Chapter 726: Detailed Account

"So that's how it is." Chang Yun was the one sitting by the shore fishing, so naturally, he was the most informed about this matter. Li Ximing, hearing him say this, also knew that these Zifu cultivators only spoke when asked. If he, Li Ximing, couldn't even consider this much, he wouldn't be qualified to share in the spoils. He then said, "So the 'Hurricane Wu Gui Yin' Dao lineage of Wen Hu is in my hands. Fellow Daoist, you cultivated that Ping Wangzi, also in preparation for opening the array. I, on the other hand, need to raise one of my own."

Chang Yun laughed heartily and only said:

"That is easy to say. That Wen Hu in your hands... once sought the Mi Fan Dao lineage for the Du Xian Dao in the South Sea... At that time, the Du Xian Dao had not yet entered Jiangbei, but they had already begun searching! It is evident that the Du Xian Dao had long had premeditated plans..."

Li Ximing narrowed his eyes slightly, looked up, and said, "Oh? I wonder what the result was?"

"They found another 'Floating Cloud Body'! The Du Xian Dao kept it a thousand times secret; truly, few people knew of this matter. I only learned of it after hearing a fellow Daoist speak of it in jest. In the end, their family didn't gain much of a harvest... However, the person who obtained that Dao lineage was led around by the nose by Wen Hu and eventually died, their soul scattered! Perhaps all the secret techniques on their body were swindled away!"

Li Ximing also knew Wen Hu was not simple. Calculating it this way, the original Floating Cloud Cave was an ally of the Tang Jin Sect, which was the share belonging to the Jin Yu Sect. Now that they had been exterminated, it was difficult to explain, so he asked:

"These three paths... which families are dividing them?"

Chang Yun seemed to see through his concerns at once and spoke up:

"The 'Floating Cloud Body' Dao lineage was long ago taken by the Jin Yu Sect; it was originally a Jin Yu Sect disciple cultivating it. 'Empty Response Scatter' is Ping Wangzi's method; this share is mine... 'Hurricane Wu Gui Yin' belongs to the Du Xian Dao. Their family also has the 'Floating Cloud Body'. Several other families are silently waiting; now it is hard to say for sure."

He glanced at Li Ximing and smiled:

"It is not to say that one Dao lineage can only be divided by one person. The Mi Fan Small Chamber Spirit Treasury was prepared by the former Mi Fan Temple for their descendants. Any Foundation Establishment cultivator who has cultivated the Dao lineage can go and take a share. How much or how little one gets depends on the individual. One formidable direct descendant is worth more than ten fools."

"Fortunately, once this opportunity is in hand, it all benefits our people; it can be considered a money tree."

Li Ximing's heart was now clear:

'So many opportunities... so many arrangements. The Mi Fan Small Chamber Spirit Treasury can only be entered to take opportunities by those of the original Dao lineage, yet it has been turned into a cornucopia by people from several families...'

Li Ximing straightened out the cause and effect, and finally said:

"I often hear that the Mi Fan Temple has a background. I wonder which path it is."

This did not seem to be a secret. Chang Yun said, "Mi Fan is the legacy of the Wanling Upper Sect. The Wanling Upper Sect is a Xian Sect of the Three Sects level, and to this day, there is a Grotto-Heaven hidden within the Grand Void."

"Oh!"

Li Ximing understood immediately and said:

"Mi Fan has a background, after all. Making such a fuss, won't there be any disaster?"

Chang Yun shook his head lightly, while Ming Hui smiled and said:

"Fellow Daoist Zhaojing! How do you know this matter... is not a means left behind by the Mi Fan Temple to continue its Dao lineage? Year after year, time after time, if someone among these people truly becomes a Zifu, or if some change occurs and they break free from the True Person's control... they would have a legitimate reason to exclusively occupy the Mi Fan Spirit Treasury of Small Chamber Mountain! With such a golden, profound background, signboard, and sect-founding orthodoxy... after achieving Zifu, would they not want it? Could they ignore the Mi Fan Dao lineage?"

