Ink-Clad Creator

Linghan Palace is situated atop a 3,000-meter-high snow-capped peak, perpetually frozen.

Li Xian stood at the foot of the mountain, looking up at the winding stone steps that resembled a silver snake. The snow-capped mountain gleamed with a deep blue light under the moonlight, and the cold wind whipped up snowflakes that stung his face like knives.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" The administrator's voice echoed in your mind. "Although Linghan Palace is only a branch of the Demonic Sect, it has at least five Heavenly Origin Realm experts, as well as the elusive Palace Master, Bai Linghan. Your meridians haven't recovered yet, and you're only relying on the Magnetic Beam Blade and drones..."

"I am not alone." Li Xian tightened his black cloak.

Behind him, three figures quietly appeared.

Miss Chunmeng was still dressed in crimson, but she stood out starkly against the snow, so she simply wore a white snow coat over it, revealing only her sharp eyes. Binglan had changed into the standard white robes of Linghan Palace, her long hair simply tied up with an ice hairpin, her expression calm. The most surprising was Xiao Lingshan—she had also come, dressed in a light blue outfit, with the Han Family Fortress token hanging at her waist, her face displaying a resoluteness that Li Xian had never seen before.

"You..." Li Xian looked at her.

"I've come to see my aunt," Xiao Lingshan said calmly. "Father said that my mother stole the Green Wood Token and betrayed Linghan Palace because she was framed by Aunt Xiao. I want to ask her face to face why she would harm her own sister."

There was a lot of information in those words, and Li Xian didn't react for a moment.

Binglan explained softly, "Senior Xiao Lingyue was the eldest disciple of Linghan Palace, possessing exceptional talent, and should have inherited the position of Palace Master. However, Aunt Xiao—Xiao Lingxue—was jealous of her sister and plotted to frame her for having an affair with an outsider, and also falsely accused her of stealing palace treasures. Senior Xiao Lingyue was forced to flee, taking the Green Wood Token with her when she left..."

"Did she really steal the Green Wood Token?" Li asked first.

"It wasn't stolen." Xiao Lingshan shook her head. "My mother was originally in charge of the Green Wood Token. She took it away to prevent it from falling into the hands of the Demonic Sect."

Miss Chunmeng sneered, "And the result? After all that, Xiao Lingxue still managed to snatch the Green Wood Token back. You two sisters from the Xiao family are quite interesting."

Xiao Lingshan's face paled, but she did not refute.

Li Xian smoothed things over: "Let's leave the past aside for now. Tonight's mission is to rescue people—to rescue the women being persecuted in Linghan Palace. What's the specific list, Miss Binglan?"

Binglan took out a piece of silk from her bosom. Dozens of names were written on it, along with each person's location, the characteristics of their martial arts techniques, and the method by which they were controlled.

"There are thirty-seven people in total." Binglan pointed to the silk. "Nineteen of them have been infected with the 'Ice Soul Gu' and need to take the antidote every month, otherwise they will die from the Gu's effects. Ten of them have no choice but to submit because their families are being controlled. And the remaining eight... were kidnapped when they were young and have forgotten who they are."

She spoke calmly, but the fingers holding the silk trembled slightly.

Li Xian took the silk scroll and examined it carefully: "We'll split into three groups. Miss Binglan is familiar with the terrain; you take Lingshan to rescue those sisters who have been infected with the Gu poison. Use this—"

He took out a small jade bottle from his pocket, inside which was a "Gu-breaking Powder" specially made by Peng Shitao. Although it was not as thorough as the administrator's direct removal, it could temporarily suppress the Gu worms and buy time to escape.

"Miss Chunmeng and I will deal with Aunt Xiao." Li Xian looked at Chunmeng. "Although your Gu poison has been cured, your skills are not yet at their full strength. You don't need to fight her head-on. Just create chaos and attract her attention."

