Li Chenghuai was taken aback by what he heard. Li Zhouluo hurriedly rose to his feet, brought over several memorials from the desk, and explained in a low voice. As Li Chenghuai read through them, his brow furrowed deeply. Raising an eyebrow, he remarked, "So they were waiting for me here..."
After finishing the reports regarding the West Shore, Li Zhouluo's proposed resolutions were handed to him as well. Skimming them, he shook his head and said, "Sentencing them to death right in the hall was poorly handled... It comes down to lacking prestige, yet also fearing you would damage clan harmony..."
Finally, he read the matter concerning hereditary protection. He paused, slightly startled, but said nothing more. With only a sigh, he replied, "Let us go."
The moment Li Chenghuai emerged from seclusion, it felt as though a thousand-jin weight had been lifted from Li Zhouluo's shoulders. Unfastening the black robe from his body and draping it over his arm, he followed briskly. Ahead of him, Li Chenghuai asked, "Where is the hereditary protection list?"
Li Zhouluo had tucked it into his robe long ago. Handing it to his father, Li Chenghuai glanced over it and replied, "Both branches are balanced evenly; that is not bad. It is just that there are rather a lot of names. Still, since the Old Master is having Jiangqian take charge, a few extra will do no harm."
Li Zhouluo had not mentioned Li Xuanxuan's involvement, but Li Chenghuai had calculated the timing and already understood well enough. Naming it outright, he stepped forward and suddenly asked, "Brother Chengkun's inheritance originally had three candidates selected in the ancestral shrine. How are those three doing now?"
Li Zhouluo had kept an eye on the matter and answered immediately, "The one with the closest bloodline and most suitable age is Zhoutui. Lately he has been working diligently on the islet, showing great initiative in both cultivation and tending the spirit fields...
"The older one is Li Zhouda, also closely related by blood. He acts swiftly and decisively, currently handling affairs at Mount Yuting. His only flaw is a bad temper; last year he drank and beat a clansman... and was reported to Qingdu for it."
He paused briefly before finishing, "And there is one more, of more distant blood, named Li Zhouxun—the one whom the Lord had stay in his manor during his lifetime. He seems to have severed all hope early on; he didn't seek any position on the islet, but instead took advantage of this time to enter closed-door cultivation."
Li Chenghuai pondered for a breath and shook his head. "A difficult choice..."
Although Li Zhoutui performed well, his display of weeping at the funeral had truly been off-putting. Li Zhouda's temper was violent, which inevitably caused hesitation. As for Li Zhouxun, whether out of respect for Li Chengkun's line or for other reasons, he had ultimately stepped back on his own, making it hard even if Li Chenghuai wanted to help him.
As he turned it over in his mind, the two halted in the corridor. He asked, "How is their cultivation?"
Li Zhouluo bowed respectfully. "Zhouda has already reached Qi Refinement. He is well-known among the clan brothers right now, and public sentiment favors him somewhat. The other two are still at Embryonic Breathing. Brothers Zhoutui and Zhouxun are similar in age, and their cultivation is also comparable."
Li Zhouluo did not spell it out completely, but the implication was clear: although the islet provided identical treatment, the resources Zhoutui enjoyed from his father's generation were far beyond what the isolated Zhouxun could match. This showed his natural talent was inferior. Li Chenghuai understood clearly. Stepping forward, he nodded and said, "I understand. Do not speak out on this matter. After all, the lineage has already been handed down, and it remains unknown who will ultimately achieve Foundation Establishment. The magical artifacts are all preserved within the clan. I will find an opportunity to meet with Zhouxun. You need not show favoritism toward anyone, nor should you reveal any approval."
Had it not been for Li Xuanxuan's earlier words, Li Zhouluo might have been baffled by his father's instructions. But now he understood perfectly, replying, "Your son understood long ago. Over these years, I have not met with any of them in private."
"Good," Li Chenghuai acknowledged, then smiled. "These three years of tempering have truly matured you a great deal."
