Mount Qingdu.
Li Xijun stepped out of the hall. Waiting outside was a middle-aged man dressed in robes patterned with intricate designs. Liu Changdie raised his brows to look at him and said in a soft voice, "Congratulations to my worthy nephew on breaking through to Foundation Establishment!"
Li Xijun nodded and politely replied, "Greetings, Uncle."
Liu Changdie looked closely at the white-robed youth. Seeing his poised grace and snowy composure, so noticeably different from his memories, he could not help but sigh inwardly: *Indeed, the path of frost and snow suits this Eighth Young Master best... Compared to his previous life, he possesses less cynical bitterness and more sharpness concealed beneath the snow, though he has gained less renown.*
A faint gleam of joy even surfaced in Liu Changdie's eyes. By this count, of the several young masters, Li Ximing was the only one he had yet to meet. He wondered what Li Ximing was like now, guessing that he had probably already reached Foundation Establishment.
While Liu Changdie was lost in thought, Li Xijun's gaze drifted over him. Li Xijun mused inwardly: *The family said this man might carry a fated destiny, and looking at him now, that certainly seems true!*
Liu Changdie was a mere rogue cultivator, yet he wore feather garments. In the entire Li family, only Li Xizhi could afford such attire after marrying into the Yang family. One glance was enough to tell he was no ordinary figure.
Snapping back to his senses, Liu Changdie smiled and said, "Worthy Nephew, the grand array has already been set up. We are only waiting for your esteemed family to inspect it."
Li Xijun raised a hand, gesturing for him to lead the way. As they walked out, Liu Changdie chuckled and explained, "This array fully gathers the Water Virtue and is laid out with five waters. Ten array platforms are distributed across Mount Qingdu, capable of shifting among the five waters to obstruct enemies. I call it the Five Waters Qian-Defending Array.
"As long as your esteemed family activates this grand array, waves will rise to harness both the lake's water veins and Mount Qingdu's water veins to assist the defenses. It possesses five water aspects in total, capable of withstanding at least a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator."
Li Xijun rode the wind alongside him, coming to a halt in the sky above the mountain summit. Liu Changdie drew a small banner from his sleeve, gave it a gentle wave, and turned with a grin. "This array combines the culmination of my life's learning! I dare say that every Foundation Establishment array master in Jiangnan today would have to bow to me. Even if Wan Huaqian crawled out of the earth and achieved Foundation Establishment, he might still lose to me by a margin!"
It was no wonder he boasted so boldly. Array masters throughout the State of Yue could never bypass the name Wan Huaqian; even several simplified array formations circulating in the State of Yue had been crafted by his hands. In his time, Wan Huaqian's fame had barely lagged behind Li Chijing's.
*Still, where did the Wan family's array inheritance end up?*
Prompted by Liu Changdie's mention, the thought flashed through Li Xijun's mind like lightning. The destruction of the Wan family had been penned personally by Li Tongya, and all of the Ji family's legacy had now fallen into the hands of the Li family, yet nothing had turned up.
*Perhaps Ji Dengqi sent it off to Tangjin Gate.*
Even as he pondered this, the spiritual energy across Mount Qingdu underwent a dramatic shift. Ten cold beams of light surged skyward in rapid succession, flowing into an azure-blue light barrier that cascaded down from the heavens. Liu Changdie explained, "This first water aspect is Lushui, called Chenmeng—the Dawn Haze."
He formed a quick hand seal. Immediately, a grayish-murky mist rose from the lake and spread outward swiftly, severing the prying of spiritual senses. Like fine threads, the mist clambered upward, coiling toward Li Xijun's robes.
A look of surprise crossed Li Xijun's face. He waved his sleeve lightly to disperse it, yet the mist surged back like a parasite clinging to bone. Circulating his ocular technique, he instantly saw right through the vapor; evidently, the mist had no real effect on him.
Yet Li Xijun was not surprised by this. His ocular technique and talisman qi reinforced each other; it would be strange if he *couldn't* see through it. Liu Changdie said, "So long as this layer of the water aspect stands, no matter how many Qi Refinement cultivators lay siege, their efforts will be entirely in vain!"
