Chapter 476: Rainbow Mist

Li Xuanxuan held the child while Li Xuanfeng looked down, deep in thought, and then spoke. "The matter of Qing Song Abbey is complex, with intertwined interests. Regardless of whether it involves destiny, the scattered talents in Jiangnan were almost completely rounded up. This incident serves as a warning; our family must be very careful."

He recounted the full story of Qing Song Abbey, explaining softly, "After the Golden Core reincarnation, who knows how many geniuses appeared in Jiangnan? Most of them possessed some destiny. Several Immortal Sects secretly observed them, guiding them to Qing Song Abbey to be both utilized and consumed."

"However, if you truly consider it, even a Purple Palace cultivator cannot discern destiny. Those who came to Qing Song Abbey were all rogue cultivator geniuses, specifically those with the strongest destinies, which made them easier for Immortal Sects to discover."

He looked at everyone and continued, "But were there any geniuses who fell into aristocratic families or the direct lines of immortal sects? Most likely. Even if not as prominent as Tu Longjian, they were still geniuses. These families understood the risks and hid their own talents."

"After all, it would be unnatural for rogue cultivators to always have things go smoothly. But for children of aristocratic families or immortal sects to easily achieve Qi Cultivation and Foundation Establishment, who could say anything was amiss?"

Li Xuanfeng softly said, "By the time this child comes of age, our family will have largely gained control over Wangyue Lake and ascended to the rank of great aristocratic families like the Yuans and Hans. With connections to several Purple Palace cultivators, and given his Mingyang bloodline, he won't be easily coveted by others."

"Instead, we must pay attention to the Buddhist cultivators."

At his words, everyone nodded. After all, destiny was intangible and invisible. Even if there were matters concerning a grotto-heaven, their family would receive information and know not to send anyone in. What truly drew covetous eyes, however, was the clearly discernible Mingyang Wei-Li bloodline, highly sought after by Buddhist cultivators. Yet, high-level Buddhist cultivators could not enter. Their covetousness, no matter how strong, was ultimately less dangerous than the greed of a Purple Palace cultivator.

Seeing that everyone had taken his words to heart, Li Xuanfeng nodded and said, "Between two evils, choose the lesser. Regardless of whether this child possesses destiny, he will be known as having the Wei-Li bloodline, the young master of the Li family."

"Young master..." Li Xuanxuan glanced at Li Chengliao, who looked a bit awkward, and whispered, "Chengliao is currently the young master... Perhaps, following ancient custom, we should call him the 'heir apparent'!"

"Indeed."

As soon as the words ceased, Li Ximing rolled up his sleeve, took out a jade vial, and said, "Back then, Zhige'er obtained several prescriptions in the East Fire Grotto-heaven, including one for the Triple-Perfect Breakthrough Pill. Its core 'profound pill' can aid in Foundation Establishment breakthroughs."

"I've been studying it for the past few years and have successfully refined it. I've completed this one pill."

He held up the jade vial, revealing a round, glowing vermilion pill inside. The moment it was opened, a refreshing fragrance surged out, invigorating everyone.

He closed the jade vial and softly said, "It's highly effective for Foundation Establishment breakthroughs. Uncle-Grandmaster, since you are going to the Southern Reaches, perhaps you should take one with you."

Li Xuanfeng paused briefly, then nodded in affirmation, "Only a handful of people in the Azure Pond Sect can refine pills that aid in Foundation Establishment breakthroughs. Your alchemy skills are truly excellent."

"However, I have my own arrangements for this trip to the Southern Reaches. It would be better to keep it for the family's own use."

His words were final and his tone decisive, so Li Ximing put the vial away. Li Xuanfeng pondered for a moment, then took out three arrow shafts from his embrace.

The arrow shafts were deep black, about an arm's length, without arrowheads. Four deep golden feathers were attached to their ends, and upon closer inspection, faint patterns seemed to be discernible.

Li Xuanfeng handed the three arrow shafts to his elder brother, Li Xuanxuan, and instructed, "Keep these three arrow shafts at home. Should there be any urgent matter for the family, break one, and I will immediately sense it from afar. Rushing as fast as I can, I should be able to reach home in two or three days."

Such warning items were not uncommon, but they usually could not be preserved for too long. Even the family's 'life jade,' which showed one's vitality, had to be constantly kept close to the body for nourishment and replaced after a maximum of one year. Li Xuanxuan nodded and asked, "How long can they last?"

Li Xuanfeng replied, "I refined these during my leisure time over the past few months. Ordinary spiritual energy and magical power don't last long, but I studied for a long time and condensed them with 'golden stellar energy.' There should be no worry of them failing within five years. I will send more back then."

In fact, True Person Yuansu had mentioned that he shouldn't return home too frequently, but Li Xuanfeng kept this to himself: 'Given my elder brother's temperament, if I told him Yuansu's meaning, he definitely wouldn't use these arrow shafts to trouble me, and it might delay important matters then.'

Li Xuanxuan clicked his tongue in wonder upon hearing this, then carefully put away the three arrow shafts. Li Xuanfeng looked at the sky, calculated with his fingers, and said with a hint of regret, "The time for my return is approaching; I must depart as well."

