Chapter 1601: The Fate Of The Si And Ning Families (II)
Chapter 1601: The Fate Of The Si And Ning Families (II)
New Rain Scattered Reefs.
The sea wind howled, and waves rolled across the ocean. A woman in pink robes rode in on the wind. The cultivators on either side immediately stepped aside upon seeing her and greeted her respectfully.
A woman dressed in purple called out from nearby, "Junior Sister Queyi is back!"
The woman had a round face and delicate, with petite ears that gave her an elegant appearance. Her features had matured as she had grown older, and she now carried a touch of effortless poise. It was none other than Li Queyi.
She halted the wind beneath her feet, and first nodded politely to the cultivators who had come to greet her. Only then did she glance at the woman and reply, "So it's Dharma Protector Yáng[1]. You seem unusually free today."
The woman either failed to notice or chose to ignore the coolness in her tone. Stepping forward, she smiled. "When I heard you were returning, I was delighted and came at once to welcome you."
Li Queyi merely smiled without answering, and continued forward on the wind. Only then did she notice a handsome man approaching through the air. He carried himself with considerable grace.
Coming to a stop before her, he asked with concern, "Why were you gone for so long this time? I was starting to worry that something had happened to you."
Only then did a genuine smile appear on Li Queyi's face as she replied, "Elder Sister Quewan is in Qunyi as well! We haven't seen each other in years, so of course we had a lot to catch up on... She's become so much more mature. The way she handles matters and plans ahead already carries the bearing of an elder."
A trace of amazement appeared on her face as she said, "I've only just reached the Foundation Establishment Realm, yet elder sister is already in the late stage of the Foundation Establishment Realm!"
Si Xunhui nodded in approval. The Guest Cultivator Yáng standing nearby paid little attention to the details. She had heard that Li Quewan's bloodline was not particularly distinguished and that she had been sent away to Qunyi, so she assumed the woman was out of favor.
Eager to ingratiate herself, she laughed and said, "Truly impressive people! Still, no matter how high her cultivation is, she probably can't compare to junior sister's noble bloodline. You're favored by the Daoist Master and blessed with such an excellent future husband as well..."
Among all her sisters, Li Queyi was closest to Li Quewan. Thus, hearing those words was especially grating. The attempted flattery had struck entirely the wrong target.
Li Queyi's expression turned icy as she frowned, turned, and said coldly, "Dharma Protector Yáng, since when is it your place to sow discord within my family?!"
The woman in purple was startled and stammered a few incoherent excuses. In response, Li Queyi merely sneered. "The Daoist Master gave explicit orders. Former disciples of the Purple Smoke Gate now hold positions as Dharma Protectors and instructors. You've only recently emerged from seclusion, Dharma Protector Yáng, so it's understandable that you haven't sorted out the situation yet.
“Speaking carelessly in front of me is one thing. If the Daoist Master were to hear such words, however, I wonder whether you could bear the consequences. You'd do well to watch your tongue! Now, you're trying to drive a wedge between members of a Purple Mansion Realm direct descendant. Be careful you don't lose your life over it, Dharma Protector!"
With that, she turned away, leaving the woman rooted to the spot, and headed deeper into the island. Beside her, Si Xunhui cast the woman a meaningful glance before following after Li Queyi with a smile. "There really are people who don't know what's good for them."
Li Queyi shook her head and sighed. "Back then, her cultivation was higher than mine, and she was one of my senior sisters. I gave her due respect, but she seems to have mistaken that for something she could rely on... Times are different now. If I allow her to cling to me as she pleases, she'll get herself killed in the end, and she'll drag me down with her."
Si Xunhui smiled warmly. "Don't worry. She won't be bothering you again."
Li Queyi glanced at him and said softly, "Discuss things with me first before doing anything..."
Just then, a woman stepped forward to deliver a report. She had also been one of their fellow disciples from the Purple Smoke Gate, yet her attitude was exceptionally respectful.
