Chapter 643 476 Rainbow Mist_2

Father Li Xihong followed behind him with a beaming smile, his beard perked up as he continuously peered into his son's embrace. With the door closed between them, Li Xihong inspected him repeatedly and then suddenly spoke,

"If your grandfather were still alive, he would have felt more at ease…"

Grandfather Li Yuanyun, one of the few mortals in the direct lineage, lived a life of hardship and died uneasily. Although Li Xihong ultimately took the position of Family Head, his heart could not let go of his father.

Li Chengliao advised softly,

"It's all in the past... Look forward instead..."

…

Green Pond Sect.

A layer of snow had accumulated in the forest atop Qing Sui Peak, and the pavilions were empty. A woman clad in a Taoist robe sat on a bamboo platform, her hands propping up her chin.

Her facial features were somewhat ordinary, but the vestment robe she wore was quite splendid, adding a touch of charm to her appearance. The Mana from her Immortal Cultivation enhanced her radiance further, lending her an air of ethereal grace.

Yang Xiao'er, upon emerging from seclusion, would always sit here. Looking down, she had a perfect view of the rainbow light emanating from the Cave Mansion on the mountainside, where her Dao companion Li Xizhi was in closed-door cultivation.

This rainbow light drifted up from above the Cave Mansion, cycling through six colors and rising to the peak before dissipating as colorful mist floating downwards; this was the "Six-Colored Rainbow Mist" she had borrowed.

The breakthrough from Qi Cultivation to Foundation Establishment was a life-and-death hurdle for many cultivators. Naturally, with time, numerous mysterious rumors had spread, and the use of objects related to Immortal Foundation to set up Formations was the most widely circulated method. The Green Pond Sect had already disproved this theory after many trials, but Yang Xiao'er, thinking it was better to be safe than sorry, obtained this Spiritual Object.

The item was well matched with her husband's Immortal Foundation, so she set up a Formation in front of the Cave Mansion to potentially increase Li Xizhi's chances of breaking through.

Yang Xiao'er watched intently for a moment, silently praying in her heart.

In truth, she didn't need to worry so much; Li Xizhi's talents alone were outstanding, his mastery of spells and Scriptures was profound, and he'd chosen an opportune moment on a whim to make his attempt. Not to mention he had the added support of both the Sui Origin Pill and Xuan Dou Pill from her maiden family, making the odds of failure very slim.

However, as he was her beloved, Yang Xiao'er couldn't help but feel anxious, silently waiting on the platform.

The tinkling sound of bells came from below, and a middle-aged man approached, rather plain in appearance with an honest air. He bowed to her and said in a deep voice,

"Junior Sister, I'm returning to the clan for a while."

This man was her Senior Brother Yuan Chengzhao, also of the Yuan Family's direct lineage, and with a Cultivation Level at the Qi Cultivating Late Stage. He was currently full of worry and hesitant to speak.

With Elder Yuan Tuan gone to the East Sea for several years without word, Yang Xiao'er, being from the Yang Family, naturally knew about these circumstances, perhaps even more than Yuan Chengzhao, a member of the Yuan Family. She said softly,

"Don't worry... Your clan still has six at the Foundation Establishment level, that should be enough to maintain stability no matter what."

Yuan Chengzhao shook his head and replied softly,

"If the six Elders could work together, it wouldn't be a big deal... But..."

He let out a wry smile and continued,

"My cousin Yuan Chengdun is truly gifted, now the strongest in our clan, and although he comes from the direct line, he was actually adopted from a side branch... Elder Huyuan wants to promote him to a higher position as Elder... but it's causing a real mess..."

"With the Elder in the East Sea out of touch, only known to have gone to the Qunyi Sea, and no one in the clan stable enough to take control, everyone wants the precious items for themselves, and it's getting ugly."

This was an internal matter for the Yuan Family. Yang Xiao'er remained silent. Such issues were not uncommon; the negative impact of an Elder's fall was tremendous, and the Yuan Family's situation was relatively good.

Yuan Chengzhao, being within the Sect, found it troublesome just hearing about the situation at home and paced anxiously as he vented,

"What's there to fight over? What's so good about fighting? If one needs to ascend, then ascend. How could a person like Chengdun stay at the bottom, running errands? Those few magic artifacts are indeed miraculous, but if they were shared within the clan, that would be enough! What's there to fight over!"

Having cultivated in the mountains since he was a child, he didn't understand these matters. Seeing him like this, Yang Xiao'er worried he'd be at a disadvantage if he returned, so she reminded him,

"They're not fighting over a mere position... but also for the underlying benefits, factional interests, and the clan's principles. Don't underestimate it, or you might end up like the Jiang Family of Yu Lake."

