"The True Person took great pains for your sake; you should reflect on it carefully."
Li Xuanfeng offered a word of counsel. Ning Heyuan nodded in assent, his expression deeply complicated as he whispered, "Your younger brother understands. I harbor no resentment over the True Person's reprimand, nor do I fear offending some child of karmic mandate. My only fear is that one day the True Person will stop scolding me, truly cast me aside here, and never ask after me again. That would be the true dead end."
Li Xuanfeng paused. Ning Heyuan took a jade bottle from his robes and said softly, "The matter Brother-in-law entrusted to me... has been settled. Those ten Changmu Spiritual Pills have been exchanged for eight Xuanmin Pills of even higher quality. All of them are clean."
Li Xuanfeng nodded slightly and accepted them. Cupping his hands in salute, Ning Heyuan withdrew.
Li Xuanfeng said nothing more. Watching Ning Heyuan silently descend, he turned and rode the wind toward his cave dwelling.
Several cave dwellings within the market possessed dense spiritual qi and bubbling spiritual springs, typically renting for more than ten spirit stones a year each. One had long since been vacated for Li Xuanfeng's cultivation, while Li Qinghong had been arranged in a secondary cave dwelling beside his.
Yet even this secondary dwelling was richer in spiritual qi than Mount Qingdu. Treasuring the opportunity, Li Qinghong had buried herself completely in cultivation, only emerging to pay her respects when Li Xuanfeng returned.
Li Xuanfeng took out the Zuowu Stone, several heavy lumps of Haiying Dark Quicksilver, and a piece of azure Dou Jade, handing them all to Li Qinghong and instructing, "I have no use for these things. Take them home."
Li Qinghong nodded in assent. Li Xuanfeng then drew a jade bottle from his robes and asked softly, "Do not be stingy with the Yuwa Stone Fluid I gave you earlier; consume it when you have time. These are Xuanmin Pills. If you swallow both treasures, you should be able to break through to mid Foundation Establishment."
Aside from consuming talisman pills, the Li family had rarely used high-grade pills for cultivation or breakthroughs. Now both items were resources used by the core lineage of an immortal sect. Li Qinghong accepted them and replied, "Thank you, Second Uncle."
Just as Li Xuanfeng was about to speak, someone ascended from below with a broad forehead and thick brows—the eldest Ning brother. He said respectfully, "A black-robed cultivator arrived at the market, calling himself Li Yuanjiao, seeking an audience."
"Quickly, show him up!"
Delight surfaced on both their faces. Li Xuanfeng waved his hand, and Ning Dingbo hurried down. Before long, a figure came up from below. His eyes were grayish-black, his expression slightly somber, and the narrow space between his brows gave him a hint of cunning. He wore a crisp, capable black robe.
The man paused briefly before the cave entrance, pushed open the stone door, and probed with his spiritual sense. Only upon seeing the two inside did his brows relax, and he stepped in with joy in his eyes.
"Yuanjiao greets Second Uncle!"
Compared to his sister's reaction upon seeing Li Xuanfeng, Li Yuanjiao was far more restrained, yet the delight between his brows could not be concealed. Li Xuanfeng nodded with a smile, scrutinized him, and approved, "Mid Foundation Establishment. Good!"
Li Yuanjiao bowed. Li Xuanfeng circulated his eyes, causing various clear lights to surface. Though he practiced the same Clear-Sight Spiritual Pupil, his had been tempered and washed by multiple types of spiritual water. Upon closer inspection, he remarked softly, "A pity the cultivation method is somewhat crude, so the clear light lacks brilliance."
Li Yuanjiao had rushed over in a hurry right after his breakthrough, so his cultivation was not entirely consolidated, allowing Li Xuanfeng to see through it. He nodded at once; the family's River Unity Qi Formula was indeed unsatisfactory. Li Xuanfeng continued, "Qinghong practices an ancient art. Though its dharmic powers are somewhat lacking after modification, its wondrous subtleties are in no way inferior to fourth- or fifth-rank methods... Has the family acquired any high-grade cultivation methods over the years?"