"My lady and lord!"
After years of hardship in the outer-sea, these cultivators had long since shed the pride and airs of immortal sect disciples. The gap in status between them and Li Queyi had widened beyond measure, becoming the difference between clouds and mud. All that remained was respectful titles of 'my lady.'
The woman bowed respectfully. "The Daoist Master is waiting for you in the hall, my lady!"
Si Xunhui's expression immediately turned serious, and he withdrew at once. Li Queyi quickly changed direction and hurried toward the hall. After announcing herself and entering, she discovered that there was more than one person present. Besides Daoist Master Kuangyu, the master of New Rain Scattered Reefs, there was also a beautiful woman dressed in white whose demeanor carried a lingering melancholy.
"This junior greets the Daoist Masters!"
No sooner had Li Queyi bowed than Kuangyu smiled and beckoned her forward, introducing her with unusual warmth. "Elder Sister Wan'er, this is Queyi, the junior I cherish most."
The woman was indeed Ning Wan, whom they had not seen for a very long time!
In terms of seniority, Ning Wan actually belonged to an older generation than Kuangyu. Kuangyu had cultivated within the Hengzhu Blessed Land during a period when several Daoist Masters of the previous generation had fallen, Daoist Master Hengli had achieved his breakthrough, and the blessed land was suffering from a shortage of personnel. Coupled with the fact that her father was himself a Daoist Master, she had enjoyed the full support and resources of both sides, making her cultivation progress exceptionally rapid.
The Ning Family, on the other hand, had declined greatly after Daoist Master Yuansu, its most important pillar, died without descendants. Ning Wan had been chosen almost by necessity, and in truth, her innate ability was inferior to that of Kuangyu and her peers. She had also spent an unusually long time breaking through the Ignorance stage. That was why she had advanced so much later. Strictly speaking, Kuangyu ought to address her as elder sister.
Ning Wan gave a slight nod, and asked, "Queyi... Which lineage of the family do you belong to?"
Li Queyi bowed again and answered respectfully, "I am a great-granddaughter of the Yuandu lineage. My ancestor belonged to the Xuan generation and bore the name Xuanxuan."
"Li Xuanxuan..." Ning Wan clearly recognized the name, and said softly, "So you are one of the old elder's descendants."
Her mood was poor, and had little else to say after that single response. Kuangyu, however, grew curious and asked, "Oh? Is Zhaojing your direct elder? How are his descendants faring?"
Li Queyi did not dare claim such a close relationship and hurriedly replied, "Daoist Master, Daoist Master Zhaojing belongs to the Yuanping lineage... The Daoist Master has one grandson of the Zhou generation, named Ming. Aside from him, he has no other descendants."
Ning Wan felt somewhat helpless and transmitted her words through divine ability. "Xinyu... the future of the Si Family is uncertain as well. How can you casually promise a direct descendant to them?"
Kuangyu merely smiled and gestured for Li Queyi to rise before speaking regretfully, "It's a pity you've already entered the Purple Smoke Gate and reached Foundation Establishment Realm so early. I'm not familiar with the Dao lineage you cultivate. Otherwise, I might have been tempted myself.
"Still, since you're working under me, I can't neglect you. The Purple Smoke Gate's cultivation technique isn't bad, but I know of one that's even better. More importantly, it contains a path to the Purple Mansion Realm..."
At the mention of Purple Smoke Gate, Ning Wan frowned and asked, "I took a look around. The former Purple Smoke Gate disciples under your jurisdiction are living rather miserably... That's hardly something to be proud of."
Kuangyu's expression turned serious. "That wasn't my arrangement. It was advice from Senior Tinglan... I'm not Purple Smoke Gate, nor do I possess the resources I once did. If I don't temper their attitudes a little, they'll only bring deadly trouble upon themselves sooner or later...
“After all, I can't personally intervene in every matter. Keeping them in check now at least prevents them from causing trouble outside..."
