Chapter 1656: Sima Family (II)
Chapter 1656: Sima Family (II)
This Purple Mansion Realm grand formation was immensely valuable, even superior to the one protecting the lake. Yet the Li Family had no intention of keeping it for themselves. First, they simply did not have the time or energy to overhaul another grand formation. Second, this was Master Changxiao's personal grand formation. Who would dare use it as it was? Unless it underwent a complete reconstruction from top to bottom, no one could cultivate within it with peace of mind. But who knew how much of its original power would remain after such extensive modifications?
If the grand formation over our lake ever needs replacing, we'd be better off constructing a new one ourselves, dismantling the old one, and moving this formation plate over afterward. In the end, there wouldn't be much difference...
Si Yuanli had come to much the same conclusion. Although the [Upper Rite] Dao did not conflict with [Orthodox Wood], he was wealthy enough that, rather than wasting materials endlessly modifying an existing formation, he would rather build one from scratch.
Hearing Li Zhouwei's meaning, he immediately understood and smiled. "I'll dismantle it for you, fellow Daoist."
A Purple Mansion Realm grand formation demanded an enormous investment and was troublesome to dismantle. Back then, even with the formation plate from Profound Peak Gate, the Li Family had consumed an untold quantity of spirit materials.
Li Zhouwei nodded and walked out alongside him, saying quietly, "I'll leave some people here for you. Just instruct them as needed. The formation plate is far too valuable, though, so once you've finished dismantling the grand formation, I'll have to trouble you to deliver it to us!"
Si Yuanli intended to use this mountain gate himself, so he did not mind the extra work. Smiling, he nodded. Li Zhouwei was unusually cordial as he offered him another smile before asking, "Now that the Si Family has a mountain gate of its own, things must look quite different for your family."
Si Yuanli formed a spell with his fingers, seemingly directing the outer formation. White qi surged through the area, while the sky above remained completely empty. Paying it no mind, he continued casting the art and asked softly, "When I asked Fellow Daoist Zhaojing about the mountain gate back on Zhijing Mountain, it was only to lay the groundwork. I intended to wait until everything had settled, bring the Chen Family into the matter, and then approach Fellow Daoist Zhaojing again.
"I had thought the Li Family would continue keeping to itself on the lake and avoid taking the lead in such matters... I never expected your highness to act so decisively. You crossed Mushroom Forest Plain overnight and killed Chengyan just like that. The whole of Wu and Yue must be in an uproar by now."
Taking Changxiao Gate was certainly cause for celebration, and Si Yuanli was genuinely pleased. Even so, he could not help feeling a measure of regret. The entire affair had unfolded far too abruptly for the Purple Mansion Realm cultivators. Chengyan was not the only one caught off guard, even Si Yuanli himself had been rather startled.
Changxiao Gate had always been destined to become the first target. According to Si Yuanli's original plan, once the overall situation had stabilized, the Si Family would take the lead, joining forces with the Chen and Li Families to destroy Changxiao Gate...
Had events unfolded that way, it would have been Si Yuanli who had conquered Changxiao. The mountain gate would naturally have belonged to him. If the Purple Mansion Realm grand formation could have been preserved intact, so much the better. As for the remaining spirit items, he could simply let the Chen and Li Families take a larger share and earn their goodwill in the process.
Although the outcome was ultimately the same, the one who took the lead had changed, leaving Si Yuanli in a far more awkward position. The Li Family had indeed granted him the mountain gate, but there was no way they would simply hand over a Purple Mansion Realm grand formation to him for nothing.
That was why Si Yuanli had been utterly astonished when the Li Family had urgently sought him out. Who could have imagined the Li Family would suddenly take such an aggressive course? His shock lasted only a moment before giving way to hesitation, and in that instant, he understood the key to the entire matter!
No matter what calculations crossed his mind, the two families were now displaying nothing but warmth and goodwill toward one another. How could they possibly allow him to refuse? Even if he had declined, would Li Zhouwei have been unable to destroy Changxiao? At worst, Chengyan might have escaped. Once Changxiao Gate fell, however, Si Yuanli would have been left empty-handed. Forget the mountain gate, he would not have gained so much as the slightest benefit!