Li Yuanjiao nodded and recounted the family's circumstances in recent years. After a slight pause, Li Xuanfeng finally brought up Yu Muxian, saying softly, "I have a chance to enter Qingsong Abbey, and Yu Muxian will enter as well. This is our family's only opportunity to seize the treasure from him. True Person Yuansu has also promised that once matters at Qingsong Abbey are settled, actions on the lake will proceed alongside them."
After sharing his deduction, Li Xuanfeng said softly, "With my current strength, defeating him is easy, but he will inevitably have life-saving items on him. Killing him will be difficult."
Li Yuanjiao pondered for a breath, unclasped from his waist a greenish-white sword tied with a green tassel, held it flat with both hands, and said softly, "The Qingchi Sword can slay Foundation Establishment cultivators. Uncle, please take it inside."
Li Xuanfeng did not take it. Instead, he glanced at the green blade and replied, "Qingsong Abbey is hidden within the Great Void. Once an opening appears in this grotto-heaven, we can examine it closely with a magical artifact. Perhaps one might enter through it."
Li Yuanjiao started slightly, his heart stirred:
'The Immortal Mirror can pierce through heaven and earth; even arrays cannot bar its sight... Perhaps it truly is worth a try. The family might even be able to send another person inside!
'Furthermore, that Jianyang Ring was the possession of Daoist Lu of Qingsong Abbey and could evoke resonance from the Immortal Mirror. Qingsong Abbey may have deep ties to the mirror!'
After careful consideration, he nodded to Li Xuanfeng and answered, "Yuanjiao understands. It may be worth a try."
Li Xuanfeng nodded, had Li Yuanjiao and Li Qinghong divide the pills and spiritual fluid, and instructed, "The spiritual qi here is rich. While I am garrisoning this place, cultivate and break through here while waiting for the right moment. That Zhong Qian is merely at peak Qi Refinement and preparing to break through to Foundation Establishment, which means Qingsong Abbey will not open for some time. Qinghong, you can push for mid Foundation Establishment."
The siblings exchanged a glance and complied. Taking the pills, Li Qinghong entered a secret chamber to cultivate.
***
The Heshui Sea.
The world was shrouded in gloom as fine raindrops pattered on the sea surface. A few droplets of quicksilver still floated between heaven and earth, gradually losing the dharmic power sustaining them and rolling down into the seawater to vanish.
The spiritual qi stirred, and the Great Void slowly parted. A green-robed cultivator stepped out, treading upon empty air amid the wind and waves. The pale golden jade seal at his waist swayed gently. Resting his hands behind him, he stopped above the shallow brown seawater.
Before him, the Great Void rippled, and a woman clad in purple stepped through the rift. A speck of purple-gold shone brilliantly between her brows. Her gaze drifted over the green-robed man before her, and she said softly, "So it is True Person Yuansu. I wondered what was going on... It was your man who dealt with that demon beast."
She produced a pale white object in her hand—crystal clear, as thick as a woman's wrist, coiled and winding, several zhang in length, and gleaming with white light. She said clearly, "Dongfang Ai is already dead. I return this dragon sinew to you; consider our accounts settled."
The purple-robed woman raised her arm and tossed the object into the air. Yuansu swept his sleeve, sweeping it inside without a word. The woman paused, then remarked, "Where did you find that golden bow? He has quite some skill..."
Yuansu waved his hand, answering casually as if unconcerned, "He is my Ning family's son-in-law."
"So it was a honey trap. To think you would stoop to such a ploy."
The purple-robed woman acknowledged, preparing to tear through the Great Void and depart. Yet out of nowhere, Yuansu spoke:
"A honey trap is never about seducing with lust; it lies in snaring the heart. Flesh and bone can be found anywhere, but an exquisite heart is rare—one who thinks your thoughts, feels your worries, clever and perceptive, capable of resolving your distress...
