"Qinghong is about to succeed!"
Li Yuanjiao felt a flicker of joy upon hearing this, but he was a deeply reserved man. On the surface, he merely nodded and said in a low voice, "Master, please return with me first."
Kongheng had spoken quite freely in front of Li Wushao, but before Li Yuanjiao he merely nodded and rose. Riding the wind, the two drifted into the air and flew back along the road.
Not a word was spoken along the way. Kongheng flew enveloped in golden light, the monk's staff in his hand gleaming with swirling radiance, appearing remarkably changed.
Li Yuanjiao sized him up and asked, "Now that the Master has achieved a breakthrough, what are your plans for the future?"
Kongheng lowered his head slightly and answered, "If your noble clan has any requests, Kongheng will do everything in his power to repay your kindness. If you require nothing, Kongheng will continue cultivating on Lake Wangyue."
Upon arriving at the peak, Kongheng begged pardon and descended to cultivate. Li Yuanjiao landed back on the summit, not resuming his seclusion, but standing in the forest with his hands clasped behind his back.
Sure enough, after the time it took for an incense stick to burn, an urgent summons came from outside the formation. Kongheng's voice was filled with anxiety: "This humble monk wishes to pay respects to Benefactor Yuanjiao! I pray you open the grand formation."
Landing before Li Yuanjiao, Kongheng pleaded anxiously, "Senior! This humble monk... must never let Xijun suffer on my account.
"Earlier, I only thought of the secrets of my own cultivation and could not speak freely, which is why I hesitated to reveal them for so long. It was Kongheng's fault! Now that I have attained success, I must thank your noble clan for granting me this opportunity..."
Kongheng went on defending himself and explaining for a long time. Li Yuanjiao glanced at him and said nothing. Kongheng had been with the Li family for over ten years, and his character was plain for all to see. Though Li Yuanjiao did not particularly care for Buddhist cultivators, such fighting prowess could not be squandered in vain.
*Once I've sounded out his background, this man might actually be put to use.*
Li Yuanjiao replied, "This is an internal matter of my clan; there is no need for the Master to trouble yourself over it. Once his punishment is complete, he will naturally be released."
Kongheng shook his head, wishing to say more, but Li Yuanjiao inquired, "Does attaining Master through the orthodox methods of the Liao River differ from the Buddhist cultivators of the State of Zhao? The Master's current strength is probably not inferior to an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator, is it?"
Kongheng had no choice but to follow his prompt. Shaking his head repeatedly, he replied, "Benefactor does not cultivate the Buddha's teachings; the details are quite intricate, and this monk cannot explain them fully. My strength is merely on par with a Foundation Establishment cultivator of the Violet Abode Golden Core path. If compared with the Seven Paths of Northern Buddhism, it falls a notch short."
Li Yuanjiao had met Wang Xun of the ancient immortal cultivating Wang family and had assumed ancient Buddhist cultivation would likewise be far stronger. Surprised, he asked, "The ancient arts are inferior to present-day arts?!"
"Indeed."
Kongheng sighed and explained, "In the Shakya path, Masters and Mahas correspond to Foundation Establishment and Violet Abode respectively. The path of a Master requires cultivating internal magical arts, illuminating the scriptures, and seeking affinity...
"Yet the Buddhist cultivators of the present State of Zhao have taken a shortcut. Their Masters do not cultivate magical arts; instead, they worship the Maha dharma-forms, reciting their names daily to borrow divine abilities. They also pool golden natures together to forge giant statues to cultivate with, making their might exceedingly formidable—far surpassing Foundation Establishment."
Li Yuanjiao rarely heard such esoteric secrets and listened attentively. Kongheng continued:
"This path does not cultivate the self. As a result, it produces those neither-fish-nor-fowl Lianmin. Having lost the divine abilities they were supposed to cultivate, they become merely stronger Masters, naturally a notch weaker when facing a Violet Abode!
"Conversely, those Mahas are free from the constraints of the Heavenly Dao, reincarnating at will life after life. What was once a perilous feat with a nine-out-of-ten chance of death is now rock-steady and safe, making them far stronger than a Violet Abode."
"So that's how it is!"
