Chapter 1112: Heavenly Nurture

Tingzhou.

In the grand hall, the atmosphere was somber. A host of cultivators knelt across the floor while, from an elevated dais, a crimson-robed man paced with his hands clasped behind his back, listening to reports from those below. After a long while, he finally let out a sigh.

The Zifu clan had achieved a great victory in this major battle with no casualties, but the situation on the West Bank was dire. Li Jiangzong had been continuously busy in this position for seven days, without a moment’s rest.

“Patriarch... Pu Xinya, the young master of the Pu family, has also returned...”

Li Jiangzong paused slightly and asked, “Did he say anything?”

The person below shook his head and replied, “He collected the bereavement compensation, changed into white mourning clothes, and went up the mountain.”

The Pu clan had been diligent over the years. They had finally produced a Foundation Establishment patriarch, only for him to die in the war. Although Pu Xinya had been dispatched to an outer market town, the original purpose was to temper him. He possessed exceptional talent and was a close friend of Li Suining, so Li Jiangzong naturally looked after him with particular care. He simply said, “We should also inform Suining about this; it would be best if he spoke to him...”

When he turned to ask, he saw someone from below come forward to report, saying, “Young Master Ning is still on the mountain; his cave dwelling is tightly shut, and there has been no message from him.”

Li Suining was considered extremely diligent within the clan, and having broken through to Foundation Establishment, he was a pillar of the clan. Normally, he would often come out to help at this time, but this was the first time he had been in seclusion for so long. Li Jiangzong shook his head, slightly surprised, and said, “Then let’s put that aside for now... you...”

Before he could say more, a young man entered from outside the hall, following a succession of reports.

The young man was clad in military attire, looking valiant and spirited. He truly possessed an extraordinary appearance, with brilliant golden eyes, appearing exceptionally brave. He bowed and said solemnly, “Greetings, Clan Uncle!”

A smile immediately surfaced in Li Jiangzong’s eyes. He quickly descended the steps, helped the young master up, and said, “We are family... there’s no need for such formality!”

This person was the Eldest Grandson of the King of Wei, the son of Li Jianglong—Li Suihuan!

As a genius of the Li clan’s new generation, Li Suihuan’s cultivation speed was terrifyingly fast. He was only twenty-eight but had already reached Foundation Establishment. His cultivation level even subtly matched that of Li Jiangzong on the dais. His Foundation Establishment speed was not only the fastest among all branches but even surpassed that of several uncles, second only to his grandfather, Li Zhouwei!

This was certainly due to the blessing of the Mingyang bloodline, but it also demonstrated the astonishing talent of this Eldest Grandson of the King of Wei!

Li Jiangzong looked at him with eyes full of admiration. Li Suihuan smiled slightly, took out a jade slip from his sleeve, presented it to the elder, and replied, “All matters on the West Bank have been settled, land deeds re-allocated, everyone is performing their duties, and peace has been restored!”

Li Jiangzong exclaimed in admiration. He waved everyone else away and led Li Suihuan to the back hall to sit down. He read the contents carefully, and after a long time, he sighed and said, “Remarkable!”

This twenty-eight-year-old eldest grandson had pacified the chaos and devastation across the entire West Bank within seven days. Palaces had been repaired, mining operations resumed, and immortal mountains had been garrisoned. He truly did not seem like a prince who spent all his days in secluded cultivation.

This made Li Jiangzong silently recall his eldest son, Li Suiqing, who was imprisoned in Qingdu. It made his liver and guts tremble with anger, and he gritted his teeth, sighing, “That beast... if only he had even a fraction of your capability, I wouldn’t have to keep him locked up like this!”

Li Suihuan returned the bow but answered very solemnly, “Qing Ge’er... his arrogance is merely a matter of temperament.”

Li Jiangzong merely took it as polite words. He shook his head and didn't mind it.

Ever since Li Suiqing committed such an enormous blunder, Li Jiangzong had given up on him. He eventually saved his life, and on the other hand, he took another concubine and dedicated himself to bedroom affairs. Only his father, Li Zhoufang, still cared for him, occasionally visiting his grandson.

He dropped the subject, but seeing the constant joyous expression on Li Suihuan’s face, he smiled and said, “What good news do you have?”

Li Suihuan chuckled and replied, “I received a family letter from my father! I wonder if Grandfather has returned?”

He smiled as he took out the letter from his sleeve and handed it to Li Jiangzong. Li Jiangzong was slightly surprised, holding the letter but hesitant to read it. Only after seeing Li Suihuan nod did he open the letter, glance at it, and Li Suihuan smiled, saying, “Father’s concubine, who accompanied the army, has given birth to a daughter!”

“Oh?!” Li Jiangzong was instantly overjoyed and said, “How rare!”

There were many talents among the “Sui” generation. Apart from the royal grandsons, the brothers Li Suining and Li Suikuan alone were enough to support their generation. There were even more talents with slightly better aptitudes. The only regret was an imbalance of energies, with far more males than females.

He looked with a smile, but his heart felt more than just joy. Having been the patriarch for so many years, his keen intuition made him ask immediately, “May I ask which lady it is?”

