Chapter 486: Five Waters Form the Formation

Yuan Fuyao felt a sudden panic upon hearing this. He sighed and said, "That's one thing. But I can't just sit here day after day. I don't know any cultivation arts or crafts. It's not right to just stay in the cave all day after arriving; I need to find something to do."

An attendant nearby quickly suggested, "Young Master was once tasked by the Old Ancestor to manage agricultural affairs in several towns back home, so you are very experienced. The Li family, conveniently, is skilled at caring for common folk. Why not seek a position there? It would also earn you their high regard."

"Excellent!" Yuan Fuyao's expression immediately brightened. He quickly put on his shoes and, accompanied by two attendants, bustled out of the cave. After walking a short distance, they soon found the Li family's central hall.

After waiting a short while in a less prominent area of the hall, a bustling group emerged, seemingly centered around a child dressed in splendid white and gold robes.

Although Yuan Fuyao was very curious, he refrained from probing with his spiritual sense out of politeness. He merely glanced twice and quietly asked his attendant, "Who is that?"

The two Yuan family attendants didn't know much, so they pulled over a nearby guard who was on duty in the hall. The guard, initially reluctant to speak much, paused when Yuan Fuyao asked and whispered, "That is our family's Young Master."

'Young Master?' Yuan Fuyao pondered the term, finding it rather archaic. He assumed the child was a core direct descendant. Taking two steps forward, he ascended the steps and walked onto the path the Young Master had taken, suddenly twitching his nose. "What's that smell?" He noticed a faint floral scent wafting through the air. After a moment's thought, one of the Yuan family attendants quietly said, "I believe I recognize this scent...it's overbearing and intense, captivating yet crude. It's peony." "Oh!" Yuan Fuyao dismissed it as something left by one of Li Chengliao's wives or concubines and quickly put it out of his mind. He then swiftly ascended the steps and bowed with cupped hands, "Greetings, Young Clan Master!"

Li Chengliao rarely had the chance to see his child and had been softly reading to him. Yuan Fuyao's visit was ill-timed, but upon hearing he was waiting outside the hall, Li Chengliao had to dismiss Li Zhouwei and then summon him in. Meeting Yuan Fuyao, he was still courteous and asked, "May I know what important matter brings you here, Young Master?"

"No important matter," he replied with a smile, "I simply don't wish to be idle. Back home, I always managed agricultural affairs; I was hardly a Young Master. But now that I'm with your esteemed clan, I find myself living like a lord. I hope the Young Clan Master can assign me some tasks so I don't feel as if I'm eating and drinking here for free."

Li Chengliao was surprised, initially believing Yuan Fuyao was merely being polite. He declined two or three times, not expecting such sincerity. After a brief moment of thought at his desk, he softly said, "Our family has negotiated with the Shanyue Foundation Establishment cultivators and recently acquired new territory in Shanyue. Things had always gone smoothly, but in recent years, heavy rains have caused many delays, and several towns have even collapsed. Since you are willing, perhaps you could go to Shanyue and manage three towns as a trial?"

Yuan Fuyao quickly nodded, happily accepted the appointment, and soon departed with his people. Li Chengliao watched him with a touch of bewilderment, muttering, "I wonder how the Yuan family cultivates their members; this person is quite peculiar... so eager to manage agricultural affairs!"

Liu Changdie cried for a while but was eventually persuaded by Li Xuanxuan to rest. Having rushed back from the East Sea with barely a moment's pause, his spiritual power was utterly exhausted. He first sought a cave dwelling to recuperate.

Li Xuanxuan quickly entered the main hall and found Li Xizhi and Li Yuexiang chatting.

Li Yuanjiao and his wife were both intelligent individuals, and Xiao Guilan was skilled in raising children. The two siblings, Li Xizhi and Li Yuexiang, conversed back and forth, finding a sense of kindred spirits, and the long-unseen family affection slowly resurfaced.

Yang Xiaoer was leading Li Chenghuai, a fourteen-year-old boy with slightly prominent brow ridges and a very focused expression. Perhaps loneliness and suffering tend to mature a person, as his expression remained relatively calm upon seeing his father.

He held a small book in his hand. Seeing his father beckon, he quickly stepped forward and bowed respectfully, "Father!"

Li Xizhi nodded, observing him with a complex expression. Li Xuanxuan, being older, liked to count generations and simply said, "Among the Cheng generation, Chengliao and Chenghuai, along with others like Cheng and Minggong, have all reached the Qi Condensation stage. Once Ximing's child is born, that generation will be complete."

"Hmm." Li Xizhi gestured for him to come closer. Seeing that he was reading a history book, he merely nodded and said, "Read more; it can enhance your strategic thinking. But you must also involve yourself more in practical matters, otherwise, it will just be empty talk."

He looked at his eldest son, casually flipped a page, and gently explained, "Look at this line: 'In June, the Tian clan and the Liu clan were in discord, fighting in the street. The Young Master punished them by assigning them to supervise the mining vein, thus forming today's Eastern Tian branch...' The book doesn't go into detail, but when you read it, you must consider: who did the Liu clan rely on at that time? What was the status of the Tian clan? Why was such a punishment given? Read it carefully tonight, and tomorrow I will personally test you."

