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Novel: [The Primordial Law]
Volume 2: [Jiuli Insect Valley]
Chapter 111 (139): [Qianlong Lantern Festival]
(111th of Volume 2)
Translator: Shadow Knight AK
Editor: Shadow Knight AK
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On the plains beside the river, the Yao Li Tribe's camp sprawled across a hundred acres, shrouded in the "Heavenly Tree Light and Shadow" formed by formations. It was as if a primordial divine tree had taken root in the center of the camp, its branches and leaves spreading out to cover several miles around.
A dense ring of formation glyph stone steles stood along the outer perimeter of the camp.
Twelve observation lanterns floated in the sky above.
Inside the camp...
Li Weiyi found Yaoyin and Yin Ershi Wu waiting for him.
Both were Pure Immortal Physiques, one veiled, the other masked. They hadn't followed the younger Martial-Mystic Cultivators participating in the Mangshan Grand Festival to the Jiu Li Divine Temple to avoid the war.
After exchanging greetings, Li Weiyi turned his gaze toward Zhao Zhizhuo, who was emerging from a tent and walking toward them: "Old Zhao, how's your recovery?"
Zhao Zhizhuo had remained on the ship these past few days, using the Blood Crystals Li Weiyi had given him to heal his lungs.
He looked several years younger, his steps light and brisk. He cupped his hands in a salute and transmitted his voice through spiritual Qi: "Reporting to Young Master, five of my lung lobes are almost completely healed, and I can reopen my Qi Sea at any moment. However, the injured bones and depleted Blood Qi in my body will likely take several years of cultivation with spiritual Qi to fully recover to their former peak."
Fourteen years ago, Yao Qian not only shattered Zhao Zhizhuo's Spring and Qi Sea, but also inflicted Burial Snow Sword Qi upon him.
This sword qi would cause severe frostbite to his bones and muscles within a short time, even freezing his blood.
Zhao Zhizhuo survived only because he received timely treatment. However, his bones had become brittle like those of an elderly man, and his Blood Qi no longer possessed the vigor of a Five Seas Realm Martial-Mystic Cultivator.
"Take your time," Li Weiyi said, "Use more Blood Crystals to nourish yourself. If you need more, just let me know."
Li Weiyi had earned a considerable amount of Blood Crystals from this journey, and his tone had changed accordingly. He now spoke with the air of a nouveau riche, flaunting his newfound wealth.
Zhao Zhizhuo had something to report but hesitated, finally asking, "What are your plans next, Young Master? Will you return to Burial Immortal Town?"
Li Weiyi's heart stirred: "Do you want to enter the Immortal Realm Space to seek opportunities?"
If he could help Zhao Zhizhuo recover his cultivation to the Fifth Stage of the Five Seas Realm as soon as possible, they might be able to earn another fortune together in Burial Immortal Town.
Li Weiyi quickly dismissed the idea.
The Immortal Haze-tainted Herbs in Burial Immortal Town had been almost completely harvested. Only Thirty-Three Li Mountain still held some, but it was incredibly dangerous. Li Weiyi couldn't guarantee that a second expedition would be as uneventful as the first.
Moreover, to enter the mountain, one must pass the gauntlet of the top young powerhouses: the Heartless Golden Ape, Yang Qingxi, and Chen Wenwu. The risks are immense.
Li Weiyi added, "With war looming, Yaoguan City and Burial Immortal Town will inevitably become a major battleground. At our cultivation levels, it's wise to leave as soon as possible."
Having witnessed the Hidden Lord and the Lord's aura and methods, Li Weiyi understood the terrifying nature of a clash between true powerhouses. If they, as young juniors, were caught in the crossfire, even a stray ripple of energy could leave them dead on the spot.
"When the entire Li Province is engulfed in flames, where will you go to escape the chaos?"
The deep voice came from the direction of the tent, audible only to their small group.
Yao Xingyue, the Jiuli First Commander, strode forward in his spiritual artifact armor, his tall figure as erect as a celestial peak piercing the sky. He was accompanied by Yin Ershi Si.
Li Weiyi had already met this renowned First Commander during his time on the Yao Banner ship. Now, having reached the Five Seas Realm, he stood firm despite the deliberate aura Yao Xingyue exuded, meeting the First Commander's gaze with composure.
After all, Yao Xingyue was an elder.
Li Weiyi, far from being arrogant, clasped his hands in a respectful bow.
