Across the wilderness, streaks of light flashed through the sky. A pale-gold skiff sped through the billowing clouds. In the center stood a man clad in white robes; beside him, Li Jiangqian and Li Quewan waited quietly, while Li Wen stood at the stern keeping watch, melon hammer in hand.
Li Zhouwei had stayed a night at the Xuanyue encampment and set out the following day. He did not often wear white, but today was the anniversary of his father Li Chengliao's death, so he had specially changed into it. One hand rested on the skiff's railing, silent.
The Li family did not possess many flying magical artifacts, and flying shuttles were used even less. The main reason was that the Li family controlled the eastern and northern Shanyue, where miscellaneous qi cultivators were so numerous that some even had to disperse beyond the family's bounds to seek a living for themselves. Poor cultivators capable of flight were plentiful... so whenever work needed doing, there was little need to outfit anyone with such items.
Moreover, once direct descendants of the clan and gifted cultivators with outside surnames entered the islet, they were strictly supervised and burdened with myriad duties. Whether for cultivation or mundane affairs, their activities on an islet rarely spanned more than a hundred li, so few ever bothered to procure flying shuttles, save for a favored few doted on by their parents.
As for Li Jiangqian and his brothers, they simply did not dare request flying shuttles. After all, neither Li Ximing nor Li Zhouwei had asked the clan for flying magical artifacts while cultivating. Furthermore, the brothers had no need to travel north or head to the East Sea, leaving them even less reason.
The vessel beneath their feet was the very first flying magical artifact crafted after the Li family rose to become an immortal clan. It was the parting work of the elderly West Shore cultivator He Jiumen, named Quhe.
This vessel was considered top-grade among Qi Refinement artifacts. Regrettably, He Jiumen was of humble origins and knew nothing of the arts of shape-shifting, so the spiritual vessel could not expand or shrink at will—falling far short of Ning Wan's Evergreen Flowing Cloud Ship. Otherwise, however, it was quite striking, and fortunately outsiders could not tell that it lacked the ability to change size, making it presentable enough for public occasions.
Now it cleaved the wind with tremendous speed, heading toward the East Shore. Li Zhouwei stood for a while before Li Wen stepped forward to present a letter—a missive penned on dark paper. He glanced at it briefly and tucked it into his sleeve.
*Kong Yu took his own life...*
Standing behind him, Li Jiangqian detected no shift in his father Li Zhouwei's emotions. Yet the skiff gradually slowed, coming to a halt amid the mountains of the East Shore. A sudden commotion arose as a youth rode forth on a black horse with crimson eyes. Upon drawing near, he dismounted swiftly and boarded the skiff, bowing respectfully.
"Father!"
Li Jiangqian appraised him for a moment and readily recognized the youth as his third brother, Li Jiangxia. Watching with a gentle smile, he heard his father speak in a relatively mild tone:
"It has indeed been some time since we last met. Your second brother has returned from Xuanyue as well. Come aboard, and we shall return to the lake together."
All smiles, Li Jiangxia bowed to Li Jiangqian and Li Quewan, saying clearly, "It has been long since I last saw Elder Brother. I have missed you dearly."
Li Jiangqian had spent some time with his second brother, Li Jianglong, but had only met his third brother, Li Jiangxia, a few times, so it truly had been a long separation. Li Jiangqian smiled and replied:
"Third Brother's cultivation has progressed. You must cultivate diligently during the Qi Refinement stage. How are your spells coming along? Your cultivation base is the foundation, but you must also seize the time to properly practice arts to protect your path—that will be of far greater benefit when breaking through to Foundation Establishment!"
Li Jiangxia raised his brows, smiling in return. "The clan has countless affairs, and Elder Brother works hard managing the household, yet you still keep your younger brother in mind... Thank you for your care, Elder Brother. Jiangxia will take it to heart."
The two exchanged pleasantries without pushing further. Li Zhouwei heard every word clearly, but said nothing. The group sped onward, and soon Lake Wangyue appeared in the distance. Having weighed her words for a long time, Li Quewan finally spoke:
"Reporting to the family head... divining the matters concerning the direct lineage of Xuanyue will likely prove quite difficult. The requirements of my Shamanic Register art are already exceedingly harsh when divining Foundation Establishment cultivators, and these individuals are breaking through to the Violet Palace, making it harder still..."
