Chapter 1809: Great Expansion (I)
Chapter 1809: Great Expansion (I)
"What did Fellow Daoist Zhaojing say?"
Snow fell thickly along the shore. Colored light streaked through the void around a Daoist Master with a face as pale as jade and a vermilion mark between his brows. He held a tiny crimson cauldron in his hand and carried himself with uncommon poise, though worry showed on his face.
At Chengqian's question, the dejected Sima Yuanli was at an even greater loss for words. All he could say was, "This time, I couldn't even see him. A younger member of his family came to turn me away, saying he had gone into seclusion to refine pills and had reached a critical point, so he couldn't leave."
Chengqian's expression changed. He shook his head. "We can hardly force him!"
Li Ximing's excuse was so blatantly false that it gave the Yang Family no respect at all. Sima Yuanli looked bitter. "What can we do? Even if he hasn't recovered from his injuries, he could at least have come out to meet me. I didn't expect him to take such a hard line."
"How does the grand general intend to handle it?"
Though Chengqian had never had much contact with Li Ximing, he seemed to think well of the Li Family. He did not want the coming conflict to claim too many lives, and worry creased his face.
Sima Yuanli gritted his teeth. "The grand general said... to leave him be."
Li Zhouwei is the King of Wei. He doesn't even need to set foot in the Great Song court. Even if his standing is no higher than Yang Ruiyi's, at the very least, they are equals. Strictly speaking, Li Ximing is the King of Wei's subject, so there is little Yang Ruiyi can do to him for now...
But the message was just as clear. If the Li Family would do nothing to defend the border, the Yang Family would send no one to protect the lake. Li Ximing could defend it himself.
That was precisely the outcome Sima Yuanli had hoped to avoid. Everyone knew that Situ Huo's entry into Great Song had made things difficult for Ning Wan. In truth, Sima Yuanli's own position was no better.
Of the Azure Pond Sect's Three Yuans, only Yuanwu was on good terms with the Situ Family. The rest could expect nothing but hostility from them! Yuansu and Situ Huo were bitter enemies. My lord was only slightly better off, since at least he never sought revenge against Situ Huo before he died!
Sima Yuanli was deeply opposed to Situ Huo's entry into Great Song. Chengqian spoke pleasantly enough, but Sima Yuanli knew that Daoist Master Xianyao, the man behind him, had spent years making connections for Situ Huo. When the Kong and Situ Families fell out, Xianyao had profited more than anyone!
Xianyao acts like a peacemaker now, but he's plainly on Situ Huo's side!
Of everyone at court and beyond, only Liu Bai could stand against Situ Huo. Yet Ning Wan had schemed against Liu Bai and dragged him into Great Song's cause. The Jade True sword cultivator did not seem inclined to settle the score, but he clearly wanted nothing more to do with her.
Thus, faced with Situ Huo, Sima Yuanli had no choice but to support Ning Wan. The unity within Great Song had fractured at once, and the faction led by Situ Huo held high office and considerable power. It was a serious problem.
There are only so many Profound Holders. That time hasn't come yet, but it will one day... If Li Ximing and Yang Ruiyi fall out, I won't even be able to count on the King of Wei's support...
Chengqian noticed the worry in his eyes and frowned slightly. Sima Yuanli caught the frown, looked up at him, and asked, "Chengqian... do you have any ideas?"
"Me?" Chengqian gave a short laugh. "Fellow Daoist Qinghu, I know you're desperate for a solution, but surely you haven't come to me for one."
The young man showed no sign of worry as he replied, "Still... I don't think there's any need to worry so much. Lord Yang is guarding the west; Protector-General Liu is leading the others into Capital Immortal Dao's territory; and you and I are supporting Senior Tinglan. We need only follow orders."
Sima Yuanli knew how dangerous Yang Ruiyi's undertaking was, and cursed inwardly, Of course you're not afraid. You cultivate [Whole Pill]! That entire Dao lineage of yours is part immortal, part demon, and part shaman, strange to its very roots. If things go wrong, you'll be the first to flee!
