Chapter 45: Dragging

Li Tongya looked at Wan Tiancang, feeling awkward. If his family possessed those Qi Cultivation or Foundation Establishment talismans, he might genuinely consider trading them for the array formation legacy. However, the white light that saved Wan Xiaohua wasn't a talisman at all; it was an attack unleashed by the Dharma Mirror when facing an enemy. This left Li Tongya with nothing to say.

"Brother Wan," Li Tongya began, "it's not that Tongya is unwilling to exchange, but rather unable to..."

Li Tongya opened his mouth and uttered words he himself didn't believe, sighing inwardly.

Wan Tiancang naturally wouldn't believe him. He frowned, earnestly tried to persuade Li Tongya, and explained the advantages and disadvantages, while secretly wondering, "This is clearly a win-win situation for both families. Why is Li Tongya being so vague and appearing uninterested?"

Seeing Li Tongya's troubled expression, Wan Tiancang suddenly had an epiphany and declared confidently: "Rest assured, Brother Tongya! This array formation legacy, with the exception of our family's Earth-Locking Huaqian Array on Huaqian Mountain—which is vital for our heritage and cannot be leaked—will include all ten Qi Breath realm arrays and three Qi Cultivation realm arrays. Not a single one will be missing or altered; they will be delivered completely to your esteemed family!"

Seeing that Wan Tiancang had gone to such lengths, Li Tongya was indeed tempted. He decided to play for time, nodding and saying, "Tongya still needs to discuss this with my father and brother before I can give you an answer, Brother Tiancang."

"Of course, of course!"

Wan Tiancang nodded eagerly, feeling that the matter was as good as settled. He let out a relaxed sigh and continued, "Naturally, such an important matter requires your esteemed father's approval. I'll await your good news, Brother Tongya!"

After a few more exchanges, Wan Tiancang bid farewell and left.

***

On the summit of Lijing Mountain.

"This Wan Tiancang certainly has a way with words." Lu Jiangxian's divine sense had observed their every move, and his mind was racing with thoughts. "The power of the Grand Yin Profound Light is equivalent to a single attack concentrating the full cultivation of a peak Jade Capital Wheel realm cultivator. It seems that even an early Qi Cultivation realm cultivator would suffer greatly if hit squarely. No wonder Wan Tiancang wants to acquire it."

Lu Jiangxian was quite satisfied with the Li family. Every member had entered the path of cultivation through his Profound Pearl Talisman Seeds, and each seed contained their entire cultivation. In essence, the family's rise and fall were at Lu Jiangxian's whim, which gave him a strong sense of security.

Whenever a powerful aura flew past Dali Mountain, Lu Jiangxian dutifully disguised himself as an ordinary mirror, hiding in these remote mountains. He didn't want to become an object in someone else's hands. Who knew what methods those Purple Mansion and Golden Core cultivators possessed? They might very well be able to subdue an artifact spirit like him.

While Lu Jiangxian might recover faster in the hands of those cultivators, there was nothing as comfortable as developing quietly in these mountains every day. Each Profound Pearl Talisman Seed he had planted was like a tentacle, transmitting information and seeking treasures for him. Every breakthrough made by the Li family members added to his magical power and divine sense.

"Why be a dog when you can be the master!" Lu Jiangxian muttered to himself, highly pleased to see the Li family thriving under the protection of the talisman seeds he had nurtured.

However, from another perspective, if he were a member of the Li family, with his entire cultivation controlled by an artifact with its own will, Lu Jiangxian certainly wouldn't tolerate it. He would undoubtedly try to gain control. Although the Li family members were clever and capable, they were also suspicious and ambitious. Therefore, Lu Jiangxian had never revealed his sentience, instead maintaining the appearance of acting purely on instinct.

As for the Wan family's array formation legacy, Lu Jiangxian was also deeply intrigued. He wondered what kind of effect it would have if he, as the Mirror's spirit, were used as a medium to set up arrays.

"But how can I get the Li family to acquire this legacy..."

***

"Array formation legacy?" Li Xiangping frowned, looked at Li Tongya, shook his head, and said, "Our family doesn't have any talismans to give him."

"But this array formation legacy is truly tempting. Even I am extremely covetous." Li Xiangping was also deeply moved. He slapped his thigh, quickly stood up, and pulled Li Tongya toward the backyard. "Let's go ask Father."

Li Mutian was sweeping the small room in the backyard. The old man had few hobbies; he neither smoked nor gambled. On ordinary days, when he had nothing to do, he would tease his grandchildren, chat with Tian Shou Shui, and wander around the small room where the Mirror was kept, as if afraid it might fly out the skylight if he wasn't careful.

Li Xuanxuan was cultivating in the side room. This child, using the power of moonlight from the Mirror's surface, had already condensed seventy strands of moonlight essence, only slightly slower than Li Chirong had been back then, much to the pleasant surprise of Mrs. Ren and several elders.

After hearing Li Xiangping's words, Li Mutian put down his broom, looked at the Mirror on the stone platform, and said gravely, "This matter won't be easy to handle."

Seeing his two sons' regretful expressions, Li Mutian narrowed his eyes and continued, "How do you two view the incident a few days ago, when that monster was killed by the Mirror's white light?"

Li Tongya and his brother were startled for a moment, then frowned in thought. "Such a spiritual artifact is inherently destined to purge evil and eradicate monsters," Li Tongya mused for a few breaths, then offered his thoughts. "Perhaps that monster got too close and was struck down by the Mirror."

"That makes sense," Li Mutian nodded, speaking softly. "If we were to help Wan Tiancang, we could tell him that the talisman must be used by a member of our family, and then use the Mirror from afar to ambush Ji Dengqi. But Ji Dengqi is neither evil nor a monster; how could he provoke the Mirror to attack?"

Li Xiangping remained silent for a long time, then suddenly spoke: "The path of cultivation, starting from the Profound Scenery stage, involves alchemy, artifact refining, talisman drawing, and array formation. Even storage bags can only be used once a spirit consciousness is born in the Jade Capital Wheel. Perhaps when we cultivate to the Jade Capital Wheel, we can unravel some of the mysteries of the Mirror and utilize some of its power to kill enemies."

"That's a good point." Li Tongya nodded, calculated the time, and said, "The Wan family's spirit rice has just matured for one harvest. It will take at least two to three years until the next harvest, by which time Ji Dengqi will likely cross the border to attack. We have plenty of time."

Li Mutian sat on the stone stool, picked up the teapot, filled the teacups before him, and slowly said, "Let's put it off for now. Once our Li family produces a Jade Capital Wheel cultivator, and our strength is comparable to the Wan family's, then we can address these issues. Before that, let Ji Dengqi continue to pressure the Wan family for us."

"Yes." Li Xiangping took a small sip of clear tea and asked Li Tongya, "How is your progress, Second Brother?"

"I've already touched the edges of the Azure Origin Wheel. I just need a few more months of breathing exercises, and then, on a day when the weather announces birth and the Yang energy dispels the darkness, I can attempt to break through." Li Tongya smiled faintly, looking at the watery moonlight and the pale white moon essence flowing on the Mirror's surface, and explained, "This Azure Origin Wheel is much easier than the Inherited Clarity Wheel."

Li Xiangping smiled, shook his head, and then said seriously, "In a few months, the Immortal Sect envoy will come to collect tribute. We should also inquire about various matters concerning the Wan family."