Chapter 1723: Vast Expanse Suspended Void (I)

[Radiance Under Heaven]

Li Ximing pondered silently, while Sima Yuanli likewise fell quiet. He knew little about this Bright Yang divine ability, but in terms of its sinister nature, [Radiance Under Heaven] was no less disturbing than the Seven Dharma Forms of Northern Buddhism...

Whether it is [Heavy Murk] or [Moistening Radiant Lead], there must always be some method of activating it, and the operation of a divine ability will invariably leave traces. Yet [Radiance Under Heaven] seizes control of the mind without form, making it difficult to detect...

When observing qi with his divine ability, a person under the influence of [Heavy Murk] would have an aura of ill fortune beneath their face, while [Moistening Radiant Lead] would manifest as a crimson mass at the center of the eyebrows, making both easy to recognize.

Yet when Li Ximing had seized the Zhao general's mind with a single word, Sima Yuanli could only vaguely discern a ray of light sweeping across the man's face. Once the man had fallen under his control, even close inspection revealed nothing particularly unusual. Only after meticulous calculation could he detect the faintest trace of Bright Yang qi.

This is a serious problem.

Sima Yuanli had yet to attempt it himself, and thus truly could not say whether he was capable of awakening the man. However, without a Fate Divine Ability of his own, his chances of success were probably exceedingly low.

Only once I possess a Fate Divine Ability of my own will I be able to identify [Radiance Under Heaven] as easily as I can discern [Moistening Radiant Lead]. Yet I have heard that the influence of [Radiance Under Heaven] grows more severe by the day until the victim utterly loses himself. In the end, even after the divine ability fades, his thoughts can no longer be restored. That makes it difficult to observe.

Sima Yuanli was not afraid that Li Ximing would do anything to him. On the other hand, he feared the King of Wei, Li Zhouwei... That man was blessed with great destiny, and there was no telling how uncanny he might become once he perfected his divine ability.

No matter how powerful it is... Surely it could not bewitch even me...

He quietly lowered his eyes and drank his tea. Seeing that he wanted to speak but hesitated, Li Ximing swept his sleeve and ordered, "All of you, leave."

Everyone bowed and withdrew. The Zhao general, Li Ju, naturally left with them. He even opened the hall doors for Li Jiangzong before respectfully waiting outside. Li Jiangzong's expression turned peculiar, and he even seemed somewhat embarrassed.

Sima Yuanli waited for a moment before sighing. "May I ask... How is the King of Wei?"

Li Ximing's expression turned solemn. "He was gravely wounded this time, and has sealed his cave dwelling... Even I have yet to see him..."

Sima Yuanli sighed softly. Li Ximing observed him closely and found that the Daoist Master had accepted his words with surprising ease, even complete certainty. This left him feeling rather puzzled.

Were his injuries back then... really that severe? Judging from Sima Yuanli’s reaction, even if I told him the injuries had mostly healed, he would probably think I was merely putting on a brave front...

Li Ximing himself had not sensed anything amiss. Now that he had mastered his divine ability, he could see Li Zhouwei within the Realm of Sun and Moon Radiance as well. Black flames towered around him, heavenly light shone brilliantly, and his divine ability had been refined to an earth-shaking degree. [Sovereign In Peril] had long since reached perfection, and he was currently condensing his Immortal Foundation.

Never mind being gravely wounded, Li Ximing felt that Li Zhouwei could rise to his feet right now and slap Nuxiao to the ground with two blows without the slightest difficulty.

It seems the [Profound Vast Art] that elevates Pure Essence is truly formidable. If I get the opportunity, I should cultivate it as well...

Though puzzled inwardly, he showed an expression of sorrow and concern. Sima Yuanli sighed and said, "You may not know this, but last year, a grotto heaven descended upon the Northern Sea. No one knows what forces were involved, but the battle shook the world. I heard that Senior Tulong also appeared there. He has now reached the mid-stage of the Purple Mansion Realm!"

Li Ximing's eyes lit up as Sima Yuanli continued, "Heroes from every quarter rose in that battle. A sword immortal of the Supreme Yang Dao had initially seized the lead, but an unknown Grand Daoist Master appeared midway through the contest. Senior Tulong, the Beihuan Sect... Even the Purple Mansion Realm cultivators of the Xiangxiong Kingdom in the Great Western Plains suffered grievous injuries, with some even perishing."

