Chapter 1736: Silver Light (II)

From afar, Li Suining saw the mountain blanketed in white flowers, but he was in no mood to admire them. He landed beside a pavilion at the foot of the mountain, his mind weighed down by his thoughts. There, he discovered that someone was already waiting.

The man wore a green-gold feathered robe and a dark green crown. His attire was extraordinarily elaborate and mystical, lending considerable majesty even to his otherwise unremarkable features. His face was as pale as white jade, his aura full and vigorous, and he stood with his hands clasped behind his back.

Li Suining was initially taken aback, but the moment he saw those golden eyes, recognition dawned on him.

He hurriedly called out, "Second uncle!"

This man was none other than Li Jianglong, who had returned from the Song court.

With only a brief observation, Li Suining could tell that his second uncle’s cultivation had reached an exceedingly consummate state. His imposing aura felt boundless, faintly linked to the Star of Cultivation and Martiality in the heavens. He immediately knew that Li Jianglong had entered the [Purple-Gold Hall]. Although he could not yet become a Profound Holder, the prospect of attaining a divine ability lay before him, which was undoubtedly cause for great celebration.

Li Suining promptly saluted, "Congratulations, second uncle!"

Li Jianglong's expression shifted slightly, as though he were weighing the intent behind those words. He gave a small nod and said, "How thoughtful of you, Suining."

Li Suining initially looked at him with a smile, but his smile gradually faded as he sensed something strange. Having won military merit and received an important appointment, his second uncle should have been riding high on success. Yet he showed no elation at all, and even seemed somewhat gloomy and withdrawn.

Li Suining's arrival had done little to divert his attention. He rested one hand on his wrist and tapped it lightly, betraying the unrest within him.

Just then, a guard arrived before the pavilion, bowed, and invited the two of them inside.

Li Ximing had no taste for extravagance, and his mountain residence possessed the ethereal air of an immortal sanctuary. The Daoist Master sat quietly amid the mountains, with a towering pill furnace beside him. Lively red and white flames danced beneath it, occasionally releasing terrifying fluctuations.

Another Daoist Master was seated at the table. Dressed in green-black robes, he wore a smile but appeared slightly reserved. The moment the two arrived, he began studying Li Jianglong carefully.

It was none other than Guo Nanwu.

Li Jianglong did not recognize him, but Li Suining immediately grew alert and thought, That is Daoist Master Nanwu. So he entered the lake this early...

Among the various Daoist Masters, the one closest to the Li Family was Daoist Master Yuanbian, Liu Changdie. However, he stood guard over the Eastern Sea and never ventured inland. Of the remaining Daoist Masters, Daoist Master Nanwu and another named Daoist Master Kuangyu visited the lake most frequently.

However, Daoist Masters possessed boundless strength, so he dared not dwell on such thoughts. He silently lowered his head and reined in his mind.

Guo Nanwu was currently handling a matter for the Li Family, and had just returned from Poluoduo. Naturally, his journey had been to deliver a message and find a way to deal with the portion of [Radiant Scarlet Drought-Demon Fire] in Li Ximing's possession, which had come from Minghui!

This [Radiant Scarlet Drought-Demon Fire] was originally quite valuable. Unfortunately, it had been tampered with by Buddhist cultivators for a hundred years, making it extremely troublesome to handle. Li Ximing had questioned the fire sparrow Huoyang in detail, but she had shown little interest.

This was not difficult to understand. Li Ximing wanted other spiritual flames, and apart from the [Red Pheasant Surging Radiant Flame], Huoyang certainly possessed others that might be no worse than the [Radiant Scarlet Drought-Demon Fire].

But from Huoyang's perspective, why would she go to all that trouble and trade a perfectly good spiritual flame for a mottled flame that Buddhist cultivators had tampered with for a century? Even Li Ximing found it difficult to deal with this object, let alone anyone else.

