Chapter 804: Bai Du Blood

Li Zhouwei stared at the Red-Eyed Long Wang, a peak Zifu cultivator with five complete divine abilities. The fierce, baleful intent of Dongfang Lieyun seemed ready to overflow. Because of his emotional fluctuations, the entire crystal palace swayed slightly, emitting a series of humming sounds. He spoke rapidly and at length, his deductions and calculations linking one after another, pressing for an immediate answer. Li Zhouwei only had time to process it all like lightning before replying:

"Since the Great King believes I am bestowed by the influence of the Luoxia Mountain upon the Mingyang fruit position, and the Grand Ancestor has already weakened to this extent, even if I were to die prematurely, is there not a second bestowal? If Luoxia were to place the second one within Luoxia Mountain, killing me would likely be nothing more than drinking poison to quench thirst."

"Furthermore, if I did not know, it would be one thing, but now that the Senior has informed me of the secrets within, then... is striking for the fruit position truly something for a junior to plot? Striking for the fruit position means death if one fails, and if one succeeds, could Luoxia watch idly as the Mingyang fruit position, plotted for a thousand years, falls into the hands of Li Qianyuan's descendants? Mingyang values lineage, and most of all, the hierarchy of orthodoxy. If this junior becomes a True Lord, how could this fruit position be as Luoxia wishes?"

Before Dongfang Lieyun could answer, Li Zhouwei, with a calm expression, replied: "This junior does not understand the theory of fate. I am merely a Bai Lin. Even if I were truly born from the influence of Luoxia Mountain, cooperating with the Dragon Clan to preserve the Grand Ancestor's position is the only logical path. No matter how powerful Luoxia Mountain is, it cannot tolerate me in the end. If the Great King wishes to kill me, there is no need to say so much; just let me understand the stakes."

For the Dragon Clan, the most disadvantageous outcome for Li Zhouwei would be failing to strike for the fruit position, which would be equivalent to the Dragon Clan's efforts being all for naught. Conversely, Luoxia Mountain is the one most hoping for Li Zhouwei to strike for the fruit position... Dongfang Lieyun's expression was heavy, his deep voice echoing: "Once the Dao path is severed, how could a Bai Lin be content? Is it not falling to one's death when the lifespan ends? If you have ambition, it is better to clash with Luoxia over Mingyang, to maneuver against Luoxia. If by chance you become a True Lord, your divine abilities would be so miraculous—is there no way to reconcile? Falling to one's death still holds infinite chances for rebirth; it is better than dying as a Zifu."

Li Zhouwei did not retreat, replying: "If I die after becoming a True Lord, I will surely be suppressed by Luoxia, never to see the light of day. As a Zifu, there is still the 'leap' to seek. At the very worst, as long as the Dragon Clan exchanges a portion of Golden Nature for me, I can go through reincarnation. Would that not be escaping this cage?"

Li Zhouwei had spoken such bold words about exchanging for Golden Nature, yet Dongfang Lieyun showed no surprise. Instead, standing far off before the palace, the beast did not mention the 'leap' either, his voice growing softer: "If you go through reincarnation and cultivate another Dao, you may not necessarily be able to reach the realm of five divine abilities."

Li Zhouwei remained silent for a moment. The beast took a step forward, the fierce light in his eyes fading significantly, and finally, he took the initiative to speak again: "Regardless of whether you are a handiwork of Luoxia Mountain, this Venerable One has no reason to kill you. This time, it was to clarify things with you... Although Luoxia Mountain will still come knocking once you break through to Zifu, the true ownership of the Mingyang fruit position is not something to be decided by you alone."

"When you cultivate to the late Zifu stage, the Grand Ancestor's state will be unknown. Whether you intend to seek the 'remainder' or the 'leap', or even if you are backed into a corner and choose to reincarnate and recultivate, it will all depend on the changing situation."

Li Zhouwei silently breathed a sigh of relief in his heart, bowed, and replied:

"The Grand Ancestor was harmed by Luoxia, and the Dragon Clan are friends of a thousand years. Who is right and who is wrong, Zhouwei can still distinguish."

