The morning sun had just crested Mount Qingdu, its light rippling gently across the treetops. The jade-like pathway wound upward in striking beauty, often referred to by the surrounding clans as the Green Steps—a metaphor for ascending to prominence. A youth soon strode down these steps, dignified and poised, dressed in a white-gold Daoist robe with neatly fitted sleeves that gave him a crisp, capable air. Bathed in the golden dawn, his pupils were partially shaded beneath the bridge of his nose, glinting with flecks of gold.
Behind him followed a grim youth clad in black, who reported in a low voice, "All the new scions from the vassal clans have entered the mansion. Compared to last year, the count has fallen by twenty percent."
Li Zhouwei was only seventeen, devoted entirely to the cultivation of pupil arts. Back when Li Xizhi and Li Ximing were at his age, they had barely entered Qi Refinement, yet his cultivation had already reached the fifth layer of Qi Refinement—indisputably the foremost talent of the clan across several generations. Chen Juan had likewise pulled far ahead of his peers; having entered Qi Refinement only in recent years, he was hailed as the foremost external-surname talent in a century. Most in the clan attributed this to his carrying half the bloodline of the main branch, so while praise was unanimous, none found it surprising.
"Twenty percent?"
The two paced along the peak, both understanding the reason in their hearts. Li Zhouwei stood with his hands clasped behind his back, golden specks of light floating continuously within his pupils. This hue no longer bore the eerie quality of earlier years; the brilliance of magic power was now distinctly visible. It was the Great Golden Eye that Li Xizhi had brought back all those years ago, causing golden embers to ebb and flow within his gaze at all times. He had completed the technique quite some time ago. This Mingyang pupil art was by no means simple—in ancient times, cultivators of the Wei and Li lineages required twenty years to master it, yet in his hands it had been achieved with effortless ease.
"How does the shortfall break down?"
"The seven prominent families of Lijing—the Chens, Dous, Xus, and Tians—each sent slightly fewer than in previous years. The four towns of Huaqian and the city of Huayu have each seen a ten percent decrease. The four towns of Wutu are predominantly Shanyue, and their numbers did not drop. The dense forests have a languishing population and saw the steepest decline—a full twenty percent."
"As for the roster of missing candidates, that falls under the supervision of Mount Yuting; your subordinate did not dare inquire."
"They held back one or two, sending them away under the pretext of traveling abroad, scattering them east and west to keep the shortfall within twenty percent... The number of spirit aperture bearers naturally fluctuates each year, leaving little ground for reproach."
Li Zhouwei listened, his bright pupils gazing toward the shimmering water as he replied, "The war in the north remains undecided... Those people have grown fearful. They dread that after sending their clansmen here, their sons will be marched to the north a few years later... I suspect the reputation of our family's divine bow slaying Murong Wu in a single quarter-hour was too resounding, frightening them."
Miao Ye nodded in understanding, his tone respectful with a subtle, somber smile.
Miao Ye was fierce and ruthless, making him the most suitable person to handle such matters: ostensibly an inquiry, but privately nothing short of a warning.
"The vassal clans have received our favor for many years and have generally been loyal and devoted. Miao Ye, go verify the rosters and make personal inquiries at each household. Along the way, send a few family letters to the north."
Miao Ye asked, "Does Your Grace intend to ask only once?"
"Ask once first."
Li Zhouwei added in a quiet voice, "I have only recently taken charge of the clan's affairs, and we are in the midst of great upheaval. It is not wise to be overly severe, otherwise..."
"Your subordinate understands."
Miao Ye acknowledged the order and withdrew. Li Zhouwei stood by the lakeshore for a moment, a hint of cold resolve surfacing on his face.
At the foot of the mountain, the lake shimmered with golden ripples. Several Embryonic Breathing cultivators navigated skiffs across the water, casting water-warding arts as they plunged beneath the surface to mine underwater ores. Looking at the tranquil scene, the youth lowered his eyes and murmured, "Now that I have broken through to the fifth layer of Qi Refinement, I can finally hold that ancient dharma treasure!"
Li Zhouwei rode the wind upward, drifting to the mountain peak. There stood a stone platform bathed in swirling brilliance and intricate runes.
He stepped forward through the array shrouding the platform. A dazzling bright light appeared before his eyes. The halberd had been sealed here for ten years, and Mingyang aura was already surging violently within the grand array. Had it not been protected by the formation, the stone platform would have long since crumbled into white sand.
Two ancient dharma treasures rested there. Thrust into the stone below was a deep golden halberd, its curved branch resembling a crescent moon, while the center traced a bright white arc. Its design was profound and ingenious, cloaked in misty spiritual qi, silently radiating clear light that left the vegetation around the platform barren and withered gray-yellow. Once magic power was injected, the halberd would cast an invisible, blinding white light. An opponent facing it would feel as though exposed to a scorching sun, their heart restless and sweat pouring relentlessly.
