Chapter 359: Brothers Already United

After two years of cultivation, Lu Jiangxian observed the turbid qi surging, golden light swirling, and a slight increase in aura within the mirror world. With a flicker of his spiritual sense, he traced the connection between the talisman seeds and the mirror itself.

"Li Xuanfeng has successfully established his foundation."

The feedback from Li Xuanfeng's successful foundation establishment was less pronounced than previous breakthroughs, merely bringing a quantitative increase in spiritual sense and mystical light. It was similar to how, after Li Chijing was the first to break through to the Qi Refining stage, subsequent breakthroughs by other Li family members provided diminishing returns, lacking the qualitative leap in benefits.

'Now that I am gradually acquiring more methods, I must still cultivate a Zifu realm expert.'

Lu Jiangxian's mastery of Witchcraft Talisman techniques was steadily growing, granting him numerous shamanic abilities. His only frustration was that all his techniques belonged to the Moonlight lineage, which not only drew undue attention but also risked any talented disciples he nurtured being coveted by other Zifu realm cultivators.

'I will wait for the Li family to offer up the Zifu realm blood before making further plans.'

Talisman qi can only be condensed from a combination of essence, incense, and soul. A single drop of Zifu realm blood alone cannot naturally achieve this; Lu Jiangxian merely collected it into the mirror through the Li family's sacrifices.

"It's a pity that the current magical mirror cannot house cultivators; otherwise, everything would be much simpler."

He mused to himself for a while, then a low, buzzing murmur began to echo in his ears:

"Now, the Li Clan of Lijing reverently offers pure wine, common delicacies, cold food, and sacrificial animals, with incense burning perpetually year after year... Through the Three Primaries and Six Festivals, they show utmost respect, sacrificing and feasting on the designated days, with worship never ceasing... They sacrifice with smoke, and offer with blood..."

"By decree."

A white light pierced through layers of gloomy clouds and settled into Lu Jiangxian's hand. Simultaneously, a string of red beads materialized on the table. Lu Jiangxian bound them with his magical power and first examined the talisman qi he had received.

"A demon beast at the mid-Qi Refining stage."

He assessed the talisman qi, finding it somewhat meager. Mount Dali was notoriously difficult to access, and the demon beasts of Moon-Gazing Lake were mostly cunning and clustered together, making the capture of this particular creature quite challenging.

"Fortunately, I still have reserves."

The Li family had left numerous Qi Refining level grey talismans from their past sacrifices, and Lu Jiangxian had accumulated a significant quantity. He now drew out a wisp to fully replenish this grey talisman. As there were still many of the Li family's talisman pills remaining, he added no more.

With a sweep of his spiritual sense, he saw that the Li family cultivators who had received the talisman seeds were already standing ready on the jade platform atop the mountain.

"Talisman qi can break through cultivation realms and elevate cultivation. It is best bestowed upon Qi Refining cultivators, but the Xiyue generation are all in the Fetal Breath stage. It would be better to wait until I acquire a Foundation Establishment White Talisman before bestowing it."

However, talisman qi could only be granted to individuals possessing talisman seeds. After much deliberation, Lu Jiangxian's gaze settled upon Li Xuanxuan, who was now gaunt and aged from the toll of his blood evasion technique and severe injuries.

'He has toiled diligently for over sixty years, his path repeatedly thwarted... It would be better to grant him the talisman and then a pill, advancing him to the late Qi Refining stage.'

With a gentle tap, the grey talisman shot into Li Xuanxuan's glabella like a meteor. Lu Jiangxian's eyes brightened as several grey seal characters appeared before him:

"Maintain Abundance and Preserve Peace."

Unlike previous Li family members who had several choices of talisman qi, Li Xuanxuan now had only one option: "Maintain Abundance and Preserve Peace."

This talisman qi was rather ordinary, capable of slightly increasing the success rate of various cultivation arts like alchemy and talisman drawing. Based on Lu Jiangxian's current understanding, it should also be able to balance fortune and misfortune, calm disputes, and prevent unexpected complications.

"Granting this to Li Xuanxuan is quite suitable. This talisman qi is a combination of fate and divine ability; with its protection, he should be able to live for several more years."

After bestowing the talisman qi, Lu Jiangxian again picked up the blood beads from the table.

