Chapter 600 451: Selecting a Cultivation Technique (2)

The workings of Heaven and Earth, the Great Void slowly tore open. A green-robed cultivator stepped out, traversing the void amid winds and waves, the pale golden jade seal at his waist swaying to and fro. He stood with one hand resting gently, pausing within the shallow brown sea.

The Great Void before him swirled; out came a woman garbed in purple. At the center of her brow, a spot of purple-gold shone with dazzling light. Her gaze wandered, falling briefly on the green-robed man before her, and she said softly:

"So it is Yuansu Perfected Person. I wondered who it might be… It is your people handling these monsters."

In her hand appeared a slender, pale white object—crystalline and bright, as thick as a lady's slender wrist, it coiled in curves, fully several fathoms in length, gleaming with white light. She spoke clearly:

"Dongfang Ai has perished. I return this dragon tendon to you, thus our accounts are settled."

The purple-robed female cultivator flicked her arm, tossing the object into the air. Yuansu swept a sleeve, and the thing was drawn within without a word. The female cultivator paused, then spoke out:

"Where did you get this golden bow? You do have some ability…"

Yuansu waved a hand, replying with deliberate nonchalance:

"I am a son-in-law of the Ning Family."

"Ah, so it is a beauty trap. I hadn't thought you'd stoop to such a ploy."

The purple-robed female cultivator responded, about to break open the Great Void and depart, when Yuansu abruptly spoke:

"Beauty traps have never relied on seduction of the flesh, but on seduction of the heart. Looks and appearance are easily found, but a subtle, clever heart is rare indeed—one who can anticipate your thoughts, grasp your sorrows, wise and agile, able to relieve your troubles…"

"Hemian is the brightest child of our clan—outwardly bold and astute, advancing or retreating with ease; inwardly ever smiling, a glance enough to convey understanding, sincere and wholehearted, neither regretful nor remiss—who could bear to cast such a one aside? Even Li Xuanfeng was not exempt from such ways."

He looked coldly at the purple-robed perfected person facing him, and said softly:

"The clever must be ruled by the clever—this principle… Not only for these four hundred years, but for ten thousand, has never changed."

The purple-robed female cultivator's expression gradually cooled, hands clasped behind her back, staring icily at him:

"Tiaoxiao, as ever, you love to mock. In those years, you proved yourself in nothing. Three days of battle upon Wangyue Lake, you hid within Green Pond Mountain without taking a single step—truly a life of leisure."

Thunder boomed through the world, rains fell unending. As the purple-robed female cultivator's face grew overcast, billowing clouds rolled furiously around them, leaking traces of purple qi. Yuansu met her with cold eyes, smiling:

"Fairy, you do have a good memory. But I have forgotten—who was it led a host of cultivators personally to Wangyue Lake? Donghua's Great Formation—who was it that ordered it opened?"

Their eyes met, then each looked away. The purple-robed female cultivator's aura gradually subsided, and she only said:

"No need for more words, Perfected Person. You and I have contended for centuries—dust returns to dust, earth returns to earth. When I break through to the Golden Core, you may see me turn to ashes with your own eyes, and perhaps your resentment will be dispelled."

"Then Tiaoxiao must personally attend to witness it."

Yuansu Perfected Person replied frostily. The two parted in ill accord—the purple-robed female cultivator broke through the void and vanished. Yuansu too stood with hands behind his back and strode into the Great Void, his expression calm, the hand behind his back steady as a sculpture, eyes fixed ahead, as though pondering in secret.

'She has ever been clever—surely she would understand… At least there is some solace, and so each year I need not torment myself anew.'

'Shangyuan surely knew early on the Li Clan was kinsfolk to Jiangqun. Thus he slew Maha with his own hand as a sign… Yet now, only I am suited to act… The more those two are entangled, the more I fear they'll take note…'

His face was as cold as ice, yet secretly his heart quaked, as if walking along the edge of a chasm ten thousand fathoms deep:

'In those days, Master kept me bound in the sect, unable to repay my debt—now, only this stratagem remains.'

His longevity was nearly spent; death did not terrify him, but to fall into Golden Core hands—that, he feared; nor did he wish to bring misfortune upon the Li Family.

...

Qingdu Mountain.

Li Xijun flew forth from the Qingdu Cave Mansion, finally breaking through to the Seventh Layer of Qi Cultivation. Landing atop the mountain, he found a crowd already waiting for him.

Above, most were sixteen or seventeen-year-old lads and maidens—some with blades, others with swords, spears, or bows, boisterously awaiting on the mountaintop, lined up in rows, each led by a guest elder, murmuring softly amongst themselves.

