Chapter 852: Returning to the Mountain (112) (Extra update for Alliance Leader Qiu Youdao)

"Five-Eyes! What are you doing!" Chi Luo had never imagined that the Eyed Lianmin before him, whose hands were as graceful as lotus flowers, would stand there gloomily in the air, his face full of rage yet showing no sign of movement.

Clearly, the 【Water and Fire of No-Measure】 on Five-Eyes' body had long since extinguished, and eight or nine-tenths of his aura remained; among this group of Eyed Lianmin, he could be considered in excellent condition, yet this old thing wouldn't move an inch.

"You!"

But before Chi Luo could even finish his curse, he felt the Grand Void shake. A roar thundered in his ears: "Awoo..."

The group of Shramanas on Xiaoshi Mountain looked up. Pitch-black cracks, large and small, connecting to the Grand Void, appeared in the sky. Dazzling golden Qi mixed with precious light shot out, and as soon as it fell into the mortal world, it transformed into fluttering pink lotus flowers and swirling golden sand.

A bright golden stream of light escaped from mid-air, accompanied by petals and golden sand scattering in all directions. The 【Three Retributions Entering the World Lotus】, covered in dense patterns, circled in the air with a mournful cry, appearing exceptionally dazzling amidst the white snow. Chi Luo was momentarily stunned, exclaiming in horror, "Tai Xi is injured!"

This stream of light seemed to trigger the collapse of the entire battlefield. The purple immortal pavilion floating in the sky grew brighter. A middle-aged man with half-white hair and beard stood on the pavilion, positioned before the Qiuhu Fairy, Ning Wan.

And that Zifu spirit sword, snow-white all over, painted with dark snow and Taiyin, and decorated with autumn passing into winter, had already fallen into the middle-aged man's hand.

"Ling Mei!"

The Jianmen True Person, Ling Mei! Ling Mei, holding the 【Great Snow Absolute Blade】!

The 【Great Snow Absolute Blade】 in Ning Wan's hands versus Ling Mei's hands could be described as the difference between heaven and earth. The Shramana earth in the sky dissipated almost instantly; whatever colorful light, whatever precious throne, whatever golden body—they left faster than they came, leaving only the fluttering white snow behind.

By now, Chi Luo realized Five-Eyes' actions in hindsight. Just now, it must have been Ling Mei using Li Ximing as bait, wounding Tai Xi, who held the 【Three Retributions Entering the World Lotus】, with a single sword strike upon meeting. If it were him, Chi Luo, he might not even have had the chance to return to the Shramana earth! He had been at odds with Five-Eyes for hundreds of years, yet now, because of the other's caution, he had saved his own life. His heart was complex, and he immediately escaped into the Grand Void:

"How cunning. Legend says this old thing has been temperamental lately, harming his own disciples. Where is there any sign of a senile old fool here... he's becoming more and more cunning... he must be plotting for the next Shramana position of the Voidless Dao..."

Who knew that Five-Eyes over there was also so scared his whole body went limp, not even daring to look, muttering to himself as he scrambled into the Grand Void. The group of Eyed Lianmin also fled or scattered, each going to save their own lives.

Who would still be willing to stay? If one didn't see Maha Zhelu dispersing the Shramana earth, this Jinlian Mohe would only remain here to prevent too many Voidless Dao Eyed Lianmin from falling! Otherwise, a True Person of the Solar Orthodoxy with Golden Virtue in the Sword Dao, holding a Zifu spirit sword famous for hundreds of years, would likely see several under the Golden Lotus throne die!

At the same time, also fleeing in terror was that True Person Luo, dressed in black and reeking of Yin Qi. The moment this True Person saw Ling Mei, half his life was scared out of him. He pushed his divine abilities to the limit, not even caring about claiming credit, and turned to run.

The falling snow in the sky grew more intense. Maha Zhelu Jinlian Mohe was clearly becoming wary. The thousand eyes on his body blinked in unison, pink and gold light gathering. True Person Senior Kuiqi's expression eased, and he landed beside the Pavilion of Purple Light, standing with his sword in his arms.

