Chapter 437: Going to Ziyan

Li Xijun parted ways with Li Ximing and quietly returned to his cave dwelling to rest. Having missed the opportunity to break through to the seventh level, it would be difficult for him to advance anytime soon. He sat in his cave dwelling, his hand on his sword, lost in thought.

"The Mingyang tradition is likely in Luoxia Mountain, and it will be difficult for our family to acquire it," he mused. "The cultivation methods bestowed by the immortal mirror are random and only go up to the Foundation Establishment stage. We cannot solely rely on external objects..."

Li Xijun had given Li Ximing a hint to gauge his attitude. Li Ximing valued cultivation above all else, and there was no telling what he might do if his path of cultivation were ever blocked. Li Xijun, for his part, wasn't confident in his own breakthrough to Foundation Establishment, fearing he might perish during the attempt.

'If that day truly comes,' he thought, 'without my mediation, things could get very ugly.'

This was his greatest anxiety. Li Yuanjiao was fixated on that jade buckle, and although Li Xijun couldn't help him, he knew Yu Muxian was not an easy person to deal with. If the situation became desperate, Li Yuanjiao, being decisive, wouldn't wait for Yu Muxian to break through to the Purple Mansion stage.

Li Xijun sighed, ultimately deciding to put the matter aside for now.

He harbored no resentment towards Li Ximing for this. Li Ximing was born with exceptional talent; if he could acquire the cultivation method, he truly had the potential to reach the Purple Mansion stage, with alluring divine abilities. When he had the hope of reaching that position, it was inevitable that he would dedicate himself entirely to cultivation.

"After all," he thought, "roaming the Great Void, manifesting divine abilities, living for five hundred years, receiving courtesy from immortal sects, toying with the mortal world, discerning profound mysteries... such temptations are incomparable!"

To possess one's own Mingyang divine ability, to traverse the Great Void and travel the world, embrace beauties and avoid calamities, not be treated as a mere expendable pawn, watching clouds rise and disperse, and being respectfully treated by any genius encountered anywhere—who could resist such a temptation?

The temptation Li Ximing faced was not on the same level as what others faced. While Li Xijun and others might waste some time on worldly matters, merely lingering at the Foundation Establishment stage a bit sooner or later, for Li Ximing, his choices could determine whether he reached that ultimate position. He found it difficult to choose, and given what he had achieved so far, Li Xijun could no longer find it in himself to blame him.

As he sat blankly, the door to his cave dwelling was gently knocked upon. A young girl in a white dress slowly entered, appearing to be fifteen or sixteen years old, with beautiful phoenix eyes. She softly said:

"Brother, Ming-geer asked me to bring a magic artifact..."

This girl was Li Yuexiang, now at the fourth level of Embryonic Breathing. She disliked moving around and spent most of her days on Qingdu Mountain. Li Xijun raised an eyebrow, seeing her present a jade bead.

The jade bead was entirely green and tied with a red string. It was precisely the Qingxuan, a top-grade magic artifact for Qi Condensation cultivators, just a step away from Foundation Establishment. Li Yuexiang said:

"Ming-geer said he has already broken through to Foundation Establishment," Li Yuexiang explained. "This artifact can at most summon a green deer at the peak of Qi Condensation. It's useless to him now, so he asked me to bring it to you."

Li Xijun glanced at the jade bead and softly said:

"You can use it..."

"Xiang'er spends all her days on this mountain; she doesn't need such a good item. It's better to save it for Chenghuai."

Li Chenghuai had been sent back by Li Xizhi and was currently studying on the mountain, not yet at the age for cultivation. Li Yuexiang, always opinionated, decisively refused, placing the jade bead on the table. Li Xijun could only nod and softly ask:

"Have you chosen your spiritual energy? What cultivation method do you plan to practice?"

Li Yuexiang replied:

"I'm preparing to consume Changxing Pheasant Fire and practice the 'Pheasant Fire Everlasting Cultivation Method'."

Li Xijun noticed she hadn't asked Li Yuanjiao's opinion, which gave him a slight headache. He silently nodded, and Li Yuexiang then said:

"Brother, you should think more for yourself."

