The Eastern Sea surged with rolling waves. A streak of white light and a streak of golden light arrived in an instant, skimming over the churning sea before the armor-shaped Everstream Island came into view.

Compared to the desolation of past years, Everstream Island was now bustling with activity. Cultivators in uniform attire flew to and fro, busy in every direction. All of them were members of the Li Family sent here in recent years.

The two passed straight through the great void and descended onto the island. Beneath the palace, layers of steps had already been constructed, leading deep underground. They made their way down and soon arrived above the baleful lake.

Within the pitch-black depths, the [Zhen Tao Residence] standing upon the [Nether Binding Baleful Fluid] appeared especially grand and noble. Endless baleful winds shrouded the space above. Not a single person could be seen, and compared to when they had left years ago, there was not the slightest trace of change.

The Li Family had many rules. Without a Purple Mansion Realm expert to guard it and no orders coming from the lake, the cultivators on the island had clearly feared causing trouble and did not dare to step into this place.

Li Ximing gave a faint smile and said, "Please."

Liu Changdie’s face was filled with amazement. He had clearly sensed the wondrous nature of the formation. Stroking his beard, he remained silent, his eyes brimming with delight as he said, "What a treasure land that seizes the very creation of heaven and earth!"

The two entered the [Zhen Tao Residence] together. Before them stood a vast circular hall, engraved with turtles[1] entwined together, black and white interwoven. Tables with deep blue surfaces and golden patterns were arranged in neat rows, exuding grandeur and majesty.

Li Ximing’s gaze naturally fell upon the [Feather Transformation Pool]. The water within had become as warm and smooth as jade, radiating waves of soft white light. After leaving this place, he had traveled back and forth to Poluoduo, refining several pills along the way. With all the running around, nearly a full year had passed by the time he returned here.

Now, the pool water needed only one final push to produce an [Under-Neck Feather]!

Liu Changdie’s eye was exceptionally sharp. Almost at the same moment, his gaze locked onto the [Feather Transformation Pool]. He strode forward, bent down, and examined the pristine pool with great care, his shock beyond words.

He asked, "Ximing... do you hold authority over the grand formation?"

The [Profound Turtle Mansion-Stabilizing Spirit Formation] now had only one master. It responded to him as easily as moving his own arm. With a mere thought, Li Ximing linked his spiritual sense to the formation and immediately recorded Liu Changdie’s aura within it.

The moment Liu Changdie connected to the formation, he did not hesitate. Placing both hands on the edge of the pool, streaks of silver light immediately began to circulate around the water, accompanied by the clinking sound of moving chains.

"[Treasury Beam Silver]!"

The white water in the pool began to whirl rapidly as the water level dropped. In an instant, it vanished completely, leaving behind a silver-white feather, metallic in texture, resting at the bottom of the now-empty pool.

[Under-Neck Feather].

"So fast!"

Li Ximing lifted it with a divine ability and, fully satisfied, placed it into a box. Liu Changdie, however, did not spare it a glance. He gently brushed the white jade at the bottom of the pool, and the surface quickly turned transparent, faintly revealing countless runes embedded within.

For a moment, he was completely transfixed. His eyes turned silver-white as they rapidly reflected the runes before him, as though he were recording them with a divine ability.

He muttered under his breath, "To think there is such an ingenious concept! How is this any different from creating a spirit tree or spirit flower from nothing?! There must be a Mansion Water treasure here, borrowing its inherent rank!"

Li Ximing was momentarily stunned. Although he controlled the formation plate, he could not discern what materials had been used in the formation. He pondered inwardly, The [Profound Lake Unified Origin Qi] is already in my hands. Could there be something else within the formation? That would make sense!

Liu Changdie suddenly raised his head, his eyes gleaming, and said, "If you dismantle the [Profound Turtle Mansion-Stabilizing Spirit Formation], you will surely gain something!"

Li Ximing put on an awkward look of sudden realization. Liu Changdie, however, waved his hands repeatedly, answering himself, "It cannot be dismantled! It cannot be dismantled! Such a precious method left by a senior must be studied properly!"

