Northern Shore.

Li Zhouwei glanced briefly at the battle when someone descended beside him. The man wore grey robes, a sword on his back, his expression solemn.

He bowed and said, "I am Daoist Master Yushui, named Chen Yin. Greetings, Fellow Daoist!"

Li Zhouwei replied politely, "So it is Daoist Master Yushui."

Li Zhouwei guessed that several Purple Mansion Realm cultivators were nearby, though he did not know why this one had appeared. After a few polite exchanges, he asked directly, and the Daoist Master smiled as he replied, "So Fellow Daoist Zhaojing is still in seclusion... I received word from Master Dingyang that your esteemed family possesses [Under-Neck Feathers], but lacks suitable materials for artifact crafting, so I came to inquire."

"I see."

Li Zhouwei then recalled that the other was a [Mansion Water] cultivator. Unable to obtain what he needed from Master Dingyang, he had come here instead.

Chen Yin said seriously, "Though I lack spirit materials for artifact refining, I do have a piece of [Orthodox Wood] spirit item called [No-Fault Spirit Wood], obtained from the Southern Sea. I would like to exchange it with you."

He took out a jade box from his sleeve. Inside lay a fist-sized piece of blue-black wood, layered like stacked wooden sheets, with clear grain and rich spiritual essence.

"This [Orthodox Wood] is extremely hard. It resembles metal in nature, yet differs from it, so it cannot be forged into armor. However, it is excellent for crafting smaller accessories. As for whether it can be used in alchemy, that would depend on your family's masters."

Li Zhouwei praised, "The quantity is quite substantial!"

Chen Yin smiled and said, "It was originally the size of two fists, but I cut off a portion to craft a sword hilt. The rest is here, still a considerable amount. I wish to exchange it for two [Under-Neck Feathers]."

The Li Family could produce more [Under-Neck Feathers] in the future, and exchanging them for different types of spirit materials was naturally beneficial. Li Zhouwei nodded in agreement.

Chen Yin immediately brightened with joy and said, "You are indeed straightforward, Fellow Daoist!"

He thanked him with a smile, then soon asked with some hope, "If it is not an offense... may I ask where your family obtained them, and how many remain?"

Li Zhouwei shook his head naturally and replied, "That is not convenient to disclose. There are not many left. I do not know whether my granduncle has already traded them away. There may be one or two remaining. When he leaves seclusion, you may ask him yourself."

Chen Yin quickly responded, "My apologies."

He did not linger and soon took his leave. Once he disappeared into the great void, a white-robed woman descended on the wind, landing within the pavilion, and said softly, "Greetings, Fellow Daoist Minghuang!"

Ning Wan's temperament remained gentle, yet deep worry and unease lingered in her expression, as if burdened with many thoughts she could not voice.

Li Zhouwei returned the courtesy. "You are too polite, senior."

The two walked together toward the central island and took their seats within the main hall. Cultivators quickly came forward to serve tea. After a moment's thought, Li Zhouwei asked, "How does my lord intend to arrange things?"

Ning Wan lowered her head slightly and replied, "Action will begin immediately. My lord's instructions to me were to wait for you to leave seclusion."

Clearly, during Li Zhouwei's time in seclusion, the northern Supreme Yang Dao lineages of Yue State had already reached a consensus, or were forced into one, to defend Shanji Prefecture.

Li Zhouwei, however, remained calm and asked a rather pointed question, "How is Hengzhu Dao Gate to be handled?"

Back then, Yehui had come to the Li Family. In his words, he had mentioned this southern Immortal Dao and even hinted at the Taizhu behind it, implying that he was watching the struggle from afar and refusing to show himself.

Though the information Yehui held might not have been entirely true, it was certainly grounded in something. Hengzhu Dao Gate's actions likely carried unusual implications.

At his question, Ning Wan shook her head and revealed a faint, ambiguous smile as she replied, "You may not have heard yet. It is actually excellent news. A few days ago, Hengzhu Dao's Daoist Master Hengli passed the Purple Mansion Threshold and achieved four divine abilities... It is a pity for Senior Tinglan. Had she not been injured back then, judging by the timing, she would likely have made a breakthrough as well."

Li Zhouwei raised a brow slightly, yet saw no joy on her face. He asked in confusion, "Oh? That is certainly good news..."

Ning Wan indeed withdrew her smile and said calmly, "However... when our people went to Hengzhu Dao Gate to offer congratulations, they were informed that Hengzhu Dao Gate intended to seal the mountain. The entire Immortal Dao there is preparing for Hengli's ascension to True Monarch."

Li Zhouwei fell silent for a moment, unsure how to respond. Ning Wan's expression turned complicated as she continued, "Senior Tinglan and the others discussed matters for a while. I do not know what was said. There are things that are no longer suitable for me to hear, and likewise, there are things I am no longer fit to speak of!"

Now, Li Zhouwei found it even less appropriate to speak. He simply lowered his head as if he had not heard. Ning Wan shook her head and let out a heavy breath. "At dawn, I will send word to Tinglan and Houfu... The northern forces are already gathered at the shore. We will head north together, cross the river, and land on the other side. My lord will hold the line for us as we reclaim Jiangbei."

The night had already deepened. Faint golden light rose with the dawn from the horizon, climbing rapidly up the hall and draping itself over Ning Wan.

Her expression was deeply uneasy. Her lips trembled slightly as she said in a low voice, "So this... is what it means to have no control over one's own fate."

Golden light flickered within Li Zhouwei's eyes as well. He extended his hand slightly. The brilliance of [Da Sheng] gathered, forming the great halberd in his grasp.

He gazed quietly at Ning Wan and sighed softly, "Senior, please."