Chapter 1795: Dealings (I)

Chi Buzi regarded him calmly.

Before coming, Chi Buzi had considered all manner of explanations. No matter what, however, this mountain was surely filled with the eyes and ears of great figures, so he could not reveal too much. Whatever he said, the moment he touched upon or exposed the plans of the lord behind the Li Family, he would undoubtedly invite death upon himself!

The fact that I do not remember what happened at the lake reveals two things.

This lord is most likely confined to the lake. The fall of the Origin Mansion must have forced him to make an enormous sacrifice, perhaps even leaving him unable to show himself openly. Otherwise, why go to such lengths? Furthermore, he does not wish to reveal his connection to me. However, another path exists. Perhaps this lord's concession was deliberate, and intended to secure even greater benefits through me.

Since a cultivator of the Origin Mansion stood behind the foxes, what other purpose could there be for using him? It was to restore Mansion Water to its rightful position!

The position of Mansion Water was anything but ordinary. It was especially significant in the eyes of a cultivator like Chi Buzi, whose Dao conduct was profound and whose lineage stretched back into antiquity. The saying that Mansion Water had lost its vastness... was no empty claim!

A tremendous upheaval occurred in ancient times. Dongfang Riju, the leader of the Hornless Dragon descendants, secretly lent his aid to the master of the [Pit Water] Orthodox Position. Together, they killed the Profound Turtle and appropriated the Vastness of [Mansion Water].

The master of [Pit Water] seized that vastness, only to perish after failing to break through to the Dao Embryo Realm. That vastness has remained sealed within the Fruition Position of [Pit Water] ever since, unable to emerge.

The result of [Orthodox Position Seizing the Abyss] made the Orthodox Position of [Pit Water] extraordinarily difficult to attain. The later inheritors of [Mansion Water] could not attain the Surplus Position, and instead mostly attained Intercalary Position, serving beneath the Three Yin. Its Dao lineage has followed a winding path and changed hands many times, but it is no dead end. I will surely be able to attain it!

Thus, the purpose behind the foxes placing him ostensibly in the hands of the dragons became clear.

Judging by what Dingjiao meant, this Lord Xuan'an most likely no longer wishes to remain the guardian of the Origin Mansion, and has resolved to seek his own salvation. That is why he placed a piece upon me, in the hopes of cultivating a friendly True Monarch. Yet although Mansion Water has now lost its vastness and is no longer what it once was, there are still countless people in the world who do not wish to see the remnants of the Origin Mansion rise again... He must have concealed this scheme beneath the dragons' plan to eradicate the Pristine Water Feathered Serpent. That is why he made these arrangements!

Having understood this, Chi Buzi was left with only two crucial objectives.

First, for the sake of my life, I must publicly associate myself with the dragons.

Given the current situation, there was no telling who might seek to obstruct or harm him before he attained the Dao. Only Du Qing and the dragons had a vested interest in keeping him alive. Since that lord had placed leverage over him in the dragons' hands, he was clearly directing Chi Buzi to join them. This would both serve as his protection and provide cover for that lord. After all, Du Qing's authority extended only across the mainland. To operate in the outer-sea, Chi Buzi would still have to rely on the dragons!

Whom Li Zhouwei sided with did not matter in the slightest. What mattered was using those words to cloak Chi Buzi in the dragons' protection!

Only then comes my second objective, demonstrating my loyalty to that lord.

Chi Buzi had to make his allegiance perfectly clear before he had any hope of obtaining that most important thing:

A method of attaining the Golden Core Realm! He wanted a Mansion Water method of attaining the Golden Core Realm on the level of the Origin Mansion!

Yet completely declaring his loyalty here would both ruin Xuan'an's plans and cost Chi Buzi his life. He would never underestimate the judgment of such great figures. In truth, all he needed to convey to Xuan'an was that he had already established ties with the dragons. Even one additional word... would risk exposing Xuan'an's plans!

It was this combination of considerations that had prompted Chi Buzi to express the dragons' stance!

As for bringing up Li Jiangqun, that was meant to determine whether Li Ximing truly knew who stood behind him!

