Li Yuanjiao had just flipped his hand to put away the jade seal when he saw a streak of light rise not far away, shooting toward them from the distance. A man and a woman landed nearby atop a flying shuttle. Several cultivators in blue robes immediately took to the air on their own shuttles, their hands forming seals as they called out in unison:
"The Qingchi Cloud Vessel is present! Who approaches?"
Steering the shuttle, the woman slightly knitted her willow-leaf brows and did not even pause. She swept past them, and as bursts of magical light flared from the hands of the blue-robed disciples, she raised her hand to cast several talismans that blocked the attacks, leaving the disciples to plummet helplessly.
These blue-robed disciples were merely outer disciples of the Qingchi Sect, ranking only slightly above handymen and all lingering at Embryonic Breathing. Yet she had forced her way through and leapt down from her shuttle, landing breathlessly beside Li Yuanjiao before calling out anxiously, "Brother!"
"Qingxiao?!"
Li Yuanjiao froze, thoroughly astonished. The female cultivator before him had a flushed complexion and was only at the third tier of Embryonic Breathing, yet she stood behind him with her hand pressed against her sword, glaring at the people present. It was indeed Li Qingxiao.
A ripple stirred in Li Yuanjiao's heart as he realized she had rushed back to back him up. Deeply moved, he nonetheless summoned a touch of slight anger and chided her in a low voice, "Why are you being so rash?!"
The man behind her hurried forward, pulled Li Qingxiao behind himself, let out an awkward cough, and said submissively:
"Xiao Xian of the Xiao family... pays respects to the envoy of the immortal sect. My wife is ignorant of the proper etiquette and has offended you. I beg your forgiveness, I beg your forgiveness..."
"No matter."
Yu Muxian's gaze lingered for a moment on the faces of Li Qingxiao and Xiao Xian before he replied, "I shall not spoil your reunion. Please feel free to proceed as you wish!"
"Many thanks, Envoy. Yuanjiao takes his leave."
Li Yuanjiao quietly cast an obscure glance at Yu Muxian's robes and offered his assent. Li Qingxiao was still somewhat confused and opened her mouth to say something, but under Li Yuanjiao's glare, she obediently held her tongue.
As if granted a royal pardon, the Li family members took to the wind together. Since Li Qingxiao and Xiao Xian had not yet reached Qi Refinement, they rode their flying shuttle to follow Li Yuanjiao.
They had flown only several li when Li Qingxiao complained, "Brother, to think you kept such a major matter from me! I only found out through news sent to the family. Did Yu Muxian... make things difficult for my maiden clan?"
"He did not."
Li Yuanjiao shook his head, explained the beginning and end of what had transpired, and then cupped his hands to Xiao Xian, saying, "My younger sister is heedless. I have caused Fellow Daoist trouble!"
"Not at all!"
Xiao Xian hurriedly waved his hands, replying, "I am merely an Embryonic Breathing cultivator with no great abilities; only the name of the Lixia Xiao family carries any weight. This was not just an impulsive act on Qingxiao's part—I had considered it carefully as well."
Seeing Xiao Xian make excuses on Li Qingxiao's behalf, Li Yuanjiao thought a little higher of him. Li Qingxiao, however, paid no heed to the polite formalities between the two grown men. She nodded thoughtfully and said, "I've heard that Yu Muxian is Daoist Master Yuanwu's treasured son-in-law and has never paid much attention to the Yu family. Seeing him today, it seems he truly is a cold and heartless man..."
Li Yuanjiao gave a slight nod, his thoughts still lingering on that jade buckle. Beside them, Xiao Xian hesitated briefly before whispering, "Not necessarily... A clan uncle of mine was on very close terms with the Yu family in his earlier years and had met the members of this generation."
Xiao Xian shook his head, finding it somewhat awkward to speak, as this touched upon the past history of the Xiao family once intending to back the Yu family. But seeing both Li Qingxiao and Li Yuanjiao looking at him, he had no choice but to continue:
"My clan uncle's exact words were: 'The Yu family does not lack successors! Mugao is prudent and resourceful; Muyuan is sharp and brave; Mujian is pure, honest, and steadfast; Muxian is gentle, refined, and magnanimous. If they revere Muxian as their head in the future, with Gao, Yuan, and Jian serving as his arms and loyal hounds, they shall shine for generations—who could stand against them?'"