Li Chenghuai quickly nodded, retreated behind his mother, and appeared thoughtful. Li Xuanxuan praised, "Zhier is quite skilled at raising children..."

"Oh!" Li Xizhi waved his hand and softly replied, "I dare not take credit. It's simply that when we were young, our mother held books, going through the text line by line and testing us on each part. That's how my siblings and I became who we are today; I'm merely imitating her."

Li Yuexiang smiled and nodded. After a few more exchanges, Li Yuexiang thought of her elder brother and mother, who had both entered seclusion to break through a life-or-death barrier. However, the celestial phenomena had not reappeared for many years, and she wondered if this would affect them.

As they were chatting, someone arrived noisily from outside the courtyard, wearing a light gray robe with three diamond patterns on the back and five runes on the chest, clearly the attire of a contemporary formation master.

"Fellow Daoist Changdie!" Li Xuanxuan bowed with cupped hands. Liu Changdie's face was slightly pale as he softly said, "I vaguely recall that your esteemed clan once intended to create a Foundation Establishment formation. However, my cultivation was too shallow at the time to lay such a grand array, so it was set aside. I wonder today...?"

Liu Changdie's words instantly revealed the progress he had made in the East Sea over the years. Back then, it was clearly the Li family that was financially strained, merely speaking courteously. Li Xuanxuan paused and looked at Li Xizhi.

Liu Changdie understood. He observed the young man in feathered robes before him, who then pleasantly introduced himself, "I am Li Xizhi."

Li Xizhi... A realization dawned on Liu Changdie. He had met him in his previous life, but back then, Li Xizhi cultivated the "River and Air Unification Art," and his demeanor was entirely different, so he hadn't recognized him at first glance.

He cupped his hands in return, "Liu Changdie, a rogue cultivator from Yue State. Greetings, fellow Daoist."

Liu Changdie was originally of the same generation as Li Xizhi's father. However, given Li Xizhi's status as a disciple of an Immortal Sect, and uncertain whether his master was a grand cultivator, Liu Changdie chose the more neutral term "fellow Daoist" rather than presuming familiarity.

Li Xizhi softly asked, "Regarding the formation, Master, do you have any thoughts or ideas?"

Liu Changdie seemed to have a well-formulated plan already and replied, "Some years ago, I passed through this mountain and was invited by your esteemed clan. The 'Green Ox Leaning on River Grand Formation' on this mountain was laid by me. I am already very familiar with this mountain and have long been prepared."

Li Xizhi smiled and replied, "Master, perhaps you should still take a look. Over the years, the earth's ley lines have shifted, and several new side peaks have emerged. The ley lines are now somewhat different."

Liu Changdie stroked his beard and nodded, saying, "I am already aware; it poses no significant problem!"

"Good!" Li Xizhi immediately held him in higher regard. Without even asking about the formation's power or deployment methods, he immediately asked, "Master, how many spirit stones and spiritual materials will you require for preparation?"

Liu Changdie made an estimate and replied, "Your esteemed clan is now vastly different. I will not merely employ an ordinary formation. I intend to use spiritual water for the layout. A total of five spiritual waters will serve as the main conduits, combined with the water veins on the mountain peaks, to establish the Foundation Establishment grand formation. All things considered, four hundred spirit stones should be enough!"

"Oh?" Li Xizhi shook his head with a light laugh. He was very knowledgeable; how could a Foundation Establishment grand formation be completed with only four hundred spirit stones? Furthermore, five spiritual waters were needed first, and just five spiritual waters of decent quality would cost more than four hundred spirit stones alone. Liu Changdie was clearly planning to cover the additional cost himself.

However, Li Xizhi didn't give him the chance, replying, "Master, you jest. How could we possibly allow you to cover these costs? My family will collect the spiritual waters and materials. As for spirit stones, my family will provide you with one hundred. If that's not enough, feel free to ask."

"This!" Liu Changdie's expression immediately shifted. He quickly said, "This? What do you mean...? My friendship with your esteemed clan..."

Li Xizhi waved his hand, his expression solemn, and his eyes calmly fixed on Liu Changdie. He softly said, "Uncle, you yourself have not had an easy life. Now that my family can afford it, and we are not powerless, it must be borne by us. I've heard my father and you share a deep friendship, and I'm sure he wouldn't want you to shoulder this."

Liu Changdie had prepared himself for Li Xizhi to be unyielding, but upon hearing his earnest words and being shaken by the familiar term "Uncle" from his previous life, he found himself speechless.

Dazed, Liu Changdie assented. After a moment of silence, he gently cupped his hands. Though directed forward, the bow did not seem to be for Li Xizhi directly before him; his respectful demeanor was more akin to that of a loyal guest elder of many years. "I will go survey the ley lines now!" he softly said.

Having said this, Liu Changdie bowed slightly and slowly withdrew.

