Chapter 1635: Yuanbai (I)

Heaven and earth lay shrouded in a dim, ashen gloom.

Layer upon layer, sheet upon sheet of Merging Fire rained from the heavens, setting the air ablaze with surging brilliance. A man stood suspended in the sky, clad in white-golden armor with a snow-white feathered robe draped over his shoulders. True Essence circled around him as he gripped a gleaming golden trident. Lightning intertwined with water and fire along its shaft, crackling with a constant chorus of sharp pops.

His eyes were narrow, with his pupils as black as ink set upon strikingly handsome features. Standing upright in the sky, he seemed like the only brilliance in the endless darkness.

Beneath his feet, a massive dark ink-colored cauldron rested upon the ground, steadily forcing the surging Karmic Fire downward. Even though hundreds upon thousands of venomous serpent-like flames writhed upward along its edges, trying to overturn it, they remained firmly suppressed, unable to move an inch.

Beneath the cauldron, Que Liyu had already transformed into a gout of Karmic Fire. Even as he continued to struggle, sending wave after wave of ripples through the surroundings, he could not budge the cauldron in the slightest.

Que Liyu... A six-reincarnation Maha...

The great void churned and overturned without a single inch of peace, yet amid the raging tides, one patch of green light remained perfectly still, silently watching.

It was none other than Si Yuanli. Si Yuanli had stood within the great void for a long time, silent as he watched the peacock descendant struggle beneath the cauldron. His heart remained unmoved, filled only with a calm, icy detachment.

The [Great Desire Dao] planted the [Great Benevolent Golden Lotus] outside the prefecture. They must have had some scheme in mind... Everyone in the world knows of it. The peacock dared to act so brazenly because he had something to rely on. But now that this treasure has appeared, what chance of survival could he possibly have left?

Naturally, Si Yuanli recognized the dark ink-colored cauldron. It was one of the founding ritual vessels of the Yue King, the spirit treasure [Guzhou Cauldron] of the [Banished Essence] Dao.

Precisely because it was connected to [Banished Essence], Si Yuanli feared that the people below would never be able to return north again!

The [Banished Essence] Dao had been severed for ages. Many Purple Mansion Realm cultivators went their entire lives without ever seeing so much as a [Banished Essence] spirit item, much less a spirit artifact or spirit treasure. A [Banished Essence] treasure like the [Guzhou Cauldron] had almost certainly come from the hands of the Underworld's judiciary, making it tangible proof of the connection between the Yue State and the Underworld's judiciary.

When the Yue King vanished, the [Guzhou Cauldron] had disappeared with him. Yet now it had reappeared before his very eyes. If Si Yuanli were not forced to live beneath another's overbearing tyranny, he would have laughed aloud.

Back then, they ignored everything. Now they're putting on such an awe-inspiring display. They're practically announcing that this is another attempt to interfere with Jiangnan. All that's missing is for Judge Yang himself to step out and offer a few words of guidance!

A hypocritical smile remained on his face, yet he dared not dwell on such thoughts for fear someone might perceive them. He watched as the gray fire was gradually subdued, while harsh roars echoed incessantly. The more violently the great void churned, the greater the envy that welled up in his heart.

The Water-Fire of True Essence truly is formidable... Back then, Tinglan made the assembled cultivators wary with just a portion of [Boundless Water-Fire], yet that was merely one of his Six Aspects. This Yang Zhuo was born with an innate Metallic Essence. He is truly the envy of all!

The True Essence Dao emphasized upholding martial virtue and preserving the true self in cultivation. Upon reaching its highest level, one would give birth to six kinds of Water-Fire. Yet Yang Zhuo before him was the reincarnation of a Metallic Essence. He did not need to perfect his divine ability to naturally summon all six forms of Water-Fire. Although their strength and manifestations were somewhat diminished, they were still astonishing enough to leave anyone dumbfounded.

He waited a while until the spirit treasure had fully settled upon the ground before stepping forward. Emerging amid the chaotic Water-Fire, he offered a slight bow and respectfully said, "I am Sima Yuanli of the Sima Family of the Yue State. On behalf of the Sima Family, I offer my congratulations, my lord. Congratulations on attaining your divine ability!"

Truth be told, Si Yuanli was certainly no match for the man before him, never mind his inferior status and standing. Though countless thoughts filled his mind, he was never someone too proud to bow his head. His expression was utterly deferential, his attitude so humble that no one would have believed he was a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator.

