Chapter 1588: Oath Of Western Xiao (I)

The Mirror Legacy

Li Zhouwei arrived riding on Radiant Light, and the sight of him left both men thoroughly shaken!

The… imperial family of the fallen dynasty…

The yellow-robed Daoist Master's heart immediately tightened with mixed emotions. The moment he saw those golden eyes and the golden patterns flickering along Li Zhouwei's neck, bitterness filled his mouth. For a moment he had no idea how to respond!

The radiant spirit artifact in his hand dimmed slightly. He didn’t say a word or make any extraneous movements as he quietly stepped back. Yet just as those complicated emotions welled up within him, an inexplicable fear suddenly followed!

Bright Yang is overbearing by nature. I forcibly ordered Cui Jueyin back to the island, which already violated the [Oath of Western Xiao]. On top of that, I embarrassed him publicly. To someone like him, that must be an unbearable humiliation. It would have been fine had we never met, but now he's suddenly standing before me…

Cui Yushan[1] hailed from the Western Sea. His ancestors had left the Eastern Sea during Li Xuan's restoration of the kingdom. Whether one viewed it as a branch of the Cui Family gradually growing distant from the main lineage and unwilling to bear centuries of karmic entanglements, or as a means for the Chongzhou Cui Family to preserve its bloodline, the truth remained the same. His branch of the Cui Family in the Western Sea had deliberately severed itself from the past and openly cut all ties with the Li Family.

He believed he had done nothing wrong, but in the eyes of an imperial descendant, how could such matters be judged by right or wrong? His heart climbed into his throat. Heavenly light flickered beneath his feet, and even his divine ability seemed diminished before the man standing before him. For an instant, he felt an almost irresistible urge to turn and flee!

Meanwhile, the blue-robed Daoist Master before him frowned, and his own heart skipped a beat as he thought, It's Li Zhouwei!

This Daoist Master came from Mount Qusi in the Southern Sea. Several centuries ago, his lineage and Daoist Master Xuanyi's Jingyi Mountain had once belonged to the same sect. Even now, they remained close and frequently exchanged visits. As a result, he genuinely recognized the Moongaze Li Family.

He sighed inwardly, Xuanyi claims his side has close ties with Daoist Master Zhaojing, but there is no proof of that, and it would be difficult to explain. The relationship between the Cui and Li Families, however, is known throughout the world. He'll certainly assume I'm on Yangya's side. Better not create any misunderstanding!

Thus, he offered not a single word of explanation. Not wishing to waste even a moment, he silently mounted his light and departed, dissolving into a surging gale of spirit wind…

The scene was deeply ironic. Both Li Zhouwei and Yangya understood perfectly why the man had retreated so readily, leaving Yangya awkwardly caught between advancing and withdrawing.

By all legal and traditional standards, as a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator of the Cui Family who had inherited the Dao lineage of Wei State, he ought to kneel before the White Qilin upon meeting him and respectfully address him as 'My Lord.' Even calling him 'Your Highness' or even 'My Sovereign' would not be excessive.

Yanga was torn, All the great figures within the grotto heaven are watching. The moment those words leave my mouth, it would be tantamount to declaring that the Cui Family of the Western Sea, and perhaps even all of Chongzhou, has chosen a side!

Yet if he failed to say it, how could Yangya fare any better?

How had the Cui Family risen to prominence? In those days, they had been nothing more than an aristocratic clan from the mountain regions, no different from the Lìn or Ch'i families. It was only because the Wei Emperor and the Cui ancestor Cui Yan had joined hands as sovereign and minister, swearing an oath atop Western Xiao Mountain and founding a dynasty together, that the family's later glory came to be!

At the time, the Wei Emperor had sworn, For as long as Wei stands, you shall be the Lord of Heavenly Radiance.

And Cui Yan replied, Having long enjoyed Your Grace's favor, I shall serve the Heavenly Branch as its loyal minister. If any among my descendants and clansmen neglect their duty or dare oppress the common people, may Bright Light strike them down.

Later, one became the Bright Yang Imperial Monarch, while the other became the Heavenly Radiance True Monarch. They had then fulfilled their oath to the letter. Throughout the entire era of Wei, the Cui Family enjoyed every spiritual blessing, rose to immortal nobility, and ultimately became the foremost clan in the world. At the very height of the Celestial Dynasty, even as its collapse loomed, Cui Mu had been able to assume the status of a True Monarch through the dynasty's secret arts. What level of prestige was that?

