Lu Jiangxian had recuperated for two years when he saw the turbid qi of heaven and earth surge within the mirror, golden light swirling as its aura slightly rose. With a stir of his divine sense, he traced the connection between the talisman seed and the mirror itself to investigate.
"Li Xuanfeng has achieved Foundation Establishment."
The feedback from Li Xuanfeng's breakthrough to Foundation Establishment was even less than before, merely bringing a quantitative increase in divine sense and profound light. Just as when Li Chijing was the first to break through to Qi Refinement, and the feedback from subsequent Li family members breaking through to Qi Refinement had gradually diminished, it lacked the gain brought by a qualitative transformation.
'Now that I gradually have more means, I still need to nurture a Purple Palace cultivator.'
Lu Jiangxian's shamanic talisman arts were growing stronger by the day, and he already possessed many shamanic invocation methods. His only regret was that his arts all belonged to the Moon Essence lineage. Not only was this eye-catching, but the prodigy he nurtured might also become a target of covetous eyes from various Purple Palace masters...
'I just need to wait for the Li family to offer up that Purple Palace dharma blood before planning further.'
Talisman qi could only be condensed when essence qi, incense, and souls united into one. A single strand of Purple Palace dharma blood naturally could not produce it on its own; Lu Jiangxian merely used the Li family's sacrificial offering to take it into the mirror.
"It is a pity the magical mirror cannot yet accommodate living cultivators. Otherwise, everything would be much easier."
After scheming to himself for a while, buzzing, fragmented voices were already sounding by his ears:
"Here present is the Li family of Lijing, piously offering clear wine, assorted delicacies, and sacrificial beasts for the Cold Food Festival. Year after year, the incense never ceases... On the Three Origins and Six Festivals, never failing in reverence, on sacrificial hours and feast days, offerings without end... Sacrificing with rising smoke, paying tribute with blood..."
"Decree."
A ray of white light cleaved through the thick, somber layers of cloud and mist, falling into Lu Jiangxian's hand. A string of crimson beads also surfaced upon the table. Lu Jiangxian bound them with magical power and first inspected the talisman qi in his hand.
"A mid Qi Refinement beast."
He assessed it. This talisman qi was slightly thin and flimsy. Mount Dali was difficult to enter, and the beasts of Lake Wangyue were mostly cunning and banded together; capturing this beast was already no easy feat.
"Fortunately, I still have surplus stores."
The Li family had left behind many Qi Refinement-grade gray talismans during previous sacrifices, and Lu Jiangxian had stored plenty. He now drew forth a wisp to restore this gray talisman to completion. As the Li family still had plenty of talisman pills, he did not add more.
Sweeping his divine sense across, he saw that upon the jade platform atop the mountain, the Li family cultivators who possessed talisman seeds were already standing in their respective positions.
"Talisman qi can break through bottlenecks and elevate cultivation. It is best bestowed upon Qi Refinement cultivators. However, the Xi-Yue generation are all still in Embryonic Breathing. It would be better to wait until there is a Foundation Establishment white talisman before bestowing it upon them."
Yet talisman qi could only be conferred upon those with talisman seeds. After pondering back and forth, Lu Jiangxian rested his gaze upon Li Xuanxuan, who was emaciated and senile due to using the blood escape and suffering severe injuries:
'He has labored diligently for over sixty years, his Dao path severed multiple times... Better to bestow the talisman upon him and let him take the pill, pushing him into late Qi Refinement.'
With a gentle flick of his finger, the gray talisman shot into Li Xuanxuan's glabella like a falling star. Lu Jiangxian's eyes brightened as several gray seal script characters emerged:
"Preserving Fullness and Peace."
Unlike before, when the Li family members had several talisman qis to choose from, Li Xuanxuan now had only this single talisman qi available to receive: 【Preserving Fullness and Peace】.
This talisman qi was fairly ordinary; it could slightly increase the success rate of arts such as pill refining and talisman crafting. Based on Lu Jiangxian's current understanding of talisman qi, it should also balance fortune and misfortune, pacify turmoil, and prevent unexpected disasters.
"Giving it to Li Xuanxuan is not bad. This talisman qi is a combination of destiny and divine ability. With this talisman qi protecting him, he should be able to live a few years longer."
Having bestowed the talisman qi, Lu Jiangxian picked up the blood beads from the table once more.
With a gentle refinement of magical power, the string of blood beads quickly melted and drew toward one another, condensing into a fist-sized crimson jade bead. Lu Jiangxian swept his divine sense across it, silently sensing the divine ability within.
