Audience

After Tian Zhongqing flicked his sleeves and stormed off, dark clouds gathered in Shamoli's heart as stray, anxious thoughts tumbled through his mind. Tian Rong was still tactlessly babbling on, making Shamoli all the more restless. Clearing his head, Shamoli pondered: "What does Li Xuanxuan mean by this...? I stay properly in the Shanyue lands, never touching the Li family's spirit fields or spiritual goods, keeping to myself year after year. It can't be that they find me unserviceable... Could this be a show of force?" As Shamoli was lost in thought, the carriage ground to an abrupt halt. Startled, Tian Rong thought Tian Zhongqing had turned back and hurriedly shut his mouth, only to hear the raspy voice of an old man calling out: "The master family's summons has arrived! How long do you intend to wait, Great King? Do not let the hour slip by!" "Grand Shaman-Priest! Please, come inside at once!" Shamoli urged in haste. In stepped an old man with hair and beard completely white and a face full of hardened flesh. Though he appeared decrepit with age, his eyes were still spirited, staring straight at Shamoli. It was none other than Ahui La, the elderly Shanyue native who had surrendered to the Li family years ago. By now, he was at the peak of Embryonic Breathing, but with his advanced age and dwindling lifespan, there was no longer any hope of a breakthrough. Shamoli glanced at Tian Rong. Ahui La raised an eyebrow in immediate comprehension, hoisted Tian Rong up unceremoniously like a chicken, and—disregarding Tian Rong's incredulous shrieks—hurled him out of the carriage. With a thud, Tian Rong hit the dirt, still swearing, which made Ahui La scowl deeply. Poking his head out, Ahui La barked furiously: "Even your father has to call me his old brother! What right do you have to yell? How did Tian Youdao ever sire such a useless waste like you? Back then, he should have held back, pulled out, and splashed you onto the ground, sparing our clan from being ruined by you!" Not only did these words leave Tian Rong's lips quivering, but even Shamoli's eyes went wide. He could only pretend nothing had happened. Ahui La spat with a *ptui*, turned back around, and called: "Great King!" Ahui La was a veteran retainer of the Li family. In the past, he had marched west alongside Li Xiangping; Tian Youdao had also been in that army, though with his meager strength back then, he had been utterly inconspicuous. Ahui La had even saved his life a few times, and Tian Youdao had always called him "Elder Brother." Thus, Ahui La showed no mercy when tongue-lashing Tian Rong. Shamoli hurriedly said: "Grand Shaman-Priest!" "Pack up your things and let's get on the road!" Ahui La's words made Shamoli curse in his heart, but he could only nod in agreement. Stepping out of the carriage, he saw that all the tributes and ceremonial retinue were already prepared. Shamoli had not even given the order, yet the treasury had already been emptied clean. Nodding stiffly, he boarded the convoy and cursed inwardly: *Motherfucker.* *** "An Zheyan certainly knows how to read the wind!" Sitting cross-legged casually in the seat of honor, the black-robed youth nodded at the words of the person below, smiling as he said: "He settled down quietly in Lijing Town with the rest of the An clan, and widely spread word of their past vow surrendering the two mountains. Over these years, he has made some progress after all, having learned quite a bit." Now that Li Xuanxuan was in charge of the clan, Li Yuanjiao had been assigned down to oversee the Clan Rectory. He had a fierce and harsh temperament, which suited this duty perfectly. "He has indeed made much progress!" The youth below nodded. His brow bore a striking resemblance to Li Xuanling's, carrying an air of steady composure. This was Li Xuanling's son, Li Yuanyun, a few years younger than Li Yuanjiao. However, lacking a spirit aperture, he had previously always stayed on the mountain. Now that Li Yuanyun had married a woman with a spirit aperture, he naturally could not remain on the mountain. He had moved down to establish an independent estate, spending his days reading books, looking into past affairs, or dropping by Li Yuanjiao's residence for a visit. Perhaps because he had no spirit aperture and did not practice cultivation, Li Yuanyun carried none of that sharp, unyielding edge, but rather a gentle and submissive peace. Pausing for a moment, he continued: "Shamoli's eldest son has already begun cultivating. Born to a daughter of our collateral branch, he was raised on Eastlander customs from childhood. He begged our clan to bestow upon him the Li surname and goes by Li Jiman; he appears to be thoroughly loyal." Li Yuanjiao nodded with a smile; this was welcome news indeed. Suddenly pausing, he lowered his voice: "Word from within the clan has come down. Mount Huaqian's Spirit Spring grotto-dwelling is rich in spiritual energy, so I will be departing immediately to enter seclusion for cultivation. There are few days left for us brothers to converse, so I wanted to have a good talk with you before leaving." "That is a good thing," Li Yuanyun replied gently with a smile. "It's just a pity