Chapter 654: Heart of the World

Xi Zikang smiled lightly, shook his silver-white sleeves, and took out a small carriage from his sleeves, only the size of a palm, with two small white-blue flags inserted on it, painted with runes. He ordered:

"Northern Palace Command, Xuan Thunder Department, carry the carriage and plan electricity, save the world and cure the disease!"

This thunder carriage vibrated, and in an instant it came to life, jumping like a violent tiger, turning into the size of a house in a blink of an eye. The two blue-white thunder flags fluttered high, jumping with silver-white lightning, extending ten feet along the wind.

"My Xuan Thunder path whips the wind and plans thunder... it's just driving away a group of cultivators!"

Thunder clouds rolled in the sky, storms set off on the sea, and the surroundings were dim and dark, with no light to be seen. Only a simple and tyrannical thunder carriage shone with dazzling silver-white brilliance, and the two thunder flags were like two thunder snakes dragging behind.

Xi Zikang was like a god of thunder, his silver robe shining brightly, majestic.

'So it is... he is also from a famous Zifu immortal clan in the North Sea. Looking back, he can trace it to the thunder palace... it is not an ordinary family.'

This young man was not old, and he was kind and respectful. There were no too luxurious decorations on his body. Li Qinghong had forgotten his noble background for a while. Looking at it now, the majesty of this thunder carriage was almost catching up with Tuoba Zhongyuan of the past...

'The several thunder method families and sects in the North Sea are indeed the remnants of the thunder palace of the past. This majestic thunder carriage is no more obvious...'

In an instant, Xi Zikang had already driven the storm over. Dongliu Island was dim, and all the cultivators couldn't see their fingers. They looked up one after another, but silver-white thunder fell from the sky, blowing them into a mess.

This group of people was pieced together by various families. In fear, they scattered one after another. The three Foundation Establishment cultivators all opened their eyes and rose with the wind. The words of abuse reached their lips, but seeing this noble and tyrannical carriage, they all changed their faces and hesitated to approach.

Xi Zikang pinched the formula and cast the spell, pulling the thunder like pulling a piece of white cloth, and smashed it on the heads of the three people, only saying coldly in his mouth:

"The East Sea is all demonic cultivators!"

The three were all loose cultivator Foundation Establishments in the East Sea, one was full of blood, and the other two were also turbid. How could they withstand this kind of profound thunder? They were scared out of their wits on the spot, screaming while fleeing.

But Xi Zikang's spell-casting technique seemed casual, but the grade was extremely high. Thunder was fast, and the three of them were miserable, fleeing with steaming black smoke.

Xi Zikang was stunned, and his heart was strange:

"What a poor cultivation... Although the East Sea is vast, it is the territory of the dragon kin. The endless treasure house under the water cannot be taken. Isolated on a few islands... what good things can there be..."

He estimated in his heart that these three had no intention of fighting with him. Most of those who survived in the East Sea were cautious. With such a big momentum and such an extremely noble seat, anyone could see that it was a direct descendant of an immortal clan. No one dared to say a word, just fleeing with their heads buried, praying that he would not come to chase them.

He just wanted to contain a few people, but underestimated his own strength. This was a clean scatter. The entire Dongliu Island sea area was empty. He turned around twice in the sky with thunder and put away the magic carriage with disappointment.

"Daoist has good strength."

Li Qinghong came up with a smile. Xi Zikang was slightly embarrassed, but the large formation under his feet flickered, and an old man flew out from it, wearing a red robe, looking carefully from afar, and said from afar:

"Which senior is in front?"

This matter was the Li family's business, so Xi Zikang didn't speak, just turned his head silently. Li Qinghong nodded, not responding to him. The old man looked twice, suddenly realized, and hurriedly approached:

"It turns out to be..."

"Eh."

Li Qinghong interrupted his words. The old man woke up, approached, and whispered:

"The little one is Han Shihai! I have seen the fairy once..."

"It's you!"

Li Qinghong actually recognized this person. This man received her when she went to Dongliu in the past, but at that time, this man was middle-aged, and now he was suddenly white-haired, and his breath had changed greatly...

Han Shihai showed deep gratitude and replied: "I have exhausted my lifespan to guard the family's large formation, making the fairy laugh..."

Han Shihai had long been at the end of his rope. At this moment, he was in tears, pouring out his heart.

Han Shizhen and his master died violently after the dragon kin's territory, and the Han family suddenly declined. Their strength shrank day by day...

This was already an extremely dangerous situation. The Han family ancestor was in seclusion to break through to Zifu, practicing the 'Return to Earth' in the earth virtue, but was caught off guard by the strange phenomena of water descending and thunder rising. He only lasted for a year and turned into the sky full of strange phenomena.

Several families around suddenly rose, and the remaining few Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Han family died one after another. Only Han Shihai and a female cultivator remained. The two were already at the end of their rope in the island, and even prepared to destroy the whole clan, only to save themselves.

