Chapter 473: Escaping into the Great Void

Li Xuanfeng stepped out of the ancestral hall. The rain outside had significantly lessened but still dripped onto the stone steps. His black-gold boots trod on the steps, where a puddle of clear water had collected in front of the door.

His grey eyes gazed into the water for a moment, revealing an aged face with temples tinged white, thinning eyebrows, blurred facial lines, thinner lips, and sunken eyes. There was no joy of accomplishment, but rather the weariness of life and death separation.

Li Xuanfeng was surprised by how much he had aged. In that instant, he finally realized the toll eighty years of struggle and torment had taken on his body. Like most cultivators in this world, he was in the prime of his life yet had aged beyond recognition.

He stepped into the great hall. The threshold seemed much higher than it had been in his youth, reaching up to his shins.

On either side stood the younger generations. His elder brother, Li Xuanxuan, was visibly aged, his lips trembling as he stood at the forefront. Behind him was a young man in mourning clothes, presumably Li Ximing.

Further down was Li Qinghong from the second branch, followed by the brothers Li Xijun and Li Xicheng. Scattered behind them were a few other younger family members. Finally, Li Yuexiang stood in a corner, with a black-clad man bowed at her side. He exuded demonic energy and remained silent.

Li Xuanfeng recognized him as a Hook Snake demon at a glance but said nothing. Li Xuanxuan, with tears in his eyes, approached him, pulling him gently and saying, "Come, you come."

When Li Xuanxuan was younger, whenever Li Xuanfeng was present, he would always say little, subtly making way for his exceptionally talented younger brother. As always, he led his brother to the main seat, and the people below bowed, declaring: "Greetings, Old Ancestor! Welcome back!"

Li Xuanfeng said, "Rise."

Li Xuanfeng's grey eyes swept across the room. He noted who could meet his gaze confidently and who dodged it, lowering their eyes without a word. The family's situation became clear to him. Having fought his way through mountains of corpses and seas of blood in the Southern Border for years, his aura was fierce. His slight silence immediately drew everyone's attention.

He first spoke in a low voice: "Yuan Jiao was killed in the Grotto-Heaven. I have returned home to bring back his relics."

Everyone was prepared and remained silent. Li Xuanxuan slowly closed his eyes, seemingly having anticipated this. Although the younger generations had hidden it from him, he had discerned much from their expressions.

Now that they knew Li Xuanfeng had returned alone, what had happened in the Grotto-Heaven was self-evident.

Li Xuanfeng felt a pang of sorrow but said no more. He first took out several jade slips from his storage bag, his gaze falling upon those below as he solemnly said, "Li Wushao!"

The black-clad youth dropped to his knees in the hall with a thud. The rain outside pattered. Li Xuanfeng narrowed his eyes slightly. Having slain countless demons, he had long terrified this Hook Snake. With that slight narrowing of his eyes, the formidable Foundation Establishment demon had already pressed its head to the ground.

Li Xuanfeng simply said, "Li Wushao… Qinghong says you have been diligent. Yuan Jiao also released your spirit before his death. You are no longer under my family's control. If you have somewhere to go, you are free to leave."

How could Li Wushao dare to say more? Not only had the Li family treated him well over the years, but he was also a loyal old retainer of the family. If he were to return to the East Sea, he would merely be a snack for the dragon kin. Nowhere was as comfortable as this prosperous land. He said hoarsely, "Wushao is merely a small demon. Grateful for the old master's benevolence, I dare not betray it."

Li Xuanfeng was unsure of the level of his family's demon-subduing techniques and hesitated slightly. A handsome youth, with a sword on his back and clear eyes, stepped forward and respectfully said, "The family has regulations regarding this matter. It would be better to let Xijun handle it."

Li Xuanfeng nodded in agreement. He then laid out the jade slips in his hand and said softly, "These three are the 'Wei Mingqian Pass Method,' the 'Xiaoyun Thunder Inquiring Method,' and the 'Cang Snake Towards Sea Art,' all acquired from the Grotto-Heaven. They are ancient family techniques. Apart from the Thunder Method, the others contain no spiritual energy, but you may cultivate them if the opportunity arises in the future."

"As for the 'Xiaoyun Thunder Inquiring Method,' Qinghong can examine it thoroughly."

Li Qinghong nodded and accepted it. Li Xuanfeng continued, "There are three Embryonic Breathing cultivation methods: two rank-four, 'Six Chapters of Seeking Immortality' and 'Scale Beast Inquiring Method,' and one rank-five, 'Insights from the Scripture of Mount Taihua.'"

"A Rank-Five cultivation method!"

This instantly shocked everyone. Li Xuanfeng didn't stop there. He took out a deep golden halberd with a long, curved blade, like a crescent moon, much taller than an ordinary person.

"This is Gu Mingyang's magical artifact. The family can make use of it."

He then took out various scattered spiritual items, and finally, a round purple jade, stating solemnly, "This is a Purple Mansion Talisman. I tested it; injecting spiritual power into it can release its effect. The family can use it to suppress and stabilize our clan's destiny."