Beside it lay a circular dharma treasure: the Jianyang Ring, a small gold-red hoop roughly the thickness of a little finger, forged from material that was neither gold nor silver. Currently, aside from its sheer sturdiness, it possessed no special features, yet he could not pull his eyes away from it.
Both were ancient dharma treasures. Radiant light flowed across both; their combined value, while perhaps not rivaling the Li family's entire foundation, was certainly enough to match all the Li family's Foundation Establishment dharma treasures put together.
Li Zhouwei approached the great halberd. The blade began to hum and vibrate, casting vivid colors from its luminous edge. Two seal characters faintly emerged from the shaft: Great Sheng.
"A fine dharma treasure!"
"The Great Sheng Long Halberd."
Li Zhouwei grasped the long shaft gently. The halberd shuddered violently, drinking magic power like a parched beast. The golden light in Li Zhouwei's pupils overlapped as he slowly drew it out.
The halberd itself was undeniably sturdy and sharp, forged in ancient times and nurtured for centuries, far superior to contemporary dharma treasures. Even more wondrous was the arc at its center, which held miraculous light within. Once triggered by a Mingyang Dao foundation, it would empower the weapon's master, cloaking them in bright light to tread upon radiance and seize flames, majestic and awe-inspiring.
The halberd's killing intent was not heavy. It seemed to have been forged long ago and placed into the grotto-heaven early on by the people of Qingsong Abbey, rarely tainted with blood. Instead, it had been nourished by spiritual qi within the unified realm of that grotto-heaven. He could not reckon the exact span of time, but it had certainly been over five hundred years. Thus, its spiritual nature was abundant and vibrant, entirely devoid of gory slaughterous qi.
The halberd joyfully accepted his refinement. Golden light burst forth from the arc at its center and settled upon him, transforming into the likeness of a blazing sun in the vast sky.
Li Zhouwei was instantly pleased. Though he had not yet established his foundation and could not fully wield it, it was an ancient dharma treasure of exceptional quality, uniquely attuned to him. Holding it in his hand felt like mutual communication, natural as breathing.
"How intimate."
Li Ximing had once held this weapon as well. Although he also possessed a Mingyang Dao foundation, the halberd had merely flickered with a few beams of radiance in his hands before falling silent. Li Ximing had simply set it aside and returned to his alchemy without ever refining or stowing it away, to the point where he did not even know its name.
The golden light faded in an instant. As Li Zhouwei drew out the halberd, sudden realization dawned in his heart. He looked at it blankly for a moment, seized by an urge to keep it by his side. Unfortunately, he had heard this treasure was a crucial heirloom of Qingsong Abbey and could not be carried outside casually. Li Zhouwei slung it behind his back and glanced at the gold-red Jianyang Ring beside it.
As Li Zhouwei grew older, he had temporarily taken over the authority on Mount Qingdu. At present, the family was constantly mobilizing personnel—not only dispatching people to the north, but also sending scouts in various directions, leaving them short-handed. After that major battle, Li Yuanjiao had been gravely injured, entering emergency secluded cultivation to preserve his life. Li Ximing had no choice but to come out of seclusion, patrolling the lake on one hand while refining pills and watching over Li Yuanjiao on the other, leaving clan affairs unattended.
Patrolling outside was far more perilous, primarily to prevent demonic cultivators from infiltrating towns to feast on mortals. In the eyes of the vassal clans, risking lives for mortals was hardly worthwhile, and several families under their rule were distinctly reluctant. Li Zhouwei understood this clearly and had no interest in bickering with them.
Li Yuanjiao was gravely injured, meaning he would have to handle things on his own for the foreseeable future. Li Ximing felt no resentment about this, yet as he counted the days and saw several secret arts remaining far out of reach, he could not help but feel a headache. "The Violet Palace... how exceedingly difficult!"
Draped in a golden Daoist robe, Li Ximing had made a circuit around the lake without finding anything remarkable, only slaying a few stray demonic cultivators. Half a day had passed, leaving him rather vexed.
Suddenly, An Siwei descended swiftly on the wind. Li Zhouwei emerged from the grand array and reached the front of the mountain just as An Siwei landed.
"Reporting to Your Grace, someone has arrived outside the array claiming to be from the Miao clan of Tinglei Island in the South Sea, requesting an audience at Mount Qingdu..."
Li Qinghong's clash with their clan had long been communicated to the family. This visitor from the South Sea was almost certainly coming with ill intent, and their timing was impeccable—arriving just when the Li family's primary forces were away and Patriarch Li Yuanjiao lay gravely injured, a deeply unsettling development.
"The family elder is currently patrolling the lake; signal him with flying flames. As for the visitor, invite him to wait in the pavilion at the mountain foot for now."
Li Zhouwei asked, "Is this person willing to enter the array for a detailed discussion?"
"Your subordinate inquired; though he looked awkward, he ultimately nodded."
An Siwei nodded steadily and departed. Light flashed outside the array; evidently, Li Ximing was not far off and soon rode the wind over.