But Han Shihai couldn't think of it for ten days and ten nights, and it would be Li Qinghong who came to solve the siege. He was overjoyed and sad, in tears, almost kneeling on the ground.

Li Qinghong just helped him up and whispered:

"Do you have any information about the Miao family in the South Sea, as your family has been operating in the East Sea for many years?"

Han Shihai didn't ask her what she wanted to do, searched carefully, and took out the jade slip directly from the storage bag, saying in a deep voice:

"Back to the benefactor, the Miao family once had some business dealings with my family. Everything I know is in it."

Li Qinghong took it with her hand, not in a hurry to read it, and said softly: "Good, we just scared away this group of people. You hurry up and arrange for the clan members to withdraw. If you delay, I'm afraid that as soon as we leave, those families will catch up."

"Ah?"

Han Shihai was completely confused now. He had long been prepared for the Han family to merge into the Li family, and everything was already in the attitude of a subordinate. Who knew that Li Qinghong's words had smashed all his preparations.

'But! But! For no reason, why help my family!'

Han Shihai's experience of living in the East Sea for a hundred years had completely lost its effect at this moment. He looked at Li Qinghong blankly and muttered: "The fairy first covered for my family in front of the immortal sect, and then saved my family from fire and water... How can my family have the reason to leave..."

Li Qinghong laughed and asked:

"You are a cultivator in the East Sea, but you say such things. If you are told to go, you go. Do you have to cut a piece of meat from you to be comfortable?"

Seeing the thick confusion on the old man's face, she said sternly: "Your family's death is somewhat related to my family's affairs... The friendship is still there. It is just a matter of effort for your family to decline suddenly... Old senior, don't say more, take people away quickly!"

Han Shihai finally heard that she was sincere, and only choked:

"The fairy's kindness is like a mountain. The old man's lifespan is exhausted, and he will fall in a few days. He cannot repay this kindness... The kindness of reconstruction, the Han family has remembered... If there is an afterlife, I will tie the grass and tie the ring to repay..."

Saving the Han family was to fulfill a friendship, but Li Qinghong didn't want to get involved too deeply, and replied softly:

"My family is also walking on thin ice. Qinghong probably won't see that day. Go seek another way to survive, don't mention my Li family, I'm afraid it will implicate your clan."

Han Shihai was even more grieved, covered his face and took his leave, returning to the island like the wind. The spiritual boat rose and fell, and a group of people left in a hurry. After everyone disappeared, Li Qinghong and Xi Zikang rose with thunder.

This young man was quite shocked

Han Shihai finally heard the sincerity in her words, and he could only choke out:

"The Fairy's kindness is as heavy as a mountain. My lifespan is exhausted, and my passing is but a matter of days; I cannot repay this grace... The kindness of rebirth, the Han family will remember... If there is a next life, I will weave grass and carry rings to repay you..."

Saving the Han family was a matter of sentiment, but Li Qinghong did not want to get too deeply involved. She replied softly:

"My own family is also walking on thin ice. Qinghong will likely not live to see that day. I am seeking a new path for myself, so please do not mention my Li family; I fear it would only bring disaster upon your clan."

Han Shihai was even more overcome with grief. He covered his face and took his leave, returning to the island like the wind. The spirit boats rose and fell, and the group departed in a flurry. Once they had vanished from sight, Li Qinghong and Xi Zikang rose into the air, riding the thunder together.

The youth was quite shaken. He flew along in silence for a long time. Li Qinghong paused and asked:

"Does Fellow Daoist know about the matter of the Thunder Palaces? It seems the whole world is in an uproar..."

"Of course I know!"

Xi Zikang was somewhat distracted and said softly: "The Immortal Lord has left this realm, and two Earth Virtue fruits have been manifested at the same time. The sects and great clans have been constrained for too long. With heaven and earth in harmony, the twelve Thunder Palaces naturally disintegrated. There is nothing much to say about it."

Seeing Li Qinghong lost in thought, Xi Zikang even knew what doubts she held in her heart, and said casually: "As for the common people suffering under the Thunder Palaces for so long... Earth Virtue represents the state and the people's livelihood—the people's hearing is my hearing, the people's vision is my vision. My heart is the heart of the world. Isn't it normal for the world to be in an uproar? It's all just a matter of a single thought!"

"I know what you want to say, Fellow Daoist. I have heard how people across the world refute the Thunder Palaces, but I just smile and say nothing."

'My heart is the heart of the world... How terrifying!'

Li Qinghong was in the sea, and in this era after the changes in heaven and earth, she had almost never seen a proper Earth Virtue cultivator. Even True Person Changxi, who was famous for only practicing spell arts, was the first time she had heard of Earth Virtue supernatural powers. She was secretly shocked:

"If this is the case... it is no wonder that Earth Virtue is left with only spell arts... With a single thought, the masses follow. Which family could tolerate that?"