He glanced around, seeing no greed in anyone's eyes, and felt much satisfaction. He waved his hand and whispered to Li Xuanxuan, "Brother, let's have a good talk."

Li Xuanfeng hadn't seen his elder brother for decades. For the next year or so, he would be stationed in the East Sea and unable to return freely. Now that they met, he was at a loss for words.

Li Xuanxuan merely waved his hand. Several mysterious acupoints on his body faintly emitted clear light, indicating that the spirit-calming formation Heng Zhu had placed on him years ago was operating intensely. He took the jade box from Li Xuanfeng's hand and said in a hoarse voice, "I will go and bury Jiao'er."

He stumbled away. Li Xuanfeng had no choice but to step out and wander around for a while. Although the precious medicine given by Tu Longjian was potent, his internal injuries had not fully healed, so he went to recuperate first.

As the two entered the backyard, everyone in the great hall rose. Li Ximing gently cupped his hands and said, "The elixirs for the clan's use this year can be collected from my Alchemy Pavilion tomorrow."

He left with that one statement. Li Yuexiang was about to withdraw but was stopped by Li Qinghong, who said gently, "Your brother is within the sect. Someone from the Ji lineage needs to speak up."

Li Yuexiang paused, nodded, and stopped. The several individuals then divided the cultivation methods. The rank-five Embryonic Breathing cultivation method, 'Insights from the Scripture of Mount Taihua,' was naturally designated as a secret transmission for the direct lineage. The Li family had always been generous to those of different surnames; the two rank-four methods, 'Six Chapters of Seeking Immortality' and 'Scale Beast Inquiring Method,' were intended to be bestowed upon the descendants of meritorious subjects.

As for ordinary cultivators from other surnames and illegitimate branches, they could already obtain rank-three Embryonic Breathing cultivation methods, which was quite good, almost comparable to some overlooked direct lineage members in other aristocratic families.

Li Qinghong read the 'Xiaoyun Thunder Inquiring Method' carefully, pondering it repeatedly. She found that it wasn't much superior to the 'Purple Thunder Secret Origin Art.' While it lacked the sterility effect, it still significantly shortened one's lifespan.

"Strange... it seems to be due to changes in the world, not an inherent flaw in the cultivation method itself."

Li Qinghong's mastery of thunder techniques was already quite profound. With two ancient thunder methods in hand, she quickly assessed them and said softly, "However, there are still many points of reference. The East Sea is experiencing a phenomenon where water descends and thunder rises. Once the family is stable, I will go to an overseas island to cultivate in seclusion."

Li Qinghong looked around. The few of them discussed the recent changes in the family for a while, finding no major issues. Li Xijun then whispered, "There's news from outside... Ancestor Yuan Licheng of the Yuan family failed his breakthrough to the Purple Mansion stage and died. The continuous heavy rain outside the hall right now should be an anomalous sign of his demise."

Prompted by his words, Li Qinghong suddenly recalled something and said softly, "At that time, I was contending for spiritual objects near Qingsong Island and saved someone from the Dongliu Han family. I seemed to have heard that a Yuan family cultivator had died. After all, they are allies..."

Li Xijun nodded and said, "I have already sent someone over."

Li Qinghong secretly frowned and whispered, "I heard... Ancestor Yuan Licheng of the Yuan family once cultivated under True Master Bu Zi. Later, he made a mistake and was sent back by True Master Bu Zi... Now that Bu Zi is missing and Yuan Licheng has died, I'm afraid... the Yuan family will face difficult times."

Li Xijun looked at the ceaseless heavy rain in the sky and nodded lowly, "I only hope it won't affect the sect. Counting the days, Brother Xizhi should have successfully established his Foundation as well."

The World within the Mirror.

Lu Jiangxian possessed the Golden Essence of Bright Yang, and his own status was extremely high. It took him half a month to establish a connection between this Golden Essence and the fetus before it slowly receded.

Since it was still a fetus, he dared not connect too deeply, fearing that both mother and child would be incinerated by the Bright Yang. This endeavor was extremely difficult. Even with his mastery of immortal arts, it took him a full half month to establish even a preliminary connection. If it had been his former self, he would never have been able to accomplish such a challenging task.

"It was difficult, but the seamlessness is its triumph!"

His method was ingenious. Utilizing the artifact mirror's un-detectability, he allowed the Golden Essence to reside within it, subtly influencing the outside world. Combined with the True Comprehension Marvelous Art, even if True Master Lushu himself arrived, he would not perceive any issue with the fetus unless he first found the artifact mirror. He would simply assume it was blessed by fate.

Lu Jiangxian marveled at his own method, while the artifact mirror grew increasingly brighter as the jade buckle integrated. He withdrew his divine sense, slowly closed his eyes, and began to perceive.

It had been far too long since Lu Jiangxian had acquired a component for the artifact mirror. Compared to receiving components one after another when he first entered this realm, or even falling into a coma for several years, this jade buckle merely left him feeling slightly fatigued.

