Liu Changdie was feeling quite pleased with himself. Watching the great formation on the verge of taking shape, spiritual qi faintly connecting its upper and lower reaches, he thought to himself:
“This formation is nearly ready. Once I receive the Li family’s aid and master that ocular technique, I can ride the wind north to take a look. Daxu is in utter turmoil right now; heading there at this moment might allow me to fish in troubled waters and seize a few opportunities.”
Just as he was thinking this, he saw someone descending with a golden bow slung over his back. Holding a jade slip in his hand, the man smiled and called out:
“Brother Changdie, I have brought you *Spirit Eyes and Clear Pupils*!”
Liu Changdie was overjoyed and thanked him repeatedly. Taking a step forward, however, he noticed a look of regret on Li Xuanfeng’s face. Li Xuanfeng continued:
“Unfortunately, the ancestor’s whereabouts are uncertain, and I could not find the old master. Our family has never had a guest elder before, so I cannot make that decision on my own authority. Nothing can be settled just yet.”
“Is that so…”
Foundation Establishment immortal cultivators measured their seclusions in years, so Liu Changdie understood completely. Yet he could not fathom why Li Xuanfeng was still holding *Spirit Eyes and Clear Pupils*. A wave of disappointment and regret washed over him. Staring blankly at the jade slip in the man’s hand, he asked:
“Fellow Daoist, this is…”
“Oh.”
Li Xuanfeng looked up as if just realizing something and replied:
“Who knows when the ancestor will return? How could we make you wait until then? So I simply took *Spirit Eyes and Clear Pupils* out to let you cultivate it first.”
“How could I accept such a thing!”
Liu Changdie was both touched and uneasy. Before he could say more, Li Xuanfeng grabbed his hand and firmly shoved the jade slip into his palm. Laughing loudly, Li Xuanfeng said:
“Brother Changdie has toiled day and night for our family’s formation, laying it out so properly. How could I have the nerve to withhold what I owe a brother? It is settled, then. Go ahead and cultivate!”
Li Xuanfeng’s words were forceful, and he had practically forced the object into Liu Changdie’s hands. Liu Changdie was cautious by nature and instinctively tried to pull back, only to find Li Xuanfeng’s grip unyielding as an iron vise, rooted like a mountain. Even after tugging twice, he could not budge it in the slightest until Li Xuanfeng belatedly let go. Liu Changdie was inwardly shaken and thought in shock:
“Without realizing it, I channeled my magic power, yet I couldn't break free at all. No wonder everyone in the city feared Li Xuanfeng in my previous life. This strength is simply inhuman—utterly terrifying.”
“In my previous life, Li Yuanjiao once said: Li Xuanfeng preferred killing monsters with bow and arrow. A monster general, believing he could not fight in close quarters, transformed and closed in on him. Yet once the man’s battle lust was ignited, he seized it with his bare hands, roaring with endless laughter, and struck with merely two palms before it died… It truly happened.”
Noticing the fear in Liu Changdie’s expression, Li Xuanfeng offered an apology and smiled.
“I have had the strength to carry a cauldron since childhood. I did not mean to startle you, brother. My sincere apologies!”
Li Xuanfeng’s monstrous vitality was bestowed by talisman qi, and this explanation was merely an excuse to brush it off. Seeing Liu Changdie repeatedly say “Think nothing of it, think nothing of it,” Li Xuanfeng smiled and added:
“Brother, once you swear the Xuanjing Spiritual Oath, you may begin your cultivation.”
“Naturally. Many thanks.”
Watching Liu Changdie swear the Xuanjing Spiritual Oath, Li Xuanfeng handed the jade slip over and continued:
“This ocular technique is difficult to cultivate. Ever since we acquired it, no one in our family has managed to master it. Brother Changdie, you must be careful.”
Liu Changdie took it with utter delight, saying repeatedly:
“No matter, no matter.”
Li Xuanfeng had also tried cultivating this ocular technique before. Lacking that earthly treasure known as Clear Origin Spiritual Water, mastering it was exceedingly difficult. Seeing Liu Changdie’s confident demeanor, a thought stirred in his heart, and he mused:
“The ancestor once said this man has a mysterious background and harbors many secrets. He might very well know where to find Clear Origin Spiritual Water. I must keep an eye on him.”
