Li Zhouwei exhaled a deep breath and answered, "I understand."
The dragons had not permitted him to come to Liehai merely for a family reunion. What Li Qinghong could say also subtly reflected their intent. True Qi was of such paramount importance that Dragon King Beihai had warned her repeatedly, ensuring she made things clear to him in person.
"Mingyang on one side is a game of chess, and True Qi on the other is yet another. Most likely, they fear my Li family will get entangled in the middle—if moves on both sides cross paths, it could jeopardize the dragons' pursuit of True Qi."
Li Zhouwei assessed the situation clearly in his mind:
*It's hard to say how much sentiment remains regarding the matter of Mingyang; more likely, they simply do not wish to see it fall into Luoxia's hands. But all of that pales in comparison to their quest for the True Dragon... Once that is implicated, never mind descendants of the Wei and Li dynasties—even dragonkin themselves would be slain without hesitation. This journey... was a warning from those aligned with Dragon King Beihai and Muhai among the dragon factions.*
Observing his expression, Li Qinghong took a sip of tea and replied, "You need not concern yourself with True Qi. It is enough for the family to wait patiently until your breakthrough."
She seemed to recall something, hesitating with the words on the tip of her tongue for a long moment before finally lowering her brows. "What a pity about Chengkun..."
Li Zhouwei fell silent at once, at a loss for words. Only after a protracted silence did he speak:
"My uncle and I guarded the river for ten years, living in constant vigilance and dread as if teetering over an abyss. We often felt there was little time left for us. Even so, I was somewhat better off; Uncle slept with his armor on and weapons at the ready, terrified that the moment the anomaly at Mount Wu manifested, his hour of death would arrive.
"Those grueling days had finally passed... yet in the end, he fell there."
Among the Chengming generation, Li Chengkun had been closest to Li Qinghong. In those early years, they had been stationed together at Zongquan for cultivation. Owing to their shared lineage, Li Chengkun frequently sought her guidance. Now that he had suddenly perished, Li Qinghong was surely the one hurting most.
Li Qinghong remained quiet for a while before saying, "Back then, I thought he was the most promising among the Chengming generation, and his temperament was the most prudent. I believed he could shoulder heavy burdens—and indeed, he lived up to expectations."
The atmosphere between them turned somber in an instant. Not wishing to dwell on the grief, Li Zhouwei changed the subject, cupping his hands. "Just now, as your nephew passed through the Reef Sea, I witnessed quite a commotion. Cultivators from both sides were locked in fierce combat—people from both Tinglei Island and Chijiao Island had arrived. I heard the Reef Sea rarely sees many cultivators on ordinary days... What could this be about?"
Li Qinghong pondered briefly and replied, "It should concern the Dragon King of the Reef Sea. He has broken through seclusion to become yet another late-stage Violet Palace Dragon King. Perhaps in the near future, he will erect a dragon palace and hold a grand celebration... Could they have come for this?"
Li Zhouwei was slightly puzzled, yet he nodded nonetheless. "Yet I only saw people from those two forces... Perhaps they are merely well-informed..."
Li Qinghong thought it over carefully, then said thoughtfully, "That reminds me of something. The Dragon King of the Reef Sea belongs to the Black Dragon Branch, and Tinglei Island once aided them. If the Dragon King of the Reef Sea is holding a birthday banquet, it would be reasonable for Tinglei Island to arrive in full force. As for Chijiao Island... that is harder to say."
Li Zhouwei understood immediately, his voice deepening. "If that is so, given that our family is on good terms with the White Dragon Branch, it would be unwise to interact much with the Reef Sea, lest we be made to suffer... After all, they are dragonkin; if they truly took offense, our family could hardly bear it."
Li Qinghong inclined her head. "Though that is true, the dragons have clear objectives and stand united with unshakable resolve on that front. For now, they will not make things too difficult for you. Just avoid interfering with the Reef Sea and don't put them in an awkward position, and all will be well."
