Lake Wangyue and Mount Qingchi were ten thousand li apart. Even flying at full strength day and night without rest, a Qi Refinement cultivator would take two days and two nights. Factoring in stops to meditate and regulate one's breath, a single trip took six or seven days, making a round trip half a month.
Moreover, the territory of the Qingchi Sect was far from peaceful, requiring detours around many towering mountains. Li Yuanjiao had entrusted a family letter to members of the Yuan family to carry, and over a month had passed before a reply arrived.
The Yuan family held the Li clan in high regard. With Yuan Huyuan in secluded cultivation, the one who brought the letter was his eldest son, who respectfully delivered the correspondence, exchanged polite pleasantries with proper decorum, and cupped his hands in farewell.
"...Written on the evening of the twenty-eighth of the spring month... Congratulations to Father on breaking through to Foundation Establishment... Does the family know of Donghuo Grotto-Heaven? If items from Donghuo Grotto-Heaven are obtained, those below Foundation Establishment may freely be kept for our own use. Any Violet Palace spirit herbs, secret techniques, or cultivation manuals must be sent swiftly to Qingchi without the slightest delay..."
"...Your son has obtained benefits in Donghuo, and yesterday my cultivation reached the fourth level of Qi Refinement. Brother Ming is young, and I hope Father will not be overly harsh on him... In Donghuo Grotto-Heaven, I obtained several pill formulas, enclosed with this letter. The family can make great profit from them, but on no account must they be leaked outside..."
"...Regarding Brother Jun's Cold Pine Dew and Snow Incantation, your son asked through the Yang family, and they say there is no Violet Palace inheritance of this path in the State of Yue. Word of it exists only far away in the northwest of the State of Wu. He may set his mind at ease and cultivate without worry."
Li Yuanjiao finished reading the letter and let out a long breath, a hint of pride showing on his face.
"Before I even had the chance to ask about Xijun's matter, Zhi'er had already investigated and cleared it up. With this news, Jun'er can cultivate boldly."
Attached to the end of the letter was a small bead containing several pill formulas. Translucent and bright, it was quite pleasing to the eye. Li Yuanjiao examined it for a moment, silently thinking:
'Impressive craftsmanship from Qingchi. This bead is much more convenient than a jade slip.'
He extended his spiritual sense inside to inspect it. The formulas were the Three Completes Realm-Breaking Pill and Two Solutions to the Spirit-Saving Pill. Both pills were extremely difficult to refine and held immense value.
Li Yuanjiao put the items away, pondering:
'I will first let Ximing break through to Foundation Establishment before looking into these two... Qingchi's spiritual energy is dense, and Zhi'er possesses great natural talent. By focusing entirely on cultivation, he has actually surpassed Ming'er.'
He leaped into the air, flying out through the grand array of Mount Qingdu, and descended toward the lake.
The weather was cold, and many chunks of broken ice still drifted on the deep azure water. Just as he approached the surface, surging waves rose on the lake, the deep azure water churning upward and slamming ice floes together with sharp cracks.
A black serpent head as large as a carriage emerged from the water. Demonic qi rose and spiritual radiance flashed as Li Wushao shifted his form into a black-clad youth, cupping his fists and stepping forward to greet him.
"Wushao greets Master!"
Bowing his head with surging aura, he spoke respectfully:
"Following Master's orders, I have swept the shores of the Five Peaks, subjugated three Qi Refinement demon beasts and twenty-five Embryonic Breathing ones in the lake, and gathered twenty-six kinds of spiritual materials."
The demon turned and clapped his hands lightly, his magical power surging:
"Come out, all of you!"
At his words, the deep azure water parted, and three demon beasts flew out. All of them awkwardly stood upright like humans, riding demonic winds to halt in midair.
Li Yuanjiao took a look: two chubby-headed black carp demons, one large and one small, at mid-stage and early-stage Qi Refinement respectively; and a black lake turtle at early-stage Qi Refinement, terribly nervous, floating blankly in the air.
Li Yuanjiao waved his hand casually, and the three demons withdrew as if granted amnesty. Li Wushao cupped his hands and said:
"Subordinate has already scouted the waters near the eastern shore; there are no Foundation Establishment demon beasts there. I have dispatched little ones to search deeper into the lake."