Maha Zhelu was clearly different from Tai Xi. His golden body was profound, reaching the sky, and his voice was like thunder, falling from the heavy clouds: "So it is Fellow Daoist Ling Mei. Seeing such Sword Dao divine abilities, this Venerable One thought it was Lord Lord Louxing."

Ling Mei said nothing, only gathering golden Qi on his sword. The 【Great Snow Absolute Blade】 had not fallen into the hands of a cultivator with superb Sword Dao for many years; it flickered, seemingly excited.

Hearing the name Lord Lord Louxing, a flash of coldness crossed True Person Senior Kuiqi's eyes. He was not a person with a good temper to begin with, so how could he endure it? He opened his mouth and cursed:

"Old bald donkey, who the hell are you pretending to be! If my Great True Person were here, would you dare to show that half-bald head of yours? If you're going to roll, roll sooner!"

"In the days when my Great True Person walked the world holding his sword, would you, Maha Zhelu, dare to let out a fart? The Great True Person has been in seclusion for a few years, and you dare to come out and bark!"

Senior Kuiqi sneered, saying fearlessly: "If you push my Southern Territory to the brink, I want to see if your golden body shatters first!"

Senior Kuiqi cursed with satisfaction, making Ling Mei's brows relax. Ning Wan had been surrounded in the formation for days; even though she was naturally reserved, she let out a sigh of relief and silently took an elixir.

Li Ximing escaped from the Grand Void and supported Chen Yin in mid-air. This Chen family ancestor's face was pale, and it seemed he had suffered no light injuries. Li Ximing did not hesitate, taking the 【Mysterious Certainty Heart-Calming Medicine】 from his sleeve and stuffing it into Chen Yin's hand, whispering: "Old Senior, rest assured, this is medicine refined by the Lushui path, skilled in healing and circulating Qi... it perfectly matches your divine abilities, use it quickly."

Also being a Zifu True Person, Chen Yin's financial straits regarding elixirs were clearly not something a True Person like Li Ximing could compare to. Others were of the Solar Orthodoxy and lacked nothing good. In fact, he was the most embarrassed right now, so he hurriedly thanked him and accepted it.

Maha Zhelu in the sky, having been cursed like this, was neither angry nor anxious, but spoke in a calm, clear, and heavy tone: "Although this Venerable One is no match, if I were fortunate enough to receive instruction from Fellow Daoist Lord Lord Louxing, I would surely benefit infinitely and be overjoyed..."

True Person Ling Mei had ultimately not crossed into the Zifu. Although Maha Zhelu was wary of him holding the spirit sword, he was certainly not as formidable as the Great True Person Lord Lord Louxing. True Person Ling Mei looked on coldly and said softly: "No need for the Senior, I will come to seek instruction."

As soon as the words fell, seeing Maha Zhelu had already retreated into the Grand Void, Senior Kuiqi on the Purple Qi Immortal Pavilion also disappeared. The brilliance on Xiaoshi Mountain dissipated, dark clouds covered it once more, and the world became dim, leaving only the thick snow on the ground.

The phantom colors of the 【Great Snow Absolute Blade】 pierced into the Grand Void, transforming into various forms. Soft moonlight accompanied by cold light instantly submerged the pitch-black Grand Void.

The Grand Void should have been empty, but now even the darkness retreated like a tide. Maha Zhelu's golden body was also terrifyingly large, with thousands of arms extending from his back. In the center of each arm, an eye was open, looking both noble and eerie.

These thousands of eyes opened together, each pupil showing a greenish-black color, and with a slight sway, they flew out pink brilliance, like a peacock spreading its tail, shining brilliantly.

True Person Ling Mei struck with only one sword.

This sword flowed with white snow, reflecting autumn light, surging upstream amidst the countless pink rays of light like a long river, stabbing toward Maha Zhelu's face. In an instant, the Grand Void shook, exploding with infinite brilliance.

