The Mirror Legacy - Chapter 1247: Within Mifan (II)
Chapter 1247: Within Mifan (II)
Back in the matter of the Profound Peak Gate, Changxi gifted Yuezhou Island to Jingyi Mountain, which should have made them allies under the Profound Peak Gate lineage. Yet not a single person from Jingyi Mountain had appeared from beginning to end, not even to send a portion of tribute. They had left the Kong Family struggling in Jiangnan, which had indirectly caused Li Ximing to be trapped without recourse. To put it bluntly, Sumian had at least spoken a few words, while Daoist Master Xuan Yi did not even open his mouth to whisper.
The direct descendants of the Profound Peak Gate bore deep resentment over this. Although Xuanmiao Temple suffered no real losses, Sumian likewise held great displeasure toward Xuan Yi. His own family had suffered greatly, and Jingyi Mountain was never spoken of kindly within their family.
Jingyi Mountain happened to have few connections in Jiangnan. They had coincidentally met Wang Quwan, and now had found their way to the Li Family. Only someone as calculating as Li Jiangqian could receive them with a smiling, polite demeanor as he said, “So you are a guest from the Jingyi Immortal Mountain. It is only right that you be treated with courtesy. Please, cultivate within our cave dwelling. Should you need any supplies, simply ask.”
Daoist Shouding’s face had turned purple, his lips trembling. He forced out a faint reply before coughing blood; he could not even utter formal words. Li Jiangqian had Wang Quwan remain seated in the hall and sent Miaoshui to escort the others away.
Only then did he return to his seat, already forming a plan in his mind, I wonder whether this man can keep his mouth shut. Since he’s from Jingyi Mountain, it would be best to probe him subtly to find out just what kind of relationship Changxi and Xuan Yi really have.
He smiled and said, “Congratulations… how was it inside the underground palace?”
As he spoke, his gaze lingered on Wang Quwan with quiet intent. From Wang Quwan’s earlier words and bearing, he must have exchanged much with Daoist Shouding in the underground palace. As a disciple of Jingyi Mountain, Daoist Shouding likely understood the secrets of the Mifan Dao lineage.
That raised the question, had Wang Quwan already learned anything?
When he asked, Wang Quwan quickly bowed, drew a large box from his sleeve, and opened it before him. Inside lay a red bead chain and an earthen-yellow long shield, the very same Muddy Red Jade Treasure and Hundred-Stone Spirit Shield that had been lent out.
He started, “Family head, there were further mysteries in that underground palace. When we reached its deepest point, we entered an earth vein, then another within it. There, we saw a pool of Converging Water, within which lay hidden worlds…
“Upon entering that pool, we found a palace with the inscription Great Miduofan. The long plaques on both sides had been stolen. Once we crossed that palace, torrents of water, fire, and thunder descended upon us. We flew and evaded them for what felt like a year.
“At first, the water, fire, and thunder were not too strong. But the water was Converging Water, and the fire was Merging Fire; the longer it burned, the fiercer it grew. Thunder frequently struck us, shattering our spell arts. Fortunately, with the two dharma artifacts bestowed by our family, especially the Muddy Red Jade Treasure for protection, and my Floating Cloud Body technique to strengthen myself, I managed to cross.”
Li Jiangqian immediately felt something was wrong, Could that have been a grotto heaven? But how could a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator fly for over a year and still remain trapped in the same place? What sense would that make?
But Wang Quwan continued, “It was only after crossing the water, fire, and thunder that we saw a stone bridge. According to Daoist Shouding, that bridge was forged from a Majestic Earth spirit item, with a grand formation laid upon it that suppressed our spiritual sense. I groped my way halfway across and saw a stone stele inscribed with the words Metal Derivation Division. Then, a box of water descended from the heavens, which I received. But after that, the path ahead vanished, and I was forced to turn back.
“When I returned, Daoist Shouding told me that the Metal Derivation Division required a Metal Virtue art to undo. I had not learned it, so I turned back, only to find the exit changed. Inside, the others seemed to be fighting over something. I hid myself, and after about a year, when a group of them moved aside, I secretly escaped.
“But as soon as we emerged from that Converging Water pool, a band of devil cultivators ambushed us. Thankfully, our dharma artifacts held strong… though poor Daoist Shouding suffered terribly. Seeing his cultivation was the highest, they assumed all treasures were on him and attacked relentlessly until he had exhausted every talisman his master had given him.”