Li Ximing was thoughtful. Chang Yun also smiled: "Fellow Daoist Ming Hui is right. Although the harvest from gathering the five Dao lineages is abundant, if one truly wants to open this Spirit Treasury, it is impossible without the Zifu divine abilities of the Mi Fan path. We have divided the Spirit Treasury several times and searched it clean; the remaining Zifu portion still needs to be discussed at length. It is not so easy to touch."

Li Ximing had a plan in mind and secretly prepared to go back and handle affairs. After thanking them twice, True Person Chang Yun said, "No need for that! I value this child Zhong Qian highly. Because of Ning Tiaoxiao, he has formed a bond with your clan. In the future, there will be many times for mutual assistance."

Li Ximing chatted roughly for a few sentences, listening to the two talk about who had broken through to Zifu and who had accumulated virtue to achieve Eyed Lianmin. Just as he was about to take his leave, Ming Hui was very enthusiastic and said:

"Across the river is my Lotus Temple! If True Person has any requirements in the North, you must come and seek me!"

Chang Yun saw this in his eyes, covered his tea, and said, "I say... Fellow Daoist Ming Hui, you are a dignified Eyed Lianmin, and you are extremely skilled in calculation. Why not calculate for Fellow Daoist and provide some real convenience?"

Once these words were spoken, Ming Hui gritted his teeth, his heart and lungs aching: 'Calculate? Calculate your mother's calculation... I don't even want my life anymore, calculate, calculate, calculate... You certainly have the most to say!'

In his heart, he wished he could slap Chang Yun, but on the surface, he gave a dry laugh and replied, "I am not good at calculating Fellow Daoist directly, and I am also afraid that Fellow Daoist himself would not be at ease having me calculate..."

These words made sense. Li Ximing had no good feelings for any of these fellows and had long intended to refuse. He also followed suit in declining. After drinking several cups, he had no heart to push and pull with these two, so he took his leave.

He had just stepped out of the pavilion when he saw Monk Ming Hui come out with him. Li Ximing was too lazy to entangle with him and stepped into the Grand Void. Ming Hui followed in pursuit, and once inside the Grand Void, said:

"Fellow Daoist Zhaojing! May I say one more word?"

Since the other party had chased him out in one breath, Li Ximing found it inappropriate to continue hiding, so he had to reply:

"Great Scholar Ming Hui, what business do you have?"

Ming Hui said, "There is only one matter... This humble monk has a friend who obtained a Dao lineage and is about to ascend to Eyed Lianmin. He is cultivating a large temple with luxurious spirit vessels and is missing one ingredient, 【Listening Soul Mulberry Wood】, which is produced in the southern frontier of Qingchi... Si Boxiu hates the Buddhist path, so it is difficult for me to go there. Fellow Daoist has connections in Qingchi; if there is an opportunity, please keep an eye out for me..."

Li Ximing had a mind to test whether he could cross the river and travel through the Grand Void with him. He responded casually. Ming Hui added, "My Lotus Temple is in the North, after all, and there is a Bright Yang Spirit Embryo. If Fellow Daoist can obtain it, I am willing to exchange it for this."

Li Ximing still did not trust the monk at this moment. Even if there was some Bright Yang Spirit Embryo, he only responded perfunctorily. As they neared the Funan territory, Ming Hui changed the subject: "What I said earlier about calculating was not out of a lack of sincerity in neglecting Fellow Daoist, but I am afraid Fellow Daoist would not let me calculate. Why not have Fellow Daoist not look for disciples or blood relatives, but just find a retainer with no major connection? It would be easy and detailed for me to calculate, and it would not make Fellow Daoist too embarrassed!"

Li Ximing looked under his feet. There were many people in the Funan territory, and these people were just north of the river. Whether Li Ximing agreed or not, Ming Hui could calculate it himself. He cautiously said, "If that is the case, if Fellow Daoist wants to calculate, I have no reason to obstruct you."

He did not dare to let him calculate the most urgent matters of safety and danger, so he chose the one that mattered the least and said:

"My family has an old retainer... named Qu Bushi."

