Chapter 404: Chapter 248: Thousand Illusions_2
Li Shiming didnât use the âStep by Step Lotusâ this time; his head was a bit swelled. It was just that his clone, Li Yuanba, had used the âStep by Step Lotusâ once, and as a result, a Venerable Level expert from Qianye Temple had been dispatched to pursue him.
If he were to use the âStep by Step Lotusâ and was discovered, Qianye Temple would probably not let him off the hook either.
So this time, he honestly took out a Flying Boat, which smoothly flew towards Thousand Illusion Sect.
The Flying Boat bore the mark of the Shushan Sect. Even within the territory of Thousand Illusion Sect, it would not encounter any trouble, so he arrived at the gate of Thousand Illusion Sect without any difficulties.
Li Shiming had not informed Yin Shilan in advance. However, from the previous messages, he knew that Yin Shilan had not been in seclusion for cultivation these days but had been studying formations.
He took out a Magic Artifact Flying Sword that he had refined during his Qi Refinement, left a message on it with Divine Thought, and then tossed out the Magic Artifact Flying Sword, which transformed into a streak of light and disappeared.
This was the âFlying Sword Communicationâ Secret Technique from the sword cultivator heritage, recorded in the âSky-Surging Sword Intent Techniqueâ.
Of course, similar âFlying Sword Communicationâ Secret Techniques exist in other sword cultivator heritages. Although there are differences in application, the essence is the same.
It involves knowing the general direction of the person who is to receive the message, using oneâs own refined Flying Sword to carry the message, setting the recipientâs unique aura characteristics, and then letting the Flying Sword seek the recipient on its own to deliver the message.
This is a means for sword cultivators to pass on information, which requires the support of Sword Intent.
Li Shiming was quite fond of the âFlying Sword Communicationâ technique, which had similarities to the tracking missiles of his previous life.
However, after research, he realized that âFlying Sword Communicationâ simply could not replace the function of tracking missiles. With his current realm, âFlying Sword Communicationâ could at most be used within a hundred miles, and the Flying Sword could not carry anything else.
The idea of using âFlying Sword Communicationâ as a tracking missile was unfeasible, at least in the Foundation Establishment Stage.
âFlying Sword Communicationâ carries no offensive capability, otherwise it would have been blocked by Formation Arrays.
When âFlying Sword Communicationâ encounters a Formation Array, it actively reveals a kind of goodwill, similar to how other cultivators signal to notify the master of its arrival, thus encountering no obstruction from the Formation Array.
It wasnât long before a familiar figure standing on a familiar green Flying Boat appeared.
Although she had become a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, Yin Shilan had not changed her Flying Boat, which was normal. The difference between a Qi Refinement Realm Flying Boat and a Foundation Establishment Flying Boat was not significant. It was only at the Golden Core Stage that Flying Boat Magical Treasures would appear.
But not all Golden Core cultivators have Magical Treasure class Flying Boats. Magical Treasure class Flying Boats among Golden Core cultivators are considered luxurious, and only a very few with high positions, power, and wealth have the privilege of owning them.
âLanâer!â Li Shiming called out softly. In his eyes, Yin Shilanâs pretty face was still as exquisite as a fairy in a painting, flawless and pure.
âShiming!â Yin Shilanâs face revealed a rare excitement, causing her cheeks to blush, delighted by Li Shimingâs unexpected visit.
The two gazed quietly at each other outside the sect gate, their eyes brimming with the joy of reunion after longing for each other, as if they wished to etch this moment into the depths of their souls.
âJunior Sister Yin, who is this?â an annoying voice shattered the rare, peaceful, and beautiful atmosphere.
Li Shiming looked towards the person who spoke. It was a young cultivator, but after consuming the Youthful Elixir, Li Shiming was particularly sensitive to slight changes in the skin.
With just one glance, he could tell that the young cultivator was no younger than a hundred years old, which could be discerned from the faint wrinkles at the corners of his eyes and mouth.
The young cultivator must have been using Spiritual Objects for skin maintenance to keep a seemingly young appearance.
The young cultivatorâs strength was not weak; he was at the late stage of Foundation Establishment, and the front of his Vestment robe displayed the distinct mark of a True Inheritor.
âLanâer, letâs go to your cave dwelling!â Li Shiming said to Yin Shilan with a smile after seeing a flash of dislike in her eyes for the newcomer.
