The Mirror Legacy - Chapter 1480: Unified-Stored Interlocking Seal (I)

Chapter 1480: Unified-Stored Interlocking Seal (I)

Li Ximing was overjoyed upon hearing this. A sense of quiet relief rose within him, though he merely nodded with a restrained smile on his face and sighed inwardly, It truly is a strand of Radiant Fire. It could not be more convenient.

Although he possessed the Yang Nourishing Technique, which allowed most spiritual flames to be converted into one another, he had only used it a few times during the Foundation Establishment Realm to transform his family’s [Long Marching Fire Essence]. The cost had been immense, and it had pained him greatly at the time…

Now that he had reached the Purple Mansion Realm, the cost of conversion would surely be astronomical. If Purple Mansion Realm spirit materials were also required to assist the process, it would become even more troublesome, making it far from ideal.

Moreover, the number of spiritual flames in the world was limited. Using the Yang Nourishing Technique too often would inevitably attract unwanted attention. Now that Huoyang cultivated Radiant Fire and had produced a strand of it, this was truly a double stroke of good fortune!

For a moment, he stared intently at the [Red Pheasant Surging Radiant Flame], unable to look away. Treasures like spiritual flames were desired by all. The human and the demonic creature beside him also turned their gazes toward it, their expressions tinged with envy.

The pill had yet to be refined, so this strand of Radiant Fire should have been kept by Fuxun. However, due to Liu Changdie’s presence, Fuxun did not step forward to take it at once. Instead, he hesitated where he stood, making no move. It was clear he was showing respect and intended to hand the spiritual flame over directly.

Huoyang glanced at the two beside her, then held the [Red Pheasant Surging Radiant Flame] in her hand as she began to explain in a steady voice, “The [Red Pheasant Surging Radiant Flame] is not known for its raw power among Radiant Fires. It cannot compare to top-tier Radiant Fires like [Folding-Burn Radiant Fire] or [Heavenly Apricot Radiance Rain]. However, it still surpasses flames such as [Harmonic Disruption Radiant Flame] and [Fierce Proclamation Karmic Fire]. In terms of pure power, it can be considered mid-tier.

“But its true marvel lies in its ability to break through baleful and evil forces, disrupt balanced spiritual energy, and accept anything that comes its way. It can merge and refine all kinds of chaotic Radiant Fire baleful qi and earth fiend qi, burning them completely to nothing. Yet, what [Red Pheasant Surging Radiant Flame] is most renowned for is its spirituality.”

When it came to understanding True Fire and Radiant Fire, none of the three present could compare to Huoyang. They all listened closely as she said, “Among all Radiant Fires, the red pheasant is the most spiritual. This refers to the [Red Pheasant Surging Radiant Flame]. It can be commanded, used to probe the heart, and sent to carry out tasks or slay enemies. This spirituality is innate. It neither increases nor decreases, making it extremely formidable…

“No matter how powerful an art is, even if its spirituality is extinguished, it will gradually recover. But everything has its pros and cons. ‘Neither increasing nor decreasing’ is no empty phrase. Its spirituality cannot grow any further. Even if it gains some fortuitous opportunity and increases, it will slowly weaken again. Many spiritual cultivators have been formed from spiritual flames throughout history, yet never from the red pheasant. This is precisely why.”

Li Ximing pondered this quietly and nodded in interest. Liu Changdie, standing nearby, seemed to have gained some insight. After listing its advantages, Huoyang showed a trace of embarrassment and continued, “The [Red Pheasant Surging Radiant Flame] is a strand of Radiant Fire and shares the typical nature of such flames. It is suited for neither alchemy nor artifact forging. Although you have already cultivated a Purple Mansion Realm divine ability and possess remarkable alchemy skills, it is not impossible to refine pills with it… but there is no real advantage in doing so…”

This was precisely why she seemed somewhat embarrassed. After all, in everyone’s eyes, when an alchemist sought a flame, it should ideally aid in alchemy. Producing a strand of such a pure Radiant Fire, yet one not suited for pill refinement, inevitably made it feel somewhat useless.

However, Li Ximing needed Radiant Fire regardless. He simply listened carefully as Huoyang went on. “As for its application in techniques… aside from Sheji[1], it fears no earth. Pit and Radiant oppose each other, and it can burn and refine metal and stone. These are matters of Dao lineage and need not be discussed in detail.”

The apricot bird perched on Huoyang’s fingertip, its gaze sweeping around before quickly locking onto Li Ximing, refusing to look away. Li Ximing suspected that [Valley Wind Leading Fire] was subtly taking effect, but he did not wish to reveal anything unusual, so he simply said with delight, “Many thanks for your generosity, fellow Daoist!”

As soon as he finished speaking, the little bird fluttered lightly into the air and landed in his palm. It felt only faintly warm to the touch, and he could even feel the softness of its feathers as it gently trembled.

Finally in my hands. [Great Li White Radiance] has gathered dust for so many years. At last, it can be cultivated.

Without a second thought, Li Ximing stirred his mind.

[Valley Wind Leading Fire]!

Huoyang had already erased the imprint on the [Red Pheasant Surging Radiant Flame], and it offered no real resistance. In an instant, Li Ximing refined it, and it truly became his spiritual flame!

With a flip of his hand, the [Red Pheasant Surging Radiant Flame] vanished and reappeared within his dharma body. It broke through the blazing purple flames and settled into the Juque acupoint.

The Juque Court[2] was originally the domain of the [Profound Fire of the Three Phases’ Guard]. There should have been some tension as two Purple Mansion Realm spiritual flames met, yet not a single spark arose as the wondrous power of talisman qi immediately activated. In an instant, the [Profound Fire of the Three Phases’ Guard] obediently ceded half its territory to the [Red Pheasant Surging Radiant Flame].