"As for what Patriarch mentioned, Wushao has already demarcated several lake areas rich in spiritual vitality and sent those two black carps to find spirit fry sensitive to spiritual qi to breed..."
Li Wushao continued:
"Subordinate also took An Zheyan on two tours along the lake bottom. There are three earth pulses suspected of harboring mineral veins. I have dispatched a band of little demons to excavate and test them, so there should be news soon."
"Good!"
Li Yuanjiao nodded with considerable satisfaction.
Having finally subjugated a Foundation Establishment demon beast, using Li Wushao merely as a thug would truly be a squandering of heaven's gifts. Aquatic tribes naturally admired the strong and tended to flock together; a Foundation Establishment monster general possessed formidable rallying power around the lake. In the past, they could only gather a few spiritual materials from the lake, but now they could finally develop it thoroughly.
'Breeding spirit fish, gathering spiritual materials, mining mineral veins, scouting information... Unlike cultivators, these Qi Refinement and Embryonic Breathing demon beasts do not need water-repelling incantations to traverse the lake bed. They are exceptionally handy workers.'
He smiled slightly:
'Best of all, these demons don't require clan stipends!'
Seeing that Li Yuanjiao appeared to be in good spirits, Li Wushao secretly breathed a sigh of relief and spoke up:
"However, though these little ones have become subordinate's demons, they have no proof of protection. Rogue cultivators passing over the lake often snatch one or two away in passing..."
Li Yuanjiao nodded and instructed:
"Go to the Jade Court Guard and collect some identity jade pendants to issue as protection to the Yujing Wheel demons. Demons below the Yujing Wheel can be assigned to teams following them. Traveling rogue cultivators will show our family some respect and won't make things difficult for you."
"Understood!"
Li Wushao acknowledged. Li Yuanjiao asked:
"Since demon tracks are hard to find in the lake, in your opinion, are there any Foundation Establishment demon beasts to capture near the estuary where Xuanyue Saline Lake meets the sea?"
Having subjugated Li Wushao, their family was short one Foundation Establishment demon beast for the sacrifice to bestow talisman qi upon Ximing and Xijun. Li Yuanjiao had Li Wushao search the lake bed for a while, but the beasts in the lake were cunning and erratic in their movements, leaving Li Yuanjiao no choice but to turn his sights toward the Eastern Sea.
Li Wushao replied:
"As subordinate sees it, apart from that Clearwater Flood Dragon, the rest at the estuary are mediocre. If Master wishes to subjugate one, I fear..."
Li Yuanjiao shook his head. Li Wushao understood immediately and answered:
"With the array plate in Master's hand, the beasts in the lake are trivial... To kill or capture is merely a matter of a single thought."
Li Yuanjiao nodded:
"In that case, before Kong Tingyun arrives, let us capture a demon beast posthaste."
***
As Li Yuanjiao and Li Wushao rode the wind eastward, and Li Qinghong went to Xunlin Plain for secluded cultivation, Mount Qingdu grew quiet and deserted. Li Ximing cultivated in his courtyard all day long, leaving only Li Xijun guarding the mountain.
During these days, the winter chill had not yet receded. Mount Qingdu was not low, and snow could be seen on its summit. Li Xijun cultivated the Cold Pine Dew and Snow Incantation. Taking advantage of the heavy snowfall in previous months, he had entered seclusion and broken through to the second level of Qi Refinement.
Having just emerged from seclusion and not having touched his sword for a long time, an urge to spar welled up within him. He hunted around the mountain for an opponent, searching high and low until he pulled Li Wen out of Qingdu Cave Dwelling to spar.
Although Li Wen was at the third level of Qi Refinement, he was no match for him in combat. His pair of golden melon maces was exceptionally clumsy, whereas Li Xijun's sword art favored an ethereal, agile style, naturally routing him again and again.
Clad in white and wielding his sword, Li Xijun parried the two heavy golden melon maces left and right before tapping the tip of his sword against Li Wen's chest once more. Winning three out of three bouts, he gave the sturdy fellow a sound thrashing.
The simple-minded fellow muttered something, unable to come up with flattering words. He merely tossed aside the heavy maces, sat on the ground, and said:
"Young Master is mighty."