Yin Shilan needed to live on in Thousand Illusion Sect. Li Shiming didnât wish to stir up trouble with a True Disciple of Thousand Illusion Sect and cause issues for her. He himself wasnât afraid of trouble.
âWho are you, and why do you address Lanâer in such a familiar way?â The young cultivator saw that the two of them ignored him, his face alternating between shades of anger and paleness. Upon hearing Li Shimingâs intimate address, his tolerance reached its limits, and he raised his voice to question them.
The young cultivator was named Xiao Ke, a true disciple of the Thousand Illusion Sect.
From the moment he saw Yin Shilan, he was besotted. Whenever Yin Shilan appeared, he would persistently try to approach her, hoping to become her Daoist couple.
Aware of Yin Shilanâs status as a true disciple versed in formations, Xiao Ke dared not cross the line but was persistent with his words.
Luckily, Yin Shilan preferred solitude on her regular days. Aside from being in her cave dwelling, she would be learning about formations from her master.
She didnât want to worry Li Shiming, so she hadnât mentioned Xiao Keâs behavior to him.
âLanâer, letâs go!â Li Shiming jumped onto Yin Shilanâs flying boat, lightly supporting her slender arm.
Xiao Keâs eyes turned red at this. In his mind, Yin Shilan belonged to him; Li Shimingâs gesture had crossed his line.
âHow dare you abduct Junior Sister Yin at the gate of the Thousand Illusion Sect? Despicable!â He wasnât foolishâdespite his rage, he still thought of a justifiable reason to strike.
Even if he faced questioning afterward, he would argue that it was a misunderstanding. Given his status in the sect, killing another cultivator wouldnât be deemed a significant issue.
As Xiao Ke spoke, he shot a flying sword towards Li Shiming.
He didnât use the illusion techniques he was best at since they took too long to kill, and he was worried that the sectâs patrolling elders would intervene.
âBe careful!â Yin Shilan exclaimed softly as a spirit artifact shield appeared in front of her, ready to block Xiao Keâs attack.
She knew all too well that Xiao Ke was a seasoned Foundation Establishment cultivator, whose combat strength ranked among the top twenty within the Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Thousand Illusion Sect.
Donât underestimate this top twenty; for a large sect, this meant he was one in a thousand elite.
Yin Shilan knew that Li Shiming had also reached the Foundation Establishment stage, but how long had Li Shiming cultivated? At least a year less than it had taken her.
While Yin Shilan was deep in thought, Li Shimingâs Central Palace Sword shot out even faster than her spirit artifact shield.
The Central Palace Sword first crossed paths with Xiao Keâs flying sword in the air, clashing and scraping against each other. The Thunder Sword Intent within the Central Palace Sword pierced through the defense of Xiao Keâs flying sword, and the terrifying thunder spirit power entered the flying sword, destroying its spirit imprint.
Xiao Ke felt a sharp pain in his mind and before he could recover, the Central Palace Sword was upon him.
Li Shiming knew that if he killed a true disciple of the Thousand Illusion Sect at the sectâs gate, even if he was in the right, it would likely cause significant trouble.
Therefore, he showed restraint. After shattering Xiao Keâs protective spiritual power, the Central Palace Sword merely pricked him slightly before returning to Li Shimingâs side.
Just then, a figure appeared on the scene, and a terrifying aura enveloped all three of them.
âWhatâs the matter here? Why are you fighting at the sect gate?â A Golden Core Elder asked, his gaze sweeping across the three people present, pausing briefly on Li Shiming.
Since both parties were true disciples, the Golden Core Elder did not immediately intervene.
Replying to Elder Zheng, Xiao Ke attacked my friend without any provocation,â said Yin Shilan with a look of indignation as she bowed slightly.
âGreetings to Elder Zheng. I am Li Shiming, the alchemy true inheritor from the Shushan Sect. I was not aware of the strict rules at the Thousand Illusion Sectâs gate and that even with a true disciple as a guide, one could still be subject to a sneak attack!â Li Shimingâs words were far from courteous, as no one would be pleased with an unwarranted assault.
Xiao Ke longed to speak but as soon as he opened his mouth, his complexion changed, and no sound emerged.
Elder Zheng took Xiao Keâs silence as an admission of guilt, and his expression revealed his displeasure. A true inheritor of alchemy from the Shushan Sect was of the highest caliber among true disciples. To lose face in front of them, how could his sect not be ridiculed by theirs!