Chapter 142: The Imminent Disaster

Li Xuanxuan’s knife had just pierced the deer demon’s head when its body rapidly shriveled, and even its antlers lost their dazzling luster, becoming dry and pale.

After the prayers were recited and the ritual completed, Li Tongya, not wanting others to see the deer demon’s corpse, quickly waved his sleeve and stored it in his spatial pouch.

Li Xuanfeng straightened up, and two figures of Talismanic Qi instantly appeared in his mind. He paused slightly, closed his eyes to observe for a moment, and his spiritual consciousness unhesitatingly entered the Talismanic Qi filled with fierce energy.

Red light burst forth from Li Xuanfeng’s Ascending Yang Palace. He stumbled back two steps as if drunk, his face flushed red as he bent over. His cultivation, having just broken through to the second level of Qi Refinement, surged ceaselessly, and he quickly stepped down from the stone platform.

Li Tongya and the others descended from the stone platform. The townsfolk immediately stood up, and the noise resumed. Li Tongya looked at the townsfolk below with a smile and asked Li Xuanfeng:“You seem to be acting strangely. Have you received a talisman?”

Li Xuanxuan and Li Xuanling also looked over upon hearing this. They saw Li Xuanfeng nod and say with a smile:“Yes, during the ritual, two types of Talismanic Qi suddenly appeared in my mind. One is called ‘Strength of a Thousand Jun,’ and the other ‘Chasing Clouds and Pursuing the Moon.’ I chose the former, and I have now broken through to the third level of Qi Refinement.”

After speaking, he explained the characteristics of this Talismanic Qi. He wiped his hands, placed his black longbow aside, picked up a bluestone from the ground, flicked it with his finger, and shattered it into pieces that scattered across the ground.“Pure physical strength, no magical power used.”

Li Tongya praised him. He picked up the black longbow, examined it carefully for a moment, and said:“Now that you are also at the third level of Qi Refinement, this bow, a Natal Breath-level magical artifact I brought back years ago, is too crude for you. Our family has accumulated some savings these past few years. In a few months, go to the county again, find an artifact refiner, and have a longbow custom-made to match your strength.”

Li Xuanfeng was also delighted to hear this. He pondered for a few breaths, then awkwardly scratched his head and whispered:“How can I accept this? There are so many other places where the family needs spirit stones. Xuan-ge and Ling’er haven’t broken through Qi Refinement yet; perhaps we should buy some elixirs or something for them instead. My matter isn’t urgent; we can wait until Xuan-ge and Ling’er break through Qi Refinement.”

Li Xuanling, who was standing by, immediately burst into laughter and replied:“Feng-ge, why are you being so polite with family? I just broke through to the fourth level of Natal Breath not long ago; my cultivation still needs refinement. What use would I have for elixirs?”

Li Xuanxuan also smiled and said earnestly:“I have already broken through to the Jade Capital realm; the rest is just slow, steady work to reach the peak of Natal Breath. So you don’t need to worry about us.”

Li Xuanfeng grinned upon hearing this. Li Tongya was also quite pleased to see the two of them. He patted Li Xuanfeng’s shoulder and smiled:“It’s good that you all think this way. I’ve watched all of you grow up; you grew up together on the mountain like true brothers. Don’t let anything come between you. Speak your minds directly!”

Seeing Li Xuanfeng nod, clearly moved, Li Tongya continued:“What you two said is right; there’s no rush for elixirs. Crafting a magical artifact takes a considerable amount of time, so it’s better to place the order now.”

Li Xuanfeng could only nod. After chatting for a few more moments, the four entered the courtyard on Lijing Peak and went to pay their respects before the Dharma Mirror.

No sooner had they entered the courtyard than their spiritual senses swept through it. They saw three luminous white elixirs resting on the stone platform. Li Xuanfeng raised an eyebrow, exchanged a glance with Li Tongya, and quickly entered the stone chamber.

“These are… the Talismanic Pills mentioned in the ‘Sacrificial Art’?”

After the two paid their respects to the Dharma Mirror, they stood up and carefully took the elixirs from the stone chamber. Li Tongya pondered for a few breaths and nodded, saying:“According to the ‘Sacrificial Art’ bestowed by the Dharma Mirror, the Dharma Mirror can not only condense Talismanic Qi, but if the incense offerings are abundant, it can also condense Talismanic Pills. A cultivator can only take one per major cultivation realm, and it can break through bottlenecks to advance cultivation…”

The three Talismanic Pills were crystal clear, glowing with a pure white radiance, and intricately carved with mysterious, elegant patterns that made them truly captivating. Li Xuanfeng carefully placed them one by one into jade bottles and said with a smile:“Now we finally have elixirs to use!”

“Indeed.”

Li Tongya nodded, contemplating:“These Talismanic Pills have the miraculous effect of breaking through bottlenecks, but only one can be taken per major realm. Taking them now would be a waste; it would be most appropriate to use them when breaking through from the peak of Qi Refinement to Foundation Establishment. Xuanxuan and Xuanling can each take one when they break through Qi Refinement. It’s still early. Although the remaining pill won’t be enough for you and me, there will be plenty of opportunities for future rituals, so we won’t have to worry about not having enough when the time comes.”

The two joyfully put away the elixirs. Li Tongya then went to Meichi Peak for secluded cultivation. Only then did Li Xuanfeng retrieve spirit stones from Li Xuanxuan and excitedly headed towards Lixia Commandery.

Night fell over Lijing Town, and the streets were empty. A few dim yellow lights shone through windows onto the ground. Lu Wanrong walked along the street for a while when she heard her maid say from behind:“This Li family ritual is really lively. We never had festivals like this back at the Lu family.”

“There’s no comparison.”

Lu Wanrong shook her head and said as she walked back:“The Li family’s Old Ancestor is in his prime, and Li Xuanxuan manages the family affairs meticulously. Have you ever seen a Li family disciple daring to bully others or oppress men and women? The Lu family’s Old Ancestor hasn’t managed the younger generations for decades, and my cousin enjoys a luxurious life, having a proud and extravagant nature. With one rising and the other falling, the Lu family is now far inferior.”

After speaking, she had already reached the front of her courtyard, where she saw a man pacing back and forth, covered in sweat. Upon seeing the two, his eyes immediately lit up, and he quickly walked over. Lu Wanrong looked closely and realized it was a younger cousin from her time in the Lu family. She frowned and asked:“Cousin, why are you here?”

The Lu family man looked panicked, his face mournful, and he stammered:“Old Ancestor! The Old Ancestor is gone!”

“What?!”

Lu Wanrong felt as if struck by lightning and cried out. Knowing that “Old Ancestor” in his words referred to Lu Sisi, she quickly shook her head and whispered:“When did this happen?!”

“Last night! I clearly heard him from nearby. The Old Ancestor sat in his chair sighing all night, saying, ‘The Lu family will perish at any moment!’ By morning, he had lost all vital signs.”

The Lu family man, with a tear-streaked face, looked at her as if he had found his pillar of support, and whispered:“Yuan Lu-ge hastily buried the Old Ancestor, and is now secretly feasting on the mountain. The Old Ancestor once told me to come find you if he died, so I ran here overnight! Rong-jie, what should we do?!”

Seeing his ashen, exhausted face, and knowing the dangers a mortal would face crossing the Ancient Li Path to reach the Li family, Lu Wanrong was deeply moved. She was filled with trepidation and said repeatedly:“Wait for me while I go inside and write a letter home. If this matter isn’t handled well, it could mean the annihilation of our family!”