With a gentle wash of his magical power, the string of blood beads rapidly melted, cohered, and condensed into a fist-sized crimson jade bead. Lu Jiangxian swept his spiritual sense over it, silently discerning the divine ability contained within.

'Chi Buzhi is indeed akin to "Heavy Turbidity."'

Since Chi Wei could cultivate to the peak of the Zifu realm, the Qingchi Sect presumably possesses the complete set of cultivation methods for this particular co-cultivation technique. The only question is which 'golden essence' this co-cultivation aims for...

'Considering how Zifu cultivators in Jiangnan strive to avoid cultivating identical lineages, if their pursuit is the 'Lushui Wuyuan Talisman' essence, wouldn't that impact the Lushui True Monarch?'

Lu Jiangxian still knew very little about cultivation beyond the Zifu realm, and at this moment, a subtle doubt stirred within him.

'I can only wait to gather more information later.'

On the jade platform of Lijing Mountain, blood flowed freely. The catfish demon lay stiffly on the ground, as a sanguine glow and incense smoke ascended, slowly dispersing into a world unseen by others.

Li Xuanxuan was intently observing the younger generation when, unexpectedly, his Ascending Yang Palace vibrated, and streaks of grey light emerged, causing his internal magical power to surge.

Li Xuanxuan incredulously felt the surging magical power within him, his face flushing. He paused for several breaths before reacting, quickly sitting cross-legged.

The Li family members quickly retreated. In merely the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Li Xuanxuan's cultivation ascended from the fourth level of Qi Refining to the sixth. He slowly exhaled and opened his eyes.

"Congratulations, Father."

Facing the approaching younger generation, Li Xuanxuan stroked his beard with a satisfied smile, then rambled joyfully about the effects of his talisman qi, saying:

"I never imagined this old man would acquire a talisman qi in this lifetime, and its effect is quite fitting! From now on, I'll have even greater confidence in crafting talismans!"

He chuckled contentedly, then drew Li Yuanjiao closer and asked:

"Perhaps I should stabilize my cultivation for a few years, then use that talisman pill as well, advancing to the late stage to add more combat strength to the family."

Li Yuanjiao naturally offered congratulations and nodded in agreement, feeling quite satisfied with the outcome.

After all, the Zifu blood had not had a significant impact; what emerged was still a grey talisman. Though it appeared refined and bright, it remained merely a grey talisman, and giving it to either Ximing or Xijun would have caused him some reluctance.

'Once someone in the family breaks through to Foundation Establishment, these two boys should also reach the Qi Refining stage, and I can then find a Foundation Establishment demon beast to bestow talismans upon them.'

The sacrificial rites took place both on and off the mountain. The Li family members who had received talisman seeds were on the mountain, while Li Xicheng, the eldest of the Xiyue generation, was dispatched to oversee the ceremony below, bringing along a group of Xiyue generation youths to create a lively and bustling atmosphere.

Li Yuanping had managed the affairs flawlessly. Li Xicheng, who had not received a talisman seed, was initially quite awkward, but this arrangement ensured he did not feel alienated while also allowing the Xiyue generation to make an appearance, serving both purposes perfectly.

Feeling the weight of the significant responsibility, Li Xicheng had begun preparations over half a year ago. Now that the entire sacrifice had concluded without a single mishap, he immediately let out a sigh of relief, his back already drenched in sweat.

As soon as he descended from the sacrificial platform and changed his clothes, someone urgently came to report that Li Yuanjiao wished to see him.

Li Xicheng dared not delay and hurried up the mountain. As he entered the great hall, he saw a young man seated in the central hall, clad in a black robe, his brows tightly furrowed as if burdened by a heavy concern.

'Ever since the Old Ancestor passed away, Uncle's smile has become increasingly rare...'

Li Yuanjiao himself had not noticed the changes in his demeanor, but Li Xicheng, being the eldest brother of the Xiyue generation and more than a decade older than his younger siblings, retained many memories of Li Yuanjiao's youth.

Being inherently kind and generous, he was filled with emotion at that moment. He bowed and said:

"Xicheng greets you, Second Uncle! Congratulations on your significant advancement in immortal arts."

According to clan tradition, Li Yuanjiao was not his direct paternal uncle, but a grand-uncle from a preceding generation. However, the main lineage on the mountain typically did not observe such distant distinctions, privately treating such relatives as immediate uncles. Thus, in this formal greeting, he addressed him accordingly.