Li Zhouluo could only smile sheepishly. "I now know what is at stake. Were it not for the Old Master, the lake governed over six generations by our family would have been ruined by me in two or three years."
The middle-aged man before him shook his head. "A hundred years of benevolent rule by our ancestors is only enough to endure one generation of mediocre rule; and one generation of mediocre rule cannot withstand three years of misgovernance..."
As he was lecturing his eldest son, a sheet of apricot yellow rose into the sky, fluttering and drifting straight toward the horizon. Halfway up, it drifted downward, transforming into blossoms of apricot-colored Lihuo that swept suddenly across the lake.
These flames, varying in size, shimmered freely and ethereally in the air like countless floating river lanterns. Night had not yet faded and dawn was just breaking, with the lake's surface mirroring the sky full of Lihuo, drawing a throng of surrounding cultivators to take to the wind and look on.
*Buzz!*
In the distance, the grand array of Mount Qingdu was instantly activated, its colors shooting straight into the heavens. The Chenmeng within the array was spurred into motion, sweeping into the sky and clearing away all the surrounding Lihuo.
Li Zhouluo's eyes lit up, while Li Chenghuai hurriedly rose upon the wind. Circling in the air, he indeed saw a man in a crimson robe flying over on flames. His robe hung loosely, revealing a pure white undergarment beneath, and apricot-yellow flames still burned upon his black hair.
He was somewhat tall and slender, with slightly elongated, dark eyebrows above a pair of golden eyes. His arms were crossed over his chest, a sword at his waist, and in his fair hand rested a small round hammer leaning casually against his shoulder.
Seeing Li Chenghuai rush over, the young man smiled faintly, brimming with vigor, and greeted, "Greetings, Young Granduncle!"
"Congratulations!"
Li Jiangqian cupped his hands in greeting, and Li Chenghuai responded with a smile. Seeing several others hurrying over, Li Jiangqian raised his head slightly, his first words being, "How is Quewan?"
Li Zhouluo had just caught up and smiled upon hearing this. "Quewan entered seclusion before the end of the year as well, saying she needed to regulate her breath, bring her cultivation to perfection, and select an auspicious day to attempt Foundation Establishment."
"Good."
Although Li Jiangqian was of a junior generation, his status was extraordinary. Now that he had forged an immortal foundation, his voice in clan affairs had undergone a fundamental shift. After greeting everyone, his second question was, "Is there any news from home regarding my father or the Master..."
Shaking his head, Li Chenghuai led him downward all the way to the islet. Li Jiangqian stood in the courtyard until everyone had taken their seats. Glancing around, he noticed Li Zhouming was still missing.
Li Jiangqian waited patiently. After half a cup of tea's time, a young man clad in red rushed in from outside the hall. Li Zhouming did not dare meet Li Xuanxuan's gaze, shrinking back as he took a seat at the side.
The old man's gaze was sharp. He saw that while Li Zhouming's clothes were tidy, his boots were put on improperly and his hairstyle was exceedingly simple. He had surely dressed in fancy garments to go horseback riding early in the morning, and nine times out of ten had gone flirting with some woman along the lakeshore again.
Only then did Li Jiangqian cup his hands in salute and speak, "Reporting to all elders, this junior has forged the immortal foundation 'Dali Shu.' Lihuo accompanies me constantly. In motion, it can dispel metal astral winds, swallow horn wood, melt metals, and boil the seas; at rest, it can calm blazing fires, guide the light of Li, and stir not even a roosting bird..."
Having spoken only these words, congratulations erupted from those around him. Li Jiangqian nodded in acknowledgment. Seeing this, Li Xuanxuan coughed and said, "Let us disperse for now..."
The old man waved his hand to dismiss the others, then took Li Jiangqian inside alone. Shutting the doors on both sides, he asked, "How is it? What you cultivated is the clan's sixth-grade method, something no one in our family has achieved before. It must possess something extraordinary."