Having just broken through to the second level of Qi Refinement, Li Xijun's eyes sparkled as he said warmly:
"Brother Wen, your cultivation is quite good. Among the collateral branches, you are the only standout. I hope you will keep cultivating diligently and not fall behind."
The Li family had plenty of external-surname Qi Refinement cultivators, but few surnamed Li. Excluding Li Xuanxuan, Li Xicheng at the foot of the mountain, Li Xijun before him, and Li Ximing in the pill room—four Qi Refinement cultivators—the closest confidant was this Li Wen.
Li Wen cultivated the fast-track Court-Knocking Palace Guard Incantation and attained Qi Refinement before the age of thirty. Progress was supposed to slow down considerably after reaching Qi Refinement, but his mind was pure and his devotion to seeking the Dao was sincere. Now he was already at the third level of Qi Refinement, no worse than Chen Mufeng and the other external surnames.
From the bottom of his heart, Li Xijun was fond of this honest and loyal man, often seeking him out to practice combat techniques. Li Wen did not disappoint either, making rapid progress over the past two years.
Hearing this, Li Wen nodded and rumbled:
"Subordinate understands."
Li Xijun smiled slightly, sheathed his longsword, and counted the days, thinking to himself:
'Ximing refines pills daily, yet his cultivation hasn't lagged much behind either. He is at the third level of Qi Refinement at twenty-three. Once we bestow the pig demon's white talisman on him, he might reach the fifth level of Qi Refinement. If he cultivates to the eighth level within seven years, combined with a talisman pill, our clan will also have a genius who establishes their foundation in their thirties!'
At this thought, Li Xijun muttered:
"Perhaps I should ask Uncle Ping to lighten his burdens even further..."
Musing in silence, Li Xijun walked along Mount Qingdu for a while and landed before the Pill Pavilion. Pausing before the doors and hearing the intimate sounds within, his expression turned slightly strange.
"My lord..."
Only after quite a while did the woman in the courtyard withdraw. Li Xijun finally stepped inside. Before him, Li Ximing looked thoroughly relaxed, holding a jade slip in his hand with an expression of deep satiety on his face.
"Brother Ming," Li Xijun called out.
Seeing Li Xijun enter, Li Ximing put down the jade slip, tightened his belt, and smiled:
"How do you have time to come by today?"
Li Xijun was disciplined by nature and frowned slightly. He almost scolded him again, but seeing that Li Ximing was in a rare good mood, he was reluctant to spoil his spirits and asked tactfully:
"Where did that woman come from?"
Li Ximing replied:
"Concubine Dou. It is difficult for Qi Refinement cultivators to bear children... in spare moments..."
Li Xijun let out a long breath. Looking at his uneasy look, he couldn't help laughing:
"With your fondness for sensual pleasures, I wonder whose trait you took after."
Li Ximing smiled sheepishly and said:
"Don't tease me."
Seeing his rising aura and signs of further advancement, Li Xijun could not help asking:
"How long until you break through to the fourth level of Qi Refinement?"
"A year or six months, perhaps," Li Ximing answered casually as if it were a matter of course.
The Li Ximing before him had broken through to the third level of Qi Refinement long ago, while Li Xizhi in the sect was already at the fourth level. Li Xijun could not help sighing:
"The disparity in natural talent truly makes one envious."
Li Xizhi was five or six years older than both of them, so having a higher cultivation was normal. But Li Ximing was different; they were close in age, and Li Ximing refined pills every day, read alchemy books whenever he felt like it, and in his spare time called up performers to listen to music, living a life of leisure and ease.
Li Xijun, on the other hand, cultivated bitterly day after day and honed his sword dao, yet he was still held back a step behind, lagging in every metric, and the gap was growing wider and wider.
Fortunately, Li Xijun possessed great mental fortitude and practiced self-restraint, facing everything with equanimity. Though the two brothers had once quarreled loudly, Li Xijun had felt guilt rather than resentment, while Li Ximing had vented thoroughly and felt at ease, leaving no estrangement between them afterward.
As Li Xijun lamented, Li Ximing shook his head thoughtfully and said:
"In truth, every time I engage in bedroom affairs, I feel further progress. The Huangyuan within me becomes increasingly active, surging like blazing fire. Perhaps that is why I was able to break through to the third level of Qi Refinement so quickly."