Li Ximing frowned at this, feeling somewhat concerned for Tulong Jian, and nodded silently. After observing him for a moment, Sima Yuanli changed the subject. "I also came today... to ask a favor of you, fellow Daoist. This shore is fraught with danger, and now that you have finally emerged from seclusion, our supply of [Empty Sleeve Profound Dao Powder] can at last be replenished."

During Li Ximing's seclusion, Sima Yuanli had not gone without seeking out others to refine pills for him. Through his network of connections, he had met an old Daoist Master from Guoling Peak.

The old Daoist Master had confidently thumped his chest and guaranteed success. Yet when Sima Yuanli went to collect the medicine, the old man cheerfully brought it out, only for Sima Yuanli to discover that the batch contained one pill fewer than Li Ximing's!

Sima Yuanli had kept a cheerful smile on his face, but whether the old man was greedier or simply less skilled at alchemy than Li Ximing, he never mentioned a second commission. Instead, he eagerly awaited Li Ximing's emergence from seclusion and could not bear to wait another moment.

Li Ximing readily agreed. The ingredients for [Empty Sleeve Profound Dao Powder] were precious, and its effects were excellent. Now that he no longer had to worry about cultivating his divine ability, why would he refuse? He naturally accepted the request.

Yet Li Ximing suddenly paused and raised his brows thoughtfully. A gust of purple wind swept up to the great hall and transformed into a woman dressed in autumn-yellow robes. She came to a stop before the hall and revealed a somewhat pale smile.

Li Ximing was slightly startled. He quickly rose, stepped forward, and called softly, "Fellow Daoist Tinglan!"

The woman was none other than Daoist Master Tinglan, who should have remained sealed within the Purple Smoke Blessed Land!

When Li Ximing had gone to Purple Smoke Gate to meet her years ago, his first impression had been that she was exquisitely dressed and remarkably beautiful. She still wore the same autumn-yellow satin dress now, but the butterfly patterns at the corners of her eyes were gone, while her slightly pale lips lent her a frail appearance.

Her eyes also appeared much more vulnerable. As one of the few surviving Daoist Masters of the Supreme Yang Dao lineage, she looked lost and even somewhat uncomfortable.

Seeing Li Ximing come forward to welcome her, she hurriedly took several steps toward him and said, "Zhaojing! It has been a long time..."

Li Ximing actually trusted her more than he trusted the Sima Family, and their relationship was closer as well. He looked at her with a complicated expression and said, "Ever since the battle on the river, I have been worried about you, fellow Daoist. However, the blessed land was sealed, and not the slightest news emerged... May I ask what matter has brought you here today?"

Li Ximing remained courteous, and his tone was tactful. Tinglan returned his smile and replied, "His majesty has founded a state, and Cultivation and Martiality shine brightly. The conflict between north and south concerns the lives of millions, so we cultivators of the Purple Essence Dao naturally cannot remain carefree and secluded from the world. From now on, I will have to trouble you to look after us, fellow Daoist..."

Although Li Ximing had already guessed the reason for her visit, hearing her say it herself still filled him with the melancholy sense that all remained familiar.

The Supreme Yang Dao lineage has lost its standing, and its dignity has fallen with it. Kuiqi would rather have sacrificed himself to the Dao than witness this day with his own eyes... Yet now, he has left her behind to struggle through this predicament, with Supreme Yang's radiance extinguished...

Neither of them made any effort to conceal their words. Sima Yuanli, seated nearby, turned his head away uncomfortably, lifting and lowering the cup in his hand as he restrained himself from speaking.

Tinglan happened to look toward him and offered a slight bow, greeting him politely. "Greetings, Fellow Daoist Qinghu."

Sima Yuanli had long since severed his ties with the Supreme Yang Dao lineage, while the present Sima Family had also parted ways with the Azure Pond Sect. Thus, her tone was distant and indifferent, without the slightest warmth one might expect upon meeting a descendant of the former seniors of the Supreme Yang Dao lineage.

Sima Yuanli hurriedly rose and returned the greeting with considerable embarrassment.

It seems the Sima Family is clearly not on particularly cordial terms with these remnants of the Supreme Yang Dao lineage... Or perhaps they simply dare not appear too cordial with them...

Li Ximing saw the situation clearly. Yet setting aside the plight of the Supreme Yang Dao lineage, he felt somewhat reassured to see Tinglan. After all, she was one of the few Purple Mansion Realm cultivators whose background and character he knew well, and they shared a considerable friendship. She was also highly capable, so having her as an ally could only be a good thing.

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