The Li Family's Chengming generation was growing older, and even the youngest, Chenghuai, had reached the age of cultivation. Now that Li Xijun had broken through, he naturally came to see them and instruct them in cultivation techniques.

As he alighted, An Zhiyan, Chen Donghe, and several others bowed together. Li Xijun returned the courtesy. Behind the guest elders, the crowd of youths called out in unison:

"Greetings, Uncle!"

Li Xijun waved his hand; approaching from the fore was a young man—Li Chengliao, now twenty-four, at the Fifth Layer of Fetal Breathing. For his talent, this was already quite respectable.

Li Xijun regarded him twice, nodded, and said softly:

"You have done well. Is there a cultivation technique that has caught your fancy?"

The Li Family now had more than one Fourth Grade cultivation technique fit for training: the Golden Hall Bright Yuan Art, the Pheasant Fire Long March Technique, and another, nigh equal to Fourth Grade, the Purple Thunder Secret Essence Technique.

The Golden Hall Bright Yuan Art had only one share of spiritual energy, but the Pheasant Fire Long March Technique possessed several. As Young Master, Li Chengliao naturally knew the specifics—he bowed his head and answered gently:

"I await Uncle's arrangement in all things."

Li Xijun gave a faint smile, first waving the guest elders away. Looking at all the eager faces before him, he spoke in a clear voice:

"You must have heard your elders speaking of the clan's cultivation methods: Fourth Grade are the finest, with two principal lineages."

"But though Fourth Grade is best, the techniques are difficult, and the spiritual energy is limited. If your aptitude is lacking, training will be more of a hindrance than a help. Though these two techniques do not require extraordinary gifts, there is still a threshold."

He looked among the younger generation. All of the Chengming generation's talent was above average, with only two or three truly outstanding:

"Li Chengliao!"

Li Chengliao answered, knelt and bowed. Li Xijun said quietly:

"You are the brightest among the Chengming generation, and a Young Master as well… The Golden Hall Bright Yuan Art should be yours to cultivate."

Li Chengliao bowed deeply. Li Xijun then indicated a maiden, eldest of the father's branch, called Li Minggong. She was bright and poised, her talent equal to Chengliao's, destined to cultivate the Pheasant Fire Long March Technique.

The last named was the youngest son of the second uncle's branch, called Li Chengwei, a silent soul who stepped forward and quietly requested to train in the Purple Thunder Secret Essence Technique—Li Qinghong had personally approved this.

Li Xijun nodded, committing him to memory. The rest chose techniques as they willed. Of the Pheasant Fire Long March's "Long March Pheasant Fire," there were only five copies; four more were chosen from among the best. The remainder could freely select among Third Grade arts.

After making all arrangements, Li Xijun led Li Chengliao and Li Chenghuai away. Arriving at the secret chamber within the Cave Mansion, he produced a talisman pill and said quietly:

"This is the clan's secret Boundary-Breaking Pill. Take it quietly and tell none—others may covet it."

Li Chengliao nodded solemnly and entered seclusion within a stone chamber. Only then did Li Xijun have Li Chenghuai sit down beside him.

Li Chenghuai was just six years old, and sat somewhat dazed on the stone bench. Li Xijun covered the boy's eyes with his hand, and murmured lowly:

"Uncle Eight…"

Li Xijun acknowledged softly, with gentle voice:

"Let me seal your six senses—be patient and wait."

Hearing the child reply obediently, he then sealed his six senses, lifted him, and entered the secret chamber. Before the cold stone platform, they knelt together in prayer.

"Li Clan of Lijing, devoutly present pure wine and humble fare, cold offerings and sacrificial beasts… Ever loyal and unchanging, with talismans and incense, our souls pay homage to the Taiyin."

With the invocation complete, Li Xijun felt his heart steadily sink. Overhead, the pale, blue-white Immortal Mirror remained silent and still, without the slightest response. Moon-colored smoke drifted downward, hovering above the stone tiles.

He silently offered apology, rose slowly, carried Li Chenghuai out of the secret chamber, left the cave mansion, and alighted atop Qingdu Mountain.

Seated on the stone steps at the summit, he unsealed Li Chenghuai's senses. The full moon hung round in the sky, pouring bright light. The boy looked up at him, then nestled quietly into his arms.

Li Xijun managed a smile, holding the boy in the wind on the mountain top, and said softly:

"Tomorrow, Uncle Eight will take you to the Transmission Hall to choose a Fetal Breathing technique."

"Mm."

Li Chenghuai answered softly.