The Mirror Legacy

Chapter 1607: Father Elder Brother (II)

After the founding of Great Song, the Li Family had known little peace. Though years of warfare had only increased their fame throughout the world, and many members had risen to positions of great authority, the family's leading figures had ultimately fallen one after another.

During the three great struggles between Shu and Song over Smoke Valley, Li Xinghan and Li Minggong had died in succession, while the Zhuang Family had been wiped out. Surrounded by five powerful enemies, Li Minggong had fought amid an endless sea of crimson flames. The True Fire had scorched the desert into a wasteland marked only by lonely pillars of smoke. It had also pushed the old elder beyond his limits, leaving him bedridden after coughing up blood, never to rise again.

After a single glance, Li Suining lowered his head to conceal his emotions. His reaction was not unusual enough to attract notice.

Li Minggong withdrew her gaze and calmly addressed Li Chengzai. "I'm taking these two children with me."

The middle-aged man's eyes flickered briefly toward him before returning to Li Minggong. Looking extremely excited, he hurriedly replied, "Yes... Thank you, elder sister! Thank you, elder sister!"

Li Minggong could never truly be harsh toward her own family. Even though she was deeply disappointed in Li Chengzai, she merely spoke coldly.

Using True Fire, she lifted the two children beside her, then glanced at him and said, "You're not young anymore. Stop making trouble and leave some dignity for the younger generation."

She rose into the air atop her flames and ascended toward the sky. It was Li Suikuan's first time flying, and he was both delighted and terrified. Li Suining, however, had long since grown accustomed to such things. Instead, he found himself pondering her words.

In my previous life, I was too ignorant to notice. But hearing it now, great-grandaunt clearly knew quite a few things...

Li Minggong did not stop at just one location. She visited several towns in succession, ensuring that each direct lineage of the family could send its children to the lake without suffering oppression or unfair treatment. Only then did she gather the children and continue toward the lake.

Li Suining lowered his gaze slightly as he watched the brothers and sisters from his previous life board the flames one by one. Matching each face to his memories, he realized that nearly half of them had died so young that he could not even recall what they would have looked like as adults. The thought left a bitter ache in his heart.

Silently holding Li Suikuan's hand, he watched as his family's [Zhaoguang Profound Purple Spirit Formation] came into view. Immortal mist curled around towering pillars of purple-gold, and a boundless sense of hope rose within him.

This life... will be different from the last... He began to think carefully, My cultivation was far too slow in my previous life. I need to advance quickly enough that the elders will take my words seriously. Only then can I make a difference when it matters... Only then can I uncover the truth behind everything...

Fortuitous opportunities... I'll probably have to seek them in the Northern Sea. But it's simply too far away. At the very least, I'll need Foundation Establishment Realm cultivation before I can be confident of returning alive!

He had always been the most outstanding member of the Suiyu generation. His combat abilities and strength were exceptional, and after walking through mountains of corpses and seas of blood in his previous life, his calmness and ruthlessness had reached an entirely different level. It was only due to those had he been able to endure watching the Li Family decline and perish before eventually earning Li Zhouming's trust and reliance.

Then before reaching Foundation Establishment Realm, the only thing I can rely on is the family. I cannot remain as humble and uncertain as I was in my childhood during my previous life. I have to compete... I have to make the elders change their opinion of the Yuanwan branch sooner...

I need to find a way... But first, I have to save Ding Weizeng. With a capable general like him alive, it will greatly benefit the future balance of power!

His gaze darkened with determination, yet he remained completely unaware of the countless streams of iridescent light weaving through the great void. Like reflections upon water, they overlapped and cast layer upon layer of silver radiance.

Once they had left the southern shore and the protection of its formations, those mystics that endlessly searched through the void drifted silently behind him. Without encountering the slightest obstruction, they entered his mind and read through his memories one by one.

Only after he entered the [Zhaoguang Profound Purple Spirit Formation] and revealed nothing unusual did those mystics quietly withdraw. The countless transformations within the great void gradually settled into stillness before vanishing completely.

———

Zhijing Mountain.

The sky was bright, and white blossoms drifted through the air.

Two Daoist Masters sat facing each other. One wore white and gold, sipping tea in silence, while the other wore green robes with a sword at his waist, looking rather carefree and dashing.