Li Zhouwei acknowledged her words. Just then, the white-robed maidservant hurried into the pavilion and spoke respectfully:
"Reporting to the Pool Master, the undersea Yingshou inspected the magical artifact and sent their reply. This artifact can harmonize Fushui. If refined using Heyuan Spiritual Water, the Lushui within can be converted into Heshui; then, by applying an outer layer of Qijin to harmonize He and Fu waters, it can be forged into a blue-gold gourd. It will be an inch larger than its current size, and the method of wielding it will change from holding it in the palm to cradling it in both hands or fastening it to the waist. It will gain two additional wonders, granting greater power to summon water and suppress foes..."
The undersea creatures had provided an extremely detailed description. Li Qinghong listened casually, and when the maidservant finished, she glanced at Li Zhouwei and asked, "What does Minghuang think?"
Li Zhouwei made a quick mental appraisal. This azure gourd was originally inferior to the Deng family's feather fan. With these modifications, though there were gains and losses, its grade was raised somewhat. Although it still could not rival the fan, he replied, "It is already exceedingly good."
Li Qinghong nodded, turned back to Yuanzi, and asked, "How much time will it require?"
Yuanzi bowed and answered, "At least six months... estimated between six and nine months."
The woman shifted her gaze toward Li Zhouwei. He had no particular plans; after all, cultivation was the same wherever he went, and he still had many secret methods to practice. Thus, he nodded and said, "That poses no problem. It just so happens I need to find a place for seclusion... Would Liehai happen to be convenient?"
Li Qinghong reflected for a moment, then replied, "The lightning within the pool is abundant and overbearing, naturally unsuited for Minghuang's cultivation. Below in Liehai, there are scarcely any proper places to practice—at most, Mount Haihe, though its spiritual energy is inferior even to the isles... It would be doing Zhouwei an injustice."
The outer sea was barren, inferior even to the East Sea, let alone the Jiangnan lands. Li Zhouwei was well aware of this and offered a few polite courtesies. Li Qinghong then said, "I shall have Yuanzi escort you down right away."
Li Zhouwei bowed, letting out a long breath, and said, "Now that I have seen you, My Lady, I can give an accounting to our family..."
Li Qinghong smiled faintly in return. He then accompanied the white-robed maidservant outside, descending toward the sea. The carriage he had arrived in was parked beside the pool, its surroundings completely deserted. Yuanzi respectfully invited him aboard without any unnecessary words.
Li Qinghong's palace housed very few servants; from top to bottom, the place mirrored her own disposition—unadorned, neat, and dignified. As the carriage plunged toward the sea, Mount Haihe came into view, appearing equally simple. Although temples and abbeys dotted the mountain, the buildings were orderly and kept low. In the courtyards front and back, several Daoists burned incense and offered quiet prayers, cultivating lightning arts.
Yet as the carriage broke through the cloud layers, the tranquility below was instantly shattered. Noticeable fluster rippled through the grounds. A group of Daoists converged beneath the ritual altar atop the peak, their dark kudzu headscarves swaying across the ground when viewed from above.
*Rumble!*
The carriage settled onto the ritual altar with a thunderous roar. Silver radiance rippled outward. Below, a man took the lead and cried aloud:
"Xiaoyun Abbey, leading the fourteen lineages of the Xuanxiao Dual Lightning Method, respectfully welcomes the Shangxiao Lightning Emissary! We reverently receive the lightning decree and uphold the immortal mandate!"
The throng of Daoists bowed in unison. Flutes and zithers sounded from both flanks. Ahead, Yuanzi's voice rang clear:
"No formal edict has been issued; this is merely an oral instruction.
"The White Qilin of the Mingyang Dao visits the Thunder Pool and comes to Mount Haihe to rest. Under orders, I accompany the lord to select a place for cultivation. There is no need for grand commotion, yet by no means may there be any neglect."
"This humble cultivator obeys the command."
Only then did Li Zhouwei feel the carriage shudder. Yuanzi drew back the curtain for him and said deferentially, "My Lord, please!"
Li Zhouwei stepped forward. The ritual altar beneath his feet was cast from metal, shimmering in silver-white. The Daoists below all kept their heads lowered. Only the elderly leading Daoist approached, bowing from a step below, and said:
"I pay homage to the Manifestation of Mingyang. That Your Lordship graces this humble mountain with your presence to foster the lineage of the Dao leaves this humble cultivator overwhelmed with honor and boundless gratitude."