She smiled, turned back toward Li Queyi, and said, "The one following you is from the Sima Family. He comes from a respectable background. Back then, his family moved south and joined Supreme Yang of Qingxuan. Daoist Master Yuanxiu was also among the last generation of Daoist Masters to bear the title of the Supreme Yang Dao lineage..."
She then mused aloud, "He has Tantai blood as well, doesn't he?"
The question was naturally not directed at Li Queyi. Seeing Ning Wan nod, Kuangyu continued casually, "The Tantai Family indeed. The connection goes back to ties formed by their ancestors."
As she spoke, Kuangyu took something from her sleeve. Several bright pearls rested in her palm, radiating a chilling aura and appearing to be of excellent quality. Smiling, she said, "We all know each other well. Since there's a happy occasion on the horizon, take these as an early gift."
Li Queyi's face reddened slightly as she repeatedly protested that she could not accept them, but Kuangyu insisted and had her take the gift before smiling and dismissing her.
Ning Wan could only sigh. Ever since Li Yuanqin entered seclusion, the few remaining members of the Ning Family were hardly capable of managing affairs. They might not even remember to send a congratulatory gift! Moreover, she herself was supposedly still in seclusion, leaving her with little she could say.
Kuangyu said softly, "As for you, Elder Sister Wan'er... your situation..."
Weariness appeared in Ning Wan's expression, but she answered calmly, "It's fine. I'll have to return sooner or later. For now, I can avoid the Yang Family matter by remaining in seclusion, but as for the final outcome... that depends on the Azure Pond Sect.
"If Pristine Gui Pool shows even the slightest reaction, I'll at least be able to preserve my life..."
Kuangyu naturally understood what she meant, yet the situation was far from encouraging. That Pristine Water lord had never acted according to conventional logic, and was widely regarded as one of the most difficult True Monarchs to serve.
And on top of that, they pinned the entire crime of Turbid Slaughter Mausoleum on her. It's impossible not to suspect some deeper purpose behind it...
Concern flickered across Kuangyu's face as she replied, "No matter what, it is still that lord's Dao lineage. The mountain, the formation, the pool... how much effort was poured into building all of it? Wouldn't it be a terrible waste to let everything be reduced to rubble?"
Ning Wan answered quietly, "Why would that matter? Once this place has been dealt with, all he needs to do is worship Pristine Water once more and rebuild the Dao lineage for that lord before withdrawing at his leisure. Even if everything here is torn down, sooner or later another Grand Daoist Master of Pristine Water will emerge from the pool, select a few families to enlighten, and the whole thing will be rebuilt again."
Kuangyu's expression stiffened. "But what about Chi Buzi? He entered the pool as well!"
Ning Wan lowered her gaze and said, "But he's useful."
Her voice was calm, yet the words lingered in the hall.
Kuangyu paused, puzzled, and looked at her. The beautiful woman before her lifted her eyes slightly, revealing both tranquility and sorrow within them. Her voice drifted through the air like a whisper. "He saw through it. He understood it. Those who cultivate through the pool may possess countless divine abilities, but in the end, they cultivate for a single purpose. Once that purpose is fulfilled, they can grasp the key, the seal.
"The Azure Pond Sect is a pouch that keeps drawing tighter and tighter until it can be tucked neatly into someone's pocket. The Azure Pond Sect's divine abilities are not paths to the Purple Mansion Realm. They are that lord's private property and sacrificial scapegoats. Only one person can survive... There is room for only one. When that person steps out and receives the opportunity, everyone else must remain inside the pouch.
"For all these years, I never understood why he refused to cultivate a divine ability. Looking back now, he understood the truth as well. He simply lacked Chi Buzi's ambition. He refused to step outside, choosing instead to hold that key alone in his hand... until the day he died."
1. This 羊 (Yáng) is not the same 杨 (Yáng) of the Yang Family. It means Sheep. ☜