Chapter 1769: All Pieces Fall Into Place (I)

Manifest Earth.

Once called Mount Tangdao, the Great Primordial Hidden Radiance Mountain was a solitary peak rising from the flattest terrain in the Huai region. In the past, its Metal Qi had soared into the heavens like a long saber pointing at the sky, but later, changes in the Prime Magnetism caused that Metal Qi to dissipate, and the mountain had abruptly lost its former sharpness.

By the time Li Ximing arrived at the Great Primordial Hidden Radiance Mountain, the place had been transformed beyond recognition. The hills had lost all their sharp edges, while billowing Baleful Qi lay over the ground like a thin mist, ceaselessly rising and falling as though it were breathing.

It has lost its sharpness, but gained in height. The mountain is still magnificent, and now feels even more like the immortal mountain of a prestigious sect.

With a light crook of his fingertips, he withdrew the Light of the Six Directions, his heart stirring.

So this is what the Manifest Earth Dao is like!

Baleful Qi had always been confined within the earth veins. Unless mountains collapsed and the earth split apart, or a spring channel drew it out, it would never emerge to the surface. Back when the Li Family had relocated Mount Qingdu, they had disturbed the earth veins, which was why Baleful Qi had surged into the heavens.

Yet now, the earth and stone of the Great Primordial Hidden Radiance Mountain were crumbling apart. Despite the mountain's massive and imposing form, the currents of Baleful Qi had riddled it with countless holes, leaving the ground crumbling and shifting everywhere. Tiny streaks of silvery-black light leaped from the earth veins, releasing Metal Qi that scattered into the air.

Metal emerges from Baleful Qi, while Baleful Qi withdraws into the earth.

Li Ximing mused, Manifest Earth has been gone from the world for many years. The occasional rumors that remain describe it as [Unbreakable as adamant and unshaken by thunder]... Being unharmed by thunder is only natural. As for being unbreakable as adamant, it disperses and releases Metal Qi, stripping it away entirely. Neither softness nor hardness can overcome it, hence the claim that it is indestructible.

By this point, Sima Yuanli had already been ordered to scout the surroundings. Only Li Ximing and Tiangui remained, riding the wind until they drifted to a halt atop the bronze hall high above.

Li Ximing waited for a while, quietly drawing his sleeves together. Thunder suddenly boomed across the sky, and amid the layers of darkness, a flight of bronze steps appeared, with Yang Ruiyi descending them.

He cupped his fists and said, "Fellow Daoist Zhang, you came at just the right time!"

Earlier, Tiangui had spoken of the Yang Family with little enthusiasm, yet now a smile appeared on his face as he said warmly, "Many thanks, my lord. You have truly resolved a great burden weighing upon my Dao heart!"

His words sounded intimate and cordial, but after hearing what Tiangui had said earlier, Li Ximing instead sensed something beneath the surface. He knew that Tiangui was not truly pleased and that his warmth was only superficial.

Yang Ruiyi merely nodded, the faintest hint of a smile on his face, and said, "I'll have to trouble Fellow Daoist Zhang to guard the mountain."

Tiangui did not hesitate in the slightest. Raising his brows, he said, "Rest assured, general. In the campaign against Zhao, Shu and Song are of one mind. Tianhuo has already taken Danyin and Duanyan to stand guard outside, while my uncle, Daoist Master Chunshuo, is also keeping watch in the great void with the [Heart-Rhyme Treasure Pearl] in hand..."

His expression remained calm and composed, revealing the quiet foundation and pride of the Golden One Dao lineage as he remarked casually, "With both our Golden One and Upper Azure Dao lineages acting together, if we intend to hold the Great Primordial Hidden Radiance Mountain, there is no Dao lineage in the world that would dare claim it could take this place in an instant!"

The Golden Feather Sect had True Monarch Taiyuan behind it, while Golden One and Upper Azure complemented one another perfectly. Their strength was not displayed openly, and there was no telling how deep their hidden foundations ran! Those with exceptional innate ability were taken into the grotto heaven, while those of exceptional temperament were sent out to oversee the four directions. Tiangui's pride was not without basis, nor was it any exaggeration.

Yang Ruiyi smiled. Making no attempt to avoid speaking in front of Li Ximing, he sat down in the hall and said, "For such an important matter not to warrant disturbing Senior Yige is strange enough, but it is even more surprising that Senior Tiandong is nowhere to be seen. By my reckoning, even if he reincarnated... he should have reached the Purple Mansion Realm long ago."

