Hearing this, Li Ximing sat up slightly straighter. Looking at the youth before him, who was merely in the Embryonic Breathing realm, he smiled and asked, "Oh?"
Li Suining raised his eyes, bowed, and said, "Reporting to the True Person: array flags are the foundation for establishing an array, but they are not the key to studying arrays. If the carved array patterns are precise and sound, and one infuses them with magic power, they will also produce a harmonious phenomenon... which can verify what one has learned."
Li Ximing was not skilled in array arts, but with his high cultivation, he easily grasped the meaning behind those words.
Array flags served not only as vital nodes of a great array, but also as its crucial pivots. Planting even the minimum of six array flags allowed one to use magic power to detect flaws in the array patterns, thereby completing the carving of the magic array. Yet even without array flags, if an array was already carved to perfection, it would naturally manifest a distinct phenomenon once touched by magic power.
This shared an uncanny similarity with how Li Xuanxuan had practiced drawing talismans by diluting spiritual ink with water during the Li clan's impoverished early years. However, the Dao of Arrays was far more complex than the Dao of Talismans. Array cores, array patterns, array foundations, and array platforms had to correspond to the mutual generation and restraint of Dao lineages above, and harmonize with the spiritual mechanism of the earth veins below. At advanced levels, it even touched upon the secrets of ancient rises and falls. The sequence and placement during the carving called for immense deliberation, often taking ten days to half a month for a single attempt!
Thus, among the various arts, the Dao of Talismans was the cheapest, used by common folk and rogue cultivators; the Dao of Alchemy was the most expensive, favored by rising aristocratic clans; weapon refinement prioritized Dao lineages and was usually passed down by great figures; while the Dao of Arrays required profound cultivation and was generally nurtured only by immortal sects...
Without array flags, hundreds or thousands of errors could cluster together, and even if one knew a mistake existed, one would not know where it lay... Without exceptional genius, who could possess such an ability?
He simply nodded with genuine interest, looking pleased as he turned to Li Jiangzong, who had let out a sigh of relief, and said, "Go fetch the Changguang Yanxing Flags."
Li Jiangzong hastily complied and went down in person. Li Ximing smiled and asked, "The *Comprehensive Explanation of Array Dao*... from which lineage does it hail?"
Li Minggong stepped forward and said gently, "Reporting to the True Person, the clan's array methods were arranged by Guest Elder Huang from Jiangbei. Some years ago, upon receiving orders, he gathered many damaged array scrolls belonging to the family and compiled them into the *Comprehensive Explanation of Array Dao*, totaling nine volumes. Jiangwu and the others each took the first three volumes back with them."
Li Ximing nodded and inquired, "Does he currently manage the family's arrays?"
Li Minggong quickly shook her head and replied respectfully, "Five years ago... Guest Elder Huang failed his attempt to break through to Foundation Establishment... and perished. Currently, the array heritage is managed by Steward Tian Ling and Master He Junxiu of the Baozhen Pavilion... The two are decent in the Dao of Arrays, but they do not compare to Guest Elder Huang..."
Li Ximing shook his head inwardly, knowing that the family's array heritage was indeed desolate.
Li Suining found each name deeply familiar. Both Old Tian Ling and Master He were people he had known well in his past life. After Li Ximing brought back the heritage of True Person Yuanbian, Li Suining and Pu Xinya took over the Baozhen Pavilion, while many miscellaneous duties were still handled by those two elders.
Later, after Tingzhou was conquered and enfeoffed, he had still heard news of Master He down in the Southern Border. The He clan was granted Tingxi Commandery, and Master He became a clan head in his own right.
He harbored no resentment over this, regarding it with equanimity. After all, the grand tide of circumstances was relentless, and few could remain detached. The He clan had originally been local tyrants of the western bank; their authority had been curtailed under the Li family's rule, yet they had stayed dutiful and fulfilled all their obligations. There had been no need for him to slit his own throat before the pavilion like Tian Ling. Seeing that the situation was hopeless, surrendering was only natural.
Amidst these thoughts, Li Jiangzong had already returned from outside the hall. In his hands, he held a jade box the color of emerald. Its lid was open, revealing array flags with purple grounds adorned with stellar patterns—twelve in total, radiating a soft luminescence.
