Chapter 923: The Miaohui Whisker

The midday sunlight spilled onto the polished table, where a row of bamboo slips lay neatly in a line. The old man sat in the courtyard, looking up, and smiled: "How did the True Person think to come to my place?"

Beside him, Li Li Zhouwei sipped his tea, his expression somewhat somber. Only in this courtyard of Li Li Xuanxuan's did he reveal a hint of worry:

"Has the Elder heard the new tune from the Li Ke Pavilion?"

Li Li Xuanxuan was old, and whether facing Li Li Ximing or Li Li Zhouwei, he liked to use this title of True Person. It was less about distance or intimacy, and more about calling for peace of mind. Hearing this now, he shook his head:

"Ever since Ming'er went into seclusion, I haven't gone to listen to 'Hating the Passing Water.' I fear it would stir up attachments in my heart and lead to more brooding. However, I heard this time it is quite different; the lyrics have been changed, and there is a sense of novelty."

Although the old man was not in the best of spirits, his status was such that he certainly knew a great deal. Sighing at this point, he said:

"I heard the True Person went to the Li Ke Pavilion; surely there were guests..."

Li Li Zhouwei set down his cup and lowered his eyes:

"I met people from the North. They didn't really care about me; they were just passing by to check my quality. After listening to a tune, they left."

"Thinking about it, it is natural. I am an unexpected surprise; ignore me if you must. It is best if I can be of help, and in any case, there is no harm. It is just that since I have been registered by the Underworld, it is not easy to take me away, so they let things take their course."

Li Li Xuanxuan picked up his cup, his expression dimming: "On the contrary, it is the other side that is hard to account for."

Li Li Zhouwei understood that the old man was speaking of the Dragon-kind. Although the White Qilin and the Dragon had old ties, and the Dragon-kind lived long lives, bestowing some grace upon him, as his strength continued to rise, the day he could truly challenge for a Fruit Position, the estrangement and suspicion with the Dragon-kind would likely intensify...

'Qing Qing Yu Zhong Qian also said that the Dragon-kind has no intention of truly supporting Li Li Qianyuan. For these thousands of years, the Dragon-kind has been single-mindedly pursuing the Dao of the True Dragon from beginning to end, hoping only to delay the process of his fall and consume more of Mount Luoxia's energy... If they truly wanted to help him escape his predicament, they would need to suppress me, prevent my cultivation from growing too fast, and try their best to give Li Li Qianyuan a chance to contact me. Whether the Dragon-kind dares or does not want to, their current appearance of repeatedly helping me clearly suggests other arrangements.'

'I myself am the result of the shaking of the Fruit Position, and also a bright piece thrown out by Mount Luoxia. Mount Luoxia occupies the absolute initiative; the opponent is too brilliant, and the Dragon-kind is also caught in a dilemma.'

'As for the four-eared man in white... I fear he is undoubtedly a fox.'

The multiple ears were the external manifestation of the fox lineage of Mount Mount Dali. Combined with the location and the reaction of the other, this answer was not hard to guess.

'The first point... the Dragon-kind... or rather, Dongfang Dongfang Lieyun's statement is not false, but the stance is clear. The fox clan's words are more neutral... Mount Luoxia's meaning—at least the surface meaning—is that this Mingyang Fruit Position does not have to be sat upon by Li Li Qianyuan...'

'Even, in Mount Luoxia's view, if they were not suppressing it, Li Li Qianyuan's reincarnation might even have the intention of killing me to achieve the Dao. This not only conforms to the Dao of Mingyang, but is also his most likely way to break the situation.'

His expression gradually revealed contemplation:

'Since that is the case... was it the work of one family that forced me to leave the lake and go to the East Sea for seclusion? The timing of the True Lord's entire reincarnation was perfectly locked into my days in the East Sea... It must have been to prevent the reincarnated person from seeing me... It was indeed arranged early on.'

