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Novel: [The Primordial Law]
Volume 4: [Shuangsheng Dao Sect (Twin Rice Sect)]
Chapter 65 (320): [The Surnamed Li]
(65th of Volume 4)
Translator: Shadow Knight AK
Editor: Shadow Knight AK
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The swamp was perpetually shrouded in damp darkness, its oppressive silence creating a sense of desolate gloom.
They ventured deeper.
The muddy water and aquatic plants gradually disappeared, replaced by a vast expanse of murky water.
The Governor's Jade Boat sailed across the swamp in his Jade Boat, the water barely three feet deep.
Li Weiyi sat at the bow, his palm wound fully healed, and his severely depleted Spiritual Qi restored.
After all, he was only at the first level of the Dao Seed Realm. Repeatedly casting Great Technique-level attacks had drained his Spiritual Qi considerably, making prolonged combat impossible unless he resorted to liquid Spiritual Power.
For non-Dragon Seed cultivators, cultivating in the first level of the Dao Seed Realm often required years of arduous training to accumulate, comprehend, and experience the essence of the Dao.
He retrieved the pitch-black Millennial Essence Herb from his Boundary Pouch.
According to Tuoba Butuo, it had grown deep underground and moved with incredible speed, nearly escaping capture.
"It should be a Millennial Earth Spirit Cub," Li Weiyi said, his knowledge of various precious and essence medicines quite extensive.
As a Spiritual Master, he had to be well-read and possess a sharp memory.
Earth Spirit Cubs grow underground, absorbing Yin Qi to take form. After a thousand years, they mature into humanoid forms and develop spiritual intelligence.
Heaven Spirit Cubs, on the other hand, grow in the clouds, absorbing Yang Qi to take form.
In addition to the Earth Spirit Seed, there are also the Water Spirit Seed, the Fire Spirit Seed, and the Wind Spirit Seed...
If they could grow for ten thousand years and transform into Imperial Herb, they would shed their plant bodies and develop flesh-and-blood forms. While their combat power wouldn't match the Martial-Mystic Dao Emperor, it would be enough to contend with a Transcendent, granting them the ability to protect themselves.
Er Feng crept closer, inching along Li Weiyi's arm toward the Earth Spirit Seed.
"You want to eat it all yourself?" Li Weiyi asked.
Er Feng nodded fiercely.
Li Weiyi said, "Big Phoenix has already begun to stray. You must encourage her. Take this and quickly reach the Third Realm of the Dao Seed Realm. Take up the mantle and shoulder the great responsibility."
Ever since she had followed Tang Wanzhou, Big Phoenix had often mentioned her to Li Weiyi, urging him not to fear danger and to use the teleportation formation to find her, or even to send her there alone.
Though her body remained with Li Weiyi, it was clear her heart had already wandered.
Er Feng gave a loyal look that said, "Leave it to me," then snatched the Millennial Essence Herb and devoured it alone.
Qi Xiao sat at the stern of the ship, studying Si Kong Ce's circular shield.
This shield was an extraordinary treasure, with the Dead Spirit Battle Soul of a Scale Lion Giant Beast sealed within. Its combat power rivaled a Fourth Heaven expert of the Dao Seed Realm, making it incredibly valuable.
But it was only at the Fourth Heaven of the Dao Seed Realm, far less valuable than the Ghost Banner.
In this regard, Spiritual Artifacts clearly lagged behind Dao Techniques.
As Martial-Mystic Cultivators advanced in cultivation, they had to replace their Spiritual Artifacts with higher-grade ones and then adapt to them.
The loss of Spiritual Artifacts by Si Kong Qin, Si Kong Ce, and Si Kong Jingyuan was a devastating blow, significantly weakening their combat strength.
Li Weiyi summoned a golden ancient mirror from his Ancestral Field, examined it, and handed it to Tuoba Butuo, cautioning, "Never use this at Headquarters. It could cost you your life."
Tuoba Butuo accepted it without hesitation.
"I understand. It's connected to the Hall Master of the Withered Flourish (Kurong) Hall, after all. Brother Weiyi, the other side of the Netherblack Swamp connects to the entrance and exit of the Underground Immortal Mansion where we entered. Countless experts across the world are currently exploring and searching there. It's been almost a year. Do you think anyone would risk entering the Underground Immortal Mansion just to find our corpses?"
Missing for a year and cut off from the outside world, anyone would assume they were doomed.
Li Weiyi could sense Tuoba Butuo's sadness and longing. At the stern of the boat, Qi Xiao also wore a contemplative expression.
The first image that flashed through Li Weiyi's mind was Jiang Ning's captivating figure. But he quickly forced a self-mocking smile. Leaving aside their brief encounter, his engagement to Zuoqiu Hongting was more than enough to extinguish any faint spark of affection.
Later, the Ancestral Field was ruined, and the scenes of suicide and despair would have disgusted and disappointed any woman.