Li Yuanjiao had wondered about the strength of these Buddhist cultivators for many years. With his doubts resolved, his brow relaxed. Kongheng sighed:
"Because their dharma power is borrowed from the Mahas, these Masters possess extraordinary and uncanny capabilities: bewitching minds, containment, and divination—there is nothing they cannot do. Monastic soldiers and tenant farmers have their minds enchanted and fall under the control of the Masters, while the Lianmin and Masters are in turn controlled by the Mahas. In the vast State of Zhao, from dawn to dusk, among hundreds of millions of common folk, not a single person is divergent, not a single weeping lament is heard, and not a single voice of dissent is raised!
"A single word from the Masters above, and those below joyfully obey. Killing becomes justified, and devouring human flesh becomes an act of benevolence. The elderly line up, vying to enter bellies, while young children only hope to grow up quickly so they may ascend to the Western Paradise."
Tears glistened in Kongheng's eyes as he said in a low voice, "Such a world is what the Masters call—
"The Earthly Buddhist Realm!"
Kongheng looked somewhat lost and murmured, "The Shakya Ancestor once said he would achieve universal harmony, ensuring the world was without evil, without sorrow, without killing, and without strife. And indeed, they achieved it. Not a day passes when the people of the State of Zhao are not delighted; not a day passes when they are not joyful."
Hearing these words, Li Yuanjiao felt an overwhelming sense of suffocation. He asked in a deep voice, "Then... what of the Zhao Emperor!
"Those Hujie barbarians..."
Kongheng lowered his head. "A thousand years ago, when the Hujie entered the pass, they were immensely formidable, blessed with the Mandate of Heaven and imperial bearing, hoping to rule as emperors for generations. Qi Yan, father to Emperor Zhaowu of Zhao, suppressed Buddhism with all his might, only to die overnight. In less than a hundred years, his descendants fell to their knees before the Mahas.
"Later, they surrendered their golden natures and welcomed the Mahas into the capital. The present Zhao Emperor is like a slave, knowing only how to prostrate and worship!"
Li Yuanjiao fell silent, murmuring, "No wonder it is said... there is no hope of advancement in Zhao. In whatever state one is born, in that state one dies. When even one's mind does not belong to oneself, how could there ever be any hope of rising?"
"Alas!"
Kongheng sighed and whispered, "This monk has lost his composure. My lineage originates from Northern Buddhism and is at odds with Zhao Buddhism. I have always held a grieving heart for Zhao; Benefactor must find this laughable.
"As for what is right and what is wrong, who can judge? Under the governance of our Liao River Temple, night after night, commoners flee, smuggling themselves into Zhao—some even threatening death to do so, reviling our temple as an unorthodox heresy."
Kongheng looked utterly bleak as he lingered on the peak. Li Yuanjiao asked a few minor questions before waving his hand to dismiss him.
The monk Kongheng was a reasonable man. Though he wished to argue further on Li Xijun's behalf, he sighed softly and murmured, "It is Xijun who suffers on my behalf."
With that, he rode the wind away, leaving Li Yuanjiao standing where he was with hands clasped behind his back, clutching the Qingchi Sword in his hand, hesitating in thought.
"Second Uncle!"
While he hesitated, Li Ximing came riding the wind from behind. Cupping his hands in a bow, he whispered, "Your junior congratulates Second Uncle on your advancing cultivation. May you soon achieve the Violet Abode."
This was the first time Li Ximing had met Li Yuanjiao since the latter emerged from secluded cultivation. Li Ximing had flown over to pay his respects, his words earnest: "Xijun had his reasons too..."
"The sixth tier of Qi Refinement. Not bad."
Li Yuanjiao did not respond directly. Examining his cultivation, a hint of delight showed on his face as he remarked, "It seems you aren't far from breaking through to the seventh tier of Qi Refinement. Around the age of thirty, you should be able to attempt Foundation Establishment."
Li Ximing recounted all matters of his cultivation, big and small. Li Yuanjiao listened attentively, a note of doubt entering his voice: "These... boudoir affairs of yours can actually aid cultivation?!"
Li Ximing felt a bit embarrassed and nodded. Li Yuanjiao, however, did not dismiss the matter lightly. He retrieved a jade slip from his storage bag, read it carefully, and said in a low voice, "It seems that is indeed the case! Although it is unknown which golden nature the *Golden Hall Huangyuan Formula* aligns with, it ultimately belongs to the radiant Yang aspect after all. One way or another, it makes sense."
