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Novel: [The Primordial Law]
Volume 4: [Shuangsheng Dao Sect (Twin Rice Sect)]
Chapter 17 (272): [Tang Wanzhou]
(17th of Volume 4)
Translator: Shadow Knight AK
Editor: Shadow Knight AK
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The armor on Zuoqiu Cangwu's body was so black it seemed to swallow all light around it.
With his hands clasped behind his back, he gazed down at the Ten Thousand Homes Ablaze stretching into the night sky, a surge of imperial pride swelling within him.
After listening to Zuoqiu Qingying's report, he said, "Li Weiyi is not a simple man. Even if his Martial-Mystic Dao has been crippled, he should never be underestimated."
Zuoqiu Qingying replied, "Your daughter will not underestimate him."
"He remains a Divine Hidden One of the Jiu Li Hidden Sect. Even if the sect is only protecting the seven rare insects, they will surely have experts secretly following him. Before entering the Underground Immortal Mansion, do not make any rash moves," Zuoqiu Cangwu cautioned.
Zuoqiu Qingying said, "I will take him through the seventh path of the Underground Immortal Mansion."
Zuoqiu Cangwu nodded lightly: "Qin Zhihuan's team is on that path. I personally trained them. With them guarding the way, success is assured!"
"Before you leave, bring the Zuo Brothers along."
"Qingying, if you succeed in this mission, you will undoubtedly secure one of the highest positions within the Zuoqiu Sect in the future."
.....
"Brother Weiyi, I've never forgotten your rescue at the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival. It's been over half a year, and I'm finally seeing you again."
Tuoba Butuo, an Inheritor-level master from the Northern Territory, possessed a Pure Immortal Physique as radiant as silver. His personality was lively and unrestrained, but when speaking to Li Weiyi, who had endured the highs and lows of life, he chose his words carefully, fearing to stir up the fragile emotions within.
After all, he had heard many rumors of Li Weiyi's suicidal tendencies and descent into despair. It had taken over half a year for him to recover.
Li Weiyi smiled: "Brother Tuoba has already reached the Dao Seed Realm?"
"I've only just scratched the surface."
Tuoba Butuo, who cultivated the Dragon Seed Dao and had already reached the second stage of the Dao Seed Realm, maintained a humble demeanor as he led Li Weiyi toward the Five Dragon Jade Carriage.
The Five Dragon Jade Carriage was said to have been the mount of the Ancient Heavenly Emperor, a peerless spiritual artifact war treasure.
The five Snow Dragon souls pulling the carriage each stretched over thirty meters, their imposing presence radiating powerful Qi. They exhaled dragon breath that could make timid Martial-Mystic Cultivators tremble and dare not approach.
The carriage itself was as vast as a palace, its interior adorned with gold and jade. One had to climb fourteen jade steps to reach the entrance.
Tuoba Butuo smiled: "Please, Young Lord has been waiting for you for some time."
Li Weiyi, of course, was unfazed by the grand display. He ascended the fourteen jade steps and entered the ten-foot-wide carriage door, stepping into a space dominated by a somber black hue.
The space was vast and grand, yet utterly devoid of ostentation, exuding a cold, austere wabi-sabi solemnity.
Tang Wanzhou sat at the head of the room, clad in a black male robe. The space around her body twisted and blurred. When Li Weiyi entered, she immediately set down the Golden Silk Bamboo Scroll in her hands - an ancient secret scroll containing an Imperial technique related to space manipulation.
Normally, only Transcendents would even come into contact with Imperial Techniques.
The blurring and distortion in the space vanished, revealing Tang Wanzhou's handsome, unadorned features.
Her bright eyes, filled with countless thoughts, fixed on Li Weiyi for a moment.
Then, without preamble, she produced a fragment of the Spirit Platform Blazing Star Stone from a sealed box and said, "Li Weiyi, let's make a deal. Either lend me your rare insect, or accompany me to the Underground Immortal Mansion. If you agree, you can have this fragment right now."
Li Weiyi held his breath, feeling Tang Wanzhou's gaze pierce him like a sword.
Being watched by her felt like being dissected, every secret laid bare before her.
Li Weiyi steeled himself, refusing to be overshadowed by her presence: "Young Lord isn't the first to make this request. Countless others covet my seven rare insects."