The personal effects Li Ximing had mentioned earlier were clearly tied to divination, as anyone present could discern. Yet Li Zhouwei knew Li Ximing had used the Immortal Mirror and had merely offered an excuse, so he answered:
"No matter. A Real Person will be asked to handle this; you need not trouble yourself."
Relieved, Li Quewan stepped back. Once the skiff came to a steady stop at the islet, Li Jiangqian followed closely behind Li Zhouwei into the hall. Strolling along the grand corridor, he spotted a man in black robes standing before the hall from afar.
The man stood meekly with downcast eyes, a string of jades hanging at his waist. Li Jiangqian paused in surprise before recognizing him: it was his younger brother, Li Jianglong.
Over the past nearly two years, he had matured. That slight childishness had faded, and beneath his golden eyes and elongated brows lay the broad, generous mien of the Chen family. His bearing had changed significantly as well, appearing far more submissive.
Li Zhouwei took his seat at the high dais, while Li Jiangqian stepped forward to stand on the left. He heard his father instruct:
"Bring Liang'er and Nian'er up as well."
Li Jiangqian was still quietly observing Li Jianglong. He saw him retreat into a corner, bow without a word, and keep his gaze firmly fixed on the floor—a stark contrast to Li Jiangxia's hearty, outgoing demeanor.
Below, Li Jiangxia had already begun reporting on affairs along the East Shore. These matters had long since been reported to the islet, so Li Jiangqian listened casually.
It had to be said that Li Jiangxia was far from incompetent. Backed by full support from Li Jiangqian, the personnel dispatched by the Li family were all capable hands, so the disjointed mess on the East Shore was naturally brought under control. The various clans had submitted, and their direct lineages had been transferred to Mount Milin.
When his report concluded, Li Jiangliang and Li Jiangnian entered the hall one after the other. As an elder brother, Li Jiangqian swept his appraising gaze over them. He noticed that Li Jiangliang, walking in front, possessed a pair of golden pupils; his features were handsome, lively, and endearing. Stepping before the hall, he immediately bowed and respectfully addressed his father.
There was nothing unusual about his own brother looking like that, so Li Jiangqian's gaze merely skimmed across Fourth Brother Li Jiangliang's face before settling on Li Jiangnian behind him.
Li Jiangqian's pupils widened slightly. For the first time, he felt genuine shock toward one of his brothers rather than his customary calm appraisal. And he was not alone—save for Li Zhouwei and Li Jiangnian himself, everyone in the hall gasped for a fleeting moment.
That face had faint brows, exceedingly high cheekbones, and a sharp chin, the skin and flesh stretched taut over both cheeks. If Li Jianglong, with the plainest appearance among the Jiang-Que generation, could still be praised for having a broad and honest countenance, then Li Jiangnian's face truly possessed not a single redeeming feature.
Yet Li Jiangqian was not one to judge others by appearance. He did not scrutinize his youngest brother's face, but instead stared in slight shock beneath Li Jiangnian's eyelashes at his eyes, his hands clenching and unclenching.
They were a pair of confused, gray eyes.
Li Jiangliang's voice still echoed through the hall as Li Zhouwei asked a few caring questions. Yet scarcely anyone could pay attention to Li Jiangliang anymore; all eyes were glued to Li Jiangnian's eyes. The child was exceedingly dull-witted and completely oblivious, merely watching in confusion as Li Jiangliang answered each inquiry.
Having asked a couple of questions, Li Zhouwei finally spoke:
"Jiangnian, what is your cultivation now?"
Li Jiangnian's eyes were slightly uneven in size, giving him a rather comical look. Nervousness caused tears to quickly well up, and he choked out:
"Em... Embryonic Breathing second stage."
Having only just begun cultivating, this cultivation level was somewhat lower than Li Jiangliang's, but it was not terrible either. Yet silence fell over the brothers. Li Jiangliang stood properly at the front, the contrast between them stark. Li Zhouwei withdrew his gaze and spoke:
"I summoned you here today, first to ask after your cultivation and check your progress, and second, because I am about to enter seclusion and have a few matters to entrust to you."
