Houfu did not dwell on it. In truth, the Sword Gate’s troubles went far beyond simply that. Another genius, Gu Pang, had entered seclusion alongside Cheng Gao, only earlier. By now, he was likely already in the Ignorance stage and not easily affected by such disturbances. But who could say whether it would happen again? These matters could not be shared with an outsider like Li Ximing.

Houfu could only worry in silence and said softly, “There is something even more troublesome. The [Great Peace Radiant Temple] has been completely defeated, and the north shows no intention of sending reinforcements. The entire Great Western Plains has fallen under the control of the [Pure Victory Dao]. Even the Great Radiant Palace has returned to their hands.

“I heard from Daoist Master Hongyan that the [Pure Victory Dao] is rebuilding the Mifan sect[1]. They are offering sacrifices to sacred mountains and lakes, planting wind-horse banners and multicolored prayer flags, and reestablishing the Xiangxiong Kingdom.”

Houfu’s expression turned complicated, “The Xiangxiong Kingdom was that one’s domain. The meaning of this is already very clear.”

It was obvious that he was referring to Xiyan, one of the three Lesser Yang. A figure at the level of a True Monarch could be called anything when they were nowhere to be found. Now that he had most likely reappeared in the world, who would dare call him a devil? Even Houfu, as part of the Supreme Yang Dao lineage, could only refer to him as that one. Those who knew the truth had likely already begun to respectfully address him as True Monarch.

The Pure Victory Dao is advancing with unstoppable momentum. Fuxun was likely uneasy as well. That pill has become even more urgent...

The thought passed through Li Ximing’s mind in an instant as Houfu said quietly, “[Xiyan] is his Dao title. His honorific is the [West Eternal Loyal Pure Victory White Serene True Monarch]. He also corresponds to the [West Lesser Yang] and the [Right Lesser Yang] in Daoist symbolism. If Zhaojing comes across any information or related objects in the future, be mindful of it.”

These words stirred unease in Li Ximing. After offering his thanks, he finally found an opening and said softly, “I have also come this time for another matter...”

“Oh?” Houfu took a sip of tea and asked with slight surprise.

Li Ximing said with a smile, “A few days ago, I accepted a commission from a friend to refine an exceptionally profound spirit pill. The difficulty surpasses anything I have encountered in my life, so I am still somewhat uncertain. Back when I refined pills for Fellow Daoist Tinglan, I had the chance to see the treasures of your Dao lineage.”

“The [Profound Owl Crossing Scene Furnace]?” Houfu suddenly understood. He smiled, then said seriously, “Will you be refining the pill at Huyi?”

Li Ximing had already thought this through long ago. Originally, he had estimated that Fuxun would never allow him to take such valuable spirit items away. If he were to enter another Dao lineage, he should have been borrowing the Purple Mansion Realm spirit artifact instead. But now, with Liu Changdie involved, the level of trust between the two sides had greatly increased, and bringing the items here was no longer an issue.

He replied with a smile, “Exactly.”

“I see!”

Houfu shared the same concern. As long as the item did not leave the mountain gate, there was no need to think too much about it. Letting him use it was, in the end, a matter of a favor.

He smiled and said, “That is no trouble at all. The [Profound Owl Crossing Scene Furnace] is kept in the [Hall of Passing Guilt]. Whenever Zhaojing needs it, just come to the mountain gate, give a word, and you may go straight in to use it!”

He spoke with great ease. Li Ximing relaxed, understanding that this was courtesy, and said with a smile, “Many thanks, senior. By the usual rules, you should receive a pill after the matter is done. However, this pill is special and only one will be produced. Let us count it as a favor instead. If you ever need any pills refined, feel free to ask me!”

After the events at Mount Tangdao, relations between Hengzhu Dao Gate and the other Supreme Yang Dao lineages had somewhat eased. However, no Purple Mansion Realm cultivators from Hengzhu Dao Gate had yet to appear, and how Hengxing viewed matters remained a concern. Houfu had naturally heard of Li Ximing’s exceptional alchemy skills, and his heart stirred slightly as he agreed with a smile.