Yuan Chengzhao nodded reluctantly, and deep in thought, Yang Xiao'er asked,

"Your family Elder's attempt at breaking through to Zifu was just short of success. The phenomenon even caused rain to fall over the Four Prefectures for months, quite a spectacular display! It seems it was just the final step that was lacking."

Yuan Chengzhao sighed; a family member's closed-door attempt at a breakthrough, if successful, would bring honor both within and outside the Sect, and everyone would come to congratulate. If it failed, it meant a severe blow to one's Vital Energy, and no one would inquire about it, a harsh disparity that made him feel miserable.

Yang Xiao'er, with her head lowered, said,

"Isn't my family the same? Our ancestor has been secluded for breakthroughs for decades, and we know nothing about his condition. We both look forward to any extraordinary phenomena, yet we tremble with fear in silence…"

The two were deep into this conversation when they suddenly looked up, as if sensing something, and saw a rainbow light approaching from the east, landing in the mountains. Instantaneously, a great spiritual mist rose, and the air was filled with rainbow mist.

"Senior Brother has succeeded!"

Yuan Chengzhao was overjoyed, and Yang Xiao'er, unable to contain herself, rode the wind down. Indeed, she saw the door of the Cave Mansion wide open, and a young man in feather clothing flying out.

He had an elegant and distinguished presence, with a broad chest and an air of graceful loftiness in his movements. With a smile on his face, he pulled Yang Xiao'er into an embrace.

Yang Xiao'er felt that the man had undergone a great change in temperament after his breakthrough. Blushing, she felt speechless, more expressive than a thousand words, and he stammered:

"This 'Long Misty Twilight' when mastered, truly… endows one with a noble air!"

Li Xizhi swept the area with his spiritual sense and indeed discovered that his appearance had become even more upright and distinguished. However, he didn't care much about this, and didn't feel much change. With a wave of his hand, he captured the 'Six-Colored Rainbow Mist,' examining it closely:

"What a spiritual object! It can be used to forge a magic artifact!"

He brought Yang Xiao'er to the peak and saw his junior brother Yuan Chengzhao coming to meet them.

"Congratulations, Senior Brother!"

Yuan Chengzhao congratulated him repeatedly, the concern in his brows dissipating somewhat. He did not disturb the couple and soon rode the wind away.

Li Xizhi, with a smile, bid him farewell and returned to the Cave Mansion with Yang Xiao'er. Holding the woman in his arms, he gently asked:

"How have you been recently?"

Yang Xiao'er still had a blush on her cheeks, she hummed a few times in response, excitedly gazing at him, her eyes glistening with joyful tears as she giggled.

Li Xizhi kissed her forehead, put her down, and she looked at him with eyes soft as water, wrapping around him, unwilling to look away.

A woman's gaze is always fond when it falls on the man she loves. She nestled beside him like a cat, listening to Li Xizhi explain:

"This 'Long Misty Twilight,' good at escape techniques, collecting rainbows, casting spells, it allows one to create escaping light much quicker than other cultivators of the same level and to cast spells with greater speed… What's more precious is its ability to gather rainbow mist, confounding the enemy, fortifying a mountain or a land, nurturing spirit mechanisms."

Upon hearing this, Yang Xiao'er laughed and said:

"It's indeed a solid foundation for commanding a position."

Li Xizhi paused before saying:

"My breakthrough went smoothly, and years have flown by in a flash. I have no idea what it's like back home. Now that I've achieved Foundation Establishment, it's best to hurry back to my family... My father will surely be overjoyed."

A look of anticipation appeared on his face. Yang Xiao'er knew him well, but was unaware of the affairs within the Dongfang, intending to share good news when Yuan Chengzhao urgently knocked on the stone door. Li Xizhi, puzzled, went ahead to open it.

Yuan Chengzhao bowed his head and said in a low voice:

"Senior Brother, I've heard news from outside that Yu Muxian has died."

Li Xizhi was momentarily stunned, not having the chance to feel joy, and seeing his junior brother's expression while recalling a past discussion with his brother Li Xijun, a void formed in his heart. He frowned and asked:

"Who killed him!"

"He… passed away along with your father…"

Li Xizhi's face turned pale as he staggered back two steps. Yang Xiao'er quickly supported him, and all three fell into a few moments of silent mourning, Yang Xiao'er feeling a dampness on her face.

Tears ran down from Li Xizhi's neck, dripping onto his feather clothing. He pursed his lips and managed to say:

"Thank you, Junior Brother, for letting me know…"

He turned to look back at the Cave Mansion, then turned back with the tears already gone from his face. After locking up the Great Formation of the Cave Mansion, Li Xizhi said softly:

"I will go to the main peak to find a steward, then head home to mourn."

Yuan Chengzhao simply said in a low voice:

"I will also take this opportunity to return. Let's go together."