Chapter 1560: In One Decisive Push (I)

After seeing Si Yuanli off, Li Ximing took his seat. Li Zhouwei had already appeared and began to inquire.

Li Ximing let out a sigh as he explained, "There is some intent to build goodwill. After all, circumstances outweigh individuals. The Si Family is no longer what it once was. Our family has endured and come through it. Even if he feels unwilling in his heart, he still has to bow his head when the time calls for it."

Li Zhouwei nodded and asked, "Did you mention anything about the Yang Family?"

Li Ximing chuckled and replied, "Since he did not ask, I saw no need to bring it up. The Mushroom Forest Plain belongs to the Azure Pond Sect anyway, and Yang Zhuo is not going to turn around and attack Moongaze Lake. Let him deal with his own mess."

Li Zhouwei smiled faintly. The Underworld's judiciary was indeed no ordinary force. Si Yuanli did not fully trust the Li Family, and the matter of the Yang Family was not something easily discussed.

Li Zhouwei poured tea and said, "What a coincidence. I was just in the Wilderness and happened to see Daoist Master Xuanyi coming up. He was likely here to find you, but since he ran into me instead, he forced a conversation. It was about the Hongxue Dao lineage."

He paused briefly, then continued, "According to him, Hongxue Gate originated from Wei's Li and still retained some foundation. The sects and gates that were destroyed back then have long since been divided up, but Hongxue Gate alone managed to hide away a portion underground. The Azure Pond Sect and the others sensed that something must have been concealed elsewhere, which is why they began gathering the descendants of Li Ti.

"Daoist Master Xuanyi said this place does not resemble a cave dwelling, but rather something closer to a secret realm."

Li Ximing frowned slightly in doubt. "How much of that is true? The Azure Pond Sect is backed by a grotto heaven, and with the lord's inherent rank, it is plausible for them to possess a secret realm. But Hongxue is merely of the Purple Mansion Realm. Where would they get such means?"

"I already asked about that." Li Zhouwei replied, "It is said that Hongxue Gate was a fallen branch of Wei's Li. Back then, they encountered the reincarnation of the Wei Emperor and gained some fortune from it. That figure then obtained a Douxuan Dao lineage, one of the Four Mi’s[1], known as the [Miyan Dao lineage]. After taking what was valuable, he left behind the scraps, along with the empty shell of that secret realm, for them. That is how this branch of Wei's Li rose again."

Only then did Li Ximing understand. He nodded slightly and said, "A secret realm like the Great Ning Palace of the past can last for centuries if left unopened. But once it is opened, it likely will not endure for long without someone of sufficient divine ability to maintain it."

"Exactly." Li Zhouwei's expression turned slightly unusual as he replied, "Fortunately, that secret realm was not large to begin with, and it relies on the inherent rank of Wanlin Heaven. That has kept it relatively stable, allowing Hongxue Gate to benefit from it for many years.

"Now that Li Quantao has entered the secret realm, and since Tianwan's [Cold Essence] divine ability is not of the [Whole Pill] Dao, accessing the secret realm still requires various assisting methods. But in a way, this is also her opportunity.

“Times are no longer what they used to be. Wanlin Heaven is steadily destabilizing, gradually revealing signs of change, and this place is becoming increasingly unstable as well. Daoist Master Xuanyi's meaning was simple: we only need to wait. Once something happens to Wanlin Heaven, this secret realm will inevitably run into trouble."

Li Ximing sighed inwardly. "What a pity!"

He had long understood the strange look in Li Zhouwei's eyes.

To be honest, his family had little desire for [Cold Essence], but a secret realm was a treasure of the highest order. If they could have obtained it, who knew how much better it would be at concealment compared to the [Glazed Pagoda of Unrestrained Boundary]! Many things could be hidden within it, and it would bring countless conveniences... Yet now, with the realm on the verge of collapse, it was clearly beyond their reach.

Seeing how regretful Li Ximing was, Li Zhouwei offered some consolation.

"Our family is not skilled in the art of shaping the great void. Even if we somehow obtained a secret realm, we would have no way to maintain it... Moreover, the cost of maintaining one now is far higher than in ancient times. If we were to take on such a matter, it would inevitably fall upon Quewan in the future."

Li Ximing nodded, but his expression soon turned serious. "Wanlin Heaven draws closer with each passing day. You must go in and test yourself there. I will go and return quickly, then remain by the lake to arrange the matters concerning Hongxue Gate, and at the same time... keep watch over the family."

He added in concern, "Though everyone's attention will be on Wanlin Heaven by then, Buddhist cultivators are cunning. There is no guarantee that a few Merciful Ones will not set their sights on our family. We must not let our guard down!"