Li Suihuan smiled ambiguously and said, “Mother has remained in the capital all these years. The several ladies from our family who went along certainly didn't accompany the army. The one with the army was bestowed by Lord Yang; she has no notable background and her surname isn’t Yang, but Huang.”

“I heard she’s also a cultivator from a minor clan in Yue State. Her father can be traced to being enfeoffed in the Dongli region, a minor official... After this matter, he’s sure to be greatly elevated.”

Li Jiangzong understood the full context and slightly relaxed. He felt much more satisfied and said, “This is for the best.”

Li Suihuan already stood up, quite excited, and said, “My sister was born in Jianghuai, just as the old year was ending. Father had already decided to name her 'Sui' (meaning year) and sent this letter back to deliver the good news to Grandfather!”

Li Jiangzong nodded repeatedly, picking up the letter as if it were a treasure, and smiled, “Let’s go! We’ll go see the Venerable Elder first!”

The sunlight was brilliant.

Li Ximing rose from the mountains and took two steps on the jade-like ground. A Lihuo, like a bird, circled him before settling on his shoulder. The True Man’s face was full of contemplation, and after a long while, he said, “I... I really didn't expect the Emperor of Song to hold such a view of the Underworld.”

Li Zhouwei stood with his hands behind his back and said, “His dissatisfaction runs deeper than I had imagined. After all, no matter what, the Underworld definitely intends to fulfill his ambitions. Yet, judging by his attitude, he seems utterly displeased.”

Li Ximing frowned deeply, and after a good while, he looked up and asked, “Judging by his demeanor, how much truth do you think is in his words?”

The King of Wei paused slightly, then shook his head and said, “It doesn't seem to be a fabrication, nor should it be. Yang Chen and the Underworld seem to have a subtle disagreement.”

Li Ximing hesitated to speak, seeing Li Zhouwei say thoughtfully, “Unless... Yang Mo is not satisfied with his future path to enlightenment. Or rather—even if the mighty Underworld controls the True Lord Tianwu’s Golden Nature and acquires True Qi by making the entire world a chessboard, Yang Mo is still not satisfied...”

“Is this a discord between Yang Zhuo and the Underworld, or between Tianwu and the Underworld? What exactly is the relationship between Yang Zhuo himself and the Golden Nature of Tianwu?”

Li Ximing pondered for a while, feeling somewhat enlightened, and replied, “You mean... his emphasis that an Emperor cannot be subservient to others, and that Tianwu proclaims himself a True Lord, not an Emperor, is implying that his conflict with the Underworld is not about this... but rather... some other issue? Like pulling up seedlings to help them grow... or... old grievances from being Tianwu?”

He mused for a moment, then probed, “Did the Underworld... play an unsavory role in the demise of the Ning and Chu states, both of the Douxuan path?”

Li Zhouwei calmly said, “Wei is also Douxuan.”

This silenced Li Ximing. He belatedly raised an eyebrow and said, “Wei and Chu are listed as Northern and Southern Dynasties; if they are both of Douxuan origin, then... is humanity centered around this one Xuan? That would indeed be powerful.”

Li Zhouwei hesitated for a moment, then replied, “It's too early for these matters. I believe Yang Mo is ambitious, and he will eventually discern the truth. I, however, am considering something else.”

“How confident do you think the Underworld and Luoxia are in elevating a True Lord? How difficult is it to control a True Lord? And how many methods do they have to cause a True Lord to fall?”

He held his cup and mused, “Both achieved enlightenment, so why did Emperor Zhao suddenly fall? What is the difference between the Golden Nature of a deceased True Lord or Immortal achieving enlightenment again, and a newcomer ascending to that position?”

“In other words, when Yuzhen achieved enlightenment and retreated completely, was it because he had the ability and qualification to do so, or because... the great ones in the heavens needed someone to occupy Yuzhen?”

Li Zhouwei took two steps, thoughtfully saying, “These answers, lost to history, are understood only by a few prominent great powers and influential clans. Apart from Tuoba and Shilou, clans like Tao, Wei, and Qi... who have entered Luoxia and whose cultivation has advanced, should have gained some insights.”

Li Ximing nodded and mused, “However, looking at it this way, it can be considered a good thing... As long as the Emperor of Song stands with you, and you don't have to worry about betrayal, the Northern Expedition can be much more peaceful, and you can properly seek opportunities.”

The two men sorted their findings. Li Zhouwei then took out the spirit treasure, the Heaven-Nourishing Urn, from his sleeve, placed it, laughing, before Li Ximing, and said, “However... he was quite generous!”

This item was bestowed by the Emperor of Song, so it was naturally masterless. It was refined within a short time after their return. It was still the same small brown urn, but now faint golden, vertical, wood-like patterns had appeared on it. The dark grains inside subtly rolled with movement, yet presented a gemstone-like texture.

Li Ximing took it from his hand. As his divine sense shifted to it, he immediately felt a profound sense of connection from his palm. He tilted it slightly, hearing the soft clinking and clanking sound of the gem-like grains inside. But no matter how much he tilted it, nothing poured out. He then noticed a line of text written at the bottom of the urn:

*My Spirit Resides in the Marsh.*

The Heaven-Nourishing Urn, which the Emperor of Song claimed had its lineage extinguished, actually possessed four divine abilities!