It was just that the attitude of that Great True Person of Mount Luoxia Mountain was truly interesting, leading Li Li Zhouwei to speculate in his heart:

'Not a word spoken, a play finished... It seems more like his own action. Passing through here on his way south, he felt that my interests and Mount Luoxia's were clearly aligned. Although he disdained to order me around, he had a bit of temperament and could not stand others spreading gossip, so he used the mouth of the actor to state his position.'

But no matter how much Mount Luoxia disdained it, or interfered with the situation due to the Dao path and principles, they had the qualifications, while Li Li Zhouwei had no right to express his stance, or even the right to choose.

'The Dragon-kind is ostensibly opposed, and even willing to provide me with Golden Nature in the end, but the Underworld in the South has not stated its position, and how do the True Lords of the world view it? In Mount Luoxia's words, the Underworld seems to only want to collect Golden Nature, but who can know if they are burying pieces and casting nets everywhere!'

He watched the other leave, understanding that Mount Luoxia Mountain sat securely on the fishing platform, not paying much attention, while the Dragon-kind and the Underworld each had their own thoughts. Even the various Buddhists in the North and the forces on the sea had their own thoughts. It was not just his personal fate that was drifting: 'I fear that when it comes to the end, there must be a result that satisfies the vast majority of forces for the Li clan to have a future...'

He was deep in thought, holding his cup in silence. Li Li Xuanxuan saw it clearly from the side, and after a long while, he said:

"The Four Xis were the pillars of our Li clan back then, and Li Ximing is an even more outstanding one. Blending with the vulgar and shining with the light, he has his own measure. You are the White Qilin of our family for a hundred years. He handed the great power of the family to you; whatever you decide is the will of the clan."

Ever since Li Li Ximing handed over the 【Huayang King Axe】, Li Li Zhouwei had an epiphany. At this moment, his eyes contained light, and he said softly:

"Minghuang has received the trust of his predecessors, and only fears that his considerations are not comprehensive. I fear that the struggle between the North and South still holds a killing tribulation that will come straight for our family, so I must hone my divine abilities and increase my cultivation until my divine abilities are complete."

Kuidu Hall.

The True Fire was roaring, its colors changing. The golden flames illuminated the black furnace walls, making the purple-top and black-bottom colors even richer. The strange-looking crows and owls on the walls became bright one by one, spitting black light, and the profound mystery gradually appeared.

The five feet of the 【Xiuxuan Dujing Furnace】 trembled slightly, releasing light together. The divine power gradually retracted, condensing into bits of flowing light. That radiance was as warm as jade, and the hand pinching the divine ability quickly formed a seal, restraining the flames.

For a moment, the sound of a stream resonated, and pieces of gray-black light darted out from the furnace mouth, bound by divine ability, falling one by one into the palm, turning into round spirit pills with rugged mountain and water patterns.

"The pills are done!"

Li Li Ximing exhaled slowly, looking very refreshed.

Pill refining was a matter where the difficult ones were troublesome and exhausting, while the simple ones were boring and uninteresting. The difficulty of the 【Huisui Shu Brother Xuan Dao Powder】 was standard, and the 【Xiuxuan Dujing Furnace】 was extremely easy to use, so how could it not be a pleasure to refine? At this moment, opening the jade box, he saw two full rows of pills lying inside.

"Seventeen pills in total!"

The 【Xiuxuan Dujing Furnace】 was worthy of being a Early Zifu spirit furnace, and the 'Bingxiu' path combined with 'Kan Water'. This furnace produced eight pills, undoubtedly the most Early Zifu spirit pills he had ever produced in one go. If it weren't for his own Dao lineage not being a perfect match, he might have reached an unprecedented ten pills! Although in pill refining, the number of pills was also related to the prescription, such as the 【Xuanque Heart-Calming Medicine】 which was for emergency use, it normally produced three or five pills. More of the skill lay in improving the medicinal power. The 【Huisui Shu Brother Xuan Dao Powder】 also had the benefit of the prescription: 'As the saying goes, powders are for dispersing and treating chronic diseases, producing five or six pills for common use. The number of pills produced by 【Powder】 would naturally be one more, but no matter what, it was only a difference of one or two pills. Eight pills is an extremely impressive result!'