Saying this, he nodded and murmured, "I understand now. You may take your leave."
He watched Li Ximing depart, then picked up a small letter on the table. It had been sent from the Qingchi Sect long ago. Li Xizhi never gave cause for worry, having investigated the information thoroughly.
"The Blood Dawn Fruit."
Li Yuanjiao had never heard of this spirit herb before. He could only dispatch personnel to inquire about it first. As for obtaining the item, it would likely require venturing deep into the Shanyue lands.
"I will focus on secluded cultivation for now. We can discuss this matter once Qinghong achieves her breakthrough and returns!"
***
Meanwhile, Li Ximing returned to his courtyard and lifted the pitch-black lid of the cauldron. The medicinal broth inside was clear and translucent with a faint grayish hue, appearing somewhat viscous.
"Good! Still in time!"
He had come and gone quickly, so the medicine in the cauldron had not yet taken shape, sparing the batch of pills from being ruined. Li Ximing was already exceptionally talented and had been guided by Xiao Yuansi; ever since returning home, he had not ruined a single batch of pills.
He spent some time finishing the refinement. The batch yielded six pills, which he stored safely in a jade vial. Suddenly, a knock sounded at the door outside.
*Tap, tap.*
Frowning slightly, Li Ximing opened the door with a creak. A servant entered and said respectfully, "Milord, a female cultivator has arrived outside under orders from the Clan Head, saying she has come to seek instruction."
"Seek instruction?"
Li Ximing was startled, then said gently, "Show her in."
The servant withdrew, and before long, a woman walked up.
She looked no older than twenty, possessing striking beauty and fair skin. Clad in a navy dress, she blinked her eyes and bowed, "This humble woman of the Meng clan greets Senior."
Li Ximing lowered his gaze and said softly, "So it is Miss Meng."
Seeing his downcast eyes, Meng Zhuoyun took in his appearance at a glance and noticed something off in Li Ximing's demeanor. She merely said respectfully, "This humble cultivator was instructed to seek Senior's guidance in the Dao of Alchemy... The Clan Head has also consented to it."
"Very well."
Li Ximing looked her up and down, a peculiar look in his eyes, and smiled. "Summon your heart fire, and let me see."
He had only just finished talking with Li Yuanjiao when Meng Zhuoyun came to his courtyard; it was inevitable that his thoughts would wander. Unable to make up his mind, Li Ximing decided to teach her gently first, pondering inwardly:
*Could the Meng clan be planning to join our family's house and thus offered this woman to me as a wife? She is about to break through to Qi Refinement, which should be of great benefit to my cultivation.*
Meng Zhuoyun was an exquisite beauty with tender skin and a charming countenance. Li Ximing was naturally not immune to mortal charms. Though his lips recited the secrets of alchemy, his heart began to harbor desires.
For her part, Meng Zhuoyun was no naive young girl either; she was sharp and shrewd, thinking to herself:
*This Li Ximing seems quite different from the rest of the Li family. I heard he is quite fond of female beauty. If I can win him over as a backer, perhaps my days in the Li family will be easier.*
With both nursing their own designs, they exchanged a glance. Mutual attraction sparked between them, and their voices softened into hushed murmurs.
***
Li Xijun did not kneel in the ancestral hall for long; after merely a few days, he left on his own to cultivate. Kongheng, however, took the matter to heart, inquiring after him frequently.
The Li family continued its steady and orderly operations. As winter departed and spring arrived, the heavy snows melted completely away. A streak of magical light came rushing urgently from the west, riding the clouds and mist.
This light came to a halt over the Li family's territory. Someone immediately rode the wind to meet it—it was Xu Gongming, in the middle tier of Qi Refinement. He cupped his hands and said, "May I ask, fellow Daoist..."
The light paused, revealing a burly giant of a man with a tiger's back and a bear's waist. His eyes bulged with fury, looking exceedingly impatient. Clad in leather armor, he shouted, "Is this the Lijing Li family?!"
Xu Gongming blinked in surprise and corrected him, "It is now the Qingdu Li family..."
