"Mingyang."
Back then, when the Wei and Li empires crumbled and the Buddhist cultivators took command, the Northern Buddhists naturally planned to contest the Dao fruit. Li Zhouwei therefore asked:
"Then seeing it now, with the death of Bright King Shengming Jin, the Buddhist cultivators lost the battle for 'Mingyang'."
"Indeed."
Bai Rong abruptly clamped his mouth shut, only spitting out those two words after a long silence. Discerning enough not to press further, Li Zhouwei sat quietly on the dharma artifact, holding his peace.
*Dingjiao...*
The Dragon Prince had treated him truly well, yet deep doubts lingered in Li Zhouwei's heart. But because the dragonkind wielded immense power, he never let his feelings show.
*Qingchi and Luoxia are treacherous, but is dragonkind any better? Even if the matter of thunder-swallowing has yet to be settled, over thousands of years, the role played by dragonkind has never been honorable...*
The dragonkind's scheme to swallow thunder had been laid years ago. Li Qinghong was still out at sea with her fate unknown—how could Dongfang Dingjiao not know? Yet this Dragon Prince acted as though nothing had happened, chatting and laughing freely, treating him with great warmth.
Throughout his time in the grand hall, Li Zhouwei had remained composed, offering smiles from time to time, which was already giving Dingjiao ample face. For one, a dragon prince held noble status; for another, befriending him might provide even a sliver of hope for Li Qinghong in the thunder-swallowing affair...
*Even in the worst case, where the dragonkind's plans leave no room for compromise and our elder must surely die, we must never let the dragonkind think our family harbors resentment. Not bringing it up at all and appearing entirely indifferent is the best course.*
Were he to bring up Li Qinghong to Dingjiao, he would be placing his concern out in the open. If Dingjiao rebuffed him, the Li family could not bear the consequences. That was why Li Zhouwei acted as if nothing was amiss. Only now, having departed the Dragon Palace, did he muse inwardly:
*Dingjiao's attitude was entirely natural. Either the thunder cultivators will merely lose their cultivation without losing their lives in the thunder-swallowing, or he regards me entirely as a white qilin, in which case the members of the Li family wouldn't be seen by me as my kin...*
Despite Dingjiao's repeated courteous conversations, Li Zhouwei found it difficult to open his heart to him, let alone reveal his inner thoughts; everything remained superficial pleasantries.
*How our family stands with the dragonkind, the hidden reason behind Dingjiao being so close to me... all of that probably won't show any signs until after the thunder is swallowed.*
*It is a pity Senior Bai Rong and Dingjiao dragged things out for so long. Going to the South Sea is out of the question now. I can only wait for the next opportunity...*
Li Zhouwei cultivated cross-legged on the dharma artifact for some days and finally flew to Lake Wangyue. Bai Rong instantly brimmed with vitality, only sighing:
"Next time something like this happens, I won't go even if you beat me to death... It's both boring and exhausting..."
The fox was of a disposition to hole up in his peak and refuse to budge, and had long been eager to return home. He flatly turned down Li Zhouwei's invitation and flew off on his dharma artifact as if fleeing for his life.
Li Zhouwei rode the wind down onto the isle and made his way to the great hall. Just outside the hall, a youth was waiting, dressed in pleated robes, his golden magic power sharp as a sword. Seeing him, the youth hastily took two steps back and bowed in greeting:
"Third Brother!"
"Zhouluo is here."
Li Zhouwei had only met this fourth younger brother a few times, but Li Zhouluo bowed with great reverence, respectfully saying:
"It has been a long time, Third Brother. It has been hard on you running about outside. We brothers are inadequate and can only help with trivial matters at home. Whenever I think of this, I feel deeply ashamed."
Li Zhouwei glanced at him in surprise and nodded, saying:
"Fourth Brother, you are too polite. Each of us simply attends to our duties. Since you have reached Qi Refinement, you too are a pillar of the family. You must not belittle yourself."
"I heed your teaching, Brother."