He formed another hand seal and murmured, "Huiliu—the Serpent Current."
The surface of the lake surrounding Mount Qingdu immediately began to boil, morphing into agile and cunning water vipers that twisted their bodies across the water, brandishing weapons in a display of sheer ferocity.
Liu Changdie explained, "This is likewise meant to deal with sieges by Qi Refinement cultivators. These water monsters summoned by the array hide within the mist, making them even more effective at attacking foes and defending the formation.
"Qingyuan—the Pure Origin."
Another layer of water aspect was added. A greenish-gray radiance appeared around Liu Changdie, making his entire body seem noticeably lighter. It was clearly a buffing array technique to empower their own side.
This was not particularly remarkable, far less striking than the first two water aspects. Liu Changdie understood this as well and said no more, shifting his hand seal once again. "Bufu—the Sinkless."
The wind carrying Li Xijun beneath his feet suddenly plummeted, causing him to lose his footing in the air. He was forced to summon his magical power to resist, yet this sensation of heaviness was quite peculiar, growing increasingly intense over time and draining his magical power at an alarming rate.
A smug expression appeared on Liu Changdie's face as he smiled and said, "Thanks to that rare treasure among Fushui waters, which possesses a considerable measure of Weak Water's power, I was able to empower this flight-prohibition technique to such an extent! Faced with this kind of drain, even a Foundation Establishment cultivator would have to think twice!"
Li Xijun raised his brows in astonishment. This technique was quite different from ordinary flight prohibitions, growing continuously stronger with time. He thought to himself: *I heard this Fushui was brought out by Sister-in-law... She didn't say much about it, but it was clearly a rather precious treasure—likely a rare, high-grade specimen among Fushui waters. Now we owe her a debt of gratitude...*
Caught up in his excitement, Liu Changdie shifted his hand seal once more to bring forth the final water aspect, smiling broadly. "Cengliu—the Layered Current."
Massive waves surged across the surrounding lake in an instant, rushing vigorously and climbing upward along the mountain ridge. They quickly enveloped the entire azure-blue grand array, shielding it thoroughly. The grayish-black lake water appeared remarkably steady and solid.
Li Xijun examined it with great care until Liu Changdie released the spell and all the water aspects swiftly returned to their original state. Only then did Li Xijun sigh and say, "Our family repeatedly declined your generosity, yet Uncle harbored no resentment and instead poured even more heart into crafting this array! How could we possibly accept this in good conscience!"
Li Xijun knew very well that the meager supplies his family had provided were nowhere near enough to build such a grand array. Who knew how much of his own private resources Liu Changdie had quietly poured into it? How could this magnificent scale belong to an ordinary Foundation Establishment array?
Sighing inwardly, he reached into his sleeve and drew out another storage bag, intending to compensate Liu Changdie. But the man waved his hands vigorously, his voice solemn: "Having lived through so many years, Changdie is no longer the fool of the past! So many eyes are watching me from the shadows... I know my place! Whatever you do, speak no more of favors. In the end, I will not drag your esteemed family down."
Li Xijun choked up slightly. Just as the man had said, Liu Changdie had roamed the world for so many years; he was no longer that reckless youth of old. He understood that the Li family had compensated him time and again precisely because they did not want to owe him debts of gratitude, fearing that when trouble struck him down the road, it would drag them down as well... Yet such an attitude was undeniably cold, leaving Li Xijun at a loss for words.
Liu Changdie, however, was magnanimous, saying warmly, "This is to repay Yuanjiao. I understand a great deal now. If your esteemed family still trusts my character... then do not push any more spirit stones on me."
His eyes were clear and his tone was open and upright, cutting off any rebuttal Li Xijun could make. Chuckling softly, he quickly changed the subject. "I have met all the other young masters, yet I have not seen Worthy Nephew Ximing... I wonder..."
Li Xijun offered a polite smile, feeling a faint ache in his heart as he replied, "Ximing is in closed-door seclusion to attempt a breakthrough. It is an unfortunate coincidence..."
