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Novel: [The Primordial Law]
Volume 3: [Qiu Prefecture Lantern Festival]
Chapter 20 (164): [Setting Sail]
(20th of Volume 3)
Translator: Shadow Knight AK
Editor: Shadow Knight AK
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"I'm not begging you!" Zuoqiu Ting said, settling into a rosewood chair at the table and casually crossing his legs, "You must understand that our two clans' fates are now intertwined. Li Prefecture is the battlefield where your very survival hangs in the balance. If not for the deterrence of my clan's Ancestor, the Four Extremes Ape King or the Coffin Mountain Forbidden One might have already intervened, slaughtering every Immortal Realm cultivator of the Jiu Li Tribe. Where would your current situation be then?"
Yin Shi sat in another rosewood chair, his tone equally unyielding: "And then what? They'd join forces and next march on the Zuoqiu Clan? Zuoqiu Ting, you must realize that if the Jiu Li Tribe hadn't tied down the enemy in Li Prefecture, it wouldn't just be the younger generation of enemies coming to Qiu Prefecture now - it would be the full power of various armies."
He continued, "Anyone can see that the imperial court's downfall is imminent, a matter of mere months or years. The world has reached a critical juncture."
"In the Seven Northern Prefectures, the Snow Sword Tang Court has already absorbed and subdued various righteous armies, consolidating its dominance. It has gathered the most powerful cultivators from five prefectures under its banner, amassing a million-strong Cultivator army poised for action."
"They are sharpening their blades and preparing their horses, massing on the Mist Grasslands, awaiting only the order to march south, drink from the Shui River, and unify the north."
"In the Seven Eastern Prefectures, the Dragon Sect and the Thundercloud Sect are locked in a power struggle. The Three Island Barbarians have retreated to the East Sea, but they will inevitably complete their consolidation within a year and then join forces with the Snow Sword Tang Court beneath the walls of Lingxiao City."
"The Zhu Clan has already seized three of the Seven Western Provinces. Only the Quanrong and Que Clans can still put up some resistance, but they're just cicadas chirping their last before winter sets in."
"The situation in the world is gradually becoming clear. Only the Southern Territory has maintained a semblance of stability for the past decade, thanks to the joint efforts of the Zuoqiu Clan and the Jiu Li Tribe."
"That's right. The Jiu Li Tribe has declined significantly, but without their support, the Zuoqiu Clan would suffer crippling losses in any attempt to unify the Southern Territory, leaving them with no chance of vying for control of the world."
"Why have Dragon Sect and the Far Western Ashlands chosen this moment to intervene, pouring resources into stirring up chaos among the Southern Territory's factions?"
"They want to strip you of that chance!"
"Who doesn't know that the Zuoqiu Clan plans to use the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival and the Calamity Crossing Temple's influence to peacefully integrate the entire Southern Territory? Do you really think they'll let you succeed?"
"Therefore, Young Master Zuoqiu, our relationship is one of mutual need, not master and servant."
Zuoqiu Ting listened quietly, nodding slowly.
"Excellent. Since the Divine Hidden One understands the current situation so clearly, I won't waste words. The San Chen Palace and Night City are backed by the Far Western Ashlands, and the Sui Sect and Tianyi Sect are also leaning in that direction."
"The Jiu Li Tribe and the Three Great Sects are already at odds. I intend to declare war on them. Will you fight alongside me?"
"If so, we must commit everything we have. Many lives may be lost."
"Do we have any way out?" Yin Shi countered.
Zuoqiu Ting shook his head: "None."
"Then why bother asking, Young Master Zuoqiu?" Yin Shi said.
Zuoqiu Ting clapped three times: "Excellent! Rest assured, the Zuoqiu Clan will commit everything to this battle, and the Zuoqiu Hidden Sect will also mobilize."
"I've already identified our greatest enemy: the Young Venerable, Luan Sheng Lin You."
"He is the son of the Azure Phoenix, a Great Demon from the Far Western Ashlands. He possesses the pure bloodline of an Ancient Immortal Giant Beast, capable of tearing Dao Seed Realm Martial-Mystic Cultivators apart with his bare hands. His Martial Path prowess is also extraordinary, simultaneously cultivating the battle intent of both the Azure Phoenix and the Qilin. Wherever he goes, all birds and beasts bow before him, just like the Young Son of Heaven in the legends of the Demon Clan."