Li Zhouluo chuckled. His innate talent was second only to Li Zhouwei among the Zhou generation. Coming from Li Xizhi's lineage, his natural talent was naturally high. Though he lacked a Talisman Seed, achieving Qi Refinement at eighteen was only slightly slower than Li Xijun in the past.
The golden light on him was like ears of wheat, divided into six streams that trailed long wisps of flame and circled continuously around him, nimble as sparrows. They set off Li Zhouluo's bright features with the sharp vigor of youth.
What he cultivated was the *Mangjin Inquiring into Mystery Method*, a rather fine ancient art. When the Li family broke the warding formation, they had obtained the Mangjin Feather Liquid, allowing this ancient art to be cultivated. Li Zhouluo was the first to do so, and was naturally in high spirits.
Li Zhouwei had a favorable impression of him, nodded, and smiled, saying:
"I have reviewed the *Mangjin Inquiring into Mystery Method*. It likely has fourth-grade potential, no worse than other cultivation methods. Just cultivate it diligently."
Hearing this unexpected pleasant surprise, Li Zhouluo was invigorated and followed behind him into the hall. Li Zhouwei casually asked:
"Where are Eldest Brother and Second Brother?"
The two he mentioned were naturally the brothers Li Zhoufang and Li Zhouyang. Both were older than Li Zhouwei, and having met more often in years past, they were reasonably familiar.
Li Zhouluo smiled and replied:
"Both older brothers are in seclusion beneath Mount Qingdu. It looks like they have hopes of achieving Qi Refinement within these two years."
"Good!"
Li Zhouwei praised them—partly commendation for the two brothers, and partly approval of Li Zhouluo's frank and magnanimous demeanor. His tone softened considerably:
"My father has been in seclusion for a long time, and Aunt Minggong and Uncle Chenghuai have also reached the stage to attempt Foundation Establishment. The sooner you brothers achieve Qi Refinement, the sooner you can take up the family's burdens."
Li Zhouwei knew his own family's dynamic; very few uncles could chat and laugh freely before him, let alone brothers. He patted Li Zhouluo's shoulder and said softly:
"Both Kongheng and I have left the East Sea, leaving Zongquan Island unguarded. Once your two elder brothers emerge from seclusion, discuss it among yourselves to see who will lead men to the East Sea to oversee that place."
Li Zhouluo respectfully replied:
"Everything shall be as the Family Head commands."
Smiling, Li Zhouwei dismissed him. His originally suppressed mood improved considerably. Walking down the steps to the back hall, Li Xuanxuan had just heard the news and hurried forward to greet him, his face full of hope:
"Minghuang, what did the Dragon Prince say?"
Li Zhouwei first invited him to sit in the hall, hesitated for a breath, and said softly:
"It is not yet known whether there is any turnaround. At the very least... His Highness Dingjiao presented a treasure in gratitude."
He brought out the Fulüe Gold and gave an edited account of his journey, recounting what could be said. The old man shook his head incessantly as he listened, and likewise recounted the matter of Fuxia.
Li Xuanxuan finally let the topic drop. He took two jade slips from his robes, placed them in Li Zhouwei's hands, and said gravely:
"Minghuang, the spiritual qi for the two children must be prepared beforehand."
Li Zhouwei took the jade slips and swept them with his spiritual sense:
"'Mingli Blazing Essence: One must seek a place where earth-vein Lihuo converges, and using the four Lihuo flames of Xuanyang, Guanli, Tianyang, and Chongli, sequentially incinerate and refine baleful fire to extract the essences of the four Lihuo flames. Then illuminate celestial light with the baleful fire. In six months, one wisp is produced; ten wisps constitute a portion.'
'Taiyi Complete Mercury: One must find a place where physical natures undergo profound transmutation. Using a Quandan treasure as the pivot, adaptable through Yin-Yang spiritual materials, harmonized with Five Elements treasures, one wisp is produced in one hundred and eighty-one days; ten wisps constitute a portion...'"
Such were the outlines in the two jade slips. The remaining details were operational methods and techniques, spanning far more text than ordinary qi-harvesting incantations. Li Zhouwei had read them long ago. Li Xuanxuan then murmured:
"Both of these are somewhat troublesome. The complexity of the technique is secondary; first, the spiritual flames are hard to find, and second, a place where physical natures undergo profound transmutation... Minghuang, do you have any ideas?"