A lord?

Yet upon hearing this, Ximing understood everything clearly, and a name surfaced in his mind. Is it Lord Zhen'gao? Or... some other great figure?

Li Ximing had not forgotten where the command token for the [Upper Firmament Pavilion] in his possession had come from! It had been left behind by Li Jiangqun, and his family had even made use of the man's immortal merits... Yet what stood behind the Immortal Mirror was not a single exalted being or great figure, but the entirety of [Heaven Above]!

In terms of Dao conduct, lineage, and even our true backing, one could hardly deny that my family inherited Li Jiangqun's mantle!

Chi Buzi had deliberately mentioned Li Jiangqun. It was difficult to believe that there had been no hidden implication!

Li Ximing fell silent for a moment, his brow lowering slightly as he replied, "The various Dragon Successions have reached out so many times, yet they still troubled you to come and deliver their decree once more, Daoist Master."

This response alone gave Chi Buzi a clearer understanding of the situation.

If Li Ximing is not putting on an act or deliberately trying to deceive me, then he has probably realized something. He is not entirely ignorant of who stands behind me, and may even be involved in the matter himself.

He lowered his gaze slightly and remarked casually, "There are differences even among the Dragon Successions."

Li Ximing watched him intently. Chi Buzi stepped forward and said softly, "I have served under the Dragon King for many years, avoiding calamity and fleeing danger, all for the slightest chance to attain the Dao. Yet I have not completely disregarded worldly affairs. Had the King of Wei not met the Dragon Son long ago, how could I possibly have sat by and done nothing all these years? How else could your esteemed clan have remained safe to this day?"

Li Ximing frowned and raised his head, secretly startled. A chance to attain the Dao... No wonder he joined the dragons!

Chi Buzi stared fixedly at him with narrowed eyes as Li Ximing sneered. "No wonder you dare not return to the mainland. I wonder how many people there could tolerate you, fellow Daoist!"

After probing him four times in quick succession, this single remark finally allowed Chi Buzi to discern the truth. His doubts cleared, and everything became clear.

Li Ximing may know a little, but he definitely knows nothing about the true crux of the matter. The real master of the Li Family, the one who truly serves under that lord, must be Li Zhouwei. This alchemist has only heard a few scraps!

There could be no other explanation. Li Ximing had almost certainly concluded that he intended to pursue Pristine Water! He also clearly knew nothing about the [Xinyou Pristine Marsh Seal]. Otherwise, why would he mention whether Chi Buzi dared return to the mainland?!

The dragons were at odds with Pristine Water, so it was perfectly reasonable for them to support him. Li Ximing's conclusion accorded entirely with common sense. What defied common sense was that Pristine Water likewise supported his pursuit of the Golden Core Realm!

In that case... If I wish to establish contact with that lord without placing myself in danger, Li Zhouwei is my only suitable target!

As his thoughts reached this point, he noticed that Fuxuan behind him wore an increasingly strained expression. He had opened his mouth several times and was now growing visibly agitated!

No matter. I have already uncovered a thing or two! Since speaking with him further will serve no purpose... Continuing this conversation would only invite needless suspicion.

The two of them were secretly probing each other, but poor Fuxuan was the one suffering for it!

These two... These two truly treat my Chunyi Dao Gate as though it were their own home!

These two knew that his Grand Daoist Master Yuanshang was on the verge of a breakthrough, and that numerous great figures would inevitably be watching from the great void and the Outer Heavens. How could Fuxuan not know that himself?! Every sentence they exchanged left his heart pounding with fear and his head throbbing.

If I let you continue, are you going to drag Pristine Water and the Dragon Monarch into this as well?! How many great figures are watching this tiny patch of land right now? If a Heavenly Glow descends upon my mountain, how is my master supposed to attempt his breakthrough?!

His expression grew strained. He glared viciously at Chi Buzi and was just about to speak when a man in white hurried up the mountain. The newcomer, none other than Daoist Master Chehong, wore a robe patterned with waves and crescent moons.

He saluted the two of them and said, "Fellow Daoist Zhaojing... The Grand Daoist Master requests your presence!"