Chapter 104: Harvesting the Mirror Surface

In the 216th year of Dali, Ganixi, the Barbarian-Yue chieftain, advanced eastward, plundered the towns of Lichuan and Lijing, and then left after breaching the mountain pass.

Li Jingxian, with her slender, pale fingers like tender scallions, carefully held her brush and recorded notes on a silk scroll, pausing occasionally to count dates on her fingers.

"The Duke, besieged by the Mountain-Yue, advanced westward to Da Jue Ting, escaping from desperate situations multiple times and causing turmoil in fifteen villages. The barbarian chieftain, greatly fearing him, cursed him to death. The Duke vomited blood, and locusts emerged from his mouth. He died at the age of thirty-nine. Xuanxuan, the eldest son of the direct lineage, took charge of family affairs."

After writing this passage, Li Jingxian sighed sorrowfully, her plain clothes fluttering gently in the breeze. Li Tongya, who was beside her, looked up and saw her continue writing on the silk scroll:

"Seventeen years later, in the fourth month of summer, there was a great drought. Fifteen Mountain-Yue villages were afflicted by locusts, which came from the south and blotted out the sky."

"Good."

Li Tongya nodded slightly. He had intended to begin compiling the family history several years prior, but household matters were busy, and the descendants of the main lineage all had important duties. Now, with Li Jingxian having free time and being a direct descendant of the main lineage, he entrusted the task to her.

Li Jingxian lifted her brush, dipped it in ink, and placed the finished scroll aside. She then drew out another silk scroll, just about to begin writing, when a voice announced from outside the courtyard.

"Chen Donghe requests an audience!"

"Come in."

Li Tongya watched Chen Donghe stride purposefully into the courtyard, also dressed in plain clothes.

Chen Donghe glanced briefly at Li Jingxian behind the curtain, then cupped his hands and said:

"I have something important to report."

He paused, hesitating as if to speak further. He had been back in the village for several months, and Li Tongya was always coming and going, making it rare to find him. Gritting his teeth, he continued:

"The Patriarch once said... this matter should only be reported to Elder Tongya alone."

Li Jingxian, behind the curtain, suddenly looked up, gently put down her brush, bowed, and withdrew. Li Tongya's expression became serious. He also waved away his attendants, then watched Chen Donghe take out a crystal-clear treasure pearl from his embrace, kneel, and say in a low voice:

"The Patriarch instructed that this pearl must be personally delivered into your hands, Elder. Donghe dared not delay along the way and spoke of it to no one else."

Li Tongya took the pearl and held it gently. Inside the crystal-clear sphere, he saw a thumb-sized, pure white, rhombus-shaped fragment sealed within, sparkling beautifully in the sunlight.

Just as Li Tongya was about to speak, the Mysterious Pearl Talisman Seed within him suddenly vibrated, shocking him deeply. For a moment, he closed his mouth, then calmly replied:

"I understand. I have noted your contribution."

Dismissing Chen Donghe, Li Tongya slapped his storage bag, only to find that the treasure could not be placed inside. He had no choice but to tuck it into his robe, nodded to Li Jingxian as she walked into the courtyard, and strode out of the side yard.

Lu Jiangxian's spiritual sense had long been hovering around the precious pearl. Seeing Li Tongya rushing towards the backyard and feeling the connection with the fragment, Lu Jiangxian was greatly shocked.

"So the Dharma Mirror itself was only a bluish-grey base. The so-called 'mirror surface' was merely its inherent ability to reflect. The entire original mirror surface had already shattered into pieces and was almost entirely lost!"

And the fragment within the precious pearl in Li Tongya's hand was precisely one of the lost mirror pieces!

The Dharma Mirror itself was only palm-sized, and the fragment was about the size of two fingernails, already accounting for one-tenth of the entire mirror surface. Lu Jiangxian coveted it greatly, forcing himself to suppress the urge to seize it, and waited silently behind the courtyard.

