Ding Weizeng only then came to his senses. He prostrated himself like a golden mountain toppling and a jade pillar collapsing. His throat had also been rejuvenated by the divine ability, allowing him to speak again, though his voice was still somewhat dry and hoarse:
"Weizeng kowtows in thanks to the Real Person. This grace of recreating my very being is one I shall never dare forget."
Li Ximing smiled and shook his head, saying only:
"Your injuries are too severe and are far from fully mended. My Mingyang is inherently no path of healing; it merely possesses some ability to engender and vitalize all things. The Qi Sea is one of the Three Mansions; it is not something I can heal with mere words, so I have only sealed it for now."
Li Ximing's own physical body was condensed from Mingyang, destructible and reconstitutable at will. But Ding Weizeng's Qi Sea was damaged; unless there were another treasure like a Diwang bloodstone or Tianyi Pure Element, it could never heal on its own. Tianyi Pure Element was a Violet Palace primordial water that the Li family naturally lacked, though half a piece of Diwang bloodstone remained.
Yet Li Ximing had no intention of using such a treasure:
'It is merely a damaged Qi Sea, not a completely shattered mansion. Using a Diwang bloodstone would be squandering a great talent on a petty task. All we need is to find a Violet Palace cultivator skilled in healing and trouble them to expend a bit of their divine ability. We must not waste it.'
Because the Li family did not utilize blood qi, the Diwang bloodstone was all the more precious, not to mention its numerous other uses. Li Ximing treasured it greatly. He spoke:
"As for your Qi Sea, I have my own means. However, your eyes were regrown only just now and lack the nourishment of your immortal foundation, so you will still need to temper them for some time."
"This subordinate thanks you."
Ding Weizeng bowed with a deep voice. His frame was truly far larger than an ordinary man's. Now that all his restraints were removed, with broad shoulders, a thick waist, a swallow's jaw, and a curling beard, he looked like a crouched tiger.
Li Zhouwei was delighted to see this. He fingered the White Shadow Gold Buckles in his sleeve, helped him up, and said in a clear voice:
"In that battle on Baijiang Creek, Fudou tried to kill me, yet you fought fiercely against my clan uncle and even managed to gain a slight upper hand. I remembered you from that day; we might say we became acquainted through that clash. Your Dianyang Tiger arts are formidable; when Uncle Cheng hears of this, he will surely be pleased."
Ding Weizeng was a stalwart, handsome man. Earlier, he had thought himself a cripple, never imagining the Li clan would save him. Now that he understood, he naturally knew how to read the tone and intentions. He bowed:
"Greetings, Clan Master. In former years, Ding Weizeng served his old master and failed to recognize your esteemed presence. I caused great offense."
Beside them, the old man Qu Bushi was also a good friend of his. Hearing this, he felt anxious and thought to himself:
'This lad! Floating Cloud Cave is already destroyed, yet he still speaks of an "old master"! He simply can't bring himself to speak ill of them—grown up in Jiangbei after all...'
Li Zhouwei did not press the matter and helped him up. Li Ximing watched and nodded:
"Weizeng, go wait at Mount Zhijing for now."
With his hands behind his back, he stood up, flicked his sleeves, and vanished. Li Zhouwei, however, was happier than anyone else. Taking the man by the hand, he led him to the front of the hall and said in an undertone:
"Worry not, Weizeng. Once your injuries have healed, we will still need you to guard the territory of Baijiang Creek in Jiangbei."
The Baijiang Creek area held far more than just Floating Cloud Cave! Ding Weizeng froze for a moment, shock remaining frozen in his eyes without showing on his face. Li Zhouwei saw this and knew the man was quite shrewd and composed, his smile broadening.
Ding Weizeng said solemnly:
"Many thanks, Clan Master... I only fear offending the Real Person on the mountain. May I ask if there are any taboos..."
"Our Real Person has an easygoing temperament. Just make yourself comfortable, Weizeng."
Li Zhouwei designated someone to escort him away. Qu Bushi watched eagerly from the side. This old man was not adept at combat, but surveying earth veins and nurturing spirit fields were his forte. Unfamiliar with his character, Li Zhouwei did not wish to keep him on the isle, so he simply instructed:
"The territory of Floating Cloud Cave is in utter disarray. My clan uncle has already returned there. Since Elder Qu is familiar with Floating Cloud Cave's spirit fields, go assist him first."
