Chapter 1674: Nantan Chen (II)
Chapter 1674: Nantan Chen (II)
Li Ximing gave him a glance and asked in interest, "You know alchemy as well?"
"Yes!"
Nanzhang Chen hurriedly bowed his head in acknowledgment. Li Ximing studied him for a few moments before replying, "Rare indeed."
There were actually quite a few alchemists at the lake, and even the Li Family's direct lineage would eventually produce one. What was truly rare was not his talent for alchemy itself, but that he possessed exceptional alchemical aptitude without sacrificing his cultivation talent. The lake's existing alchemists were all stuck at either the Embryonic Breathing or Qi Cultivation Realm, making them of little practical use.
Li Suining knelt quietly to one side without saying a word, though inwardly he was not surprised in the slightest.
In his previous life, Nanzhang Chen had been chosen to take charge of the lake's alchemical affairs. Although he had never won the Wei King's favor, Daoist Master Zhaojing had personally bestowed several scriptures upon him. He was never formally accepted as a disciple, but was treated much like a nominal one. There had never been any doubt about his innate ability!
Sure enough, Li Ximing's interest was immediately piqued, and he began to test him. "What pills have you refined?"
Nanzhang Chen raised his head slightly and answered with remarkable composure, "A few days ago, after arriving at the lake, Lord Ding let me try refining the [Three Aspects Breaking Realm Pill]. However, I was inadequate. Out of the entire batch, I produced only a single pill."
Li Ximing arched his brow and turned to Ding Weizeng. The Dharma Protector cupped his hands, revealing a small jade bottle resting in his palm, and replied, "I observed the entire process from the side. It was his first attempt."
Li Ximing did not take the bottle. Instead, he swept it with his spiritual sense. Only then did the delight in his heart settle into certainty, and he sighed inwardly, Remarkable! Though he cannot compare to me in my younger days, this is still first-rate talent.
With talisman qi within his body, Li Ximing could disregard every difficulty related to controlling flame. Refining pills required only half the effort for twice the result, drastically reducing its difficulty. The benefits extended all the way into the Purple Mansion Realm, becoming more pronounced with each successive realm.
It was this advantage that had once allowed him to support the entire Li Family through alchemy alone. Even after reaching the Purple Mansion Realm, it enabled him to refine pills with effortless mastery, accomplishing feats beyond the reach of ordinary cultivators!
Nanzhang Chen possessed no talisman qi, yet on his very first attempt at refining the profound [Three Aspects Breaking Realm Pill], he had still managed to produce a finished pill. The result might have been less than ideal, but it nevertheless demonstrated exceptional innate ability.
Smiling, Li Ximing asked, "Who is his father?"
Nanzhang Chen looked somewhat embarrassed, while Ding Weizeng answered in his stead, "It is said he was a Mount Yue tribesman, the child left behind in Eastern Mount Yue by one of the Tian Family's wastrel young masters years ago..."
"Hm?"
The Tian Family had spent many years establishing themselves in Mount Yue in the past, so such a thing was hardly surprising. Li Ximing straightened up, raised his brows, and looked at him directly.
"It is said?"
Those three words frightened Nanzhang Chen into bowing even lower. Even Li Suining felt his heart skip a beat. Fortunately, Ding Weizeng immediately answered in a solemn voice, "I investigated the matter personally. It is true. His father did indeed come from the Tian Family. It's just that when I privately asked the Tian Family Head, he refused to acknowledge him."
After all, Nanzhang Chen had reached the Foundation Establishment Realm. Although the Tian Family lacked a true pillar of support, the last thing they wanted was for one to suddenly appear and seize the family's position.
Li Ximing merely smiled. "Remain a Nanzhang. There is no need to return. Establishing a surname of your own would be an excellent choice as well. If Nanzhang produces a few more people like you, their origins will one day be considered honorable. Since the various Nanzhang surnames have already been thoroughly merged, I grant you permission to found a surname of your own."
Nantan Chen had been waiting anxiously for the Daoist Master’s verdict. He had never expected to be accepted back into the Tian Family, but what he had truly feared was being formally classified as a Mount Yue tribesman. He immediately dropped to his knees and offered his thanks.
Li Ximing casually tossed an alchemy manual into his hands and instructed, "Master these pill formulas first. In the future, all the lake's alchemical affairs may well fall to you!"
Nantan Chen withdrew in high spirits. Li Ximing's tone softened considerably as he turned toward Li Suining and asked gently, "How has your cultivation of your technique been progressing? You've also read Daoist Master Yuanbian's scroll on formations. What insights have you gained from it?"
Li Suining replied respectfully, "Daoist Master, your knowledge reaches the heavens themselves. I can only burn the midnight oil and devote myself to diligent study! As for the technique, its profundity far exceeds anything I could have imagined. As for my cultivation speed, I believe I am progressing rather slowly."
"The technique may be difficult, but that is all the more reason to cultivate it diligently."
