Chapter 858

Yan Hu stood in the light, looking at the pitch-black Great Void he had never seen before, unable to stop himself from thinking: 'According to the news from several colleagues, being caught by a True Person means being turned into one's original form for others to ride... If I still keep a human body, am I being ignorant of the situation?'

'But this person's whereabouts are uncertain. I haven't heard news of him before, and I don't know if he already has a mount... If I am ridden back by someone, I shouldn't offend a colleague before even reaching the lake...'

He also knew he was not irreplaceable, so he became more cautious. He looked around guiltily. The heavenly light under his feet didn't seem enough for his original form to stand on. But after this thought, he had already broken through the Great Void, revealing the rippling surface of the lake.

In the lake was a large continent. Purple-gold pillars stood on the continent, some high and some low, covered in patterns, solemn and majestic. Cultivators were rising and falling on the continent, which was extremely lively.

Li Ximing's spiritual sense swept over. The main hall on the continent was under construction, and he flew all the way toward the 【Guanxie Terrace】.

On the Guanxie Terrace, spirit fire was raging. Golden and purple flames intertwined, and a continuous stream of Li Fire and Sha Qi flew into it, causing wave after wave of surges. Six Foundation Establishment cultivators were sitting cross-legged on the building platform, operating their magic power to refine the spirit embryo.

Seeing this magnificent scene, Yan Hu on the side shrank his neck, as if feeling the suffocating sensation permeating the flames, and dared not make a sound.

As Li Ximing expected, Li Jiangqian was here. Seeing Li Ximing arrive, he stepped forward and bowed:

"Greetings, True Person! Reporting to the True Person... Senior Chu has arrived at the Guanxie Terrace!"

Although Chu Minglian was old, his arms were very strong. His physique was probably comparable to Ding Weijian. He wore a red robe and had ironware tied to his waist. He arrived at the front and bowed:

"Greetings, True Person!"

Chu Minglian could be considered an old senior of the Li family, having seen several generations of people. When they met on the river in the past, they all had to call him senior. Now that Li Ximing was a True Person, it was naturally Chu Minglian's turn to pay respects to him.

Li Ximing only used his divine powers to lift him up and replied: "Old man, there is no need for such courtesy."

Chu Minglian appeared moved and said softly: "When I was young... I was refining artifacts on the lake continent. I didn't expect that after more than a hundred years, the world has turned upside down. Divine powers have been achieved, and things can rise and fall. I have come to this lake again... and I am actually still here to refine artifacts!"

Li Ximing responded with a smile, took out a jade slip from his sleeve recording the ideas he had thought of earlier, handed it to the old man, and replied: "Old man, take a look first."

This was naturally not the "Guanxie Divine Power Fire Refining". The "Guanxie Divine Power Fire Refining" was too difficult for Foundation Establishment, but rather Li Ximing's own calculations. He greeted Li Jiangqian to come over, handed the demon Bei over casually, and instructed: "Send the twelve people here... This tiger demon was brought back by me from Mount Quanwu and will have great use later. You use the Six-Weir Fate-Matching Special Technique to subdue him first and give him some techniques to look at."

Li Jiangqian nodded immediately and took the tiger demon away. Li Ximing turned back and said softly:

"The reason I invited you here this time, old man, is for this spirit embryo. After all, while other families may not be clear about the Chu family's artifact refining methods, my family is very clear. It should be the first-class I have ever seen... Back then, True Person Tian Que... also let He Ting refine the spirit embryo. Old man, your skills are even higher, so there should be no problem."

Apart from this point, the spirit embryo refined by True Person Tian Que was also not simple. He began to refine it after breaking through Zifu. It was the nourishment of the Immortal Foundation of forty-five Daoist lineages plus the time of a Foundation Establishment cultivator for a hundred years. In the end, even He Ting himself was sacrificed, which shows how much effort was spent... After all, it was the Jin Yu Sect, which was clearly not comparable to a method like "Guanxie Divine Power Fire Refining". The difficulty of this one for the Li family was naturally much lighter.

Chu Minglian stroked his beard while reading the jade slip in his hand, nodded silently, and replied:

"The ingenuity of the True Person's design for this building... simply leaves me speechless... If it is to refine Li Fire and add Sha Qi, I can arrange this kind of work... It is just this Bright Yang Spirit Essence... I am afraid I am not competent."

Li Ximing nodded and replied:

"This matter is naturally for my divine powers to refine, but I am not proficient in artifact refining. I rely on the wonder of ancient methods and the blessing of this tall building. You add fire and Sha Qi on the side, lead the hammering, and I will assist you with divine powers to make the spirit embryo more perfect."

Chu Minglian was instantly relieved. Although he had accumulated quite a bit of wealth over the years, he could not afford to lose a spirit embryo. Li Ximing was full of anticipation. He rode his light up and took the ink-jade-like round stone from his sleeve.

Inside this round stone was a golden, brilliant color. Li Ximing introduced its origin to Chu Minglian, which made the old man freeze for a moment, then sigh deeply, actually replying: "I am not afraid of the True Person laughing at me... the old man... saw 【Facing Xiang Bai Yang Shou】 in his early years... and also had experience."