Ming Hui's gaze penetrated the Grand Void and swept over him. Relying solely on a name, he had already recognized the person. He first pinched and calculated the person's magic tool in his hand, and through this, knew that calculating the other party would not have too heavy a consequence. Only then did he go to calculate the person, thoughtful, and said:

"Nurturing life, protecting years, old and increasingly firm, life afflicted by Kan Water, cannot be in charge of affairs, but is a useful retainer."

Li Ximing, however, was paying attention to Ming Hui's position. When they reached the riverside, the monk stopped as expected.

"I will see Fellow Daoist off to here."

Ming Hui left along the Grand Void. Only then did Li Ximing ponder Ming Hui's words.

'This monk is unexpectedly polite. Qu Bushi is, after all, a retainer, and the "Storing Palace" is skilled in protecting life. With so many years left to live, he will be an old man like An Jiyan in the future.'

Falling into the lake, Li Ximing rarely had some leisure time. He did not fall into Mount Zhijing Mountain but drove toward the continent.

The courtyard in the continent was vast, and a white flowering tree about thirty zhang tall was covering it. The leaves were clean and transparent, and there was no shade under the tree. Reddish spirit flowers were dotted among them, palm-sized, with five petals, intertwined with red and white—【Wanling Flowers】! Under the tree sat a white-haired old ape, wearing simple stone armor, with a staff on its knees. Li Ximing paced over. The white ape opened its eyes and stood up, respectfully saying:

"Greetings, True Person."

Li Ximing nodded. The first thing the old ape did when it came to the Li family was to look after the Wanling Flowers. It had been over seventy years now. After the great battle on the river, it returned to heal and guard under the tree.

Li Ximing looked at the 【Wanling Flower Tree】 twice. His family had extracted no less than eight hundred spirit stones from this flower over the years, not to mention the cultivators who were able to preserve their lives because of this flower... Even the Miao Shui of a few days ago relied on this flower! "Things leaking out from the fingers of a Jin Dan immortal descendant have benefited my family immensely!"

On the other side of the courtyard, there was another one, only the size of an ordinary tree, but it was a mountain persimmon tree, quite spiritual. It twisted back and forth in the corner. Seeing Li Ximing looking over, it immediately stopped moving.

This one was naturally the spirit persimmon dug back from Quanwu, at the Qi Refining level. Although this mountain persimmon had an ordinary origin, its opportunity was not shallow. It had already become a spirit, had cultivation, and usually ate some spirit medicine and drank some spirit water. Now it had about the cultivation of the middle stage of Qi Refining.

The Li family also had a 【Snake Dragon Fruit Tree】, but its grade was low, and it was only raised in the spirit courtyard in the continent.

After looking, Li Ximing took a box from his sleeve and opened it casually. Inside lay a golden horn-wood spike needle, which was the 【Horn-Wood Golden Spike】 presented by the Sword Sect! "This is a good thing for nourishing spirit plants..."

As soon as this box was opened, the Wanling Flower Tree immediately moved, and the mountain persimmon in the corner stopped pretending, stretching its branches over. Not daring to touch Li Ximing, it only secretly pulled the white ape.

Li Ximing's divine ability immersed into it, the heavenly light operated, and he waved his hand to scatter the 【Horn-Wood Golden Spike】, shining on the two spirit plants along with the heavenly light, causing the two spirit plants to rustle.

Li Ximing knew nothing about the art of spirit plants. He only used it for the two spirit plants and told the white ape to look after them well, then turned and left.

He landed on Mount Zhijing Mountain. After a moment, he saw a youth in dark red pleated clothes descend on Li Fire, come up from the mountain, and arrive before the courtyard, bowing:

"Jiangqian pays respects to True Person!"

Li Ximing had truly not seen Li Jiangqian many times. He only let him come closer. Facing this junior who had been taught the talisman seed, Li Ximing did not begrudge a smile and asked, "Jiangqian is here, why don't I see Quewan?"

Li Jiangqian replied, "Reporting to True Person, younger sister encountered a bottleneck in her techniques and went to the Northern Mountain Yue to collect witchcraft. She could not come together. This junior came up the mountain this time under father's orders to deliver a letter."