"I understand your concerns!"
Tang Wanzhou stood up, his back straight and proud. Though half a head shorter than Li Weiyi, he exuded an aura of defiance against the heavens.
"You are exceptional, possessing many treasures and facing numerous dangers. But let me be clear: the dangers I face are greater, more numerous, and my enemies are far more terrifying. So why would I choose to make such a public display, driving my carriage through Qiu Prefecture City, instead of meeting you in secret?"
Li Weiyi replied, "Young Lord, are you trying to tell me that if the world knows I went to the Underground Immortal Mansion with you, I'll be safe?"
"That's only part of it!"
Tang Wanzhou continued, "I've always believed that those with open hearts don't hide in the shadows forever because of danger. Sometimes, you must confront danger and challenges head-on. Concealment is meant to lead to eventual openness, not a life of perpetual hiding."
Li Weiyi felt as though Tang Wanzhou was speaking about herself, yet also subtly addressing him.
Had she seen through him?
Or was this a test?
"Whoosh!"
Without any visible action from Tang Wanzhou, the wooden box on the table flew toward Li Weiyi.
He raised his hand to catch it, but immediately regretted his decision.
Holding it was awkward, and returning it felt equally wrong.
Li Weiyi was still struggling with his decision...
Tang Wanzhou said, "Since you know about the Spirit Platform Blazing Star Stone, you should also know about the Bhagavata Sect. For nearly a year, the Underground Immortal Mansion has yielded many treasures. It's almost certain that this is where the ancient Bhagavata Sect's headquarters once stood."
"This fragment of the Spirit Platform Blazing Star Stone was found inside."
"If you're determined to walk the path of a Spiritual Master, you'll need more Spirit Platform Blazing Star Stones to catch up to those who have already gone to the Calamity Crossing Temple as a Spiritual Master. How could someone like you be content with falling behind?"
"I sense a kindred spirit within you."
Li Weiyi finally felt his heart stir. The Spirit Platform Blazing Star Stone and the Star Spiritual Pill were indeed two crucial resources for his rapid advancement on the path of a Spiritual Master.
He asked, "How deep have you explored the Underground Immortal Mansion?"
"The furthest path we've explored stretches about four to five hundred miles. But compared to the entire Underground Immortal Mansion, the area we've mapped out accounts for less than one percent."
Tang Wanzhou continued, "The fierce insect swarm is currently causing headaches for everyone, resulting in considerable losses. I heard that one of your seven rare insects can unleash Qi comparable to an Immortal Realm Martial-Mystic Cultivator. It would undoubtedly prove invaluable within the Underground Immortal Mansion."
"Li Weiyi, whether you believe it or not, in my eyes, even seven mature Lord-Marquis Grade Strange Insects wouldn't even register, let alone their larvae."
"At your current cultivation level, would you even care about seven rare insects comparable to Dao Seed Realm Martial-Mystic Cultivators?"
"Not even seven King-Grade or Emperor-Monarch Grade Strange Insects could shake my inner principles or bottom line, forcing me to compromise my integrity. My state of mind comes at a high price."
"Take this fragment of the Spirit Platform Blazing Star Stone!"
"If you agree to the trade, meet me in five days at Qifeng Ancient County City, on the Qubei Plains, where Prefectural Prefecture and Qiu Prefecture meet. I'll wait for you for a maximum of one day!"
"If you don't come, consider it a gesture of friendship. For a mere fragment of the Spirit Platform Blazing Star Stone, to befriend a Divine Hidden One of the Jiu Li Hidden Sect... it's a bargain!"
Li Weiyi didn't know how he'd walked out of the Five Dragons Jade Locket. His feet landed on the ground, and he looked down at the wooden box in his hand, then glanced back, sighing inwardly.
"This aura... this bearing... What a Young Lord of the Northern Territory! Compared to her, I still have a long way to go on my path of cultivation."
In her presence, he felt completely powerless.
Tuoba Butuo stepped forward and asked, "Have you reached an agreement with Young Lord?"
"She has! But... I haven't quite settled things on my end yet..." Li Weiyi shook his head with a wry smile.
Tuoba Butuo chuckled: "You'll get used to it. Even Immortal Realm Great Powers often find she's already made the decision and just lets them mull it over."