Especially a noblewoman from such a prestigious family.
They had been at the Calamity Crossing Temple for nearly two years. They might have already returned by now.
Compared to Jiang Ning, Li Weiyi thought it was more likely that Zuoqiu Hongting and Yaoyin would come to the Underground Immortal Mansion looking for him. The former was, after all, his nominal fiancee and had a brotherly bond with him. The latter was more emotionally driven.
Dismissing the various thoughts swirling in his mind, Li Weiyi said, "The moment we joined the Twin Rice Sect, our destinies took a different path. Breaking free from these shackles and returning to our former lives won't be easy. With our current cultivation, all we can do is stay true to our hearts and take things one step at a time. First, we must survive. Only then can we hope to break free."
Qi Xiao nodded in agreement: "The Twin Rice Sect has at least three Transcendent figures: the two Ancestors of Twin Rice Sect and the Living Spirit reborn on Guan Shan. The Hall Master and Vice Palace Master of the Four Halls, the Five Great Venerables, and the leader of the God-Slayer Servants are all Immortal Realm Giants, their power surpassing even the Ancient Myriad Sects. If we betray them, we'll die without a doubt, and our families and friends might suffer as well."
"That's just what we know on the surface," Li Weiyi said.
They had only explored two of the seven floors of the Twin Rice Sect's headquarters.
In the distance, the increasingly clear roar of rushing water grew louder.
Tuoba Butuo stood up and looked ahead.
"We're here!"
Li Weiyi and Qi Xiao were stunned by the scene before them, their breaths catching in their throats.
Above the Netherblack Swamp, thousands of meters high, a false sky had formed, shrouded in black mist and miasma.
As they approached, a terrifying hole appeared in this sky, as if it had been pierced in ancient times. It was dozens of miles across. Where did it lead?
A waterfall of blood cascaded down from this "sky," thousands of meters above.
The waterfall was vast and thunderous, yet from a distance, clinging to the edge of the hole, it looked like a mere crimson thread.
The swamp below had transformed into a boundless sea of blood-red water.
Qi Xiao said, "No wonder they say you can't go any further once you've ventured three hundred miles deep. Ever since we arrived here, I've felt uneasy, as if we've stumbled into hell. My mood has become inexplicably irritable."
Tuoba Butuo said, "It's not hell, but it's close! This place was once the site of a world-shattering battle. Beneath the muddy depths of the Blood Marsh lie countless skeletons, forming a sea of corpses. The Millennial Essence Herbs and the spear were recovered from beneath this very sea of corpses. So, Brother Weiyi and Brother Qi Xiao, are you brave enough to join me in another dive?"
Li Weiyi replied, "Other places have been thoroughly explored by Twin Rice Sect disciples for years, making it unlikely to find anything valuable. Here, however, is a treasure trove."
"Exactly! Some of the skeletons still have armor and battle weapons that haven't completely decayed, which can fetch a handsome price. With enough money, what's there to fear about not being able to buy Cultivation resources?" Tuoba Butuo said.
"Si Kong Jingyuan could arrive at any moment. We must leave someone above to prevent being ambushed. I'll stay."
Li Weiyi released the five Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperors, excluding Big Phoenix, and instructed them to join the underwater search for Millennial Essence Herbs.
These five creatures summoned a swarm of Fierce Insects to serve as their soldiers. Not only did they search for Millennial Essence Herbs, but they also worked alongside Tuoba Butuo and Qi Xiao to salvage armored skeletons and decaying battle weapons, working with feverish enthusiasm.
Tens of thousands of years had passed, and most of the Spiritual Artifacts had decayed into rusted scrap metal.
"This suit of armor is still decent. Forged from dense metal, it can be melted down and reforged. It's worth several thousand Yongquan Coins."
"What a pity about this Pill Furnace. It must have been a Thousand-Character Artifact back then, capable of both alchemy and combat. The scriptures inside have vanished, and it's been pierced through. The remaining material, though, is still partially intact. It could fetch tens of thousands of Yongquan Coins."
Li Weiyi sat on the boat, carefully examining each artifact.
He stashed those with salvageable value into his Boundary Pouch.
He instructed the six phoenix insects to search for items similar in material to the spear and for Spirit Platform Blazing Star Stones.
So many high-ranking members of the Bhagavata Sect had died here. Surely they must have carried Spirit Platform Blazing Star Stones? They were bound to find something.
"Whoosh!"
A gust of chilling, eerie wind swept over them.
Li Weiyi quickly looked up at the vast, crimson Sea of Swamps, then glanced behind him. A knot of anxiety tightened in his chest. He worried that their activity might attract something terrifying.
This place didn't feel like a place of good fortune.
.....