Water and Fire intertwined as the man in the sky glanced down at him. At last, that overwhelming majesty receded, and he casually said, "So it was Daoist Master Qinghu. You've gone to great trouble over this past year."

Si Yuanli protested, "I wouldn't dare... I wouldn't dare!"

The man in the sky was naturally referring to the period of his seclusion, when trouble had arisen on all fronts. Back then, Si Yuanli had taken the initiative to guard the outer-sea territories in his stead.

Overwhelmed by the acknowledgment, Si Yuanli bowed deeply and respectfully replied, "My family once served Great Ning as retainers of Tianwu, one of the immortal dynasty's great clans. To return to Tianwu's banner today leaves us overwhelmed with emotion..."

Those words clearly pleased the people observing from the great void. They also highlighted Si Yuanli's unique background, and the flattery was well delivered.

Even Yang Zhuo lowered his gaze slightly and praised him, "In years past, your forebears all assisted Tianwu. The karmic ties of those days must, in the end, return one by one. Together, we shall restore the glory and honors of the old dynasty."

Si Yuanli bowed deeply, elation surging through his heart. He knew the matter was all but settled. Stepping forward at once to escort Yang Zhuo back to the prefecture, he then heard the man say with a smile, "Daoist Master Si, have you ever considered accepting a royal title?"

Si Yuanli's heart trembled, As expected... He finally asked!

Ever since the Great Desire Dao moved south, Si Yuanli had been uneasy. After making inquiries through every channel available, he finally managed to contact Nine Mounds of the Peacock Sea by relying on connections left behind by his predecessors.

Yet after being questioned again and again, Nine Mounds finally lost patience and replied with only a single sentence, The Sima Family are subjects of Tianwu.

It was that single sentence that led him to identify himself as a member of the Sima Family before the Yang Family. Thus, when faced with Yang Zhuo's offer of kingship, he answered without the slightest hesitation, "The Sima Family are subjects of Tianwu, and subjects alone!"

Those words made even Yang Zhuo pause in his tracks. He gave Si Yuanli a look of newfound regard before smiling and walking onward. "You are not bad."

Si Yuanli lowered his head and nodded as he followed him into the prefecture. Thunderous cheers rolled in from every direction like crashing waves. Maintaining the faint smile on his face, the reincarnation of the Metallic Essence of True Essence casually remarked, "Daoist Master Chen is, after all, a senior. It seems I'll have to make another trip."

Si Yuanli was no fool. With Nine Mounds' advice in mind, coupled with everything he had since confirmed, the situation was perfectly clear to him, The upheaval in Simin just now drew no shortage of observers in the great void. Senior Chen Yin must have looked into it from there, only to quietly withdraw...

Yang Zhuo's divine ability had been concealed by the Banished Essence [Guzhou Cauldron], leaving ordinary observers unable to make out even his silhouette. Naturally, there had been no opportunity for anyone to offer congratulations. Only Si Yuanli, who had pledged his allegiance early, had been allowed to witness it from the sidelines. Chen Yin's inability to discern the situation before withdrawing was only natural. Although there had been no trace of reproach in Yang Zhuo's words, Si Yuanli nevertheless counted himself fortunate.

The Chen Family... Others may not know, but how would the Underworld's judiciary not? During the final years of the Ning State, the Chen Family's power reached the heavens. Even the so-called Chen Family of Daoist Master Yushui[1] descended from Ning State, merely branching off earlier and moving south long before the descendants of Chen Xuanli and his brothers. Chen Yin's wisest course... would have been to wait outside the prefecture for my lord.

That was what he thought, yet after reflecting on it, a lingering sense of fear quietly crept into his heart, Among the great clans of the Ning State back then, aside from the Li and Jiang Families, who governed their own territories and possessed backgrounds too exceptional to be easily controlled, every other major family either ruled a corner of Jiangnan, enjoyed widespread fame, or at the very least had already exposed their whereabouts and been brought into the fold long ago... They had been preparing for this all along.

A meter of ice is not formed from a single day's frost.

————

Zhijing Mountain.

The heavenly light blazed brilliantly as gardenia blossoms drifted through the air amid interwoven streams of multicolored radiance. Seated before a white jade table was a Daoist, calm and composed, holding a jade slip against the tabletop.

Opposite him sat an elderly man with an honest, unassuming appearance and a sword strapped across his back. He looked utterly ordinary. Were it not for the dazzling convergence of his divine abilities, he could easily have been mistaken for a mortal.

The two Purple Mansion Realm cultivators sat facing each other in silence. They had clearly been there for quite some time.