Its primary divine ability was called “Accumulation and Convergence,” meaning it could collect and gather all things, starting from the individual, and reaching all that could be harvested and carried. With a flick of the urn’s mouth, myriad converging lights appeared. Except for lightning, fire, and metallic qi, all other objects rushed in irresistibly, especially water elemental energy, which surged in and never returned.

This collection method differed from ordinary divine abilities; it could not only collect inanimate objects but also light, electrical illusions, transient blessings, and even living beings!

Li Ximing’s heart stirred, and he saw Li Zhouwei smile, “If Buddhist cultivators encountered this, they would suffer, especially those of the Path of Compassion... They are fond of establishing small Buddhist lands and deploying guardian Bodhisattvas. If they encountered this spirit treasure, those of the Mahakala path might fare better, but those of the Path of Compassion would likely find their spells utterly nullified, and any summoned spiritual entities would immediately float downwards and fall.”

“I briefly tested it and estimated that if one could beat a practitioner of Compassion Path half to death and then absorb them, making them unable to appeal to heaven or seek help from earth. Although not as potent as the Huaijiang Map in this regard, it is still a wondrous method!”

Li Ximing nodded slightly, then suddenly spoke, “In that case, this treasure would also be extremely useful against High Shamans and Xiukui.”

He casually replied and continued to examine the treasure. A slightly lesser divine ability was called “Mingqi,” which was also extremely unique.

The so-called Mingqi was quite similar to the “New Endowment” ability of the Biying Qingyuan Profound Cauldron, which gathered wood energy, that Li Ximing possessed.

“New Endowment” allowed injured spiritual plants within the cauldron to slowly recover and gather spiritual essence. But Mingqi enabled the Heaven-Nourishing Urn to contain a vast amount of spiritual resources, gradually condensing a Zitu (sacrificial soil/earth) over time.

This Zitu, cultivated within the urn, served as the urn’s primary spirit, its nature aligned with Jiaomu (Wood Horn constellation) and Baotu (Precious Earth). It could nourish spiritual roots, creating a mutual resonance with them, and perfect their very being!

Additionally, there was another ability for preserving life, called “Maintenance,” which had peculiar requirements. It could only be applied to a guest, not the host. If a cultivator suffered severe injuries and their dharma body collapsed, the spirit treasure’s owner could absorb them into it to temporarily stabilize them.

But if the injury was sustained by the spirit treasure’s owner himself, unless another person took over the spirit treasure and became its owner in his stead, this divine ability could not be freely activated.

The last remaining divine ability, called “Grand Sacrifice,” was much rarer. It was used for sacrifices and to extract vital energy (blood qi)... If three to four hundred cultivators were absorbed using this Grand Sacrifice to cultivate vital energy, it could be used for healing or nourishing other objects.

This made Li Ximing feel somewhat unusual, and a thought quickly crossed his mind: ‘Looking at the performance of this divine ability, if combined with the first divine power, Mingqi... absorbing a heavily injured Zifu cultivator, then stripping their divine abilities and extracting their essence... theoretically, it’s also feasible...’

He mused up to this point, then couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh, saying, “Given the barbarity of High Shamans and the monstrousness of Xiukui, possessing such a spirit treasure is not surprising.”

Li Zhouwei knew what he was referring to and shook his head, “I don’t think this is something from the Underworld’s own collection.”

He did not dwell on this matter but instead smiled, “I believe the power of this spirit treasure lies in its Accumulation and Convergence, but its most wondrous aspect is in Mingqi!”

Li Ximing pondered for a moment, then seemed to realize something, his eyes instantly brightening as he said, “Are you referring to... that spiritual root?!”

Li Zhouwei nodded with a smile and said, “Zifu spiritual roots are hard to find, rarely seen in the world. Back then, the Donghuo Grotto-Heaven acquired one, and it immediately fell into the hands of the Jinyu Sect... Foundation Establishment spiritual roots are not particularly rare in our family. But setting aside cultivation origins, isn’t there exactly one sentient spiritual cultivator in our family?”

Back then, when Li Qinghong was traveling, she once obtained a spiritual root persimmon tree with sentience in Jiangnan. Such spiritual cultivators were inherently rare and difficult to mature without thousands of years, thus their cultivation was extremely low. Later, it was moved to the clan, merely allowing the younger generation to occasionally taste the spiritual persimmons.

But with this spirit treasure, the situation changed. Li Ximing carefully examined the faintly glowing treasure in his hand, quite fond of it, and nodded repeatedly in praise, “Our family has no shortage of these spiritual grains and resources. Although their quality is a bit low, as long as we can compensate for quality with quantity, using a lot won’t be a waste! Let’s first spend half a year nourishing this Zitu.”

“The so-called Zitu that perfects life, encountering a sentient spiritual root, will surely have different wonders!”

Li Zhouwei smiled and replied, “I’ll trouble Clan Uncle with this matter. I’ll go select a cultivation method and enter seclusion first!”