With that, he cupped his hands and said:
“In your future cultivation, Brother Changdie, if you uncover any key insights into this ocular technique, please share them with our family. We will surely reward you handsomely!”
“Easily done! Easily done!”
Liu Changdie agreed wholeheartedly without even looking at the text closely. Li Xuanfeng had no choice but to cup his hands and ride the wind away.
***
Only a month later, the great formation on Mount Huaqian was completed. Liu Changdie had restored seventy percent of the power of the Earth-Locking Huaqian Formation that Wan Huaqian had once laid. It was more than enough to resist late Qi Refinement cultivators. Moreover, by drawing upon the spiritual spring in the cave estate of Mount Huaqian, it operated endlessly in constant circulation. It was exceptionally resilient against sieges from groups of low-level Qi Refinement cultivators, and it could even hold out against a Foundation Establishment cultivator for the time it took an incense stick to burn, leaving Li Xuanfeng thoroughly satisfied.
With the task here resolved, Liu Changdie trotted off eagerly toward Mount Huazhong to modify its formation disc. Having seen off this formation master, Li Yuanjiao gave a wry smile, feeling immensely relieved.
“That man is far too enthusiastic. Every day he drags me into chatting about this and that. Though he clearly wants to build ties, he made me terribly uncomfortable.”
Li Yuanjiao, dressed in black robes, sat casually cross-legged on the high seat above. He raised a cup of spiritual wine, took a sip, and exhaled a breath of warm air. Hearing this, Li Qinghong, who was sitting beside him, blinked with a radiant smile. Her voice was light and melodious as she teased:
“I rarely come to Mount Huaqian, yet you make me listen to your groans, Brother Jiao. I doubt it was that man making you uncomfortable, was it? Calculating the days, the date is drawing closer. It is rare to see you so restless!”
Li Yuanjiao gave an awkward smile, not expecting Li Qinghong to see through him so easily. Somewhat hesitantly, he murmured:
“I wonder what kind of woman she is…”
Li Qinghong giggled. Holding her wine cup, she merely touched her vermilion lips to it without drinking. Imitating a middle-aged man’s deep, gruff voice, she said:
“‘Our family has a concubine-born daughter from the main lineage named Xiao Guiluan. Both her character and looks are of the highest caliber, making her a perfect match for Yuanjiao.’”
Li Yuanjiao shot her a fierce glare. Seeing her sitting there giggling to herself, he said in exasperation:
“You certainly are having fun! You have no idea what agony I am suffering inside.”
Turning serious, Li Qinghong smiled lightly and said:
“I hear Xiao Guiluan has reached the fourth layer of Embryonic Breathing and possesses fine talent. Since they say her character and appearance are both of the highest caliber, what doubts could you still have, Brother Jiao? When seeking a wife in the mortal world, what else is there to consider besides those three things?”
Li Yuanjiao let out a long sigh and answered:
“Among cultivators, who has an unsightly appearance? Besides, eighty or a hundred years later our hair turns white, and even the loveliest face withers away. To my eyes, appearance is the cheapest of all traits, not even worth mentioning.”
Having drunk some wine, Li Yuanjiao spoke his true thoughts. He held up a finger and continued:
“As for talent, being too great or too poor creates a divide between immortal and mortal. For the two of us to be evenly matched is for the best.”
Lowering the finger, a flicker of doubt crossed his face, and he said:
“What worries me most is her character. Senior Xiao Yuansi is an honest and generous man, so when he says her character is fine, who knows what she is truly like…”
Li Qinghong nodded thoughtfully and asked:
“Are you afraid that Xiao Guiluan is too kind-hearted? Or perhaps too weak?”
Li Yuanjiao gave a cold chuckle and replied:
“Kindness or ruthlessness matters not. So long as one cannot read expressions, cannot judge the situation, or cannot fathom human nature—possessing even one of those flaws is a recipe for disaster!”
Li Qinghong fell silent for a long while before nodding in agreement.
“Brother Jiao makes sense… but I still have one doubt.”