Liu Changdie could only nod with a tinge of regret. In his previous life, his daughter had been Li Ximing's concubine, so he had shared quite a close bond with Li Ximing. In fact, Li Ximing's son, Li Chenghui, had studied array craft under his tutelage. Speaking of this made him miss that disciple of his, and he asked with a smile, "I have heard that the Mingyang path produces children most easily. I wonder if that is mere rumor—might I ask how Master Ximing's descendants fare?"
Li Xijun happened to be brooding over this very matter. Li Ximing's eldest son had just had his aptitude tested, and he lacked even a spirit aperture, which had cast a dark pall over Li Xijun's mood. He merely waved a hand and said, "I believe it to be a rumor. Brother Ming has few offspring, and none with spirit apertures."
These words struck Liu Changdie like a thunderbolt, causing his heart to plummet. Fearing he had somehow unwittingly ruined something again, he thought in panic: *How could that be... How... Meng Zhuoyun belongs to the overseas Meng clan, and the Li family are also descendants of Foundation Establishment... How could it be...*
The well-behaved image of that disciple surfaced in his mind, and he could no longer hold himself back. His heart skipped a beat as he asked, "May this old man pry a bit further? Young Master Ming's wife is..."
"Lady An."
"Lady An!"
Liu Changdie slowly closed his eyes. Li Xijun felt that his questions were always rather peculiar, but Liu Changdie's earlier words had been so sincere that Li Xijun had answered without thinking.
Bitterness flooded Liu Changdie's heart, leaving him completely despondent. *Perhaps Meng Zhuoyun died on the journey here... It's over... It's all ruined.*
Suddenly feeling as though he were tumbling into a dream, his hands and feet grew scalding hot. The peaceful composure he had maintained was shattered in an instant. He stood suspended in midair, utterly bereft of his soul, his eyes downcast. He could not even hear the person beside him calling his name.
His body went through the motions of bowing in farewell, but his heart had already shattered into pieces on the ground. When he finally came to his senses, he had already touched down in the town. Taking only two steps, he squinted upward to look; the plaque above read 'Hu Residence.'
Without realizing it, he had returned to his residence from his previous life—only it was no longer hung with the plaque of the Liu family. He had no choice but to turn back and retreat, dazed as if his soul had been extracted, his spiritual sense trembling as it swept rapidly through the manor.
Liu Changdie faintly heard a soft song. With a flicker of his body, he dropped straight into the courtyard of the Hu Residence. A woman was singing and dancing there, her expression filled with panic; she clearly possessed cultivation and had been startled by his spiritual sense.
Her features were delicate and fair, carrying a melancholic, fragile beauty. Her body was frail, projecting an aura completely different from her previous life. Her cultivation was far below the fifth level of Embryonic Breathing she had held in the past, barely having attained the Xuan Scenery.
Yet Liu Changdie's Foundation Establishment cultivation was entirely genuine. With a clatter, the courtyard filled with people dropping to their knees. Lady Liu pressed her forehead tightly to the ground and said respectfully, "May I ask what brings Senior..."
Liu Changdie felt a tightening in his chest and a shortness of breath, managing only a choked gasp. His wife was kneeling before him just like this. Retainer Hu, catching on late, came rushing out and threw himself prostrate on the ground.
"Qing'er..."
Liu Changdie murmured hoarsely.
Of course he understood why he had never come looking for her.
The moment he had been reborn, he was wild with joy. With so many regrets and sorrows lying before him to be saved, not a single thought of his wife and daughter had entered his mind. Now he understood: from the instant of his rebirth, he had looked down on Lady Liu from the bottom of his heart.
Even after decades of life as husband and wife, in his frantic ecstasy... he was no longer that opportunist of his previous life, no longer a cultivator of miscellaneous qi, no longer that useless Liu Changdie!
He was going to be a Foundation Establishment cultivator! He might even become a Violet Palace cultivator! The one he wished to marry was a fairy from an immortal sect! The one he wished to hold was a darling daughter of an illustrious clan!
In the depths of his heart, he had despicably thought that everything from his previous life could be treated as void. Any woman he met in this life would surpass Lady Liu in temperament and appearance. As husband and wife, neither owed the other anything, so why would he ever go back to marry a village girl?