Li Xizhi watched him leave, feeling a strange, undefinable sensation. His behavior and demeanor had a familiar quality, like something one would only sense from old retainers such as Chen Donghe or An Zheyuan.

This feeling was too absurd, and he quickly dismissed it. After a moment, Li Qinghong landed gracefully in the hall, carried by the wind.

Everyone in the hall, except Li Xuanxuan, quickly rose. Li Qinghong surveyed the room, waved for everyone to sit, and asked, "How are things?"

Li Xizhi quickly recounted what had just happened. Li Qinghong nodded, her slender eyebrows arching slightly, and produced two grey-black stone bottles from her storage bag.

These two items were obtained from slaying demons, which is why they were stored in roughly carved stone bottles rather than the usual jade ones for marine treasures. She softly said, "These are two types of spiritual water: the Far Ocean Serpent Current from the Confluent Water category and Stone-in-Water from the Female Water category. That's two out of the five."

As soon as she finished speaking, Li Xuanxuan, who had been silently pondering, spoke up in his old, resonant voice: "The family also has another spiritual water, obtained by Jun'ger and me when we were out in the Helin Mountain Range. It's called 'Mulin Cold Water,' but the records don't specify what type of water it is."

He took a jade bottle from his embrace. Li Xizhi glanced at it briefly and handed the jade bottle back, identifying it, "Confluent Water."

Li Xuanxuan said with a touch of regret, "Originally, we also obtained a 'Qingyuan Spiritual Water' in that mountain range, but unfortunately, a small portion has already been used for eye technique cultivation, and there isn't enough for a complete portion."

With three out of five spiritual waters now gathered, Yang Xiaoer, standing nearby, gently stepped forward and finally spoke, softly saying, "I still have one type of spiritual water here, which was once bestowed by the peak. Because it is quite special, I haven't used it yet and have kept it with me."

She retrieved an item from a jade ring on her feathered robe: a silver-white jade bottle. Handing it over, she softly said, "This is 'White Feather Never Falls,' which belongs to the 'Palace Water' category among the Five Waters. Palace Water was anciently known as 'Weak Water' and is now quite rare among the Five Waters. Its uses are also rarely recorded, which is why I have kept it."

Li Xizhi paused, took the white bottle from her hand, and handed it to Li Xuanxuan, saying, "I will personally compensate Xiaoer when we return to the sect. The family can just keep this."

Li Xuanxuan could only thank her and accept, understanding that the couple didn't truly make such fine distinctions but were merely reassuring him. After a quick calculation, they still lacked one type of spiritual water.

Li Qinghong handed all these items to Li Xuanxuan and said, "Just wait. I'll make a trip to the market and acquire the last spiritual water."

She had a decisive and efficient nature. Saying she would go, she left without hesitation, rising on the wind and swiftly heading south.

As they were chatting, they instructed Li Chengliao to go prepare for the sacrifice. Li Yuexiang listened for a while, raising an eyebrow, as someone from a lower position approached.

This person was dressed in a black robe, with a grim expression. A Mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator, he floated along close to the ground, arriving before her and kneeling on one knee. "Miss... the family has collected some information and asked me to deliver it." Li Wushao offered a jade slip with both hands. Li Yuexiang gently took it and read it carefully.

"Yuan Fuyao, twenty-nine years old, early Qi Condensation, cultivates the Qingxuan path, unknown what cultivation method..." She casually flipped through, skipping large portions, then chuckled lightly and asked, "And a childhood sweetheart?"

Li Wushao bowed his head and replied, "I only heard from those below that this person once had dealings with a woman from the Song family. At that time, the Song family still had Foundation Establishment cultivators... but in recent years, the Song family declined, and the connection was broken."

"I see," Li Yuexiang replied casually. Li Wushao continued, "I've heard from those below that Yuan Fuyao has been inquiring everywhere about the betrothal gifts, but he only encountered our people and obtained no information."

"Oh?" Li Xuanxuan and Li Yuexiang exchanged glances. The old man stroked his beard, his ancient voice filled with the understanding of one who had witnessed much of the world, "No wonder he was tempted. Such vast wealth, if obtained by him alone, would surely bring fortune for three generations."

Li Xuanxuan glanced around, then continued, "Lacking proper guidance from a young age and unaware of changing circumstances, but still of decent character, he is, in the end, merely an ordinary person. Such conduct is not surprising."

Despite his words, his disappointment was evident. Li Xizhi, surprised, glanced at him and asked, "What? The Yuan family wants to marry my sister? Which young talent are they proposing?"

Li Yuexiang then began to explain all the events. Li Xizhi listened carefully for a while, one hand resting on the armrest, the other casually manipulating rainbow light, and said with an amused tone, "I'll go meet him myself."

Li Xuanxuan knew he would say this. He sighed and nodded, but seeing Li Yuexiang smiling beside him, he couldn't help but chuckle.

As the most senior elder who had experienced so much, he couldn't fail to notice the convenient timing of Li Wushao's arrival. He merely mused, "This child has good intentions, casually trying things out. But Zhier dotes on her; he won't let her be disappointed."