The Mirror Legacy-Chapter 1418: Ziyu (I)
Radiant light flickered as clear qi drifted through the air within the pavilion, sun and moon shining together. The man in white golden Daoist robes exhaled a breath of white qi and slowly opened his eyes, causing the clear qi inside the pavilion to ripple.
"This truly is a treasured land for cultivation."
The spiritual qi within this pavilion was the most concentrated he had seen in his entire life. Even the Pristine Water Spirit Pool in the Azure Pond Sect could not compare to this place.
But as he continued cultivating, a sense of shock gradually surfaced in his heart. What truly mattered was not the density of spiritual qi here, but that the spiritual energy here held Yin and Yang in perfect balance.
These words might sound ordinary and were not uncommon to cultivators. The grotto heaven of Green Pine Temple had once claimed the same balance of Yin and Yang. However, the balance within this pavilion was hard as iron and stone, completely unshakable.
One had to know that cultivators and spiritual energy influenced each other. A place might initially have balanced Yin and Yang with calm spiritual energy, but once someone cast spell arts, cultivated, forged artifacts, or refined pills, the local balance would inevitably be disturbed, causing spiritual energy to rise in some places and fall in others...
Yet here, whether Li Ximing released Purple Mansion Realm True Fire or used his divine ability, the surrounding Yin and Yang qis did not move at all. Even when he sat cross-legged to cultivate and absorbed spiritual qi with the terrifying speed of a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator, not a single inch of the surrounding area underwent any transformation. The spiritual qi remained in perfect and absolute balance.
Li Ximing even suspected that if he died here and transformed into Bright Yang heavenly light, this place would not even show the faintest trace of Bright Yang qi. There would not even be a single colored cloud.
As an alchemist, Li Ximing almost immediately grasped the importance of this terrifying characteristic. "This place, if used to refine certain pills or even certain spirit artifacts, would be far too convenient."
He silently took note of it and stood up. He felt refreshed and invigorated, his aura surging. Not only had his previous injuries healed, he had also made considerable progress.
After a quick calculation, Li Ximing realized with some surprise that he had been in seclusion for more than a full year. This meant the northern Buddhist faction had not made any major moves during that time, and Tinglan and Ning Wan had not encountered any serious trouble.
During this year, seventy percent of Li Ximing's time had been spent on the Flame-Stepping Movement!
"The Flame-Stepping Movement has already reached the initial stage and can be used in battle. As for Bright Light Heavenly Surge, its cultivation truly progresses quickly. It only took a short time to grasp. Even if its power is not particularly high, at least the direction of this approach is correct..."
Li Ximing did not expect his spell arts to rival techniques like those of Changxiao or reach the level of a divine ability. It would already be very good if they could merely delay or block for a moment.
Now that he had awakened from cultivation, the jade talisman at his waist was quietly warming, clearly signaling that there were matters at home.
He stepped across the boundary and appeared within the thunder-filled Glazed Pagoda Of Unrestrained Boundary. The formidable lightning within felt to him like bathing in warm water. Another step allowed him to pass through and arrive atop Zhijing Mountain.
He sat down at his seat and extended his spiritual sense. He immediately saw an unfamiliar Daoist Master in the small pavilion outside the mountain. Li Jiangqian had indeed already come out of seclusion and was politely waiting there.
So he called out loudly, "Fellow Daoist, please!"
The great formation opened, and a stream of gray wind descended from the sky. Carrying a chilling aura, it condensed before them and transformed into a robed Daoist Master.
His clothing was unusual and a treasured blade hung at his waist. His eyes were gloomy and his aura fluctuated unpredictably. There was a faint trace of divine ability lingering about him, as if he were suppressing some transformation. He clearly did not look like someone easy to provoke.
Yet now that he had entered another's formation, he showed some courtesy and bowed with clasped hands. "I am Master Dingyang of Lacquer Marsh. Greetings, Fellow Daoist."
Li Ximing had already guessed that this man was the helper Kuiqi had brought. He estimated that the man had not yet broken through to the middle stage of the Purple Mansion Realm, though he did not know how many divine abilities he possessed. Smiling, he replied, "Please."
He then ordered someone to retrieve the shamanic spell art, while he himself guided the Daoist Master on a tour around Zhijing Mountain, even pointing out the traces that once belonged to Mount Wu.
