Hearing her elder brother's words, Li Yuexiang showed no sign of joy. She had weightier concerns on her mind, and only said softly:
"I harbor no grievance. My only fear is that offending them too deeply might stir up trouble."
Li Xijun shook his head gently and replied:
"There is no longer any question of offending them or not. The clans fix their eyes on nothing but profit, and the Yuan family has already lost all moral ground."
Li Yuexiang nodded. Li Xijun unfolded the small letter in his hand, read it through, and said softly:
"Go and prepare yourself. Brother Zhi will return shortly to take you to Qingsong Island... There is still room in his cave dwelling, and cultivating there will be of great benefit."
Only then did a glimmer of delight appear on Li Yuexiang's face, and she nodded gently. Li Xijun did not wish to say more and dismissed the two of them. Hearing the report from his subordinates, a smile touched his lips. He stepped out of the hall, followed the winding corridor, and soon arrived at the Alchemy Pavilion.
Clad in an alchemist's Daoist robe, Li Ximing sat ethereally in the hall. His garments were crisp and slightly faded. Having just broken through to mid Foundation Establishment, he was riding high on success.
How could Li Xijun not know him? On the surface, Li Ximing looked calm and composed, but inside he was bursting with joy. Going along with his act, Li Xijun stepped forward briskly and exclaimed in mock surprise:
"Brother Ming, so fast? Did all go smoothly?"
Li Ximing nodded cheerfully and merely tightened his cuffs, replying:
"I took medicinal pills, after all, so breaking through was effortless. I even nursed myself for a while to stabilize my cultivation before coming out of seclusion."
In high spirits, he was just about to launch into detail when he suddenly glanced up and down at Li Xijun, crying out in pleasant shock:
"You reached Foundation Establishment!"
A faint smile appeared on Li Xijun's face as he gave a gentle nod. Li Ximing hurriedly rose from the floor, clapped a hand onto his shoulder, and chuckled:
"What a fine aura of pine and snow magic power!"
Li Xijun nodded gently, waiting for him to calm down before saying:
"There is something I need to discuss with you."
As Li Ximing listened to him recount Li Xuanfeng's words, his brow furrowed tightly. Shaking his head in silence, he questioned dubiously:
"I don't think so. My progress along the Mingyang path has advanced by leaps and bounds, already faster than the direct disciples of immortal sects. How could it be ill-suited for me...? It must be that the ancestor's standards have risen too high in the Southern Border..."
He suddenly clenched his fist, realizing belatedly:
"If what the ancestor says is true, had I followed the family's arrangements back then, my cultivation probably wouldn't have been much slower either..."
While he was lost in his own calculations, Li Xijun caught sight of an orchid pot sitting on the desk out of the corner of his eye. After years of seclusion, it was still growing lushly—evidently cared for by someone dedicated.
His eyes flickered, and he quickly turned his head toward the alchemy furnace on the other side. The flames inside flickered between bright and dim. Outside, wind and rain surged through the world. Li Ximing did not understand why Li Xijun's expression had changed and felt somewhat bewildered.
Pausing for a moment, Li Xijun suddenly asked:
"Brother Ming, have you taken a liking to orchids in recent years?"
Li Ximing felt slightly awkward and blurted out hurriedly:
"I'm just growing it for leisure, it has nothing to do with Zhuoyun!"
The moment the words left his mouth, he realized he had spoken too hastily. Yet Li Xijun suddenly knitted his brows, looked out at the wind and rain beyond the hall, and murmured:
"It is a celestial phenomenon!"
Li Ximing was still searching for words, but Li Xijun's remark cut him short. In an instant, Li Xijun vanished. Li Ximing rode a golden light outward and stood shoulder to shoulder with him atop Mount Qingdu, looking far into the southern distance toward a golden radiance.
Their immortal foundations fluctuated gently. In the far distance, iridescent light could faintly be seen rising into the sky. Li Ximing said with envy:
"I fear someone has broken through to the Violet Palace!"