The next day.
After completing the formalities for joining the Secret Realm Division, it was already afternoon.
Bidding farewell to Zuoqiu Cangwu, the four riders rode out the Northern City Gate, kicking up clouds of dust along the official road toward the Qubei Plains.
Shi Jiuzhai had been waiting at a tea stall outside the city since dawn, using the Transformation Technique to alter his appearance and physique. Watching the four trails of dust disappear over the horizon, he didn't immediately give chase, but continued waiting.
He knew exactly why Li Weiyi had told him to wait outside the Northern City Gate.
Sure enough.
Moments later, three groups of riders emerged from the city gate, pursuing the four ahead.
Each group had carefully concealed their Qi, but Shi Jiuzhai's keen eyes and vast experience allowed him to recognize half of them just from their expressions and postures.
"How did the news leak so quickly?"
"Interesting!"
Shi Jiuzhai placed two Silver Coins on the table, his body vanishing in place as he burrowed underground using Earth Escape.
Li Weiyi and his companions rode Exotic Beast Blood-Patterned Tiger-Camels, four-meter-long creatures with incredible speed and explosive power. However, their stamina was lacking. After galloping for over a hundred miles, the four mounts began sweating profusely, gasping for breath, and their speed gradually slowed.
The Zuo Brothers, who accompanied Li Weiyi and Zuoqiu Qingying, were two elderly cultivators with nearly a century of experience, renowned for their exceptional skill in handling dangerous situations.
They were born as Ren Dao and had repeatedly distinguished themselves in battle. Upon reaching the Dao Seed Realm, they were granted the surname "Zuo."
They were known as Zuo Sheng and Zuo Shi.
Though already a century old, they appeared to be only in their fifties or sixties, with robust physiques, powerful muscles, and sharp, piercing gazes.
Li Weiyi suddenly reined in his horse and glanced back.
"Someone's following us, and not just one group."
"How could this be?" Zuoqiu Qingying's expression darkened. This was completely unexpected.
Li Weiyi replied, "They're likely after the seven rare insects on me."
"But you used the Transformation Technique! There's no way anyone could have known our itinerary," Zuoqiu Qingying said, her gaze shifting to the Zuo Brothers.
Li Weiyi said, "It has nothing to do with the two elders! Taoli (Peach and Plum) Mountain is under constant surveillance. There must be spies from other factions within the Zuoqiu Sect. Every time I leave the mountain, some people are bound to notice."
Zuo Sheng and Zuo Shi quickly bowed to Li Weiyi, their eyes filled with gratitude.
They didn't know that Li Weiyi's words and thoughts were completely different.
Of course, not all Ren Dao were members of the Twin Rice Sect.
But for two experienced Secret Realm Division members to fail to detect the enemies behind them immediately was highly suspicious.
Zuoqiu Qingying asked, "What do we do now?"
"Abandon the mounts and take a detour," Li Weiyi replied.
The four of them jumped off the Blood-Patterned Tiger Camels and whipped them forward. The four beasts roared and galloped away.
Li Weiyi led the others, employing their movement techniques to circle around towards Qingyi (Green Robe) Town. Along the way, he chatted amiably with the Zuo Brothers, discussing various matters related to the Ren Dao while subtly observing their expressions.
Though the Jiu Li Hidden Sect dared not investigate Qingyi (Green Robe) Town directly, they had long since mapped out its location.
As they drew closer to Qingyi Town, the sky began to darken.
"Those pursuers are undoubtedly searching for us everywhere. Traveling at night would make us too obvious. There's a market town ahead. Why don't we stay there for the night to avoid them?" Li Weiyi suggested, pointing ahead.
In the twilight, Qingyi Town was shrouded in wisps of smoke from cooking fires, the air filled with the scent of burning firewood and savory meat dishes.
Zuo Sheng frowned, a nagging doubt gnawing at him. Everything felt too convenient - how could they have stumbled upon this place by sheer coincidence?
Their original plan had been to kill Zuoqiu Qingying and capture Li Weiyi after they had put enough distance between themselves and Qiu Prefecture City.
Now, they had to advance their plan.
Perhaps fate itself was conspiring to help them.
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END OF CHAPTER
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