Whenever members of the Cui Family read that chapter of their history, they were left speechless with awe. Though what followed had been an age of endless blood and tears, the family had truly stood at the pinnacle of glory.

When later generations were asked about their heritage, they could answer without the slightest shame, I am a descendant of the True Monarch's kin.

The history shared by the Wei's Li Family was both the bloodstained sorrow of the Cui Family and its brightest, proudest legacy. Cui Yushan was no exception. Those memories were etched deeply into his heart. Even he, the man most determined to sever all ties with the Li Family, had once dreamed in his youth of an Imperial Monarch descending onto the world and a sovereign-father ruling the realm once more.

Even Yangya could understand why generation after generation had devoted themselves to restoring Wei State.

When the Qi Emperor destroyed the state, he burned its records three times. Aside from the remnants preserved overseas by our Chongzhou Cui Family, nearly everything else has been erased. Very few people still remember the [Oath of Western Xiao]… but…

The oath sworn by those two great figures may have been forgotten by everyone in the world, but there is one thing that certainly remembers it perfectly.

The Bright Yang Fruition Attainment!

Cui Yan had declared, May Bright Light strike them down.

This was a covenant between an Imperial Monarch and a True Monarch. Without that Bright Light hanging overhead as an ever-present judgment, the Cui Family, even at the height of its virtue, could never have maintained generations of loyal, upright descendants willing to sacrifice themselves for the people!

The [Oath of Western Xiao] no longer seemed to carry much binding force, yet it remained a lingering hope for the Cui Family. Those who cultivated other Dao lineages might have found it easier to dismiss, but Yangya cultivated the Bright Yang lineage itself. Though he could normally laugh off the oath as an empty relic of the past, he could not help but hesitate as he faced the White Qilin before him.

Who knows whether Bright Yang is watching him? Who knows what aspect of Bright Yang he represents?

Caught between all these conflicting thoughts, he could only stand stiffly to the side. He neither dared leave nor dared speak. Slightly bowed, he remained as motionless as a statue and waited in silence.

Li Zhouwei had no time to concern himself with him. He simply behaved as though he was alone, unfastened the [Brilliant Yang King's Axe] from his waist, and turned his attention to the formation. As time passed, the white bright light shrouding the area weakened at an astonishing rate. By the time he struck with the axe, a single blow was enough to shatter the remaining radiance into pieces.

He raised his sleeve and swept everything from the platform in one clean motion. After a brief investigation with his ability to search the unseen, he discovered that the side hall on the opposite end had already been emptied by someone else. He glanced at Yangya, who still stood respectfully to the side, then departed upon a trail of light without saying a word.

Yangya’s simple act of inaction had practically saved his life! Covered in cold sweat, he immediately rode the wind away when he felt the crushing pressure lift. The panic in his heart faded, leaving behind only lingering fear and a tangle of complicated emotions. Without looking back, he sped toward the horizon, yet found himself growing increasingly lost.

Can the Cui Family truly escape this fate? Does any of this still have meaning? If every appearance of Wei's Li demands the sacrifice of a Cui, would today have been my turn?

And if I choose to stand aside… Does that mean all the sacrifices of my forebears were for nothing…

Lost in endless confusion, he fled into the distance. As he traveled through the empty world, a chill crept into his heart, and he found himself questioning everything.

"Is it a curse passed down from generation to generation, or a temptation repeated time and again? Did my ancestors devote themselves out of loyalty, or because each of them wished to become the protagonist of the [Oath of Western Xiao]?"

————

Clang!

A raging True Fire storm roared through the mountains and swept through a green palace. Within the hall, a cultivator in golden robes stood quietly, wandering flames streaming from his sleeves before crashing into the great hall with a thunderous explosion.

The golden-robed man lowered his sleeve. Across from him, a Daoist Master was forced back half a step as he was scorched by the flames. His expression darkened as he summoned water-and-fire raised through True Essence to fend off the True Fire.

He lowered his eyes as he said, "Fellow Daoist Shilou, you're being far too discourteous!"

Shilou Yingge remained calm. The divine ability in his hands showed no restraint whatsoever, as it burned with the intensity of a profound furnace of True Fire. Dazzling light burst from him, splitting into hundreds upon hundreds of radiant streaks that shot toward his opponent.

He casually replied, "Daoist Master Lìn jests. This is hardly the time for courtesy!"

