Chapter 517: Swallowing the Pearl

After True Person Senior Zipei finished speaking, she paused slightly. The purple Qi within the immortal cave immediately drifted and solidified along with her words. Li Li Xuanfeng could only reply:

"This junior is a cultivator from the Li family of Wangyue Lake. Having received the True Person's guidance, I have been stationed in the Southern Frontier, and am currently a subordinate of the Ning family."

"Wangyue Li?"

True Person Senior Zipei did not seem very interested. She only listened as True Person Puyu said softly:

"Senior, I hear they are the Wei Li clan under the governance of the Profound Pool Sect."

"So it is the Wei Li."

Upon hearing this, True Person Senior Zipei immediately lost interest. She seemed to have no particular fondness for the Wei Li. However, since Li Li Xuanfeng was, after all, someone in front of Yuan Su, she recalled for a moment and asked:

"The Wei Li will have much to endure hereafter. Find a place to rest on the peak yourself, and when the time comes, return with Si Si Boxiu!"

Li Li Xuanfeng bowed and withdrew, descending into the mountains within the immortal realm where purple Qi drifted. True Person Puyu watched him leave and said sternly:

"Senior Yuan Su, in order to ensure the safety of his descendants, left his bargaining chips in the hands of the Ning family. He truly went to great lengths..."

"Hmm."

True Person Senior Zipei responded with a sound. She naturally saw it clearly, only saying softly:

"If he were to pass away within the sect, this 【Xinyou Luze Seal】 would likely fall into the hands of the Chi family or Si Si Boxiu. Even if he let his own descendants claim ownership, it would ultimately be no match for the sect's covert methods."

"Passing away in full view of everyone like this has instead preserved the 【Xinyou Luze Seal】. With the Golden Feather Sect, you, and I acting as guarantors, and with Si Si Boxiu having to consider his reputation, it can at least be protected for a few decades."

True Person Puyu shook his head and said:

"It ultimately cannot be protected. Once Si Si Boxiu has waited long enough, he will gradually grow impatient. With a little coercion, there are plenty of ways to make him willingly hand it over."

True Person Senior Zipei sat down in the cave filled with purple Qi and nodded, saying:

"Isn't there a Ning Wan? A few decades is more than enough. Once she successfully breaks through, she will naturally be able to protect the magic treasure with justification. If the breakthrough fails, keeping it in her hands would only be a disaster; handing it over would be for the best."

The two True Persons clearly saw through Yuan Su's arrangements, and even Si Si Boxiu saw it clearly, yet each acted according to the trend.

True Person Puyuan waited for a moment, seemingly pondering something, and after a long while, said softly:

"The battle between several True Monarchs cannot be decided in a short while, but the sky of the North Sea must still be mended. Each sect must act together to invite a True Monarch."

"If we let the seawater continue to fall like this, I fear that by the time the True Monarchs return, the North Sea will overflow into the wilderness, connect with the East and West Seas, submerge who knows how many sects, and swallow who knows how many territories."

True Person Senior Zipei nodded, clearly taking this matter to heart, and said softly:

"Consort Lady Beiyao has often appeared in the world in recent years, and she is the easiest to talk to, so let us go find her."

"As for who will take the lead... naturally, it will be the Xiuyue Sect. The Profound Pool, Golden Feather, and Dragon-kin who have taken action... all should contribute. Just wait for the Xiuyue Sect to act."

True Person Puyu nodded slightly, glanced toward the east, and smiled:

"The True Monarchs have all gone beyond the heavens to fight; the Dragon-kin are going to seize the thunder."

East Sea.

Waves rolled, the clear blue water was pristine. On the sea surface, various types of demon creatures often rode the wind, stepping on the waves as they moved forward. Islands were scattered like stars in the sky, with demons and monsters mixed together, shuttling across the sea.

On ordinary days, there were already many cultivators flying to and fro, but now there was an atmosphere of panic. Streaks of light flew across the sky, dragging behind them various colored trails.

