Early morning.
The morning light crept up the stone steps tier by tier, dyeing the two stone beasts before the gate in brilliant gold. The artisans of the Li family had sculpted them in the likeness of the hook snake Li Wushao—two tails coiling and sinuous, beastly heads raised high.
Li Zhouwei emerged from the central hall. His brocade-trimmed golden boots clicked crisply against the ground as one hand rested on the sword at his waist. He had matured greatly over these past few years, having restrained his innate aura so that he no longer inspired dread at first glance.
Even the radiance in his eyes had gradually drawn inward, shifting to a rather unusual dark brown, seemingly devoid of that terrifying aura. He strode forward with light, nimble steps. Only the flicker of cunning in his glancing gaze and the sudden vigor and agility that occasionally showed in his movements startled onlookers, making it hard to believe he was merely a child barely over ten years old.
Chen Yang, clad in black armor, followed behind him. Li Zhouwei had shot up in height, and the two were now nearly of equal stature. Chen Yang showed little expression, merely following in silence. Once they arrived before the main hall, he conscientiously waited outside, letting Li Zhouwei enter alone.
Li Chengliao was seated above reading a letter. Seeing him approach, he smiled and said:
"Wei'er, you've come."
Li Zhouwei was eleven years old now, with a cultivation of Embryonic Breathing fourth layer. Rather than sending him up the mountain like an ordinary direct descendant, the Li family had kept him cultivating in the central hall, having him drill halberd techniques extensively out of fear that progressing too quickly would make his foundation unstable.
Yet without anyone ever seeing him cultivate rigorously, he had entered seclusion for a few days recently and broken through to Embryonic Breathing fourth layer, his cultivation rising day by day on a solid and steady footing.
Draped in a wolf-pelt robe that lent him an imposing air, Li Chengliao asked:
"How are your eyes nowadays?"
Li Zhouwei sat steadily and replied:
"So long as I neither strike nor give way to wrath, the golden hue will not appear."
"Good."
Li Chengliao could not fathom how he managed it either, but asked no further. Taking out a cultivation manual from the desk, he said softly:
"Your granduncle Xizhi returned home for a visit and sought out this ocular technique for you. Have a look at it first."
Li Zhouwei strode forward and gently received the manual. On the cover was written:
*Great Fissure Golden Pupils*.
Since Li Chengliao had told him to have a look, he flipped through it gently right there in the hall:
"In the autumn of the fifth year of Wuming, I visited a friend in Xuandou and met Yang Jinxin, Magistrate of the Netherworld Bureau. We conversed with great delight. Moved by how light and darkness differ and how difficult it is to perceive true forms, I devised certain ocular methods and set them down herein..."
This preface introducing the origins of the technique was followed by an expansive text of ten thousand words, largely teaching how to use dharmic power to forge and nurture within the eyes to attain golden pupils. In ancient times, it took merely twenty years to master.
Best of all would be to obtain a type of spiritual qi called Mingxi Yao Qi, which could drastically shorten the cultivation time. Looking more closely, the concluding signature read: Cui Yan.
Li Zhouwei glanced through it briefly, and Li Chengliao said softly:
"I have inquired about this Cui Yan. Rumor has it that he was a Golden Core cultivator of the State of Wei's Zhaoyuan Immortal Mansion in ancient times, known by the title True Monarch Shangyao. This ocular technique was likely created during his early years. Its grade is not high—only third rank—which happens to be just right for concealing those eyes of yours."
As Li Chengliao spoke, he motioned for Li Zhouwei to sit down and continued:
"Only manuals obtained from grotto-heavens record their origins in such detail. If it were an ordinary Jiangnan technique, how could it still have an author's inscription? Such details would have been lost completely long ago."
Seeing Li Zhouwei nod, he picked up a book and a jade slip from the desk and said softly:
"As for this one, it is a halberd technique obtained from overseas by Ancestor Xuanfeng. Originally it was recorded within this jade slip, but since you have yet to develop spiritual sense, I have transcribed it for you."
"One copy, one original—both are here."
Li Zhouwei accepted them gently, bowed in thanks, and said:
"Thank you, Father."
He cast a glance at the cover of the halberd technique. Written upon it was:
*Jiazi Soul-Tempering Halberd Technique*.