Li Tongya slowly bowed and placed the precious pearl on the altar. Immediately, Lu Jiangxian activated his spiritual power, and a scorching white light burst forth from the Dharma Mirror, causing its bluish-grey body to float upwards.

The twelve seal characters on the mirror's edge lit up one by one. The dazzling white light rippled across the mirror's surface, and a heavy pressure filled the courtyard, making Li Tongya gasp for breath.

Lu Jiangxian took hold of the precious pearl. Great Yin Profound Light surged forth, and its crystal-clear outer shell melted like ice and snow meeting a raging fire, transforming into a white ribbon of energy. It was, surprisingly, a Foundation Establishment-level talismanscript qi.

As the mirror fragment slowly adhered to the mirror body, a strong sense of sleepiness and satisfaction surged into Lu Jiangxian's mind. He hastened to enter a state of dormancy to fuse the mirror fragment, and taking the talismanscript qi, he cast it into Li Tongya's Ascending Yang Palace.

Suddenly, Lu Jiangxian's vision blurred, and several lines of large characters appeared.

At the very top, sketched with a pale golden brushstroke, were characters that were heavy, steady, and vividly rendered in dark ink.

"Heavy Sea Long Whale."

Below that were characters in deep gray, each stroke sharp and cold, as if chiseled from iron and stone.

"Exhausted Life Success."

Back then, Li Xiangping had three types of talismanscript qi to choose from, while Li Tongya only had two. It seemed that the type of talismanscript qi was related to the recipient's innate talent, while the level of the qi only determined the power after consecration.

As his spiritual sense delved into the characters, Lu Jiangxian could generally discern the differences between these two types of talismanscript qi.

The "Heavy Sea Long Whale" talismanscript allowed the recipient's spiritual power to be long-lasting and their true essence as profound as the sea, enabling them to recover spiritual power several times faster than ordinary people with each breath.

The "Exhausted Life Success" talismanscript, on the other hand, allowed the recipient to expend lifespan in exchange for spiritual power, enabling them to unleash several times their normal strength for a short period.

After reading about both talismanscript qi, Lu Jiangxian unhesitatingly chose the "Heavy Sea Long Whale" talismanscript.

He hoped that Li Tongya could progress further, allowing the Mysterious Pearl Talisman Seed within him to be nurtured for several more decades before being retrieved. Moreover, given Li Tongya's disposition, he would hardly be one to risk his lifespan fighting others. The "Heavy Sea Long Whale" talismanscript was simply more practical.

"I've given you a cheat code. Guard the family well. I'll sleep for a while..."

Lu Jiangxian murmured to himself and slowly drifted into slumber. Below him, Li Tongya felt a surge of white energy enter his glabella. A pale white talismanscript qi, bearing four dazzling golden characters, distinctly appeared in his Ascending Yang Palace:

"Heavy Sea Long Whale."

"White Talisman?!"

Before Li Tongya could fully react, the Qi Sea Spiritual Wheel within him vibrated, and his cultivation erupted like a volcanic geyser.

"Qi Condensation third layer... Qi Condensation fourth layer... Qi Condensation fifth layer..."

The deep pool within his Qi Sea acupuncture point suddenly expanded, becoming five or six times larger than before. The powerful aura of fully stored True Essence plummeted, leaving Li Tongya with the sensation that only two or three tenths of his cultivation remained.

Li Tongya was too shocked to compose himself, and he opened his mouth, muttering:

"Such an incredible talismanscript qi... So this precious pearl contained a talismanscript qi... The Heavy Sea Long Whale Talismanscript, truly formidable!"

Seeing the bluish-grey mirror in front of him slowly descend, Li Tongya respectfully bowed three times, then left the courtyard, sat cross-legged, and began to condense his True Essence.

No sooner had he sat down than he was almost jolted out of his meditative state again.

"My Qi Sea is five or six times larger, but the recovery speed of my True Essence is more than ten times faster! I thought it would take four or five hours to recover, but now it seems it won't even take an hour!"