Li Zhouwei pondered for a breath and asked softly:
"Granduncle Ximing has a Lihuo Banner containing five kinds of Lihuo. I wonder how many of them match?"
Li Xuanxuan had already thought of this, taking the reddish-yellow Lihuo Banner from his sleeve and saying softly:
"I already asked him. Five kinds of Lihuo have been refined into it, but only Guanli and Chongli match. The other three are not among them, so we are still short two kinds.
"He also gave a location in the East Sea, saying there is a Lihuo earth vein there, which happens to be suitable for harvesting qi."
Li Zhouwei pondered slightly and immediately formed a plan, answering:
"Does Old Master remember the Runyang Method? The family's only spiritual flame is Granduncle Ximing's Changxing Primordial Fire. This spiritual flame was originally transformed from Xuanyang Lihuo."
Hearing him say this, the old man nodded:
"Now, reversing the incantation to transform it back into Xuanyang, we will have one of the two flames, leaving only Tianyang. Where can we trade for it?"
"There is no need."
Hearing the elder say this, Li Zhouwei shook his head:
"Old Master probably hasn't read the Runyang Method. Tianyang is also within the scope of transformation. We need only refine with Xuanyang first, substitute Guanli and Chongli from the Lihuo Banner, and have another person convert the Xuanyang into Tianyang. Then it can be brought back to continue, without any need to search for it."
"Good."
Li Xuanxuan nodded in realization. Li Zhouwei said softly:
"Aunt Minggong cultivates fire arts, so she will have to make this trip, accompanied by An Siwei and several others to the East Sea... I see the location given by Granduncle is near the Suzhu Reefs, which should be relatively safe."
Li Xuanxuan, however, doted on his juniors and protested:
"Minggong and Siwei are made to toil over everything. It seems somewhat unfair..."
Li Zhouwei said gently:
"Things will naturally be arranged properly. We can take this opportunity: once the two return, we will grant them Suiyuan Pills so they can attempt their breakthroughs."
"Good!"
Hearing this, Li Xuanxuan's expression relaxed considerably. Li Zhouwei had always been crisp and decisive in handling clan affairs, and was already contemplating Taiyi Complete Mercury. He murmured:
"A place where physical natures undergo profound transmutation... I haven't heard of one, but there is a place that matches quite well."
Li Xuanxuan had been troubled over these matters for a long time and quickly raised his brows to inquire. He saw Li Zhouwei say gravely:
"Chengshui Marsh!"
He spoke clearly:
"That place was a site of great battle. It was once suppressed by the Xinyou Swimming Marsh Seal, turning into an expanse of lushui, and was subsequently transformed into heshui by the combined might of several Violet Palace masters. It probably qualifies best as a place where physical natures underwent profound transmutation!
"As for a Quandan treasure... the family possesses a mercury droplet of no low grade. But because it belongs to a Quandan cultivator and cannot be used by other paths, it has been kept in storage. Now is precisely the time to put it to use."
Seeing him arrange everything so effortlessly, Li Xuanxuan voiced agreement repeatedly. Li Zhouwei merely said softly:
"Only, Chengshui Tomb is dangerous. It would be best to have a Foundation Establishment cultivator oversee it. Let us ask Senior White Ape, Li Wen, and the others to make the trip."
"Arrange it as you see fit!"
Seeing that the spiritual qi for both children was settled, Li Xuanxuan felt deeply reassured and stepped down in good spirits.
The hall quieted down. After waiting for a while, Li Zhouwei took out the jade slip recording the *Runyang Method*, caressing the patterns on it, squinting in contemplation:
*What a formidable art... what an ingenious art...*
Li Zhouwei knew this item had been obtained from Tu Longjian. He even suspected the *Runyang Method* was one of the Dongli Sect's most important and critical legacies, a thought that sent a chill down his spine.