The Bei Hai Long Wang did not answer him further, stepping up to the highest jade platform. His body was already massive, casting layers of huge shadows. Standing at the edge of the platform, he raised his head and said softly: "I must also harvest this 【Bai Lin Blood】. Firstly, I have my own uses for it, and secondly, it serves as an excuse to deal with Xiangchun. However, you may rest assured that this matter will not treat you unfairly. I will have someone bring spiritual objects..."

Li Zhouwei raised his head, having long understood that this encounter was unavoidable. Yet, he still had a suspicion in his heart that had not been confirmed. Now, having a premonition and taking advantage of the fact that this Long Wang was currently easy to talk to, he asked:

"There is one thing I do not know if I should ask... May I ask, among the Dragon Clan... who is the one with a close relationship with my Wei Li, who reached out to save us?"

Dongfang Lieyun glanced at him and replied:

"That is a long story... It has quite a bit to do with the Zipei True Person of those years. It is not convenient for me to talk too much here. If you have the mind to investigate, head straight east. After passing Reef Sea, there is an ocean to the north called Lie Sea. You can go and ask there yourself."

The Long Wang's expression was slightly gloomy as he replied:

"It is just that the dog Senior Chang Xiao is sharp, perceiving quite a few things. Whether intentional or not, at least he understands he has become a pawn of Luoxia Mountain. Now, he is actually hiding and not coming out... I don't know what he is colluding with in private..."

Li Zhouwei understood this much, bowed, and said:

"Many thanks to the Dragon Clan for reaching out to save us!"

Dongfang Lieyun waved his hand slightly. Wind and clouds surged in the crystal palace, and patches of white cloud vapor surged in from outside the palace like a tide, rapidly climbing up the emerald jade steps, submerging his calves.

Dongfang Lieyun and Li Zhouwei stood together in this white cloud vapor, as if placed at the top of the sky. All the crystal and jade-like scenery was shrouded, leaving only a vast white expanse and that jade platform not far away.

Immediately, the cloud vapor gathered, and a young man rapidly condensed beside the two. His attire was snow-white and clean, his hair combed neatly, his face slightly round, his eyebrows short and delicate, and his eyes pure black. He bowed very elegantly and typically: "Dongfang Eastern Heyun, greets the Venerable One."

The Long Wang moved his red eyes and replied:

"I have said it many times, there is no need to be so polite in the future. Now that you are also free with your divine abilities, if you are so polite again, it will be I who cannot stand firmly."

Dongfang Eastern Heyun smiled slightly, but his bowed back did not straighten, only replying:

"The etiquette that should be there must always be there. This was learned from the human race during the near-ancient times. I have used it until now, and I cannot throw it away just because my strength has improved and I have learned a few divine abilities..."

The beast was very polite to him and did not lecture him, only nodding. Dongfang Eastern Heyun then turned his gaze over, nodded slightly, and smiled:

"So it is the Bai Lin here. It has truly been a long time... I have wanted to visit Fellow Daoist Xizhi several times, but I never thought he would always be at Wanli Shitang, and I found it difficult to see him."

Logically speaking, the Dragon Clan did not fear Qingchi at all. There were not many places in the East or South Seas that dragons could not go. At Wanli Shitang, one would at most bump into Si Boxiu. To put it bluntly, Dongfang Eastern Heyun really did not need to give Yuan Xiu much face.

However, Dongfang Eastern Heyun said it was difficult to see him. It was hard to say whether it was politeness or because of some matter that prevented him from entering Shitang. Li Zhouwei bowed and casually flattered him: "My elders have also mentioned the Senior's grace and admire him greatly. If the Senior has the intention to meet, just give the word, and we will choose a place to invite you."

Dongfang Eastern Heyun smiled slightly and nodded politely. The Bei Hai Long Wang sat high in the seat of honor and signaled. The young man in white took out a dark golden box from his sleeve, on which a baring-fanged and brandishing-clawed Qilin was drawn with dark patterns.