Such a great battle erupting in the Grand Void also had feedback everywhere in the mortal world. Layers upon layers of golden snow shuttled through the air, dissipating before they could even fall to the ground. Several Zifu cultivators all showed strange expressions.

"What majestic sword light!"

Being so close to the Northern Shramana cultivators, they were in extreme danger. Ling Mei and Maha Zhelu fighting in the Grand Void naturally meant they should leave quickly. Li Ximing looked around and drove his light closer. Ning Wan on the Purple Qi Immortal Pavilion coughed twice, spitting out some blood, causing fine snow to flutter on Xiaoshi Mountain again, but her complexion gradually turned rosy, clearly feeling much better.

Seeing Li Ximing come over, Ning Wan raised her willow brows and said softly: "Greetings, Zhaojing... thank you for this time."

Li Ximing was seeing her for the first time, so he bowed politely and replied: "It is only right."

At this moment, the Purple Qi Immortal Pavilion beneath their feet finally changed. The flowing light scattered, gradually transforming into a small pavilion the size of a palm. True Person Ting Lan finally appeared in the world, holding this small pavilion in her hand.

This woman's divine abilities and magic power were dim and lusterless, her face pale, looking extremely exhausted. Most fatally, it seemed her foundation had been shaken; purple Qi rolled and dissipated, her divine abilities flickering. Compared to her, Ning Wan could even be considered to have suffered no major injuries.

Seeing Li Ximing, Ting Lan forced herself to stay alert, appearing somewhat surprised, and exhaled:

"Sorry to trouble you fellow daoists... Fellow Daoist Zhaojing is far away in the East Sea, yet you still ran all this way..."

Li Ximing was more familiar with her than with Ning Wan. Seeing her like this, he bowed and replied: "A fellow daoist was trapped, naturally I had to come back to save you!"

Chen Yin was clearly not familiar with the two, only nodding without saying much. The four of them escaped into the Grand Void together, crossed the Yue River, and were sent all the way to the Ziyan Blessed Land. Ting Lan took another elixir and lowered her brows: "I won't say much more in thanks. I am seriously injured and really cannot delay. This help is kept in mind. First, wait for me to stabilize my divine abilities... leave matters to Fellow Daoist Ning for now..."

She took a circular formation plate with a gray-gold base and purple patterns drawn on it from her sleeve, along with a jade slip, and handed them to Ning Wan. Only then did she force a smile at Li Ximing and say: "Your clan's great formation... don't worry. True Person Ning's talent in formation dao is astonishing, not like me, a half-baked learner who forced herself to study. Her cultivation will soon surpass mine, and she has more ingenious ideas. Just entrust it to her."

Ning Wan nodded silently. After struggling between life and death, she had become much closer to Ting Lan and said softly:

"Sister, just arrange it for me. Please take good care of your injuries."

Ting Lan only held onto that purple jade pavilion, seemingly using this object to temporarily suppress her injuries, transforming into purple Qi and shuttling away, falling into the Blessed Land.

Li Ximing felt a slight relief in his heart, estimating that this matter could be considered over, and set his mind at ease.

Without the 【Chongyang Governing Star Treasure Plate】, Senior Kuiqi's matter would undoubtedly have been very tricky, and he certainly would have been injured. Fortunately, the Great Xiukui Temple was generous. The only danger before and after lay in Tai Xi, but this Jinlian Mohe was slashed back by Ling Mei, finally allowing him to retreat unscathed.

But thinking of this matter, he still found it unbelievable. Others might not be clear, but he, Li Ximing, had witnessed it personally: "Just one sword strike..."

One must know that Tai Xi had also used his full strength, employing the famous 【Three Retributions Entering the World Lotus】, but Ling Mei's sword first wounded the 【Three Retributions Entering the World Lotus】, leaving marks on the precious artifact, shaved off the colorful light, then broke Tai Xi's protective precious light, and finally sealed his throat with one strike, scaring Tai Xi into fleeing in a sorry state! Although Ling Mei had gathered momentum in advance and occupied all the timing, Tai Xi's precious artifact was also borrowed. If not for the 【Three Retributions Entering the World Lotus】, that horse head would likely not have been saved...