Li Xijun simply nodded and waved her away. He then spread open the roster on his desk; all the Chengming generation, both earlier and later, were about to enter Qi Condensation, and he needed to arrange their affairs properly.

Now, Qi Condensation was no longer considered much; only by reaching Foundation Establishment could one enter the Li family's core decision-making circle. Li Xijun repeatedly read the names of over a dozen people and thought to himself:

"I wonder how many will perish midway," he mused, "and how many will reach Foundation Establishment..."

***

Jade Pavilion Mountain.

Time flowed on. After cultivating for a few months, Li Qinghong opened her eyes and, as usual, activated her immortal foundation, extending a swath of purple light.

'It's time to cast a spell to summon lightning again,' she thought.

She cast a spell and chanted an incantation. Purple light surged, and lightning flashed. To her surprise, the several statues on the right side began to glow one by one, and a large amount of information flowed into her mind:

"On March 23rd, north of Hanchun City in Yueguo, Tianru thunder descended upon Douxuan Mountain... On October 6th, south of Fenkuai Mountain in Yueguo, Fuyinchen thunder descended... On December 2nd, Goose Lake Island in Qunyi Sea Cape, Juque thunder descended..."

A series of messages appeared, more than ten in total. The last message was a faint and fragmented phrase:

"Dragon-snake species... cannot merge with water... now returns to dissolve heaven and earth... East Sea water descends, lightning rises."

Li Qinghong processed the information and thought in alarm:

"A demon king in the East Sea has fallen!"

According to the information from the altar, a demon king at the peak of the Purple Mansion stage had failed to break through to Golden Core, perishing in the process. This had led to a series of natural anomalies, including lightning descending, and water descending as lightning rose.

This news came unexpectedly. Although Li Qinghong couldn't immediately turn it into a benefit, she had learned such significant news, already gaining a lead. She couldn't help but think:

"This altar actually has such a function!" she mused. "Nowadays, the world is vastly different; even communication talismans are useless. This utility is immense! Knowing these things in advance, I can prepare the family!"

The Path of Thunder reduced one's lifespan. Li Qinghong, having cultivated it until now, had already lost three-tenths of her lifespan. She wasn't particularly bothered by this, but she didn't want other family members to cultivate this path. However, looking at it now, it seemed indispensable.

"This altar can only be used after mastering the Profound Thunder Lake or Winter Thunder Sound," she thought. "If no one cultivates this path after me, it will be lost."

As thoughts spun in her mind, she remembered something else:

"This cultivation method was given by Lingyanzi of Ziyan Sect years ago," she thought. "I've never fully understood it, and I probably can't delay it any longer. Whether it's an arrangement by a Purple Mansion cultivator or not, I must visit Ziyan Sect!"

Li Qinghong took out a token from her storage bag. The token was shimmering purple and very beautiful. She gazed at it for a moment:

"Lingyanzi left this token back then," she thought. "It allows our family disciples to enter Ziyan Sect. It will come in handy now!"

"This trip, I'll first head to Ziyan Sect to visit Lingyanzi," she decided. "Then, on the way, I'll go to the East Sea to collect lightning."

Having made up her mind, she stood up. She picked up the few small messages next to the altar, casually flipped through them and read. A hint of joy appeared on her face as she thought:

'Second Uncle has finally left the Southern Border!'

Immediately, she soared on lightning, landing on Qingdu Mountain, where Li Xijun had just finished cultivating and was drinking water in the courtyard.

Li Qinghong stated her intentions. Li Xijun nodded silently and softly said:

"Situ Mo is trapped on Jindou Island, which makes this the perfect time to go out," Li Xijun said. "Since Aunt is going to the East Sea, she can meet Second Granduncle."

"As for Ziyan Sect..." Li Xijun asked: "Which junior from the family should we send?"

Li Qinghong pondered for a moment and softly said:

"Most of the Chengming generation have ordinary talent," she said, "and Chenghuai needs to stay with us... Perhaps only Yuexiang's talent is slightly better..."