Dongfang Eastern Heyun gently stroked the box, seemingly chanting some incantation. The dark golden box jumped open automatically. Inside, it was lined with black silk, holding a round, pastry-sized porcelain plate, inside which was a golden-white liquid.

As soon as this white-gold spiritual object appeared in the world, it was as if a golden-white sun had risen in the clouds. Its brilliance flickered, and ten thousand rays of morning sun pierced through the clouds, spraying out, illuminating the entire white territory brightly.

Dongfang Eastern Heyun reached out, and immediately a gale rolled the clouds, gathering from all directions, pressing all the morning sun back into the box. Only then did the surrounding scenery return to normal. He smiled:

"Fellow Daoist is surely no stranger to this thing. It is called 【Bai Du Blood】. In ancient times, it was called 【Shuyang Shengming Qilin Light】. The beast of Mingyang is 【Shuyang】, and the eldest son of Shuyang is called 【Shengming】, which is the first Bai Lin. During a solar eclipse, the brilliance on the Bai Lin falls to the ground, and it becomes 【Bai Du Blood】."

The Li family was indeed no stranger to the name 【Bai Du Blood】. Back then, when Li Ximing was striking for Zifu and needed to gather Zifu spiritual objects, the 【Bai Du Blood】 was among the several Mingyang Zifu spiritual objects he proposed. No wonder there had never been any trace of this spiritual object heard of—the Bai Lin was extinct, so where would 【Bai Du Blood】 come from? Although there was more than one way to condense spiritual objects, this thing was mostly related to the Bai Lin.

Li Zhouwei, however, had something more concerning and took the opportunity to ask:

"You all call me Bai Lin. I wonder what the difference is between me and 【Shengming】?"

Dongfang Eastern Heyun laughed and replied: "You have the fate of a Bai Lin. This fate is very full, so full that it is as if you are the reincarnation of a Bai Lin, but you lack the nature of a Bai Lin. Therefore, by cultivating the Purple Gold Demonic Dao and completing the nature, once you break through to Golden Core, you will be no different from the Shengming Qilin... By then, when you encounter a solar eclipse, 【Shuyang Shengming Qilin Light】 will likewise fall upon you."

"It is also because you already have a fairly complete Bai Lin fate that the fate divine abilities in the Purple Gold Demonic Dao come easily to you... If you enter the Buddhist Dao, you will have a position in an instant. The Shengming Jinming King of those years was just like this."

It was rare to hear such news, so Li Zhouwei hurriedly asked: "Is the fate divine ability the same as fate?"

Dongfang Eastern Heyun patiently said: "A fate divine ability is also a divine ability. Having fate makes it easier to cultivate fate divine abilities, but a fate divine ability cannot generate fate. Once you ascend to the fruit position, you will naturally be equipped with it for cultivators of the Purple Gold Demonic Dao. Golden Nature is not the key; the position is the key. I have only heard of ancient great divine ability users who could rely on Golden Nature to give birth to fate. Those were all figures at the Immortal Lord level."

How sharp was Li Zhouwei? Hearing this, he immediately had an understanding in his heart:

'It seems all the key lies in seeking the fruit position. Seeking fate through nature—I fear it is actually seeking the fruit position through nature, and then obtaining fate through the fruit position, thus achieving both...'

After all, the Bei Hai Long Wang was still waiting above, so he did not say much more. Dongfang Eastern Heyun then continued: "Everything is better with preparation. Taking this portion of 【Bai Lin Blood】 from you is not only for Lady Xiangchun to use, but the Venerable One also needs to take a look. After all, it is mainly to check the bloodline, not because this thing is needed as a spiritual object. Therefore, doing it before Zifu will damage the foundation. If you come back after Zifu, it will be extremely difficult to remedy."

Dongfang Eastern Heyun had always been very kind to him and specifically explained it for him. Li Zhouwei finally understood in his heart: 'So that's it! Truly cautious enough. Even now, they still have to examine the bloodline in my body... Although Xiangchun wants the spiritual object, it is just an excuse. Long Wang Clan extracting it in the middle to ensure I am truly the Bai Lin of Wei Li, and then casually rewarding it to Xiangchun—this process in the middle is the most important!'