Li Ximing already held a favorable impression of him, and seeing how decisively he agreed, he paused before offering a reminder. “Fei Qingya was taken back by Senior Kuiqi. How is she now? Back then, I saw that her temperament was gentle and she could take advice. She ought to be cultivated further.”

Houfu gave a helpless smile and replied, “Many thanks, Zhaojing.”

Li Ximing understood and lowered his head with a smile. Houfu had no time to spare, so Li Ximing soon left Huyi and stepped into the great void. As he departed, he rose on the wind and took a brief glance back. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Although snow still covered the mountaintop, it no longer resembled the cultivated fields from his Foundation Establishment Realm days. Tea trees filled the ground, unpruned and left to grow wild, forming layer upon layer of disorder.

With the fall of two Daoist Masters, the Great Xiukui Temple has also grown subdued...

He traveled back in a streak of light and soon stepped onto Zhijing Mountain.

The weather had turned colder, yet Zhijing Mountain retained the warmth of spring. Gardenias blanketed the mountain and had never withered. The tables and furnishings were spotless, clearly freshly cleaned. Li Ximing landed silently and immediately sent someone to summon Li Zhouwei.

At the same time, without wasting a moment, he took out a jade slip from his sleeve.

[Great Li White Radiance]!

A sixth-grade spell art was already the highest level technique a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator could obtain. Although Li Ximing had been in the Purple Mansion Realm for many years and the Li Family had two Purple Mansion Realm cultivators, if he relied purely on his own efforts to collect techniques, the only one he could truly use with ease was the fourth-grade [Heavenly Radiance, Hidden Light].

Now, reading it with slight unease and pondering for a long while, he gradually came to understand the underlying principles within.

The first step in cultivating this art was to deduce, based on the incantations and key points within the technique, the locations of nine profound apertures within and around the qihai. These apertures had to be constantly nurtured. Among them, one had to identify the casting aperture, [Li Radiance], and place Radiant Fire within it.

These so-called profound apertures were not real apertures. They were positions derived through calculation within the art itself. This step demanded extremely high attainment. For ordinary cultivators, let alone handling Purple Mansion Realm spiritual flames, even completing this first step would take years. Beyond that, they would still need to nurture the aperture until it gradually formed, eventually becoming nine true apertures.

Of course, for Purple Mansion Realm cultivators, there was no need for such nurturing at the initial stage. The [Great Li White Radiance] only stated a few words: [Divine ability is easily calculated, once calculated, it activates on its own].

With divine ability, what is there to fear? Just carve one out on the dharma body.

For Li Ximing, it was even easier. There was no need to calculate. He lifted the [Red Pheasant Surging Radiant Flame], let it circle once within his qihai, and then asked the little apricot bird which position felt most comfortable. With a few adjustments, aligning with the key points described in the text, he found it.

With a single thought, he immediately marked out the nine profound apertures within his qihai. Placing the [Red Pheasant Surging Radiant Flame] into [Li Radiance], he felt a slight tremor in his qihai. Instantly, divine ability surged, flowing in from the other eight apertures, gathering together and shining from [Li Radiance] as a point of crimson brilliance.

This light was a single point of crimson radiance, marking his formal entry into the cultivation of this art. As his mastery deepened, the light would grow richer. Ten such points would condense into a strand of golden radiance, marking minor completion. Ten strands would then transform into a beam of white radiance, signifying major completion!

No matter the form of radiance, it could be summoned from the qihai in battle to injure enemies. Combined with Radiant Fire, it could manifest various forms of [Great Radiant Light], each with different wondrous effects. The higher one’s mastery of Radiant Fire and fire control techniques, the more powerful this light would become.

There was no need to refine it to full completion. Once it reached a certain level, the [Great Radiant Light] could assist him in refining mana and suppressing the qihai. It could emerge from the qihai and travel through his limbs and bones, interfering with incoming divine ability and mana within his dharma body to safeguard his life.

1. The raw does not confirm this as Mifan Sect or the Mifann Sect(The ancient sect that’s long gone.) ☜