Li Zhouluo sat in the hall. Early that morning, he had brought Li Zhoufang to Li Xuanxuan’s quarters to "bitterly plead for mercy," putting on quite a show. Now that he finally had time to attend to clan affairs, he set down his brush and fell into thought.
"Phoenix Tail Stones are truly scarce across northern Yue... The primary producing areas all lie within Qingchi territory... I need to write a letter to Qingchi to inquire. Grandfather seems to have a disciple on duty at the market; having him help would be best."
The Purple Gen Broad Valley Mountain-Piercing Profound Spikes were costly Violet Palace formation keystones. Even though Wangyue was prosperous and had amassed many minerals of its own, supplemented by the spiritual materials from Xuanyue, the remaining expenditure still hovered around fifteen hundred spirit stones.
The Li clan’s reserve of spirit stones stood at around six hundred. Li Zhouluo was not in the least worried about lacking spirit stones; what mattered more was that forging this item was not simply a matter of having enough coin. It demanded procuring spiritual materials in bulk. With one thing in short supply and another highly coveted, having spirit stones meant nothing if there was nowhere to spend them.
"The price of spiritual qi within the clan is also being bid higher and higher... Several clansmen have come to report it... Cultivators from humble backgrounds can afford it even less now, relying entirely on the few portions distributed to talents across the islet each year..."
This was an all too common situation. Across all of Jiangnan, the spiritual qi used for Qi Refinement could be pushed up to twenty or thirty spirit stones a portion precisely because of its scarcity. The Li clan's rise had granted the entire Lake Wangyue a formidable capacity to organize qi-gathering, but the surging multitude of Embryonic Breathing cultivators it brought along had not alleviated the tight supply of minor clear spiritual qi—in fact, it had worsened the demand for spiritual qi through other channels...
Even more interestingly, unless one cultivated a corresponding technique, possessing these foundational types of spiritual qi was completely useless. The Li clan’s rise had also brought about an unforeseen change: with the increasing number of cultivators practicing with river clear qi, this river clear qi—which had been rarely heard of a century ago and was practically worthless on the market—had gradually gained real value.
Controlling the entirety of Lake Wangyue, the Li clan could produce a substantial amount of river clear qi each year. Setting aside the exorbitant profit of sixty spirit stones charged by Qingchi’s Xieqi Peak, the price of this substance had once climbed to over thirty spirit stones. Without this river clear qi, at least half of the external-surname Qi Refinement cultivators would disappear.
"The northern shore still has the snow-capped mountains, close to the great river. In the future, we will have to station people along the river permanently. River clear qi is even more plentiful there than in Lake Wangyue... It would be best if we could also find a Fu Water Qi Gathering Art suited for use on the lake."
As he pondered these matters, he began writing the letter. Midway through, Di Liguang came in to report. Hearing that Ding Weizeng and Wang Quwan—two capable figures—had come to report, he was slightly startled and immediately ordered them welcomed inside.
"Greetings, Clan Head!"
Ding Weizeng bowed first and clearly explained Wang Quwan’s business. Hearing it, Li Zhouluo found it quite remarkable. The token was passed only into Di Liguang's hands for the Shanyue man to inspect thoroughly.
Li Zhouluo set down his brush and mused with suspicion, "The Wanling Supreme Sect was indeed an extraordinary lineage. As for an underground palace... I do not think it is a safe place. So many people from the Daoist and Buddhist factions died in Jiangbei, fighting until the earth shook and the mountains trembled. How could none of them have discovered it back then? If it has resurfaced now, why did it not reveal itself when blood vitality was surging, spiritual mechanism was vast, eighteen Buddhists fell, and the entire riverbank was dyed pink? Why wait until today, when spiritual mechanism has gradually quieted and settled, to appear?"
Li Zhouluo’s background was far higher, after all. He understood nearly ninety percent of the truth behind the struggle between north and south, and he was well acquainted with the genuine patterns by which ancient ruins reemerged, so his doubts arose at once. Still, it was unseemly to leave two Foundation Establishment cultivators bowing below, so he rose from his seat, helped both men up, and said in a gentle voice:
"At present, our Zhenren is away, and our clan elders are in seclusion. I fear this thing is fraught with danger."