"Oh?"

Li Ximing reacted quickly and immediately understood, thinking to himself: 'Chu Yi... right, this old man is the same as Qian Lizi... both are the legacy left by the great figure from the previous batch. When the families were dividing the spoils, Purple Smoke took Qian Lizi, and this old man was obtained by the Ning family...'

This could be considered a major event. Li Ximing nodded and listened to him say:

"That great figure... his weapon at the time was... using 【Heavenly Yang Colored Copper】 for the body, incorporating 【Bright Square Heavenly Stone】 and 【Facing Xiang Bai Yang Shou】, and outlining it with 【Bai Du Blood】..."

"At the very beginning, it was just a piece of spiritual copper. He obtained a piece of 【Facing Xiang Bai Yang Shou】 the size of a fingernail and let me incorporate it... I was amazed at his deep fortune at the time, but I didn't know he was far more than that."

Li Ximing had heard Li Zhouwei say that Chu Yi was also Wei Taizu, and he was secretly shocked. However, both families used Qian Lizi and Chu Minglian with confidence, so he remained silent and listened.

Chu Minglian smiled and replied:

"He has gone to Mount Luoxia now... There has been no news for so many years. I can understand that he has cut off worldly ties and does not wish to see us. I entrust the True Person to ask about his cultivation if you see him somewhere. If you can give me a word, how many divine powers has he achieved? When I offer incense to my ancestors... I can also add some joy..."

Li Ximing remained silent and said in a low voice: "After all, he is a great figure of Luoxia, a top-level figure. I am afraid I don't have the opportunity to meet him..."

Chu Minglian waved his hands repeatedly and replied:

"I have offended... I have offended."

Li Ximing only threw the ink-jade in his hand lightly, and the brilliant light fell into the fire like flowing water. Layer upon layer of heavenly light appeared, and the twelve auxiliary buildings lit up. The various guest cultivators who were inputting magic power were instantly cut off and retreated.

The flames were suppressed for a moment, revealing the magic ruler inside.

Even if the True Fire was used for nourishment, its power could not be underestimated. And 【Shi Chuan】 was indeed of excellent quality. After being nourished by the True Fire for a while, it only turned slightly red. This spirit essence fell on the ruler, emitting a hissing sound.

Suddenly, various colorful clouds rose, golden light was brilliant, and there were sounds of cicadas and beasts roaring, resounding through the sky. Li Ximing felt heartache:

"I only hope that after consuming such a spirit essence, it won't just be to increase speed!"

Chu Minglian put two fingers together and spat out True Fire. Li Ximing swept a glance, held up the 【Three-Wait Guard Profound Fire】 with his divine powers, and followed up, refining the magic treasure together. The Foundation Establishment cultivators in the twelve auxiliary buildings also sat down together, urging their magic power.

"Boom!"

The spirit embryo was something between a magic treasure and a spiritual treasure, so it could be refined in such a clever way. Suddenly, golden runes appeared one after another, falling onto 【Shi Chuan】 and embedding themselves into it one by one.

Chu Minglian's skills were indeed not small. Although he was humble in words, one could tell his ability as soon as he made a move. With the addition of Li Ximing's divine power True Fire, he was like a fish in water, outlining runes with ease and without hesitation.

As light and darkness alternated on the platform, the runes on the jade ruler condensed one by one. Li Ximing let go and retreated. Chu Minglian was still controlling everyone's magic power in the air, concentrating on nourishment. The Li family had long since prepared many Bright Yang spiritual objects and Fire Sha, and sent them up together with pills to restore magic power.

These spiritual objects were not precious, but some were very hard to find. It was only because the Li family was deeply rooted and had connections with all the surrounding families that they could get them into their hands so quickly.

Li Ximing smoothed his sleeves. Just opening this beginning had cost him half a month of effort, but the harvest was not small:

'Chu Minglian's status is different after all, and his methods far exceed expectations... With the spirit essence, I estimate that if the resources on the lake are provided sufficiently, it won't take two years... The quality will be even better than I estimated earlier!'

"In a few more days, I can withdraw the people and restore it to two rotating batches."

He handed the 【Guanxie Terrace】 to Chu Minglian, feeling greatly relieved in his heart, and turned back, riding his light toward Qingdu.

Li Ximing was originally here to report the good news to Li Xuanxuan. He landed on the Talisman Peak of Qingdu, but heard a burst of laughter. Raising his eyebrows, he saw a young man in red standing outside the courtyard.

This young man held a precious fan and had a somewhat elegant appearance, but he had applied powder and was putting on airs. He bowed with both hands and shouted:

"Old Master! Old Master! You listen..."

Li Ximing swept a glance and recognized this grandson of his. After all, when a group of Li family members were expounding on their experiences over the years... this kid had helped Zhou Luo once, which made Li Ximing nod once. He was not in a hurry and stopped to listen.

Li Xuanxuan came down from the building with a thud, holding a staff, and scolded:

"Going to the flower boat again! I told you clearly yesterday that sixty is a life-and-death barrier. You must cultivate the last few layers of Qi Refining, even if you don't want to. You must break through!"

