Chapter 312: Tian Yi Chun Yuan (Part 2)

Li Yuanjiao had been cultivating in Wutu Mountain for a long time, having almost entirely withdrawn from family affairs to focus solely on his practice. The "Xingqi Tunling" method had greatly accelerated his breathing rate, allowing him to make significant progress in just over half a year.

Meanwhile, Xiao Guiluan had returned to her family home. Her cultivation had reached a critical point, and she needed to go back to the Xiao family to take the Xuanjing Ling Oath and learn the subsequent techniques, including those for Qi Condensation.

Eight-year-old Li Xizhi, standing nearby, was a slow-growing child who barely reached Li Yuanjiao's waist. He was holding a wooden slip and reading, his delicate features framed by an innocent, childish expression.

"Dad..."

Clutching the wooden slip, Li Xizhi gazed at his father with a confused expression in his small eyes, then looked up and asked:

"Why do I have to read the *Records of Junwang Ascending to Immortality*? Brother Xicheng has already started practicing with his spear, but all I do is read these strange books all day."

Li Yuanjiao stroked Li Xizhi's head, opening his mouth to speak with a hint of hesitation:

"This book was borrowed by your mother. It details the relationships between the Thirty-six Peaks of Qingchi and the various aristocratic families. You must memorize these connections so that you can navigate the sect easily in the future, align with a faction, and avoid inadvertently offending anyone."

Li Xizhi restlessly rolled the wooden slip in his hands, then suddenly looked up and asked:

"Father... are you really sending me to the Qingchi Sect?"

Li Yuanjiao sighed inwardly. Looking at his child's distressed expression, he finally spoke:

"Be good, Zhi'er... The Qingchi Sect's legacy is exquisite, and its spiritual energy is abundant—much better than by the lake. Your talent is excellent. In the future, you will cultivate Qi Condensation within the sect and lay an immortal foundation. Our family will be relying on you..."

Li Yuanjiao was not skilled at comforting children. After rambling for a long time, Li Xizhi's eyes slowly reddened. He nodded forcefully, but tears streamed down his face uncontrollably.

Li Yuanjiao felt both ashamed and a headache, utterly at a loss. Just then, a clan soldier approached respectfully and said:

"Young Master, please return home for a moment. Young Master Yuanping has important matters to discuss!"

Li Yuanjiao felt as if he had been granted a great pardon. He reached out and gently wiped away Li Xizhi's tears, saying softly:

"Wait for me on the peak. Dad will be back soon."

With that, he rode the wind and ascended into the sky. Li Xizhi was left behind, still fidgeting with the wooden slip. He read it carefully from beginning to end. After a long while, he angrily tossed the slip aside and went back to his room to sleep.

Lijing Town.

Li Yuanjiao descended on the wind into the courtyard, where Li Yuanping was examining a jade bracelet, scrutinizing its tiny patterns. Upon seeing Li Yuanjiao, dressed in black, enter, he quickly came forward to greet him.

"Elder Brother, we have news about the Heavenly Pure Origin!"

"What?!"

Li Yuanjiao was initially overjoyed and immediately pressed for details. As Li Yuanping finished explaining the entire story, the joy on his face quickly faded. He frowned deeply, took the jade bracelet, and closed his eyes to sense its properties.

As his spiritual sense flowed along the patterns into the jade bracelet, a sudden realization dawned on Li Yuanjiao, and he vaguely felt a distant guidance.

Li Yuanjiao opened his eyes several breaths later, his face showing even deeper confusion. He replied:

"This person is still on a mountain not far from here..."

Li Yuanping, who had not yet developed spiritual sense and thus couldn't use the jade bracelet, was also stunned by Li Yuanjiao's words. He whispered:

"How strange... To obtain such precious Heavenly Spiritual Water and still dare to linger so close by."

"According to the old rogue cultivator, the person was covered in shimmering spiritual light from head to toe, and their cultivation method was a righteous one. Though only at the second level of Qi Condensation, they were able to fight multiple opponents and kill all who came against them... They are likely a disciple of an Immortal Sect!"

Li Yuanping pondered carefully, a hint of unease on his face. He replied:

"With an unknown background and identity, if this person is so audacious, they likely have significant backing and connections. They might be difficult to deal with."

Li Yuanjiao remained noncommittal, simply holding the jade bracelet in silence and examining it closely.

"Have you sent anyone to the grotto?"

Li Yuanping nodded and replied:

"I've already asked our uncle to go. Judging by the time, he should be returning soon."

As they spoke, Chen Donghe quickly entered. His clothes were neat, and the Green Edge at his waist swayed gently. He stopped, cupped his hands, and stated:

"I have been to the grotto. It was thoroughly destroyed by the battle, with scratches and stalactite fragments everywhere. Nothing more could be discerned."

"Thank you for your trouble, Uncle."

Chen Donghe bowed and withdrew. Only then did Li Yuanping turn to his elder brother and say:

"I was hoping to investigate further. The Heavenly Pure Origin is naturally formed by heaven and earth, so that grotto must be extraordinary..."

Li Yuanjiao took two steps to the main seat, staring at the jade bracelet in a daze, absently caressing its patterns. Then, he suddenly spoke:

"It's too much of a coincidence."

Li Yuanping glanced at his elder brother, then also lowered his head in thought. Li Yuanjiao continued:

"Our ancestor often said: 'Manage family affairs with caution in all things...' I've always kept that in mind. This entire matter is full of coincidences. This person arrived abruptly, left abruptly, and after taking the spiritual water, didn't even flee far away..."

"Elder Bro—"

Li Yuanjiao waved his hand, cutting off Li Yuanping. He formed hand seals and cast a spell, letting layers of True Essence settle onto the jade bracelet. The river-like True Essence, like dark green lake water, tightly enveloped it. After placing it in his storage bag, he explained:

"I heard from Guiluan that there are many secret techniques that can be attached to artifacts, influencing others' minds and inciting desires. This matter is far too peculiar; it's better to be cautious."

"Yes."

Li Yuanping responded thoughtfully:

"The Heavenly Pure Origin is simply too enticing... I, too, felt an impulse for a moment. Now that you mention it, Elder Brother, it truly is too peculiar."

Li Yuanjiao nodded and replied:

"It's understandable that our family, having managed affairs in this region for many years, never discovered this spiritual object. But this jade bracelet also appeared too conveniently, so conveniently that it's hard to believe."

After the incident where Li Tongya became a sacrifice for the reincarnation of Maha, the two brothers had long seen through the ways of the world, and their mindsets were completely different from a year ago. Li Yuanjiao merely sneered and replied:

"So-called opportunities? Nine out of ten are just bait, designed to make you gleefully gobble them up, only for the hook behind to prove sharp and keen..."

"Now that our ancestor is gravely injured, if it were a different type of spiritual water, it might be somewhat credible. But it just happens to be the Heavenly Pure Origin."

The two brothers exchanged glances, and Li Yuanping sighed:

"It's just that this thing is too enticing... We don't know what it truly is. If it's a genuine opportunity, missing it would be truly heartbreaking."

"No matter."

Li Yuanjiao smiled, a mysterious expression on his face, and transmitted his voice with spiritual energy:

"Do you still remember that immortal artifact our family possesses, which can observe a thousand *li* away, is colorless and formless, and cannot be obstructed by mountains or separated by water?"

"Brilliant!"

Li Yuanping had only ever considered the Dharma Mirror as an inherited family heirloom and a protective treasure for times of peril, completely forgetting its ability to observe a thousand *li* from afar. He clapped his hands, a smile spreading across his face as he said:

"Let's go up the mountain and retrieve it now!"