Naturally, the journey had yielded nothing. Guo Nanwu had merely collected Huoyang's spirit items so that Li Ximing could refine pills for her. Tulong Jian had yet to return, and after turning the matter over in his mind, Li Ximing could only accept this outcome.

It truly is not easy to find some fool willing to take this off my hands. In the end, I will have to deal with it myself. Once I have cleaned it up, I can either use it myself or wait for a buyer to come along... At least then it will serve some purpose instead of remaining stuck in my hands as it is now.

He therefore entrusted Guo Nanwu with traveling to the Eastern Sea to exchange for some cultivation resources. Guo Nanwu agreed, yet instead of departing, he lingered and began asking about Li Jianglong's whereabouts.

The Song court still kept many secrets from the various Purple Mansion Realm cultivators, and the group of Daoist Masters in the Southern Sea remained restless even now. This Daoist Master had clearly stayed behind specifically to take a look at Li Jianglong.

As Li Ximing also happened to wish to see him, he casually summoned him up the mountain and said with a smile, "This is Li Jianglong."

As he made the introduction, he studied Li Jianglong closely and saw layers of True Essence mystic faintly emerging within his Bright Yang qi, continuously nourishing his cultivation. He brought two fingers together, prompting [Radiance Under Heaven] to respond, and a wisp of invisible light began dancing at his fingertips.

Once he activated his Fate Divine Ability, he finally detected something unusual about Li Jianglong.

There is something unusual about his fate.

After attaining his Fate Divine Ability, Li Ximing had once secretly examined Li Zhouwei. His divine ability had seemed to blaze at its zenith like a sun in the mortal world, radiating endless, searing heat. Yet now, a faint purple light surrounded Li Jianglong, as though he were connected to some hidden treasury of boundless mysteries.

Li Ximing withdrew his Fate Divine Ability and asked, "What did you see, Nanwu?"

Guo Nanwu nodded slightly. He cultivated the [Severing Evil Pursuits] of the [Lesser Yang] Dao, which granted him marvelous abilities of observation and traversal, as well as the great mystic of transforming Lesser Yang into Yin.

His discernment was exceptionally keen, and with a single glance at Li Jianglong, a vague sense of danger unexpectedly arose within him. A premonition suddenly struck him, and he transmitted through his divine ability, If I were to kill him, disaster would inevitably befall me!

How formidable... No wonder they are not worried about Buddhist cultivators making a move against him. Never mind converting him, even harboring the intent to kill him would be extremely unwise.

Li Ximing narrowed his eyes slightly, having already gleaned a great deal from those words.

Guo Nanwu had also sensed the oppressive might of the Star of Cultivation and Martiality, but this only made the matter all the stranger to him. The reason was simple. He felt none of the supposed threat from the Star of Cultivation and Martiality whatsoever.

Li Ximing examined Li Jianglong for a long time without speaking. Guo Nanwu, however, had already formed a clear judgment after watching for a while and rose to take his leave.

Li Ximing maintained a perfectly natural expression and smilingly asked after him, revealing nothing unusual. Li Jianglong then bowed and said respectfully, "Congratulations on emerging from seclusion, Daoist Master, and bringing your divine ability to perfection!"

Li Ximing's smile deepened considerably. "I should be congratulating you as well! Tell me, what mystics and abilities have you gained?"

Li Jianglong remained composed and replied respectfully, "Daoist Master, I have only just entered the court. His majesty appointed me an Administrator of the Martial Reverence Hall, a minor cultivator of the Purple-Gold Hall, and Prefect of Jiangjun Prefecture. I have been placed in command of Great Song's troops to defend the region and support Tingzhou while awaiting orders from father and the great general!"

Jiangjun Prefecture was located in what was now the Wilderness, so it would be no exaggeration to say that his role was to support Moongaze Lake.

Li Ximing quickly understood the south's intentions as he listened to Li Jianglong continue, "As for mystics... mine cannot compare to fourth brother's. I merely command one or two True Essence arts that can enhance my cultivation. I will need to earn further merit before I can advance another step."