The islands on the sea had gradually revealed their ferocity. The original large islands—such as Fenkuai Island, Chunyi Island, and Chijiao Island—had all expanded by thirty to forty percent, opening up a thousand miles of land. The markets originally built on the riverbeds were revealed, and the formations in the sky emitted a brilliant glow.

Meanwhile, the medium-sized islands, such as the Qingsong and Dongliu islands, had also expanded significantly. A crowd of cultivators looked at the sea with both worry and joy.

Demon caves were slowly exposed on the seabed. Small demons held forks, blankly watching the seawater recede inch by inch. Thunder roared between heaven and earth, yet not a single drop of rain fell.

Li Li Qinghong led a group of Zongquan Island cultivators to take a look around. Zongquan Island had already expanded by nearly a hundred miles and was still continuously stretching, revealing corals and fish, shrimp, and shellfish of various colors.

Zongquan Island now had over thirty thousand people. Both children and adults stood trembling on the original shore, panic-stricken and dazed. Some of the bolder ones had already rolled up their trouser legs, stepped into the sea, and were throwing the fish, shrimp, clams, and crabs from the shore into jars.

Li Li Qinghong held her spear and hovered in the air. Thunder surged beneath her feet, and purple light flowed, her expression filled with unstoppable worry.

She could vaguely see the colors rising in the north, but Li Li Xizhi's location was Mount Hua, north of the He Shui Sea, which bordered the North Sea and could see this clearly. Li Li Qinghong's location was the Zhu Lu Sea, almost reaching the South Sea in the south. Apart from a few rising streaks of colored light, she could see nothing clearly at all.

She could only let Zong Yan arrange everyone, waited secretly for a while, and decided to find that Hui Yao to inquire about the situation.

Just as she sent people into the sea, Li Li Qinghong observed the time, silently concealed her figure, and waited in the air.

Sure enough, after she patiently waited for a moment, the blue fish with scale-wings under its ribs quickly broke through the water, transforming into a half-human, half-fish appearance, holding a sea fork in its hand.

Only then did it put away its demon wind, stood firm, and immediately bowed respectfully:

"Oh my! Greetings, Immortal."

Years ago, when they jointly executed the Cloud Octopus, it had been terrified by Li Li Qinghong's thunder. Thunder was also a method for executing demons and eliminating evil, so it was naturally convinced and submissive.

Looking at her now, Li Li Qinghong was already at the late stage of Foundation Establishment. At her waist, there was an extra small bottle with purple lightning crack-like patterns, concealing deep thunder power, which immediately made it tremble with fear:

"It has been many years, and this female cultivator who cultivates purple thunder has improved again. I don't know what level she has reached. That's right... the sea level in the East Sea is falling and the thunder is rising; it is the perfect time for a thunder cultivator."

It only lowered its eyebrows and eyes. After all, it was a demon of the Dragon Mansion, and Li Li Qinghong did not put on airs, asking:

"Fellow Daoist, do you know about the seawater receding?"

Hui Yao immediately understood, shook its head repeatedly, and said in a low voice:

"Returning to the Immortal... the Young Dragon went out early some days ago. Now, the many demon creatures in the local mansion are all bumping around like headless flies. I went to ask in the neighboring waters, but only heard some rumors that seemed true yet false."

Li Li Qinghong nodded to signal it to continue, and Hui Yao said:

"The news from several water mansions is that Consort Lady Beiyao and Consort Lord Xiyang... captured a grotto-heaven in Qunyi... Once the mouth of this grotto-heaven opened, the seawater flowed into it, and in the end, it became like this!"

Li Li Qinghong had dealt with these demon creatures many times over the years, but this was the first time she had heard the name Consort Lady Beiyao, so she only asked:

"Consort Lady Beiyao?"

Hui Yao was stunned, then suddenly realized:

"That is what Early Zifu and Golden Core Daoists like you call the He Shui Dragon King."

'So it is the master of the Dragon-kin, that He Shui Dragon Lord.'