"Three talisman seeds, and the enhancement of the Grand Yin Profound Light to the Purple Mansion realm are secondary..."

These two enhancements didn't move him greatly. As half a month passed, the jade buckle gradually melted, and the mirror body finally gained a new, special function: "Ethereal Travel!"

The jade buckle seemed to have originally been the immortal artifact mirror's ability to escape into the Great Void, which for unknown reasons had been stripped away and manifested as this buckle. Now, with its return and integration, this ability was restored to the immortal artifact mirror.

Lu Jiangxian finally let out a sigh of relief. After years of arduous waiting here, the immortal artifact mirror could at last connect to and enter the Great Void! Coupled with the immortal artifact mirror's uncalculable ability, it was safe to say that no one below the Golden Core stage would be able to touch him.

Similarly, he no longer had to be flown around the world by a group of people. The immortal artifact mirror could now hover in the Great Void and descend from the location of any talisman seed.

He could also communicate with any talisman seed from within the Great Void and majestically unleash Grand Yin Profound Light from it to annihilate others. This meant that if Lu Jiangxian was determined to kill a Purple Mansion cultivator, there were almost no places in the world to hide.

Of course, the Great Void concealed countless demons and monsters. To kill an enemy from thousands of miles away within the Great Void would be no different from setting off firecrackers next to the ears of slumbering Golden Core cultivators.

After finishing his thoughts, his spirits lifted. He slowly formed a hand seal. On the intricately patterned altar outside, the surface of the greenish-grey mirror slowly turned bright white. Lu Jiangxian felt a chill throughout his body. All the surrounding illusions vanished, and the immortal artifact mirror disappeared from its spot.

Li Xuanfeng had only been in seclusion for half a month, and his injuries had already mostly healed. After all, he was applying precious medicine; a single dose cost one hundred eighty spirit stones, so the effect was naturally excellent.

"It's effective, but it can't be simply quantified that way..."

Once cultivation reached the late Foundation Establishment or even the Purple Mansion stage, the value of spirit stones diminished significantly. True Purple Mansion-grade spiritual artifacts, precious medicines, rare spiritual energy, and spiritual water were almost never traded with spirit stones but mostly exchanged through bartering.

He touched the storage bag at his waist, took out several letters and various magical artifacts, and mused, "I still need to find an opportunity... to make a trip around the lake."

When Green Pool conscripted cultivators back then, he wasn't the only one who left the family for the Southern Border. Over the years, many had died or been wounded, and few remained alive.

Upon hearing that Li Xuanfeng was leaving the Southern Border, these cultivators naturally wrote letters, and those who had died had left their relics in the city. Since they had fought alongside each other, a sense of camaraderie remained. Li Xuanfeng still had to visit various families to return the relics.

Li Xuanfeng pondered to himself, slowly regulated his breathing, and soon emerged from his cave dwelling, thinking, "The immortal artifact mirror swallowed the jade buckle but hasn't reacted yet. I don't know what's happening now. I'll go check."

Li Xuanfeng then entered the secret chamber. He gently raised an eyebrow, startled, to find the altar empty, with nothing on it.

"What?!"

He froze slightly, his mind suddenly blank, yet he faintly felt something still present before him. He slowly focused his gaze, and as the talisman seeds within him stirred, he distinctly saw an illusory profound shadow emerge on the altar before him.

"This is... Ethereal Travel?"

At the same time, an invisible fluctuation spread out. Outside, Li Qinghong suddenly looked up, a hint of joy in her expression. Her gaze seemed to pierce through the clouds, sensing the profound shadow of the immortal artifact mirror in a certain direction.

On the stone path, Li Xijun sharply raised his eyebrows, a series of revelations dawning upon him. Just as surprise flickered across his face, the magnificent Alchemy Pavilion before him erupted with a violent roar, spewing out a crimson flame. Li Ximing, covered in ash, leaped out, clearly having been interrupted from his alchemy by this sudden enlightenment.

The two brothers exchanged a look and nodded simultaneously. Li Xijun whispered, "It's that jade buckle!"

Li Ximing had high talent in alchemy and rarely experienced furnace explosions. It was his first time being so disheveled. He casually cast a cleansing spell and hurried with Li Xijun towards the ancestral hall.

Inside the secret chamber, Li Xuanfeng stared at the empty stone platform. Having seen much in the Southern Border and interacted extensively with Purple Mansion cultivators, he quickly made his judgment. Many thoughts flashed through his mind. After a brief consideration, he unfastened the Green Ruler Sword from his waist.

When Li Yuanjiao designed this altar, he had carefully considered all possible contingencies and had already prepared to use the Green Ruler Sword as a substitute. Li Xuanfeng gently placed the sword on the altar, where it fit perfectly, as if it had always belonged there.

The stone door behind him stirred slightly. Several members of the Li family's direct lineage had arrived early. Li Xuanfeng waved his hand, signaling everyone to withdraw.