"Hemian is the cleverest child of my clan. Outwardly, she is decisive and shrewd, knowing when to advance and retreat; inwardly, she is all smiles, understanding intent at a glance, treating others with sincerity without regret or resentment. Who could bear to cast her aside? Naturally, Li Xuanfeng is no exception."
He stared coldly at the purple-robed True Person before him and said softly, "Clever people must be governed by clever people. This principle... whether in these four hundred years... or across tens of millions of years, has never changed."
The purple-robed woman's expression gradually chilled. Standing with hands behind her back, she looked at him coldly, "Tiaoxiao, you are as sarcastic as ever... Back then, I didn't see you accomplish anything. They fought for three days on Lake Wangyue while you hid on Mount Qingchi without taking a single step outside. How leisurely of you."
Thunder rumbled across the sky amid the drizzling rain. As the woman's face darkened, the clouds to either side churned violently, releasing wisps of purple qi. Yuansu faced her with cold eyes and sneered, "The Fairy has quite a memory. Yet I seem to recall who led a host of cultivators in person to Lake Wangyue... and who called open Donghua's grand array!"
The two exchanged a look and averted their eyes. The aura surrounding the purple-robed woman slowly subsided, and she merely said, "No need for the True Person to say more. You and I have contended for hundreds of years, but in the end, it will all return to dust. When I attempt my breakthrough to Golden Core, seeing me reduced to ashes with your own eyes should surely dispel your hatred."
"When that day comes, Tiaoxiao will certainly attend in person to witness the ceremony," True Person Yuansu retorted coldly.
The two parted on bad terms. The purple-robed woman tore through the Great Void and vanished. Standing with hands behind his back, Yuansu likewise stepped into the Great Void. His expression was calm, his clasped hands steady as stone sculptures, his eyes gazing straight ahead as if pondering in secret.
'She has always been sharp; she should have caught my meaning... At least it will give her some comfort, sparing her from tormenting herself year after year.
'Shangyuan must have known long ago that the Li clan were the kinsmen of Brother Jiangqun; that was why he personally slew Mohe as a hint... Yet as things stand, only I am suited to step forward... If our interactions become too frequent, I fear those two will notice...'
His expression was frost-cold, but his heart trembled secretly, as though treading the edge of an abyss ten thousand zhang deep:
'Back then, Master confined me within the sect, preventing me from repaying the debt of gratitude. Now... this is the only way.'
With little lifespan remaining, he was not afraid of dying. What he feared was falling into the hands of the Golden Core, and that he might end up bringing harm to the Li family instead.
***
Mount Qingdu.
Li Xijun rode the wind out from the Qingdu cave dwelling. Having finally broken through to the seventh layer of Qi Refinement, he landed atop the mountain peak, where a crowd was already waiting for him.
Most of those above were boys and girls aged sixteen or seventeen, bearing sabers, swords, spears, or bows. They waited animatedly on the mountain summit, arranged in several rows led by a few guest elders, conversing in hushed murmurs.
The members of the Li clan's Chengming generation were growing older; even Chenghuai, who had been the youngest, had reached the age for cultivation. Having emerged from seclusion, Li Xijun naturally came to oversee them and bestow cultivation methods.
As he descended on the wind, An Zheyan, Chen Donghe, and several others bowed in unison. Li Xijun returned the courtesy slightly. The youths behind the guest elders called out together, "Greetings, Clan Uncle!"
Li Xijun waved his hand. A young man stepped forward from the very front—Li Chengliao. Now twenty-four years old and at the fifth layer of Embryonic Breathing, his cultivation was already quite commendable given his aptitude.
Li Xijun examined him for a moment, nodded, and asked softly, "You have done well. Do you have a cultivation method in mind?"
The Li family now possessed more than one fourth-rank cultivation method. Those suitable for practice were the Golden Hall Huangyuan Formula and the Pheasant Fire Continuous Motion Art, along with the Purple Lightning Secret Origin Method, which rivaled a fourth-rank art.