'Chi Buzi truly is 【Heavy and Turbid】.'
Since Chi Wei was able to cultivate to the peak of the Purple Palace realm, the Qingchi Sect presumably possessed the complete set of cultivation methods for this dao complement. It was just unknown which golden nature this dao complement sought...
'Judging by the behavior of the Jiangnan Purple Palace cultivators, they are all doing their utmost to avoid cultivating the same lineage. If what they seek is the 【Lushui Wuyuan Fuyu Nature】, wouldn't that affect True Monarch Lushui?'
Lu Jiangxian still knew very little about cultivation above the Purple Palace, and doubts faintly lingered in his mind.
'I can only wait to gather more information in the future.'
***
Upon the jade platform atop Mount Lijing, blood flowed freely. The catfish monster lay stiff on the ground as blood light and incense rose, drifting away in a realm unseen by mortal eyes.
Li Xuanxuan was watching several juniors closely when, unexpectedly, his Shengyang Mansion trembled. Wisps of gray light emerged, and the magical power within him surged like rising water.
Li Xuanxuan felt the surging magical power in disbelief, his face flushing red. He froze for several breaths before snapping back to his senses, hurriedly sitting cross-legged.
The Li family members hastily stepped back. In just the time it took an incense stick to burn, Li Xuanxuan's cultivation was elevated from the fourth layer of Qi Refinement to the sixth layer. He slowly exhaled a breath and opened his eyes.
"Congratulations, Father."
Facing the crowd of juniors stepping forward to greet him, Li Xuanxuan stroked his beard with a gratified laugh, rambling on as he explained the effects of his talisman qi:
"Who would have thought that an old wreck like me could still obtain a talisman qi in this lifetime! Its effects even suit me quite well. From now on, I will have even greater confidence when crafting talismans!"
He chuckled cheerfully, pulled Li Yuanjiao over, and asked:
"Why don't I stabilize my cultivation for a few years, then take that talisman pill to step into late Qi Refinement and add some fighting strength to the family?"
Li Yuanjiao naturally offered a few congratulatory remarks and nodded in agreement, quite satisfied with this outcome in his heart as well.
After all, that Purple Palace blood had not had much effect; what emerged was still a gray talisman. Although it appeared refined and bright, it was ultimately just a gray talisman. Bestowing it upon either Ximing or Xijun would have felt like a waste.
'By the time someone in the family breaks through to Foundation Establishment, those two boys should have reached Qi Refinement. Then we can hunt down a Foundation Establishment beast to bestow talismans upon them.'
***
The sacrificial ceremonies took place in two separate rites, one on the mountain and one below. The Li family members who bore talisman seeds were on the mountain, while down below, Li Xicheng—the eldest brother of the Xi-Yue generation—had been sent to manage the ceremony, leading a group of youths from the Xi-Yue generation in a lively affair.
Li Yuanping handled matters flawlessly. Li Xicheng had not received a talisman seed, which was originally an awkward situation. Handling it this way neither made him feel uncomfortable nor slighted, and it allowed the Xi-Yue generation to show their faces, achieving both ends beautifully.
Li Xicheng felt he bore a heavy responsibility and had felt considerable pressure, beginning his preparations over half a year ago. Now that the entire sacrifice had concluded smoothly without a single hitch, he breathed a sigh of relief, his back drenched in sweat.
Stepping down from the sacrificial platform, he had barely changed into fresh clothes when someone hurried over to report that Li Yuanjiao wished to see him.
Li Xicheng dared not delay and hurried up the mountain. As he stepped into the main hall, he saw a young man in black robes seated in the central hall, his brows tightly furrowed as though troubled by something on his mind.
'Ever since the Old Ancestor passed away, the smiles on Second Uncle's face have grown fewer and fewer...'
Li Yuanjiao himself had not noticed the change in his demeanor. But Li Xicheng, being the eldest of the Xi-Yue generation and more than ten years older than his younger brothers, still retained many memories of Li Yuanjiao's youth.
Being of a kind and generous nature, he felt a wave of emotion and bowed deeply:
"Xicheng pays respects to Cousin-Uncle! Congratulations to Uncle on your great advancement in immortal arts."
By clan protocol, Li Yuanjiao was not his direct second uncle, but a paternal cousin-uncle. However, the direct lineage on the mountain had never maintained such distant formalities and treated him as a second uncle in private; only now, in a formal greeting, did he address him as such.