The Changguang Yanxing Flags!
Li Ximing smiled and said, "The Changguang Yanxing Flags were a congratulatory gift sent by Brother Zhi's disciple, Quan Yuduan, back when Minghuang attained the Violet Palace. Though they are merely twelve Qi Refinement array flags, they are quite distinctive and by no means inferior to ordinary Foundation Establishment artifacts. They were originally an expression of his goodwill, yet they were stored away in the clan and never put to use."
Pleased and surprised, Li Suining quickly bowed and said with deep respect, "This junior will certainly not fail the True Person's trust!"
Excitement surged in his chest.
*I truly have won his favor!*
One had to know that in his past life, Li Suining had never reached the point of receiving array flags bestowed directly by a True Person. The two brothers had merely received a word of encouragement along with magical artifacts and cultivation resources from the clan... While generous, those had fallen far short of the Changguang Yanxing Flags!
Though the Changguang Yanxing Flags had eventually become Li Suining's in that life... that had not happened until he was in the mid-stage of Qi Refinement and began to distinguish himself, five years after Yang Zhuo had already ascended the throne!
*What a pity... Only after True Person Zhaojing returns from the East Sea and the clan obtains the Xuandie Divination Sutra will I be able to openly use the two auxiliary arrays, Juxuan and Xuanbao, for cultivation...*
As he calculated in his mind, Li Ximing, having resolved the worry that had weighed on his heart for so long, felt unusually delighted. Smiling warmly at the youth, he found the familiar sharp air between the boy's brows increasingly pleasing to the eye. He actually asked:
"Do you have any thoughts or aspirations for your cultivation?"
He was asking about his future divine ability and lineage!
Not only was Li Jiangzong slightly taken aback, and Li Minggong surprised and delighted, but even Li Suining himself was stunned!
One had to understand that an immortal foundation and divine ability dictated one's future path. Countless members of the clan had stalled because of this—be it Li Minggong, Li Zhouda later on, or even Ding Weizeng, the 'Dianyang Tiger', whose renown never had the chance to rise in the Great Song and whose fate later caused Li Ximing to lament in sorrow. All of them had been plagued by the same obstacle: an incomplete lineage.
For the True Person to ask this now was a phenomenal opportunity! Among the prominent lineages within the clan, the Mingyang Tianmen and the Dao of Daowei were both certain to lead to the Violet Palace path in the future. Moreover, thanks to his memories of his past life, Li Suining was intimately familiar with the clan's heritages; beyond Lihuo and Complete Dan, there was even a Shaoyin Violet Palace path.
Yet he did not name any of them. Instead, he bowed with utmost respect and answered:
"This junior has no particular lineage in mind. Since I have taken up the Dao of Arrays, my only thought is to establish an array heritage for the family. I merely hope to cultivate a lineage and art that will aid the Dao of Arrays... Beyond that... I ask for nothing else!"
These were his true feelings. Mingyang was certainly unsuitable for him to cultivate again; even if he wished to, Li Ximing would likely not grant it now. As for Lihuo and Complete Dan, neither was what he sought. What he truly desired was a Sitian cultivation method called the *Xingwei Taicang Divine Scroll*.
In his past life, he had entered Mount Milin to choose a technique in the mountain's Dao palace, and then entered the secret hall on the island. After weighing his options back and forth, he had hesitated between the 'Tingxingchen' of the *Xingchen Jianshi Jue* and the 'Douhengxuan' of the *Jinzhang Shanghu Jue*... Ultimately, he had chosen the *Jinzhang Shanghu Jue*...
Later, when the family obtained the *Xingwei Taicang Divine Scroll*, it shared the same nature as the *Jinzhang Shanghu Jue*, allowing him to elevate his path. Unfortunately, he had already reached Foundation Establishment by then, and his immortal foundation was ultimately a grade inferior.
Now, he held that scroll etched into his memory, yet he dared not practice it openly, which was another vexing dilemma.
Regardless of what the future held, his current answer was exceptionally well chosen. Hearing this from above, Li Ximing raised his brows slightly and nodded in great satisfaction, smiling, "Good!"
He seemed about to say more, but his expression suddenly shifted. Hurriedly setting down his teacup, he glanced aside with a flicker of his brows and said:
"It is rare for our family to produce an array genius. I have committed your name to memory!"
