Xuanjian Xianzu

Chapter 1298 Dao Inheritance
Overwhelmed with joy, Qiao Yue knelt on the ground, somewhat at a loss. Instead, he felt anxious and fearful, worried that he might have misunderstood and fallen into despair.

The smiling voice of the immortal echoed from the mountains:
"I wonder which talented young man it is?"

Cui Jueyin's voice was much clearer in comparison:

"Qiao Yue!"

These two words, like a blazing flame, ignited in Qiao Yue's heart. He stepped forward, bowed deeply again, and said respectfully:
"Qiao Yue, a member of the Qiao clan of the former state of Boye, pays his respects to Your Excellency!"

Hearing his words, Li Ximing chuckled and shook his head, saying:
"Come forward, let me take a look."

The young man moved closer, and Li Ximing raised his hand and pressed it between his eyebrows.

"His Qi Sea is full, his Danxia aura is rising, and his Yang energy is in harmony with water and fire... He is undoubtedly an alchemist. The invisible fire of his immortal foundation, which he is lying on, is raging—the 'Male Killing Fire' of the Male Fire."

He was already a natural alchemist, and having cultivated the peony fire that was good at alchemy, Li Ximing noticed the smoke and fire on his sleeves and the burning marks on his three fingers. He knew he was destined to be an alchemist, and nodded to himself.

Cui Jueyin said:

"I met this child in Boye. He is very famous in the area for producing a large number of pills. While an ordinary person might produce three or four pills, he could produce five or six, which is why he is so popular."

Li Ximing smiled and said:
"With a high level of cultivation and the blessing of the clan's treasures, having one or two more is not excessive. Each additional one brings more prestige, and two more would be a boon without cost. Others would not seek them elsewhere, since the position of alchemist has always been either bustling with customers or merely self-sufficient."

Qiao Yue respectfully said:
"I have learned a great deal."

Li Ximing pulled a jade slip from his sleeve, casually placed it in his hand, and said:
“Read it, and I will test you in the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.”

He didn't say much, but turned to look at Cui Jueyin and said softly:
"Jueyin, 'Diguan Yuan'... how much do you know about it?"

Li Ximing had no ambition to acquire gold; the "Eternal Brightness Steps" were originally his chosen goal. However, Cui Jueyin's words when he came to the lake years ago reminded him of something else:

'Having already cultivated "universal enlightenment," it is not appropriate to cultivate "the path to eternal enlightenment."'

This made the choice difficult. He pondered deeply for a long time, constantly wavering between "Emperor Guanyuan" and "Jun Daowei". Each option had its advantages and disadvantages, making it truly difficult to choose.

"The 'Danger of the King' technique has many advantages, and to a certain extent, it is a life-saving skill. However, this supernatural ability requires one to put oneself in danger and personally engage in combat..."

Li Ximing doesn't have Li Zhouwei's physical body and cultivation! It's alright if he just stands by and performs some spells to control the spiritual fire, but if he has to charge into battle, he's very likely to end up getting himself killed instead of avoiding danger.

"As the highest level of the 'Eternal Rank,' the 'Imperial View of Origin' is naturally excellent, but Jue Yin also said that this secret technique could only be learned by those of imperial lineage in ancient times, and its difficulty is astonishing... It's probably going to be very troublesome."

Li Ximing's cultivation of "Tianxia Ming" was already fraught with setbacks, let alone "Diguan Yuan," a top-tier achievement of the human realm's Dao lineage like "Beidi Wei Shu." If he failed a few more times, it wouldn't be surprising if he got stuck for sixty or seventy years. Li Zhouwei might have already passed the gold standard, while Li Ximing was still only at the second level of the supernatural powers!
There was another one called "Gu Shuyu," but Li Ximing had other ideas. This supernatural power was an ancient substitute for ginseng, the worst choice. He would only consider using this supernatural power to try and break through if he failed to cross the purple ginseng barrier.

With this in mind, he used his supernatural powers to shield himself from those around him, and frowned as he said:

"Is it true that the 'Eternal Brightness Stage' cannot be cultivated alongside the 'World's Brightness Stage'? Can it only rely on the 'Illuminating Heart'?"