The illusory colors swiftly spread across the sky, transforming into clouds resembling all manner of beasts and birds, vivid and lifelike. At the very center of the sea of clouds was a treasured elephant coalesced from white clouds, appearing to trumpet into the heavens as beam after beam of golden light surged forth.
The golden light rippled across like waves. The trees and grass across the mountain swayed gently, and fallen leaves rained down like a shower, blanketing the slopes in gold. Li Xijun slowly closed his eyes, attentively sensing the rising spiritual subtle energy in the world.
Li Ximing paused, came to his senses, and likewise closed his eyes to perceive it in detail. After about the time it took to drink a cup of tea, the two brothers exchanged a glance. Li Ximing sighed:
"The Xuanping Zhongfen... has dispersed completely!"
"It is remarkable that it lasted this long."
Li Xijun gazed intently in the direction where the clouds converged and estimated it was Hengzhu Dao. In a low voice, he said:
"Hengzhu Dao has gained another Violet Palace cultivator!"
Riding the wind together, the two brothers descended back onto the mountain. Li Ximing said:
"I distinctly recall that Hengzhu Dao has always had good relations with Xiuyue. But how could a breakthrough ever be controlled at will? The celestial phenomenon proclaims it to the four quarters—this is the final breath that has crushed the spiritual energy of heaven and earth."
Though the Li family had gradually accumulated some heritage, they possessed virtually no methods to investigate phenomena concerning the Violet Palace's world spiritual atmosphere, such as the Xuanping Zhongfen or 'water receding and thunder rising.' At present, they could only look on helplessly, unsure of what state the world's spiritual energy had become.
"We lack the relevant spells, after all. Had we not known beforehand that a shift was coming and paid careful attention, we might not have even detected this subtle change..."
Li Xijun let out a sigh. Beside him, Li Ximing asked:
"Why not have Aunt return for a visit and try using her thunder arts? It seems that might yield some information."
"I doubt it would be easy."
Li Xijun had discussed it thoroughly with Li Qinghong. Back then, it was likely because 'water receding and thunder rising' was directly tied to thunder arts that she could perceive it; doing so now would likely be very difficult. He merely said softly:
"We need only write a letter to ask Brother Zhi."
...
Returning to his residence from the Central Hall, Chen Mufeng did not expect his wife, Madame Li, to be seated in the courtyard, with two elders sitting in the seats of honor.
One wore a brown robe, the empty sleeve of his severed arm slightly jarring in the air. His hair and beard were withered, and his eye sockets were sunken, radiating the twilight aura of a man nearing his grave.
The other possessed a far steadier aura. A long sword was strapped across his back, and he wore a light gray robe. His waist was slightly bent as he leaned against a wooden chair.
Chen Mufeng was thoroughly familiar with these two faces. Back when Old Master Chen had entrusted him into Chen Donghe's hands, he had sat respectfully beside the desks of these very two elders. Chen Mufeng hurriedly bowed and said respectfully:
"Mufeng pays respects to Master and Elder."
Li Qiuyang's aged face wore a somber look. Born a simple peasant, the old man was now among the highest in seniority within the clan, yet his expression remained as it had always been.
He had held the reins of Li Xiangping's horse and presented swords to Li Tongya, witnessing a century of trials and tribulations. Even though Chen Mufeng's cultivation far exceeded his, Chen Mufeng showed not the slightest impatience, merely keeping his head lowered in silence.
Chen Donghe gazed at the man before him, likewise saying nothing. The two elders sat in silence, exuding a solemn gravity that left Madame Li at their side quiet as well.
Just as Chen Mufeng's heart was drumming anxiously, his elder Chen Donghe waved a hand and said softly:
"It is a good thing. The lad Chen Yang's talent has caught Qingdu's eye, so congratulations are in order for you and your wife."
At these words, both of them instantly breathed a sigh of relief. Chen Mufeng cupped his hands and smiled:
"Many thanks to both elders for fostering him!"
Li Qiuyang nodded slowly. Drawing back the wooden staff in his hand, his empty sleeve drifted quietly in the air. With a solemn expression, he said in a low voice:
"Feng'er! Bring the lad up for us to see."