Sitting in meditation, Li Tongya completed his recovery in just half an hour. Feeling the vast, ocean-like True Essence within him, he murmured:

"Even three of my former selves, before receiving the talismanscript, would likely struggle to surround and kill me now. Instead, they would probably be exhausted to death by me..."

Soaring with the wind, Li Tongya felt significantly lighter in spirit and secretly pondered:

"The large karst cave in the lake is abundant with spiritual energy. When we have available hands, we can repair it. It's over ten mu in size. Who knows how many Eye-Ridge Mountain cave dwellings it's worth? From now on, I won't have to worry about a place for cultivation."

He patted his storage bag. Fifty spirit stones were gained from the extermination of the Ji family, plus income from selling goods and years of surplus, totaling around seventy spirit stones.

"Clang..."

Li Tongya took out a gleaming, cold long spear from his storage bag. It was the Foundation Establishment-level artifact obtained from the serpent cave. Wisps of electric light flickered on its shining white shaft, making Li Tongya's palms tingle.

"Alas..."

Li Tongya gave a wry smile. Not only did he not know spear techniques, but this Foundation Establishment artifact couldn't be wielded without the corresponding cultivation level. It could only sit collecting dust in his storage bag.

"The grand family formation hasn't been set up yet, so I'll keep it with me for now."

Putting the long spear away, Li Tongya took out a jade slip.

This jade slip was unlike ordinary ones; it was entirely purple, icy cold to the touch, and its hardness far exceeded imagination. Li Tongya estimated that even with all his strength, he couldn't scratch it in the slightest.

"According to Zhang Yun, it's the 'River and Great Mausoleum Scripture,' lost after the destruction of the Lingyu Sect. I wonder what kind of cultivation method it is."

This jade slip was sealed with a magic imprint; his spiritual sense felt like it was hitting an iron wall. Li Tongya had no choice but to put it away and wait until he gathered more information later.

Stepping into the front courtyard, Li Xuanxuan was engrossed in reading a bamboo slip. Li Tongya quietly sat beside him and whispered:

"How are things at home?"

"Still good."

Li Xuanxuan nodded and explained:

"The number of Mountain-Yue refugees has reached 1,200, and combined with the original Mountain-Yue villagers, the total number exceeds 5,000."

"The registered villagers under our rule have reached 30,000. Lijing Village alone has a population of 10,000, with over 800 people from the Li clan. The Ye clan has over 3,000 descendants."

Li Tongya glanced at the bamboo slip in his hand and mused:

"With such numbers, there will likely be many with spiritual apertures next year. We must watch carefully and not let these Mountain-Yue cause any trouble in private."

"Your nephew understands."

Li Xuanxuan nodded emphatically and explained:

"I have already issued an order prohibiting intermarriage among the Mountain-Yue themselves. Women will marry villagers, and men will marry into farming households. The Mountain-Yue do not distinguish by surnames, so they have little aversion to changing names. In just two or three generations, there will be no distinction between Mountain-Yue and villagers."

"Excellent."

Li Tongya chuckled softly, then changed the subject with a teasing tone:

"I hear you have six concubines?"

Li Xuanxuan immediately froze, then nodded somewhat awkwardly, quickly defending himself:

"That was all from the year before last, Uncle assigned them to me..."

"Spreading the branches and leaves is a good thing; the main lineage still has too few people."

Li Tongya nodded, smiling:

"Just don't get too caught up in carnal pleasures and neglect your cultivation."

Li Xuanxuan quickly nodded and said:

"Your nephew has recently touched upon the edges of the fifth layer of Fetal Respiration, the Jade Capital Wheel. It won't be long before I can enter secluded cultivation and break through."

Li Tongya stood up, looking at the setting sun outside the window, and said in a deep voice:

"What did the people sent to the Lu and An families say?"

"Messages have come back from both. Both the Lu and An families each rule over more than 20,000 people. One occupies Mount Huazhong, and the other has taken Mount Huaqian..."