Li Xicheng felt touched, unaware that Li Yuanjiao, seated above, had also reached a decision and was feeling immensely guilty:
'Back then, when the talisman seeds were bestowed, there was no share for this child, and we had to send him down the mountain to avoid embarrassment. And now, I must use brotherly affection to take away his share of the spiritual qi of heaven and earth... Sigh!'
Though feeling guilty, Li Yuanjiao was a decisive man. Without hesitation, he said warmly:
"Xicheng, you have now broken through to the fifth layer of Embryonic Breathing. It seems you have truly put great effort into your cultivation."
"Your nephew dares not slacken."
Li Xicheng answered deferentially. After exchanging a few words, Li Yuanjiao spoke plainly:
"Uncle Donghe has been collecting the 【Golden Yang Huangyuan】 in the west. By my calculation, it will arrive in a year or two. This item is extraordinarily difficult to gather; even with the family doing everything within its power, we have only obtained a single portion in seven years..."
"With this item so scarce, I am afraid not every lineage can have a portion for everyone. The Second Branch can only receive one portion..."
Li Xicheng froze for a moment, an anxious expression surfacing on his face as he hastily said:
"Xijun has reached the fourth layer of Embryonic Breathing as well! Second Uncle, please leave this portion of heaven and earth spiritual qi for him! I am dull and clumsy; I only fear wasting such exquisite spiritual qi, and I cannot bear to make my younger brother wait seven more years."
The words Li Yuanjiao had prepared were cut short, stuck in his throat. He fell silent, his posture slowly stiffening as a dangerous glint of suspicion crept into his gaze.
'Hm?'
He had governed the clan and led armies, killed Shanyue, and disciplined nobles. Accustomed to cunning and deceit, hearing such words made him suspect that this honest deference was mere pretense. His expression changed, his eyes slightly narrowing as he scrutinized Li Xicheng closely.
Yet the youth's eyes were completely clear, brimming with sincerity. His features were not remarkable, and his gaze carried no commanding presence, but he looked back open-heartedly, full of trust.
"You..."
Li Yuanjiao found himself looking away first. Stirred inwardly, he nodded with a muffled grunt:
"If you truly think that way, it is naturally for the best. You may withdraw."
Li Xicheng bowed and was about to take his leave when Li Yuanjiao chuckled instead, smiling:
"Ha! You... you truly are a good older brother! Xijun is truly fortunate to have a brother like you!"
Li Xicheng stopped in his tracks and turned back. Shaking his head slightly, he contradicted Li Yuanjiao for the first time, bowing gently:
"Replying to Second Uncle: I am the eldest of the main branch. Whether it is Xijun, Ximing, or Xizhi cultivating at the immortal sect, all of them are my brothers. 'When brothers are gathered together, harmonious and affectionate'—I harbor no other thoughts."
"Covetousness, jealousy, or fighting for power and profit—I can neither do such things, nor do I have any interest in doing them."
A spear was slung across his back, his robe fluttering. His gaze was firm and bright. A young man of twenty-four or twenty-five was in the prime of his youthful vigor; his ordinary, even overly honest face seemed imbued with a touch of heroic splendor.
"Well said!"
Li Yuanjiao tapped the armrest in admiration, much of the gloom in his chest dispersing. He chuckled heartily, beckoned him forward, and drew a jade vial from his sleeve. In a serious tone, he said:
"This is the Barrier-Breaking Pill secretly passed down in our clan. Take it and consume it to break through to the sixth layer of Embryonic Breathing. Strive to break through to Qi Refinement before the age of thirty; it will be of immense benefit."
"Its effects are extraordinarily startling, a precious pill handed down from the ancestors. On no account must word of it leak out."
"Understood!"
Li Xicheng beamed with delight as he accepted it. He respectfully swore a Xuan Scenery spiritual oath and waited quietly for instructions.
Li Yuanjiao waved his hand and smiled:
"Go on. Find a cave abode and focus on your secluded cultivation to break through."
Li Xicheng nodded and took his leave. Only then did Li Yuanjiao retrieve several pills and spiritual items from his storage bag, set them on the desk, and bring out brush and ink to write a brief note to Li Yuanping:
'Cheng can serve as a pillar of our clan, respectful to elders and caring for juniors. Grand-Uncle was frugal in life, leaving the Second Branch in modest means; all supplies and spiritual resources for him shall be drawn from my Peak Wutu.'