Chen Mufeng hurried to send someone to fetch him. The Li Qiuyang before him was not only the master who had taught him, but also his former father-in-law; it was only because Li Qiuyang's daughter had died young that he had later married the current Madame Li.
Chen Donghe waited silently without a word. When Chen Yang walked up quietly before the hall, Chen Donghe examined him closely and knitted his brows.
Li Qiuyang, appearing dim-sighted with age, narrowed his eyes and scrutinized him for a long time, thinking to himself:
*He has a somewhat fierce and treacherous air, but when those eyes are in thought... they look a bit like Chen Erniu back in the day... both harboring twelve parts of cunning hidden in their bellies.*
Yet those pupils were grayish-black, and the brows were longer than those of the Chen family—features so familiar to Li Qiuyang, who had dealt with such people for nearly a century. It was precisely the bearing of the Li family's main line.
*This child is quite interesting. From head to toe, he has inherited all the guile and intellect of both the Li and Chen families. No wonder Xijun asked me to take a good look at him... He is indeed extraordinary!*
He paused before saying:
"Qingdu's intention is to have this child cultivate under Donghe."
This came as a pleasant surprise to the couple. Husband and wife exchanged a glance, both seeing delight in each other's eyes.
They had long harbored this wish. Chen Yang was the most talented child in the entire family; by rights, he should have been placed in Chen Donghe's hands to be thoroughly instructed.
However, the Chen family had always maintained an impeccable standing, never doing anything that might invite suspicion. Moreover, Chen Donghe never returned to the Chen family and showed no nostalgia for old ties, so this thought had remained buried in their hearts.
After all, Chen Donghe possessed late Qi Refinement cultivation, and his status within the household ranked among the very highest of those outside the clan's surname. It was even rumored that he had learned the sword techniques of the main family. Beaming with joy, Chen Mufeng was about to pull the child forward to offer thanks when Chen Donghe spoke:
"You two had best not rejoice too soon. I turned it down."
The atmosphere instantly froze. Chen Yang's eyes flickered slightly, his chin lifting. Hearing this, he frowned faintly, feeling a dull ache throbbing once more on his forehead.
Yet that subtle expression caused both elders seated above to pause. A thought quickly flashed across Chen Donghe's mind:
*He has pride in him.*
Assuming an elder's stern demeanor, Chen Donghe said in a low voice to Madame Li beside them:
"I, however, see that this child's heart is not upright. The main family proposed it repeatedly, but I rejected every offer."
At these words, Madame Li understood immediately. Stepping forward, she took the child's hand and said in a grave voice:
"The Xuanjing Spiritual Oath... Swear it before these two venerable elders..."
After mother and son went through the whole affair, Chen Yang's expression remained as calm as still water, reciting whatever his mother instructed him to say. Li Qiuyang tapped his pipe. Chen Donghe quietly observed the boy's performance, then strode down from the dais, took him by the hand, and led him out of the great hall.
He walked all the way to the riverside, pulled Chen Yang to sit down, and began recounting from when Chen Erniu fled as a refugee to Mount Lijing, carrying the tale all the way to their current circumstances. He said softly:
"Our Chen family has survived in this world solely through the grace of a single meal granted by the Li family's ancestors. Entrusted with heavy responsibilities generation after generation, we arrived at our present state. To stand together brings mutual benefit; to clash brings the agony of severed kin. Your intentions must remain clean."
Chen Yang's expression seemed to soften somewhat. Pursing his lips in silence for a moment, he said in a low voice:
"Yang'er understands. The main family's grace and might are immense."
To Chen Donghe's ears, however, those words sounded like:
*Ancestor, Yang'er understands. The main branch has numerous Foundation Establishment cultivators and even ties to immortal sects and the Violet Palace. I will not do anything foolish.*
Chen Donghe sighed, pulled him up, and said in a heavy voice:
"Beyond this hall lies Lake Wangyue. The whole Chen family relies on the kindness of the main family. If you ever commit any act disloyal to the main family in the future, let the clear light of heaven bear witness: may your soul and body be utterly extinguished."