Miss Chunmeng raised an eyebrow: "How do we create chaos? Set fires? Or blow up the mountain?"

"Use this." Li Xian took out a fist-sized metal ball from his cloak—this was the "Illusionary Sound Array" that Superman had modified overnight, capable of simulating various sounds and creating large-scale auditory hallucinations.

"Linghan Palace is built on a snow-capped peak. What is it most afraid of?" Li Xian asked.

Miss Chunmeng's eyes lit up: "Avalanche."

"Yes." Li Xian nodded. "Take the array plate to the north side of the mountain and simulate thunder, explosions, and... the roar of some kind of large beast. Remember, the bigger the noise, the better, but don't actually trigger an avalanche—our people haven't evacuated yet."

"Understood." Miss Chunmeng took the array plate, weighed it in her hand, and asked, "And you? Where are you going?"

Li Xian looked towards the summit of the snow-capped mountain, where the outline of a palace could be vaguely seen: "I'm going to meet Aunt Xiao, and while I'm at it... retrieve the Green Wood Token."

"Are you crazy?" Miss Chunmeng's eyes widened. "In your current state, you can't even beat someone at the Heavenly Origin Realm, while Aunt Xiao is at least at the early Divine Origin Realm!"

"So I don't plan to fight," Li Xian smiled. "I'm prepared to... reason with her."

The three women were stunned.

"Reasonable?" Xiao Lingshan exclaimed incredulously. "If my aunt were a reasonable person, Linghan Palace wouldn't be in this state!"

"Then use reasoning she can understand." A dark red glint flashed in Li Xian's eyes—the brief management oversight gave his tone an unquestionable air of authority.

He looked at Binglan: "Let's begin. Remember, after rescuing them, immediately descend the mountain and go to these coordinates—"

He handed over a slip of paper with the location of the temporary shelter calculated by Superman, located in a hidden valley between Tonghai Prefecture City and Hanjiabao.

"There are drones there to provide support, and Peng Shitao has prepared medical supplies." Li Xian paused, "If I'm not back by dawn... you should take your men to Hanjiabao for temporary refuge."

"Brother Li!" Xiao Lingshan exclaimed anxiously.

Binglan stopped her and gave Li Xian a deep look: "We'll wait for you."

Without further ado, the four split up and went their separate ways.

On the north side of the mountain, Miss Chunmeng found a natural ice cave.

She placed the Illusionary Sound Array Plate at the cave entrance and activated it following the steps taught by Superman. Fine runes lit up the surface of the array plate, and then—

"BOOM!!!"

A thunderclap suddenly exploded out of nowhere! The sound was so loud that even Miss Chunmeng herself was startled! The echo reverberated through the snow-capped mountains, causing ice shards to fall in a flurry!

Then came the second and the third thunderclap! The thunder roared like war drums, continuous and relentless!

But that wasn't enough. Miss Chunmeng adjusted the frequency, and the array began to simulate explosions—not ordinary explosions, but a series of bangs like a powder keg being ignited!

"Bang! Bang bang bang—!!"

The snow-capped mountain trembled!

The Linghan Palace was instantly brightly lit, and countless figures in white rushed out of the palace, looking to the north in panic.

"An avalanche?!"

"Quickly! Activate the palace protection formation!"

"North sentry post, report!"

Amid the chaos, Miss Chunmeng curled her lips into a cold smile and pressed the third button.

This time, the array plate emitted not a sound, but... a deep, resonant roar, as if from ancient times.

"roar------"

The sound possessed a peculiar penetrating power, reaching straight to the depths of the soul! It was a "terrifying roar" synthesized by the administrators based on data from Earth's ancient organisms. Although it was only a simulation, its effect was astonishing when combined with the snowy mountain environment!

"It's...it's a snow beast?!"

"Legend has it that a thousand-year-old snow beast dwells deep within the snow-capped peaks. Could it have been awakened?"

The disciples of Linghan Palace panicked even more. Several elders leaped into the air and rushed towards the north.

