ragginovel Chapter 148 Discussing Countermeasures
Chapter 148 Discussing Countermeasures
Chapter 148 Discussing Countermeasures
"It's a complicated matter, too complicated to explain in a short time, and this matter is beyond your knowledge." Li Qingyi's voice was very low: "You only need to tell Sect Leader Jiang that Li Qingyi, the young master of Tingyu Pavilion, requests an audience."
The situation is urgent; if not handled properly, the three sects may lose another Golden Core True Monarch.
Upon hearing this, Han Feiyu gave him a "here we go again" look: "Seriously, Lao Li? Another one involving such a huge scandal? It was the same at the Qin family last time. Are you just incredibly unlucky?"
Li Qingyi's lips twitched, and she said irritably, "Do you think I want this? In the martial world, one is often not in control of one's own destiny. Trouble always seems to find me; what can I do?"
Seeing that Li Qingyi's expression was not joking, Han Feiyu also put away his nonchalant demeanor and nodded solemnly: "Understood, I will send the message right away."
He took out a disciple token engraved with the cloud pattern of the Sanyi Sect from his pocket, condensed a wisp of magic power at his fingertips, and quickly outlined several communication runes on it.
Before long, Han Feiyu's sect token flashed, and a message floated in mid-air.
"The sect leader has already set off for Xuan Ce City. Please wait a moment, young master."
Seeing this, Li Qingyi breathed a sigh of relief. This identity was truly useful. "The Pavilion Master of Listening Rain Pavilion, you wouldn't really intend to take me as your disciple, would you?"
At this moment, Han Feiyu looked around and suddenly lowered his voice to ask, "By the way, Lao Li, have you seen Miss Bai? You mean the girl in the white dress who was with me last time?"
"Turn right after exiting the door, it's the third room."
"Alright! I'll go check on how she's recovering!"
Upon hearing this, Han Feiyu's face lit up with joy. He quickly bowed and left the quiet room.
After Han Feiyu left, Li Qingyi's appearance changed, and she reverted to Fang Yuan's appearance.
He straightened his robes, turned around, and went up to the top floor of Huanzhu Tower.
Inside the top-floor observation deck, a simple and elegant tea set was prepared on a rosewood tea table by the window, with steam rising gently.
Li Qingyi sat quietly in the main seat, closing her eyes to meditate, her breath calm and still as an ancient well.
As night deepened, all was quiet.
Just as midnight arrived, the wind outside suddenly picked up!
Li Qingyi suddenly opened her eyes, stood up, cupped her hands, and said in one smooth motion, "Junior Li Qingyi greets Senior Jiang."
Jiang Yanxu's gaze fell on Li Qingyi's face, and he shook his head, saying, "You—last time at Qingxin Peak, you acted under someone else's disguise. Now, meeting in private, this fondness for changing appearances—hasn't it changed?"
Li Qingyi felt a slight chill in her heart, but her face remained calm: "Circumstances force one to act; I had no choice but to do this. I apologize for making a fool of myself in front of you, senior."
He thought to himself: So there really was a Purple Mansion True Person watching the great battle at Qingxin Peak.
Jiang Yanxu didn't delve into the matter further, and casually sat down opposite Li Qingyi, seemingly with a sigh: "Your master certainly dotes on you. That sword strike from Qingxin Peak—from hundreds of thousands of miles away—actually caused a Purple Mansion True Person to die on the spot. Such protectiveness is rare even in the last hundred years."
Li Qingyi picked up the boiling copper kettle and poured a cup of tea for Jiang Yanxu with a steady hand. Amidst the rising steam, she said, "Master's disciples are few in number, and I am the only closed-door disciple. It is reasonable to show some favoritism."
He continued to skillfully pull at the tiger skin, but he already knew what was going on.
Jiang Yanxu's politeness towards him, and even his willingness to visit him late at night, was probably mostly due to his fear of his biased master.
"This is just some coarse mountain tea, please don't find it offensive, senior." Li Qingyi gently pushed the teacup in front of the other person.
Jiang Yanxu picked up the teacup, but did not drink it immediately. He simply blew on it gently, and wisps of white steam dissipated.
His gaze was somewhat distant: "Thinking back three hundred years, I was just a cowherd in the remote mountains of the south—the great path is fierce, time is merciless, and it truly is but a fleeting moment."
A few casual words warmed up the atmosphere and calmed everyone down.
Jiang Yanxu put down his teacup, his gaze sharpening and clearing once more, and cut straight to the heart of the matter: "In your message, you said that the three sects might produce another Golden Core cultivator? What do you mean by that?"
"It's beyond doubt. The Daoist Sect and the Zhengyang Immortal Sect are secretly plotting against the Golden Core Realm, hoping to use this as an opportunity to prove themselves as Golden Core True Monarchs!"
"Golden nature?!" Jiang Yanxu's brows furrowed suddenly, and his body straightened involuntarily. "Your master really dares to tell you anything."
Such profound secrets concerning the very foundations of the Dao can easily breed inner demons and disrupt the path of enlightenment in those whose minds are not firm.