"Under his command are four formidable warriors: Yu Zi, Qi Jin, Ming Niansheng, and Cang Jin. Any one of them is comparable to a Successor from the Ten Thousand Sects."
"Furthermore, he has Left and Right Attendants, as well as followers from various Southern Territory powers, including Young City Lord Yuwen Tuozhen of Night City, the Four Truths of Coffin Mountain, and top-tier experts like Chen Wenwu. We must also be wary of the Heartless Golden Ape, Long Ting, and Yang Qingxi."
...
Li Weiyi drank his second mouthful of Golden Spring and began forging his 140th bone.
A layer of golden light shimmered across his skin.
Every bit of strength gained was a victory.
The discussion concluded.
Zuoqiu Ting rose to take his leave.
As he turned to go, his gaze fell upon Li Weiyi, who stood by the window. He walked over.
"Have you collected a lot of Golden Spring? Give me a jar!"
Li Weiyi opened his eyes, his pupils radiating golden light. He said, surprised, "Young Master Zuoqiu, have you overestimated our friendship? Golden Spring is extremely precious."
Zuoqiu Ting replied, "Why would I covet something that isn't precious?"
That made perfect sense.
Li Weiyi recalled the life-saving talisman robe from the previous night, which Zuoqiu Ting had given away without hesitation. His generosity was truly unmatched.
He said, "If Young Master Zuoqiu wishes to use Golden Spring to forge your bones and enhance your strength, you might consider exchanging it for Millennial Essence Herb. However, I, for one, enjoy making friends. I have a secret technique I could share with you."
The Seven Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperors were voracious eaters. Raising them required an enormous amount of resources, and even a mountain of Millennial Essence Herbs wouldn't be enough.
"Oh!"
Zuoqiu Ting looked thoughtful, clearly intrigued.
Li Weiyi leaned close to his ear and whispered, "The Bone Transformation and Spiritual Exchange Manual!"
Knowing that his Spirit Tablet Master was proficient in this Daoist secret technique, lost to the Zuoqiu Clan for generations, how could Li Weiyi not have learned it?
'This is the truly remarkable Grand Technique. Once perfected, its effects are unimaginable.'
Zuoqiu Ting asked suspiciously, "Did that Dead Spirit Senior also pass this secret technique to you?"
Li Weiyi immediately circulated his Spiritual Power, channeling it along his Meridian Veins throughout his body. His muscles and bones shifted, his height increased by half an inch, his shoulders narrowed, his facial features subtly altered, and his entire demeanor changed.
In mere moments, Li Weiyi had transformed into an entirely different person, unrecognizable from his previous self.
"How is it? As long as you don't engage in combat or release Spiritual Qi, you won't be exposed. If you learn this, stop changing into Long Ting's form. I'm afraid I'll mistake you for him later."
Zuoqiu Ting's eyes sparkled with admiration.
"Excellent, Li Weiyi! I've made you my friend. After this matter is settled, I'll come to you to study this technique."
Of course, he wanted to learn more than just the 'Bone Transformation and Spiritual Exchange Manual'.
He believed that the Transcendent Li Weiyi had encountered in the Nether Realm of the Dead was none other than the one who had vanished from the Zuoqiu Clan a thousand years ago.
After Zuoqiu Ting left, Yin Shi's expression turned grave.
She murmured, "You were right. The enemy is even more formidable than I anticipated. This will be a hard battle, one where someone is destined to fall. Li Weiyi, you and Yaoyin are the future of the Hidden Sect. Leave Giant Marsh (Juze) City immediately and stay out of this."
Li Weiyi desperately wanted to retrieve the God of the Jiu Li's battle intent right then and have the others try to merge with it, but time was too short. There was no way they could manage it.
He said, "Alright, I'll leave as soon as possible and won't hold you back or cause any trouble. But don't push yourselves too hard. If you can't win, run. There's no shame in retreating. The most important thing is to survive."