He simply left Li Ximing aside and immersed himself in study, as if entranced. Fortunately, he retained a sliver of clarity. Though his eyes could not move away, he still said, "Please lend me this treasure land! Rest assured, Ximing. With the [Treasury Beam Silver], the condensation of this spirit item will be at least half a year faster!"

Li Ximing nodded in satisfaction. He touched the jade pendant at his waist and felt it grow warm, knowing that Li Zhouwei had already sent someone to retrieve the [Profound Intermediary Flower Leaf] from the Golden Feather Sect.

I can head to the grotto heaven immediately and refine this into a pill. Both of us can take it.

Not wanting to delay any longer, he made an excuse to leave. Liu Changdie immediately stood up, and said with a hurried expression,"Let me go out with you. It is inconvenient for me to stay on the island. Better that you assign someone for me to command."

Li Ximing replied, "That is easy!"

The two Daoist Masters immediately left the earth veins, traversed the great void, and descended into the main hall.

Their sudden arrival startled the man in white inside, who hurried forward to greet them, "Greetings, Daoist Masters!"

An Siwei was dressed in white. Though he still looked middle-aged, his bearing had taken on a more seasoned air. He wore a long beard, and the golden bangle he used to wear on his wrist was gone, giving him a plain appearance.

As the first Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator that was not a Li, An Siwei’s innate ability was not poor. Unfortunately, his cultivation method was not particularly advanced, and he had never enjoyed good resources in his youth. Now, having only just broken through to the mid-stage of the Foundation Establishment Realm, he would be courting death if sent into the intense north-south conflicts. Thus, he had been assigned here alongside Li Wen.

On the riverfront, he could be considered one of the weakest among Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators, even inferior to Li Wen. But out here, dealing with a few devil cultivators posed no issue. Coupled with his loyalty, this was a position well suited to him.

Li Ximing found him quite amiable. As they flew toward the island’s interior, he casually asked about his recent life. Liu Changdie, however, looked on with a complicated expression and suddenly said, "And An Zheyan... how is he now?"

An Siwei froze for a moment before recalling that the Daoist Master before him had once visited the Li Family. There might have been some connection.

At the mention of his father, sorrow immediately surfaced on his face, and he quickly replied, "Father... is extremely old now. He was originally resting at home, but he kept making a fuss, insisting on seeing me. His days are probably numbered. He was brought to the island yesterday, and he no longer seems very clear-headed. He just keeps asking for duck soup..."

"Oh!" Liu Changdie responded softly, straightening his robe, his expression complicated as he asked, "Where is the old man? I would like to see him!"

Liu Changdie knew An Zheyan as well. When he had constructed formations for the Li Family, the old man had worked alongside him. More than that, they had known each other in a previous life. The very first fortune he had made had even come from taking a spirit material that An Zheyan would have discovered in his prime in Lixia Prefecture.

Though he had once been plagued by inner demons and later achieved great enlightenment, turning all his obsessions into a resolve to break through to the Purple Mansion Realm and atone for his past, now, faced with this scene, the bitterness in his heart was beyond words.

In my previous life, Old Man An had not yet reached the end of his lifespan, but I had already heard he was preparing to make a final attempt at Foundation Establishment Realm... seeing him like this now... perhaps he has already lost the will.

Li Ximing felt a similar heaviness in his heart. Seeing that Liu Changdie held such thoughts, he nodded, and the three of them went down together. They soon found the man in the courtyard.

The old man’s head was still completely bald, but the white hair at his temples and his beard had grown long, hanging down to his chest. A fur hat rested beside the chair. He leaned back, face turned toward the sky, one hand gripping the armrest while the other pressed against his forehead, looking half-asleep.

The moment An Siwei stepped in, the old man suddenly stirred and sat up. His eyes widened, clouded and unfocused, as he asked, "Jingming![2] Has the Yu Family arrived?"

An Siwei’s face paled slightly. He stepped forward to support him and said softly, "Father, a Daoist Master has come to see you."

1. The turtle here refers to the Asian giant softshell turtle. ☜

2. This is An Jingming, son of An Zheyan. Check Chapter 214 for his death. ☜