Li Jiangqian helped him sit, served him tea, and said in a low voice, "Old Master, I have mastered Dali Shu. This immortal foundation focuses primarily on spells. It can store and contain the light of Li, granting extreme speed when riding fire. Above, it connects to Heaven's First Manifestation, allowing it to dispel evil and corruption. Its innate mystery uses wood to compound medicine; consuming it extends lifespan, heals wounds, and grants enhancements..."
"Oh?" Li Xuanxuan's eyes shone. "Compounding medicine? Is it like alchemical pills?"
Li Jiangqian shook his head. He extended a hand, joining two fingers and bracing his thumb against the middle joint. With a soft pop, a bright, apricot-yellow flame burst forth.
Unlike the restless Lihuo seen in the past, and unlike the five kinds of Lihuo surging violently within the Yangli Scarlet Sparrow Banner, this flame rested steadily upon his fingertips, completely motionless.
He smiled and said, "What the Old Master called extraordinary is likely this flame.
"The fire of my immortal foundation is called Xingli. Ordinary fire fears earth, but this flame can resist it far better. The inheritance describes it in great detail: aside from the two earths of She and Ji, it fears no earth at all. Regrettably, when placed into a furnace it burns too fiercely to form pills. My sea of qi is filled with apricot yellow, so even if I reach the Violet Palace in the future, alchemy will remain beyond me.
"As for the compounded medicine... most of it can only be taken by myself, though perhaps creatures of the luan and sparrow kind might consume it as well."
Li Xuanxuan nodded to show he understood, remarking with a sigh, "Truly worthy of a sixth-grade Lihuo cultivation method. Nearly every advantage Lihuo can offer has been gathered, and it even managed to yield a wondrous ability for healing..."
Li Jiangqian waved his hand at once, answering, "The boundaries of lineages remain, after all. Concealment, pill refinement, and healing others are entirely impossible for this lineage. Although flying on fire is swift, the light of Li is too glaring, making escape techniques difficult to master... You gain on one end only to lose on another; nothing can be wholly complete!"
The old man nodded repeatedly, looking deeply moved. Exhaling a long breath, he said, "Now that you have emerged from seclusion, the clan's affairs will have to trouble you..."
From beside the desk, the old man took out a small wooden box and opened it with one hand. Inside lay a thick stack of cloth rolls, evidently recorded in great detail long before. Not knowing what to expect, Li Jiangqian took it and began to read.
The young man glanced through a few lines, used one hand to turn through the roll, read all the way to the bottom in one breath, and then flipped back to read through the West Shore matters carefully. He chuckled, "They've eaten leopard gall, haven't they?"
Hearing this, Li Xuanxuan's heart tightened. Li Xixuan and the others were mortal after all; they could not withstand Li Jiangqian's harsh treatment. The old man quickly caught his arm and urged, "They are elders after all, and many of them are respected figures whose children sacrificed much for the clan. The matters on the islet must be resolved, of course, but we cannot leave people feeling chilled to the bone."
"I understand... I understand!"
Li Jiangqian held the cloth roll with one hand. The long strip of white fabric draped down onto the floor, fluttering gently in the breeze. Looking down at it, he chuckled, "Leave this to me. Uncle Zhouluo will just need to manage the household for a few more months to keep idle chatter from spreading below."
***
Outside the hall.
Li Zhouluo had left the hall, ceding the main hall to the two of them, and walked down alongside Li Chenghuai. Only then did he remember something and mentioned Li Xizhi's letter.
Li Zhouluo was naturally immensely proud, his tone slightly excited. Li Chenghuai showed no major shift in expression. Waiting for his son to finish speaking, he remained silent for a long while before finally saying, "He has always been remarkable."
The bond between his father Li Chenghuai and his grandfather Li Xizhi truly was not very close. Li Zhouluo hesitated slightly before saying, "Grandfather's intention is that he hopes I will make a trip to the South Sea before establishing my foundation, where he will pick a suitable Dao companion for me... and I can break through right there in the South Sea."