Li Xijun shook his head and said:

"Uncle Yuanjiao hasn't spoken up, so this matter cannot be settled without him," Li Xijun said. "It's better to put this aside for now and not rush. Aunt, you can go to the East Sea, ask Uncle Jiao, and return later; it won't be too late."

"Very well," Li Qinghong agreed.

Seeing this, Li Qinghong could only nod. She tidied up for a while and then soared into the sky on her own. Li Xijun saw her off at Wangyue Lake, then picked up his sword art manual and read it twice before closing the stone door and resuming his cultivation.

The spring breeze lingered on Qingdu Mountain. Vegetation thrived, and immortal terraces and pavilions, with scattered figures, became obscured by the gradually enveloping night.

***

Just as Li Qinghong left Qingdu, a continuous drizzle began to fall. Looking out, endless dark clouds stretched on. The rain wasn't heavy, but it was incessant. She traversed the wind for a long time but still hadn't seen the end of the dark clouds.

Had she not received the message from the altar earlier, Li Qinghong would certainly not have been suspicious and would have thought it was just a heavy rain. Now, looking at it, she felt it was an anomaly signifying the failure and demise of a Golden Core breakthrough.

She traveled on the wind, passing through Yufu County and Dongli Mountain. Soon, she saw the territory of Ziyan Sect in the distance. In mid-air, a female cultivator stood, dressed in Ziyan Sect's Taoist robes, calculating with her fingers while looking at the sky, her delicate brows slightly furrowed.

As Li Qinghong arrived on lightning, the female cultivator quickly came back to her senses, politely bowed to her, and softly said:

"Shen Yanqing of Ziyan Sect greets senior. May I ask..."

"Li Qinghong, of the Li family of Qingdu."

This female cultivator was at the seventh level of Qi Condensation, similar in age to Li Xijun. Hearing this, she was surprised:

"So it is senior!" she exclaimed. "Yanqing has long admired your name."

Li Qinghong's reputation wasn't particularly prominent, so she merely took it as a polite remark. Unexpectedly, the female cultivator came forward and said gently:

"I heard rumors a few days ago that senior successfully reached Foundation Establishment," she said. "There are few lightning cultivators in the world to begin with, and even fewer female cultivators who have successfully reached Foundation Establishment! I truly admire you."

Li Qinghong processed this for a moment and said in surprise:

"You are also a lightning cultivator?"

"Precisely!"

Shen Yanqing smiled, her eyes curving, and replied:

"I am from the Shen family of Xiuyue," she explained, "and I cultivate under Ziyan Sect. My family's True Person obtained a lightning method years ago, so our clan has always had a lightning method inheritance."

"So you are a direct descendant of an immortal clan," Li Qinghong murmured.

The Shen family was a Purple Mansion Immortal Clan under the Xiuyue Sect's territory in Xu State, with a long lineage. The person before her had a status equivalent to Xiao Yuansi of the Xiao family, indicating great nobility. Yet Shen Yanqing did not appear arrogant. She eagerly welcomed Li Qinghong down and asked:

"Senior, what brings you here on this trip?"

Li Qinghong replied:

"I came to visit Senior Lingyanzi."

Shen Yanqing realized. She brought out a purple token and led Li Qinghong inside. They saw peaks rising, with peaks of all sizes submerged in thick purple clouds. This purple energy, like threads and wisps, spiraled upwards, transforming into various shapes, appearing ethereal and immortal, with exquisite pavilions and terraces.

Ziyan Sect occupied this marvel. Over the years, they had also collected many related cultivation methods, managing this immortal mountain to present a truly immortal scene. Cultivators from various countries and overseas often traveled thousands of miles to gather Qi here.

Shen Yanqing watched Li Qinghong admire the beautiful scenery and smiled:

"This Purple Mist Blessed Land is very famous," she said. "Six or seven tenths of all purple Qi in the world originates from here. All purple Qi traditions regard this place as a cultivation holy land. If senior arrived at the right time, when the morning sun rises, that's truly an immortal scene. The old peak master used to boast quite a bit about his friendship with your noble family," she chuckled. "It seems you've finally arrived."