The Golden Hall Huangyuan Formula had one portion of spiritual qi remaining, while the Pheasant Fire Continuous Motion Art had multiple portions prepared. As the Young Patriarch, Li Chengliao naturally knew the specific situation. Lowering his head slightly, he said softly, "I leave everything to Clan Uncle's arrangement!"
Li Xijun smiled slightly. First, he waved his hand to dismiss the guest elders, then looked at the expectant boys and girls before him and announced clearly, "You should have long heard your elders speak of our clan's cultivation methods. The fourth-rank ones are the best, consisting of two lineages of heritage.
"Yet while fourth-rank methods are the finest, practicing them is arduous, and the spiritual qi is limited. If one's natural talent is too poor, cultivating them will only hinder you. Though these two methods do not demand exceptional talent, there are still prerequisites."
He looked toward the juniors. The talents of the Chengming generation were mostly upper-medium, with only two or three truly catching his eye.
"Li Chengliao!"
Li Chengliao bowed in response. Li Xijun said softly, "Your talent is the finest among the Chengming generation, and you are the Young Patriarch... The Golden Hall Huangyuan Formula rightfully belongs to you."
Li Chengliao bowed low. Li Xijun then singled out a young woman—the eldest sister of the eldest branch, named Li Minggong. Radiant and generous, her talent was on par with Li Chengliao's, and she was granted the Pheasant Fire Continuous Motion Art.
The last person Li Xijun called was the youngest son of the second branch, named Li Cheng. Taciturn and quiet, he stepped forward and spoke a few words in a low voice to Li Xijun; surprisingly, he wished to cultivate the Purple Lightning Secret Origin Method, a request Li Qinghong had already permitted.
Li Xijun nodded and noted it down. The rest chose their respective methods. With only five portions of Continuous Motion Pheasant Fire available for the Pheasant Fire Continuous Motion Art, he could only select the four best candidates among the remaining youths. The others were left to freely choose among the third-rank cultivation methods.
After arranging everyone, Li Xijun led Li Chengliao and Li Chenghuai down into a secret chamber within the cave dwelling. Only then did he produce a talisman pill and whisper, "This is our clan's secret realm-breaking pill. Take it in silence once you go down; do not speak of it to anyone, lest it incite greed."
Li Chengliao nodded solemnly and entered seclusion in one of the cave's stone chambers. Only then did Li Xijun pull Li Chenghuai down to sit beside him.
Li Chenghuai, just over seven years old, sat somewhat bewildered on the stone stool, allowing Li Xijun to cover his eyes with a hand as he muttered softly, "Eighth Uncle..."
Li Xijun gave an affirmative hum and said gently, "I will seal your six senses. Wait patiently."
Hearing the boy agree, he sealed Li Chenghuai's six senses, carried him into the secret chamber, and bowed before the desolate stone altar.
"...The Li clan of Qingdu piously prepares clear wine and various delicacies, cold offerings and sacrificial rites... We fail not our faithful pledge; burned and transformed with the talisman, with our person we give thanks to the Taiyin."
As Li Xijun finished the prayer, his heart sank little by little. The greenish-white Immortal Mirror above remained utterly quiet, offering no response. Moon-white mist drifted down, floating above the stone tiles before him.
He silently begged forgiveness, slowly rose, lifted Li Chenghuai, and quietly left the secret chamber, walking all the way out of the cave dwelling to settle upon the summit of Mount Qingdu.
Sitting on the stone steps of the mountain peak, he unsealed Li Chenghuai's six senses. The full moon hung bright, casting radiant moonlight over them. The boy looked up at him and leaned silently against his embrace.
Li Xijun forced a smile, wrapping his arm around the boy as they sat in the summit wind, and said softly, "Tomorrow, Eighth Uncle will take you to the Transmission Hall to select an Embryonic Breathing method."
"Mm," Li Chenghuai replied softly.
Chapter 451