But Mount Wu had once been plundered, and little remained after so many years. Moreover, Li Ximing had displayed divine ability here, so Master Dingyang clearly had not seen anything that satisfied him. Yet Li Ximing did not ask for anything in return and treated him with great courtesy, giving him ample face.
The Daoist Master's expression improved considerably, showing a hint of friendliness as he said softly, "What a pity. Although Duanmu Kui was formidable, he was unwilling to pass down his true skills. Mount Wu's reputation was exaggerated."
Soon someone carried over a chest of jade slips and set it beside Master Dingyang. The Daoist Master sat upright, took the catalog from Li Ximing's hand, and gained a rough understanding of the shamanic spell arts. His brows alternately furrowed and relaxed. It seemed his gains were nothing remarkable.
Li Ximing knew the situation of his own house well. If Mount Wu had truly possessed any powerful shamanic spell arts, they would have taken and used them long ago. What remained were merely mediocre things, which at most offered a few interesting ideas. He simply sipped his tea in silence.
Master Dingyang set down the jade slip and said nothing further. It seemed something else weighed on his mind. He casually picked up the jade cup and drained it in one gulp, then said briskly, "I would like to take a look at the dharma artifact."
Li Ximing handed over the jade box. The cultivator opened it, his eyes lighting up as he praised, "A fine treasure!"
The item from Southern Shun Raksha was clearly of excellent quality. He lifted it and examined it carefully for a long time. A trace of reluctance even appeared on his face as he said quietly, "If Fellow Daoist is willing, I would like to exchange for this item..."
How could Li Ximing allow him to exchange for it? He politely declined with a few words. Master Dingyang also knew it was unlikely he would obtain it, so he gave up readily and said straightforwardly, "The Huyi Upper Sect has already spoken to me about this matter. I have long considered it, so there is no need for further courtesy!"
He said in a deep voice, "The refinement of this artifact may take many years, whether sooner or later. My side has few people. We do not have workshops as large as yours by the lake, nor do we possess resources as abundant as Moongaze. Since the refinement will continue year after year, provisions and materials should naturally be supplied by Moongaze."
Li Ximing sighed inwardly upon hearing the words Huyi Upper Sect. "That is only proper."
Master Dingyang continued, "The Dao lineage of Lacquer Marsh is constrained under the Changhuai Upper Sect. Many methods are missing, and our pills are even more lacking. I myself am not skilled in alchemy, so I will say a bit more to Fellow Daoist this time.
"After refining artifacts for so many years, I hope Fellow Daoist can send one Essence Gathering Pill to Lacquer Marsh each year. Once the spirit embryo is completed, you must also provide me with six Purple Mansion Realm Serpent Water Suspension Powder. As for the pill formula and the primary ingredients, I have already brought them."
"Oh?"
Li Ximing smiled slightly. With his alchemical art, the Essence Gathering Pill posed no difficulty at all. As for the Viper Water Suspension Powder, he could first examine the pill formula. Calmly accepting it, he studied it carefully, A spirit pill that cleanses the eyes and heart while enhancing cultivation. It would be extremely difficult for ordinary cultivators, and its use is rather limited. If one cannot guarantee six pills, wasting someone's primary ingredients would certainly offend them.
Its difficulty was not even as great as the Heavenly Quintessence-Expelling Pill. Li Ximing himself had some surplus. Why would he refuse? After glancing through it, he happily accepted and said with a smile, "Good!"
That single word was crisp and decisive, making Master Dingyang regard him more highly. He set the jade slip and jade box on the table, collected the dharma artifact and shamanic spell arts, and cupped his hands as he said, "There is still a spirit artifact refining in my furnace, and it is extremely important. Though several apprentices are watching over it, I cannot stay away from Lacquer Marsh for long. But rest assured, Fellow Daoist. I will set up another furnace and supervise them together. I will certainly handle this matter well. I will not stay longer here. If fate allows, we shall talk again another day!"
Only then did Li Ximing understand why his speech had been so brief and direct. His expression had not been very good when he first arrived on the mountain either. He was likely worried about the spirit artifact back at home.
Li Ximing quickly escorted him out and sighed inwardly, Kuiqi certainly has great influence. The Huyi Upper Sect... they invited him to the lake with a single word. If there were truly something important and promises were made, Master Dingyang would find it difficult to refuse. If not for the spirit artifact currently refining in his furnace, Kuiqi would likely have already brought him here to deal with the Buddhist cultivators.