And so he had forgotten her completely for decades, without recalling her even once. Whenever an occasional thought touched upon her, he would merely laugh it off and cast it to the back of his mind.
Yet seeing Lady Liu pale in fright and trembling with terror, Liu Changdie felt as though a sledgehammer had slammed into his skull. Her bashful shyness on their wedding night, the warmth and joy of their family gathered together—scene after beautiful scene surged into his mind. His throat felt clogged with phlegm, producing a harsh, grating cough.
Liu Changdie had always remembered Lady Liu as somewhat plump, and because of this, he had disliked her for a long time, until she captivated him with her gentle patience and adoration.
Only now did he realize that she also had this emaciated, haggard, and fragile side. In her previous life, it was because she loved him that light had shone in her eyes.
Retainer Hu's expression changed abruptly, and he stammered, "Qing... Qing'er...?!"
A fleeting flash of humiliation crossed his face, but it vanished in an instant. Lady Liu was nothing more than a concubine; if she caught the eye of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, his family would enjoy endless wealth and glory!
Retainer Hu said obsequiously, "My Lord... My Lord... This is Yuqing... She is most skilled at singing gentle, melodious tunes..."
*She only suffered a miscarriage a few days ago, so she is somewhat weak...*
He did not say those words aloud, but with a sweep of Liu Changdie's Foundation Establishment spiritual sense, he had already seen through it all clearly, even knowing which cold medicine had harmed her. He watched as Retainer Hu shoved and prodded Lady Liu forward.
Lady Liu was filled with confusion and terror, trembling as she collapsed before him. Liu Changdie was an old hand at the world; the sight made his eyes ache with stinging pain, and he cried out, "Serves me right!"
Weeping and laughing all at once, he took to the wind, a coppery sweetness filling his mouth as he cursed, "It serves me right!"
Liu Changdie took to the wind as if fleeing for his life. In all his years of escaping death in the Eastern Sea, he had never flown so fast. Lady Liu's eyes and her current plight felt like an immortal sword hanging over him; had he paused for even a fraction of a breath, he would have been damned for all eternity.
*How many years have passed since my rebirth... With my mind set only on lining my own pockets, my heart swollen with greed only to snatch away the opportunities of others, how many heroes and good matches have I ruined? To say nothing of preventing the demonic catastrophe and the great downpour, did I ever save a single life?*
*I should have known my own limits. I was nothing more than a mediocre, cowardly mortal! Yet in this second life, how many spiritual treasures have I wasted? I ruined the destinies of even more heroes! How many young paragons were lost in the demonic catastrophe? And as a result, how many common folk were harmed!?!*
Only today did Liu Changdie finally wake to the truth. From beginning to end, his rebirth was nothing more than a clumsy farce—a mediocre fool squandering blessed fortunes, causing far more capable people to depart with lingering regret. He was no hero; he was merely shortsighted. Even if he lived several more lifetimes, he would remain the exact same way!
After harming others, he went on to harm his wife and daughter, his brothers, and his elders. Just look at his wife from his previous life: without him to save her, what a wretched fate she had met amidst the decline of the Liu clan!
*Married off as a concubine... persecuted into losing her child... What a lovely darling she was in her past life... and now she is wasted away like dried wood.*
The Li family had many cultivators, yet it was exceptionally rare for a cultivator to be married off as a concubine. It was clear that the Liu family had lost in their struggles, and being a mere member of a minor collateral branch, she had fallen into such a plight!
Though he did not live within the Li family, he understood their situation well. A tumult of emotions churned within him. The smiling countenance of her plump face flashed before his mind, only to be violently shattered by that terrified face from moments ago. He choked out, "All this cultivation I gained is for nothing!"
Of course, Liu Changdie could have turned a blind eye. He had owed her nothing, and this Lady Liu was not strictly the Lady Liu of his previous life. Liu Changdie had always prided himself on being selfish and self-serving, yet deep down, he still possessed a shred of conscience.
"Qing'er... Yuanjiao... Chenghui... A'nan..."
As deep night fell, that lingering shred of conscience caused this dignified Foundation Establishment cultivator's legs to give out. Like a bird with broken wings, he plummeted from the sky and crashed into the lake.
Chapter 496