that Sister Qinghong went to Mount Huazhong a few days ago, and now Second Brother is leaving as well, leaving only me to idle about in Lijing Town." "Nonsense!" Li Yuanjiao shook his head and urged, "Qingxiao and Yuanping are only four or five years old, so of the Yuan-Qing generation, there are really only a few of us. With Second Brother and Qinghong entering seclusion to cultivate, go visit them whenever you have free time." Li Yuanyun nodded and merely said, "In a few days, I also have to make a trip to the Shanyue lands to investigate some matters. When the time comes, I can bring back some trinkets for the two younger siblings." Just as Li Yuanjiao was about to ask a few more questions, someone hurried up from below and reported respectfully: "Reporting! Shamoli has arrived to pay his respects to my lord!" "Shamoli?! Looks like he has come on pilgrimage and to sound out my thoughts... Bring him up!" Li Yuanjiao remarked with a question. Li Yuanyun tactfully prepared to take his leave, but Li Yuanjiao frowned and said in a heavy voice: "There is no harm in you listening as well. What need is there for brothers to avoid each other? Whatever Shamoli says, record it faithfully; no need to hold back." "Rumors outside say Second Brother is Shamoli's great backer, so I shall listen closely." Li Yuanyun made a jest and ended up staying seated. Then, a tall, burly Shanyue man came up from below. His attire was quite respectable, entirely in the Eastlander fashion. Beaming with smiles, he called out: "Brother Jiao, it has truly been a long time!" "I have missed you dearly as well, Brother!" Li Yuanjiao replied with a smile. Seeing Shamoli's gaze linger on Li Yuanyun beside him, he explained: "This is Brother Yuanyun, one of our own. In a few days, he will be heading to Brother's territory to attend to some affairs, so please take good care of him!" "Yes! Yes..." Shamoli answered in assent twice. On his way up, he had seen no one else, heading straight to Li Yuanjiao. His mind was not on this in the slightest as he inquired with great caution: "The Clan Head summoned me in such haste this time; could there be some instructions? My heart is terrified, and I truly cannot sit or stand in peace!" "Oh!" Li Yuanjiao waved his hand and replied: "You have done well over these years, Brother, so the elders of my clan simply wish to see you. Perhaps the Old Ancestor will even grant you an audience in person. It is nothing major, so relax!" Shamoli let out a breath of relief upon hearing this. He wanted to say more, but finally realized Li Yuanjiao was absentminded, and that his rushed audience had likely interrupted their conversation. He could only say with a laugh: "With your reassurance, Brother, my mind is put at ease. The Clan Head's summons is a major affair and cannot be delayed. I shall head up the mountain first and pay Brother a visit once I have free time." With that, he departed in a hurry. Watching Shamoli leave, Li Yuanyun pondered for a breath before remarking: "Now that we have his son, Li Jiman, Shamoli is of little use... He is hardly as compliant as Li Jiman. Yet Qi Refinement grants a lifespan of two hundred years; I wonder how the clan intends to deal with him." Setting down his cup, Li Yuanjiao replied: "No rush. Shamoli's cultivation method is superb and his strength is decent. Once Li Jiman attains Qi Refinement, it wouldn't be bad even to have Shamoli serve as a guest elder." Li Yuanyun nodded gently, only to see Li Yuanjiao's expression turn somewhat peculiar as he spoke once more: "The *Purple Lightning Secret Origin Method* is no simple art! After all, it was once a fourth-rank cultivation method... Shamoli only refined miscellaneous qi, yet in four years, his cultivation has actually reached the third layer of Qi Refinement! Truly intriguing!" *** While the two chatted in the courtyard, Shamoli had already hurried up the mountain. Not daring to fly up directly by riding the wind, he walked along the flagstone path for a while before the small courtyard came into view. Two clan soldiers stood quietly before the courtyard. Tall and burly, Shamoli bowed his head as he entered the courtyard, only to see a middle-aged man in grey robes standing in the seat of honor. The middle-aged man had broad shoulders and was carefully wiping a sword in his hand with a piece of coarse cloth. The blade was patterned with fine, dense scales, shimmering with cold light. Shamoli stared blankly for a breath before dropping to his knees with a thud and kowtowing: "This lowly one, Shamoli, pays respects to the Old Ancestor!" Shamoli finally understood why serpent-jiao had coiled in flight across the sky that night, and why the Li family had made such a commotion. Pressing his head tightly against the ground, not daring to move an inch, he thought in shock: *Foundation Establishment...! He... he has already attained Foundation Establishment!* Li Tongya gave an acknowledging grunt, glanced at him, and slowly slid the sword into its scabbard, remarking in a mild tone: "Shamoli, it has been quite some time. It seems you have stayed well-behaved in the Shanyue lands, and your cultivation has progressed considerably as well!"