Chapter 1724: Vast Expanse Suspended Void (II)

Li Ximing guided her to a seat, hesitantly poured her some tea, and asked, "May I ask about Fellow Daoist Wenqing...?"

Since Purple Smoke Gate had reentered the world, Tinglan naturally could not be the only one to emerge from the mountain. She replied softly, "I was ordered to join the Immortal Administration Bureau, though I remain the Mountain Master of the Purple Smoke Blessed Land. Ning Wan and I have both been charged with guarding the realm. As for Wenqing, her cultivation is somewhat shallower, so she is currently stationed at the Purple Attainment Pavilion in the imperial capital, where she obeys the emperor's commands."

This was largely in line with Li Ximing’s expectations, and he nodded inwardly as he thought, Although Tinglan is likewise only in the early stage of the Purple Mansion Realm, she is far more accomplished in battles of techniques than Ning Wan. With the spirit treasure in her hands, she can even hold off a mid-stage Purple Mansion Realm cultivator...

Li Ximing hesitated slightly. The question circled through his mind several times before he finally asked with some reluctance, "May I ask... after the battle back then... what became of the other Daoist Masters..."

Tinglan shook her head. "Ch'i Lanyan led his men against us, wielding the [Clearcliff Brilliant Branch]. I was already exhausted, while the [Purple Throne Serene Spirit Pavilion] had been placed under layer upon layer of seals... I could not abandon the spirit treasure and flee, so I had no choice but to intervene and rescue it. His spirit treasure merely brushed against me, yet I was gravely wounded..."

The [Purple Throne Serene Spirit Pavilion] was the spirit treasure of the Purple Smoke Gate, and Tinglan likely valued it even more than her own life, so her actions were hardly surprising. Her eyes filled with complicated emotions as she shook her head and continued, "Daoist Master Houfu was likewise surrounded, but he faced even more opponents and was not as fortunate as I was. A spirit treasure shattered his body, and he nearly passed away on the spot... He later escaped back to the temple... but he is already... beyond recovery."

Li Ximing inhaled sharply, "What?!"

Tinglan continued, "The [Clearcliff Brilliant Branch] is an exceptionally powerful Majestic Earth spirit treasure. Once it strikes someone, both their soul and body suffer the punishment of Clearcliff Majestic Earth. I survived the ordeal only because I was protected by a treasure of the Purple Essence Dao, yet the Majestic Earth still injured my body, and I have not recovered even after all these years. Houfu's body was completely destroyed, leaving only a fragment of his true spirit. I heard that the disciples of his temple took [Sunlit Mulberry] and fashioned it into a fist-sized carving for him to dwell within...

"Although his life was preserved, no one but Penglai can heal his injuries. Unless the punishment of Clearcliff Majestic Earth is dispelled, he must endure the agony of being flayed and having his bones ground down every day, utterly powerless to stop it... No one knows how much longer he can endure..."

Li Ximing fell silent. The cultivators of the Great Xiukui Temple had always placed great importance on integrity and dignity, and Houfu was foremost among them, taking immense pride in his reputation. Yet this proud Purple Mansion Realm Daoist Master had now been reduced to huddling within a wooden carving and suffering humiliation day after day.

This must be even more unbearable to him than death!

He sighed repeatedly and silently turned toward Sima Yuanli. Daoist Master Qinghu kept his eyes lowered and said nothing, focusing solely on drinking his tea.

Li Ximing was no longer the inexperienced Purple Mansion Realm cultivator he had once been, and he understood her meaning clearly. Tinglan's words might not truly have been intended for him... More likely, they were meant for Daoist Master Qinghu beside him, or rather, for the Song court far to the south...

The Supreme Yang Dao lineage has fallen into utter ruin, and the Great Xiukui Temple is barely clinging to existence. Even Daoist Master Lingu, whom they nurtured, now serves the Song court. Purple Smoke Gate and Tinglan are willing to emerge and lay down their lives for Song. All they ask is that the Song Emperor spare the Great Xiukui Temple... and cease pressuring Houfu...

By emphasizing Houfu's injuries, Tinglan was also emphasizing his 'uselessness.' Li Ximing understood her meaning, so how could Sima Yuanli fail to do the same?