Thus, one half of the Juque Court turned apricot red, while the other remained a true red tinged with gold, clearly divided as each held its own domain. The other three Purple Mansion Realm cultivators did not sense any of these fluctuations. They did not even think he had refined it, assuming instead that he had stored it away by some peculiar method. Huoyang smiled, striking while the iron was hot, and turned to Fuxun at once.

“I will entrust the future matters of Zhuluo to you, senior.”

With Li Ximing now having obtained the spiritual flame, if not for Liu Changdie serving as reassurance, Fuxun might have feared he would turn and leave at once. At this moment, he had no mind to say much. He simply nodded silently to indicate his agreement and said nothing more.

Seeing that he was distracted, Huoyang did not linger. She escorted them out of the formation, and before they departed, she looked at Li Ximing with some anticipation. “I heard that you have an envoy coming to Poluoduo. If there is a chance, you may leave word in my Zhuluo Kingdom. If I obtain suitable spirit materials in the future, I hope you will grant me the honor of refining some pills for me.”

“Certainly… certainly…” replied Li Ximing.

Other types of pills might be uncertain, but when it came to Radiant Fire pills, Li Ximing had more than enough skill. Since it was also beneficial to him, he naturally would not refuse. He thumped his chest in agreement, and only then did the group set off for the Xipo Kingdom.

“Congratulations, Ximing!”

Once they entered the great void, Liu Changdie immediately congratulated him. With the spiritual flame now in hand, Li Ximing was filled with joy and somewhat distracted. He wanted to test the power and wonders of the Radiant Fire, and he also wished to begin cultivating [Great Li White Radiance].

However, he still remembered Fuxun’s matter and did not let himself become overly pleased. Shaking his head, he said in a steady voice, “There is no rush. Once Fellow Daoist Fuxun’s pills are finished refining, then it will truly be worth celebrating!”

Fuxun’s smile grew noticeably more genuine. As he led them onward, Li Ximing said, “I still need to borrow a Purple Mansion Realm spirit furnace. It seems I must make a trip back to Jiangnan… Senior Changdie…”

“Just call me fellow Daoist.”

At the mention of returning to Jiangnan, Liu Changdie’s expression clearly changed. He fell silent, and only after several breaths did he reply, “I do not mind you knowing, Ximing. I am but a rogue cultivator. To reach the Purple Mansion Realm, I naturally had my share of opportunities. In my youth, I was reckless and ignorant of danger. I stumbled my way out from Jiangnan, thinking everything went smoothly, yet in truth, dangers lay everywhere. I was walking beside a hellfire pool, and pitifully, in my ignorance, I feared nothing and noticed nothing at all.”

Both the human and the demonic creature fell silent. The matter of opportunity needed no explanation. No rogue cultivator could reach the Purple Mansion Realm without it. Figures like Yehui and Changxiao had only achieved the Purple Mansion Realm through opportunities found within grotto heavens.

Liu Changdie clasped his hands behind his back and said quietly, “Later, I witnessed certain things. I left Jiangnan and made my way to the Southern Sea, where I finally achieved divine ability. Only when I looked back did I realize how perilous that path had been… I thought I had done everything perfectly, but which of those lofty divine ability cultivators would fail to notice something unusual? Along the way, whether it was the Purple Mansion Realm cultivators of various families watching in silence, the Supreme Yang Dao lineage, or even a few seniors upon the lake… all of them had noticed!

“They left me alone all this time… simply because the karmic burden I carry is too great. They did not dare to act…” His expression dimmed as he said softly, “Now that I know the truth, I dare even less to return. What kind of place is the mainland? Divine ability cultivators walk everywhere, True Monarchs manifest openly, and the spiritual aura shifts every hundred years. North and south are like pieces upon a board… the very center of the world’s upheaval. The more unusual it is, the less I dare step into it!”

His words were not without reason, and they left Li Ximing suddenly silent, thinking, Is that not the case for every family? If my family did not possess the Bright Yang bloodline, how could we have risen so quickly upon the lake? We would have long since been overturned by the divine ability cultivators of the north and south. Yet it is precisely that Bright Yang lineage that dispels their suspicion… while also binding my family to a single square on this board, unable to move.

He suddenly thought of Yehui. After a brief moment, he asked, “Though the north and south are the center of the world’s storms, they are also where opportunities lie. You have already achieved divine ability and possess a five-hundred-year lifespan. With such opportunity and at such a young age, do you not harbor ambitions to ascend?”

Liu Changdie fell silent for a long while before saying with a sigh, “Ximing, you see the divine abilities I possess. Can you discern my Dao lineage?”

This had long been Li Ximing’s doubt. Any known Dao lineage was difficult to conceal. Even the slightest action was enough for others to usually discern the lineage. Yet from beginning to end, Liu Changdie had not leaked a trace of aura or revealed any divine ability. It was impossible to discern what lineage he followed!

Seeing him shake his head, Liu Changdie raised his hand and revealed his palm. A small orb of silver light flickered within it, shifting between roundness and angularity, leaping back and forth while emitting a profound aura.

Li Ximing examined it closely and said with uncertainty, “I have never heard of it, nor seen it… It seems to be of Metal Virtue…”

1. 社 (Shè) is the Earth God, representing the land, soil, and territory of a country. 稷 (Jì) is the Grain God, representing agriculture, harvests, and the livelihood of the people ☜

2. Same thing as Juque Acupoint. ☜