He stepped out into the courtyard, took a small jade boat from his waistband, tossed it into the air, and turned back to instruct, "If anything happens at home, you can write to me. It's much freer now than it used to be."

Everyone nodded, watching the emerald jade boat disappear into the brilliant sunset. This jade boat, borrowed from Ning Wan, was incredibly fast and vanished over the horizon in a blink.

Soon, only golden clouds remained in the sky, with an orange-red sunset, radiant for thousands of miles, as golden-red light spread across the vast expanse.

Li Zhouwei, wrapped in swaddling clothes, gazed at the setting sun with his eyes, dark golden light flowing with golden-red, complementing each other, creating a breathtaking sight.

After seeing Li Xuanfeng off, everyone soon dispersed. Li Chengliao happily carried the child downstairs and into the courtyard.

His wife, Madam Hu, was sound asleep. Although she was a Qi Cultivation cultivator, the birth of the child had been extremely taxing, depleting her physical strength and spiritual power. She had taken a spiritual medicine and was now resting in the room.

His father, Li Xicheng, followed him with a smile, stroking his beard, constantly peeking into his embrace. Once father and son were behind closed doors, Li Xicheng looked again and again, then suddenly spoke, "If your grandfather were still alive, he would surely find much peace..."

Grandfather Li Yuanyun was a rare mortal among the direct lineage. His life had been difficult and his death restless. Although Li Xicheng eventually became the family head, he could never truly let go of his feelings for his father.

Li Chengliao gently advised, "It's all in the past now... Let's look forward..."

Azure Pond Sect.

The woods on Qinghui Peak were covered in deep snow. The pavilion was empty, and a woman in a Daoist robe sat on a bamboo platform, her chin resting in her hands.

Her features were rather ordinary, but her magical robe was quite ornate, accentuating her beauty. The spiritual power from her cultivation added to her radiance, giving her an ethereal, fairy-like aura.

Whenever Yang Xiao’er emerged from seclusion, she would sit here, looking down. From this spot, she could perfectly see the colorful rainbow light emanating from the cave dwelling on the mountainside, where her Dao companion, Li Xizhi, was in secluded cultivation.

This colorful light floated up from above the cave dwelling, cycling through six colors, rising to its highest point, then transforming into a colorful mist that drifted downwards. This was the Six-Colored Rainbow Mist she had borrowed.

The breakthrough from Qi Cultivation to Foundation Establishment was a life-or-death hurdle for countless cultivators. Naturally, many mystical rumors had spread. The most widespread was the belief in using items related to an "immortal foundation" to set up a formation. The Azure Pond Sect had tested this multiple times and long since refuted it, but Yang Xiao’er, holding the belief that it was better to be safe than sorry, obtained this spiritual item.

This item was quite compatible with her husband's immortal foundation. So, she set up a formation to confine it in front of the cave dwelling, hoping to increase Li Xizhi's chances of breakthrough.

Yang Xiao’er stared at it for a moment, silently praying in her heart.

In truth, she didn't need to worry so much. Li Xizhi's talent was inherently good, and his cultivation in spells and scriptures was profound. He had also chosen an auspicious moment for his breakthrough, not to mention the augmentation from the Suiyuan Pill and Xuandou Pill obtained from her maternal family. The chance of failure was truly very small.

But as it was her beloved, Yang Xiao’er couldn't help but be anxious, silently waiting on the platform.

From below, the tinkling of bells was heard, and a middle-aged man ascended. His appearance was not striking, carrying an air of honesty. He cupped his hands towards her and said in a deep voice, "Junior Sister, I'm returning to my clan for a trip."

This was her senior brother, Yuan Chengzhao, also from the Yuan family's direct lineage and a late-stage Qi Cultivation cultivator. He was now full of worry, hesitating to speak.

Their master, Yuan Tuan, had gone to the Eastern Sea years ago and had not returned. As a member of the Yang family, Yang Xiao’er naturally knew of these circumstances, even more so than Yuan Chengzhao himself, a Yuan family member. She softly said, "Don't worry... Your esteemed clan still has six Foundation Establishment cultivators. No matter what, they can maintain stability."

Yuan Chengzhao shook his head, saying softly, "If the six old ancestors could work together, it would naturally be nothing... But..."

He gave a bitter smile, "My clan brother, Yuan Chengshun, is truly gifted. He now has the highest combat power in the clan. Although supposedly from the direct lineage, he was adopted from a collateral branch... Protector Yuanzu wants to push him to become an elder on the mountain... It's all a mess..."

"Our master has been out of contact in the Eastern Sea; we only know he went to Qunyi Strait. Without a stabilizing figure in the clan, everyone wants several of the treasures, and it's turning very ugly."

This was an internal matter for the Yuan family. Yang Xiao’er remained silent. Such situations were not uncommon; the negative impact of an ancestor's demise was immense, and the Yuan family's situation was still considered relatively good.

Yuan Chengzhao, being within the sect, only vaguely heard about the family's issues and already found them troublesome. He paced anxiously, exasperatedly saying, "What are they fighting over? What's there to contend for? If he's to go up the mountain, then he goes up. How could someone like Chengshun be left to run errands down the mountain? The few treasures are indeed marvelous, but they'd be fine if shared within the clan! Why are they fighting over them?"