Qu Bushi was clever as a fox. The moment he heard this, he dropped to his knees with a thud and wept:
"Qu Bushi has lived an ignominious life. Even in Floating Cloud Cave, I was a soft persimmon anyone could squeeze. To think I would receive the immortal clan's regard and be entrusted with such heavy responsibility! From now on, I shall follow only the Real Person and the Clan Master, without the slightest disloyalty!"
Li Zhouwei merely dismissed him, feeling much relieved. The old woman Jiang Huzi still stood watching from the side. Clothed in clear qi and of very advanced age, she prompted a more respectful tone from Li Zhouwei:
"Where does the senior intend to go?"
Jiang Huzi coughed and answered:
"This old woman does not have much time left to live. I only hope to find a small hill among the clans on the East Shore to settle down, make a living by crafting talismans, and see out my remaining years."
Li Zhouwei nodded, but he was unwilling to let her go so easily. He smiled:
"How could senior's talisman arts be allowed to be lost like this? Do you have any plans to pass down your lineage?"
When Li Zhouwei said this, Jiang Huzi genuinely hesitated. It took her several breaths before nodding. Li Zhouwei then said:
"In that case, I will seek out cultivators gifted in talisman arts from among the clans around the lake for senior to inspect. You may take eight or ten as pupils, and choose the most outstanding among them to inherit your dao."
Jiang Huzi placidly agreed, and Li Zhouwei allowed her to take her leave. The brothers Wen Yi and Wen Shan also bowed in thanks and withdrew. In the hall, only the group of Qi Refinement cultivators remained. Naturally, there was little need to say much to them; Li Zhouwei singled out a few whose records were relatively clean and sent them to work under Qu Bushi, while the rest were all escorted away into custody.
The hall emptied out. Li Zhouwei exhaled a breath, looked toward Li Minggong, and said:
"Aunt... We do not know Jiang Huzi's background; she still needs to be watched closely."
"I understand."
Li Minggong nodded. She had gained the most from this Dharma assembly; the Hexagonal Scarlet Flame Lamp from the Jinyu Sect was no ordinary artifact, and her strength had risen by more than a notch. Li Zhouwei pondered for a moment and added:
"Though the brothers Wen Yi and Wen Shan have meager cultivation, their true backgrounds remain unclear. We must observe them closely in the mountains of the West Shore..."
Li Ximing's sudden breakthrough to the Violet Palace overnight had elevated the Li family to an immortal clan. Not only could they boldly accept Foundation Establishment cultivators as guest elders, but the likes of Qu Bushi and Ding Weizeng could hardly dare harbor disloyalty either. The clan's manpower had suddenly become abundant.
"Aunt..."
Before he could finish, both of them looked up in astonishment, gazing together toward the sky outside the hall.
Li Zhouwei transformed into heavenly light, emerging in midair almost the very next breath in a brilliant glow. Across the lake, all the Foundation Establishment and even late Qi Refinement cultivators looked up simultaneously toward the west.
At the boundary of light and dark on the western horizon, floating clouds gathered like a vortex. From the eye of the clouds, a milky-white pillar of light surged straight into the heavens, illuminating the entire western sky.
Li Minggong was a step slower, stepping into midair. After examining it for a breath, she said in slight surprise:
"A Violet Palace cultivator failed their attempt at the Golden Core."
"Indeed."
Li Zhouwei looked into the distance and answered:
"It is in the direction of Mount Changhuai."
The morning sun in the east was gradually rising, and heaven and earth cleared up in response. It seemed as though something heavy and oppressive weighing on their hearts had dissipated; distant sights grew clearer, morning mist drifted, and the ambient spiritual energy felt sweet and refreshing.
Li Minggong looked up and found the dharmic powers within her body surging. Li Zhouwei's golden eyes flickered as he said in astonishment:
"The spiritual atmosphere across Jiangnan... has changed..."
More than thirty years ago, Jiangnan's ambient spiritual energy had shifted into the Upper Evil Spirit Repository, which aided the cultivation of Earth Virtues, demonic paths, Mansion Water, and blood qi, while even suppressing ancient immortal cultivators. However, it had had little impact on the Li family; the Violet Palace and Golden Core Dao was not considered an ancient immortal dao, and those who took blood qi had actually cultivated faster in recent years.