Wang Quwan was an intelligent man. Hearing these words, he took another meaning from them and answered, "Thank you for the guidance, Clan Head. This token is merely a trophy I obtained by chance, and I came here to surrender it to the family. I request that the clan elders examine it before making any decisions."
Li Zhouluo frowned and shook his head. With his clan’s Violet Palace cultivator away, he had always maintained the attitude that fewer troubles were better than more. Even if there were Violet Palace spiritual materials inside the underground palace, they could no longer tempt him. Thus he answered:
"What is yours remains yours. Keep it safe for now and watch how the situation unfolds. I will report it to the clan elders; once there is news, I will summon you over."
Di Liguang had already returned the token. Wang Quwan was slightly taken aback and was about to speak, but Ding Weizeng moved swiftly with his hands to accept it on his behalf. Li Zhouluo then changed the subject:
"The Jiangbei Wang clan ranks beneath the various other families and has had a very difficult time over these years. Wang He of the Duxian Dao is also a leader of your Wang family. Has he made any troublesome moves toward you?"
Wang Quwan hurriedly saluted and replied, "Reporting to the Clan Head: over these years, Clan Uncle Wang He has repeatedly sent people over to convey his regards, and he has even sent many spiritual materials to support us. However, my younger brother declined them all. These matters have all been reported to the family..."
Li Jianglong submitted reports every month, so Li Zhouluo naturally knew all of this. But the matter was of great import, so he could not help keeping an eye on it and inquiring further. Shaking his head, he said:
"Although Wang He's seniority is far greater than yours and his cultivation is higher, his aptitude is truly wretched. Within the Duxian Dao, he is merely an obscure nobody whom no one heeds. He cannot compare to you, so naturally he strives to curry favor in everything."
Wang Quwan bowed low, caught the nodding glance from Ding Weizeng beside him, and said respectfully, "Reporting to the Clan Head: the loyalty of the Funan Wang clan is plain for all to see!"
"I know! Milin Palace has resumed operations now, and the Wang clan may send two descendants into it. Seeing Quwan's bearing, your clan's younger generation will certainly not be lacking either. They will surely accomplish great things."
Both men had important duties and soon took their leave. Li Zhouluo considered sending a letter to Li Xizhi's people and simply decided to raise this matter along with it. He was kept busy without a moment's rest. As soon as the letter was dispatched, the morning’s affair had fermented enough, and he hurried to release Li Xixuan.
Li Zhoufang had long been waiting outside the hall. The man was visibly holding back his anxiety, and upon seeing Li Zhouluo, he hurriedly caught up. Li Zhouluo nodded solemnly and said:
"Since the Old Master has agreed, let us go and invite our elder out."
"Thank you, Clan Head!"
Li Zhoufang nodded repeatedly and could only reply, "Only the Clan Head stepping forward to plead for mercy... could make the Old Master relent. No matter what, Granduncle Xixuan is Aunt Minggong's father. How could he be locked away in the ancestral hall? If he were to succumb to grief... and something untoward happened to him, what would our family do in the future?"
Both Li Zhouluo and he were Qi Refinement cultivators, so they crossed the short distance in an instant. Untying their Dharma artifacts from their waists, they handed them to the Qingdu cultivators beside them, slipped off their shoes, and entered the hall. Only then did they see the plump, fair-skinned Li Xixuan in a single unlined robe, reading beside a low table.
Seeing the two men enter, Li Xixuan rose slightly to acknowledge Clan Head Li Zhouluo, then sat back down at once.
"Congratulations, Granduncle! The Clan Head bitterly begged the Old Master, and at last he has consented to release you..."
"Oh..."
Li Zhoufang urged him out with joy written across his face, but the old man appeared listless and thoroughly dispirited.
The play Li Xuanxuan and Li Zhouluo had staged could fool ninety percent of people, but it still could not deceive clan elders like Li Xixuan and Li Chengzhi. Li Xixuan had seen through the act immediately, realizing that old and young had coordinated their duet and that he, a direct grandson, had truly become an outsider. He merely sat dejectedly by the table.
The old man refused to play along, leaving Li Zhoufang fretting helplessly. Caught between the two sides in their standoff, Li Zhoufang—the eldest brother to whom both sides were flesh of his flesh—found himself in an agonizing bind. Li Zhouluo smiled and said:
"Eldest Brother, please wait outside for a moment. I would like to speak with Granduncle privately for a few words."