Upon seeing this, Miss Chunmeng immediately put away the array plate, turned around, and disappeared into the shadows—her mission was complete.

Meanwhile, in the main hall of Linghan Palace.

Aunt Xiao—Xiao Lingxue—sat upright on the ice-sculpted throne, toying with the green wood token in her hand. She looked to be only in her forties, with a face that bore a five-point resemblance to Xiao Lingshan, but her eyebrows and eyes were sharper, and her lips were habitually pursed, revealing a harsh air.

A commotion arose outside the hall, and she frowned: "What's the commotion?"

A maid in white stumbled in: "Aunt Qi, there's a loud noise coming from the mountainside to the north, it looks like an avalanche, and...and there's also the roar of a snow beast!"

"Snow beast?" Xiao Lingxue sneered. "I've lived in this snow mountain for over thirty years and have never seen any snow beast. Someone must be playing tricks."

She stood up, about to go and check herself, when a calm voice suddenly came from outside the palace gate:

"Aunt Xiao, it's an honor to meet you."

Li Xian slowly stepped into the main hall.

He was still wearing that black cloak, but the hood had been removed, revealing a slightly pale face. He carried no weapon, only the magnetic dagger casually tucked into his waistband, like an ornament.

Xiao Lingxue narrowed her eyes: "You are... Li Xian?"

"Exactly."

"How dare you!" Xiao Lingxue laughed. "I haven't even come looking for you, and you've delivered yourself to my doorstep. What, are you here to seek justice for that girl Binglan, or to vent your anger for your 'Madam Meng'?"

She deliberately emphasized the words "Madam Meng," clearly indicating that she knew about what had happened in Peach Blossom Village.

Li shook his head: "No, that's not it. I'm here... to make a deal with you."

"A deal?" Xiao Lingxue asked with interest. "Tell me about it."

"Use the Azure Wood Token in exchange for the freedom of the thirty-seven women of Linghan Palace." Li Xian looked directly into her eyes. "I know you control them to cultivate the 'Ice Soul Dual Cultivation Technique,' absorbing their primordial yin to increase your power. But this method is too inefficient and violates the natural order. I can offer you something better."

Xiao Lingxue's expression changed slightly: "How do you know about the Ice Soul Dual Cultivation Technique?"

"I know more than you think." Li Xian raised his hand, and a drop of pale golden liquid appeared in his palm—it was his last remaining holy water energy. Although weak, its pure life force raised the temperature of the entire hall by a few degrees.

"Holy water?!" Xiao Lingxue's pupils constricted sharply. "You really did receive the inheritance of the celestial sage!"

A glint of greed flashed in her eyes, but she quickly suppressed it: "One drop of holy water for thirty-seven people? Do you think I'm a fool?"

"Not just a drop." Li Xian withdrew the holy water. "I can teach you how to make holy water—though you may not be able to learn it, at least I can point you in the right direction. Compared to extracting the vital essence of those poor women, the energy of holy water is purer and more...efficient."

These words struck a nerve with Xiao Lingxue.

She had cultivated the Ice Soul Dual Cultivation Technique for decades, with slow progress and severe side effects—she needed to drink the blood and qi of young boys and girls every month to suppress the backlash, which had long since become a demon within her. If she could truly obtain the method for creating the holy water…

"Why should I believe you?" she said coldly.

"You may not believe me," Li Xian said frankly, "but if you miss this opportunity, you may never meet another person who can make holy water."

The two looked at each other, and the hall fell silent.

The commotion outside the hall faded into the distance, clearly indicating that the chaos created by Miss Chunmeng was subsiding. Time was running out.

Finally, Xiao Lingxue spoke up: "I want to inspect the goods first."

"Okay." Li Xian was prepared and took out a roll of parchment from his pocket—it contained the "Basic Principles of Energy String Resonance" dictated by the administrator and written down by him. Although it was only introductory knowledge, it was enough to broaden the horizons of cultivators in this world.