Li Zhouwei's expression gradually darkened. As they left the mountain and descended toward a more concealed formation, he replied, "I have been thinking about this as well."

His tone shifted. "[Sovereign In Peril] is the precarious and humble aspect of Bright Yang, where cultivation progresses extremely quickly. I have refined the [Sovereign In Peril] Immortal Foundation, received its enhancement, and with your provisions, it has already reached completion within just a few years."

"Oh?" A hint of delight appeared on Li Ximing's face as he responded, "After all, you took the [Qilin Radiance Illumination Pill]..."

Li Zhouwei nodded, his expression still grave. "Though my Immortal Foundation is complete, there will inevitably be conflicts within the grotto heaven. The chances of injury are high, and if the damage exceeds a certain limit, it could very well harm the Immortal Foundation itself."

Li Ximing weighed his words in silence, already understanding his meaning. A flicker of alarm crossed his mind as he said, "You intend to attempt nurturing a divine ability?"

Li Zhouwei had long made up his mind. "Exactly!"

He would not have taken multiple [Qilin Radiance Illumination Pills] simply to raise his cultivation. His eyes now shone brightly as he replied, "Rather than risk damaging my cultivation within the grotto heaven, I would rather press forward in one shot and ascend directly to achieve a divine ability!"

Li Ximing fell silent in thought, but Li Zhouwei said firmly, "[Sovereign In Peril] occupies a lower position, which is perfectly suited to this situation. Whether in forming the Immortal Foundation or attaining a divine ability, it aligns well. That is one reason. Secondly, [Sovereign In Peril] is a Body Divine Ability, and I am favored by Bright Yang. I already possess innate mysteries that resonate with it.

"Even if it proves rash and I fail to achieve a divine ability, as long as I push to my Shenyang in one shot, it will make my next attempt at [Sovereign In Peril] much easier and faster. No matter what, it is better than wasting my cultivation for nothing!"

Li Ximing grew more hesitant and replied, "My concern is this. Pushing into Shenyang and nurturing a divine ability takes time. Even for someone no longer at Foundation Establishment Realm, it is not something that can be accomplished in a year or two... If the grotto heaven opens before you succeed, would you not miss the opportunity?"

Li Zhouwei remained resolute as he answered, "The Immortal Foundation is not troublesome. It can be cultivated at any time. But the grotto heaven comes only once. If time truly does not permit, then when it descends and the spiritual energy surges across the world, I will sense it and abandon [Sovereign In Peril] to head there at once."

Li Ximing knew that his junior was far more decisive than himself. Gritting his teeth, he said, "There is little I can do to help... but I once refined a type of great pill in the Eastern Sea. Its effects are excellent. It mainly aids in breaking through barriers and calming the mind. It also nourishes the body with the pure energy of the cold moon, extending vitality... It suits your situation perfectly! Take one and consume it. It will surely help!"

Li Zhouwei naturally knew how precious that pill was. Back when Li Ximing had been in dire straits, he had used one, but not to its full effect. Though he never spoke of it, he had long harbored regret. After obtaining high-quality consumables like the [Qilin Radiance Illumination Pill], he had not once mentioned it again.

How could he now allow Li Ximing to bring it out again? He hurriedly refused. "There is no need to mention it! What if the grotto heaven descends in time? Should I withdraw immediately, or waste the pill? My goal is to minimize losses, not to force a breakthrough to a divine ability. It must not be squandered!"

His reasoning was sound and convincing, leaving Li Ximing persuaded, though somewhat regretful. "It is a pity Si Yuanli remains cautious and unwilling to trade pills with me. Otherwise, the [Bright Truth Harmonizing Divine Pill], which aids in nurturing divine abilities, would have suited you best!"

Li Zhouwei simply smiled. "Things are never that perfect."

He saw Li Ximing out, saying no more. Yet inwardly, he felt a trace of anticipation, This grotto heaven holds not only spirit items and Dao lineages, but is also a place for battle. It is better to fight and sharpen myself than let my Dao conduct stagnate!

With that, he transformed into light and departed, swiftly stepping into the formation. He took his seat within the Realm of Sun and Moon Radiance. He reached into his pouch and drew out a [Qilin Radiance Illumination Pill].

[Sovereign In Peril] is complete. Only the final step remains!

He swallowed the pill. At once, surging Bright Yang divine ability began to circulate through his body. The clouds within his qihai scattered, and within, a streak of golden light shot upward, rising sharply with the support of Radiant Light divine ability and the pill's mana.

As these transformations intensified, patches of pale gold scales began to emerge around the young man's neck, creeping upward along both sides of his face, giving him a fearsome and almost monstrous appearance.

1. Referring to Mifan, Mifann, Milin and Miyan. ☜

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