Maha Fachang lowered his head slightly and replied, "I would not dare compare myself to the great cultivators of the Dao of the Northern Revered One. But once I accepted this duty, I knew this journey would inevitably incur countless acts of killing karma!"

He came from the Great Mahayana Dharma Realm and was himself counted among the most well-regarded Buddhist cultivators in the north. He believed that this present age itself was Buddhist land, with no need to seek it in another life. Whether cultivators or ordinary believers, all were encouraged to actively reshape the manifested world, guiding it toward the form of the Buddhist land described in the scriptures.

It was precisely because of this Dao that the Great Mahayana Dharma Realm faced no small amount of criticism among its fellow sects. Many even believed it desecrated the scriptures. Now that he stood in this position, Maha Fachang naturally bore immense pressure.

Yet if not for this, how would Ch'i Lanyan[1] of the Pavilion Viewing faction be willing to address him as a fellow Daoist? So Daoist Master Ch'i only smiled and said, "Since you know this will incur killing karma, why take this path at all? Why create heart-obstructions for yourself for no reason?"

Maha Fachang let out a long sigh and replied, "This region was bound to have a Buddhist cultivator come out to preside over it. If it were some other house, who knows how cruel their methods would be. By then, they would swallow up these common people into their bellies and refine them into divine abilities using heterodox methods. Only if I come in person can this place have some measure of peace. If I did not come, that is what would leave regret in my heart."

————

"Mount Xianyou has left Jiangnan."

Several cultivators descended onto the mountain amid hurried voices. Li Jiangqian brought two people all the way to the summit, entered the great hall alone, and reported, "Father... someone from the Xiao Family has come."

The man above opened his eyes. Only a few hours had passed since Mount Xianyou rose into the air, yet the entire lake region was already in uproar. It was not a small mountain, and the spectacle had been immense. No one knew where it had landed, only that it must be beyond Jiangnan, and speculation was unavoidable.

From the moment Li Zhouwei learned of it, he knew the Xiao Family would send someone. He only said, "Let him come up."

After only a short wait, a man came up from below the hall. Tall and lean, with reasonably elegant features, he bore himself well. The Xiao Family had closed its mountain for many years, remaining untouched through many storms and keeping to itself. Their direct line was scarcely familiar anymore.

He bowed very politely in the hall and said respectfully, "This junior, Xiao Congyu, greets Daoist Master Minghuang!"

Li Zhouwei nodded. "No need for formality."

Xiao Congyu straightened and said respectfully, "The mountain gate's ascension was of utmost importance, so the Daoist Master never revealed it. Even the many family members and elders within the mountain did not know. Only the Daoist Master and the family head understood. Now that the mountain has risen from the earth, the Daoist Master cannot spare himself, so I have come to take my leave. My Xiao Family has already relocated to Cangzhou in the Northern Sea..."

The heavenly phenomenon had not yet faded, yet the man had already arrived at the mountain. He had clearly set out at the first possible moment. Looking at the man kneeling in the courtyard, Li Zhouwei felt a quiet regret.

Xiao Chuting was a man who knew how to preserve himself. In earlier years, the spiritual aura of Jiangnan had required his intervention, leaving him no choice but to remain. Later, once he gained breathing room between the two sects, he immediately sealed the mountain gate, gradually relinquished surrounding interests, and began planning to leave Jiangnan. This had clearly not been the work of a year or two.

So this was no surprise, if anything, it was somewhat overdue. Li Zhouwei only said, "Our two families have enjoyed friendship for many years. My grand-uncle in particular has long admired the Daoist Master deeply and often wished to pay a respectful visit. He has mentioned it to me several times, but the Daoist Master's movements have been uncertain, and the meeting never came to pass."

Li Zhouwei had never thought of dragging others into his own affairs. He only hoped these allies of the Li Family might one day help protect the Li Family's people. So he said not a word beyond this, and every sentence pointed instead to Li Ximing.

"If one day my grand-uncle goes to Cangzhou in the Northern Sea to pay a visit... I hope the Daoist Master will grant him an audience."

Xiao Congyu hurriedly bowed and said with utmost respect, "Our Daoist Master has also mentioned that he is quite concerned for Daoist Master Zhaojing. From this day forward, my family's mountain gate will be at Baier Mountain in Kanbei Prefecture, Cangzhou, Northern Sea. If the Daoist Master has any need, you may visit at any time."

Li Zhouwei nodded, waved a hand, and replied, "I must remain to guard the lake, so it will most likely be Daoist Master Zhaojing who goes. When an immortal family relocates to a new place, he will certainly go offer congratulations and present a gift."

The Xiao Family man said no more. Seeing Li Zhouwei dismiss him, he quickly took his leave. Beside them, Li Jiangqian escorted him out and said quietly, "Father... the Xiao Family has been in seclusion for years and prepared long ago. They made no new marriage ties. Their direct lineage and blood relatives in the prefecture, those they could bring, they brought, and those who could leave have already left..."

He lowered his gaze and continued, "In my view, the Xiao Family's departure does not affect the larger situation. That Daoist Master would never become entangled with any side. Even if he remained here and turmoil broke out in the north... it would not spread so far as to offend him.

"Leaving now is really because he fears that when the time comes, he may not be able to refuse involvement and would earn the resentment of the Supreme Yang." The crimson-robed man narrowed his eyes slightly. "And now, while he has only just extended aid and there is still some goodwill left, leaving early is already the best timing."

Li Zhouwei signaled he understood and said softly, "It is precisely because he has remained no obstacle to the larger situation that he can leave."

The golden-eyed man rose from the main seat, descended the steps, and walked all the way to the entrance of the hall. His expression remained calm, his golden eyes all the more striking beneath the dim sky.

From here, he could see the rolling dharma smoke across the river. Clusters of brilliant light mixed with multicolored cloud qi were rising from the north, while figure after figure emerged through the densely packed clouds.

The scene in the heavens was reflected in those golden pupils. Neither the cloud qi nor the dharma smoke could obstruct his sight, and the dark shadows and golden bodies hidden within the mists appeared one by one before him.

"Set all that aside for now... notify the Supreme Yang Dao lineage. People are coming across the river."

Full name of Daoist Master Ch'i. I'm using Ch'i for Qī (戚) as the surname clashes with Qí (齐) ☜