Chen Yang stared at him blankly. Looking out at the darkening night, he had no choice but to repeat the words after him.
Losing all enthusiasm, Chen Donghe waved his hand gently and said softly:
"Go on back!"
Looking back with every step, the youth could not help but glance at the man whom the entire Chen family admired and relied upon, before walking off and quickly vanishing into the distance.
Chen Donghe sat alone by the lake for a while until he saw Li Qiuyang returning from the mountain after delivering his report. The magical wind carrying Li Qiuyang was feeble and swaying unsteadily in the air. Chen Donghe hurriedly supported him, landing together by the shore. Li Qiuyang stroked his beard and murmured:
"Thank you, Donghe."
Few in the Li family could address Chen Donghe so familiarly. Chen Donghe nodded silently in acceptance. Li Qiuyang said softly:
"This battered body of mine was scorched by Combined Fire. Whenever wind and rain rage in heaven and earth, the pain leaves me speechless, as though my bones were ground to dust and my magic power drained away. To this day, even riding the wind has become an ordeal."
Li Qiuyang had long avoided seeing people. Chen Donghe had visited numerous times without being able to meet him; having finally encountered him now, he realized that Li Qiuyang must have suffered terribly through these years of disordered winds and rains. He could only say indignantly:
"Curse that little thief of the Xu family!"
"There is no need for that, Donghe," Li Qiuyang murmured. "At our age, what remains to be hated? He was extraordinarily gifted and committed no outrage against heaven or earth, yet I brought about his death. It is only right that retribution falls upon me."
A profound tolerance was etched on his face, leaving Chen Donghe at a loss for words. Li Qiuyang looked deeply at him, and the old man spoke:
"Since Jingtian passed away, five of your seven souls have departed, and not a trace of luster remains in your eyes. The juniors may not see it, but this is not who Chen Donghe truly is."
Chen Donghe was even more at a loss for words. Li Qiuyang lowered his head slightly, and the two walked along the night-shrouded lakeshore for a time. Chen Donghe said in a low voice:
"I accompanied her for more than sixty years. She... had grown used to it too."
Li Qiuyang sighed softly, his expression trembling slightly, and said in a raspy voice:
"Donghe... why must you do this to yourself? Setting Xuanxuan aside, even I understood her to some degree. She had merely grown used to it. She possessed no spirit aperture... She viewed her own life as nothing more than enduring misery; how could she ever love anyone?"
The face of Chen Donghe, normally an unrippled well, finally showed a violent stir of emotion. He murmured:
"In the end, it was my own doing."
Li Qiuyang said:
"I only see that you cannot let it go! You still have over a hundred years of lifespan... If you keep going on like a walking corpse, you might as well have died together in the Shanyue lands back then!"
Chen Donghe halted slowly in the dark night. He offered no reply as that lovely silhouette gradually surfaced in his mind's eye. Chen Donghe had accompanied her from childhood to adulthood, from life to death, marrying and having a daughter. It seemed that every wish had been fulfilled, that he had helped her realize her desires and brought everything to a gentle close—and it seemed even Chen Donghe himself had become lost in that dream.
Yet he had long understood one truth, deliberately casting it to the back of his mind. Still, like a shadow, it had lingered in his heart through countless wandering thoughts, and now it was finally laid bare.
Li Jingtian had seemed to feel gratitude toward him, to trust him, and had been willing to marry him and bear his child, yet she had never looked at him with the eyes of a woman looking upon her husband.
He had understood long ago:
Though she was a mortal, and though she was as fragile as bean curd in his hands, against everything she did not love, she maintained a resistance that was almost cruel.
Li Xijun waited for two months. Riding the wind, the narrow-eyed monk descended before the peak. Unable to enter the mountain gate due to the newly replaced grand formation, he could only wait in silence.
Seeing Li Xijun approach in white robes to welcome him, Kongheng wore a composed expression. Clasping his hands together, he said softly:
"I have heard that Fellow Daoist has achieved Foundation Establishment. It is the fruit of good karma—a joyful and praiseworthy occasion indeed..."
Chapter 500