Li Zhouwei felt the pure, clear qi rising between heaven and earth as Li Minggong remarked:
"Logically speaking, the spiritual energy changed only thirty-some years ago and should be at its peak right now, yet it has already shifted..."
Li Zhouwei nodded and answered:
"A cultivator of Mount Changhuai has fallen; this is extraordinary. We must ask the Real Person..."
He dispatched someone to Mount Zhijing and descended into the courtyard alongside Li Minggong. Just as Li Zhouwei was about to speak, his brow furrowed once more. His golden pupils dilated instantly as a fierce look surfaced, and the Shangyao Fuguang at the center of his forehead faintly lit up, fixing his gaze on the palace gates.
The next moment, the Dasheng Great Halberd materialized in his hand like flowing light. Gripping it tightly, Li Zhouwei said coldly:
"Who goes there?!"
Li Minggong had failed to notice at first; half a beat late, she also summoned flames into her hands. Yet without an ocular technique, she merely stepped half a pace back, using the flames to shield herself against any sudden harm.
Then, grey light flickered and black qi drifted as a man emerged before the hall. With slightly prominent brow ridges, grey-black eyes, and a smiling countenance, he appeared quite ordinary, clad in a brown robe with a sword tied to his waist.
Revealing his figure, he waved his hands hurriedly and laughed:
"Haven't seen each other in years, and your Minghuang spells have grown even more formidable!"
"Little Brother!"
Li Minggong broke into a delighted smile, dispersing her flames and stepping forward eagerly. "It's you who came out of seclusion! How come there was no phenomenon?"
This man was none other than Li Chenghuai!
Li Zhouwei also relaxed, his stern look dissipating as the Dasheng Great Halberd vanished from his hand. He cupped his hands in apology. High-spirited, Li Chenghuai only laughed:
"Eldest Sister! Have you forgotten that I cultivate Upper Wu's Do Not Investigate Me? This immortal foundation conceals the form, hides the breath, eludes spiritual sense, escapes the naked eye, and uses talismans to distinguish true from false. Where would any phenomenon come from?"
He paused slightly, observed their expressions, and smiled:
"Judging by your complexions, has the clan stabilized now?"
Li Chenghuai had entered seclusion late, right when the Li family was treading on thin ice. Back then, Li Zhouwei was constantly fleeing for his life from Floating Cloud Cave, so Li Chenghuai had been full of anxiety. That was why he had rushed to the main hall the moment he exited seclusion. Yet Li Minggong burst into laughter, pressing her lips together with amusement:
"Little Brother, Clan Uncle has reached the Violet Palace!"
"Oh..."
Li Chenghuai froze at first, his face flushing crimson as he stared blankly ahead. Only after several breaths did he manage:
"Eh?"
Li Minggong said:
"A few days ago, all the clans came to offer congratulations. Several Violet Palace figures attended the Dharma assembly in person—it was a grand occasion! If only you had exited seclusion a few days earlier, you could have seen it for yourself!"
Li Chenghuai found it unbelievable, feeling as though he were in a dream. He muttered in a low voice:
"Then our clan... is now a Violet Palace immortal clan?"
"Indeed!" Li Zhouwei answered.
Li Chenghuai could not contain himself and burst into boisterous laughter, asking joyfully:
"You aren't pulling my leg, are you? What about Floating Cloud Cave?"
"Floating Cloud Cave was wiped out long ago!"
Li Minggong recounted everything from start to finish. Li Chenghuai listened, the corners of his mouth twitching upward uncontrollably. Letting out a long breath, he replied:
"During seclusion, I was constantly worried about the clan. I recuperated for nearly a year before officially attempting the breakthrough. It was an uphill struggle and I grew weaker and weaker, but fortunately, with the boost from the Suiyuan Pill, I barely held on.
"I originally still had much work to do, and whether I could break through was uncertain. Who knew that heaven and earth's spiritual energy would suddenly shift? Countless profound insights flooded my mind as if aided by the gods, and I broke through in one fell swoop!"
"So that's how it was!"
Li Zhouwei and Li Minggong exchanged glances and immediately understood.
"It was precisely due to the shift in Jiangnan's ambient spiritual energy—something one might not see once in decades... Truly a wonderful stroke of fate!"