Some affection for his former fellow disciples still remained in his heart, and he could not bear to see them suffer. Gritting his teeth inwardly, Sima Yuanli thought, What can I possibly do? Do they not understand... This is merely a matter of a great figure's passing whim. She gives me far too much credit, as though I possessed such freedom and influence!

The atmosphere in the great hall immediately grew stifling. A slightly concerned expression appeared on Li Ximing's face as he asked, "Are your injuries still serious? Let me examine them..."

Her injuries had severely hindered her cultivation over the years, and her complexion remained poor, so Tinglan did not refuse his kindness. Only after Li Ximing formed his divine ability and placed his fingers upon her wrist did she murmur, "[Radiance Under Heaven]... You have already mastered it."

Li Ximing did not answer. He lowered his eyes slightly and said thoughtfully, "I have never encountered the punishment of Clearcliff Majestic Earth before. You must have already neutralized it with medicine, but it damaged the foundation of your divine ability... That will require restoration."

He considered the matter and said, "When we destroyed Changxiao Gate, I obtained a portion of [Three-Branched Qiuxin Leaf]. Combining it with some Purple Essence would be the most suitable treatment for your injuries. Allow me some time to adjust the medicinal composition..."

Sima Yuanli watched from the side and said somewhat feebly, "There is naturally no need to doubt Zhaojing's skill in refining pills... My post lies to the east, so I will not disturb you any longer..."

He bade farewell to the two of them and left the hall. The woman watched his departing figure with a faint smile, then turned toward Li Ximing and shook her head. "Sima Yuanli has a soft and yielding temperament. My words alone made him so uncomfortable that he could hardly compose himself.

“Had Yuanxiu been here, he would certainly have remained perfectly at ease, drinking tea and conversing with a smile. The difference in their temperaments could not be clearer. [Orthodox Wood] is a Dao lineage as unyielding and proud as metal. How is he supposed to master the nature of Orthodox Wood?"

It was only at this moment that the woman recovered a hint of her former bearing. Li Ximing shook his head with a smile and replied, "It is not a matter of mastering it or not... As I see it, people often possess the desire to seek Gold without having the destiny for it. If he truly had an unyielding and proud temperament, would his present circumstances be any better for him?"

Tinglan nodded and let out a long sigh. A teasing glint entered her eyes as she looked him over. "I have only just returned from New Rain Scattered Reefs. To think Kuangyu has already become so close to you. She said she came looking for you twice but failed to find you both times... Had she known you had emerged from seclusion, she most likely would have come with me."

Li Ximing smiled awkwardly. Tinglan's expression then turned solemn as she lowered her eyes and said, "Fellow Daoist Zhaojing, the great transformation of True Essence is now complete. All things of True Essence beneath heaven have flourished anew. The power of the [Boundless Water-Fire] in my hands has increased greatly, and several True Essence treasured lands within the blessed land have likewise undergone transformations. Even Purple Essence has begun to shine with renewed brilliance... As the two resonate with each other, Pure Essence has begun to flourish, and the spiritual aura has already stabilized..."

Li Ximing had only just emerged from seclusion; he had missed the years during which the spiritual aura underwent its transformation. Only now did he realize what had happened. He frowned slightly and calculated with his fingers, circulating his Fate Divine Ability before nodding.

"Indeed, True Essence flourishes, illuminated by purple light. The pursuit of Truth and immortality has caused the Twelve Essences to prosper, while Yin and Yang have also grown more balanced..."

Li Ximing had only just mastered his Fate Divine Ability, so calculating all this was no small feat. Tinglan nodded appreciatively and replied, "This is [Vast Expanse Suspended Void], which dispels demons, suppresses evil, and furthers the great undertaking of ascension to immortality. All of the Twelve Essences except Boundless Essence receive its benefit, but True Essence profits most of all!"

She paused briefly, then continued solemnly, "Pure Essence is elevated, benefiting comprehension of the Dao and cultivation. Spiritual orifices throughout the world will expand, while spirit items and spirit materials will proliferate. Most importantly, with Vast Expanse Suspended Void, Profound Foundation will shine with brilliance; grotto heavens and dharma realms will flourish; and all beneath heaven will construct immortal domains and open new grotto heavens!

"The Great Ning established a new system in those days, discarding the old name and calling it 'Pacification and Martial Glory.' The old name... was a secret passed down within our Supreme Yang Dao lineage. Across all of Jiangnan, only a handful of families likely know about it!"

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