Yao Xingyue stopped about ten feet away.
"Now you understand what a First Commander-level figure can achieve with a secret technique and focused perception, don't you?"
"Thank you for your guidance, First Commander," Li Weiyi replied.
Their conversation with Zhao Zhizhuo had been conducted through spiritual Qi transmission, yet Yao Xingyue, twenty feet away, had overheard every word.
The terrifying power of perception and the profound mystery of such techniques were completely beyond the comprehension of a Five Seas Realm Martial-Mystic Cultivator.
"Be more careful in the future! If you refine your spiritual Qi to the second Level of the Five Seas Realm, condensing it into tangible form, I won't find it so easy to steal it again!"
Yao Xingyue's gaze shifted to Yaoyin, and he sighed: "All of you, leave Li Province immediately and don't return until the war's outcome is clear. This isn't desertion; it's like burying the best seeds in the soil when wildfire sweeps through. Next spring, new sprouts will emerge from the ashes."
Yin Ershi Si, as if born with a rebellious streak, retorted, "With war raging across the land, slaughter everywhere, and demons and ghosts running rampant, is there truly a safe haven outside Li Province? I'd say it's even more dangerous out there."
"Go to Qiu Prefecture."
Yao Xingyue said, "Among the entire Southern Territory, Qiu Prefecture is currently the most stable, followed by Fu Prefecture, which remains under the control of the imperial court. Both prefectures belong to the Ten Prefectures of the Central Plains, far from the Dead Spirit Fiends. They boast thriving civilizations and populations exceeding one hundred million."
"According to the latest news, the Du'e (Calamity Crossing) Temple will host the Qianlong Lantern Festival in Qiu Prefecture's capital city. They've invited young talents from all twenty-eight provinces of Lingxiao to celebrate the festival together. Rumor has it they'll offer several Immortality Pills, Dragon Seeds, and Dragon Bones as gifts to the Qianlong (Hidden Dragons)."
"With your cultivation levels, you naturally shouldn't expect to obtain those Hidden Dragon treasures."
"However, since the Du'e (Calamity Crossing) Temple and the Zuoqiu Sect are organizing such a grand event to make a splash, they're sure to guarantee safety. You can temporarily seek refuge there, and it will also be a chance to broaden your horizons."
"A-Yin, on your way, stop by Yingling Valley and visit your mother's tomb. It remains a deep regret that I couldn't bring her remains back to our ancestral mountain. Those stubborn old fogeys in the clan have always blocked me. Once they're all gone, I'll personally bring her home."
Li Weiyi, unaware of the Du'e (Calamity Crossing) Temple's true nature, muttered, "Qianlong (Hidden Dragon) Lantern Festival! That name... It's as if they're completely disregarding the Lingxiao Palace!"
Yao Xingyue clearly felt the term "Hidden Dragon" was taboo, fearing it might provoke powerful figures from the Lingxiao Palace.
He said, "The Du'e (Calamity Crossing) Temple has its own foundation! Legend has it that when Zen Hai Guanwu defeated Lei Xiao to establish the Immortal Palace, they had the support of the Du'e (Calamity Crossing) Temple, or perhaps their sect."
"The Du'e (Calamity Crossing) Temple's stance is essentially telling the world that the Lingxiao Palace's time is over, and they're now siding with the Zuoqiu Sect."
.....
Yang Yun was taken by the Jiu Li Clan in exchange for hostages from the Sui Sect!
After handing Shang Zhi's body to Yao Xingyue for disposal, they left the Yao Li Tribe's military camp that night.
Yin Ershi Si, Yin Ershi Wu, and Yaoyin went ahead to the Hidden Sect's base, Mountain Lord Taiqing's Tomb, to meet with Yin Shi San and the others.
"Clap!"
Li Weiyi and Zhao Zhizhuo spurred their horses toward Yaoguan City.
Zhao Zhizhuo had informed him that First Commander Li Songlin of the Cangli Armor had been severely wounded by Yao Qian and was on the verge of death.
"In the recent battle of First Commanders on the banks of the Shui River, the Qing Li First Commander was killed, and several others were severely wounded. Yao Qian defeated six opponents single-handedly, achieving such a complete victory. Some say he could have taken on nine opponents and still won, crushing all nine Jiuli First Commanders. Yao Qian's cultivation now is more than ten times stronger than it was fourteen years ago," Zhao Zhizhuo remarked from horseback.