He paused, looking embarrassed. Now Yu Muyuan was dead, Yu Muxian had turned cold and ungrateful, Yu Mujian had departed from the clan, and only Yu Mugao was left struggling to hold everything together. Xiao Xian could not help but mutter inwardly:
*Those words were spoken with such resounding certainty. No wonder my clan uncle hasn't returned home for years—he must be afraid of becoming a laughingstock...*
Turning over these thoughts in secret, he said aloud, "Judging from those words, Yu Muxian shouldn't have turned out to be such an ungrateful man."
Beside them, Li Qingxiao grew thoughtful and remarked, "Who knows? Perhaps he doesn't dare not be cold and detached, just to win the trust of others. Or perhaps..."
Her voice turned soft and faint as she whispered, "Tang Yuanwu cast some divine ability on him, planting some art in his head... I've heard that Purple Mansion divine abilities are the most bizarre of all. If you told me some Qingchi ancestor had seized his body, I wouldn't find it impossible either."
As soon as these words were uttered, a chill ran down the spines of the other two. After a moment of silence, Xiao Xian said in a low voice, "He is Daoist Master Yuanwu, after all. It is best not to address him directly by name."
Tang Yuanwu had been a Purple Mansion cultivator for many years. Back then, Yuanwu Peak had been founded by his hands. Afterwards, he had entered seclusion to cultivate his second divine ability, handing the position of peak master to his son.
Tang Yuanwu's son had governed the peak for many years and cultivated to the peak of Foundation Establishment, until several years ago, when he failed his breakthrough into the Purple Mansion in seclusion, losing his life and his Dao. Only then did Tang Yuanwu emerge from seclusion to take charge of the peak once more.
Xiao Xian laid out the details of this background one by one, then explained, "Yu Muxian went on to marry Tang Yuanwu's daughter and enjoys tremendous renown within the sect. In a few more years, we might well have to address him as the Peak Master of Yuanwu Peak!"
Understanding dawned upon Li Yuanjiao. No wonder Yu Muxian was set on stabilizing the situation on the lake—it turned out he was paving the way to become peak master. Li Yuanjiao gave a slight nod. The group descended before the mountain of the Li family, where Li Yuanping had long been waiting in front of the courtyard.
"Brother Ping!"
Li Yuanping was momentarily taken aback upon seeing her, then said joyfully, "Sister Qingxiao!"
Li Qingxiao had been married off for several years and had grown accustomed to life in the Xiao family, taking on an elegant, noble air. Though her features were plain, the contrast of her opulent attire gave Li Yuanping pause, and it took him a moment to recognize her.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Li Qingxiao smiled and said, "I haven't seen our parents for several years either. I'll take my husband to pay respects to the elders first, and then come down the mountain to speak with Second Brother in detail."
"Of course."
Li Yuanjiao nodded slightly. Waiting until the couple had ascended the mountain, he hurried into the hall and whispered, "Were there any unusual occurrences in the clan?"
Li Yuanping gave a composed nod and replied, "Ximing, Xizhi, and Xijun all experienced anomalies. I questioned them thoroughly, and all of them said they saw a figure in white holding a jade buckle..."
Originally, Li Ximing had been staying at Li Yuanping's side, cultivating in Lijing Town. With Li Xizhi soon to enter the Qingchi Sect, he had stayed by his mother's side a bit longer. The children had long since been summoned back by Li Yuanping and hidden away on the mountain.
Because Li Yuanping had never received a talisman register, he had not felt the disturbance deeply. But Li Yuanjiao had felt it profoundly just moments ago. He immediately shook his head and said in a grave voice, "This was... an anomaly from the Immortal Mirror."
"Up the mountain!"
——
Mount Lijing.
The two unraveled layer after layer of formations and strode swiftly into the courtyard. The courtyard before them was lush with flourishing plants, delightfully vibrant and green, illuminated by the golden sunlight in a burst of vitality.