"There's actually such a thing?"
Li Xijun was slightly taken aback, looking over suspiciously as he asked:
"Could this be an excuse you cooked up just to seek pleasure?"
Li Ximing feigned annoyance:
"What kind of talk is that!"
The two shared a laugh for a while. Then Li Xijun suddenly looked far into the distance, seeing two streaks of clear light approaching from the east. The moment they neared the boundary, they were intercepted by the Jade Court Guard, hovering in midair for quite some time.
"I'll go take a look," Li Xijun said in a low voice and took to the wind. Because of his cultivation method, the wind he rode was bone-chillingly cold; in this lingering winter chill, his speed was brisk, reaching the Jade Court Guard in just two breaths.
The Jade Court Guard before him was from the Chen family, having recently broken through to Qi Refinement. Upon seeing Li Xijun, he cupped his fists and said in a deep voice:
"My lord, these two claim to have been sent by the Xiao family to seek our Old Ancestor, and they bear a personal letter from Ancestor Xiao."
Li Xijun swept his spiritual sense over them. The pair consisted of an old man and a young woman. The elder had square, upright features with thick brows and large eyes, possessing a cultivation at the ninth level of Qi Refinement. The woman was fair-skinned and merely at Embryonic Breathing; she was very comely, standing sideways and glancing at him out of the corner of her eye.
Seeing that the elder was at the ninth level of Qi Refinement, Li Xijun quietly widened the distance slightly before asking:
"I am Li Xijun of the Li family. May I ask which senior of the Xiao family ordered you here, and for what purpose?"
The elder cupped his fists and answered:
"I am Meng Taizhi, merely a rogue cultivator. In earlier years, I cultivated around Jianmen and made the acquaintance of Ancestor Yuansi. My daughter lacks one breath of qi to achieve Qi Refinement, so with his recommendation, we came to the lake to seek a foothold and gather this heavenly and earthly spiritual qi."
Saying this, he gestured toward the young woman beside him. The girl carried herself with poise and propriety, offering a bow and speaking softly:
"I am Meng Zhuoyun. Greetings, Senior."
Li Xijun took the letter handed over by the Jade Court Guard. Rather than opening it rashly, he merely drew it with magical power. Seeing the familiar format, he believed them somewhat and replied:
"Please wait a moment. I will consult my elders."
He then pointed out a place in the town for them to stay, instructed the Jade Court Guard to keep watch over them, and rode the wind toward Lijing Town.
As a cultivator residing on Mount Qingdu, Li Xijun held an exceedingly high status in the clan. In a few steps, he passed through the central hall, where his uncle Li Yuanping sat high at the head of the chamber while Li Xicheng stood beside him, listening attentively.
When Li Yuanping heard his report, his attendant Dou Yi had already unfolded the letter and presented it.
"...The Meng father and daughter bear a favor owed by my clan and have come to gather qi for roughly twenty years. There is no need to show special deference on my account; they may serve as guest elders and be assigned duties at your discretion. After twenty years, they are free to stay or leave as they wish..."
"...Fellow Daoist Taizhi is skilled in smelting mineral essences, and his daughter Zhuoyun has cultivated under an overseas alchemist, so they can display their talents fully under your noble clan's governance..."
Li Yuanping scanned the letter from top to bottom. It was indeed Xiao Yuansi's handwriting. He immediately said:
"Since Ancestor Yuansi has spoken, send someone to ask what this Meng father and daughter need, and assign them suitable positions."
Li Xicheng nodded in acknowledgment and replied:
"Junior will first test their abilities before reporting back to the Patriarch."
Li Yuanping nodded. Xiao Yuansi's intention was for the Meng father and daughter and the Li family to mutually benefit each other, which was done with good intentions. Although the Li family was not lacking for such people right now, it was a rare opportunity to repay Xiao Yuansi's favor, so they had to accept.
He coughed twice and frowned:
"Remember to assign people to keep an eye on them."
Li Xicheng agreed and said respectfully:
"The family sacrifice has already been arranged. We only await Second Uncle and Senior Wushao's return."
Chapter 388