On the surface, there were two most famous Dragon Lords among the Dragon-kin. The first was the master of He Shui, the North Sea Dragon King in the mouths of commoners and small cultivators. He had a long lifespan and was originally called Consort Lady Beiyao in the mouths of the Dragon-kin.

Another was Consort Lord Xiyang, who was transformed into three from the immortal Fenkuai. He was considered a junior among the Golden Cores, but he appeared quite often, so he was well-known.

Seeing her expression, Hui Yao immediately added:

"Years ago, the Dragon King was enfeoffed in the North Sea and received a 'Jia' character bestowed by an immortal."

Li Li Qinghong nodded as she listened, feeling a bit strange, and only asked:

"A grotto-heaven? How is that possible... With the strength of the two Dragon Lords, how could they let the seawater leak into the Lei Yun Temple?"

The person and the demon were talking when thunder roared between heaven and earth, shaking the seawater to howl, dark clouds rolled, and streaks of purple light appeared in the eastern sky.

Then, continuous thunder clouds appeared, and a pale golden transparent circular outline floated in the air, within which pavilions and towers appeared one by one, scattered in the purple thunder clouds.

"Grotto-heaven!"

Countless thunder lights emerged from the east. Li Li Qinghong only felt her immortal foundation surging, her thunder pool merging, and a strong sense of palpitation surged into her heart. The body of the 【Du Ruo Spear】 in her hand flowed with phantom colors, very excited.

"Lei Yun Temple, 【Strategy of Thunder and Po Yun】."

Li Li Qinghong understood that her own opportunity lay here, but for now, she could only watch helplessly. She rode the thunder in the black wind and plunged into the pitch-black thunder clouds.

Extremely intense thunder had already spread here. Hui Yao followed behind, terrified. In the black clouds to the left and right, many cultivators could be seen, all looking up blankly.

She looked far into the distant east, watching silently, shuttling through bursts of thunder, feeling somewhat regretful.

"It's just a pity that I can't even touch this thing before it has already fallen into the hands of the Dragon Lord."

The Lei Yun Temple grotto-heaven before her eyes was hidden behind the rolling wind and thunder, and behind the pale golden barrier was a piece of suspended thunder palace.

And countless black clouds gathered, covering the entire East Sea. Occasionally, scales as large as small mountains were revealed from the black clouds, reflecting a piece of purple-indigo thunder light, illuminating Li Li Qinghong's face until it was pale, almost causing her to fall from the clouds in one breath.

She retreated for a while and discovered that the black clouds over the entire Qunyi Sea were like a huge dragon head, swallowing this purple pearl bit by bit.

Now that it was the time when the grotto-heaven and the present world intersected, one could see the scenery inside with the naked eye. Li Li Qinghong had also cultivated pupil techniques, and looking carefully, she could see many classics in the grotto-heaven dancing in the gale, falling onto the palace like rain.

She looked up one by one. The main body of the grotto-heaven was five thunder platforms, and at the highest point was a large hall, with eaves and teeth carved, golden copper as tiles, purple jade paving the ground, and a green figure standing on the ridge of the hall.

"Yuan Tuan..."

Li Li Qinghong could only vaguely see her robes fluttering in the wind, standing quietly like a stone statue on the large hall, facing the dragon head with teeth as large as mountains alone.

"Boom!"

Thunder roared, and this woman sank into the clouds together with the purple grotto-heaven, like a shelled egg swallowed in one gulp, disappearing without a trace. This Dragon Lord seemed not to have even chewed before closing its mouth, and the brilliant purple-gold light disappeared into the gaps between its teeth.

At the last moment, Li Li Qinghong seemed to notice that the green clothes had become red, vanishing in the grotto-heaven like a streak of flying sand.

The black clouds in the sky disappeared instantly, retreating to the horizon as if fleeing, as if they had never appeared. Li Li Qinghong drove the thunder down in a daze. Hui Yao followed her, asking blankly:

"Immortal, why did it suddenly thunder..."