Cui Jueyin instantly understood his meaning. After all, the 'Emperor's Origin' was extremely rare, and it was only natural that the Li family had no successor in the lineage. However, while she understood, Cui Jueyin could only sigh:

“What you may not know is that ‘Di Guan Yuan’ was at least a prince, and ‘Tian Xia Ming’ was built by the crown prince. This is a fixed practice, and they have always been unable to escape the common practice.”

"After the fall of Wei, the ancestors of the Li and Cui families also lost these two supernatural powers. They were eager to find another way. I heard that... our ancestors had a copy of the [Imperial Edict for Mortals to Awaken and Revere the Scripture], which could be used to improve the cultivation method and harmonize 'Brightness of the World' and 'Emperor's Observation of the Origin' so that they could be cultivated... As long as we don't consider seeking gold, it is not necessary to match them."

"It is said that when that lineage went south, this thing was brought down with them, and it is very likely that it ended up in Wanling's hands."

Li Ximing frowned:
'Even if there were another 'World's Light' technique compatible with the 'Eternal Light' level... I couldn't possibly abandon my cultivation and start all over again...'

Cui Jueyin's eyes held a slightly different glint as he said:
“My ancestors searched for this method for many years, and I have always kept it in mind. Back then, the True Immortal took me to the Purple Smoke Sect, where I spoke with a direct descendant. She told me that the Purple Smoke Sect once cultivated under the Wanling Upper Sect and also had a method called ‘Brightness of the World.’ I wonder…”

He was elegant and charming, but also intelligent and quick-witted. He subtly extracted a lot of information from others. Li Ximing stared at him in a daze when he heard this.

Where did Li Ximing obtain his "the world is bright"?
It is the Purple Smoke Sect!
'Is this the very book I'm practicing? What a coincidence!'

He was startled, and with a flick of his wrist, he took out the copy of the "Juncha Zhaoxin Sutra" and handed it to Cui Jueyin. The Qingfeng Zhenren examined it carefully, her face showing shock, yet she hesitated. Li Ximing, having sorted through everything in his mind, suddenly felt relieved:
"I understand now. It's not a coincidence. It's because the 'Brightness of the World,' unique to the direct descendants of Wei Li and the Crown Prince, could never have been circulated to other places... Unless it was obtained from the [Shanghuan Pavilion], but rather I found the 'Brightness of the World' myself, whether it's from the Purple Smoke Sect or another family, as long as it can be cultivated, then it definitely cannot belong to the Wei Li imperial lineage!"

He was both amused and exasperated, sighing inwardly. Cui Jueyin observed for a long time, hesitant to draw a conclusion, and said...

"It seems... but my supernatural powers are too weak... I'm afraid I should ask the King of Wei!"

There was nothing wrong with what he said, and Li Ximing felt reassured, saying:

"I understand. I will also send someone to Ziyan to inquire. This matter is not urgent."

Cui Jueyin bowed and went to a secluded peak to build a temple for cultivation. Only then did Li Ximing turn his gaze to Qiao Yue in front of him.

The Taoist priest was covered in sweat, his hand twitching incessantly, his eyes slightly closed, as if he were in a nightmare. It wasn't until Li Ximing gently put down the jade cup that he was jolted awake, standing in the mountains as if in another world.

A moment later, Qiao Yue knelt down, drenched in sweat, and whispered:

"I am of dull mind and only managed to...get one or two words!"

Qiao Yue's mood had plummeted. He had put all his effort into making a good impression on Li Ximing, but he never expected that... let alone reading it through, he couldn't even decipher a sentence or two. He tried his best, but could only manage to understand one or two words.

Qiao Yue was also a gifted alchemist, and he was momentarily discouraged. Li Ximing showed no expression on his face, but secretly nodded in approval:
'rare.'

What Li Ximing gave him was none other than the [Heavenly Heart Single Mind Elixir Method]!
This alchemy technique is incredibly difficult. Even Li Ximing, a cultivator at the Purple Mansion level, pondered it for a long time and benefited greatly from it. How much more so for Qiao Yue? He nodded slightly and said:
"Sincerity is commendable."

