The realization made him hesitate belatedly, Alas... I act rashly at the sight of immediate gain too often. I should have been like Brother Xijun, who always thinks things through and makes careful arrangements before acting. I seem to have walked into another thicket of trouble; but fortunately, the Nine Mounds bear no true malice. This may yet be mended...
Out of this concern, Li Ximing rose from his seat and bowed respectfully. "Zhaojing has long been content at heart to be able to form a connection with Nine Mounds and offer but a meager effort; moreover, to meet the Grand Daoist Master face to face. I harbor no greed, only the wish to remove the imprint. Now, fearing the peacock's malignant might and unable to calm my dread, I dare not accept the Grand Daoist Master's spirit items. I only beg a bit of shelter to avoid its venomous beak."
Houfu was slightly taken aback, while Daoist Master Yuandao merely raised an eyebrow, his lips curving faintly as he said, "You are quite the cautious one. Since that's the case, I may as well make it clear to you... but what you hear must never be spoken again."
Li Ximing nodded at once, and the Grand Daoist Master said with a smile, "You guessed right. Something extraordinary was indeed taken from this Dao Collection, something vital to the peacock. If a treasure of this level were known to exist, it would shake all the Buddhist land, startling the Maha above, and even Pi Jia and Xipo themselves would come to claim it."
Li Ximing's heart sank, but he felt oddly relieved when the other spoke so openly. Daoist Master Yuandao's faintly crimson eyes stayed on him as he said, "But this matter was not something my Nine Mounds Dao Lineage did in secret, do you understand? Pi Jia has strictly ordered Yukuan to personally report it to the Buddhist land. This treasure must not fall into the peacock's hands, nor can even its trail be discovered by them! The peacocks may not be worth much themselves... but their voice carries far."
Yuandao's expression had darkened by the final words. Li Ximing nodded in understanding, and Yuandao spoke softly, "No matter how Yukuan later reports the loss of the Peacock Dao Collection to Pi Jia and Xipo, the two Maha will not act in earnest. They will dawdle, handle the matter lightly, and rather not see you fall into the peacocks' hands, lest they gain even the slightest inkling.
"The only ones you have truly offended are a few peacocks within this temple. Even if the secret were to be exposed overnight, it would merely cause an uproar and internal chaos across the Buddhist land; no one would regard you as the true culprit."
"As for the spiritual flames." Yuandao glanced at him with a faint smile and said softly, "Whether it be the Returning Flame to Completion or the Profound Fire of the Three Phases' Guard, both are tied to Nine Mounds. This means my Dao Lineage has already taken you under its protection, signaling to the Buddhist land that the Immortal Dao will not sacrifice even a single Purple Mansion Realm cultivator over this affair."
Li Ximing suddenly understood and nodded repeatedly. He bowed once more toward Yuandao and said, "Many thanks, Grand Daoist Master! This junior..."
Yuandao waved his hand dismissively and said casually, "No need for thanks. My Nine Mounds cannot assist with great matters, but we can lend a hand in small affairs. When your family truly faces trouble in the future, do not blame my Dao Lineage for standing aside."
The words came suddenly, even bordering on impolite. Li Ximing was momentarily taken aback, but Houfu nodded slightly and followed up, "The Grand Daoist Master has always been charitable; Nine Mounds Immortal Mountain has aided many, so such matters are inevitable. Zhaojing is a man of integrity and has a fine reputation in Jiangnan. His great-uncle... is one of Daoist Master Yuansu's most capable men."
Yuandao smiled faintly and gestured toward Lingdu as he said, "Bring the fire."
Lingdu immediately went below, while Yuandao began to speak leisurely, "It's a long story... In those years, Yuansu and Yuanxiu both visited Nine Mounds. I was of the same generation as them. Those two brothers quarreled often and once had such a fierce argument that they parted on bad terms, never to grow close again.
"But some days ago, Yuanxiu came to see me. When he mentioned Yuansu, his eyes lowered and his brow tensed, like a man sitting on needles. It seems... he still bears some affection after all."
Li Ximing nodded respectfully on the surface, though a faint doubt arose in his heart, If that's the case... even Yuanxiu, the youngest of the three Yuans of the Azure Pond Sect, has little lifespan left. How much better could this Daoist Master Yuandao be? Yet judging by his appearance, his essence, qi, and spirit remain at their peak. He even looks like a young man, and his tone carries no trace of old age... Unless he's using some divine ability to conceal it, this must be an extraordinary longevity cultivation method...
Just as he finished his thought, Lingdu returned from the side, carrying two small bowls in his hands. One appeared to be forged from Geng Metal, coated with some unknown substance that gave it a dull sheen; the other was the same vermilion ceramic bowl, both about the size of a child's fist.
Lingdu presented them before him, first uncovering the Geng Metal one to reveal a faintly golden-gray speck the size of a grain of rice, and explained, "This is Returning Flame to Completion, a type of Merging Fire. A portion of it is stored within the mountain. This fire can damage tools, so it must be contained within seamless Geng Metal."