Xiao Lingxue took the parchment, but after reading only a few lines, her expression changed.

"This...this is..."

"Another possibility for energy manipulation," Li Xian said. "One of the fragments of knowledge left behind by extraterrestrial sages. Now, may I have the Azure Wood Token?"

Xiao Lingxue gripped the parchment tightly, then looked at the Green Wood Token in her hand, hesitating.

Just then, hurried footsteps came from outside the hall!

Binglan and Xiao Lingshan rushed in, followed by more than a dozen thinly dressed, terrified women in white—the first group of people to be rescued.

"Aunt! Let them go!" Xiao Lingshan drew her longsword, pointing it directly at Xiao Lingxue.

Binglan stood protectively in front of the women and urgently said to Li Xian, "Young Master Li, the sisters in the western prison have been rescued, but there are still more than ten people trapped in the formation on the eastern side, and we need the Azure Wood Token to break them!"

Xiao Lingxue's face darkened: "You... fine, very well. Binglan, I raised you for twenty years, taught you martial arts, gave you status, and this is how you repay me?"

Binglan bit her lip: "I remember my aunt's kindness to me. But what did those sisters who were tormented by you do wrong?"

"The law of the jungle prevails, it's only natural!" Xiao Lingxue shouted sharply. "That's just how the world is! You think following this kid will change anything? Ridiculous!"

She suddenly raised the Green Wood Token, and a bright green light shone forth!

"Since you're courting death, then I'll grant your wish! Aoki Order—Ten Thousand Vine Binding!"

The floor of the main hall cracked open, and countless vines broke through the ice, coiling towards the crowd like venomous snakes!

Li Xian was prepared, and the magnetic beam knife was unsheathed!

A flash of light, and it wasn't aimed at the vines, but at the trajectory of the green light emitted by the Azure Wood Token! The administrator instructed him in his mind: "The Azure Wood Token manipulates plants by emitting life energy waves of a specific frequency. As long as we interfere with this frequency—"

The blade vibrated at a high frequency, emitting a buzzing sound that was almost inaudible to the human ear!

The green light trajectory suddenly became chaotic! The vines lost control, flailing wildly in mid-air before finally drooping limply to the ground.

"How is this possible?!" Xiao Lingxue exclaimed in horror.

"Nothing is impossible." Li sheathed his sword. "Aunt Xiao, do you still want to fight? Although you are at the initial stage of the Divine Origin Realm, your cultivation technique is countered by my sound waves, and I have also broken the Green Wood Token. If we really fight, you may not be able to win."

He paused, then continued, "And... listen."

Outside the hall, more footsteps could be faintly heard—Miss Chunmeng had arrived with the second group of rescued women.

Xiao Lingxue's expression shifted rapidly. She knew she had lost tonight. Not because of her strength, but because of... people's hearts.

Those women she regarded as worthless, those puppets she thought would never dare to resist, were now looking at her with eyes full of hatred, fear, yet also a glimmer of hope.

She had seen that look in her older sister Xiao Lingyue's eyes before.

Back then, when she forced her sister out of Linghan Palace, the way her sister looked back at her was just like this.

"Heh..." Xiao Lingxue suddenly laughed, a desolate laugh. "Sister, you've won. Even after being dead for so many years, you've still won."

She tossed the Green Wood Token to Li Xian.

"Take it and get out." She turned away from everyone. "From this day forward, Linghan Palace... will cease to exist."

At dawn, at the foot of the snow-capped mountain.

Thirty-seven women from Linghan Palace, plus Miss Chunmeng, Binglan, Xiao Lingshan, and Li Xian, a total of forty-one people, stood in the morning light.

Most of the women were still dressed in thin white clothes, shivering in the cold wind. But in their eyes, there was a light they had never seen before—the light of freedom.

Li Xian stood on a boulder, looking at the women and then at the Green Wood Token in his hand.

