Chapter 1086: Becoming A Mountain (II)
This left Li Ximing speechless. Suspicion stirred at once. The Mountain-Charging Sea-Pacing Tiger in his hand was of mid-grade quality; perhaps it was even elevated to that level while in Changxi's possession.
Yet Changxi immediately cut off his doubts. "I had thought to refine it further in years past, but it was something of a chicken rib to me, neither useless nor truly useful. It required vast quantities of materials, and such things are scarce across the mainland. I received little and used most of it for other refinements."
He pointed to the jade at his chest, which Li Ximing had long noticed. "This is the Essence Stone Devil Fetus. I began refining it two hundred years ago, spending more than half of my life's fortune. Were it not for the spiritual aura of the Dwelling Heart that Charges Profundity restraining me, and the Falling Water Rising Storm of the Eastern Sea, I would never have reached this state."
Li Ximing's heart trembled at the name, though outwardly he only appeared contemplative. Changxi laughed and said, "This technique is a secret of my Dao lineage. It harms the balance of heaven and earth, yet it can extend life. Its reputation is ill, and the drawbacks are many. Even my predecessors who resorted to it did so in secret."
Why is he telling me this?
Li Ximing paused slightly, but Changxi had already turned away, his voice growing heavier, "In truth, the great families guard against Earth Virtue orthodoxy with deep suspicion, especially when it walks the Devil Dao. Other Dao lineages may be overlooked, but Earth Virtue cultivators are regarded as true devil cultivators. The families all harbor fear. Though the upheaval at Thunder Palace brought them gain, none wish to see it happen again."
Li Ximing himself knew only a little of such matters. Though uncertain of Changxi's source, he would not let it pass and pressed further, "I have also studied the art of the Diverse Mansion Unified Furnace. Beyond the Purple Mansion Realm, there is little difference from the Purple Mansion Golden Core Dao... Orthodoxy of the Devil Dao... would that be like Tuoba Chongyuan?"
"More or less." Changxi said slowly, "The Diverse Mansion Unified Furnace and the Purple Mansion Golden Core Dao are the same in essence, both belonging to the Devil Dao of this age. There were devil cultivators in ancient times too; how else would Kuai Li have become a Devil Monarch? The Tuoba Family itself is a branch of orthodox devil cultivators."
The old man exhaled heavily through his nose, gritting his teeth as he said, "Arts are not lightly passed on, hence there arises orthodoxy. This one is orthodox; that one is orthodox. Those who attain fruition refuse to impart their true techniques and hand down side paths instead. When they fall into our hands, we then use Foundation Establishment texts to bind those beneath us. Is it not all from the same source? Common folk bow their heads before our direct descendants, and we bow our heads before the so-called orthodox. To be treated as playthings, is this not the way of things?"
He seemed to be recollecting the bitter memories of his own One Stick of Incense Clan. Exhaling twice, about to perish, he forced himself to reveal his form upon the dark cliffs and descended toward Xuanmiao Temple with Li Ximing. However, it was not Qi Qiuxin who came forth to meet them, but a pale, beardless middle-aged man, Kong Guxi.