Li Xicheng was deeply moved, unaware that Li Yuanjiao, seated above him, had also made a decision and was struggling with profound guilt.

'Back then, this child didn't receive a talisman seed, and I had to send him down the mountain. Now, I'm about to use our familial bond to take his share of the world's spiritual energy... Alas!'

Though remorseful, Li Yuanjiao was a decisive man. Without hesitation, he spoke gently:

"Xicheng, you have now broken through to the fifth level of Fetal Breath. It seems you have truly dedicated yourself to your cultivation."

"I dare not slack off, Uncle."

Li Xicheng humbly assented. After a few exchanges, Li Yuanjiao spoke frankly:

"Uncle Donghe has collected the Golden Sun Blazing Essence in the west. By my estimation, it will be delivered in one or two years. This item is exceedingly difficult to acquire; even with the family's full efforts, we have only managed to obtain one portion in the past seven years..."

"Given its scarcity, it's unlikely that everyone across the four lineages can acquire it. The Zhong lineage, for instance, may only receive one share..."

Li Xicheng paused, a look of anxiety crossing his face, and quickly interjected:

"Xijun is now also at the fourth level of Fetal Breath! Second Uncle, please leave this share of heaven and earth spiritual energy for him! I, your nephew, am dull and fear wasting such excellent spiritual energy, nor would I dare make my brother wait seven years for it."

Li Yuanjiao's subsequent words remained unspoken, choked by Xicheng's unexpected statement. He suddenly fell silent, slowly straightened his posture, and revealed a hint of dangerous suspicion.

'Hmm?'

He had managed family affairs, commanded troops, quelled the Mountain Yue, and disciplined nobles, accustomed to schemes and deceit. Upon hearing Xicheng's words, he immediately suspected their sincerity. His expression hardened, and he narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Li Xicheng intently.

He saw that the young man's eyes were clear and utterly sincere. His appearance was unremarkable, and his gaze lacked authority, yet it was open, straightforward, and filled with trust.

"You..."

Li Yuanjiao, however, looked away, his heart stirred. He mumbled and nodded:

"If you genuinely think this way, then that is good. You may go now."

Li Xicheng bowed and was about to withdraw when Li Yuanjiao, to his surprise, chuckled and said:

"Oh! You... you truly are a good brother! Xijun is fortunate to have a brother like you!"

Li Xicheng paused, turned, and shook his head slightly, contradicting Li Yuanjiao for the first time. He bowed gently and said:

"To you, Second Uncle, I, Xicheng, am the legitimate eldest of the clan. Whether it be Xijun, Ximing, or Xizhi who cultivates in the Immortal Sect, they are all my brothers. As long as brothers are united, harmonious, and loving, I, Xicheng, will harbor no other ambitions."

"Greed, jealousy, or the struggle for power and profit—these are things I, Xicheng, am incapable of and have no interest in pursuing."

With a spear on his back, his sleeves fluttering, and his eyes firm and bright, the young man of twenty-four or twenty-five was at the peak of his vigor. His ordinary, even somewhat overly honest face, was now imbued with a heroic presence.

"Excellent!"

Li Yuanjiao struck the table and sighed, his suppressed mood significantly lightened. He chuckled twice, called Xicheng forward, took a jade bottle from his sleeve, and said solemnly:

"This item is a clan secret, the Barrier-Breaking Pill. Take it and consume it to break through to the sixth level of Fetal Breath. Strive to reach Qi Refining before you turn thirty; it will be immensely beneficial."

"The effects of this item are astonishing; it is an ancestral treasure pill. You must never reveal its existence to outsiders."

"Yes, Uncle!"

Li Xicheng's face lit up with joy. He accepted the pill, respectfully made a Xuanjing Spirit Oath, and quietly awaited further instructions.

Li Yuanjiao waved his hand and smiled:

"You may go now. Find a secluded cave and diligently cultivate in seclusion to achieve your breakthrough."

Li Xicheng nodded and withdrew. Only then did Li Yuanjiao take out some pills and spiritual items from his storage bag, arrange them on the table, and then, pulling out his writing implements, penned a short note for Li Yuanping.

'Xicheng can be a pillar of the clan, loved by elders and juniors alike. Granduncle was frugal in life, and the Zhong lineage has endured hardships. All resources and spiritual items should be taken from Wutu Peak.'