Li Chenghuai actually nodded. "That is naturally for the best. Marriage is a major matter; having him examine candidates for you is far better."
Li Zhouluo watched his expression and said softly, "Grandfather also had his disciple Quan Yuduan bring a letter back. But Father had not yet emerged from seclusion then, and he insisted on placing it into Father's hands personally. He returned a year ago and has been cultivating in the Wilderness. I just sent someone to invite him over."
Wang Quwan and the others had gone north together. In the beginning, letters still came back saying they had entered an underground palace and encountered direct descendants from several families. But after more than half a year passed, correspondence was cut off, and even Quan Yuduan could not reach anyone inside.
By now, three whole years had elapsed at the Mount Xiaoshi lineage in the north without a sound. Supposing there must be another grotto-heaven down below, Quan Yuduan, who had escorted them, could no longer sit idle. Unsure if he had completed the sect's mission, he had spent the past year or two bustling about, traveling across Jiangbei, and only recently returned to the Wilderness.
When Li Zhouluo mentioned that Li Xizhi had left a letter for him, Li Chenghuai finally showed some anxiety, pacing two rounds in the courtyard. Dawn had just broken when Quan Yuduan, clad in a bright red robe, arrived speeding over under escort.
This young-looking man wore a jade crown. Looking at Li Chenghuai's Dharma robe and the black jade hanging from his waist, he recognized Li Chenghuai and bowed respectfully before him with a hint of excitement, speaking deferentially, "Greetings, Young Master! Master and Mistress have missed you dearly over these years, speaking of you constantly... It is only that ten thousand li keep you apart, preventing a meeting..."
Li Chenghuai helped him up stiffly. Having delivered his greetings, Quan Yuduan indeed produced a letter from his sleeve and said softly, "This letter is handwritten by Master. He instructed me that it must be delivered, that bystanders must be dismissed, and that the Young Master must open it personally."
Li Chenghuai felt it, noticing that the letter was not thick at all—in fact, it was quite thin, merely wrapped in spiritual cloth. Its format was not ceremonial, clearly a personal handwritten letter. Glancing to his left and right, Li Zhouluo led the others away, closing the hall doors tightly behind them as they departed.
Only then did he raise his hands, undoing the seal on the surface and taking out the pure white letter paper. Li Xizhi's flowing calligraphy met his eyes:
"Handwritten on the evening of the twentieth day of the spring month. Your father temporarily guards the South Sea; all matters are settled, and I am currently selecting a granddaughter-in-law.
"If you hold the ambition to cultivate mystery, verify the Dao, and seek divine abilities, you may follow Yuduan across the sea and come south. Profound pills and wondrous medicines, magical artifacts and spiritual objects, blessed lands and immortal mountains—to the utmost of your father's power, all shall be provided.
"If you hold the desire to shelter the clan and spend the rest of your life in peace, I have already instructed Yuduan to bring along Daoist scriptures accumulated over years, fine silks and brocades, splendid clothes and rich feasts, to listen to the rain beside the bridge—enough to shade your descendants, ensuring three generations of uninterrupted honor and prosperity.
"Penned by your father, Zhi."
Li Chenghuai read every single word with utter clarity. Then he flipped the letter over to the back. Knowing full well that not a single word was written there, he still scanned it up and down, turning the letter in his hands again and again.
Quan Yuduan waited a while without receiving any response, then spoke softly, "Young Master, Master has instructed me to bring the Daoist collection, anchored by a Violet Palace talisman, along with Foundation Establishment magical artifacts, spiritual objects, talismans, and precious herbs—everything is complete..."
He reeled off name after name, but Li Chenghuai seemed entirely oblivious. Jolting as if from a dream, he asked hoarsely, "Did he have any other instructions?"
Quan Yuduan felt uneasy upon hearing this and could only say respectfully, "Master... in years past, Master could barely protect himself and found it difficult to look after you, Young Master. Today, he wishes to make amends."
Chapter 802