Qiao Yue breathed a sigh of relief, bowed again, and stood up. Li Ximing smiled at him, took out three incense sticks from his sleeve, and said softly:

“My alchemy skills come from the Xiao family of Lixia. My ancestor was Xiao Fengqi. Your grandmaster’s surname is Xiao and his given name is Yuansi. He is currently visiting friends on the lake. You should pay your respects to him.”

Qiao Yue knelt on the ground, suppressing his overwhelming joy, and kowtowed, saying:

"I will never forget my teacher's teachings and will repay his kindness with my own life!"

Li Ximing waved his hand to stop him, then took out three incense sticks and casually said:

"My Purple Mansion Alchemy originates from this book, the Heavenly Heart One Mind Alchemy Method, which I hold in my hand. It is inherited from Dou Xuan and is a secret lineage of Dao. It must be studied and memorized diligently."

Li Ximing first heard of the Three Mysteries from the "Heavenly Heart One Mind Alchemy Method". Later, as his supernatural powers improved and his knowledge broadened, he understood this secret Daoist lineage more and more. It is no exaggeration to say that this "Heavenly Heart One Mind Alchemy Method" is the foundation of his alchemy and the basis for his ability to refine pills freely!
Even though there were broader considerations in accepting Qiao Yue as a disciple, since he had already done so, Li Ximing didn't hold back and clearly explained it to him before saying:

Thirdly…

His gaze was deep and unfathomable.
"Then you should pay your respects to this lake!"

Qiao Yue did as instructed, and Li Ximing nodded and smiled, saying softly:
"Send your family back to inform them, and then stay in the mountains... You also have a senior brother, who is my disciple. You should meet him."

Upon hearing this, whether the people of Qiao were short-sighted or insightful, they would surely be overjoyed and weep with joy. Qiao Yue, upon hearing this, was almost moved to tears, nodding repeatedly and kowtowing, saying:
"We, Qiao Yue and Qiao Shi, will forever remember your kindness, Master!"

Li Ximing didn't make much of a move, watching him leave, his brows furrowing slightly, his voice lowering:

"So what is it?"

Sure enough, the golden-eyed youth stepped forward, bowed, and said:

"Reporting to the True Man, the Ju family presents the Purple Palace Daoist Treasury."

Li Ximing initially didn't think much of it, merely raising an eyebrow. However, when Li Sui presented the Daoist text, his spiritual sense swept over it, and his expression subtly changed.

He listened to Li Suihuan's words from the side, remained silent for a long time, and then smiled:
"So we returned. What do you think of these two men?"

Li Sui bowed again and said softly:
"Qiao Daoist is quite famous, intelligent and talented, with the potential to inherit the Daoist path. He can discuss and analyze the big picture, understand the advantages and disadvantages, and assess the situation. Ju Liangwang is extremely capable."

"He sent his sons into the dense forest, firstly to cultivate relationships with his own faction, and secondly to preserve his bloodline..."

The head of the household said quietly:

"Several direct descendants of the embryonic breathing lineage were sent to the dense forest. Since they are building their foundations, it will take at least fifty or sixty years. This will ensure their safety for fifty or sixty years. In just one or two generations, they will be able to inherit the prosperous energy of our family and get through the most difficult period of transition when we move south."

"The Jianghuai region is thriving, and there are more and more cultivators. The dense forest connects the north and the south, and there will surely be a period of prosperity. Even if we only obtain two or three tenths, the Ju family has not been short of resources for decades. Moreover, all the families in the market are still here, and the Ju family still has a foundation. As long as we have a reputation to live in, it is not difficult to befriend my direct descendants and to establish kinship ties with Chen Antian and Ding. Relatives can communicate with each other and progress step by step. This is a reliable support."

"There's also the worst-case scenario... If I'm not mistaken, the servants and helpers he invited from the Ju family to set up shops and do business here will all be ordinary people from the Ju family's direct lineage."

His gaze held a strange glint:
"If one day there is chaos in Jianghuai, or if the Ju family suffers a disaster and the entire clan is wiped out, there are direct descendants and Purple Mansion bloodlines of the Ju family in the dense forest, and there are Ju family Qi Refining cultivators in the market. They are all capable backbone members, accompanied by many Ju family members who come to help... With a single order, they can all gather in one place. Wouldn't that be another Ju family?"