These two furnaces combined made sixteen pills, plus the one pill left over from before, totaling seventeen pills. Delivering fifteen to Dingyangzi was more than enough. Taking the medicine box from the side and looking at it, the pitch-black 【Cangzhou Hui Scale】 that shone with dense scale luster was lying inside.

'【Cangzhou Hui Scale】 obtained!'

Looking at the 【Xiuxuan Dujing Furnace】, he even felt a bit of regret for a moment:

'It is easy to use, but it is a pity it is not my family's.'

Li Li Ximing did not have many spirit resources in his hands. Once the 【Chongli Treasure Leaf】 was gone, only the 【Neck Feather】 and 【Shangxiang Silver】 remained. Now adding this spirit resource, he put it away very preciously, thinking:

'Sending fifteen over, I can still keep one or two. It is a spirit pill after all, and has its uses at critical moments.'

Looking again at the jade pendant given by Liu Changdie, it had been awakened three or five days ago, emitting a faint halo. It was clear that he had already found the person and could not delay any longer. So he finished his work and stood up, walking out of the hall. The sides were silent and empty, but the True Person Daoist Daoist Houfu in Daoist robes arrived at the front, smiling:

"Seeing the clouds rising, I knew the pills were done. I didn't expect there to be a hint of Kan Water. Truly a great pill technique!"

Li Li Ximing was humble for a few moments and replied:

"The senior praises me too much. I was just warming the furnace, testing the pill fire and the energy of the treasure land. It is truly a first-class place, making me very envious."

Daoist Daoist Houfu was humble for two moments, but Li Li Ximing said: "I need to refine pills for that friend, and I still need to pick up a helper. It just so happens that I will let the senior see."

"Go ahead."

The Sun Dao lineage was weak now, so Daoist Daoist Houfu was naturally happy to make friends with more people. Stroking his beard and nodding, Li Li Ximing bid farewell and soared into the air, stepping on the Great Void all the way to Fenkuai Island, searching for the connection in the jade talisman.

Soon, he crossed Fenkuai Island and stopped on a nearby sea surface. Diving into the sea, a silver pavilion stood on the reef, with flying pavilions and flowing cinnabar, carved beams and painted rafters, and fish and shrimp swimming through. It looked very magnificent.

His divine ability swept over, and he knew that this was just a Foundation Establishment magic tool, but it had some magic. It was a temporary palace put out, without much other effect, specially built for enjoyment. He laughed secretly: 'After all, he is an array master, and has been in the Southern Frontier for so long, he is very wealthy.'

So he fell into the building. Liu Changdie was sitting cross-legged, his aura fluctuating, as if he had just fought and used divine ability. Seeing him come, he immediately opened his eyes and smiled:

"Li Ximing is here!"

Li Li Ximing restrained his smile and raised his eyebrows:

"This is..."

Liu Changdie waved his hand to indicate it was fine, stretched out his hand, and pointed to the table with a smile. He saw that a gold and iron box had already been placed on the table, its color dark and dull. He smiled:

"Earlier Li Ximing used the 【Chongli Treasure Leaf】, and I said I would make it up to you. I specially took this for you, please take a look, the value should be about the same!"

Li Li Ximing naturally remembered this matter and knew that Liu Changdie was not just talking, but he did not expect it to come so quickly. He was slightly surprised and declined once or twice, but was blocked by the other's words, so he had to smile and thank him, stepping forward to open the box.

This box was only the size of a palm, with layers of flowing clouds inside, presenting a milky white color, like a bowl of sheep's milk, slightly rippling with waves. Li Li Ximing's divine ability was at his brow, and he easily saw through this smoke, seeing a yellow-white wooden whisker floating in the center, about an inch long, with dense branches, no more than a fen wide, slender and weak.