Li Zhoufang immediately withdrew. Li Xixuan leaned feebly against the table, only to see the young man before him personally pour him a cup of tea and say in a low voice:
"Granduncle, in your courtyard there are nineteen sons and nephews, and over a hundred grandchildren. The Yuanwan line possesses only this single residence on the islet. Amidst these hundred-plus people, you bustle and toil, and your life right now is truly arduous. The Old Master sees all of this..."
At the mention of this, Li Xixuan instantly recovered his spirit and shook his head heavily.
"Do you people sitting in the hall also understand suffering?... These children of mine possess no spirit apertures. Once they branch off, they become a lesser line. One moment they are noble scions of immortal descent, and the next they must pack their bags and head to the riverbanks to toil for a bitter living. If I divide the household like that, won't they resent me? Won't they resent the clan?"
He sighed softly. "This old man does not dare divide them... Without a division, over a hundred people are squeezed into one residence. Relatives are strange things: when far away at the ends of the earth, they are useless; when brought too close before one's eyes, they grow cold and heartless. Only when kept neither too close nor too far, present yet elusive, is it comfortable. Right now, there is friction on the east side and bickering on the west side. Doesn't that damage affection? What can this old man do? These old bones of mine have barely a couple of years left before passing away. Once I die, those below will definitely divide the household. A few main lines will be comfortable, but those split away will begin to harbor hatred. Is that not a portent of ruin and downfall?
"Trapping them in the courtyard right now to let them resent one another is still better than having them split off and unite their strength to resent the islet. This old man can understand you all, but you cannot understand this old man. Perhaps it is simply the difference between immortal and mortal..."
Li Zhouluo fell silent. He had heard rumors of the circumstances Li Xixuan described. Pouring a cup of tea for the old man, he merely replied:
"The hereditary posts on the islet have been decided. There are quite a few quotas, to be investigated jointly by Qingdu and Mount Yuting, with the final judgment resting in my hands."
Li Xixuan's eyes flew wide open, staring round. His attitude transformed abruptly, his back straightening as he asked urgently:
"What does the Clan Head mean...?"
Li Zhouluo lowered his voice. "The criteria for the evaluation largely align with the things Qingdu oversees on normal days. Originally, it was not to be announced for another month or so... There are quite a few clansmen on the islet who study diligently, work hard, and have received commendations from Qingdu. Granduncle, you had best prepare early."
Li Xixuan was an astute old man. In an instant, his face became animated, and he nodded repeatedly, answering:
"I understand... I understand... May I ask the rank of these positions, and how many there are?"
Li Zhouluo smiled, shook his head, and stood up. Li Xixuan sprang to his feet with a swish, his eyes suddenly reddening, and said repeatedly:
"Thank you, Clan Head... Thank you, Clan Head, for pleading with the Old Master... There are many good children in the Yuanwan line, and we were relying entirely on this to save us..."
Li Zhouluo did not seem like someone with such immense boldness; Li Xixuan naturally knew that this hereditary posting had most likely been concocted by his own grandfather. Yet since the authority of final judgment lay in Li Zhouluo’s hands, Li Xixuan stepped down the very staircase he had been offered. Gathering his robes, he hurried out after him, only to meet Li Zhoufang's astonished gaze.
"Clan Head!"
Seeing that Li Zhouluo had already departed, Li Xixuan hurriedly grabbed Li Zhoufang and said, "Quick, Eldest, take me back to the islet!"
"Oh, right, right."
Li Zhoufang pulled him up at a loss, rushing hurriedly toward the islet. Li Xixuan slapped his own thigh and muttered in a low voice:
"I'll need to trouble you to make a trip as well, to call back every single one of those bastards slacking off and wandering around the islet..."
***
While the two were still rushing toward the islet, Li Zhouluo had already landed before the hall. Di Liguang was pacing about like an ant on a hot pan, frantically anxious. When he finally caught sight of Li Zhouluo, he cried out at once:
"Aiya... Clan Head! Visitors from Qingchi have arrived! They have been waiting in the side hall for some time. You departed so abruptly, Clan Head, that I could not find you... I notified the Old Master, and he only just arrived a step ahead of you..."