With that said, there was nothing further. Li Ximing looked up, having no time to give additional instructions, and dispersed into light, vanishing without a trace. The abrupt departure caused Li Suining's heart to clench...
With the lessons of his past life lingering, even in his moments of greatest triumph, Li Suining always felt a precarious sense of treading on thin ice. He could not help feeling uneasy:
*He must have urgent business... I only hope nothing terrible has happened!*
The moment the True Person departed, the atmosphere in the hall instantly relaxed. Only then did Li Jiangzong begin the tedious business of tallying the rosters, checking the ancestral incense offerings, and arranging lineage successions. Beside him, Li Minggong smiled, retracted her gaze, and looked over at Li Zhouxun on the other side. She saw the taciturn, middle-aged man nod:
"He is a clever child."
Even though a Violet Palace heritage could not be granted on a whim, and Li Suining seemed to have missed the immediate chance, opportunities would come in the future. Moreover, receiving that single word 'Good' from Li Ximing was enough to guarantee him a place on the island going forward—one had to remember that even Li Zhouda, who was currently at the peak of prominence, had never received such praise!
The two patiently observed the juniors below, scrutinizing them one by one. Once fairly satisfied, they soon took their leave one after another. Yet the ceremony in the hall was merely getting underway. It was not until two shichen had passed, and the bell had tolled thrice, that Li Jiangzong breathed a sigh of relief, settled the clan affairs, and dismissed the children.
Most of the youths were bewildered and anxious; the younger ones had stood until their legs grew limp. Li Suining simply took his younger brother by the hand to lead him out, whispering:
"This was just the beginning. Our quarters are in the West Seven Pillars Bailian Pavilion. Three days from now, there will be another clan gathering where the elders and seniors will all be present. We must prepare well..."
In truth, the gathering three days later was the main event. Li Xuanxuan had always made a point of questioning each child individually; it was only Li Ximing's appearance today that had lent an extraordinary air to a ceremony originally meant for preliminary arrangements.
Li Suining escorted his brother all the way back to the pavilion. Once the chamber door was shut, having no intention of resting, he immediately went downstairs.
*Once the clan's pills are bestowed, I will soon qualify to attempt Qi Refinement. Having to make another trip to the island then would waste several days. It would be better to take advantage of these three days... to head to the great hall and make my selection!*
He carefully reflected on his earlier words, pondering deeply:
*Fortunately... the True Person has not yet achieved the Clear Illumination Heart. I can still harbor a few subtle thoughts in front of him, though... his presence remains imposing...*
Amidst these thoughts, the image of Li Ximing hurriedly rising to leave surfaced in his mind again, stirring a faint dread:
*Impossible... Impossible... It shouldn't be this early...*
……
Mount Zhijing.
Li Ximing materialized hastily amidst a beam of light. Pausing on the mountain, his eyes immediately caught sight of the smiling young man seated by the stone table. Stepping forward in a couple of quick strides, he said in delight:
"Minghuang has come out of seclusion!"
Seeing him, the gold-eyed youth by the table quickly set aside his pensive expression, his face likewise brightening with a smile as he promptly stood up:
"Greetings, Great-Uncle!"
"Enough of that, enough of that..."
The True Person simply pulled the young man down to sit, poured tea for him, and chuckled, "Do you have good news to share? If not, I shall be the one to share mine!"
Li Zhouwei chuckled, his mood instantly lifting, and answered, "I went into seclusion to heal my wounds; where would I find so much good news? I merely borrowed the omen of success from 'Jun Daowei' along with the pure qi effects of the Xuanhong Technique, spending a year and a half to nurse my injuries... I should actually thank those two barbarians from the Xiang Li clan. Having the omen of Daowei's success to aid me saved me quite a bit of time.
"As for the remaining time... refining my divine abilities and studying magical arts can hardly be called good news."
Li Ximing laughed and first retrieved an object from his sleeve. Round as a golden core, it was none other than the spiritual treasure, the Chonghuo Liangming Instrument!
After introducing its various functions, he handed the treasure to Li Zhouwei. The young man took it and carefully read the *Nanli Ingestion Method* contained within. After a good while, a look of marvel appeared on his face, and he remarked:
"What a formidable Dao scripture! Had I cultivated Lihuo, reading this would certainly have brought immense benefit!"