"From this day forward," he declared, "you are free. Those who wish to return home will be escorted back and given enough silver to settle down. Those who have nowhere to go may come with me."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "I want to establish an organization called 'The Sacred Gate of Creation.' Its purpose is simple: to protect the weak, punish evil, and explore the truth. Those who wish to join are welcome. Those who don't, I won't force them."

The women looked at each other in bewilderment.

A slightly bolder girl asked timidly, "Holy Lord... can we really go home?"

"Okay," Li Xian nodded. "But I must warn you, most of you are under the control of Linghan Palace, whether it's poison or a restriction. Come with me, and I can help you break free. Going home on your own... you might be found by the remaining forces of Linghan Palace, or your family might reject you."

This is reality.

Another woman, slightly older than her, stepped forward: "Holy Lord, I am willing to go with you. But I have one condition—I want to learn martial arts, real martial arts, not the seductive arts of Linghan Palace that please men."

"Sure," Li Xian said earnestly. "The Holy Sect will have specialized training methods to teach, suitable for women and suitable for men. Moreover... not only martial arts, but also medical skills, mechanical arts, and even... creation arts."

This statement caused a stir.

Binglan spoke up at the opportune moment: "Sisters, Young Master Li... no, the Holy Lord is right. In my twenty years in Linghan Palace, I've never felt like a person, not a tool, as I do now. I'm willing to follow the Holy Lord, what about you?"

Xiao Lingshan also stated, "On behalf of Hanjiabao, I express our willingness to form an alliance with the Sacred Gate of Creation and provide them with protection and resources."

Miss Chunmeng snorted: "I still have some connections with the Demonic Sect, I can bring some people over."

With someone taking the lead, the other women gradually mustered their courage.

Ultimately, of the thirty-seven people, twenty-eight chose to stay, while nine wanted to go home.

Li Xian recorded everything, distributed silver to the nine people returning home, and arranged for drones to secretly escort them.

By the time I finished doing all that, it was already broad daylight.

He looked at the remaining twenty-eight women, then at Chunmeng, Binglan, and Xiaolingshan beside him, and a strange sense of responsibility welled up in his heart.

"Managers," he asked himself, "can we really do it? Create... a different kind of business world?"

"How will you know if you don't try?" the manager chuckled. "But Mr. Li, I must remind you, building a power isn't child's play. You need money, land, a lineage of martial arts techniques, and talented managers... Do you have all of these?"

"Not now," Li said, looking into the distance, "but soon."

He turned to the crowd and said, "Let's go to our first stronghold—Peach Blossom Valley."

That was the hidden valley that Superman found. It was easy to defend and difficult to attack, and it had natural hot springs, making it suitable for recuperation.

The procession slowly set off.

Xiao Lingshan walked beside Li Xian and asked softly, "Are you really... going to marry them?"

Li Xian was taken aback: "Who?"

"Miss Chunmeng, Miss Binglan, and... other women who may join the Holy Gate in the future." Xiao Lingshan lowered her head. "Father said that if you are truly sincere, you should marry them properly and not let them down."

Li Xian remained silent for a long time before saying, "Ling Shan, I can't make any promises to you right now. I don't even know if I'll live to see tomorrow. But there's one thing I can guarantee—no matter what the future holds, you'll always have a place in my heart."

That's a nasty remark, but it's honest.

Xiao Lingshan looked at him and suddenly smiled: "That's enough."

She quickened her pace and caught up with Miss Chunmeng and Binglan. The three women were talking in hushed tones, occasionally letting out soft laughter.

Looking at their retreating figures, Li Xian suddenly felt that this might not be so bad.

The manager murmured in his mind, "The road ahead is long, Your Majesty. First, let's figure out how to feed these thirty-odd mouths."

Li Xian smiled wryly.

Yes, the road ahead is long.

But at least, the first step has been taken.

(End of Chapter 42)