Terrified that the old man would cause offense, Yuanzi hurried close and smoothed things over in a gentle tone: "Reporting to Your Lordship, as the waters of the East Sea receded and thunder ascended, the Thunder Pool descended into the world. Xiaoyun Abbey followed its doctrinal resonance all the way from the North Sea. Their teachings stem from ancient cultivators. If their words should offend in any way, please forgive..."
While her lips offered excuses, her heart trembled with anxiety:
*This fellow named Lü truly has no regard for his life... This is the White Qilin! Though he acts with propriety in the Thunder Pool, the Mingyang Manifestation places the utmost weight on hierarchy and decorum. This old man didn't even kowtow, and he dares babble about 'fostering the lineage of the Dao'...*
Li Zhouwei, however, was quite intrigued. Sweeping his gaze across the abbey, he noticed that most in Xiaoyun Abbey were mere mortals, with only a handful at Embryonic Breathing. The old Daoist before him was merely at Qi Refinement—a state nothing short of wretched.
"Please rise," he replied, raising a brow. "Are these ancient rites... or the rules of lightning arts?"
Sweat immediately beaded upon the old Daoist's forehead. He said respectfully, "Reporting to Your Lordship, only a single rule was handed down; I do not know whether it belongs to ritual protocol or lightning arts... This small mountain is crude and cannot match proper standards—that is this humble cultivator's failing."
Li Zhouwei cast him a pensive glance. It seemed ancient cultivation conventions differed somewhat from what he had imagined. With that, he conjured dazzling heavenly light and descended from the ritual altar.
Although Li Zhouwei was not a true White Qilin, with his Foundation Establishment cultivation coupled with his karmic mandate, he was no different from a White Qilin before these mortals. Each of them looked on with awe and admiration.
Yuanzi accompanied him into the abbey, adding in a low voice, "Though these cultivators lack proficiency, their lineage shares deep roots with the Xuanxiao Thunder Pool and the Cloud-Moored Lightning Strategy Method Dao. In the North Sea, there is also the Xi family, which sent disciples to cultivate at Xiaoyun Abbey; one is currently in closed-door seclusion attempting a breakthrough to Qi Refinement."
"I have heard of them."
Li Zhouwei also knew of Xi Zikang of the Xi clan—an upright figure. Alas, he had most likely perished within the grotto-heaven... Li Zhouwei could only sigh softly.
*The Cloud-Moored Lightning Strategy Method Dao... Just hearing this name, it is clearly something the dragons are determined to seize... Those who command thunder and moor the clouds should rightfully be dragons.*
They soon arrived at the deepest chamber of Xiaoyun Abbey. Just as Li Qinghong had said, not only was the spiritual energy here inferior to the lake's, but the space was also exceedingly cramped.
If cultivators of the inland sea carved out a cave dwelling, it would at least be the size of a courtyard. This chamber, however, was merely the size of a single room, furnished with nothing more than a table, a chair, and a prayer mat. Yet the old Daoist prized it dearly, having arranged soft mats neatly before the entrance.
The old Daoist bowed low to one side, while Yuanzi activated the formation for him and said respectfully, "My Lord... please. Once there is news of the magical artifact, I shall come to the mountain to invite you."
Li Zhouwei nodded and entered. The heavy door sealed itself automatically, and the magical lamps within the cave dwelling lit up simultaneously, illuminating the cramped quarters. He sat quietly for a time, sorting through the recent information until clarity dawned in his heart.
Sitting upright upon the prayer mat, he closed his eyes in contemplation. Nine secret methods—vast as an ocean yet concise and rigorous—surged into his spiritual sense at once: precisely the nine secret methods of the *Scripture of Minghua Huangyuan*!
These secret methods were extraordinarily precious. Li Zhouwei had no need to carry rubbings to study, as they had been bestowed upon him long ago according to his talisman seed. Now preparing to cultivate them, he drew out Yangyuan to read first, following the records of experience left by Li Ximing.
"The Origin of Mingyang, the Pivot of Yang manifests; every step accords with standard, every glance aligns with decorum... When singing, harmonize with pitch-pipes and bells; when acting, attune to the laws of hierarchy; when treading, walk not upon kingless ground; when resting, alight not upon feudal domains..."