Li Tongya listened as Li Xuanxuan meticulously relayed the information about the two families, then spoke:

"Currently, the villagers under our rule are running out of arable land, and our population growth has reached its limit. For now, keep an eye on these two families and wait for an opportunity."

"Yes."

Li Xuanxuan responded, looked up, pondered for a few breaths, and then said with some difficulty:

"There is just one more matter."

Li Tongya frowned, and said gravely:

"What else is it?"

"I've noticed that Donghe... seems to have some interest in Jingxian."

"Donghe."

Li Tongya pondered deeply, a trace of sorrow flashing across his expression, and replied:

"Donghe has good talent and upright character. However, since Xiangping has just passed, it's not suitable to discuss marriage matters. You should first ask Jingxian if she has someone in mind, and then we can discuss other things."

Night had deepened, and moonlight gently bathed the stone path. The crisp mountain breeze was exceptionally refreshing.

Li Jingxian lit a candle and meticulously read through the records she had completed over the past few days. Outside her door, a soft, gentle knock sounded. A clan guard standing by the entrance spoke:

"Miss, the Patriarch summons you to the main courtyard."

Li Jingxian paused, then realized that the person's mention of "Patriarch" referred to Li Xuanxuan. She extinguished the candle on the desk and softly said:

"I understand."

Gathering her things, she gently opened the door, but Li Jingxian was slightly startled. Seeing the young man before her, she raised an eyebrow and said:

"Donghe?"

Chen Donghe nodded somewhat awkwardly, and whispered:

"Jingxian... The Patriarch sent me to find you."

Li Jingxian frowned slightly, and asked with some doubt:

"Why trouble you to make the trip? Did the Patriarch say what it's about?"

Chen Donghe gritted his teeth, clenching his hands tightly, and stammered out an explanation:

"I... you... Oh! The Patriarch asked me if I... would like to be paired with you..."

Li Jingxian's eyes slowly widened, her almond-shaped eyes fixed on him. She was clearly taken aback, and a single word escaped her slightly parted lips:

"Ah?"

They looked at each other for a few seconds. Li Jingxian had already seen the answer in his fervent gaze. Silently walking along the stone path, she felt a slight suffocation, her hands turning cold, as if she already understood what she was about to face.

Chen Donghe also understood something from Li Jingxian's silence. The look of yearning and hope in his eyes extinguished like a fire pit doused by rain, fading into a cold, stirred ash.

Sending Li Jingxian into the main courtyard with pursed lips, Chen Donghe plopped down at the courtyard entrance, staring blankly at the bright moon.

Li Jingxian entered the main courtyard with trepidation. Only Li Xuanxuan was present at the head of the room, quietly and carefully reading a bamboo slip.

Unlike Li Xiangping, who always preferred to sit formally in that position, Li Xuanxuan mostly stood by the desk, as if someone else were still occupying the large chair, making him constantly monitor his own actions.

"Jingxian..."

Li Xuanxuan merely glanced at her and discerned the answer in Li Jingxian's eyes, yet he still spoke gently, though from a position of authority:

"What do you think of Donghe?"

From Li Xuanxuan's eyes, Li Jingxian saw faint glimmers of expectation, understanding that her elder brother actually hoped to arrange a marriage with a capable assistant like Chen Donghe, so that such bloodlines could enter the Li family.

"He is brave, sufficiently reliable, and talented. At only fifteen, he has reached the third layer of Fetal Respiration, with good prospects for Qi Condensation."

Li Jingxian replied calmly. Li Xuanxuan also nodded, then stepped down and softly advised her:

"Among the men in all the towns, who else can compare to him? You should spend more time with him, and interact frequently..."

Li Jingxian listened to Li Xuanxuan's personal words, her mind blank, and she left in a daze.

Chen Donghe was no longer at the entrance. Li Jingxian walked along the stone path for a while, suddenly feeling a profound sense of insignificance and unease. She looked up at the bright moon and secretly mused:

"If only I also possessed a spiritual aperture."