Li Ximing rubbed the space between his brows and chuckled as he shook his head. What Li Suining had received was merely the Qi Cultivation Realm section of the [Heavenly Directorate Sequence Arrangement Divine Scroll]. Its profundity naturally defied imagination.
He answered casually, "I'll soon be cultivating with a Purple Mansion Realm spirit material that has the effect of assisting the cultivation of arts. While it is in use, its efficacy will permeate the mountain, leaving behind traces of its mystical influence. When the time comes, you brothers, along with your elders, should all come here and cultivate for a while.
"As for why I summoned you today, there is no other reason. The main matter concerns the Dao of formations. Daoist Master Yuanbian carries certain karmic ties and opportunities, so it would not be appropriate for him to accept you as a disciple. However, studying for a time within his cave dwelling presents no issue. It simply means you will have to leave the lake and travel to the Eastern Sea.
"Now is not the right time. Once I have finished using this spirit item and you have all shared in its benefits for a year or so, you may set out."
The words were spoken matter-of-factly, yet they struck Li Suining like a bolt from the blue. His mind went blank as he thought, Go to the Eastern Sea? If I leave for the Eastern Sea, how am I supposed to keep watch over the affairs of the world... or quietly warn everyone of what's to come?
A chill ran through his heart, I absolutely cannot go to the Eastern Sea!
But the Daoist Master's words might have been framed as a reward, yet in truth they were an order. How could he possibly refuse? Li Suining's thoughts raced.
He immediately dropped to his knees and said with shame in his voice, "Daoist Master has considered everything for this junior, and I am deeply ashamed to receive such kindness... Yet after cultivating this technique over the past year, I have come to realize how lacking my innate ability truly is... I fall far behind my uncles, whether in cultivation or in the Dao of formations. If I am to repay the clan... I must first reach the Foundation Establishment Realm."
Lowering his eyes, he said with tears welling up, "The opportunity to study was obtained only because Daoist Master incurred a favor on my behalf... I do not wish to divide my attention, squander such a precious opportunity, or bring shame upon you. I only hope to first achieve the Foundation Establishment Realm here at the lake before discussing matters of the outer-sea."
Li Ximing looked at him for a long while before giving a slight nod. Perhaps that's for the best. The [Heavenly Directorate Sequence Arrangement Divine Scroll] is simply too profound. It seems the poor child has been thoroughly intimidated by it!
He then said, "Your parents are both gone, and your family line hangs by a single thread. It truly isn't suitable for you to leave home just yet. First leave behind an heir... That way, you will at least have fulfilled your duty to your parents! I'll have the old elder find you a suitable match."
Having only just escaped one predicament, Li Suining found himself in another. This time there was no refusing. Embarrassed beyond words, he could only grit his teeth and agree.
Just then, Li Ximing's expression shifted slightly, and he raised his brows. "You may all leave."
With a flick of his sleeve, he sent the two of them to the foot of the mountain. At that very moment, a burst of laughter sounded from beyond the formation. "Fellow Daoist Zhaojing! I've come to offer my congratulations!"
Li Ximing had no time to answer. He hurriedly put away the [Spirit Chalice Radiance] on the table and replaced it with ordinary tea before smiling. "So it was Fellow Daoist Sima. Please, come inside so we may speak!"
Stepping out of the formation, he found not one but three people standing in the great void!
Sima Yuanli was standing at the forefront, dressed in white robes with a sword hanging at his waist. He carried a box in one hand, and had a smile on his face.
Standing a little farther away on the other side was a tall woman in a light green Daoist robe. Her features were gentle, her expression warm, and two strands of blue and white jade beads hung from her waist, accentuating her slender figure.
She offered a salute and said softly, "Fellow Daoist Zhaojing!"
"So it's Daoist Master Kuangyu."
That was precisely what had surprised Li Ximing. Looking more closely, he noticed a man standing behind Kuangyu. He appeared fairly young, with a neatly arranged hair crown, impeccably kept robes, and a calm expression that gave him an air of quiet composure.
He raised his hands in a proper salute and said, "Greetings, senior!"
Strictly speaking, this was the first time Li Ximing had ever been addressed as 'senior' by a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator. The feeling was both amusing and awkward.
Setting aside his confusion for the moment, he smiled and asked, "And this is..."
Kuangyu gently nudged him forward and introduced him in a serious tone. "This is Daoist Master Nanwu. His Dao title is seldom used these days. The fellow Daoists of the Eastern Sea all address him as Daoist Master Guo, so you may do the same without concern. We're all on the same side here."
"Oh?"
Using a family name instead of a Dao title usually implied a surname of distinguished origin. The Guo Family of Crimson Reef Island was simply too renowned, and with Kuangyu having mentioned the Eastern Sea, Li Ximing immediately became wary.
Half convinced and half doubtful, he asked, "The Guo Family... Fellow Daoist, are you..."
At those words, the newly acquainted Daoist Master Nanwu shook his head repeatedly, a trace of distaste crossing his face as he replied with a smile, "I wouldn't dare cultivate Merging Fire!"