Li Li Qinghong looked at it quietly, her face showing a dazed expression, shook her head and said:

"The cloud Qi is too thick, and the thunder is continuous; I can't see clearly."

The person and the demon drove the wind down. Hui Yao said some things that were neither here nor there, but Li Li Qinghong was trying hard to calm her mood.

"Seeing such thunder surging, perhaps it was the Dragon Lord passing by with the grotto-heaven."

Hui Yao muttered longingly:

"It seems that the few things said in the neighboring waters don't count. Also, this grotto-heaven must be on the mountain, not in the sea; there must be other reasons."

Li Li Qinghong no longer hoped to get any news from it, politely asked it to leave, returned to the cave silently, and sat quietly on the upper seat.

She sat for a while, and the image of the Dragon Lord swallowing the pearl kept appearing in her mind. Li Li Qinghong understood that Yuan Tuan was likely dead.

"Trapped in the grotto-heaven for more than ten years, watching the person who came to save her fall, and then slowly waiting to fall into the belly of the Dragon Lord... Senior Yuan."

Li Li Qinghong had met Yuan Tuan. Years ago, when she came to the Li family to take Li Li Xizhi back to the sect, she had met her once. She only felt that Yuan Tuan was gentle and generous. Later, she learned that Yuan Tuan had secretly taken action to protect Li Li Xuanxuan during the demon disaster, and felt even more grateful.

"'Qing Brother Xuan' can pray for others, but cannot pray for good luck for herself... still falling into the tiger's mouth in vain."

"Now I don't know if Yuan Tuan's jade tablet in the Yuan family is still effective, but the soul lamp of the Profound Pool must be extinguished. Li Xizhi... I don't need to notify him. After all, it's something that can't be seen, so I'm afraid it will cause extra trouble."

Li Li Qinghong calmed her mood for a while, when suddenly she heard a crisp sound of knocking on the door.

"Knock, knock, knock."

Li Li Qinghong's mood was instantly shattered like frost, and her heart was filled with coldness and shock. All thoughts were thrown out of her mind, leaving only horror.

"Knock, knock, knock..."

This sound echoed in the cave, appearing cold and clean. Li Li Qinghong's face changed slightly, and she hurriedly gripped the long spear in her hand:

'Who!'

You must know that Zongquan Island is now managed by Li Cheng, with Zong Yan assisting from the side. No matter which of these two wants to find her, they would either activate the formation to call her out or send a voice transmission to remind her.

In any case, it wouldn't reach the point of knocking on the door...

"Creak..."

Before she could respond, she merely picked up the spear, and the formation of the entire cave was like a display. The stone door at the entrance had already creaked and moved away slowly. A pair of cloth shoes stepped in, very steadily.

This person first stepped in with one foot, then pushed the door, and his figure appeared simultaneously with the opening of the stone door. What came into view was a smiling face, revealing eight white teeth.

The visitor was dressed in green, with a young face, fluttering sleeves, and disheveled long hair. He slowly restrained his smile, squinted at her, and stood with his hands behind his back, seemingly very curious.

His pupils were light green, and just standing here, he had a heavy aura. Beside him, many shadows floated and reflected each other, appearing very cold.

The clothes on his body had wide sleeves and robes, and the skirt fluttered. Although it was all green, a golden tassel was tied at his waist. Li Li Qinghong recognized these clothes; they were the standard issue of the Profound Pool Sect.

Although the clothes of Profound Pool Sect disciples, guest ministers, Daoists, peak masters, sect masters, and Early Zifu cultivators were generally similar, the details were all different. Thanks to Li Li Xizhi and Yuan Tuan, Li Li Qinghong had always been able to recognize peak masters, but the clothes in front of her were even more magnificent.

Her thoughts only stayed on these clothes for a short moment before she was immediately attracted by this person's face.

Li Li Qinghong stared at him blankly. She actually recognized this face in front of her. Not only did she recognize it, but it could even be considered the face she least wanted to see, which made her terrified and shocked.

"Chi Chi Buzi!" ===== CHAPTER 518 =====