Returning to the mountain, Li Ximing met Li Zhouwei and was stunned by his fifth-layer Qi Refinement cultivation, struck speechless for a moment. Li Zhouwei took the initiative to speak, explaining the situation concisely.
Upon hearing of the visitor from the Miao clan, Li Ximing felt an even greater headache, yet as the pillar of the family, he had to shoulder the burden. Li Zhouwei's father, Li Chengliao, also arrived at the array. Hearing how polite the visitor was being, he frowned.
Father and son conferred carefully and soon had a plan of action. Li Zhouwei said quietly, "South Sea cultivators inhabit a region infested with demonic cultivators; they tend to fear power rather than appreciate virtue. The fame of our family's divine bow slaying Murong Wu in fifteen minutes is currently at its zenith, carrying immense deterrent force. These people must have doubts and misgivings of their own. Granduncle, you need only place the halberd beside your seat, maintain a stern countenance, and speak sparingly."
"Father has also received word early on and is already waiting in the hall. Granduncle, you need only preside over the hall, with no need to say much."
Hearing that the man was willing to enter the array, Li Zhouwei had already reasoned, "It seems he either has little malice, or he cannot fathom our family's true strength and is merely relying on having a Violet Palace master behind him. After all, stepping into a Foundation Establishment array presided over by a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator is placing himself in grave danger."
"Invite him up."
Since the visitor showed sincerity and a willingness to converse, the Li family naturally preferred having one less enemy. Li Zhouwei courteously instructed, "Serve tea to him."
Li Ximing rode the wind upward, landing in the grand hall and taking the high seat. Li Zhouwei followed closely behind into the main hall.
If nothing else, Li Ximing possessed an exceptional presence. With his profound cultivation, he rested one hand on his seat; the lessons his late father Li Yuanping had taught him finally came alive in his memory, his expression turning sharp and vivid. Li Zhouwei handed the Great Sheng Long Halberd to him, having injected magic power into it so that the weapon gleamed brilliantly, the central arc strikingly radiant. He said solemnly, "Granduncle, you are well-versed in this."
Li Ximing nodded, his eyes brightening. "Good!"
Soon, the visitor entered. He had a square face, thick eyebrows, and a burly physique. His attire was peculiar, resembling neither a Daoist nor a Buddhist monk, with two large bronze alms bowls tied to his waist. Yet his demeanor was relatively polite. He was also a cultivator of the thunder path, his voice rumbling like rolling thunder.
Draped in golden robes, Li Ximing leaned back upon his seat, the Great Sheng Long Halberd standing beside him with its interwoven crescent and arc. He cast down his gaze and spoke evenly: "I am Li Ximing. Greetings, Daoist friend."
The burly cultivator cupped his hands. "I am Miao Yang of Tinglei Island! Greetings, Daoist friend!"
The moment Miao Yang's eyes fell upon the Great Sheng Long Halberd, its familiar shape nearly made him jump out of his skin. His heart skipped a beat as if struck by thunder, and he thought in shock, 'It was him! The one in the grotto-heaven really was from the Li family! He killed Yu Muxian... and snatched this halberd straight from Tang Shedu's hands!'
Miao Yang had ventured into Qingsong Grotto-Heaven back then and happened upon this very halberd, clashing fiercely with Tangjin Gate over it, only to run right into Tang Shedu and his companion. He had fled in panic, nearly losing his life until another group charged in, indirectly saving him. Miao Yang had wondered which clan this formidable cultivator belonged to, and only now did he understand.
Looking back at Li Ximing, he saw clear light flowing across him, an extraordinary immortal foundation, and a heavy, profound aura—clearly someone who had lingered in late-stage Foundation Establishment for a very long time.
'Rumor had it that Li Ximing had already thrown his lot in with the Ning family, yet this weapon clearly ended up in the Li family's hands! That's right, he still bears the surname Li; how could they ever be truly severed?'
Two ancient dharma treasures... Both were ancient relics, and the halberd had been retrieved from the grotto-heaven itself. Radiant light flowed across both; their combined value could easily rival all the Li family's Foundation Establishment dharma treasures put together. So it had fallen into the Li family's hands, severing all lingering ties to the Eastern Sea grotto-heaven.
Though he had never heard this person's name before, he was evidently of exceptional strength. Reading the room, Miao Yang lowered his voice considerably and smiled respectfully. "I have long heard of your renowned name, Daoist friend! I had only met Senior Xuanfeng before, who saved my life in the secret realm, and I have always been immensely grateful to your noble clan. To meet you today fills me with utmost admiration."
Li Ximing gestured calmly. "Please be seated and have some tea. I would gladly hear the details."
Miao Yang recounted everything carefully, starting from his encounter in the grotto-heaven and mentioning Tangjin Gate twice. Hearing that name, the elderly Li Xuanxuan sitting beside them immediately darkened his expression. Having personally survived Tangjin Gate's ambush, he retained a deep aversion to it. Li Ximing was well aware of this as well, and added coldly, "So it was Tangjin Gate. Rest assured, Daoist friend—the man has already died in the East Sea..."
Chapter 558