Li Ximing stroked his beard and shook his head, saying:
"pity."

Li Sui also understood his meaning. Ju Liangwang was far superior to Qiao Yue in terms of alchemy. Qiao Yue was young and promising, while this Ju family head had a high level of cultivation but was old and seemed to have no chance of breaking through to the Purple Mansion realm.

Li Sui also replied:
"My opinion is... we should agree to it. This matter would be quite beneficial to us. The Ju family bloodline is not bad, and this person is quite capable. If we can use him, it will be of great benefit."

Li Ximing smiled and said:
"Since you know what he's thinking, you can handle it entirely! As for its use... it's really hard to say."

Now that the Li family has many Purple Mansions, and Li Ximing has been using supernatural powers for a long time, he has gradually come to understand why ancient cultivators referred to Purple Mansions as having some cultivation – without supernatural powers, the so-called Foundation Establishment cultivators are useless no matter how many there are, and raising them is a waste of spiritual energy. If Li Ximing had not had a family to support, he would really be like the Purple Mansions of yesteryear, only needing to raise one or two capable assistants.

No matter how powerful one's Foundation Establishment is, without the opportunity to reach the Purple Mansion realm, it is merely "Foundation Establishment".

Li Sui returned the greeting, while Li Ximing glanced at his cultivation level. Seeing that his true essence was at its peak, indicating that he had taken pills long ago and had remained at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage for some years, he nodded and said:
"Your true essence is now complete, and you can now witness the gate to the divine wonders—this is truly a good thing."

Li Suihuan's cultivation was extremely solid, and his aura was perfect. He bowed and said respectfully:
"It was already in the later stages many years ago. Master Su Yun had already made arrangements and brought over the secret methods, a total of three, for the junior to cultivate... She instructed that once it was completed, one should go to her again."

Li Ximing pondered for a moment.

Li Sui also cultivates the [Double Bright Fire Scripture]. This Dao of Li Fire has three secret methods, which seem quite powerful. However, as Li Ximing's chosen next generation of True Person and Li Zhouwei's grandson, Li Ximing is naturally in no hurry for him to cultivate. The more secret methods he has, the safer it is.

Three dishes are really not many. If we could get something better…

So he personally inquired about his cultivation progress, pointed out a few key points and gave him some pointers. Li Sui thoughtfully wrote them down and then withdrew. Only then did Li Ximing get up and gently tap him.

Then, a golden alchemy furnace rose up from the ground in front of him, revealing a raging red fire vein beneath. Flames, some transparent and some pale purple, danced within it, radiating heat. Hidden within was a pill!
The flames of this elixir were hazy, as if hiding behind a white veil. It was the 'Peony Flame' elixir that Li Zhouwei obtained from the [Duyang Cave]!
The Li family obtained two pills from Luoyang. Besides the one in front of them, there was also the Wei family's Fire-Separating Pill, which was also made with extremely heavy ingredients. Li Ximing had long ago hidden it away, intending to use it to help Li Jiangqian pass through the Purple Transformation stage or to improve his supernatural abilities in a short period of time.

Having obtained this pill, he had been secretly studying it for a long time and had already made some progress.

"Made with exceptional ingredients and nurtured for a thousand years, its healing properties are secondary. It gathers various 'Fire' essences; once ingested, this elixir is deeply nourished and cannot be used up in a short time."

Li Ximing estimated that if he took this pill, it would stay in his Qi Sea for at least twenty years!
"The power will flow continuously for twenty years, whether for healing, providing supernatural abilities, or for cultivation. Within twenty years, one will inevitably advance to a higher level, repeatedly condensing the foundation for immortality and accelerating the perfection of supernatural powers."

Li Ximing was naturally reluctant to consume such a precious substance, and since it was found in the fire vein, it could not be exposed to the elements. Therefore, Li Ximing sealed it within the fire vein.

He carefully observed the pill to ensure it wouldn't decay within the fire vein before pressing the golden furnace down again. Looking around, he suddenly realized that after so many years, he finally had the opportunity to refine his magic.

He chuckled, took out the [Flame Step] and picked up the unfamiliar footwork again, letting the sun and moon alternate and the light and darkness change around him as he buried himself in cultivation.

(End of this chapter)