Chapter 216: Yang Qingxi Is Dead
Jar Master said: “Listen to your Jar Master; he has more authority on the Martial Way. Your first three seas were already cultivated too hastily; you can’t ruin your foundation again.”
“With your cultivation at the completion of the Fourth Sea, your combat power is enough to match Yang Qingxi and Chen Wenwu, those Seventh Sea Pure Immortal Bodies. If you add the seven Phoenix Wing Moth Emperors, you can even contend with slightly weaker successors.”
“With such combat power and cultivation speed, as long as the people of Du’e Temple aren’t blind, they all know you’re the most terrifying hidden dragon.”
“During the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival, if you’re truly strong enough to reach the level of Long Dian and Lu Cangsheng, it would instead be extremely dangerous. Right now on Taoli Mountain, who knows how many eyes are watching; didn’t Jiang Ning say that even Xian Min from Lingxiao Palace has come!”
“As for the Longevity Pill, with Cang Li and Yin Nine’s strength, obtaining one shouldn’t be difficult. Don’t shoulder all the responsibility yourself; think clearly—participating in the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival is to hone yourself, not to fight desperately.”
Li Weiyi, with his youthful temperament, naturally felt unwilling and suddenly thought of something: “Since so many old guys have come, will the Phoenix Wing Moth Emperors be recognized? Their displayed strength is too extraordinary; I’m afraid many people won’t believe they’re just Commander Level Strange Insects.”
Before, he had claimed to the outside that these were Commander Level Strange Insects, Five-Colored Spirit Moths.
Commander Level Strange Insects reach Dao Seed Realm strength upon maturity. Though rare, they wouldn’t attract the attention of Longevity Realm Giants.
Spirit Tablet Master’s voice rang out: “Don’t worry, I have arrangements. During these few days you’ve been cultivating, I’ve had them devouring Immortal Soil. With the aura influence of Immortal Soil and Xihe Flowers, as long as no one personally inspects them hands-on, no one can identify them as Phoenix Wing Moth Emperors in a short time.”
“If they truly can’t be concealed, just say to the outside that these are Marquis-level Strange Insects, Xihe Butterflies.”
Li Weiyi then noticed that his Immortal Soil medicine field had been ravaged messily by the Seven Little Ones.
Of the plants in the medicine field, only the remaining two thousand-year elixirs had naturally been eaten clean by them.
If he put them in the medicine garden of some ten million gateway, Li Weiyi seriously suspected they could stuff themselves to death.
The bodies of the seven Phoenix Wing Moth Emperors had already grown to six and a half inches, clearly with another advancement in strength. At this growth speed, it was entirely possible for them to reach seven inches before the Lantern Festival, attaining the realm of the sixth sea of martial cultivators.
With the combat power of Emperor-level Strange Insect younglings…
Li Weiyi rubbed his chin, pinning the hopes of this Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival on the Seven Little Ones. Because, as their realms grew, the Seven Little Ones’ special powers successively appeared, their attack methods no longer singular, and their combat power had grown again.
Thinking of this, Li Weiyi felt greatly pleased and immediately picked another Xihe Flower to prepare for them.
“They grew from five inches to six inches by eating two thousand-year elixirs and three Xihe Flowers.”
“Now, eating two thousand-year elixirs, they’ve only grown half an inch. To raise them to seven inches, I’m afraid we’ll need to prepare two more thousand-year elixirs.”
With this thought, Li Weiyi felt a pang in his heart, thinking of the five boxes of Spring Coins robbed by Yang Qingxi.
One must know, that wasn’t just five boxes of Spring Coins, but also various bet treasures from the last day.
Among them was the sixteen-hundred-year Black Dragon Grass provided by Lu Wensheng.
Just this one stalk had medicinal power comparable to two ordinary thousand-year elixirs.
If those five boxes were still there, why worry about thousand-year elixirs?
“Must get them back! Insect raising is a money-burning affair, and my Five Seas Realm cultivation also needs plenty of Dao Lotuses and Dao Fruits.”
Li Weiyi prepared to leave the Blood Mud Space to handle the matter of thousand-year elixirs.
Of course, he couldn’t pin all hopes on the seven Phoenix Wing Moth Emperors; his own strength still had room for improvement.
These seven days, in quenching qi, and also internally consuming Immortal Soil. Once muscles and organs were fully shaped, combat power could rise another step.
As for completing tendons and skin cultivation within seven or eight days, that was wishful thinking.
No matter how difficult, fighting spirit must not be extinguished.
“Your current state, once you clash with someone, especially a master at the same level, the Fourth Sea magic energy is very likely to go out of control. Be extremely careful of this!”
Before leaving, Jar Master cautioned thus.
“Squeak!”
On the seventh day of the first lunar month, Li Weiyi finally stepped out of the room.
The sky was overcast and foul, snow raging down, eyes full of snowflakes that could affect vision, devoid of any beauty.
This was the heaviest snow Li Weiyi had seen since birth; clearly afternoon, yet with a dimness like dusk.
Heading to Yin Nine’s residence, he found it empty.
Cang Li’s residence was adjacent to Yin Nine’s.
Li Weiyi had just stepped through the door.
Cang Li’s voice came from inside: “He left this morning, ordered three coffins, and first transported the corpses of Hidden Sect’s three great masters to Southern City. After the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival ends, he wants to personally send Qin Li and the others back to Li Zhou, leaves returning to roots. I’ll do my utmost to strive, burying them in the Ancestral Realm, giving them the highest honors.”
Outwardly, Cang Li’s injuries had healed, only their complexion still somewhat sickly, no longer the horrific state from seven days ago.