Li Zhouwei's cultivation had long been sufficient to attempt an assault on the late Foundation Establishment stage. Now that Li Ximing had made arrangements regarding Xuanyue and it was settled that Shanji Commandery would no longer be defended, it was unwise to delay any further, so he immediately decided to enter seclusion.
He looked first at Li Jiangqian and said:
"Jiangqian, you are now at the eighth layer of Qi Refinement and have the confidence to reach Foundation Establishment. First polish your cultivation base, hone your spells, and continue overseeing affairs on the islet. Uncle Chenghuai has stepped back to focus on cultivation, and Zhouluo has taken charge of Qingdu. With so many clan affairs, you and your uncle should confer often."
Li Jiangqian hastily nodded and bowed. He saw his father continue:
"Jianglong, your cultivation has progressed over the past two years, and you have read many Xuanyue spells. Go to the Funan region and take over the duties of Fei Qingyi and Li Anshuo. Those two are placed under your charge, and you are to act upon the orders of Clan Elder Minggong."
At these words, Li Jiangxia secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He currently oversaw the clans on the East Shore under Mount Milin's administration, and a palace had even been erected there, making the master of Mount Milin his future superior. His greatest fear was that Li Jianglong would take over Mount Milin, which would force him to surrender all the fruits of his painstaking efforts.
Li Jianglong respectfully acknowledged the order without surprise. Li Anshuo's wife was of the Chen clan, effectively part of Li Jianglong's maternal backing, and Li Jianglong had already reined him in and held leverage over him. There was no way Li Zhouwei remained unaware of this. With Li Anshuo managing secular affairs in Funan, sending Li Jianglong there was naturally the most suitable choice.
Having arranged duties for the two, Li Zhouwei said in a deep voice:
"Jiangxia shall continue governing the East Shore. That place borders the wilderness, where stability is of paramount importance. Among your brothers, only you possess experience there; there is no need to make a change."
Li Jiangxia hurried to bow in gratitude. By the time he rose from his bow, authority across the entire Li clan had shifted at astonishing speed from the elders who had broken through to Foundation Establishment into the hands of the Qi Refinement juniors.
Li Zhouwei looked around with a faint smile. Pausing for a breath or two, he said:
"Zhouluo governs Qingdu, and Li Wen shall return to Mount Yuting. Only Mount Milin remains vacant. Do you... have any candidates in mind?"
Li Jiangqian immediately spoke in a respectful tone:
"Clan Elder Donghe is worthy of this post."
At these words, none of the brothers showed any strong reaction, not even Li Jianglong, whose maternal clan was the Chen clan.
The reason was simple: this elder held immense status, was impervious to flattery or pressure, and was uncompromisingly severe toward his own kin. Members of the Chen clan trembled at the mere mention of his name, far from daring to treat him as a patron; thus, his appointment would bring Li Jianglong no benefit.
Li Jianglong, on the other hand, said:
"This child has been away for a long time and is unfamiliar with the family's changes, so I dare not make suggestions. However, since this post is of great importance, a high-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator ought to be assigned instead."
When he demurred, Li Jiangxia did not hold back. He bowed respectfully and said:
"The post at Milin is exceedingly weighty and should be held by one of our own who is honest, upright, and harmonious. It has always been vacant, and with several elders currently absent from the clan, this child believes it can be left unfilled for now. If several respected seniors are dispatched to the palace as elders, they can oversee the East Shore together. When there are many, their wills will not align, making it all the more convenient for Elder Brother to mediate and govern from the center."
Li Zhouwei was dipping a vermilion brush in ink, drafting the orders assigning them to their respective posts. Hearing the youths' words stirred not the slightest ripple in him; he only chuckled softly under his breath.
*Each had their own calculations.*
Li Jiangqian was in charge of the islet, where maintaining overall stability was paramount. He had no wish for an overly overbearing master on Mount Milin, and a rules-bound Qi Refinement elder served his interests best, which was why he had nominated Chen Donghe first.
Though Li Jiangxia's words sounded pleasant, at bottom, he simply did not want someone above him who could meddle in every affair. Li Jiangqian was far away in the lake, but the master of Milin would be right nearby, with every person sent up subjected to their control. Naturally, leaving it vacant was best for him.