*Why isn't this thing locked behind even a single secret ward? How could it not be sealed with a single secret technique! Leaving it open for anyone to read for free!*
No clan or sect in the world was foolish enough not to place secret wards on their cultivation methods; otherwise, his own family's *Jianghe Daling Sutra* wouldn't have sat untouched for nearly a century, unusable... Yet the grand Dongli Sect had left such a crucial legacy entirely undefended...
*And then there is Quandan... there just happens to be Chengshui Tomb... and just happens to be a mercury droplet. Even if the mercury droplet doesn't work, Hengzhu still has a Violet Palace spiritual item placed there.*
Li Zhouwei did not dwell on it. He casually endorsed the dossiers on his desk, set down the vermilion brush, and then adopted a thoughtful look:
*Now even Kongheng has been forced away. If there are further twists and turns, things will be difficult to handle...*
The White Ape was about to go north to harvest qi. In past years, the family had numerous Foundation Establishment cultivators, but now things had suddenly grown sparse. After thinking for a while, Li Zhouwei summoned Chen Yang.
Chen Yang was now at the fifth layer of Qi Refinement. He cupped his fists in salute, and Li Zhouwei instructed in a low voice:
"Zongquan Island has been vacant for too long. First ask Guest Elder An to make a trip to the East Sea. If Uncle Chenghuai emerges from seclusion, ask him to return immediately..."
He paused, adding:
"If there is any other news, write back quickly as well."
Chen Yang withdrew respectfully. Li Zhouwei sat quietly for a quarter of an hour before abruptly waving his hand. With a rumble, the doors of the great hall slammed shut, sealing off any outside prying or disturbance.
Taking advantage of the sun being high in the sky, he retrieved the stone box containing the Taiyang spiritual material, the Fulüe Gold.
*Once this item leaves the deep sea, it must not be exposed to moonlight. If it catches sight of the moon's light, it will instantly turn into Xuanping Qi.*
Pale gray spiritual water flowed within the stone box, reflecting a bright yellow speck. His spiritual sense could discern nothing from it; Li Zhouwei merely channeled his magic power and lifted the stone box before him.
He felt a slight searing heat between his eyebrows, and the bright yellow speck reflected in the stone box vanished in an instant.
A speck of bright light floated up in his Shengyang Mansion, his spiritual sense scalding as fire. Li Zhouwei steadied his mind and circulated the magic power incantation for Shangyao Fuguang. That speck of bright light immediately plunged like a falling comet, trailing a searing tail of flame through the Twelve-Tiered Tower and crashing down into the Juque Court.
Li Zhouwei kept his eyes closed for a long time as light and shadow shifted around him. After a long while, he exhaled a breath of celestial light that illuminated the hall in brilliant gold before finally opening his eyes, the golden hue within slowly dimming.
"A fine treasure."
The Shangyao Fuguang, which had originally lingered sluggishly in the Juque Court and rose slowly into the Shengyang Mansion, had not only widened several times over, but also circulated with great swiftness. With just a thought, it could surge forth from between his eyebrows in mere breaths.
*Leaving aside how much its might has grown, this circulation speed can finally be employed in actual combat...*
Li Zhouwei had not cultivated the Shangyao Fuguang for very long. Even normal practitioners at their peak required several breaths to mobilize it. Once he cultivated this dharma light to perfection, perhaps he could unleash it in a single breath.
The Fulüe Gold was far more useful than anticipated, so Li Zhouwei was naturally in a good mood. Yet he was not content with just this. Leaving the hall, he rode the wind up toward Mount Qingdu and retrieved two jade slips from the ancestral shrine.
Both of these arts were appendices to the *Tianli Rize Sutra*.
One was the sixth-grade Lihuo mysterious light, Dali Baixi Light! The other was the fifth-grade Taiyang Lihuo art, Taiyang Yingli Technique!
*My family's Mingyang legacy is intimately tied to Lihuo. Practicing Dali Baixi Light makes me similar to a Fire Virtue cultivator... it is truly fitting.*
*As for the Taiyang Yingli Technique... though it is not a dharma light, this art is a Taiyang Lihuo method, and Fulüe Gold is a Taiyang spiritual item—perhaps there will even be an enhancement!*
Chapter 678