Seeing Li Yuanjiao raise an eyebrow, a sorrowful look surfaced on Li Qinghong’s face as she asked, “Yet Eldest Brother… was clearly top-notch in every single aspect. How did he end up meeting such a fate…”
Li Yuanjiao closed his eyes, exhaling a breath of pent-up gloom, and answered:
“To be outstanding in every way merely grants one the qualification to climb onto the chessboard—to serve as an ant in this grand era of contention, a plaything for Purple Mansion seniors.”
Li Qinghong choked up. She harbored dreams of pursuing the immortal path and attaining longevity, yet she despised the conduct of those Purple Mansion and Golden Core figures. Remaining silent, she watched Li Yuanjiao drink his wine before he smiled again and said:
“Though that may be the case, the future still depends on us.”
Li Qinghong nodded and said with a bright smile:
“All right! Then let it be known to you, Brother Jiao, that I am about to condense my final wheel.”
Li Yuanjiao froze instantly. Slamming his wine cup down heavily, he cursed in irritation:
“Damn it! What am I drinking wine for… Back to cultivating!”
Li Qinghong let out a crisp laugh, took her leave, and exited the courtyard. Walking a few steps into the clear breeze, she looked down upon the bustling scene below the mountain. Her slender hand gripped the spear tightly as she thought to herself:
“Among all the siblings, my talent is the greatest. In the future, I must serve as the family’s shield. I must never slacken.”
***
At the Xiao family.
The Xiao family was now a Purple Mansion immortal clan. The Qingchi Sect had granted them nearly half of Lixia Commandery, and Tangjin Gate to the north had also handed over six towns as a gesture of goodwill. Their territory was by no means small. Although their mortal population had diminished considerably due to the Qingchi Sect’s reckless exploitation in past years, it was still more than enough to sustain the mortal descendants of the Xiao clan.
Mount Xianyou featured gentle slopes and abundant spiritual qi. Ever since Xiao Chuting broke through to the Purple Mansion realm, the highest peak, Xianyou Peak, had been reserved for his exclusive use. The various Foundation Establishment cultivators had relocated to other peaks. The earth veins of Mount Xianyou held plentiful spiritual qi, providing more than enough sustenance for the cultivators here.
Amidst the rising and falling peaks, a small, modest peak came into view. The moonlight had just spilled down, illuminating the courtyard in bright clarity. The surroundings were exquisitely decorated and dotted with lights, presenting an exceptionally elegant appearance. In the main courtyard sat a woman clad in green robes, her face free of powder or rouge. Her eyebrows were shaped like willow leaves, her phoenix eyes were radiant and expressive, and her fair, slender hand held an ink brush, lightly drawing upon the silk fabric before her. In a gentle voice, she asked:
“Are the gifts for the members of my husband’s household all prepared? …From the allotment the family provided, is there anything left?”
“In reply to Miss,”
The attendant beside her bowed and answered, “Aside from the nine chests of dowry, there remains a loose sum of a dozen or so spirit stones. I do not know if that will suffice.”
The woman in green tucked back a stray lock of hair and counted:
“The Li family heavily relies on external surnames… Tian, Liu, Ren, Xu, Chen, and even Lady Dou, the main wife. All these minor surnames must be properly smoothed over to avoid giving people cause to gossip. A dozen or so spirit stones is truly somewhat meager.”
The Xiao family had prepared what was undeniably a lavish dowry for her. Yet once everything was arranged and smoothed out from top to bottom for the wedding, things always ended up tight. Her lovely brows knitted together, and she asked softly:
“Father’s side… has anyone gone to ask? Is he truly unwilling to take out even a single bit?”
The maidservant nodded hesitantly, shook her head with an indignant expression, and lowered her voice to reply:
“Not at all. The people sent down the mountain have been turned away at the door several times.”
“One cannot blame him, either.”
This green-robed woman was naturally Xiao Guiluan, who was soon to be married to the west. Shaking her head, she said quietly:
“A married daughter is like spilt water. Naturally, he is displeased.”
“Still… the Li family is a prominent clan after all, not a bad match by any means. Master’s conduct… is somewhat embarrassing for you.”