Li Qingyi's heart skipped a beat, and she immediately recalled Cui Yao's discomposure when he heard the words "golden nature".
He remained expressionless and casually made up a story: "Senior, rest assured, my sword heart is clear, and I have nothing to fear."
"Sword Heart Clarity?" Jiang Yanxu looked at Li Qingyi again with slight surprise, his admiration growing stronger.
"No wonder—when we first met at Qingxin Peak, you were only at the fourth level of Qi Refining, but now you have reached the ninth level of Qi Refining, touching the threshold of Foundation Establishment."
"With such progress, even Ye Tianyu of the Dao Sect, who was known as the 'reincarnation of the Golden Core,' who reached the ninth level of Qi Refining at the age of twenty and was already considered a celestial being, would pale in comparison to you."
"You flatter me, senior," Li Qingyi said noncommittally.
After all, he's got cheat codes, how could he not be a genius?
In the ensuing conversation, Li Qingyi meticulously explained the schemes that the Dao Sect, the Zhengyang Immortal Sect, and even the royal family might be involved in, with clear logic and rich details.
The most crucial point, "Ling'er is of the metal element," has been omitted.
The more Jiang Yanxu listened, the more solemn his expression became, and his gaze toward Li Qingyi grew deeper, even carrying a hint of apprehension.
"Listening to the Rain — it is truly a terrifying force."
I simply cannot understand how you were able to uncover so many secrets.
Li Qingyi's lips twitched slightly.
I earned this through countless simulations, with countless lives lost. What do you say to that?
These words, of course, could only remain unspoken. He remained calm on the surface, attributing all the credit to the mysterious Pavilion Master: "It is all thanks to Master's strategic planning and skillful management. This junior was merely following orders and doing my utmost."
Jiang Yanxu remained silent for a long time, clearly digesting this shocking information.
After a long pause, he raised his eyes and asked, "You mean—you want me to cooperate with you, to stage a play with Zhao Wuyi at the Zhao family, and to kill Zhao Jingci first?"
"That's right, Zhao Jingci is the one chosen by the royal family."
A hint of doubt flashed in Jiang Yanxu's eyes: "Why would the royal family choose an outsider for such a precious opportunity?"
This is an extremely sharp question that gets straight to the heart of the matter.
Li Qingyi was prepared and calmly said, "Senior's concerns are very valid. I also had the same doubts when I first heard about it."
However, according to intelligence, it is possible that due to the limitation of "dragon energy", while the current Golden Core True Lord of the royal family is still alive, it will be difficult for his clan to nurture new Golden Cores.
Supporting members of other families might be a last resort. As for the backlash—the royal family surely has its own means of controlling that.
Li Qingyi paused for a moment, then continued, "As for Zhao Wuyi, he has broken with Zhao Jingci and they are now sworn enemies because he has realized Zhao Jingci's betrayal."
If you have any doubts about this matter, you are welcome to go to the Zhao family in person to verify it; the truth will then be readily apparent.
His words were nine parts true and one part false at a crucial point, a combination of truth and falsehood, progressing layer by layer.
The doubt in Jiang Yanxu's eyes was gradually replaced by solemnity and contemplation.
Jiang Yanxu then asked, "And who are the candidates from the Dao Sect and the Zhengyang Immortal Sect?"
"Zhao Wuyi, the patriarch of the Zhao family, and Zhang Zhiqing, the master of Xuantong!"
Li Qingyi will never forget Zhang Zhiqing's face back then.
Zhang Zhiqing.
Upon hearing the name, Jiang Yanxu's pupils contracted slightly, clearly indicating that he was already quite convinced.
"This matter is of great importance." Jiang Yanxu finally made a decision, his expression solemn. "I will immediately contact the other five sects to discuss countermeasures. We'll meet again at the Zhao family then."
Li Qingyi felt reassured and rose to her feet, bowing respectfully once more: "Respectfully seeing you off, Senior!"
Jiang Yanxu nodded slightly, his figure flickered, as if blending into the night breeze, and disappeared from the viewing pavilion in an instant, leaving no trace.
About half an incense stick later, Li Qingyi slumped in her chair and exhaled a long breath.
"The Purple Mansion Immortals, none of them are easy to fool."
He rubbed his temples, feeling utterly exhausted. If it weren't for the vast and profound information he'd gained from the simulation, he feared he would have struggled to overcome this hurdle today.
Just then, a screen of light appeared before Li Qingyi's eyes.
[Reward successfully settled.]
[Reward 1: Nine levels of Qi Refining cultivation. After extraction, one can break through to the half-step Foundation Establishment stage.]
Reward Two: The Art of the Unyielding Golden Spear. After extraction, one can obtain a celestial technique that makes the golden spear stand forever and increases its power.
Reward 3: Three Paths Gu Larva. After extraction, you will obtain a Three Paths Gu Larva originating from ancient times.
This Gu feeds on resentment and poison, and has enormous growth potential, reaching up to the Purple Mansion level. Its toxicity is unpredictable and difficult to defend against.
Reward Four: Your corpse after death —
Li Qingyi looked at the second reward and couldn't help but cover her face.
"This golden spear—is it legitimate?"