They stopped meditating, went to the table, poured a cup of clear tea and drank: “Shall we chat?”
Li Weiyi walked to the window side, propped open the wooden window, letting the cold wind vent upon his body: “How’s the injury recovery?”
“Healed yesterday; this appearance is put on for Tang Wan Qiu to see.” After sitting on the chair, Cang Li added: “You know why Du’e Temple chose Zuo Qiu Gatehouse instead of the more grandiose Snow Sword Tang Court?”
“Why?”
In this aspect, Li Weiyi naturally couldn’t match Cang Li, who was born and raised in this world.
Cang Li said: “Though Snow Sword Tang Court took the Northern Territory’s five prefectures, internally the factions are miscellaneous with countless hilltops; Yin Mountain, Yue Clan, Wanyan Clan, Tuoba Clan, each with strong strength, forcibly integrated in a decade.”
“Ten years of warfare, with no small grudges accumulated mutually. Currently Snow Sword Tang Court is the largest hilltop, binding everyone to their war chariot via marriage alliances. As long as they keep winning, sweeping under heaven, there naturally won’t be problems, as all have benefits.”
“But once they suffer defeat, or Snow Sword Tang Court undergoes major upheaval, they’ll likely disintegrate internally in an instant, becoming scattered sands.”
“In comparison, though Zuo Qiu Gatehouse has only two and a half prefectures, it’s been managed for thousands of years, already deeply rooted. Plus, with the full support of Jiu Li Clan, they actually control half of the Southern Territory.”
“If not for the Far West Ash Region’s intervention, during the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival, they could have made Tian Ya Ridge, Coffin Mountain, Night City and others submit without bloodshed, thereby wielding five prefectures. With Jiu Li Clan stabilizing their rear, they could walk even steadier than Snow Sword Tang Court.”
Li Weiyi said: “We’re just insignificant juniors; is it necessary to consider so much?”
“Do you really think the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival has no significant influence on the world situation?”
Cang Li transmitted with magic energy, whispering: “If Du’e Temple deems Zuo Qiu Gatehouse’s next generation truly possesses Son of Heaven qualities, the next Zen Sea Observing Mist. Then after the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival, the higher-ups of Coffin Mountain, Tian Ya Ridge, Night City won’t be able to leave Qiu Zhou Prefectural City.”
“This may well be drawing snakes from their holes, a killing trap targeted at Southern Territory’s disloyal elements.”
“Even the reason to kill them is ready: colluding with Far West Ash Region; powerhouses of other forces like Lingxiao Life Realm can’t find fault, won’t incite public anger.”
Li Weiyi was shocked, not expecting Cang Li to have such unique insights into the world situation and Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival.
Cang Li said: “These seven days, much has happened in the city; all the top major forces are expanding territory, collecting Dragon Seed Vouchers and Dragon Bone Tickets. Small forces and individual martial cultivators have no survival space, can only attach to great powers.”
“Seven days are up; I expect Tang Wan Qiu can’t wait any longer and will act in these two days. Don’t get involved; anyway, you didn’t promise him anything.”
Suddenly, Li Weiyi asked: “Can you get thousand-year elixirs? Ice attribute ones.”
“Feeding insects?” Cang Li said.
Li Weiyi was surprised: “How did you know?”
“The whole city is buzzing, saying you raised seven Marquis-level Strange Insects that, upon maturity, will be seven Longevity Realm Giants. Too many people want you dead; I’ve sent people to investigate the source of the news, results should come soon.” Cang Li said.
Li Weiyi inwardly rejoiced.
Those wanting him dead still lacked bold imagination.
Seeing Li Weiyi’s expression unchanged, Cang Li was moved and exclaimed: “It really is seven Marquis-level Strange Insects?”
“Sigh! Can’t hide from you… keep it confidential for me.” Li Weiyi said.
Cang Li nodded lightly: “For the thousand-year elixirs, I’ll think of a way; need some time.”
Outside the door, hurried footsteps sounded.
Li Ling returned, as if something major had happened, giving Li Weiyi a strangely odd look: “Yang Qingxi is dead!”
“Ah!”
Li Weiyi and Cang Li were both surprised.
“Killed by whom?” Cang Li asked.
Li Ling looked at Li Weiyi: “Him!”
“Don’t slander; I’ve been in secluded cultivation these seven days, never stepping out.” Li Weiyi said.
Li Ling said: “Yang Qingxi… more precisely, she was called Yang Qingchan, died on the evening seven days ago. The corpse fell into the river and washed up at Bing Zu Marsh this morning, where it was fished out. Yao Qian and Yang Qingxi personally went to examine the wounds, confirming it was undoubtedly killed by Li Weiyi. Yao Qian declared that after the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival, he will surely behead Li Weiyi before Yang Qingchan’s spirit tablet.”
Li Weiyi said: “I’m certain she didn’t die by my hand. I won’t admit to what I didn’t do.”
“Wait a moment.”
Cang Li said: “Can you first tell me, who is Yang Qingchan? Exactly who died?”
“Yang Qingchan is Yang Qingxi’s younger sister; the two look identical, indistinguishable; I only learned today. Sui Sect definitely hid considerable strength!” Li Ling said.
Cang Li looked deeply at Li Weiyi: “How Yang Qingchan died is no longer important! What’s important is, seven days ago your edge was too sharp, and someone is step by step pushing you to the forefront of the storm.”
Li Weiyi showed a contemplative look, suddenly sensing something and looking toward the door: “Tang Wan Qiu is here!”