He had cultivated on the mountain since childhood and did not understand such matters. Yang Xiao’er, seeing his demeanor, knew he would suffer losses upon returning to the clan and reminded him, "What they are fighting for is not just a position... but also the factions of interest and clan laws behind it... You must not underestimate it, or you might follow in the footsteps of the Jiang family of Yuhu."

Yuan Chengzhao nodded hesitantly. Yang Xiao’er, thoughtfully, asked, "When your ancestor narrowly failed to break through to the Purple Palace realm, the phenomena caused rain to fall across four commanderies for months on end. It was truly a grand display! It seems he was just one step away."

Yuan Chengzhao sighed. When a family member went into seclusion for a breakthrough, success meant glory within the sect and outwardly, with everyone coming to offer congratulations. Failure meant a severe loss of vital energy, with no one bothering to inquire, a huge disparity that distressed him.

Yang Xiao’er lowered her head and said, "And what about my family? Our ancestor has been in secluded breakthrough for decades now. We don't know what's happening. We hope for a phenomenon to arise, yet we also secretly fear..."

As they spoke, both suddenly looked up, sensing something. They saw a rainbow light flying from the east, descending into the mountain. Instantly, spiritual mist surged, and rainbow light and mist wafted through the mountains.

"Senior Brother has succeeded!"

Yuan Chengzhao rejoiced, and Yang Xiao’er could no longer restrain herself. She descended on the wind and indeed saw the cave dwelling's door open, from which a youth in a feather robe flew out.

His eyebrows were noble, his demeanor extraordinary, and his chest broad. His every movement exuded an elegant and unconstrained air, and with a smile, he pulled Yang Xiao’er into an embrace.

Yang Xiao’er felt that the man's temperament had vastly changed after his breakthrough. With a dazed, blushing face, her feelings conveyed more than a thousand words, and she stammered, "With the cultivation of this Long-Haze Mist, you... you even gained an air of nobility!"

Li Xizhi swept his spiritual sense and indeed found his current appearance more refined and noble. However, he didn't care about this, feeling little change. He reached out and grasped the Six-Colored Rainbow Mist, examining it closely. "What a splendid spiritual item! It can be crafted into a magical artifact!"

He then landed on the peak with Yang Xiao’er and saw his junior brother, Yuan Chengzhao, approaching.

"Congratulations, Senior Brother!"

Yuan Chengzhao repeatedly offered congratulations, his worried brows much lighter now. Without disturbing the couple, he quickly departed on the wind.

Li Xizhi smiled as he saw him off, then returned to the cave dwelling with Yang Xiao’er. Holding her in his embrace, he gently asked, "How have you been recently?"

Yang Xiao’er's cheeks were still slightly flushed. She hummed a couple of replies, looking at him excitedly, her eyes glistening with tears of joy, giggling softly.

Li Xizhi kissed her forehead and then set her down. The moment Yang Xiao’er's gaze met his, it softened like water, flowing directly towards him, unwilling to move away.

A woman always sees her beloved as handsome. She leaned against him like a cat, listening as Li Xizhi said, "This Long-Haze Mist excels in escape techniques, rainbow collection, and spellcasting. Once activated as a flight light, it is much faster than that of cultivators of the same level, and spellcasting is more rapid... What's even rarer is its ability to gather rainbow mist, disorienting enemies, blessing a mountain or region, and nurturing spiritual essence."

Yang Xiao’er listened and laughed, "It sounds like a good immortal foundation for holding down a position."

Li Xizhi paused, then said, "My breakthrough went quite smoothly. Years have passed in a flash, and I wonder how things are at home. Since I've successfully broken through to Foundation Establishment, I should hurry and visit home... Father will surely be overjoyed."

A hopeful smile appeared on his face. Yang Xiao’er, though understanding some things, was unaware of the affairs within the grotto-heaven. Just as she was about to share some good news, Yuan Chengzhao urgently knocked on the stone door. Li Xizhi stepped forward to open it, a little puzzled.

Yuan Chengzhao, however, lowered his head and said in a low voice, "Senior Brother, I heard news from outside that Yu Muxian is dead."

Li Xizhi was momentarily stunned. Before he could feel joy, seeing the expression on his junior brother's face, and recalling his past discussions with his younger brother Li Xijun, his heart suddenly felt empty. He frowned and asked, "Who killed him?!"

"He... perished together with your esteemed father..."

Li Xizhi's face turned pale, and he stumbled back two steps. Yang Xiao’er quickly rushed to support him. All three fell silent for a few breaths. Yang Xiao’er suddenly felt her face grow wet.

Tears streamed down Li Xizhi's neck, dripping onto his feather robe. He pressed his lips together and forced out, "Thank you for informing me, Junior Brother..."

He turned to look at the cave dwelling, then turned back, his tears already gone. Li Xizhi locked the cave dwelling's grand formation and softly said, "I'll go to the main peak to arrange some affairs, then return home for the funeral."

Yuan Chengzhao softly said, "I also need to go back; perhaps we can travel together."