That left only Li Jianglong. He was heading out to Funan and cared nothing for what happened at Milin; having a formidable Foundation Establishment cultivator stationed there to prevent his two brothers from amassing too much power was naturally in his favor.
Hearing these remarks, Li Zhouwei saw through them completely. He instructed:
"Cui Jueyin hails from Chongzhou and possesses administrative talent, profound cultivation, and mastery over spells. Entrust it to him... Jiangliang shall also go to Mount Milin to cultivate together; there is no need to stay on the islet all day."
Li Jiangliang hurriedly bowed. Though clever, he was still young and did not fully grasp the underlying implications, so he agreed with a smile. Only then did Li Zhouwei turn his gaze toward the youngest, Li Jiangnian, letting out an imperceptible sigh.
"As for Nian'er... first cultivate on the islet. We will speak again once you reach Qi Refinement. All of you may withdraw!"
The youths chorused their assent and withdrew. No sooner had Li Jianglong left the hall than he took Li Jiangliang's hand, smiling broadly and saying jovially:
"Liang'er is so well-behaved. Senior Cui is of the Chongzhou direct line; follow him closely and learn well."
...
Qingchi Sect, Jiutian Pavilion.
Spring rain had just fallen, leaving the stone steps glossy and slick. Li Xizhi, clad in a feathered cloak, sat beside a table. He tilted a jade pot to pour tea; a bright, clear green filled the cup, exuding an overwhelming fragrance. He smiled and said:
"This is Hundred Longevities Spring brewed with spring rainwater. Have a taste, my lady."
The woman beside him looked at him with smiling eyes. She picked up the cup and took a small sip, watching as he brewed another batch of tea and poured it into an adjacent cup. Li Xizhi said in earnest:
"This cup is Awakening Formed Warmth. It is ranked, crafted from genuine Qi Refinement spiritual materials. Though it may not taste exquisite, it carries the effect of calming the mind and stabilizing one's cultivation base."
Yang Xiao'er picked it up to taste, her gaze remaining fixed on him. She smiled and said:
"After being in seclusion for so long, I missed you dearly."
"You..."
Li Xizhi could only say:
"For us Foundation Establishment cultivators, several months in seclusion feel like only a few hours to our senses. And yet you've missed me again?"
Yang Xiao'er sipped her tea and said:
"Why? May I not?"
Li Xizhi chuckled, then turned serious:
"Your immortal foundation, 'Treasure-Concealing Vase,' is formidable. Do not underestimate it. It shares subtle similarities with my family's 'Huangyuan Pass.' Since the Yang family procured such a fine thing for you, cultivating it properly is of the utmost importance."
At the mention of the Yang family, Yang Xiao'er paused slightly. Just then, someone ascended the mountain: a figure in silver-white attire with a neat jade cap, draped in a bright red embroidered robe, with a round face—it was none other than his eldest disciple, Quan Yuduan.
The youth was erratic and often made a fuss over minor things. In great haste, he cried:
"Reporting to Master, that Dantai Jin has brought Si Tongyi! Protector Wushao has already gone to receive them, and they have reached the mountain trail!"
Hearing this, Yang Xiao'er immediately rose from the table. Li Xizhi felt somewhat helpless and shook his head, saying:
"And here I wondered what the matter was... Yuduan, your temperament is still lacking... In doing things, you act entirely on whim. You are neither from the noble houses of Wang and Xie nor a true disciple of a Golden Core elder; whence comes all this temper? Your junior brother has already left the mountain for tempering. Until you amend this disposition of yours, not a single day shall you be permitted to leave the mountain!"
Hearing this, Quan Yuduan hurriedly collected his demeanor and nodded in assent. Jiutian Pavilion was dull after all, and he often yearned to go outside. For now, he merely replied:
"Disciple shall remember!"
He too retreated quickly. Only then did a man wearing an ornate cap ascend from the mountain path. Possessing late Foundation Establishment cultivation, he looked ethereal and transcendent, a short sword girded at his waist. With a face full of courtesy, he said with a smile:
"Greetings, Pavilion Master!"
Chapter 746