Moreover, even if he somehow managed to obtain Changxiao Gate afterward, with Chengyan having escaped, what was he supposed to do with the mountain full of surviving disciples and descendants? Kill them, or let them live?
Sometimes, when the situation changed, the difference between host and guest came down to nothing more than who acted first. Yet that single step had cost him, at the very least, a Purple Mansion Realm grand formation... It was enough to keep an ordinary Purple Mansion Realm force occupied for decades. Even with wealth as abundant as Si Yuanli's, he could not help but feel the sting.
Still, he was a man of deep composure. From beginning to end, he appeared perfectly natural, asking only that Changxiao's spoils be divided equally. Even so, the lingering regret in his heart compelled him to probe a little further.
Li Zhouwei glanced at him without committing himself either way, then answered openly, "The Li Family sought vengeance, and so did I. The Li Family sought to protect itself, while I seek the Dao. He was right. If it hadn't been my family, another would have come. It's just unfortunate for Changxiao Gate that it was me."
Si Yuanli remained silent, seemingly weighing the significance of Li Zhouwei's pursuit of the Dao and what place the Si Family ought to occupy in the future. Only after a long while did he raise his eyes to look at Li Zhouwei.
The White Qilin has grown into a towering tree that can now be relied upon. It may one day fall, but for now, its roots are firm.
That was a problem for the Li Family, not one Si Yuanli needed to trouble himself with. All he had to do was keep moving forward, one step at a time, and gradually lift his gaze higher.
The faint sound of blood water dripping and trickling reached his ears. Si Yuanli rested a hand at his waist, untied his green outer robe, and draped it over his arm. The golden tassels hanging from it fell away, revealing the spotless white inner robe beneath.
"My family should found a clan of its own."
Daoist Master Qinghu, Sima Yuanli, let out a long breath from the depths of his chest. His expression underwent a distinct transformation.
Li Zhouwei looked at him for a moment longer before letting his gaze drift absentmindedly to the earth beneath his feet. He said softly, "On my way here, I noticed that the rice in Helin Prefecture is already half-ripe. Once the earth veins shift, the fertility of the land will change, and even the harvests of the next few years may not be secure. It would be inappropriate for me to interfere in the affairs of the prefecture, but the root of this matter lies with me. My family will send grain. I'll have to trouble your esteemed family to oversee the aftermath."
The golden-eyed youth lowered his gaze, and the fierce aura lingering between his brows gradually faded. "When Changxiao ruled here, the people never went hungry. Now that I am leaving this place, I cannot leave behind a famine."
There was none of the tone once associated with the Azure Pond Immortal Sect. This was unmistakably a conversation between two immortal families. Sima Yuanli, ever quick-witted, raised a brow.
A warning... or a reminder?
Yet he smiled warmly and answered in earnest, "I'll see to it that everything is handled properly!"
The two Daoist Masters stood bathed in light as Sima Xunhui led his men up from the mountains. Handsome to begin with, he cut an imposing figure clad in spirit armor. Behind him followed the triumphant Wu Fan.
Together, they bowed to Sima Yuanli and Li Zhouwei and respectfully reported, "Daoist Masters, the Divine Ability Realm cultivator has fallen. The various peak masters answered the call of the righteous cause and joined together to eradicate the heretical path. All have earned merit. Peace and harmony now prevail throughout the mountain gate, and order has been fully restored!"
Sima Yuanli stroked his beard, his eyes reddening slightly as he slowly closed them. "Excellent!"
Below the steps, the young man raised his brows and called out loudly, "This junior offers his congratulations, Daoist Master!"
The golden threshold of the cave dwelling shimmered brilliantly, glowing even more brightly beneath the radiance of the two divine abilities of both Daoist Masters. Blood continued to drip from the forested slopes, spreading across the ground in dark crimson stains.
Several pale Daoist robes embroidered with cloud patterns had been discarded among the trees. Whoever had stripped them off had done so in great haste. They lay twisted together in a pool of blood water, stained and mottled, while an overturned jade crown rested atop them, filled to the brim with blood water.
Across the mountains, cultivators dropped to their knees amid the blood-soaked ground.
Wu Fan's respectful voice rang throughout the mountain. "I offer my congratulations, Daoist Master!"