Li Weiyi took Zhuang Yue with him, claiming he was taking her to the Prefectural Office in Giant Marsh (Juze) City.
In reality, Li Weiyi had no intention of doing so. For a proud woman like Zhuang Yue, having the entire Prefectural Office know about her current state, being gawked at and pitied by countless people, would be a fate worse than death.
More importantly, the imperial court had already abandoned Qiu Prefecture. How much power could the Prefectural Office in Giant Marsh (Juze) City possibly have?
....
Inside a hastily rented Exotic Beast Carriage.
Zhuang Yue was completely shrouded in a Nightwalker's Garment, sitting on the left side of the carriage.
Li Weiyi sat opposite her, speaking softly.
"Skin can regenerate. You just need to take petals from the Core Lamp. I already had someone buy them last night. As for your eyes... I've checked. Your Martial Path cultivation is quite high. You can find a Demon Clan Spiritual Eye to reattach them. With Meridian Veins and Spiritual Power, you can slowly nurture them back to health."
Zhuang Yue reached out, gripping Li Weiyi's wrist tightly, as if grasping a lifeline: "Li Weiyi, don't worry about me. Save Miss! Lord Qi must be planning to transform into my likeness to deceive her... Hurry and warn her! If she falls for it, I'll never forgive myself. Please, I beg you..."
"Forget about her for now. Even if she dies, what does it have to do with you? Is it your fault? You need to learn to care for yourself. Do you even have a brain?" Li Weiyi scolded, then sighed and retrieved the Core Lamp from the Cold Jade Box.
The lamp had nine petals, all crystal clear.
The core within emitted a soft, gentle light, like a wick.
Li Weiyi plucked off a petal and held it to her lips. Zhuang Yue, though weeping silently without tears, trembled as she opened her mouth and chewed lightly. A faint white glow enveloped her body, and her flesh grew slightly warm and itchy.
After consuming all nine petals and the core, Zhuang Yue's skin began to regenerate, tender and delicate, though still not quite normal. It would require nourishment with Blood Qi and Spiritual Power to fully recover.
At least the pain had greatly subsided.
Li Weiyi's voice was gentle and soothing: "That's right! The one who peeled off your skin and impersonated you is a Ember Spirit named Lord Qi. His cultivation is terrifying, comparable to the Successors of the Ten Thousand Sects. If just the two of us went to rescue her, it would be suicide."
"Go to the Giant Marsh (Juze) City Prefectural Office and ask the imperial court's strongest cultivators and army for help," Zhuang Yue suggested.
"Excellent idea!"
Li Weiyi agreed and retrieved the black metal box still stained with Zhuang Yue's blood from the Evil Camel Bell, placing it in the carriage.
The two dismounted, both cloaked in Nightwalker's Garments and hooded.
Li Weiyi handed the coachman ten silver coins and instructed, "Take the box in the carriage to the Prefectural Office. If they ask, tell them the person who told you to do this disembarked at the North City Gate. Hurry!"
Outside the North City Gate lay a bustling seaport, with ships of all sizes crowding the water. Fishermen and porters were everywhere.
Large vessels towered like pagodas, their sails overlapping.
Smaller boats were mostly fishing vessels, their colorful flags fluttering as fishing nets dried in the sun.
Giant Marsh (Juze) City wasn't just near the Bing Juze Lake; it was also the confluence of the Shui River and the Li Branch River. Its thriving trade made it a major hub for both water and land transportation. Minerals from the Western Territory, slaves from the Eastern Territory, and goods from the Southern Coffin and Northern Beast regions all passed through here.
Li Weiyi bought a twenty-meter-long fishing boat. After sailing two miles out, he stopped on the water, drinking from a spring to refine his bones while secretly gazing toward the city gate.
"Clatter!"
At noon, the sea shimmered under the midday sun. The heavy thud of hooves echoed from the city.
Huo Qiankun, the top young Martial-Mystic cultivator of the Tianyi Sect, emerged from the city gates astride an Exotic Beast resembling a tiger, silver spear in hand.
The two Five Seas Realm Martial-Mystic cultivators who had been riding behind him immediately dismounted to ask around for information, describing the appearances of Li Weiyi and Zhuang Yue.
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END OF CHAPTER
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