Chapter 642 476: Rainbow Mist

Li Xuanxuan held the child in his arms, while Li Xuanfeng looked down at him, pondering, and spoke:

"The matter of Qing Song Temple is intricate and tangled with interests. Whether it's fate at play or not, the prodigies scattered across South River... were almost all caught in one sweep. This serves as a cautionary tale; the family must be vigilant."

He explained the ins and outs of Qing Song Temple, speaking softly:

"When a Golden Core reincarnates, who knows how many prodigies suddenly arise in South River? There is some fate involved, for sure. Several Immortal Sects secretly observe, guiding them toward Qing Song Temple, using them as resources."

"But if we really wish to judge by fate, even those in Zifu can't see it clearly. Those who come to Qing Song Pass are mostly loose cultivator geniuses, the ones blessed with the most destiny, so they're easiest for the Immortal Sects to notice."

He glanced at everyone and continued:

"But could some prodigies have ended up within noble families, among the direct lineages of Immortal Sects? Surely, that's likely. Even if not as monstrous as Tulong Jian, they are at least geniuses. These people know the dangers and hide their family's prodigy well."

"After all, for a loose cultivator to have everything go smoothly is clearly abnormal. But for the children of noble families and Immortal Sects to easily cultivate Qi or establish a foundation, who can say anything is wrong?"

Li Xuanfeng spoke softly:

"By the time this child comes of age, the family will likely control Wangyue Lake, having advanced to the rank of noble families like the Yuan and Han Clans. With several Zifu connections, claiming the Mingyang bloodline, we won't attract unwanted covetous eyes."

"It's the Buddhist Practitioners we must be cautious of."

At these words, everyone nodded; after all, fate is invisible and untouchable. Even if something occurs in Cave Heaven, the family will hear of it, and they'll know enough of the inside story not to send anyone in blindly.

Rather, it's the brightly apparent Mingyang-Weili bloodline that draws the attention of Buddhist Practitioners. But the high-level Buddhist Cultivators can't come in; no matter how greedy they are, they're not as dangerous as the Zifu's greed.

Li Xuanfeng saw that everyone had listened, so he nodded and said:

"Between two harms, choose the lesser. Whether or not this child is blessed by fate, he shall be known as the Weili bloodline, the Li Family Young Master."

"Young Master..."

Li Xuanxuan glanced at the slightly embarrassed Li Chengliao and whispered:

"Chengliao is now the Young Master... Rather than that, let's use the old title and call him Princely Heir!"

"Indeed."

As the words faded, Li Ximing lifted his sleeve and took out a jade bottle, saying:

"Back when Zhi-ge was in Eastern Fire Cave Heaven, he obtained several medicinal recipes, one being the Barrier-Breaking Pill, among which is the Mysterious Pill that can aid with Foundation Establishment breakthroughs."

"I've studied it for years and have now managed to refine it, resulting in this pill."

He held up the jade bottle for all to see. Inside was a round, bright-red elixir; as soon as it was opened, a fragrant scent surged out, refreshing everyone's spirit.

He closed the jade bottle again and said gently:

"It's very effective for Foundation Establishment breakthroughs. Great-uncle is heading to Southern Border; why not take one along?"

Li Xuanfeng paused briefly, then nodded in approval:

"A pill that assists Foundation Establishment breakthroughs—few in Green Pond Sect can craft such a thing. Your Alchemy Dao has truly improved."

"But as I'm heading to Southern Border, my arrangements have already been made. It's best to leave it here for the family's use."

He spoke with authority and decisiveness, so Li Ximing had no choice but to put it away. Li Xuanfeng considered for a moment, then took out three arrows from his bosom.

The arrow shafts were a deep black, about arm's length, without arrowheads, and had four deep-golden feathers at the tail. On close inspection, faint patterns could be seen.

Li Xuanfeng handed the three arrow shafts to his elder brother Li Xuanxuan, instructing:

"Keep these three arrows in the family. If any urgent matter arises, break one—I'll sense it from afar and, if I rush, I should be able to reach home in two or three days."

Such warning artifacts are not uncommon, but they can't be stored for long; even the family life jade that indicates life or death must be kept close and warmed often, lasting at most a year before needing replacement. Li Xuanxuan nodded and asked:

"How long can they last?"

Li Xuanfeng replied:

"I made these over the past months in my spare time. Ordinary spiritual power and mana can't preserve them for long, but I worked it out by condensing Metal Gang. There should be no risk of failure for five years, and by then I'll craft more."

In fact, Yuansu Perfected Person suggested that he shouldn't return home too often, but Li Xuanfeng kept this to himself:

'Elder brother's temperament—if he knew Yuansu's intentions, he'd refuse to use these arrows for fear of burdening me, which could delay crucial events.'

Li Xuanxuan found this remarkable and carefully put the three arrows away. Li Xuanfeng glanced at the sky, calculated with his fingers, and, with some regret, said:

"The time for my return draws near; I too must depart."

He strode out of the courtyard, pulled a small jade boat from his belt, tossed it into the air, and turned back to remind:

"If anything happens at home, you can send me a letter. Things are much freer now than before."

Everyone nodded, watching the emerald jade boat vanish into the brilliant sunset. The boat was borrowed from Ning Wan and was extremely fast—gone in a blink.

Soon, only clouds remained in the golden sky. The sunset burned orange, its glorious brilliance spreading across the land.

In the swaddling clothes, Li Zhouwei fixed his eyes on the setting sun, the dark-golden light blending with red and gold, complementing each other until it was breathtaking.

Everyone watched Li Xuanfeng depart and soon went their separate ways. Li Chengliao cheerfully picked up the child and headed to the inner courtyard.

His wife, Hu Clan, slept deeply—though she was a Qi Cultivator, childbirth had exhausted her physical and mana reserves. She had taken spiritual medicine and was resting in the room.