Yang Qingxi stood in the cavernous Cave Dwelling, its vast expanse stretching dozens of meters high. Bronze beams, stone steps, pillars, and carved stone beasts - some naturally formed, others meticulously crafted by human hands - filled the space.
This was the treasure vault discovered by Wang Shu.
The vault was divided into an outer and inner layer.
Ascending the stone steps carved into the distant cliff face led to the inner layer.
However, the steps were protected by a Formations left behind by the Ancient Bhagavata Sect. Its power waned only during the last few days of each month.
Yang Qingxi believed this must have been the Cave Dwelling of a high-ranking figure from the Ancient Bhagavata Sect, and the inner layer was bound to hold priceless treasures. Yet, despite numerous attempts, she had been unable to overcome the challenge posed by the stone steps.
A fragrant breeze wafted from behind.
Yang Qingchan, clad in a green robe, drifted down to a stone pillar several meters away.
The Dead Spirit within her, always vain, had become increasingly concerned with her appearance as her physical body grew stronger and her cultivation advanced. She now meticulously painted her eyebrows, applied lip color, and powdered her cheeks, making her even more exquisitely beautiful than Yang Qingxi, who rarely wore makeup.
Her entire being radiated an otherworldly glow.
Yang Qingchan announced, "Si Kong Yanlun has retreated!"
"Oh, he doesn't seem like the type to give up easily," Yang Qingxi said, surprised.
Fearing the treasure vault's exposure, Yang Qingxi had been hiding inside the cave for days while Si Kong Yanlun roamed the surrounding area, searching.
Yang Qingchan said, "He was summoned away by Si Kong Jingyuan."
"Did Si Kong Jingyuan find the man surnamed Li?" Yang Qingxi's heart skipped a beat.
Earlier, Yang Qingxi had encountered Si Kong Yanlun and Si Kong Jingyuan, but it ended in a crushing defeat.
Fortunately, Yang Qingchan's physical body was already incredibly strong, allowing her to unleash formidable combat power and barely escape back to the treasure vault.
However, this also exposed the vault's secret location.
Yang Qingxi knew Li Weiyi had also come south because Si Kong Yanlun had boasted about killing him in front of her and forcing her to submit. It was as if her refusal to yield was due to some other man, which infuriated Yang Qingxi.
Once she broke through to the Fourth Heaven, she would first smash his arrogant mouth and then tear him into ten thousand pieces to avenge the days of being hunted.
Yang Qingchan said, "You might not believe this, but Si Kong Jingyuan was actually defeated by the Li you mentioned. That's why he came to find Si Kong Yanlun, to regroup and launch a counterattack."
A flicker of surprise crossed Yang Qingxi's eyes. "Impossible! Li Weiyi's Martial-Mystic Path has reached its limit. Psychic Power cultivation is a slow process. How could he possibly have so many Star Spiritual Pills?"
Li Weiyi's possession of Star Spiritual Pills was no longer a secret.
Yang Qingchan continued, "Si Kong Jingyuan sent Si Kong Qin back to Withered Flourish (Kurong) Hall to summon Great True Disciple Chang Yuyan. I intercepted him along the way and forced him to reveal everything. That Li's Psychic Power may have already reached the level of a Four-Star Spiritual Master, and he's successfully Seeded his Dao in the Wind Mansion."
"Where is he?" Yang Qingxi asked.
Yang Qingchan retrieved Si Kong Qin from her Boundary Pouch and dumped him out.
"He was severely injured in battle, wounded by the Yin Ghost Commander. His story seems credible. That Ghost Banner is an extraordinary treasure. You should find a way to seize it. Sacrificing a bit of your beauty would be well worth it."
"Beauty? What do you think Li Weiyi is? You'd better not act rashly around him. You might end up making things worse." Yang Qingxi glanced at the Elder on the ground.
Si Kong Qin's limbs were all broken, a gruesome sight. Blood flowed from his seven orifices, and his face was a ghastly purple.
"What happened to him?"
"We used some secret techniques on him! Gathering information is never easy."
Yang Qingxi asked, "Does he know where Li Weiyi is now?"
"It seems he hasn't left the Netherblack Swamp. In fact, he's gone deeper into the swamp. He's got quite a nerve," Yang Qingchan replied.
"The Meditation Mushroom and the Spirit Platform Blazing Star Stone are both treasures for Spiritual Master cultivation. He must be after those."
An idea sparked in Yang Qingxi's mind, and her eyes lit up.
"Shouldn't we go and join the fun?"
"The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind," Yang Qingchan chuckled, her silver bell-like laughter echoing through the air. Her red lips glistened like crystal.
Yang Qingxi said, "Whether we play the oriole or not is beside the point. What if Li Weiyi loses to those two brothers? If they get the Ghost Banner, the Demonic Armor, and the seven Strange Insects, we'll have no chance of recovery. Submit to them? I wouldn't even consider Yao Qian, let alone them!"
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END OF CHAPTER
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