Li Ximing asked, "Even Simin Prefecture has fallen?"

Si Yuanli now seemed rather composed. Hearing the question, he nodded and answered, "Your family's Jiangliang stayed behind to hold it. Chen Wenyao has been heading east all along. He should be going to Linhai Prefecture."

"Linhai Prefecture..." Li Ximing pondered for a moment and said, "Great Xiukui Temple has been in seclusion for many years, and Linhai Prefecture is still ruled by its own families. Although there have been many annexations, enough to raise up a few clans, they still aren't enough to stop Chen Wenyao as he is now... The elders should reclaim it soon."

"That's right." Si Yuanli nodded. "Once it’s reclaimed, Purple Smoke Gate won't be far off either. The general framework of Yue State has already taken shape. Hengzhu Dao has hidden inside a blessed land, leaving only a few Bi Family guest cultivators and some people of thin bloodline outside to govern. It can be settled with a snap of the fingers.

"But if Purple Smoke Gate is reclaimed, they may turn their hands toward the Wilderness."

Seeing that he looked rather worried, Li Ximing shook his head and replied, "No matter..."

Si Yuanli nodded inwardly and smiled. "As for the matter you asked me to look into... After all these years of effort, there is finally news!"

"Oh?" Li Ximing's heart lifted, and he asked, "Is it Daoist Master Zhusheng?"

"Exactly!" Si Yuanli smiled, unable to conceal a trace of pride as he replied, "I could never find him in the Shahuang Kingdom. After searching for quite some time, I finally tracked him down at a friend's residence in the Northern Sea. It turned out he was helping that friend refine talismans. He was quite delighted after hearing what I had to say...

"He also asked me to inquire with you regarding that portion of Dust of the Court..."

[Dust of the Court] was notoriously difficult to gather. One portion had been given to the Purple Smoke Gate years ago, but with two portions now in Li Ximing’s possession, he had more than enough to satisfy Daoist Master Zhusheng.

He nodded and asked, "Does the Daoist Master have anything worthwhile to offer?"

Si Yuanli quickly replied, "He has a way of obtaining a [Qilin Crow Spirit Husk], as well as a Bright Yang Purple Mansion Realm spirit material called [Secondary Manifest Whitegold]!"

"What?!"

For a moment, Li Ximing was genuinely stunned. The Bright Yang spirit item [Qilin Crow Spirit Husk] was no ordinary treasure. Its reputation was widespread, and it had been one of the first Bright Yang Purple Mansion Realm spirit items that Li Ximing and his peers had ever learned of!

Having expected such a reaction, Si Yuanli continued, "It was obtained long ago by a Daoist Master under Empress Beiyao from a grotto heaven belonging to the Douxuan lineage. In today's world, every [Qilin Crow Spirit Husk] that is used is one less remaining. It's even more precious than the old [Radiant Sky Stone]!"

Li Ximing had long known of the [Qilin Crow Spirit Husk]. It was far more precious than any ordinary Radiant Fire spirit item! It unquestionably ranked within the top three materials suitable for forging Bright Yang spirit armor. That didn’t even count the Bright Yang Purple Mansion Realm spirit material [Secondary Manifest Whitegold]!

While regretting that the opportunity had arrived so late, he could not hide his delight as he asked, "Did Fellow Daoist Liu[1] mention when he would be able to secure them?"

Si Yuanli thought for a moment before answering softly, "At the very least, ten days to half a month. He still needs to gather the spirit materials required for the exchange... Once everything is ready, he'll come to see you personally!"

Li Ximing replied joyfully, "No matter, no matter!"

After all, they were Bright Yang treasures. Li Ximing could first consult Lacquer Marsh and, at worst, pay Master Dingyang a little extra for his services. Even if the timing didn't work out perfectly, there would still be plenty of uses for them. Li Zhouwei would need a spirit weapon as well!

His mood immediately improved, while Si Yuanli felt he had earned a valuable favor. Both parties were thoroughly satisfied. Li Ximing casually withdrew a jade box from his sleeve and placed it before him. "Six pills of [Empty Sleeve Profound Dao Powder]."

Overjoyed, Si Yuanli immediately opened the jade box. Inside were six perfectly arranged pills, each emitting a clear azure glow. They were indeed [Empty Sleeve Profound Dao Powder].