Li Ximing asked with keen interest, "How is Jiangliang?"

Li Jianglong replied quietly, "Fourth Brother is now the head of all officials, the Profound Holder of the Purple-Gold Hall, and the wielder of Tianwu divine ability! He has already attained the Purple Mansion Realm!"

Li Ximing held his breath, overcome with complicated emotions. He sighed inwardly, Seeking the Dao ultimately amounts to nothing more than cultivating one's nature and destiny. Yet when that nature and destiny are not cultivated by oneself but bestowed by another, how is it any different from a Merciful One or a Maha?

And yet, he attained this level so easily! People throughout the world will surely flock to it in droves.

His gaze was complicated, while Li Jianglong appeared somewhat apprehensive. "As for these mystics... I fear I cannot demonstrate them for you, Daoist Master..."

Li Ximing frowned and asked, "Why?"

Li Jianglong smiled helplessly and shook his head. "Father bears the Mandate of Heaven and was enfeoffed by his majesty, granting him autonomy within his state and placing it beyond the reach of Cultivation and Martiality. Even the foremost Immortal Official of the imperial court would be stripped of all his bestowed power upon entering our Wei State... Not only would he lose his position as Profound Holder, but even the mystics that aid his cultivation would disappear!"

"Oh?"

Li Ximing's earlier conjecture was suddenly confirmed, and realization gradually dawned on him, though he still found it somewhat difficult to believe.

There is actually such a thing? Can its effects truly be so exact? Even the north lies beneath the radiance of the Star of Cultivation and Martiality, yet enfeoffment can produce such a miraculous effect... Does this only happen when land is granted to establish a feudal domain?

Though puzzled inwardly, he remained calm on the surface and adopted an enlightened expression. "I see... It appears that none of you brothers are suited to remain at the lake."

Li Jianglong lowered his head slightly and said, "Your insight is keen, Daoist Master. The great general recommended that I serve as Prefect of Jiangjun Prefecture for precisely this reason. I can remain under the radiance of the Star of Cultivation and Martiality while also watching over the lake, achieving the best of both worlds..."

Li Ximing listened for a while before turning toward the pill furnace, seemingly to adjust its heat. He left Li Jianglong kneeling as he pondered for a long time, then came to a decision.

I should still invoke the Immortal Artifact and take a look!

With a shift of thought, he drew in his spiritual sense, and invoked the Immortal Artifact! Everything before him suddenly became clear. The purple light surrounding Li Jianglong silently thinned, revealing clusters of threadlike purple radiance pouring from his Shenyang Mansion. Like strands from a snapped string, they drifted forlornly through the air.

It seems that once it reaches this place, the energy of the Star of Cultivation and Martiality becomes like rootless water... unable to connect with the star in the heavens... Is it truly as he said, because this is the domain of a feudal lord?

He felt no joy at this discovery. Instead, his heart abruptly tightened.

If that is the case... can the laws of the Star of Cultivation and Martiality still take effect at the lake?

If the law that triggered killing intent from the Star of Cultivation and Martiality likewise could not take effect at the lake, it meant the north would be free to slaughter the people of Moongaze Lake without restraint...

His heart sank, but he asked no further questions. He slowly shifted his gaze away, only for a flash of silver light to abruptly burst into view!

Li Suining, who was kneeling off to the side as though nothing were amiss, was blazing with an intense silver light. It was a hundred times more concentrated than the faint radiance of the Star of Cultivation and Martiality surrounding Li Jianglong, almost dazzlingly brilliant!

At that moment, Li Ximing felt as though he had discovered a demonic entity lurking beside his own bed. Every hair on his body stood on end as countless terrifying possibilities flashed through his mind. An overwhelming sense of danger struck him head-on, and he nearly leaped to his feet on the spot.

What?!

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