Putting away the brush and ink, the smile on Li Yuanjiao's face gradually faded. He stared blankly into the air, as if gazing through layers of mist to see a face with a bright, hearty smile and heroic bearing.
'When brothers are gathered together, harmonious and affectionate...'
'Elder Brother... Elder Brother...'
***
Atop Mount Lijing.
Li Ximing had not returned home for two years. He discussed clan affairs with his father, Li Yuanping, talking through the entire night. Afterward, he went first to visit his mother, and then Lady Dou.
Lady Dou was Li Xuanxuan's wife and Li Yuanping's mother. She was also a rare female Qi Refinement cultivator in the clan, possessing considerable skill.
This grandmother of Li Ximing had doted on him the most since childhood, and now that she was a Qi Refinement cultivator, the moment she saw him she stuffed pills and spiritual materials into his hands, saying:
"These are from your grandmother's maiden family. Use them freely, no need to be reserved!"
Li Ximing accepted them with a wry smile. After attending to family matters for a few days, he finally found some free time. Sitting on the stone steps of the small courtyard beneath the spilling moonlight, he took out his herb pouch and carefully sorted through it.
Xiao Yuansi had prepared this method of herb harvesting for him, and Li Ximing had studied it meticulously. By now, he had achieved modest success; he could easily harvest and store Embryonic Breathing spiritual herbs and most Qi Refinement spiritual materials without damaging their medicinal properties.
'Brother Cheng also invited me to Eastern Shanyue, perhaps having prepared some spiritual materials again. Elder Brother always puts others before himself...'
As he was thinking, someone unexpectedly clapped him on the shoulder. Being within his own family's grand array, Li Ximing was naturally unguarded. He looked up with a smile, only to see a face with sword-like brows, starry eyes, and a commanding, dignified presence.
"Xijun!"
Li Xijun rarely smiled on ordinary days, being a man of few words and cautious conduct. Only upon seeing the brother he had not seen in years did a smile grace his lips. Leaning closer to take a sniff, he said softly:
"Such a strong smell of medicinal herbs."
Li Ximing gave a gentle smile and replied:
"Master Xiao's herb-gathering method is just like this. The scent is particularly strong, capable of clearing the mind, brightening the eyes, and calming the spirit."
"Your temperament has certainly softened quite a bit."
Li Xijun stood with hands clasped behind his back. Among the brothers of the Xi-Yue generation, he possessed the truest demeanor of the Li family. Li Xicheng was generous and magnanimous, Li Xizhi was composed and elegant, Li Ximing was gentle, while he alone was cautious and suspicious, never parting from his sword.
Li Ximing chuckled:
"I heard that you cultivate every day on Mount Yuting. How is it that you have suddenly returned home?"
"Uncle summoned me."
Li Xijun's expression suddenly turned gloomy, and he muttered sullenly:
"For some reason, Uncle Jiao suddenly summoned me up the mountain, saying something about my elder brother's deep affection and how it must not be taken for granted, and adding that since I have better talent, I must protect my brother all the more."
His grayish-black eyes shifted slightly, appearing exceptionally handsome in the moonlight as he said suspiciously:
"Isn't that reproaching me...? With my elder brother's temperament, how could any brother fail to get along with him? Could someone have whispered slander?"
"Uncle Jiao lost his elder brother in his youth. Perhaps he was moved by the scene, fearing history might repeat itself."
Li Ximing remarked casually, adding in a low voice:
"I hear that whenever the pear garden troupe at the foot of the mountain performs that scene, the entire audience weeps—youths mourn in silence, and old men shed tears."
The two fell silent for a while. Holding his sword in his arms, Li Xijun seemed to have held his tongue for a long time, saying softly:
"Brother Cheng is gradually taking charge of clan affairs, and several of our concubine-born brothers have started families. You and I are on the verge of Qi Refinement, and Second Uncle is soon to achieve Foundation Establishment. The clan will soon rest in our hands."
He tilted his face slightly, the green blade in his arms gleaming with chilling light, and smiled:
"As I see it, Brother, you temper in fire and seek among pills, while I tread upon snow and claim from the sword's edge. With the two of us in the clan, there should be nothing to fear."
Li Ximing burst into laughter and replied:
"Agreed!"
The two brothers fetched spiritual wine and talked through the night under the moonlight, discussing everything from Qingchi to the lands north and south of the Jiang River, until the Golden Crow rose, bathing heaven and earth in a radiant crimson-gold. Only then did they stagger over and fall asleep slumped over the table.
Chapter 359