Li Zhouwei read through it once, nodding slightly as he thought, *It is relatively straightforward and easy to understand...*
He suddenly recalled something, searched through his storage bag, and retrieved a jade slip. This was something Li Ximing had given him—seemingly a commentary on these secret methods, containing only notes without the original scripture.
Li Zhouwei first read the preface and noticed the signature:
*Real Person Gufeng.*
*Ah, the Real Person chose a fine pen name, taken from his talismanic qi, no doubt.*
He then read through the nearly one hundred thousand characters in detail, furrowing his brow and shaking his head with a silent chuckle. *This text is rather wordy... cough... It doesn't quite suit me. It was likely prepared for the family's juniors... It isn't of much use in my hands.*
*However, this scroll conjectures that the difficulty of cultivation is not identical for everyone. Although the nine secret methods ascend step by step, the difficulty of cultivating each varies depending on individual temperament and natural talent...*
He had no choice but to put the scroll away. Instead of immediately beginning to cultivate Yangyuan, he read through the remaining eight methods one by one, spending time testing each.
Within his sea of qi, golden radiance emerged in turn—sometimes white, sometimes gold. Now turning into lanterns, now into steps, then shifting into an immense palace and a million elite soldiers, flickering erratically as time flowed like water.
More than half a month passed before Li Zhouwei slowly opened his eyes within the cave dwelling, exhaling a plume of white qi. Though the lamps inside shone brightly, his eyes were still dazzling, faintly coursing with golden heavenly light.
Yet his expression was far from calm. Doubt stirred in his heart, accompanied by genuine astonishment.
*These nine secret methods... I have actually cultivated quite a lot of them already!*
Li Zhouwei had tested them consecutively, using the secret methods to stimulate his immortal foundation and observing its changes. Edict talismans emerged upon the foundation, flickering in and out of view, with golden runes and white light coursing through them—a clear sign of having mastered Sovereign's Imperial Mandate among the nine methods!
And this Sovereign's Imperial Mandate was nearly the most difficult among all nine secret methods!
*It certainly isn't the effect of the cultivation manual... The Real Person spent so many years cultivating before his breakthrough, and he always started from the very beginning. That means it is mostly the influence of my karmic mandate.*
Yet when he tested all nine secret methods, it proved to be far more than just this: Yangyuan, Heavenly Lantern, Precious Steps, Great Fracture, Folded Return, Hundred Weapons Mansion, Sovereign's Imperial Mandate, Golden Qilin, and Crimson Cicada. Among them, Sovereign's Imperial Mandate was fully perfected, Great Fracture was fifty percent complete, and Hundred Weapons Mansion was thirty percent complete!
Li Zhouwei was both surprised and delighted, but bewilderment swiftly followed:
"Why these three?"
Though Li Zhouwei's cultivation realm was not yet high, he carried a karmic mandate, and his conversations with the dragons had yielded a wealth of precious information. Certain conjectures had long formed in his mind:
"Shuyang bore two offspring: the first was the White Qilin, and the second was the White Cicada. Yet when I was born, the White Qilin held a child in its jaws while the White Cicada vibrated its wings; both manifestations appeared. I likely stand between the Qilin and the Cicada. As for how closely this relates to Shuyang, that remains open to discussion..."
Shuyang was, after all, the first manifestation of Mingyang. Li Zhouwei dared not rashly compare himself to it. How much influence the Wei and Li dynasties had exerted upon the Mingyang fruit position over several eras was even harder to say... That the dragons believed him to be a White Qilin was, on the whole, unlikely to stray too far from the truth.
"Whether it has anything to do with Shuyang or not, Sovereign's Imperial Mandate... likely corresponds to this mandate."
Mastering Sovereign's Imperial Mandate could still be explained, but that Great Fracture had reached fifty percent and Hundred Weapons Mansion thirty percent was utterly baffling. If he had made slight progress across all nine methods, it would be understandable; yet methods like Yangyuan bore not the slightest trace of cultivation...
"Strange indeed... When did I ever practice these two arts? Could it be that they were born with me?"
Chapter 821