"Fellow Daoist's alchemy is truly remarkable!"

Of course, he knew Li Ximing had kept some [Empty Sleeve Profound Dao Powder] for himself. That was simply how things were done these days.

However, if Si Yuanli had refined the pills himself, he would be fortunate to succeed with even three. Yet here he was receiving six. Alchemists always retained a share of the results, and everyone treated it as a mutually beneficial arrangement.

Li Ximing found his hopes rising and asked, "This is already the second [Hollowheart Profound Mulberry] you've brought. It seems you still have more on hand?"

Having inherited the wealth of the Sima Family, Si Yuanli was obscenely wealthy. This was already the second time he had come to commission the refinement of [Empty Sleeve Profound Dao Powder]. One had to remember that the primary ingredient for this pill was a spirit item!

Si Yuanli smiled. "This time, I really don't have any left!"

Still, it was difficult to tell how much truth there was in his words. Li Ximing was quite satisfied as he reckoned there would still be business between them in the future. Before long, the Daoist Master took his leave and departed upon the wind.

Li Ximing flicked his sleeve and produced a small jade bottle. Inside was none other than [Empty Sleeve Profound Dao Powder].

He could refine as many as eight pills in a single batch. After giving six pills to Si Yuanli each time, he had accumulated four over the course of two refinements. He had consumed one not long ago, leaving three still available.

Yet as he looked at the Immortal Foundation currently condensing within his qihai, he could not help feeling a trace of regret.

"[Radiance Under Heaven]... is not so easy after all."

During the five years Li Zhouwei had spent in seclusion recovering from his injuries, Li Ximing had cultivated his [Radiance Under Heaven] Immortal Foundation to perfection and attempted to push it into his Shenyang Mansion. Yet despite all his hopes, the attempt had failed just as he had expected.

The failure did not leave him particularly dejected. Instead, it answered a question that had long lingered uneasily in his heart.

Even if the elevation of the Immortal Foundation fails, the profound bottle within the Realm of Sun and Moon Radiance still releases talisman qi to strengthen the Immortal Foundation!

Though he had anticipated it, when that portion of talisman qi descended upon his Immortal Foundation, relief washed over him, followed by overwhelming delight.

From now on, I won't need to hold myself back so much!

The only loss was a portion of [Bright-Clarity Vital Qi]. Fortunately, the [Dust of the Court] obtained back then had been exceptionally precious. Tinglan's share of [Bright-Clarity Vital Qi] had amounted to three portions, which was enough to sustain him for the time being.

With the Purple Smoke Gate sealed off, the supply may be cut off in the future... Still, Zhouwei succeeded on his first attempt. Surely I won't fail three elevations in a row... This is only my second divine ability. For other Purple Mansion Realm cultivators, three failures would mean thirty to fifty years slipping away in the blink of an eye...

Though somewhat uneasy, he ultimately reassured himself. "With the aid of [Empty Sleeve Profound Dao Powder], the time required to condense an Immortal Foundation is extremely short... And if all else fails, I can replace the [Scripture of Thorough Attainment and Everlasting Celebration] within the Realm of Sun and Moon Radiance."

No matter what, the matter of the spirit armor could not be delayed.

He immediately called out, "Is Minggong still at the lake?"

A respectful reply came at once from below. "Daoist Master... Lady Minggong has gone around the lake..."

Li Ximing raised an eyebrow.

Those who served upon the mountain were all quick-witted, and their bloodlines were far from ordinary. Seeing Li Ximing's reaction, the attendant hurriedly explained, "Daoist Master, it will be time for the new generation to enter the island and begin cultivation in a few days. Lady Minggong has likely gone to the lakeshore in advance to receive them!"

"Oh?" Li Ximing smiled faintly and asked, "The Suiyu generation, I presume? Minggong has always been diligent in such matters..."

Li Minggong had always been responsible for maintaining contact with Reverent Yang Mountain. After all, her status carried sufficient weight, and she was already familiar with the people there. Thus, Li Ximing had never bothered to replace her.

Smiling, he rose to his feet and set the jade slip in his hand upon the table. "Perfect timing. Let's go have a look."

1. Referring to Daoist Master Zhusheng. ☜