Li Zhouming's talent was not good, comparable to his elder brother Li Zhoufang. Li Zhoufang had already stagnated, and Li Zhouming could still cultivate now. Not cherishing it like this made Li Ximing frown. He paced forward silently, listening to Li Zhouming's fawning:

"Not so... not so, Old Master, you have misunderstood. A new play was performed on the pleasure boat, written about Yu Mugong... It is rare to have such a bold drama. The family is not short of those few talismans today! Please take a look, it is better than sitting in the courtyard..."

Li Xuanxuan was about to scold him, but when he saw Li Ximing, his face showed joy, and he came down the steps. Li Zhouming misunderstood and hurried to pull him, but heard a respectful voice: "Grandfather!"

The white-gold figure had already helped Li Xuanxuan down first. Li Zhouming instantly knelt with a thud and kowtowed: "Greetings, True Person!"

Li Xuanxuan's eyelids jumped, fearing Li Ximing would be angry. He stepped forward and scolded:

"Get down and cultivate!"

Li Ximing stood with his hands behind his back, watching, but he didn't have much temper. He walked inside with Li Xuanxuan and sat down in order. Li Zhouming refused to give up. Having finally seen Li Ximing, he only knelt and moved forward, kowtowing in front of the courtyard: "True Person... True Person's whereabouts are uncertain, it is rare to see you... The junior was waiting on Mount Zhijing for a long time, but I didn't see the True Person for a long time. Father... Father hasn't seen the True Person for a long time!"

Mentioning his eldest son, Li Chengqi, who had no spiritual orifices, Li Ximing became much colder. Someone served tea, and he took it and put it down, only saying:

"Is there something you want from me?"

Li Xuanxuan sighed while holding his sleeves, and saw Li Zhouming weeping:

"Father... Father's health has been poor recently... He only relies on cultivators to prolong his life. I am afraid he doesn't have many years left. The True Person leaves for three or five years at a time. The junior... the junior only hopes to get the True Person's immortal carriage to visit and see Father!"

Li Ximing seemed to have some associations. He looked away, looked down at the steps, and took a sip of tea. Li Xuanxuan, however, became much softer and waved his hand:

"Go down!"

The kid retreated unwillingly, and the red robe disappeared into the mountains. Li Xuanxuan then said:

"Although this child is flawed in every way, fortunately he has filial piety, and his mind is firm and has his own ideas. He is likable, and with you here, no one dares to look down on him..."

Li Ximing shook his head: "Who doesn't have their own ideas? Beside him there is Cheng, below there is Zhoufang. The Bo-pulse has many children, and they all have their own ideas... What is difficult is to be of one heart. Furthermore, in such a position, if he doesn't even have the opportunity to impact Foundation Establishment, then there is no need to indulge him."

"But one point he said is not bad. Grandfather can watch plays and listen to music, and worry less."

He didn't seem to be affected by the news of Li Chengqi. He told the news before and after, which made Li Xuanxuan sit and stand, and finally sit on his seat, weeping with joy, old tears streaming down his face:

"It is truly the ancestors' protection. If it weren't for Qinghong, I am afraid my family would have become an immortal clan... and fallen to the bottom..."

The old man stroked his beard for a long time, finally collected his emotions, and said sternly: "Only a few people need to know, it is not suitable to spread it."

Li Ximing stood up, paced in the courtyard, and hesitated for a long time. In the end, he felt that the lake was too close to the north, so he didn't tell the news about the True Monarch, but heard thunderous sounds, and a storm blew up outside the house.

He seemed to have noticed something, stepped out, and looked toward the north from afar, only to find that the gloomy sky was limited to Jiangnan, while the sky in Jiangbei was bright, carrying a misty red.

This red went straight to the sky, faintly falling down one after another pale red brilliance, but the sound of thunder became louder and louder. Li Ximing's figure instantly transformed into heavenly light and dissipated, appearing rapidly on the north bank.

He was cautious and didn't even get close to the river bank, but saw this misty red almost covering the entire Jiangbei, forming a sharp confrontation with the rainstorm in Jiangnan. A young man wearing flames was standing in the clouds, releasing ten thousand feet of light.

He held a long sword, pointing proudly at the firmament. The black-clad cultivator before his eyes was swept up by the rolling red light and couldn't move. A thunderous roar echoed in the air:

"【Huaihun Hall】! It is truly thanks to you that I have achieved Foundation Establishment. All the humiliation I suffered before, I will repay a hundredfold today!"

Hearing this, Li Ximing's long-held conjecture was finally confirmed, and he sighed in his heart:

'Achieving Foundation Establishment and being able to release such harsh words... One person wanting to make 【Huaihun Hall】 repay a hundredfold... besides that great figure, who else could it be?!'

Characters appearing in this chapter

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Li Zhouwei, 'Greeting the Heavenly Gate' 【Foundation Establishment Peak】

Li Ximing 【Zifu Early Stage】 【Zifu Alchemist】

Li Xuanxuan 【Qi Refining Ninth Layer】

Yan○Hu, 'Hurricane Ghost Yin' 【Foundation Establishment Late Stage】

Chu Minglian 【Foundation Establishment Late Stage】