Li Zhouwei was in no hurry to leaf through the book in the grand hall. Instead, he shifted the topic and spoke:
"I know a little about the Great Wei, but only fragmentary scraps. How many True Monarchs were there in all? Does the family have any information on this?"
"The family has learned some things over the years."
Li Chengliao was surprised that he suddenly asked about this, but answered:
"In ancient times, Golden Cores manifested openly and Dao Embryos walked the world. The realm within the seas was several times vaster than today, and the lands beyond the seas were dozens of times larger still. The State of Wei produced several True Monarchs over its history. Two were surnamed Cui, one of whom was Shangyao, Cui Yan. For the Li clan, there were the Grand Ancestor and Emperor Yuan..."
"Four True Monarchs."
Li Zhouwei remarked. Li Chengliao nodded at his words and said softly:
"After Wei fell, the dynasties of Qi, Liang, Zhao, and Yan followed, with each generation of sovereigns possessing lesser cultivation than the last. In the final State of Zhao, only Emperor Zhaowu reached the level of a True Monarch. As for today, dynasties have become mere regional divisions; there are no so-called immortal nations anymore."
After hearing this, Li Zhouwei nodded gently. Seeing him lost in thought without intending to press further, Li Chengliao smiled and said:
"Let me introduce you to someone."
No sooner had the words left his mouth than a surge of gray mist rose beside the hall, sweeping inward before coalescing into a figure at his flank. It was a man in gray robes with a somber, sinister countenance. He sank to one knee and rasped:
"Wushao pays respects to the Shizi."
Li Zhouwei nodded in return. Li Chengliao said:
"This is Senior Wushao, at mid Foundation Establishment cultivation. The family specifically assigned him to protect you closely."
In recent years, Li Wushao had been cultivating beneath the lake. He had gradually trained several trusted Qi Refinement monsters to watch over the lake bed for him, freeing him from the need for daily supervision so long as he made occasional appearances. He had originally accompanied Li Yuexiang, but now that Li Xizhi had visited and taken his younger sister away, Li Xijun dispatched him down the mountain.
Li Zhouwei told him to rise. Li Wushao cupped his hands efficiently, remaining silent, and swiftly sank into the shadows in the corner. The boy observed him closely for a moment, then looked up at Li Chengliao and asked:
"It seems the family has tasks arranged for me."
"Indeed."
Li Chengliao said:
"You are growing older. In his day, Granduncle Yuanping had already taken up the headship of the family at this age. Moreover, you carry the Mingyang bloodline, and talent is scarce in the main branch; you will surely govern the household in the future."
"I intend to select a location among the Shanyue. You shall lead some troops and horses there, where you can properly hone your halberd techniques. When the time comes, it will allow you to see blood."
Such had always been the Li family's tradition of inheritance, and neither father nor son showed any unusual expression. Li Zhouwei nodded, tucked the items into his sleeves, and was about to take his leave when Li Chengliao suddenly called him back.
The young master, robed in wolf fur with a charismatic countenance, smiled and said softly:
"The family pondered for a while and decided to follow ancient precedent after all: rather than addressing you by your name, we have chosen a Dao title for you... or perhaps one might call it an official title."
Li Zhouwei raised his brows with interest, a sly glint appearing at the corners of his eyes as he smiled. He asked:
"What Dao title did the family choose?"
Li Chengliao looked thoroughly delighted. Chuckling heartily, he carefully brushed two characters onto a sheet of paper at the desk, lifted the paper gently, and answered:
"Minghuang."
Li Zhouwei narrowed his eyes, pressed his hand against the precious sword at his waist, and tilted his chin down slightly.
The expression on his face was not so much satisfaction as the quiet serenity of a wild beast coming upon a cave perfectly suited for its slumber.
"Mm."
The boy let out a resonant laugh, the light in his eyes flickering in rhythm with his laughter. Within the grand hall, the fragrant scent of Chinese peonies gradually diffused, accompanied by the rustling sound of fluttering wings.
*Bzzzz...*
The golden morning sun upon the stone steps climbed even faster, coiling like a serpent as it swiftly bounded up into the grand hall. The already glittering golden radiance flared all the brighter, dazzling Chen Yang outside until he could barely keep his eyes open.
Chapter 502