Her heart felt heavy, and she was speechless for a long time. Other speculations even arose in her mind:

"Qing Xuan is also Earth Virtue, but it doesn't seem like state and livelihood. Perhaps the one with such divine power is just one of the two of the five earths."

Among the five virtues, five waters, five fires, and three golds were manifested in the world, while the others were not well-known, making it even harder to know their names. Li Qinghong probed a little, but Xi Zikang did not reveal anything, whether he did not know or was unwilling to say.

"The Han family ancestor did not know what kind of cultivation technique he practiced, and the water descended and the thunder rose, killing him... Was it intentional or unintentional? Such secrets are probably only known to people like Xi Zikang..."

She was somewhat absent-minded. Xi Zikang was still immersed in Han Shihai's words. After a long silence, he said in a low voice:

"I thought that those who practiced demonic arts were all heinous villains, but they actually have such sentiments, exhausting their lifespan to protect their clansmen. Although my family practices the Profound Thunder Orthodox Method... it is very difficult to find a few people like him."

Li Qinghong said softly:

"The East Sea is full of blood pills, and demonic cultivation techniques and spells are widespread. Even normal cultivation requires a bit of blood, so in your eyes, Fellow Daoist, they are all villains..."

Xi Zikang paused, finally showing a look of pain, and muttered: "But taking a blood pill is taking it, and practicing a demonic technique is practicing it. No matter how much sentiment he has, no matter how much he was forced, he cannot shed his turbid blood. Although I admire this person, if I met him in the North Sea, I would still strike him with thunder magic."

"My family's True Person once said that the fault is not theirs, but the evil is their evil. Even if we don't have the strength to clear away all the demons and turn wrong into right, we cannot turn a blind eye to the evils we can subdue."

Li Qinghong wanted to speak but stopped. She was silent, not knowing how to answer him, and her heart sank: 'His ancestors were of the Thunder Palace lineage. It seems they are not as unbearable as the Shen family's techniques say, but they don't have much compassion either. The affairs of ancient times are tangled, and the reputation of the Wei Li is not much better... There is nothing to say...'

She traveled around the East Sea, changed direction, and headed toward the Profound Peak Gate's Yuezhou Island:

'This news is unusual. I will use the Profound Peak Gate to send a letter home.'

Moon-Watching Lake.

Li Zhouwei had only tidied up the affairs of the family and arranged everything properly. His father, Li Chengliao, was in seclusion, so he had to arrange for elders like Li Minggong and Li Cheng Huai to look after things first, and then he headed to the hall.

Bai Rong was strolling barefoot in the main hall, with Li Li Xuanxuan following by his side. He looked to be in a very good mood, talking and laughing.

There were really not many people Li Li Xuanxuan could talk to. The old man preferred to talk about the past, and there were even fewer who could discuss it with him in detail. Counting on his fingers, there were only Li Qiuyang, Chen Donghe, and An Jiyan.

Li Qiuyang had been injured before and burned by combined fire, becoming old and unrecognizable. When Li Li Xuanxuan went to visit him, he couldn't say much. Chen Donghe and An Jiyan were both respectful and didn't dare to say much.

Bai Rong, this fellow, was humming and hawing, and loved to mutter. He actually started talking with Li Li Xuanxuan. Li Zhouwei heard bursts of laughter from outside the hall and couldn't bear to go in.

But after waiting for only a few breaths, Bai Rong slipped out, said a few words of farewell to the old man, and Li Li Xuanxuan, not wanting to hinder the younger generation's affairs, smiled and sent him out.

The two of them rode the wind and left the lake. Only then did Bai Rong say resentfully: "My white fox clan can somewhat understand the human heart. The old man has a lot of knots in his heart. This twilight of his life is not easy to live."

Li Zhouwei rarely showed a look of gloom. While Bai Rong was taking out magic tools from his sleeves, he muttered:

"You must cultivate well and don't go out to fight and kill. Those who fight and kill will die sooner or later. Don't learn from those elders of yours, who don't even want their lives for the sake of their own family... Live a few more years, so the old man won't be sad again."

"This junior understands."

Li Zhouwei replied sincerely. Bai Rong tossed the spirit boat into mid-air, and in an instant, it transformed into a simple and unadorned wooden pushcart. The two wooden wheels were crooked, the bark was shaved into pits and bumps, here and there, and a few branches even sprouted out.

Bai Rong introduced it very proudly:

"This is my monster carriage! It used to be used to pick up and drop off the babies in my clan in the northern foothills! Later, when I arrived in the cave, I practiced it into a magic carriage. You can be considered the first White Qilin to ride it!"

"Yes..."

Li Zhouwei found it a bit strange, as it was his first time seeing someone traveling in a pushcart. He sat cross-legged in the cart, while Bai Rong landed to the side, not knowing what he was grinning about, and summoned a mass of cyan gale.

"Go!"