Chapter 1615: Changing Tides (I)

Body Divine Ability of Treading into Peril...

Golden light flickered atop Zhijing Mountain. Li Zhouwei withdrew his divine ability, let out a slow breath, and suddenly opened his eyes as the golden radiance faded away.

The result was almost exactly what he had expected. [Sovereign In Peril] still provided a boost to cultivation speed even at the level of Purple Mansion Realm, though it was no longer as astonishing as it had been during the Foundation Establishment Realm. After all, bringing a divine ability to perfection was a matter of long and painstaking effort. Li Ximing had cultivated [Heaven-Venerating Gate] for ten years and even consumed a Talisman Pill before finally completing it.

Five years had passed since the fall of Wanlin Heaven. Li Zhouwei had spent roughly a year recovering from his injuries, and nearly half of the remaining time had gone into advancing [Sovereign In Peril]. Even now, he still had a considerable way to go.

Fortunately, granduncle is here. With [Qilin Radiance Illumination Pills] supplied one after another, I'm no worse off than those disciples of the great Dao lineages. By my estimate... even without taking a Talisman Pill, another three years of cultivation at most should be enough to bring [Sovereign In Peril] to perfection.

He rose to his feet just as a report arrived from below the mountain. A black-robed demon general was led up. The fellow was trembling from head to toe, not daring to raise his eyes toward him.

Kneeling before Li Zhouwei, he spoke in a quavering voice, "Yanhu... pays his respects to the great king!"

Li Zhouwei recognized him as one of the demonic creatures who handled affairs for his granduncle in the southern border. He gave a slight nod, and Yanhu hurriedly continued, "Great king, this humble one came under the orders of the Great Saha King to invite you. Demon King Qingyan has obtained a treasure and wishes to exchange it with you. It is inconvenient for him to come to the lake himself, so he requests that you make the journey instead..."

Li Zhouwei asked, "Poluoduo?"

He knew of the connections Li Ximing had established in the southern border.

Yanhu immediately nodded. "It was originally arranged to take place in Poluoduo... but in recent years, the [Pure Victory Dao] has become increasingly formidable. I heard they have gained another great figure, and their influence now extends into Poluoduo, throwing the region into turmoil. Even the Great Saha King no longer stays in Poluoduo very often... Both parties are currently in the Western Sea. They say they are at [Bojun Mountain] in the Western Sea."

That single explanation allowed Li Zhouwei to more or less understand their concerns. Great Saha King Fuxun bore a longstanding grudge against the [Pure Victory Dao], and neither side wished to drag others into the conflict.

However, Li Ximing had already organized his cultivation arts, summoned Li Jiangchun for a lengthy discussion, and departed the mountain some time ago. He had flown to the Eastern Sea to exchange for a Dao lineage from Liu Changdie and, while there, pay a visit to Li Quewan.

Besides, the supply of [Wall-Sinking Water] in the Qunyi region has been dwindling. Over the past five years, they've only managed to obtain two [Under-Neck Feathers]. Even though granduncle now enjoys a good relationship with Daoist Master Kuangyu, repeatedly purchasing [Wall-Sinking Water] in large quantities has already pushed the limits of propriety. It would be difficult to ask again... In any case, granduncle has long spoken of making a trip to the Western Sea.

He casually instructed, "The Daoist Master is still in the Eastern Sea. Go wait below for now."

Only after Yanhu withdrew did Li Zhouwei pick up the jade slip. Just as he was about to return to the Realm of Sun and Moon Radiance, he suddenly lifted his head and looked north.

Luminous clouds were spreading across the heavens. The color of the sky shifted as iridescent radiance soared upward, dyeing the northern horizon a vast expanse of silver-white. Li Zhouwei took a single step into the great void and examined the phenomenon carefully.

He murmured, "It's Chengshui Marsh..."

He patiently waited in the mountains for several hours before Chen Yang finally came up to report with a solemn expression.

His cultivation had progressed rapidly. By now, he had accumulated a deep foundation in the middle Foundation Establishment Realm and carried himself with a steady, methodical bearing.

He bowed before the steps and respectfully reported, "Daoist Master, Lord Zhong Qian of Chengyun Immortal Gate belonging to the Huai River Dao has broken through to the Purple Mansion Realm and taken the title Chonggong. The various families of the Huai River Dao have already gone to offer their congratulations."

