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Novel: [The Primordial Law]
Volume 3: [Qiu Prefecture Lantern Festival]
Chapter 71 (215): [Yang Qingxi Dies]
(71st of Volume 3)
Translator: Shadow Knight AK
Editor: Shadow Knight AK
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Master Coffin said, "Listen to Master Guan. He has more authority on the Martial-Mystic Path. You've already pushed your cultivation through the first three seas too quickly. You can't damage your foundation further."
"With your cultivation at the Fourth Sea's perfection, your combat strength is already comparable to Yang Qingxi and Chen Wenwu, who are at the Seventh Sea with Pure Immortal Physiques. Add the seven Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperors, and you could even contend with weaker Successors."
"With such combat strength and cultivation speed, even the fools at the Calamity Crossing Temple would know you're the most terrifying Hidden Dragon."
"If you truly reach the level of the Long Dian and Lu Cangsheng during the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival, it would be incredibly dangerous. Countless eyes are watching Taoli (Peach and Plum) Mountain right now. Jiang Ning said even Second Palace Master from Lingxiao Palace is here!"
"As for the Immortality Pill, with Cang Li and Yin Jiu's strength, obtaining one shouldn't be difficult. Don't shoulder all the responsibility yourself. Remember, you're participating in the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival to hone your skills, not to risk your life."
Li Weiyi, still young at heart, naturally felt resentful.
Suddenly, something occurred to him.
"Since so many old geezers are here, won't the Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperors be recognized? Their displayed strength is too extraordinary. Many people probably won't believe they're just Commander-class Strange Insects."
Previously, he had claimed they were Commander-Grade Strange Insects: the Five-Colored Spiritual Moths.
Commander-Grade Strange Insects reach Dao Seed Realm strength upon maturity.
While rare, they wouldn't typically attract the attention of Immortality Realm Giants.
Spirit Tablet Master's voice echoed, "Rest assured, I have a plan. While you've been cultivating, I've had them feeding on Immortal Soil. With the influence of Immortal Soil and Xihe's aura, no one will recognize them as Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperors unless they examine them personally."
"If we can't hide it, claim they are Lord-Marquis Grade Strange Insects: Xihe Butterflies."
Li Weiyi then noticed that his Immortal Soil medicinal field had been utterly ravaged by the Little Seven.
The only two remaining Millennial Essence Herbs planted in the field had been completely devoured.
If he were to release them into the medicinal garden of a Ten Thousand Sects clan, Li Weiyi seriously doubted they wouldn't gorge themselves to death.
The Seven Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperors had already grown to six and a half inches in length, clearly having made significant progress in strength.
At this rate, they could easily reach seven inches and attain the Sixth Sea of Martial-Mystic Cultivation before the Shangyuan Festival.
With the combat prowess of Imperial-Grade Strange Insect larvae...
Li Weiyi stroked his chin, pinning his hopes for the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival on Little Seven. As their cultivation grew, their unique powers had gradually manifested, diversifying their attack methods and further boosting their combat strength.
This thought lifted Li Weiyi's spirits. He immediately harvested another Xihe flower to prepare for them.
"They grew from five inches to six inches after consuming two Millennial Essence Herbs and three Xihe flowers."
"Now, after eating two more Millennial Essence Herbs, they've only grown half an inch. To raise them to seven inches, I'll probably need to prepare two more Millennial Essence Herbs."
At this thought, a pang of regret struck Li Weiyi. He remembered the five chests of Yongquan Coins Yang Qingxi had stolen.
Those chests weren't just filled with coins; they also contained the final day's betting treasures, including Lu Wensheng's 1,600-year-old Black Dragon Grass.
That single herb's medicinal power rivaled two ordinary Millennial Essence Herbs.
If those five chests were still here, why would he be worrying about Millennial Essence Herbs?
"I must get them back! Raising these insects is a money-burning endeavor, and I still need plenty of Dao Lotus and Dao Fruit for my Five Seas Realm cultivation."
Li Weiyi prepared to leave the Blood Mud Space to address the Millennial Essence Herbs issue.
Of course, he couldn't place all his hopes on the Seven Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperors.
His own strength still had room to improve.
During these seven days, Li Weiyi had been cultivating his Qi and consuming Immortal Soil internally. Once his muscles and internal organs were fully sculpted, his combat strength would advance another step.
As for completing the cultivation of his tendons and skin within the next two or three days, that was nothing but wishful thinking.
No matter how difficult it became, his fighting spirit would not be extinguished.
"In your current state, if you were to engage in combat, especially against a master of your own level, the Spiritual Qi in your Fourth Sea could easily spiral out of control. You must be extremely cautious about this!"
Before leaving, Master Guan gave him this stern warning.
"Squeak!"
On the seventh day of the Lunar New Year, Li Weiyi finally emerged from his room.
The sky was overcast and harsh, with a blizzard raging outside. Snowflakes filled his vision, obscuring everything and robbing the scene of any beauty.
This was the largest snowfall Li Weiyi had ever witnessed since his birth. Though it was midday, the dim light of dusk hung in the air.
He went to Yin Jiu's residence, only to find it empty.
Cang Li's residence was next door.
As Li Weiyi stepped inside, Cang Li's voice called from within: "He left this morning. He ordered three coffins and had the bodies of the Hidden Sect's three top masters transported to South City first. After the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival, he intends to personally escort Qin Li and the others back to Li Prefecture, to let them return to their roots. I will do my utmost to secure them burial in the Ancestor Realm, granting them the highest honor."
Superficially, Cang Li's injuries had healed completely, though his complexion still appeared somewhat sickly, a far cry from the gruesome state he had been in seven days earlier.
