Drip!

The drop of Pristine Water echoed endlessly, like cavern springs surging forth as clouds and rain rose and fell. A humid aura spread outward, forming layer upon layer of pale azure mist in the air.

Green-purple pupils instantly appeared within those empty eye sockets. The faint touch of green that had merely indicated color on the clothing rapidly spread, filling in every hue. The entire painting came alive at once, as if Suiguan himself were standing within it.

"Ning Wan will arrive first. When the time comes, the Li Family and the Azure Pond Sect will cross the river, holding things in check along the way. Those Purple Mansion Realm rogue cultivators will all be arranged as well."

With one hand holding the upper edge, Suiguan carefully and gently rolled the painting back up, binding the silk neatly as well. He placed the rolled painting cleanly and elegantly on the table.

Li Zhouwei watched quietly, a flicker of light passing through his eyes as he faintly sensed the surging Pristine Water energy within the painting.

Meanwhile, Suiguan had already turned away and slowly descended the steps, his voice tinged with a teasing smile. "Your family... pressed to the riverbank by those figures from the north... do you truly have no temper at all? Count them out, one, two, three, four. If there's anyone you don't like, have them take a look at the painting when the time comes."

Before his words had even faded, the green-robed man had vanished. The frozen snowfall resumed its motion, and the howling cold wind swept into the pavilion, sending ripples across the tea.

Caw!

The distant cry of a cold crow stretched long through the air, bringing life back to the snowy scene. Various sounds returned, and the world was no longer silent.

"Huff..."

Li Ximing let out a long breath. Seeing that Li Wushao still showed no sign of noticing anything unusual and stood quietly beside him, he said, "You may leave for now."

Li Wushao bowed and quickly withdrew. Only the two remained in the snow-covered pavilion, and the courtyard became completely empty as a faint heavenly light descended.

The two rode upon the light and soon appeared within the Cloud Gathering Southern Heaven Formation at Glacial Cloud Peak. Lamps on either side flickered brighter at their arrival. Li Ximing glanced at the painting in his hand but made no move to open it, casually passing it over. Li Zhouwei found a secluded treasury and hung it inside, and the two vanished without another word.

In a flash, they reappeared within the inner formation of their own Purple Mansion Realm formation. Only then did Li Ximing lower his gaze slightly and dare to speak, shaking his head with a sigh. "In this world... there are hardly any safe places left!

"Suiguan's command... Tinglan and Houfu will find it difficult to refuse... and the matter with Ch'i Lanyan is already their problem to begin with. There is no way they would decline. This is as good as settled."

Li Zhouwei nodded and thought to himself, Though we do not know his true purpose, as long as Suiguan takes action, the situation will certainly change... We must make our preparations.

His golden eyes were filled with thought. Li Ximing said quietly, "He most likely came for this painting as a hidden trump card. First, to use your untraceable nature to catch the north off guard. Second... only then to see you. As for this matter... I probably shouldn't get involved..."

The two had reached the same conclusion. Li Zhouwei's expression darkened as he said in a low voice, "Granduncle's words make perfect sense. I've long said his behavior is strange, perhaps not even human. How much of what he says can truly be trusted? If it's that Pristine Water figure acting in secret out of dissatisfaction with Mount Luoxia, then given his nature, he is not one to care for his subordinates. As pawns in a struggle between two sides, how many of these people can expect a good end? Granduncle must not get involved.

"From his words, it's mainly me he wants. After all, I'm the only one who cannot be calculated. Granduncle only needs to guard the lake in case something happens."

Li Zhouwei quickly calculated and continued, "Fortunately, there is still about a year or so left before his arrangements are due. That should be enough to attempt the Immortal Foundation... More importantly, [Da Sheng] should be ready to be forged soon. At the very least, I won't have to fight them barehanded."

Li Zhouwei had clashed with the north once or twice before. Though he had not suffered much, fighting empty-handed had been stifling. With even fiercer battles ahead, having a weapon was naturally preferable.

Li Ximing quietly recounted the matters of Lacquer Marsh. Li Zhouwei simply said, "A year or so should be enough for granduncle to settle matters in the Eastern Sea and return to cultivation. Besides, your methods are far beyond what they once were. Even if something happens on the mainland, you could sense it from a thousand kilometers away."

Seeing Li Ximing glance over thoughtfully, Li Zhouwei lowered his voice and said, "Our family possesses the [Realm of Sun and Moon Radiance]. It is even more wondrous than other grotto heavens. No matter where one is, as long as it is safe, one can enter it. If anything happens on the mainland, once I have a moment to breathe, I can crush a jade talisman as a signal and meet granduncle within that realm, even across a thousand kilometers, to discuss matters in detail."

Though they could not transmit voices across great distances, the grotto heaven provided a clever workaround. Li Ximing smiled. "That's a good method! During this year or so, if you are in seclusion within that realm, whether I'm far away in Qunyi or even in Wu State, as long as I enter the grotto heaven, I can be right by your side anytime and discuss things immediately."

"Exactly." Li Zhouwei smiled faintly, though a hint of regret showed as he said, "It's just a pity I'm under watch. I cannot enter the realm as freely as you. Only when Ning Wan and the others come to take over can I use the excuse of seclusion to cultivate a little... If the north stirs trouble, there may be no peace at all."

"For now, Ch'i Lanyan and his group have their attention on Shanji Prefecture... They should behave themselves for a while." Li Ximing offered a brief reassurance, his expression turning serious as he said, "Now that we have obtained the [Qilin Radiance Refining Method], we might as well trade the [Under-Neck Feathers] to Jinyu for spirit flowers first. Once I return from the [Feather Transformation Pool], we'll immediately start refining! What use are just one or two spirit pills from the Supreme Yang Dao lineage?

"At a time like this, there's no need to be stingy with spirit materials. Refining your Immortal Foundation early is what matters. Use the green talisman and achieve Body Divine Ability."

Li Ximing's reasoning was sound. The Supreme Yang Dao lineage had limited stock, and at most they would provide one or two pills, which would still incur a favor owed. With Li Ximing's current alchemical skill, refining Bright Yang pills could yield who knew how many in a single batch!

However, Li Zhouwei held a different view regarding the green talisman. Though he said nothing aloud, he pondered inwardly, No matter how the situation unfolds in the future, if I am to achieve my goals, the more variables I carry, the better. The green talisman is a variable that none can calculate. Once used, it would be wasted... I would rather take more pills than use it now. I will keep it within my Shenyang acupoint... in critical moments, it will surely prove invaluable!