Tiangui fell silent for a moment, then said quietly, "My senior brother has been dead for many years."

Yang Ruiyi was slightly taken aback, clearly unconvinced.

Tiandong cultivates Earth Virtue and possesses exceptional innate ability. There is no way he could have died an untimely death for no reason, and even less chance that he would have attempted his breakthrough inside the Golden One Grotto Heaven. Dead for many years, indeed.

The two had little else to say to each other, so Tiangui went straight to the point. His expression turned solemn as he asked quietly, "When will the Metal Qi at the summit be exhausted? Does your side require our assistance?"

Yang Ruiyi remained composed and replied, "No need to trouble yourself. It will be resolved in three days."

Tiangui's expression eased somewhat. He said no more and cupped his fists. "Many thanks, my lord."

With that, he stepped into the great void and departed without another word, leaving Yang Ruiyi standing alone in the hall, weighed down by his thoughts. Li Ximing could tell that the conversation had not gone pleasantly and sighed inwardly, The Golden One Dao lineage ultimately falls under the jurisdiction of Luoxia, so it cannot afford to grow too close to the Underworld's judiciary... Even though Yang Ruiyi had his own calculations and maneuvered Tiangui into this situation out of necessity, Tiangui still had no warmth to spare for him...

Resolved in three days... Tiangui came here despite the pressure from Mount Changhuai. Yang Ruiyi does not have much time left to maneuver either.

"Congratulations on conquering Mount Tangdao, my lord!"

Yang Ruiyi turned to look at him. His eyes narrowed slightly, and a trace of surprise appeared in his expression. "Zhaojing, you have actually cultivated a wondrous reincarnation art!"

Li Ximing's breath caught. Although he had just acquired [Sealing the Life], Yang Ruiyi had seen through it at a glance. He returned the salute and said with a smile, "It merely preserves a single limb or part of the body. Before your esteemed family, it is nothing but an embarrassing display!"

The Yang Family had ties to the Underworld's judiciary. When it came to reincarnation, aside from the outer-sea Penglai, who could perhaps stand alongside them and exchange a few words on the subject, no one else in all of Jiangnan was even worthy of carrying the Yang Family's shoes. The fact that Yang Ruiyi had immediately identified it as a wondrous reincarnation art left Li Ximing feeling somewhat ashamed.

Yang Ruiyi quietly shook his head and said softly, "My family enjoys an advantage by virtue of proximity, so we do possess one or two art formulas. Yet we also know that very few such art remains in circulation. Being able to preserve even a single limb or part of the body is already extremely difficult. As for reincarnating into another life, only those capable of seizing heavenly secrets and wielding metal fortune can accomplish it."

He seemed somewhat wistful as he continued, "As I see it, the only person in Yue State capable of reincarnating safely and enjoying another five hundred years of life is the King of Wei."

Faced with this probing remark, Li Ximing avoided giving a direct answer and sighed. "If someone of profound Dao conduct could reincarnate life after life, evading heavenly secrets and slipping past calamities, what kind of figure would they have become by now?"

Yang Ruiyi showed no particular reaction. He merely laughed and said, "Before the ancient cataclysm, it was out of the question. After the ancient cataclysm... it is still extraordinarily difficult. The path of reincarnation is heavily constrained by [Banished Essence]. With neither [Merging Owl] nor [Supreme Shaman] manifest in this world, even a single reincarnation is as difficult as ascending to heaven, regardless of whether the Underworld interferes. Then, even if one succeeds... there are still countless complications to contend with. A second reincarnation is all but impossible, and would even cut off any hope of attaining the Dao."

His gaze swept over Li Ximing with a hint of inquiry. Having studied the [Wondrous Art of Divided Spirit and Variant Body], Li Ximing actually knew quite a bit about reincarnation arts.

He also understood that Yang Ruiyi was indirectly warning Li Zhouwei, so he sidestepped the matter and replied, "I was being too fanciful!"

Yang Ruiyi smiled, then his expression turned solemn as he said, "I must trouble you again, Zhaojing... Now that the calamity at the lake has passed, I will still need your assistance in the north. I intend to have a Daoist Master lead troops to hold Timber Mountain, supporting Mount Tangdao and Mount Xiaoshi in concert. After giving it much thought, I can think of no one more suitable than you, Zhaojing!"