Then he revealed the other, a bright red speck no larger than a grain of rice. Nine Mounds must have possessed an extraordinary sealing method; for no matter how fierce a flame, once captured in the bowl, it became as small as a grain of rice.
"This is the Profound Fire of the Three Phases' Guard, a True Fire. As True Fire refines metal, it is therefore stored in a glazed ceramic dharma artifact tempered with Converging Water."
Knowing that the two were meant for his choice, Li Ximing hesitated briefly, then picked up the vermilion ceramic bowl and said respectfully, "This junior follows the Grand Daoist Master's will and shall remember this great kindness, never to forget it."
The Returning Flame to Completion and the Profound Fire of the Three Phases' Guard were nearly equal in rarity, though in terms of value, the latter was likely superior. On the other hand, Returning Flame to Completion was slightly stronger and could also refine pills, with the added benefit of harmonizing with Bright Yang. Yet Li Ximing reasoned that, with his talisman qi from the Valley Wind Leading Fire, he lacked little in such harmony.
Moreover, the Profound Fire of the Three Phases' Guard was a True Fire, and very likely compatible with the transformations in the Yang Nourishing Technique. Even though Li Ximing had no intention of converting such a precious flame, having another path open was certainly not a bad thing.
The Great Li White Radiance requires Radiant Fire to cultivate and perform. It cannot be achieved without that fire, but if I could convert it temporarily, complete my cultivation, then change it back later... that would be ideal.
The subtle mysteries of Returning Flame to Completion and Profound Fire of the Three Phases' Guard were far beyond what Yuandao and the others could sum up in a few words. Each had its own unique applications under different circumstances, and even if Li Ximing were to regret his choice in the future, he could only make his decision here and now.
"Congratulations, Zhaojing!"
Houfu offered his congratulations, and Lingdu nodded slightly with a smile. "The Profound Fire of the Three Phases' Guard is not easy to refine. Take this glazed bowl with it. Even if Zhaojing does not refine it here on Nine Mounds Immortal Mountain, it will be convenient to carry."
Li Ximing had already been eyeing the item with desire, nearly wishing to grab the golden bowl as well and polish it against his sleeve before tucking it into his robe. Yet he spoke modestly, "How could I dare accept such generosity..."
In truth, Li Ximing had no real use for the bowl. With his Valley Wind Leading Fire, any flame he touched, even the Profound Fire of the Three Phases' Guard, could be refined in an instant. He accepted it merely to keep a low profile, and since it cost him nothing, why refuse a free treasure?
He happily stored away the bowl and Lingdu said gently, "There is still the Hidden Refinement Pool that must be inspected... this... please, Grand Daoist Master, take a look..."
It was unclear whether his hesitation was toward Yuandao or Li Ximing, for probing another's Dharma body was often a taboo act, one that could easily leave hidden means behind. But Li Ximing, protected by his treasures, felt no fear. He merely feigned a brief moment of hesitation before extending his hand.
Yuandao glanced sideways, lightly placed his hand upon his, and withdrew at once. The Grand Daoist Master's pupils flickered as his gaze swept over Li Ximing's body, saying with slight surprise, "I detect none of the traces of the Douxuan Dao Lineage and the marks left by that silver bottle Lingdu mentioned. The karmic tie of the Peacock Birth-Giving Disk has also been dissolved by the Seven Abandonment Lotus Seed. Zhaojing's Dharma body and cultivation... apart from a few minor injuries, bear nothing else unusual."
That old fox Changxiao... as expected, he's been playing those tricks again!
Li Ximing cursed inwardly, while Yuandao continued, "Still... since you are here, you may as well take a round through the place. These small wounds can be healed along the way, and it may even slightly advance your cultivation.
"Please remain in the cave residence for a while, Zhaojing. The Hidden Refinement Pool in the mountains will not thaw until midnight. When the time approaches, I will send disciples to escort you."
Li Ximing understood that he was being dismissed. He offered his thanks, bowed slightly, and left quickly. Once he had departed, Yuandao asked, "What do you think?"
Houfu thought for a moment and replied, "His innate ability is decent, and his temperament kind. Unfortunately, his background is too shallow; he hasn't seen true treasures, so he's easily swayed and not good at refusing others. However, reaching the Purple Mansion Realm shows that his heart is not lacking; he's first-rate among ordinary family cultivators, but merely average among Purple Mansion Realm peers. Still, one thing stands out; the incident at Profound Peak Gate shows his stubborn, promise-keeping nature. He's fit for friendship, but poses little danger as an enemy." 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚
Yuandao laughed quietly. He looked even younger than Houfu and said simply, "Stubborn loyalty, perhaps, or maybe he just values sentiment. Or it could simply be that he doesn't know how to back down gracefully."