Putting away his writing implements, the smile on Li Yuanjiao's face gradually faded. He stared absently into the air, as if seeing through layers of mist, a face with a hearty smile and heroic spirit.

'As brothers are united, harmonious and loving,'

'Brother... my brother...'

On Lijing Mountain.

Li Ximing had not returned home for two years. He spent an entire night discussing family matters with his father, Li Yuanping. Afterward, he first visited his mother, then Madam Dou.

Madam Dou was Li Xuanxuan's wife and Li Yuanping's mother. She was also a rare female Qi Refining cultivator within the clan, possessing considerable skill.

His grandmother, Madam Dou, who had doted on Li Ximing since childhood, was now also a Qi Refining cultivator. As soon as they met, she pressed pills and spiritual items into his hands, saying:

"These are from your grandmother's maiden family. Use them boldly; there's no need to hold back!"

Li Ximing accepted them with a wry smile. After attending to family matters for a few days, he finally found some free time. Sitting on the stone steps of the small courtyard, bathed in moonlight, he took out his medicine pouch and began to meticulously organize its contents.

Xiao Yuansi had prepared this set of herb-gathering techniques for him. Li Ximing had diligently studied them and now had achieved some success; at the very least, he could easily collect Fetal Breath spiritual items and most Qi Refining spiritual items without harming their medicinal properties.

'Brother Xicheng also invited me to Dongshanyue. Perhaps he has prepared more spiritual items for me; my elder brother always puts others before himself...'

As he was thinking, his shoulder was unexpectedly patted. Li Ximing, being within his family's protective formation, naturally had no defenses. He smiled as he looked up and saw a face with sharp, sword-like brows, bright, starry eyes, and a confident, imposing bearing.

"Xijun!"

Li Xijun, usually reserved and taciturn, finally smiled upon seeing his brother after many years. He leaned closer, sniffed, and softly said:

"What a strong herbal scent."

Li Ximing smiled gently and replied:

"Master Xiao's herb-gathering method produces this effect; the scent is particularly potent, capable of invigorating the spirit, clearing the eyes, calming the mind, and soothing the nerves."

"You've become much gentler in disposition."

Li Xijun stood with his hands clasped behind his back. Among the three Xiyue generation brothers, he most embodied the essence of the Li family. Li Xicheng was magnanimous, Li Xizhi poised, Li Ximing gentle; only he was cautious and suspicious, his sword never leaving his grasp.

Li Ximing smiled and said:

"I heard you've been cultivating daily on Yuting Mountain. Why the sudden return home?"

"Second Uncle summoned me."

Li Xijun's expression suddenly turned somber, and he mumbled:

"I don't know why, but Uncle Jiao suddenly summoned me to the mountain. He spoke of 'elder brother's great affection, not to be taken lightly,' and then insisted that I have superior talent and should protect my elder brother more."

His grey-black eyes flickered slightly, appearing exceptionally handsome in the moonlight, and he asked suspiciously:

"Isn't this blaming me? With my elder brother's temperament, how could any siblings possibly not get along? Could it be that someone has been slandering him?"

"Uncle Jiao lost his brother when he was young. Perhaps he was moved by the circumstances and feared a tragic repetition."

Li Ximing said casually, then lowered his voice:

"I heard that whenever the pear garden performance down the mountain reaches this part, the entire audience weeps, the young lament in silence, and old men shed tears."

The two fell silent for a long moment. Li Xijun, cradling his sword, seemed to have been holding something back for a long time, and finally whispered:

"Brother Xicheng is gradually taking charge of family affairs. Several of our illegitimate brothers have also settled down. You and I are on the verge of entering Qi Refining, and Second Uncle is about to establish his foundation. The clan will soon be in our hands."

He turned his face slightly, the Qingfeng sword in his arms gleaming with a cold light, and smiled:

"If you ask me, elder brother, you refine in fire and seek through elixirs, while I traverse snow and conquer with the blade. With both of us in the clan, there should be nothing to fear."

Li Ximing laughed heartily and replied:

"Good."

The two brothers retrieved some spiritual wine and conversed through the night under the moonlight, discussing everything from Qingchi to regions north and south of the Yangtze River. They continued until the golden sun rose, bathing the world in a golden-red hue, at which point they stumbled and fell asleep at the table.