"Speak."

Li Ximing listened while pouring tea. Li Jiangqian said, "The Wu family of Junnan came to visit a few days ago. That Foundation Establishment ancestor of the Wu family, Wu Shaoyun, came in person and presented a thank-you gift, saying it was to thank True Person for passing by the Wu family and eliminating the demonic cultivators for them. Father did not know about this matter and sent someone to ask."

Li Ximing naturally understood what was going on. He sipped his tea and replied:

"I fought with Ye Huai and passed by the Wu family. My escape light should have scalded one or two of those demonic cultivators to death. Ye Huai followed behind, and when he manifested his divine ability, he should have crushed a few of the Wu family members to death as well. This Wu family head is quite capable of pulling a banner; he has some calculations."

Li Jiangqian understood immediately. Facing the True Person, he was not timid and replied, "So that's how it is. Xuan Yue also has a retainer Wu, who has kinship with the Wu family of Junnan. It has ruined his reputation..."

"Just make it clear to your father."

Li Ximing replied. Li Jiangqian said:

"Shanjie Prefecture has been attacked several times in the past few days. We cannot take care of that place, and quite a lot of resources have been plundered. One town has also been lost..."

This was not beyond Li Ximing's expectations. Shanjie Prefecture was a burden in his own hands. He asked:

"How does your father intend to deal with it?"

Li Jiangqian respectfully said:

"Father has long been moving the people of Shanjie to enrich the wilderness. The hearts of Xuan Yue have not scattered, and with our family's support, there are still many families, famous surnames, and even aristocratic families willing to come over. Except for the Sword Sect's territory, which has not moved much, most of the other commoners have set off. Father takes this matter very seriously and set off in person to escort them..."

"Good."

Li Ximing nodded. He said:

"Nine times out of ten, Xuan Yue can only rebuild its foundation in the wilderness in the future. This matter is necessary. Just leave it to your father."

Li Ximing paused slightly and asked about his eldest son with an inexplicable tone: "How is Cheng Zhi now?"

His eldest son, Li Chengzhi, was a mortal. Li Ximing had seen him once after becoming Zifu, bringing his grandson Li Zhouming, who was at the early stage of Qi Refining. The two were timid and sweating profusely. Li Chengzhi's hair and beard were all white, and he did not dare to look at Li Ximing. He came up, walked around, and immediately went down.

Although Li Zhouming had cultivation and was sent over by his eldest son early on, Li Ximing's continuous seclusion meant they did not meet often. However, because of his deeper understanding and fear of Zifu, he performed even worse than his father.

Li Ximing asked this, and Li Jiangqian immediately replied, "Clan Elder Cheng Zhi is getting on in years and is no longer very active. Clan Uncle Zhouming is currently serving in Mi Lin Mountain..."

Li Ximing naturally knew that Li Jiangqian had nothing good to say. Although eldest son Li Chengzhi was not close to him, he still had some thoughts, but having no cultivation was too fatal... However, Li Zhouming, whom he had contacted himself, was truly a mediocre child, and his character was somewhat greedy. Li Jiangqian not saying bad things was already giving him face, let alone having anything worth saying.

He lowered his eyebrows calmly and only replied:

"Let him be. Cheng Zhi is old, and sometimes he cannot control Zhouming. Do not let him feel that I am concerned about them, lest it cause him to do some bastardly things."

Li Jiangqian originally thought Li Ximing mentioning him was implicitly asking him to take care of him a little, but hearing Li Ximing say this, he could only nod. His heart gradually became clear:

'The True Person is not entirely unconcerned about the clan... At least these few words all hit the key points of the two elders. It is impossible to be so clear without some attention...'

Li Ximing waved for him to go down, calculating in his heart: "Now there are three important matters. First is the Zifu Great Array; just wait for news and watch the changes. Second is to solve the Shanjie Prefecture matter and guard Xuan Yue well... Third... is to solve the Ye Huai matter, lest he be against my family every day." ===== CHAPTER 727 =====