The burly man exuded a majestic aura, his slightly bloodshot eyes glaring fiercely as he cursed, "I don't give a damn about your Qingdu or whatever! I only ask: does your family have the Wanling Flower?!"
Only then did Xu Gongming realize this man was actually a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Greatly alarmed, he stammered, "My family indeed possesses this herb... May I ask, Senior..."
The Foundation Establishment giant was overjoyed at once. Reaching out, he grabbed Xu Gongming by the collar and snapped fiercely, "Bring it to me at once! I won't let you suffer any loss!"
Clutched in his grip, Xu Gongming felt excruciating pain through all four limbs. He cried out in agony, feeling as if a fire were raging in his heart and lungs, and gasped out, "Senior, please wait! I will go report to the elders!"
Only then was the burly man willing to let go. Hastily releasing him, he bellowed, "Go, go, go!"
Xu Gongming dared not delay and hastily rode the wind downward. The Jade Court Guards in the area had long noticed the disturbance and rushed over to encircle the scene. Li Xicheng flew over on the wind, his voice grim: "What happened? Why has a Foundation Establishment cultivator from another family arrived?!"
Xu Gongming explained the whole sequence of events. Li Xicheng frowned. "What an unreasonable demand! We have to pay tribute next year, and our harvests of the Wanling Flower over the past few years were sold off to other clans long ago! Why would we keep any specially reserved for him?
"Even if the family kept a few portions for our own use, they are stored in the Ancestor's immortal cave, and he has long been in secluded cultivation!"
As the two conferred, the burly man in the sky grew impatient and hollered, "You little brats down there! Does your family have the flower or not? Stop wasting this old man's time!"
Anxious beyond measure, he took a step forward and reached out. The cultivators reacted as if facing a mortal enemy, immediately shielding Li Xicheng. Chen Mufeng shouted from the side, "Senior, you had better think carefully!"
The giant came to an abrupt halt. Anxious though he was, he still possessed a shred of reason. Glancing around darkly, he ground his teeth: "Then hand over the flower at once!"
Li Xicheng was equally nervous and commanded, "Quickly, go to Mount Qingdu! Call the Ancestor out!"
*Rumble!*
The moment his words fell, rolling thunder came roaring across the sky, echoing between heaven and earth for a long time, drowning out his voice entirely.
*Rumble!*
Dark clouds billowed from the south. The thunder that had been pent up all winter resounded through the heavens, marking the arrival of spring's first spring thunder, and a dazzling purple beam of light surged in from the south.
"Fellow Daoist comes with a request, yet acts with such arrogance. It seems you hold my clan in little regard!"
A female Foundation Establishment cultivator could be seen riding the lightning. Her jade armor was lustrous; her willow-leaf brows and apricot eyes were radiant and stunning, yet brimming with a sharp warning that gave her an extraordinarily valiant air.
Her long black hair drifted loosely in the wind, framing her petite, delicate ears. Tiny crackles of purple lightning coursed through her hair, shedding several halos of silver-white light. The spectacle held everyone present utterly transfixed, leaving them speechless for a moment.
"Aunt!"
Li Qinghong held a silvery-white spear reversed in her hand, her demeanor commanding and heroic as she descended before them. Li Xicheng was the most thrilled of all; he cried out on the spot, unable to contain the delight on his face, and burst into laughter.
Li Qinghong nodded slightly, her eyes radiant and striking as always. Turning toward her kin, her expression softened considerably, making her look all the more breathtaking. Stepping atop rolling arcs of lightning, she closed the distance.
Behind her, the black-robed youth Li Wushao bowed respectfully with eyes full of awe, keeping behind her. His clothes still bore signs of disarray, charred and scorched, as if he had just been thrashed.
Having been sharply rebuked, the burly man originally felt somewhat embarrassed and irritated. Yet his gaze lingered on her, caught in admiration and unable to look away, as he stammered with noticeably less confidence, "And just who might you be?!"
Li Qinghong was dressed neatly and crisply, exuding a valiant spirit without a trace of powder or rouge. The crackling purple lightning merely added a majestic, inviolable aura to her already handsome and spirited countenance.
With purple lightning swirling in her eyes, she said in a clear, resonant voice:
"Li Qinghong, of the Qingdu Li family."
Chapter 398