Li Minggong sighed with feeling, and Li Zhouwei was also deeply moved, saying:
"In the path of cultivation, fate and fortune truly cannot be underestimated!"
After sighing, his face broke into a smile, and he said:
"Now that Young Uncle has successfully broken through, it is naturally a great joyous occasion for our clan. Aunt Minggong will no longer need to stay behind to guard the home and can head to Jiangbei... However, Young Uncle should still pay respects to our elders, report the good news, and take charge of affairs at Qingdu."
"That is only proper."
Pondering this, Li Chenghuai promptly took his leave to pay respects to Li Xuanxuan. Meanwhile, Li Zhouwei took out paper and brush, writing briskly:
'A letter must also be sent to the sect, so the seniors there may know of this great joyous news.'
Li Minggong waited to the side for a while. Then an old man walked up—his head was bald, his beard completely white, and his frame burly and stalwart. An Zheyan was nearly a hundred and seventy years old; having grown old, his temperament had mellowed instead. He bowed:
"Reporting to the Clan Master, word from Mount Zhijing says the Real Person departed with Ding Weizeng earlier. Their destination is unknown."
An Zheyan was one of the most senior retainers of the Li clan. Li Zhouwei nodded to him, then turned to Li Minggong:
"Aunt, come with me to Jiangbei first."
"Great-Grandfather... Great-Grandfather, there is no need to see me out..."
When Li Chenghuai emerged from the hall, Li Xuanxuan was still cheerfully holding his hand, escorting him all the way to the front of the palace. Having witnessed one great joy after another, the old man's complexion was flushed with vigor, looking years younger as he held his hand tightly.
"Huai'er... Your father was the most sensible among the Four Xis... Now that you have achieved Foundation Establishment, he will surely be thrilled..."
Li Xuanxuan could not stop chattering. Li Chenghuai listened quietly, only to see the old man pull him aside and take a brocade box from his breast, saying softly:
"Huai'er, when Ximing attained his divine ability, your parents came back to visit, and Xiao'er paid respects to me as well. But you were in seclusion and missed them again. They only met Zhouluo... had a good chat... and gave Zhouluo quite a few spiritual items.
"Your father left an Upper Feather Night Robe with me. Magical artifacts for Upper Wu are truly rare; he went out of his way to find it over all these years. He said that if you succeeded in breaking through... it would be left to you. If not, it would go to Zhouluo."
Li Chenghuai averted his gaze and let out a breath. Li Xuanxuan continued:
"Your mother sought me out privately and also left something for you. It is a Night Ghost Secret Talisman, an heirloom treasure of the Yang family. I know not its purpose, and only fetched it to give to you..."
Both items were inside the brocade box. Li Chenghuai silently accepted it. Li Xuanxuan looked at him with an aching heart, saying only:
"All these years... your father could barely protect himself much of the time, and he is not one to speak of such things. Your mother is an agnate of the Yang family, and her actions are subject to many constraints. Do not hold it against them... Now that Ximing has broken through, and your father is the Master of Jiutian Pavilion, he finally has the opportunity to look out for your interests, yet he felt awkward saying it to you directly."
Li Chenghuai shook his head. "Chenghuai does not care about these magical artifacts."
Li Xuanxuan simply patted his shoulder and smiled:
"Between father and son, there is nothing that cannot be resolved. Look at me... lost my father when I was born, lost my mother in my youth, lost my son in middle age, and in my old age I watch over the tombs of my children. Even though your Uncle Ximing has become a Violet Palace cultivator, he still carries such regrets... Learn to cherish what you have...
"Now, both you and your father are at Foundation Establishment—something ordinary people could only dream of envying... Go check on the affairs of Qingdu first, and after some time, make a trip to Qingchi."
Li Chenghuai slipped the brocade box into his sleeve, rasped his farewell, collected his emotions, and silently rode the wind across the lake.
Running through the words of Li Xuanxuan and Li Zhouwei in his mind, he felt a secret tension:
'Check on the affairs of Qingdu first... It seems Zhouluo hasn't handled things very well...'
Not daring to be careless, he headed straight for Qingdu, passing through the grand formation. From afar, he saw the flickering lights of the hall, faintly catching the sounds of grinding ink and turning pages.
Li Chenghuai knocked gently on the door. The person inside said in a clear voice:
"Could that be my clan brother? Please come in!"
Chapter 702