The Chunyi Dao was also a Dao lineage steeped in ancient traditions. Qi Qiuxin had even once joined forces with them to ambush a Jiangnan devil cultivator and seize the Purple Flame Cauldron for the Li Family. The bond between Xuanmiao Temple and the Chunyi Dao was clearly unusual, so it was no wonder Sumian disliked Xuan Yi.
Now that he knew this key detail, Li Ximing now understood the source of Sumian's disdain. But this was not the time to concern himself with Xuan Yi. He still needed to clarify Xuanmiao Temple's intentions. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂
Li Ximing glanced at Kong Guxi, who had yet to react, so he spoke up himself, "Now that Senior Kong has fallen, the celestial phenomena are clear, and the earth veins are plain for all to see. Every household knows that the Baiye Capital Immortal Dao has long coveted Shanji Prefecture. Senior, you promised to protect Profound Peak Gate. What are your plans?"
Daoist Master Sumian stroked his beard and answered softly, "Brother Changxi and my Xuanmiao Temple have been close for many years, so we cannot simply stand by. But Profound Peak Gate's territory is vast, and there are those who covet it on all four borders. I fear that the strength of our two families alone cannot secure it entirely. What can be ceded should be ceded; the lives of the younger generation matter most."
Profound Peak Gate's domain, with Shanji Prefecture and the Profound Peak Gate as its core, extended its influence from Lake Xian to the Wilderness.
When he heard Sumian speak of ceding territory so readily, Li Ximing had no choice but to ask, "Senior, are you saying..."
Sumian shook his head and replied, "Rest easy, Zhaojing. My Xuanmiao Temple's cultivators have already gone to garrison the Lake Xian region. That area is the heartland of our influence and cannot be allowed to fall into chaos. As for the lands west of the Wilderness, I fear our reach cannot extend so far."
The Li Family and Xuanmiao Temple flanked the Profound Peak Gate from opposite sides, bordering the Wilderness and Lake Xian respectively. Li Ximing immediately understood, So... Xuanmiao Temple intends to seize Profound Peak Gate's sphere of influence over Lake Xian, leaving the Wilderness to my family.
It might have seemed like an even division with each taking one side, but the two were nothing alike. Setting aside the Li Family's long and vulnerable border with Baiye, even a fool like Ye Hui would understand that Xuanmiao Temple's long-standing neutrality meant they would only need to focus on the Li Family...
Xuanmiao Temple seemed to be defending the region, but in truth, they were merely claiming the Lake Xian territory for themselves!
They were all Purple Mansion Realm cultivators; how could Li Ximing fail to see through it? He immediately furrowed his brow, but Sumian did not relent and continued, "Rest assured, Zhaojing. I intend to seek out Ye Hui and attempt to dissuade him. Brother Changxi's bones are not yet cold; things do not need to become too violent. If something truly happens, I will not stand idly by."
Sumian's meaning was clear: the Li Family would be the one to face Baiye Immortal Dao directly. Xuanmiao Temple had no desire to offend Ye Hui, but if a conflict between Purple Mansion Realm cultivators arose, Sumian was at least willing to intervene and mediate.
Li Ximing remained silent, so Sumian turned to Kong Guxi. "Your gate is right next to Lake Xian. If your gate faces any difficulties or your disciples are injured, send them here immediately. Xuanmiao Temple will not sit idly by. The same applies to Moongaze."
A headache started to form in Li Ximing's temples, but Kong Guxi responded respectfully, "Daoist Master, when our ancestor passed, he instructed us juniors to follow Daoist Master Zhaojing's orders in all things. We await your immortal decree."
Sumian nodded. Li Ximing had long known the attitudes of these Purple Mansion Daoist Masters. They might act benevolent in ordinary times, but they would never exhaust their own strength for another's losses. Promises flowed freely while Changxi lived, but once he died, the division of spoils depended entirely on conscience. Still, Sumian was far better than Xuan Yi.
Li Ximing could not afford to linger here. After a brief farewell, he tore open the great void with a casual gesture and sped away with Kong Guxi, asking as they traveled, "How are Profound Peak Gate's defenses arranged? There's no need to station forces at Lake Xian. Send everyone to guard the Wilderness."
Kong Guxi remained composed as he answered, "Daoist Master, our ancestor left deployment instructions before his passing. At present, we have three Foundation Establishment cultivators in the early stage, one in the mid stage, and one in the late stage among our direct descendants, along with nine guest cultivators. All are stationed along the riverbank in the Wilderness. Lake Xian is completely unguarded."
.bg-ssp-10081{margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;display:flex;justify-content:center;} Changxi had calculated everything precisely, otherwise, he would not have said those things to Li Ximing. With a total of fourteen Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators, though none were particularly outstanding, they still formed the backbone of an immortal family and would not be wiped out easily.
Li Ximing then asked about the only battle-hardened cultivator Profound Peak Gate had, "Where is Fu Yuezi?"
Kong Guxi replied, "He is stationed in the Wilderness."
The main force of the Li Family was positioned on the eastern shore. From there, they could rush northeast to support the Wilderness or northwest to reinforce Floating South[2]. A few days earlier, Li Xizhi had secretly recalled Li Wushao and Li Qiyun[3], and both were now stationed on the eastern shore.
They only had time to exchange a few words before Li Ximing and Kong Guxi arrived at the borders of the Wilderness.
Li Ximing prepared to set Kong Guxi down and instructed him, "Jingyi Mountain's Purple Mansion Realm cultivator himself is unavailable, but Xuan Yi's disciples and grand-disciples must have some numbers. Doesn't your family have someone under his tutelage? Tell them to invite a few senior and junior brothers to help!"
Kong Guxi quickly nodded and answered, "I will prepare generous gifts at once and send someone to Jingyi Mountain to ask our family members to seek their aid."
1. 广 (guang) means "vast" or "expansive," and 篌 (hou) refers to an ancient plucked string instrument, symbolizing elegance and harmony. ☜
2. This is the new name of Floating Cloud Cave. ☜
3. This is Dawn Rayfish given to Li Xizhi by Dongfang Heyun. ☜
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