The maidservant murmured her complaint. Xiao Guiluan smiled faintly and explained:
“If I had obediently agreed to take in a cultivator as a matrilocal husband, it would have added several major pillars of support to his side for nothing. Now that I am marrying into a prominent family, I will have the prestige, but he has no deep affection for me and only feels he has lost much for nothing. Of course he is displeased.”
The maidservant hurriedly fell silent, not daring to say another word. Xiao Guiluan then set down her brush and ink, slipped a jade bracelet glowing with spiritual radiance from her wrist, and instructed:
“I have used this jade bracelet ever since I formed the Xuanjing Wheel. It calms the mind and gathers spiritual qi, making it a fairly decent treasure. Take it down the mountain, find a trusted confidant, and pawn it. It should yield a few more spirit stones to make up for this shortfall.”
The maidservant was clearly uneasy and said:
“Miss, must you really do this… Those are merely a few external surnames. They ought to be the ones flattering you; there is no need to be so attentive…”
Xiao Guiluan placed the jade bracelet into her hand and explained:
“The Li family has four branches, yet there is only one seat for the clan head. The plans involved here are long-term; you need not question them.”
She paused, glanced at the silk fabric on the table, and admonished her:
“Make sure the clan does not find out about this! The dowry provided by the clan originally assumed my father would contribute a share, which is why this gap exists. If he is unwilling to give, so be it. But if the clan finds out, he will be reprimanded, which would stir up trouble and create unnecessary friction.”
She held the maidservant’s hand and whispered:
“The opportunity to marry into a prominent clan does not come easily. Now is a critical moment; we must not stir up trouble and cause me embarrassment.”
Although Xiao Guiluan belonged to the main lineage, she was born of a concubine. If she were to choose an external cultivator within the clan to marry, he would at best be a Qi Refinement cultivator, most likely someone over fifty years old. Xiao Guiluan was only seventeen or eighteen; how could she ever be willing?
She had seen Li Yuanjiao’s portrait. He was handsome, youthful, and had already cultivated the Yujing Wheel of the fifth layer of Embryonic Breathing, with hopes of striving for Foundation Establishment. What was more, she was marrying to the west with the status of a Xiao daughter, so the entire Li family would have to treat her with courtesy. The difference between the two prospects was like cloud and mud, so Xiao Guiluan naturally treasured this match immensely.
“Yes…”
The maidservant answered in a low voice. Xiao Guiluan nodded and picked up her brush, intending to record this sum of spirit stones under her father’s name. Unexpectedly, there came a knock at the courtyard gate. Xiao Guiluan furrowed her brows and called out clearly:
“Who is visiting?”
“This humble one comes on orders from Lord Xiao Jiuqing to deliver a gift on behalf of the Yushan branch!”
“Xiao Jiuqing…”
Xiao Guiluan shot a glance at the maidservant, who hurriedly went to open the gate. A servant boy was kneeling outside the courtyard, not daring to enter. Raising his hands high, he held up a small brocade pouch and said respectfully:
“To deliver congratulatory gifts to Miss!”
The maidservant took it and brought it forward. Xiao Guiluan accepted the pouch and weighed it in her hand; there were roughly five or six spirit stones inside. A hint of joy rose in her heart, and she said:
“Go back and tell your master that Guiluan has noted this generous gift. The contribution is substantial, and I am deeply grateful.”
The servant boy answered repeatedly, not daring to look up at Xiao Guiluan, and backed away a few steps. The maidservant stepped forward to close the gate, asking in wonder:
“Miss, we have never had any dealings with Xiao Jiuqing of the Yushan branch. Why has he suddenly shown such kindness…”
Xiao Guiluan covered her mouth with a light laugh, drew a circle on the silk, and replied:
“He is currying favor! He has high hopes for the Li family… or rather… high hopes for Li Yuanjiao.”
Though Xiao Guiluan was clever and perceptive, she was ultimately just a girl of seventeen or eighteen. Seeing that others held her future husband in such high regard brought a touch of delight to her heart. Lifting the brush with her slender hand, she wrote the character *Jiao* upon the silk and murmured softly:
“Be he gentle or fierce, may he never be a fool.”
Chapter 259