Li Jiangqian listened in silence before asking, “Daoist Shouding from Jingyi Mountain, how did he come to be there?”
Wang Quwan answered briefly and clearly, “He was gravely injured, but he knew the way out. Daoist Shouding led me from the palace, and I protected him along the way.”
A trace of curiosity flickered in Li Jiangqian’s heart, Xuan Yi knows this much about the Mifan? It seems that Jingyi Mountain may indeed be a force to rely upon if I wish to obtain that treasure sword…
Having said this, Wang Quwan bowed slightly, then drew out a box from his storage pouch. Opening it before Li Jiangqian, he revealed a pool of translucent, glimmering spirit water and said respectfully, “This subordinate does not recognize this spirit item, but fortunately, I brought it back for the family.”
Li Jiangqian immediately frowned and replied, “What are you saying? That opportunity was yours to begin with.”
He glanced at it, recognized it at once, and said, “This is Pure Origin Spirit Water. It can be used to cultivate perception technique arts, keep it well. It’s precisely one portion, and it will be of great benefit to you.”
Before Wang Quwan could respond, Li Jiangqian waved his hand and said, “Anything you obtained within the Dao Collection counts entirely as your own.”
Wang Quwan hesitated for a moment, then put it away and bowed lightly, saying solemnly, “Family head… I did discover one thing. I fought many cultivators within the underground palace. The deeper we went into the earth veins, the stronger the cultivators became, yet their Immortal Foundations grew increasingly uniform with just a few kinds repeated. In private, Daoist Shouding told me that those who entered the underground palace were grouped according to similar Dao lineages.”
Li Jiangqian did not comment, unsure whether it was truth or falsehood. He rubbed the jade cup in his hand thoughtfully, as though having reached a decision, and finally spoke, “So it is as I thought…”
Wang Quwan showed a doubtful expression, but Li Jiangqian shook his head and said, “This matter concerns the Purple Mansion Realm. I have a few speculations, listen well.”
Wang Quwan bowed immediately, clearly harboring long-held doubts. Li Jiangqian’s tone grew serious as he said, “If my guess is correct, that underground palace was built by Chengyun Gate. The devil cultivators outside the pool were also theirs. They discovered a certain Dao lineage beneath the ground that can only be accessed through cultivators possessing the corresponding Immortal Foundation. So they distributed command tokens to such cultivators, sent them into the palace, and then killed them off when their purpose was served.”
His expression darkened as he continued, “When Floating Cloud Cave was destroyed back then, its cultivation methods and resources were distributed by the other two caves. The technique you cultivate comes from Brahma Cloud Cave, which was backed by Chengyun Gate. It seems their original intent was to lure one of our family’s disciples to the Converging Water Pool and kill them there. That place likely didn’t even count as a true divine ability ground. Fortunately, you were cautious, refrained from competing for treasures, broke through Foundation Establishment Realm with the Daoist Master’s bestowed pill, and escaped unharmed.”
Wang Quwan froze slightly, but Li Jiangqian smiled and shook his head as he said, “Still, the Daoist Master’s foresight is beyond you or me. Perhaps he had long seen through Chengyun Gate’s schemes, and valued you greatly, so he specially granted you the pill to achieve your breakthrough mid-battle. In the end, their trick became your opportunity.”
Li Jiangqian subtly rearranged his account, casually mentioning Li Ximing to shift the focus of the tale. With his open and measured tone, he neatly covered the fact that he had not warned them earlier. Wang Quwan’s face gradually showed astonishment as he pieced it all together, then exhaled deeply.
Li Xuanxuan’s gift of dharma artifacts had been sincere, and truly meant to preserve his life. Neither Li Jiangqian nor Li Zhouluo had claimed any share of his spoils, making their stance clear. Wang Quwan bowed and said softly, “I only regret that my cultivation was too shallow to fight with full strength, wasting the opportunity granted by the Daoist Master’s favor.”
“That’s of no consequence.” Li Jiangqian smiled faintly. “From what you’ve said, that place is far beyond what a few Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators can fully explore in one attempt. Go and find Sun Bai for treatment first. I’ll write a letter to the master of Jiutian Pavilion; we’ll surely gain something from it.”