Li Zhouwei set down his teacup. The news did not surprise him in the least, and he nodded. "His foundation was deep enough that this breakthrough was only a matter of time. He was always meant to have a place among those who wield divine abilities."

Chen Yang hesitated slightly. Remaining firmly on his knees, he shuffled forward a little and said respectfully, "It's just that... according to the current division of lineages, Daoist Master Chonggong belongs to the Huai River Dao and is also a Daoist Master of Zhao State. Although he does have old ties with our family... regarding the congratulatory gift..."

"It doesn't matter." Li Zhouwei raised an eyebrow and produced a box from his sleeve. Resting inside was a pitch-black scale. He instructed, "Have someone deliver this [Cangzhou Serpent Scale]. Let it serve as the Li Family's congratulatory gift."

Chen Yang nodded repeatedly and was about to withdraw when Li Zhouwei suddenly stopped him and asked, "I've been in seclusion for quite some time, but I still heard your good news. Jinxi[1] has reached the Foundation Establishment Realm?"

Chen Yang quickly bowed again and replied with a smile, "Daoist Master... he's not particularly capable and hardly worth mentioning! He simply had a bit of good fortune and managed to break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm. Of my three younger kinsmen... Jinbao was lost, leaving only him and Jinguang. Now that he has succeeded, all that's left is to see whether Jinguang can make it as well."

Li Zhouwei nodded and placed a jade box into his hands. "We are all family... I should offer a congratulatory gift as well."

————

Dharma light flickered softly, casting a hidden radiance through the surroundings.

The pavilion was utterly silent. Jade slips were secured overhead, each emitting a soft white glow. A young man strode through the hall, his brows tightly furrowed as his gaze swept continuously across the interior.

Nothing... How could it not be here...

Taking advantage of a break in his cultivation, Li Suining wandered through the secret pavilion in search of what he sought.

The family's Embryonic Breathing Realm and Qi Cultivation Realm arts were generally kept in two locations. One was the Dao Palace on Milin Mountain, while the other was this secret pavilion within the island. The former was mainly for guest cultivators, dharma protectors, and members of outside clans who had come to study, while the latter was reserved for relatives of the clan. In truth, however, the boundaries of 'clan relatives' were never clearly defined. Large and small families alike shared blood ties to some degree.

Some trusted guest cultivators and dharma protectors were likewise permitted access to this place. The separation of the Milin Mountain Dao Palace existed less for strict division and more as a means of extending favor to the various families attached to the Eastern Shore and the Wilderness.

After all, the cultivation arts that could produce Foundation Establishment and Purple Mansion Realms cultivators were usually kept under strict restriction. Even when bestowing favors, a family could not allow others to glimpse the foundations of its strength.

The Mandate of Heaven bestowed by the King of Wei is unmistakable. It has allowed the family to accumulate numerous Purple Mansion Realm arts, enough to rival an immortal sect. With that confidence behind them, the clan's restrictions on Dao arts are among the loosest in Yue State...

Yet his gaze swept across the dazzling array of cultivation arts again and again. He walked from the eastern side of the pavilion all the way to the western side, repeatedly reaching out only to lower his hand once more. Shock and confusion filled his heart.

How could it not be here?!

This was already his third visit. Three months had passed since he entered the island, and sure enough, the [Golden Chapter Court Tablet Art] from his previous life was nowhere to be found!

The absence of the [Golden Chapter Court Tablet Art] of [Profound Dipper Balance] would have been one thing, but even the [World-Watching Awakening Star Art] of [Morning Listening] was missing as well!

A shadow instantly settled over his heart. The [Golden Chapter Court Tablet Art] was of critical importance. Not only did it provide tremendous support for formation studies, but more importantly, it shared the same lineage as the [Stellar Enclosure Grand Repository Divine Scroll] that followed. The entire framework of his plans practically depended on it!

The absence of the [Stellar Enclosure Grand Repository Divine Scroll] for the time being was not a problem. The [Golden Chapter Court Tablet Art] could comfortably serve as a substitute. But if even the [Golden Chapter Court Tablet Art] was unavailable... then what was he supposed to cultivate?!

Having a copy in his head was useless by itself. The reason immortal sects and immortal families could maintain their rule lay in two things above all else, spiritual qi and cultivation arts. Without a powerful force gathering spiritual qi on his behalf, forget the [Stellar Enclosure Grand Repository Divine Scroll], even if he possessed a ninth-grade cultivation art in his mind, it would amount to nothing!

1. Chen Yang's son, Chen Jinxi. ☜

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