"True Person Ling Mei truly has the might of a Sword Immortal..."

If one said that a person who could swing such a sword strike had no sword intent, Li Ximing would absolutely not believe it. He sighed, and Chen Yin on the side, also a person who practiced the sword, sighed: "Senior Ling Mei... his cultivation in Sword Dao has already reached the peak. Even without sword intent, it is enough to make people submit. Even the Lacquer Marsh Sword Immortal of Wu State often comes to pay respects, considering himself inferior, and has never gained any advantage from his hands in sword duels."

"Without sword intent, he already has the might of a Sword Immortal. If this person gains sword intent, the current sword light... will surely be even more terrifying."

Li Ximing nodded in amazement on the surface, but his heart grew suspicious. While riding the wind toward the lake, he asked: "I have some doubts. After Sword Origin comes sword intent... without passing through sword intent, how can one have sword might even higher than sword intent? It seems the Jianmen's sword formulas are earth-shattering..."

Chen Yin nodded slightly, appearing to have the same guess. Ning Wan's expression was complex, seemingly not yet recovered from the siege in the north. Only after hearing Li Ximing's words did she say with little interest:

"Sword intent must come before divine abilities. Once divine abilities are achieved, no matter how high one's Sword Dao cultivation is... one is destined to be without sword intent... unless it is the 'Nurturing Qingming' from those ancient books..."

"'Nurturing Qingming'... the little King Sword Immortal of those years..."

Only then did Li Ximing nod, deep in thought as he went all the way to the lake. The three of them escaped the Grand Void and landed on Gardenia Mountain, covered in gardenia trees. White jade pillars, some fallen and some standing, still stood in their original places, but the ground had been cleaned very cleanly, and the round tables and stools were just as before.

That jade pot had even been changed with fresh clean water, in preparation for Li Ximing's return at any time.

Li Ximing had not returned for many years. Now seeing this familiar scene, he felt moved and waved his sleeve:

"My humble abode is simple, please forgive me, you two."

The two did not stand on ceremony and sat down one after another. Li Ximing brewed tea. Ning Wan's face showed some unease, and she lowered her brows:

"This time... thanks to Senior Ting Lan's full protection, I did not suffer major injuries. But the matter at the river... from now on, it is handed over to me, and I will still have to trouble Zhaojing for support."

"That is only natural."

Li Ximing still had unease in his heart. This time he had protected himself, and the situation was not bad, and he was not injured. But having just seen Ting Lan's appearance... even if Ziyan's spirit medicine was good, she had no ability to strike for a while. So he asked: "How did it come to this point?"

Ning Wan shook her head: "It was an anomaly at Xiaoshi Mountain. Ting Lan suspected someone was making a move, but did not expect that fate had fallen to the Northern Shramana side, being utilized by the Voidless Dao to design against the two of us... I never thought the Shramana cultivators could calculate our whereabouts, so we were careless."

"Fortunately, there was the 【Purple Throne Mu Spirit Pavilion】. This kind of spirit treasure has quite a bit of mystery and the power to resist external enemies. Maha Zhelu was also wary of the trump cards in our hands... the 【Great Snow Absolute Blade】 was also in my hands. I originally planned to break the formation and get out... but Ting Lan guarded against other Mohas waiting outside, preventing us from being suppressed again after breaking the formation, so we guarded quietly."

"Later, the great formation shook several times, and we noticed the traces of many Eyed Lianmin disappearing, knowing that reinforcements had come to save us, so we finally gritted our teeth and broke the formation..."

Chen Yin clearly saw it clearly and added: "Senior Ling Mei was also waiting for an opportunity... If he had struck rashly, not only would it have been difficult to protect us and retreat unscathed, but it would also have been difficult to explain to the sect... True Person Ning and the 【Great Snow Absolute Blade】 appeared, and he had a reason to strike..."