Li Weiyi's expression flickered between dark and uncertain.
Since arriving in this world, Li Songlin had been the most genuine elder to him, perhaps partly because of a misunderstanding about his relationship with Li Ling. But gratitude was gratitude.
If one couldn't distinguish between grudges, affection, and loyalty, one couldn't stand tall in the world.
No wonder the Hidden Lord was furious and determined to kill him.
The Cangli Tribe's army was the strongest among the Jiu Li Clan.
Stationed outside Yaoguan City was the Tower Army, known for its strict discipline and grand formations. The formation's brilliance condensed into a hundred-foot-tall azure giant tower, as large as a mountain, suspended in mid-air, intimidating all Martial-Mystic Cultivators within a hundred-mile radius.
After the First Commander's battle, Yaoguan City was on high alert, fully mobilized for war.
All important figures from the tribe had already entered the military camp.
When Zhao Zhizhuo presented the token Li Ling had given him, a Seven Springs soldier in spiritual artifact armor quickly entered the camp to report.
Li Ling, a Great Spiritual Master in the Heavenly Fire Realm and the Netherlight Guide, naturally carried considerable weight.
Shortly after, she strode out of the camp with brisk steps, wearing a red martial uniform under her armor, her hair tied in a ponytail, her figure valiant and spirited. Her gaze naturally fell on Li Weiyi, who had used the Transformation Technique to disguise himself.
"I'm here to visit Fourth Uncle," Li Weiyi said in his own voice.
"These two are fine. Let them in," she said.
After entering the military camp's formation, Li Ling led Li Weiyi to Li Songlin's dark-colored tent, where he was recovering from his injuries.
She followed them inside.
"Fourth Uncle!" Li Ling called out.
Li Songlin looked much better than Li Weiyi had expected. He was half-reclining in a chair, his hair loose, his complexion only slightly pale.
Li Weiyi breathed a silent sigh of relief and smiled.
"In the Yao Li Tribe's military camp, Zhao Zhizhuo told me your injuries were extremely severe. I was terrified. I immediately whipped my horse and rode here. And when we entered the camp, Li Ling was so serious and silent, I thought..."
"You thought I was about to die? It was just a defeat in battle. I'm not going to die so easily!"
Li Songlin continued, "I've always been this useless, but you're different. You won a great victory at Burial Immortal Town. When I heard the news, my injuries healed by half right away. Amazing! I think your future achievements will surpass Cang Li's. Fourth Girl, you need to hurry up and catch up!"
Li Ling retorted coldly, "Stop trying to act tough! If Father hadn't treated you in time, Fourth Uncle, you would have already turned into an ice sculpture. Instead, you're just left with useless legs. We will avenge you with Yao Qian's death."
Li Weiyi's smile froze. He immediately knelt down and reached for Li Songlin's legs.
His arm swept through the wide, thick pantaloons.
"Clatter!"
Empty...
Nothing....
Li Songlin's legs ended abruptly at the knees.
Li Weiyi's heart plummeted like a roller coaster, plunging from the heights of joy into the icy abyss of despair.
He grabbed Li Songlin's arm to examine it.
Like Zhao Zhizhuo, Li Songlin had been corroded by the Burial Snow Sword Qi. His tendons and bones, once frozen, had become brittle even after thawing, losing the resilience of a top-tier Martial-Mystic Cultivator.
Fortunately, his Spring and Qi Sea remained intact, allowing him to slowly refine the Burial Snow Sword Qi and heal his body.
"What a Burial Snow Sword Qi!"
At that moment, Li Weiyi's eyes burned with murderous intent, praying the Hidden Lord would swiftly claim Yao Qian's head.
He retrieved a large bottle of Golden Spring from his Cosmic Pouch and pressed it into Li Songlin's hands. Kneeling down, he said softly, "Fourth Uncle, this Golden Spring is a rare treasure for strengthening bones, found in the Immortal Realm Space. It will surely restore your damaged tendons and bones, even surpassing their former strength."
"Why give such a treasure to a cripple like me? Use it to strengthen your own bones."
Li Songlin, of course, knew how precious Golden Spring from the Immortal Realm Space was. He picked up the iron bottle to return it to Li Weiyi, but his eyes widened in surprise when he realized the bottle was full.
"You found so much Golden Spring, you little rascal?"
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END OF CHAPTER
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