Li Zhouluo hurriedly pushed open the doors and entered the hall. Sure enough, he saw Li Xuanxuan standing inside. The old man appeared very anxious, and upon seeing Li Zhouluo, he immediately said:
"Hurry, invite our guests inside!"
Li Zhouluo tidied his attire and watched as two figures strode up from outside the hall. The foremost was dressed in silver-white attire draped with a bright red embroidered robe, sporting a round face and large eyes. The one behind him was handsome and tall, fair of skin, with a sword hanging at his waist.
Beside them followed a guard-like figure clad in a black robe, lean and tall, bearing a sinister and ruthless demeanor. It was none other than the hook snake Li Wushao. This demon snake had lingered in the late Foundation Establishment stage for a long time, and he now bowed toward the two of them.
The red-robed young man at the lead saluted, his round face breaking into a very handsome smile as he said:
"Quan Yuduan of Jiutian Pavilion greets the Clan Head!"
The youth behind him looked around with considerable curiosity, eyeing the decorations in the hall before also bowing in greeting: "Si Xunhui of Jiutian Pavilion greets the Clan Head..."
"Quickly, please rise..."
These were all Li Xizhi's disciples. Naturally, the more Li Zhouluo looked at them, the warmer he felt. He hurriedly helped them up and nodded, saying:
"Distinguished cultivators, for you to pause at our lake—is it by mere coincidence, or does Grandfather have instructions for us?"
As soon as the word "Grandfather" left his mouth, the way Quan Yuduan looked at him changed entirely. Stepping back in haste, he said with deep respect:
"So it is the Young Master! My Third Junior Brother and I rushed here in haste from the South Sea, unaware that it was the Young Master managing the household..."
Quan Yuduan had thought earlier that Li Wushao's bow was directed at Li Xuanxuan, but only now realized it was meant for this Young Master. Overjoyed, he nodded and said:
"The Young Master's cultivation has progressed so rapidly! Excellent, truly excellent... Worthy of such bloodline..."
Beside him, Si Xunhui also raised his brows, looking on with envy.
Across Jiangnan, there were very few family backgrounds that could evoke envy from Si Xunhui. This was the first time Li Zhouluo had ever heard someone address him that way, and feeling somewhat unaccustomed, he raised his brows and asked:
"Grandfather... how is he faring these days?"
Speaking of Li Xizhi, Quan Yuduan’s face lit up with sheer exhilaration, and he said with a beam:
"Those on the lake do not know yet... My master's reputation as the 'Tiange Rosy Glow' has already shaken the South Sea! From Lüfang to Danrong and Wuluo, everyone knows his name. Never mind those demonic cultivators... even the head of the Miao clan of Thunder Island came to spar and proved no match for him, battered until rosy glow overflowed from his body! Had my master not neutralized it for him... that old fellow would have perished on the spot!
"Master governs the nineteen islands of Qingchi's South Sea, purging the demonic cultivators from the entire maritime domain until none remain. The technique of refining resentful qi, which the Lingu clan could not eradicate over three generations, has practically had its roots severed. Peace reigns on all sides, and the reputation and resources of the market have multiplied several times over, completely recouping the deficits of previous years..."
Li Xuanxuan threw his head back and laughed upon hearing this. Si Xunhui was also deeply moved, adding softly:
"Our sect's Zhenren also met with Master and discussed magical arts with him, regarding him as an extraordinary talent. He told us juniors... that Master's attainment in the art of rosy glow has already far surpassed the Lingu Xia of back then, and has even eclipsed the Daoist who adapted the *Morning Glow Dew Plucking Incantation*... He can be hailed as the foremost figure in rosy glow arts in three hundred years!"
Li Zhouluo was filled with astonishment. Li Xuanxuan stroked his beard while sighing deeply, unable to resist asking:
"Where were these words spoken? Have they already spread across the South Sea?"
Si Xunhui shook his head repeatedly and answered, "These words were heard in private. I only told Master alone; they have not spread... Master sternly reminded me not to be boastful... It is only because I have met our elders today that I could not hold back from sharing the joyful news."
"Good, good, good!"
Li Xuanxuan’s eyes grew slightly moist, and he nodded, saying, "Zhi'er is truly remarkable... Walking all the way to this point alone in the sect has been no easier than it was for his brothers... Good... truly wonderful..."
Chapter 795