Li Qinghong had long heard Li Tongya say that Lingyanzi had an unreliable personality. She smiled slightly, but then saw Shen Yanqing softly say:

"I cultivate Sky Lightning," Shen Yanqing said. "I practice the 'Sky Cloud Thunder Method', and if I establish my Dao base, it will be a gentle lightning descent... May I ask what senior cultivates...?"

Li Qinghong didn't know why she was asking these things, but politely replied:

"Profound Thunder Lake."

'Profound Thunder Lake...' Shen Yanqing pondered for a moment and frowned:

"I haven't heard of that..."

"It was originally Winter Thunder Sound," Li Qinghong clarified.

Li Qinghong added a sentence. Shen Yanqing understood, and said happily:

"So it's Sky Lightning too! If there's an opportunity, I hope to see senior's lightning altar."

Her words revealed much information. Li Qinghong was thoughtful and thought to herself:

"So it's Sky Lightning..." she mused. "It seems that all Sky Lightning cultivations have the ability to set up altars for rituals. The Shen family's inheritance is ancient; I can ask them and inquire about some news!"

Seeing Li Qinghong smile and nod, Shen Yanqing smiled with joy, quickly closed the distance between them, and nodded, saying:

"Our three lightning traditions are different from others," she said. "We cannot touch vital blood, which is why fellow practitioners are the closest. Once I successfully reach Foundation Establishment, I will first demonstrate the lightning prayer method to senior!"

Li Qinghong was slightly stunned, only then realizing that lightning cultivators cannot consume vital blood. Many doubts in her mind were instantly resolved, and she felt a sudden realization:

'No wonder!' she thought. 'No wonder there are no lightning cultivation traditions in Jiangnan! No wonder lightning cultivation in overseas regions and Jiangnan has declined! So that's it! No wonder this young girl is so close to me!'

Most of the elixirs circulated in Jiangnan were made from vital blood. If consuming vital blood was truly harmful to lightning cultivators, then how could these lightning cultivation traditions not decline? There were few lightning cultivation inheritances among the Three Sects and Seven Gates, let alone inheritances that could reach the Purple Mansion stage. Most clan cultivators and rogue cultivators were unaware of this, making lightning cultivation even harder to master.

Meanwhile, Shen Yanqing continued:

"Some elixirs, I'm sure senior already knows," she explained, "if a lightning cultivator consumes vital blood, their cultivation will initially increase but will quickly slow down. Those unaware often take them more diligently and soon find themselves stuck, unable to break through, and their lifespan greatly reduced..."

Li Qinghong again felt a chill of fear. Fortunately, when she was young, the Li family was poor and had no good elixirs to consume. Later, she was sent to the Fei family, where she also had no opportunity to take elixirs.

When she reached Qi Condensation, Li Yuanjiao received the White Talisman, and the family's limited resources were prioritized for him. Li Qinghong had only taken one or two elixirs, perhaps even obtained from the Xiao family, and she hadn't consumed many. She had survived this way. Later, after Wang Xundao exposed the truth, she never consumed them again.

Even so, Li Qinghong still found the reason for her slightly slowed cultivation speed when she was at the third or fourth Qi Condensation level—it must have been those one or two elixirs.

She gently exhaled and sincerely thanked her grandfather, Li Tongya, even as a small doubt arose in her heart:

"Could it be... that Grandfather guessed something," she wondered, "which led him to arrange things step by step like this?"

She was slightly lost in thought, but quickly composed herself, and a second realization dawned on her:

"No wonder this young girl is so close to me," she realized. "If lightning cultivation traditions cannot touch vital blood, then they also cannot consume fellow cultivators to enhance cultivation or forge divine abilities... Naturally, there would be fewer concerns."

Shen Yanqing was still politely introducing the various sights of Ziyan Sect ahead, but Li Qinghong's mindset had become completely different. Filled with a joyful sense of relief, she walked through the sect grounds filled with purple clouds.