Hastening to the front of the ancestral hall, they pushed open the heavy stone door. A rush of white air surged outward, forcing them both back a step, each feeling chilled to the bone.
The air rolled through the courtyard for a moment, knocking down flowers and leaves. The emerald-green vines withered to a dry yellow, and a shower of dead leaves rustled down, turning the courtyard's spring scenery to an autumnal desolation in an instant, utterly bleak and cold.
Li Yuanjiao stepped into the secret chamber and was startled to see five or six small osmanthus trees standing inside. Several snow-white jade rabbits and yellowish-green toads were hopping back and forth across the floor.
The floor was strewn with scattered osmanthus blossoms, and white moon essence permeated the surroundings. The greenish-gray mirror hovered in the air, trailing long, silk-like ribbons of magical radiance that exuded an imposing might.
"This..."
Li Yuanjiao carefully sidestepped the rustling toads and jade rabbits on the ground, walked up to the stone platform, and said respectfully, "A child of the Li family pays respects to the Immortal Mirror!"
Perhaps his words took effect, or perhaps it was because the Rosy Dawn Cloud Vessel had slowly drifted away toward the Qingchi Sect in the south, but the brilliance on the mirror's surface gradually receded. Even so, it remained dazzlingly bright.
Li Yuanping was only at the third tier of Embryonic Breathing; facing this pressure, he had not even been able to step through the secret chamber's door. Only when the light faded did he slowly shuffle inside, still feeling the bone-chilling cold.
*Bang!*
All at once, the various visions inside the secret chamber burst apart, transforming into thick moon essence that swirled like wisps of pure white mist. It whirled rapidly around Li Yuanjiao as he knelt in the center, coalescing before him into the shape of a jade buckle.
Li Yuanjiao bowed before the stone platform, watching the moon essence condense into a crystal-clear jade buckle. His expression turned solemn as he said in a deep voice, "Li family descendant Li Yuanjiao has received the decree..."
The brilliance above slowly gathered inward, returning once more to the dim, lusterless mirror. The white moon essence flowed along the stone platform and back into the mirror's surface. Li Yuanjiao bowed once more before rising to his feet.
The two bowed as they exited the secret chamber, and the stone door quietly sealed shut. Li Yuanping said in a heavy voice, "Brother! Yu Muxian is a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and a Foundation Establishment cultivator of the Qingchi Sect at that... This matter must be planned carefully over the long term."
"I know that well enough."
Li Yuanjiao narrowed his eyes and whispered, "Furthermore, I suspect Yu Muxian has reaped some benefit from that jade buckle. He keeps it tucked away in his sleeve and caresses it from time to time. The fact that he could display such talent and cultivate at such rapid speed on Yuanwu Peak likely has everything to do with this treasure."
"Then it will be even more difficult!"
Li Yuanping shook his head and said solemnly, "Let us first send Xizhi into the sect to gather news. As long as that jade buckle remains in his hands, there will always be a way."
Nodding, Li Yuanjiao walked out of the courtyard. Li Yuanping continued, "As for the matter of the Jinyang Huangyuan mentioned a few days ago, it is of great consequence and concerns our future path. It will take a long time and requires a trustworthy Qi Refinement cultivator who can get things done to go harvest the qi!"
"You mean...?"
A name surfaced in Li Yuanjiao's mind. Meeting his younger brother's gaze, he asked in return, "Uncle Chen Donghe?!"
"Precisely!"
Li Yuanping pursed his lips and replied, "To the west of Lake Wangyue's western shore lies the territory of the Jinyu Sect, where there are several great deserts. We can send someone to search there. If there is no thousand-li pass there, we might even have to head north."
"Go ahead and arrange it."
Li Yuanjiao trusted him, but looking at his pale face, he could not help frowning. "Still, why does your constitution appear increasingly frail? There are many family affairs, but you could let Xicheng try his hand at them, and take more spiritual items. There is no need to push yourself so hard."
"Heh."