Dongfang Eastern Heyun took the pastry-sized small porcelain plate and said:

"With this 【Bai Du Blood】, you only need to refine it. My extracting your essence blood from the outside will not damage your foundation, and it can even consolidate and thicken your cultivation."

The young man had always been very polite and even made a small joke: "Of course, you cannot use all of this. Just dabbing a little on your brow is more than enough. If you come back after Zifu, it will require a full portion."

He seemed inconvenient to touch this spiritual object and pushed it forward. Li Zhouwei extended his index finger and touched it. His fingertip was extremely hot. He rubbed it on his brow, and no liquid remained on his hand. A vigorous brilliance emerged from his brow.

Li Zhouwei then sat cross-legged on the jade platform. Dongfang Eastern Heyun formed seals from the side, seemingly examining something, and the tip of his other hand rapidly gathered a bit of golden liquid.

The Bei Hai Long Wang had been observing with lowered eyes from the seat of honor. As time passed, Dongfang Eastern Heyun withdrew his hand, and there was already an extra golden liquid bead the size of a fingernail in his hand.

Li Zhouwei remained with his eyes closed, his face pale, and the heavenly light in his brow shrouded his whole body, rapidly replenishing his vital energy. It was clearly not something that could be finished in a short while. Dongfang Eastern Heyun raised his hand, and the sea of clouds rapidly covered him, isolating and protecting him.

He walked up quickly, offered this golden bead with both hands, and said respectfully: "Please, Venerable One, verify it."

Dongfang Lieyun in the main seat gently took it and examined it in his palm. After a long while, the red-eyed Demon King said in a low voice: "Although I have not examined it in detail... at least it is the Mingyang orthodoxy without a doubt..."

He pondered for a long time before speaking, quietly saying:

"Eastern Heyun, I feel his personality is not domineering or ruthless enough... It is not similar to the Bai Lin... and even less like the insidious and fickle White Cicada. If one really has to say it... it is actually similar to the Wei Gong Emperor."

Dongfang Eastern Heyun smiled slightly, bowed, and said: "In this subordinate's view... it is extremely normal. After all, the Wei Grand Ancestor's state is abnormal, and Mingyang is also affected. Signs were already seen during the time of the Wei Gong Emperor. Now that he is similar to the Wei Gong Emperor, is it not reasonable? It is even better that he is not domineering or arrogant enough, and there is no need to worry about his temperament being too fierce, wanting to strike for that fruit position in one breath... It is just perfect."

"Not bad."

This Bei Hai Long Wang could not help but nod, replying:

"No matter how much it affects the Mingyang fruit position, it won't be to the extent of several fate drops falling. Counting the days, Luoxia Mountain is about to move Mingyang to descend into the world again. This side needs to be guarded, so how much can they manage on that side? One Li Zhouwei is the limit, and it is safe under our noses..."

Dongfang Eastern Heyun nodded and said respectfully:

"The Mingyang remainder position is extremely difficult to seek. The Dongli Sect has research on the Lihuo leap position, but it is not a simple matter, let alone cultivating divine abilities under the nose of Luoxia Mountain... I don't know what the north says."

Bringing up this matter, the beast in the seat of honor was clearly hesitant, saying in a low voice:

"The time is still early. It is just that I must mention it to him first, to raise a heart of defense and fear against Luoxia... lest he be too passive later..."

He put away the golden liquid drop in his hand, stood up, and replied: "I am going to Yin Continent. If he breaks through the barrier and comes out, you yourself explain it clearly to him and send him away!"

Characters appearing in this chapter

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Li Zhouwei 'Ye Tianmen' 【Late Foundation Establishment】

Dongfang Lieyun 【Peak Zifu】 【Bei Hai Long Wang】 【Lord of the White Dragon Lineage】

Dongfang Eastern Heyun 【Zifu Spiritual Cultivator】 【Cloud of the Chi Lineage】 ===== CHAPTER 805 =====