He stopped meditating, walked to the table, poured a cup of clear tea, and drank it.
"Shall we talk?"
Li Weiyi went to the window, propping it open to let the cold wind wash over him.
"How's your recovery going?"
"I healed completely yesterday. This appearance is just for Tang Wanqiu's benefit," Cang Li said, sitting down in a chair.
"Do you know why the Calamity Crossing Temple chose the Zuoqiu Clan over the more powerful Snow Sword Tang Court?"
"Why?"
In this matter, Li Weiyi was naturally less informed than Cang Li, who had grown up in this world.
Cang Li explained, "Although the Snow Sword Tang Court has seized control of the Five Prefectures in the Northern Territory, its internal structure is a chaotic mix of factions. The Yinshan, Yue Clan, Wanyan Clan, and Tuoba Clan are all powerful forces that were forcibly integrated over the past decade."
"Ten years of warfare have left deep-seated grudges between them. Currently, the Snow Sword Tang Court is the dominant faction, having bound everyone to its chariot through marriage alliances. As long as they keep winning and sweeping across the land, there won't be any problems, because everyone benefits."
"But if they suffer a major defeat or the Snow Sword Tang Court undergoes a significant upheaval, it could instantly collapse from within, shattering into a pile of loose sand."
"In contrast, the Zuoqiu Clan, though only controlling two and a half prefectures, has cultivated its roots for thousands of years. Coupled with the strong support of the Jiu Li Tribe, they effectively control half of the Southern Territory."
"If the Far Western Ashlands hadn't intervened, they could have subdued forces like Heavenly Cliff Ridge, Guan Shan, and Night City during the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival without bloodshed, then seized control of the Five Prefectures. With the Jiu Li Tribe stabilizing their rear, they could have advanced more steadily than the Snow Sword Tang Court."
Li Weiyi said, "We're just insignificant juniors. Do we really need to consider all that?"
"Do you truly believe the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival has no bearing on the world's affairs?"
Cang Li transmitted his voice through Spiritual Qi, speaking softly: "If the Calamity Crossing Temple determines that the next generation of the Zuoqiu Clan truly possesses the makings of an Emperor, like the next Zen Hai Guanwu, then the high-ranking officials of Guan Shan, Heavenly Cliff Ridge, and Night City won't leave Qiu Prefecture City after the festival."
"This might even be a trap, a plot to lure out and eliminate dissidents in the Southern Territory."
"They'll have a perfect excuse to kill them: collusion with the Far Western Ashlands. Even the strongest cultivators from other forces in the Lingxiao Realm won't be able to find fault with it, and it won't provoke widespread outrage."
Li Weiyi was stunned, never imagining Cang Li had such unique insights into the world's affairs and the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival.
Cang Li said, "A lot has happened in the city these past seven days. All the top factions have been expanding their territories, collecting Dragon Seed Tickets and Dragon Bone Tickets. Small factions and individual Martial-Mystic Cultivators have no room to survive and can only attach themselves to the larger powers."
"The seven days are up. I reckon Tang Wanqiu won't be able to wait any longer and will make a move in the next couple of days. You shouldn't get involved. After all, you didn't promise her anything."
Suddenly, Li Weiyi asked, "Can you get me some Millennial Essence Herbs? Ice Attribute."
"To feed your insects?" Cang Li asked.
Li Weiyi was surprised: "How did you know?"
"Word's spread throughout the city that you're raising seven Lord-Marquis Grade Strange Insects. Once they mature, they'll become seven Immortality Realm Giants. Too many people want you dead. I've already sent someone to investigate the source of the rumors. We should have results soon." Cang Li said.
Li Weiyi breathed a sigh of relief.
Those who wanted him dead still lacked the imagination to be truly dangerous.
Seeing Li Weiyi's face remain unchanged, Cang Li was deeply moved: "So it's true? Seven Lord-Marquis Grade Strange Insects?"
"Ah! You've seen through me..." Li Weiyi said.
"You must keep this a secret for me."
Cang Li nodded lightly: "I'll find a way to get you the Millennial Essence Herbs. It'll take some time."
Outside the door, hurried footsteps approached.
Li Ling returned, looking as if something important had happened. She glanced at Li Weiyi with a peculiar expression: "Yang Qingxi is dead!"
"Ah!"
Li Weiyi and Cang Li were both taken aback.
"Who killed her?" Cang Li asked.
Li Ling looked at Li Weiyi and said, "He did!"
"Don't slander me. I've been in closed-door cultivation for the past seven days, never leaving my room," Li Weiyi retorted.
Li Ling said, "Yang Qingxi - or rather, Yang Qingchan - died seven days ago. Her body was found in the river and washed up at Bing Juze Lake this morning. Yao Qian and Yang Qingxi personally examined the body and confirmed that Li Weiyi was the killer. Yao Qian has vowed to execute Li Weiyi in front of Yang Qingchan's spirit after the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival."
Li Weiyi said, "I swear I didn't kill her. I won't admit to something I didn't do."
"Wait a moment."
Cang Li said, "Can you first tell me who Yang Qingchan was? And who exactly is dead?"
"Yang Qingchan was Yang Qingxi's sister. They looked identical, making it impossible to tell them apart. I only learned this today. The Sui Sect must be hiding a lot of power!" Li Ling said.
Cang Li looked deeply at Li Weiyi: "How Yang Qingchan died is no longer important! What matters is that you shone too brightly seven days ago. Someone is deliberately pushing you into the spotlight, step by step."
Li Weiyi fell into thought.
Suddenly, he felt a premonition and glanced toward the door.
"Tang Wanqiu is here!"
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END OF CHAPTER
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