"Fellow Daoist Zhaojing..."

The swordsman was naturally Daoist Master Yushui, Chen Yin.

The Chen Family of Yuyang Prefecture and Moongaze had always maintained friendly relations, growing even closer through their shared Supreme Yang Dao lineage. During the turmoil at the Turbid Slaughter Mausoleum, Li Zhouwei had even come to Chen Yin's aid, adding yet another favor to their relationship and bringing the two sides closer still.

So when the Karmic Fire descended upon Simin and Water-Fire illuminated the heavens, Daoist Master Yushui had lost the support of the Supreme Yang. He came all the way to Zhijing Mountain, took a seat among the peaks, and sighed repeatedly, his unease plain to see.

Li Ximing remained silent for a moment before lowering his gaze and asking, "How is Simin?"

"It is shielded by [Banished Essence], so I couldn't see clearly. But... I'm afraid Que Liyu won't be able to run rampant any longer."

Chen Yin continued with a trace of melancholy. "The junior from my family has already sent word back. I imagine you've heard the news as well... The next step will most likely be the founding of a state. They may very well rebuild Great Yue."

Li Ximing sighed inwardly. Having finally found an opening, he adopted a serious expression and said, "Now that we've come this far, there are a few things I'd like to ask you, senior. I hope you'll enlighten me."

Chen Yin nodded, and Li Ximing frowned as he asked, "The Yue State... was the Yue State of the Underworld's judiciary. That was common knowledge back then. So how did it end up in its current state?"

This question had lingered in Li Ximing's heart for a long time. Yet for countless years, the three sects and seven gates had suppressed all information, burying those events beneath the weight of history until they became little more than a forbidden subject...

Li Ximing had never intended to delve into the matter, but now that the Yang Family had risen and was once again establishing a state, the history of the former Yue State had become especially significant.

Chen Yin showed no surprise at the question. He gave a slight nod and sighed. "Our Chen Family's records on this matter are rather limited. But when it comes to the history of Jiangnan, we must begin with Great Chu.

"In those days, Chu State was in turmoil. The imperial family turned their blades against one another, and at one point, five emperors rose and fell within the span of ten years. In the end, the powerful minister Xiao Ci usurped all of Jiangnan from Chu and established Great Wu. At that time, the Yang Family were nothing more than subjects of Great Wu."

His expression turned somewhat complicated as he continued, "I'm ashamed to admit it... Our Chen Family of Yuyang Prefecture also benefited from Great Wu. It was during that period that our family first rose to prominence and came to hold a prefecture in Jiangnan...

"But the affairs of the world are difficult to predict. Despite Xiao Ci's overwhelming authority and mastery of intrigue and strategy, he was ultimately only a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator. Though he seized the imperial throne by taking advantage of Chu's chaos, he had no greater power to rely upon. Before long, history repeated itself. The Wu State also collapsed; rebellions erupted throughout the land; and only then did the Yang Family step onto the stage.

"The forces of Xiao Wu withdrew into Wu State, while Yang Yue swiftly established his own kingdom. Its first capital was Guzhou, centered around what is now Jingchuan Prefecture under the Sword Gate. The [Guzhou Cauldron] became famous because of it."

After a moment's thought, he added, "I suspect... That treasure has already reappeared and is now in the lord's possession."

Li Ximing nodded as the elderly man continued, "Yang Yue and Xiao Wu exist in name only now. They played entirely different roles back then, yet they shared one thing in common. People spoke of the Emperor of Wei and the Emperor of Chu, but the rulers of Wu and Yue were merely kings!

"Xiao Ci usurped the throne and proclaimed himself emperor, but who among later generations ever acknowledged him? Never mind, the domineering Emperor of Wei, whether it was the Emperor of Liang or the Emperor of Chu, even Great Qi, which could only watch helplessly as the south broke away and the west rebelled, still had Shi Chang as a True Monarch. Xiao Ci was merely a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator. What right did he have to claim the title of emperor?"

Chen Yin paused to gather his thoughts before saying, "The Yue King's case was even more straightforward. When Yuezhou first rose in rebellion, it swept across more than half of Jiangnan. He was on the verge of advancing to True Monarch when he vanished overnight.

“His descendants inherited his imperial legacy but failed to reunify the realm. They repeatedly sought to posthumously honor their father with the title of emperor, only to be obstructed by the great clans. In the end, they could only resign themselves to calling themselves kings."

1. Referring to Chen Yin/ ☜

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