Li Ximing pondered his words, deep in thought. Ning Wan said: "I heard that the Jianmen is too rigid... those old people really want to avoid the world, but the Chenghua Hall can allow cultivators to petition to bring out the Sword Canon for management. If it weren't for the Senior stabilizing the Cheng family in advance... where would there be this bit of freedom today."

Chen Yin was not a person of the Solar Orthodoxy, so naturally he remained silent. Li Ximing spoke even less, brewing tea for her. After a long while, Chen Yin put down his cup and finally spoke: "This matter... Fellow Daoist Luo of the Southern Territory also contributed. It's just that he fought with the Eyed Lianmin just now, perhaps he was injured... and he doesn't trust us very much, so he left first."

Chen Yin had invited the person, so he must have been entrusted. Naturally, it was impossible for him to say nothing. He clearly did not want to have much contact, but followed all the way to the lake, clearly just for this sentence.

Sure enough, Ning Wan frowned and doubted:

"True Person Luo... I have never heard of him..."

Although Chen Yin had to mention it, the other party was not a good person, and the opposite side was the Solar Orthodoxy, so he did not cover for the other party at all and replied: "Fellow Daoist Ning need not worry. He is not an old friend of Qingchi, just that his orthodoxy is lacking and he needs to make up for it. He covets a certain secret of Qingchi, which is why he struck to help."

Ning Wan was lost in thought, and Chen Yin lifted his sleeve, saying politely: "Having left the Chen clan and appeared in the world on the river, there are bound to be petty people plotting against me. I must return quickly to handle the changing situation, so I will not intrude further..."

Li Ximing saw that he was about to leave and hesitated slightly, asking:

"What about Senior Ling Mei..."

"Don't worry. Even if that True Person Cheng is devoted to cultivation and has not come out of the world for a long time, such a big thing must be followed... His Sword Dao and cultivation are not as good as Senior Ling Mei, but he is also a high cultivator of Golden Virtue, so he won't have any accidents..."

Ning Wan also raised her head to remind:

"Among all the sects, Shramana cultivators fear the Jianmen the most. No matter how strong other orthodoxies are, it is not easy to leave behind trump cards. Some predecessors even leave nothing behind... but this thing called sword intent can be left in the sword, generation after generation of people coming... this trump card can be considered the best among all families..."

"Perhaps our means can destroy one of his golden bodies, but if the Jianmen is pushed to the brink, killing a Jinlian Mohe is not difficult... and it won't even shake the foundation of the Jianmen much."

Chen Yin nodded, sighed, bowed hurriedly, and rode the wind away.

With him gone, Ning Wan let go a lot, leaning on the jade table, revealing some fatigue, and said softly:

"The Li clan has not been easy for so many years. If Junior Brother Chijing were here, today... he would also be a top-tier figure... the Chi family deserves their crime... I warned them long ago, I didn't expect Heyuan to still fall into it."

This was reminiscing about the past. As for whether the Chi family deserved their crime, perhaps Ning Wan thought so, but Li Ximing did not have much thought of deserving the crime. If Chi Buzi were in the sect, the Chi family would still be carefree today, and he, Li Ximing, would still have to bow to Chi Buzi... so he replied:

"Their family's fortune was not good, and their power was weak, which just happened to be retaliated against by the ruler. The Ning family was also liberated..."

Ning Wan smiled, took a small box from her sleeve, placed it on the jade table, and said softly: "It's just hard work for you to run this trip. I'm not very familiar with Senior Chen Yin, so I will visit to thank him later. The friendship between our two families doesn't need to be polite... delaying your cultivation and coming from ten thousand miles away from the East Sea, I must make up for it."

"This is a type of resource, called 【Chongli Treasure Leaf】, obtained from the East Fire Blessed Land. It is a spirit flower planted beside the 【Su Yuan Hua】 that fell, and it is a Zifu resource of the Li Fire path..."

She opened the box, and inside lay a bright red long leaf, curled up in the box, with purple-black veins glowing slightly. Ning Wan had just become Zifu, where did she get so many good things? Naturally, it was left behind by the Ning family True Person Yuan Su.

"Li Fire resource?"