But after venting to himself, Sima Yuanli felt an even deeper unease. Lord Yang is determined to go all in this time. I don't know what he promised Chen Yin to make him lead the charge. The old man has grown almost reckless with his life. Who knows how this will end for him?
Sima Yuanli understood how Chen Yin felt, and the thought put him on his guard.
I'm still in my prime and have little to worry about. Xunhui is also exceptionally talented. But no one knows what the future holds. I should use this upheaval in True Essence, the likes of which hasn't been seen in five hundred years, to help him reach the Purple Mansion Realm as soon as possible.
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Mount Dali.
Mountains rose and fell beneath snow that swept across the wilderness. A shaft of heavenly light came streaking through the sky and drifted down among the wooded peaks.
Li Zhouwei landed softly among the peaks. Lesser demons were scurrying to and fro; once-empty cave dwellings were showing signs of life; and the demonic creatures had grown more numerous.
Mount Dali... has grown much livelier!
As the balance of power in Jiangnan gradually shifted and the Azure Pond Sect declined, fewer cultivators ventured into Mount Dali. Its demonic creatures were spared the hunt. The Li Family's unification of Moongaze Lake had also led the rogue cultivators and clan cultivators of Tingzhou to trade with Mount Dali more than hunting there. The entire mountain range now seemed more alive.
As soon as Li Zhouwei landed, demonic creatures from several peaks flew into the air to see who had arrived. At the sight of him, they cried out in alarm, all calling him 'Great King.' A middle-aged man came flying over in a fluster.
"Luken pays his respects to the Great King!"
The deer demon had once served the White Banyan Fox, and had since become a king of some standing himself. Yet he was still flustered by the sight of Li Zhouwei. He led him inside, back to the great pool atop the main peak.
White mist billowed and clouds curled around the pool. From within emerged a handsome man, tall and slender, with soft, alluring features. He came before the steps and offered his congratulations.
"Congratulations, Great King!"
It was Qingyu Qian, the demonic king of Tingfu!
Li Suining had regained his composure on the way here. Now he looked around in wonder. So this is... the foxes' treasured land!
The demonic king was a fox, after all, and strikingly beautiful. His bright eyes settled on Li Suining at Li Zhouwei's side, and a strange look came over his face.
Li Zhouwei returned the greeting. "Congratulations to you as well!"
Qingyu Qian had congratulated Li Zhouwei on reaching the middle stage of the Purple Mansion Realm. Li Zhouwei swept his golden eyes over him and saw just as clearly that Qingyu Qian was making no attempt to hide his own cultivation. He had crossed the Purple Mansion Threshold!
Demonic creatures lived long lives and cultivated slowly. This was an immense breakthrough, one that might have taken a hundred or even two hundred years. It should have been cause for celebration, yet the demonic king showed little joy.
As he invited Li Zhouwei inside, he said, "I have nothing to celebrate. I've reached the end of my path in this life!"
He cleared away the white mist with a sweep of his sleeve and invited Li Zhouwei to sit. Li Suining respectfully stood to one side.
Li Zhouwei looked puzzled. "Is the [Heaven-Governing] Dao lineage incomplete?"
Qingyu Qian shook his head with a rueful smile. "I've always been slow-witted and hardly suited to cultivation. Now, the [Heaven-Governing] Dao confines spiritual perception in obscurity. The Banished Obscurity Order is astonishingly hard to attain. All I can do is pass the rest of my days as they come!"
He spoke to Li Zhouwei, but his eyes rested on Li Suining with a warm smile. He poured out clear wine, set down three jade cups, and filled each one before gesturing for Li Suining to drink as well.
Li Zhouwei gave a slight nod. Li Suining accepted the cup with respectful thanks. Unsure what kind of immortal brew it was, he cautiously sniffed it, intending only to touch it lightly with his upper lip.
But the brew seemed alive. It turned into a stream of cool air that entered through his nose and rushed straight into his Shenyang. His face flushed crimson as he staggered back a step, collapsed with a thud, and lost consciousness.
Only then did Li Zhouwei set down his cup and ask, "What do you think?"