Li Yuanping shook his head and replied, "My aptitudes are flawed, like a vat with a hole in the bottom. No matter how many spiritual items I consume, it's useless. Just keeping my cultivation from regressing has already consumed a great deal of resources."
As they spoke, they arrived at the small courtyard at the foot of the mountain and took their seats one after the other. Li Yuanping waved his hand to turn the subject away from himself and continued, "As for Xicheng... he is gullible, dull, and soft-spoken. While he is quite well-liked by the younger generation of the clan, he is not cut out to manage the family.
"A few days ago, I assigned him a few matters, but he listened to biased claims and wavered indecisively. I had no choice but to send him to the Shanyue lands to look after the spirit rice."
Though Li Yuanjiao placed great trust in him, Li Yuanping took the opportunity to explain the reasons clearly, lest his elder brother think he was mistreating the eldest son of the secondary branch. After listening, Li Yuanjiao lifted his teacup from the table and replied:
"No harm done. I see that Xijun has a clever look about him, and along with Ximing, both are good material. There is no need to be too demanding of Xicheng."
In his earlier years, Li Yuanjiao had possessed a harsh temperament and an insatiable thirst for slaughter. But after enduring the torment of his elder brother's sudden death and his granduncle's passing, his character had settled considerably.
He set down his cup and recounted the few matters regarding Yu Muxian's arrival. Li Yuanping sighed:
"Now that a disciple of the Fei family has entered Yuanwu Peak, he will at least be a fellow junior of Yu Muxian's lineage, or perhaps even his disciple. I'm afraid... the Fei family will no longer share the same heart with us as before."
"More than that..."
Li Yuanjiao shook his head. Just as he was about to reply, an elegantly dressed woman walked in from outside the courtyard and spoke softly:
"Brother, Brother Ping."
Li Qingxiao had gone up the mountain earlier and met several juniors of the Yuan generation, then inquired about the clan's situation. Li Yuanping had explained everything to her, saying gently:
"The family has been doing well these past few years. The Ancestor also gained an enlightenment and entered seclusion to cultivate. You can put your heart at ease—there is no need to worry."
"Very well."
Li Qingxiao's eyes were slightly red, tinged with a reluctance to part. She said softly, "Husband's business in the clan has wrapped up over these years, and he was originally going to set out with me to return to Yushan. When I heard about this, I rushed over in haste. I cannot stay long right now, so I could only bid a hurried farewell to our parents.
"Yushan is quite distant from Lake Wangyue. If anything happens to the family, I'm afraid it will be difficult for me to return in time in the future."
She bowed gracefully and said, "I must trouble Brother and Brother Ping to care for our parents at home. Qingxiao offers her gratitude!"
"Go on, and rest easy."
Li Yuanjiao stepped aside, not accepting her bow, and gently shook his head as he whispered, "In Yushan, assist your husband well, and don't worry about the family's affairs anymore, lest others stir up gossip... In a few years, when you have children, bring them back for your brother to see."
"Yes!"
Li Qingxiao softly assented, then departed into the distance aboard the flying shuttle alongside Xiao Xian. Snapping out of his thoughts, Li Yuanjiao turned to look at Li Yuanping and said:
"In a few days, I will also return to Mount Wutu to cultivate in seclusion. Counting the days, Qinghong should be emerging from seclusion as well. While she consolidates her cultivation, you can consult her more if anything arises."
"Understood..."
Li Yuanping acknowledged, only to see Li Yuanjiao calculate the time and say in a grave voice:
"Agree with Qinghong on this: in three months, on the day of Jihai, wait together on the mountain. I will return home for a visit."
Li Yuanping was momentarily stunned, unable to recall what major occasion it might be. The ancestral sacrifices took place in winter, which was far off from then. He could not help asking:
"This is...?"
"It has been five years."
Li Yuanjiao let out a soft, long sigh. His lips moved slightly, his voice echoing by Li Yuanping's ear through magical transmission:
"The Ancestor's life jade has been shattered for five years. In accordance with his wishes, we should break open the seal, open the doors of the cave dwelling on Mount Meichi, and respectfully receive his venerated remains."
Chapter 327