his heart, and the joy faded at once. Now standing within the great void, he saw faint silhouettes appearing everywhere around him.
Then a streak of golden light leaped toward him, manifesting before him as a handsome and carefree young man. It was Daoist Master Tianhuo of the Golden Feather Sect.
"Fellow Daoist Zhaojing!"
"Fellow Daoist Tianhuo..."
Li Ximing had been hesitating, but seeing Tianhuo approach of his own accord, he felt somewhat reassured.
Tianhuo, meanwhile, smiled with easy confidence. "Which juniors have you brought along?"
Li Ximing gave a wry smile and shook his head. The young man before him was perceptive, smoothly shifting the topic without making it obvious.
"The roots of Wanlin Heaven are gradually revealing themselves. The first things to descend will certainly be the many secret realms attached to it. Do you remember the Great Ning Palace? Back when Anhuai Heaven descended, it was exactly the same.
"These secret realms are matters for those at the Foundation Establishment Realm... There is no need for you and me to personally compete for them, but sending juniors down would be an excellent opportunity. Sometimes, there are even great surprises waiting... With us stationed here, everyone will restrain themselves, and no major casualties should occur."
The few words were enough for Li Ximing to understand, What once seemed like great fortune and great danger to those at Foundation Establishment Realm is nothing more than this in the eyes of those with divine abilities... Our elders are the blades of the Azure Pond Sect, doing precisely this kind of work!
If that is the case, Minggong and the others could go in and try... especially Ding Weizeng. He is perfectly suited for it! With his ability to escape being confined, he can enter and exit safely. It is a pity Little Cui went away...
But looking at it from another angle, this meant there was still some time to spare. A quiet delight rose in Li Ximing's heart.
Unexpectedly, Tianhuo was quite warm and said with a smile, "Have you made arrangements at the lake? A few juniors from my sect will also be arriving soon. If you are willing, they can enter together. It would allow them to look after one another!"
1. Referring to Daoist Master Yehui. ☜