Li Ximing had once obtained a resource of Corner Wood, which was a return gift from the Jianmen. Zifu resources could not compare to spirit objects. Although they were at the Zifu level, most of them were unimportant edges of Zifu spirit objects, but they were not obtained casually. Ning Wan took it out specifically, which really made Li Ximing stunned.

Saving Ning Wan could indeed be considered a small favor, but this matter was led by Senior Kuiqi, and it was even Senior Kuiqi who gave the reward to ask him to strike. Ning Wan's move to make friends was very obvious. She said softly:

"Li Fire conflicts with me, this thing is useless in my hands. Since Zhaojing is skilled in alchemy, it naturally has great use in Zhaojing's hands."

Li Ximing held it, feeling a bit hot, and could only say: "Thank you for your kindness, Fellow Daoist, but I cannot accept such a heavy gift. Let it be considered as entrusted by you. One day when it really becomes a pill, I will send one to you."

After all, Li Fire things were considered very valuable to the Li family. Not to mention that Mingyang had a connection with Li Fire, there was also Li Jiangqian below who practiced Li Fire. Li Ximing naturally could not send it back, but Ning Wan clearly took it as polite words, nodded slightly, and replied:

"Nowadays, things in the north and south are troublesome, and Shramana cultivators are going to intervene again. The Zifu great formation cannot be delayed. If it cannot be established, it will be even more troublesome in the future."

"I read this jade slip on the way. Senior Ting Lan's conception is ingenious. The most troublesome thing is actually these thirty-two mysterious nails. Wait for me for three days. You and I will set up these thirty-two mysterious nails on the continent, communicate with the earth veins, and then we can act."

Li Ximing wished she would act sooner. In fact, his divine abilities were still shaking at this moment and needed slight adjustment, but he had already taken an elixir just now, and these things would recover on their own as time passed. He couldn't care about so much and said sternly: "No problem, I have the 【Tiger That Rushes Through Mountains and Goes to the Sea】, and I can also communicate with the earth veins. You should first recuperate your magic power. I will hit these mountain-piercing mysterious nails first!"

Ning Wan came all the way, showing a sincere smile for the first time, and laughed:

"Zhaojing, don't be in a hurry. Sister Ting Lan originally set the position several years ago. If there has been any change in the earth veins in the past few years, the key points will not be accurate... It will also take a few days to wait for the two True Persons. It is good to see them."

Ning Wan was clearly quick-witted, laughed, and then reminded: "Besides... Senior Senior Kuiqi also has quite high formation dao cultivation. The Xiukui and Hengzhu inheritances are complete, and both alchemy and formations are not weak... those are all things of the Yuan Mansion. Just ask one more question, and it will be of great benefit to your family's formation!"

"Don't worry, I don't need to ask him to look at the formation plate, just ask him about the earth vein nodes in his eyes. Once Ting Lan's mysterious nails are hit in, the earth veins will change, mixed in the formation, and there is no need to worry about the leakage of secrets..."

Li Ximing nodded secretly. This woman considered things thoroughly. She clearly regarded Li Ximing as a Zifu who knew something about formations. In short, he didn't understand, so he just nodded solemnly.

So he sat cross-legged on the jade pillar, the world's light and darkness intertwined. He still carried the spirit artifact of Xiukui in his sleeve, and the 【Chongyang Governing Star Treasure Plate】 emitted a faint Mingyang brilliance, making his "Audience to the Heavenly Gate" more active.

Characters appearing in this chapter

————

Senior Kuiqi 【Zifu Mid-stage】

Li Ximing 【Zifu Early-stage】 【Bo Pulse Direct Lineage】

Chen Yin 【Zifu Early-stage】

Tai Xi 【Three Generations Jinlian Mohe】 【Voidless】

Pi Jia 【Five Generations Jinlian Mohe】 【Great Desire】

True Person Luo 【Zifu Early-stage】

Ning Wan 【Zifu Early-stage】 【Zifu Formation Master】

Ling Mei 【Zifu Mid-stage】

———— ===== CHAPTER 853 =====