Even as he replied, his gaze silently swept across the horizon. The multicolored lights in the sky had become increasingly sparse.

After all, the number of Purple Mansion Realm cultivators gathered here was the greatest seen in a century, far surpassing even the gathering at Anhuai Heaven. No matter how vast this mountain range was, it was insignificant before so many Purple Mansion Realm cultivators. It had only felt like the blink of an eye, yet most of its treasures had already been divided among them.

Still, the battle among the Grand Daoist Masters at the very center had only grown fiercer. Thunderous explosions shook the heavens as several Dao towers collapsed one after another. Though the spirit treasures had already found their owners, none of them showed any intention of stopping. Instead, they fought with increasing abandon, seemingly determined to settle who stood above whom!

More critically, as the dharma relic continued to rise and its mystics were gradually awakened, the suppressive force sealing and gathering everything in the area grew stronger by the moment. Those who had obtained treasures hurriedly fled, while those who had failed to do so became increasingly uneasy. Rather than linger in such a dangerous place, they would sooner chase after new opportunities elsewhere.

Beyond this mountain range lay endless fields of bones, which contained countless hidden treasures, including even remnants of ancient Dao lineages. Naturally, none of that could be ignored!

Many other Purple Mansion Realm cultivators, having already gained enough, quickly restrained their greed and dispersed in all directions, preparing to leave the grotto heaven.

Those still lingering here and fighting now… are mostly mid-stage Purple Mansion Realm cultivators…

Shilou Yingge withdrew his gaze and swept it across the jade platform at the center. A faint frown appeared on his face. The True Fire around him surged ever more violently, then his brows suddenly rose.

Golden-red light burst from his hand as he sneered. "Fellow Daoist, you've been waiting long enough!"

Sure enough, clouds began to churn overhead. A streak of black light dove down from the sky, headed straight for the jade platform, only to be intercepted by the golden-red radiance. Dark clouds billowed outward as black light flickered within them.

Only then did Shilou Yingge's expression change slightly. "The Shamanic Talisman Dao?"

The rolling black qi drifted apart, revealing a figure where none had stood before. The man was tall and gaunt, with a wax-yellow complexion. Clad in black robes and black boots, he bore a crimson mark at the center of his brows and carried a jade pendant in one hand.

Daoist Master Lìn blinked and smiled, his expression carrying equal parts mockery and curiosity. "And who are you to stand in the way of the northern great clans and nobles?"

The man did not speak. He merely smiled faintly, yet a voice thundered in everyone's ears.

"Jiao Zhongzi of Southern Shun Raksha!"

Shilou Yingge scowled. "What audacity!"

He had naturally heard of Southern Shun Raksha, since Dilutian Sanglin's reputation was far from insignificant. Since Duanmu Kui, he had been regarded as one of the few pillars capable of carrying the Shamanic Talisman Dao forward. Yet reputation was one thing. With a single glance, Shilou Yingge could tell that the divine ability of the man before him was nothing exceptional. A cold smile appeared on his lips.

But Jiao Zhongzi merely narrowed his eyes. Layer upon layer of reddish-brown flames erupted from the center of his brows and crashed downward!

[Shaoshang Ministerial Fire]

Meanwhile, Daoist Master Lìn did not remain idle during that brief moment of delay. Though he appeared motionless, his divine ability had already crossed the distance. Brilliant radiance flared outward, only to be met by a stream of dark light descending from above, suppressing his attack.

A short, stout figure emerged from the shadows. It was none other than Murong Yan.

"Fellow Daoist Lin! It's been a long time!"

Murong Yan still looked as short and rotund as ever, as though none of the hardships he had recently endured had left any mark on him. Laughing heartily, he unleashed his Valley Water divine ability, which descended from above and firmly pinned his opponent in place!

Daoist Master Lìn showed little surprise, and snorted coldly, "So you've joined forces with scoundrels!"

Murong Yan's timely appearance brought no joy to Shilou Yingge. Instead, flames erupted around him as he shot upward. Multicolored clouds rippled across the sky, heavenly light emerged, and a heavenly gate descended from above!

[Heaven-Venerating Gate]

The heavenly gate was too distinctive, and everyone recognized it at once!

Li Zhouwei!

Everyone froze for an instant. Shilou Yingge's expression remained calm, but his eyes suddenly sharpened with unwavering resolve.

1. The given name of Daoist Master Yangya.