There should be a spirit array in this box. Even though he opened the box, this box of spirit smoke did not easily dissipate. Liu Changdie smiled:

"This object is the 【Miaohui Whisker】, which is the resource for the 'Gathering Wood' path. It grows on 【Little Guangyu Mountain】 in the West Sea. It escapes when it sees the ground, and cannot be found... It is loaded with the True Qi Foundation Establishment spirit object 【Lock-Heart Cloud】, and must be supplemented with an array, otherwise it would run away if one were careless. A friend of mine obtained a few copies on the mountain back then and gave them to me as resources, and now I am passing them on to you, fellow Daoist."

He smiled slightly, somewhat awkwardly:

"This thing can treat the Juque of the Qi Sea, and can also remove 'Sui Qi'. If catalyzed by divine ability and cast into the soil, it can grow trees and attract birds. The use is a bit biased... 'Gathering Wood' is not prominent now, and the uses known are just a sentence or two in books. Perhaps you know more."

It was no wonder he was awkward. This thing was truly a bit neither here nor there. Everyone was already in the Early Zifu, who would use a spirit object for the Qi Sea? But he changed the subject and said: "The West Sea is far away after all, and it is the place where the ancient masters of the mansion water were located. Without divine ability, it is difficult to fly over. Even if you have divine ability, it is very inconvenient when you reach the Abyss of Weak Water, so few Purple Mansions toss and turn there. This thing cannot be called precious, but it wins in being rare."

Li Li Ximing nodded repeatedly and sighed:

"Senior is righteous!"

To be honest, such a niche object as the 【Miaohui Whisker】 was definitely not comparable to the spirit resources of the 'Li Fire' path that was in full swing, or the 【Chongli Treasure Leaf】 that had uses for Li Li Ximing in all aspects. But to obtain Li Fire, there must be sacrifices. A 【Chongli Treasure Leaf】 was nothing at all. Only Liu Changdie was kind enough to talk to him about compensation. How could he have any objections?

He was not wealthy himself, so he sighed, thanked him, and accepted it. Then he saw Liu Changdie say: "Fellow Daoist Senior Qingyan has been searching for spirit objects here... for quite a few days. I will ask him to come back first..."

He looked very emotional and turned to Li Li Ximing: "He is also a life of toil. The True Lord of the 'Qingxuan' path fell in the North very early and turned into a mountain. It is said that the state was strange at the time of his fall, and it has not flourished to this day. Whatever spirit objects or spirit energy there are, they often only come out of that mountain. There are very few in other places..."

"But 'Qingxuan' is a bit peculiar. Many techniques and divine abilities are in urgent need of those Qingxuan resources. How dare they go to the North? For so many years, running around, I heard that he only got a little something in Jiangnan. Later, even Jiangnan was gone, and he was even more busy."

'Jiangnan... The only famous ones for 'Qingxuan' are the Yuan family...'

Li Li Ximing pondered silently, his heart suddenly shaking:

'It seems that the treasure house of the dignified Yuan family of Xunlinyuan has long been visited by this monster as its own backyard many times!'

'Since this monster is like this, I fear others in the world who cultivate Qingxuan are not much better... Yuan Hu said that the Yuan family used up the spirit objects left by their ancestors back then... Whether they were used up or flew away is unknown. Purple Mansions naturally don't look down on Qingxuan's spirit energy, but those ancestors in seclusion, those geniuses who died unexpectedly... how many have been buried in their bellies!'

'The decline of the Yuan family is not an accident... Now that the population is still prosperous, it is already because someone in Jiangnan is doing it for the inheritance of 【Yanyan Temple Palace】. As long as the Yuan family cultivates 'Qingxuan' for one day, there will be a day of despair...'

Characters in this chapter

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Liu Changdie 【Early Zifu Early Stage】 【Early Zifu Array Master】

Daoist Daoist Houfu 【Early Zifu Early Stage】

Li Li Ximing 【Early Zifu Early Stage】 【Early Zifu Pill Master】

Li Li Zhouwei 【Early Zifu Early Stage】 ===== CHAPTER 924 =====