Li Ximing replied, "I made a transcription and had it delivered to Jiangqian's cave dwelling. Two years ago, when word arrived, I took the opportunity to ask about his progress; he had already completed the first secret art, Chonghuo, and begun cultivating the second, Tianxing."
Li Zhouwei cared deeply about Li Jiangqian's progress. Hearing this, he nodded, though he remained noncommittal about the practical use of the *Nanli Ingestion Method*: "For him to make use of the *Nanli Ingestion Method*, he would need to be at the mid-stage of the Violet Palace at the very least. Reading it now would be in vain. He is sharp; one look, and he won't waste time on it... How is Quewan?"
Li Ximing assumed a solemn tone. "At the Zhentao Residence, guarded by Senior Changdie. Word arrived some time ago that she has refined her cultivation and is working on the first secret art, Wubian. The *Houshu Golden Scripture* is extraordinarily difficult, so it is entirely normal for her progress to be a step slower."
"Both are striving admirably."
The gold-eyed youth nodded. Then, he watched as Li Ximing retrieved the remaining two spiritual artifacts from his sleeve and laid them out in a row upon the table. Revealing the purple-gold thunder mace, flashes of purple and white lightning flickered as Li Ximing said:
"Over this period, I have refined the spiritual artifacts, and this Demon-Suppressing Belly-Cleaving Mace is by far the most formidable!"
Li Zhouwei's eyes shone brightly. As he took it, he listened to Li Ximing's explanation:
"This mace commands thunder and lightning, suppressing and slaying evil demons, and possesses the power to discern ghosts and wickedness. It is a first-rate weapon of offense... It is only a pity that the Demon-Suppressing Belly-Cleaving Mace favors divine envoys of 'Xuanlei'. None of us cultivate Xuanlei... otherwise, wielding this weapon would surely multiply its might!"
Li Zhouwei turned it over to inspect it. It sat heavy in his hand, and he replied, "Naturally... Xuanlei oversees all under heaven, which aligns with the methods of the Thunder Palace."
As he communicated with it using his spiritual sense, Li Ximing provided an overview from the side: "Indeed. This item possesses three wonders. The first is Leijian. Once wielded and activated, it calls down thunder across a hundred li... Even without a Violet Palace cultivator driving it, it possesses quite respectable power, similar to the Huaijiang Map of the past, though fiercer. It is well-suited for guarding a region...
"The second is Zhenlei. Within the Demon-Suppressing Belly-Cleaving Mace resides the secret light of heavenly thunder, carrying a crushing effect across three successive layers. I have already tested it; if all three layers land, it can shatter the vast majority of spell lights and divine wonders.
"The third is even more peculiar, called Xunyun. It possesses the ability to gather light and thunder, amassing thunderclouds in the sky over time to concentrate power. Over a limit of three days, it brings forth a single thunder of retribution of formidable might... More importantly... once it strikes a target head-on... it inflicts overwhelming, unbearable agony that lingers for a long time..."
Having said this, his expression turned slightly odd as he continued, "It is a fine tool for an ambush, but in my view, it probably was not originally meant for ambushes. Spiritual artifacts often exhibit greater power in the hands of those of the same path and lineage. To me... it looks like a wonder meant for punishment..."
These words rang true. Li Zhouwei remarked thoughtfully, "Indeed. These three powers are largely auxiliary... yet its primary prowess as a spiritual mace is hardly displayed. Demon-Suppressing Belly-Cleaving Mace... judging from the words 'belly-cleaving' alone, there must be a wonder specific to its lineage... It all depends on whether our descendants have the fortune for it."
His eyes brightened slightly. As he nodded, he channeled divine ability magic power into it, whereupon a seal character surfaced upon the hilt:
"Huan."
'The Daowei corporeal divine ability...'
Golden light flashed upon Mount Zhijing. Li Zhouwei reined in his divine ability, exhaled a breath, and snapped his eyes open, the golden hue receding.
Just as he had anticipated, the cultivation speed granted by 'Jun Daowei' continued to provide an enhancement even at the level of a Violet Palace divine ability. Unfortunately, it was no longer as terrifying as it had been during Foundation Establishment—after all...
Chapter 987