Li Ximing naturally knew that matters were far from over. There was no chance they would simply let him return home, so he said worriedly, "I will obey your orders... It is just that... My lord, Mount Tangdao still requires caution!"

Li Ximing was not at Moongaze Lake, so naturally he hoped Yang Ruiyi could hold Mount Tangdao securely. Once this place fell, Timber Mountain would be in grave danger, and the situation at the lake would become even more troublesome!

Yang Ruiyi nodded slightly, understanding what was at stake, and said with a smile, "Timber Mountain has already been taken by Daoist Master Chengqian, a disciple of Daoist Master Xianyao of Guoling Peak. There is no need to rush, Zhaojing, lest you blunder straight into someone's trap. Be careful on the way. Whether you manage to rendezvous with him or encounter any situation along the road, report to me first.

"The two young masters of your esteemed family are both outstanding talents. I have already reported to his majesty and arranged for the general to guard the Turbid Slaughter Mausoleum, while the administrator and I will watch over the Wilderness. This will certainly keep the lake safe."

He reminded him, "The young masters of your esteemed family are highly coveted by Buddhist cultivators, so they should not remain at passes such as Mount Xiaoshi, Timber Mountain, or Mount Bianyan. I will be guarding the Wilderness, and as long as Mount Tangdao and the Wilderness do not fall, Turbid Slaughter Mausoleum will be extremely secure. No one will be able to dispose of them in one stroke."

Yang Ruiyi isn't going to guard Mount Tangdao?

Li Ximing was momentarily stunned, though he repeatedly voiced his thanks. Yang Ruiyi waved a hand, seemingly knowing what he wanted to ask, and said calmly, "Someone else will naturally be guarding Mount Tangdao."

Seeing that Yang Ruiyi did not appear worried about Mount Tangdao and was instead concerned that the Buddhist cultivators might try some unexpected trick, Li Ximing already had a good idea of the situation. He quietly acknowledged the order, withdrew from the mountain, entered the great void, and hurried away. Not long afterward, purple clouds drifted gracefully over as Tinglan unexpectedly arrived at the mountain.

Tinglan had suffered no real injuries in the battle earlier and was still in good condition. She hurried into the bronze hall and bowed. "Greetings, my lord!"

The great hall remained dim and secluded. The only difference was that a golden scroll now rested atop the previously bare and spotless round table. Five-colored water and fire were painted across it, with golden patterns over a green-purple background.

Beside the scroll lay a ceremonial implement shaped like a broken sword. Intertwined serpents of water and fire were engraved upon it, and its material resembled both gold and jade. It rested on a jade tray, giving off a faint radiance.

With Tinglan, Yang Ruiyi no longer maintained the courtesy he had shown earlier and appeared much more casual. He listened as Tinglan said, "Just now, Daoist Master Hongyan of the Ni Family of Western Shu arrived at Mount Xiaoshi. I carried out the order to transfer the territory and handed Xiaoshi over to Western Shu..."

Yang Ruiyi gave a slight nod. Forced by the present circumstances, he had no choice but to make concessions to Shu, ceding Xiaoshi, one of the major strongholds in the Huai region, to Qing Jifang. Although it was regrettable, doing so also shared the burden and placated Western Shu... After all, when all was said and done, the Golden Feather Sect belonged to Western Shu.

The art formula in his hand trembled faintly, as though he were calculating something. Tinglan waited quietly for a while, but eventually could no longer hold back and said softly, "Shanji has already called for reinforcements three times... If we continue to sit by and do nothing, I fear the surrounding areas will be endangered!"

Tinglan was not thinking entirely for his Great Song. Her own Daoist Master Wenqing was still fighting at Shanji. If anything happened to her, the blessed land would effectively lose its sole remaining heir.

Yang Ruiyi turned his head toward Tinglan and said, "They have already been allowed to break out. Take the [Might-Proclaiming Jade Tally] and proceed to Yufu immediately. Proclaim his majesty's decree and deliver this artifact."

Tinglan was slightly taken aback. She first accepted the order, then asked, "To whom am I to deliver it... I ask that my lord instruct me."

Yang Ruiyi replied, "Once you reach Shanji, proclaim the decree and you will know."

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