Chapter 487: Remaining Space

Li Xizhi descended the mountain, but instead of immediately going to find Yuan Fuyao, he took a slight detour. He headed towards a tall pavilion and landed outside the central grand hall.

The grand hall had eighteen steps leading up to its platform. On either side, a stone statue of a horned male beast crouched. The hall was topped with bright yellow glazed tiles, from which rainwater dripped and rolled down, falling from the beasts' mouths, creating a unique spectacle.

Li Chengliao, having just finished tidying up, was descending the steps. His face, rather than the straightforward sincerity of his father Li Xicheng, held a more rugged, angular appearance. Seeing the person descend on a beam of light, robes fluttering and an aura of rainbow light flowing around him, Li Chengliao quickly clasped his hands in greeting.

"Chengliao greets Third Uncle!"

Li Xizhi, with one hand behind his back, raised Li Chengliao with the other and smiled. "No need to be so formal. I’ve come to see our family's heir apparent."

Li Chengliao's face immediately lit up. He nodded and led the way to a side pavilion, descending from the topmost jade platform, passing through several corridors, and finally opening a courtyard gate.

Inside, a small desk was placed, and beside it sat a boy who looked about four years old, dressed in a white-gold short robe. Two stacks of scrolls were piled on the desk, and he was quietly reading, propping his chin with one hand.

He had a slightly high nose bridge and an innocent air about his brows. His eyes were downcast, and the side of his face still had the plumpness of a child, showing a healthy blush. His legs were crossed, quietly folded.

Li Xizhi stepped forward. There were no attendants in the courtyard, only an old white-furred monkey sweeping the ground. It possessed a peak Qi Condensation cultivation, was draped in a Taoist robe, and kept its eyes downcast, seemingly oblivious to their arrival.

"Wei'er… this is your Third Granduncle."

Li Xizhi looked over with a smile, but his gaze suddenly met a pair of dark golden eyes. With his Foundation Establishment level eyesight, everything around him was clear, and he could distinctly see the golden rings interlocking within those eyes.

The golden light flickered briefly before him, then dimmed as Li Zhouwei looked away. The boy simply raised an eyebrow, lifted his gold-and-white robe, and performed the junior's bow.

"Greetings, Third Granduncle!"

Li Zhouwei stood up, replied, and brought his small hands together, about to bow. Li Xizhi, as if startled from a dream, quickly intervened, steadying him. He whispered, "Now I understand why the elders were so certain… Indeed… such a person seems to have cultivated their nature even in the womb, extraordinary from birth."

Li Xizhi took the child's hand, then turned to beckon Li Chengliao closer, giving instructions. "I’ve heard that in ancient times, those who cultivated both their nature and destiny had many taboos. These have been passed down and are now unverifiable, perhaps mere superstitions. But just in case, we can take some precautions."

He spoke with a serious expression: "From now on, do not let this child bow to anyone… try to avoid calling him by his full name, use his Taoist title instead… referring to him as the heir apparent within the family is indeed good."

Li Chengliao listened solemnly, nodding in agreement. Li Xizhi, still looking surprised, pulled him to sit down, pondered for a long time, and then stared into his eyes.

"His quality is extraordinary, yet he doesn't seem to possess a unique destiny; he's more like a Bright Yang Constitution."

Li Xizhi watched for a moment, then a fragrance slowly wafted to his nose. He identified it carefully, raised an eyebrow, and looked at Li Chengliao, surprised. "Peony?"

Li Chengliao, completely oblivious, looked at him with some confusion. Li Xizhi picked up Li Zhouwei. The child's small hand pressed tightly against his arm, and his brow was slightly furrowed. After Li Xizhi carefully observed him all around, he whispered, "When this child grows up, I fear he won't be easy to deal with; his nature is inherently domineering."

He pondered for a moment, then shook his head. "It’s just that I am truly shallow in knowledge and cannot see clearly. He is like nothing else, yet he resembles… he resembles…"

He swallowed his words, thinking to himself: 'Truth be told, all these signs together make him seem like the Golden-Nature Demonic Incarnation mentioned in books… But if that were truly the case, how could a demon, lacking constant wisdom, sit here so quietly…'

Li Xizhi set the boy down, asked Li Chengliao for some details, then after a brief silence, spoke. "Regardless of the situation, we must present it as the least threatening possibility. Just say he has a Bright Yang bloodline… As for his eyes… I will go to the sect and exchange for a similar ocular technique to conceal them."

He explained: "After the fall of Donghuo Grotto-Heaven, Qingchi obtained many Bright Yang cultivation methods, including quite a few ocular techniques. I've seen a few of them long ago, and one or two could serve as a disguise."

Li Chengliao nodded in agreement. Li Xizhi smiled as he watched Li Zhouwei practice calligraphy on paper in front of him, and as he watched, he spoke. "Are the family's ancestral rites prepared?"

"They will be ready tomorrow."

Li Xizhi calculated that the timing was perfect. Without further delay, he inquired about Yuan Fuyao's residence and traveled there by wind.

As he traveled, his mind was still occupied with Li Zhouwei's eyes and that strange aura. He secretly mused: 'Once his eyes are concealed, and with Qingchi and Xiuyue at loggerheads, a time when everyone is for themselves… and several families from Red Reef Island in the East Sea are stirring… plus several great Purple Mansions have died… there shouldn't be too many issues.'

As he pondered, he soon arrived at the entrance of a grotto-mansion. He sent someone to announce his arrival, and a handsome young man rushed out to greet him, speaking. "This junior greets the Taoist! I apologize for not coming out to meet you sooner, I have been discourteous!"

After all, Li Xizhi was very likely to be the future master of Qinghui Peak, holding a considerably high status. When Yuan Tuan visited the Li family back then, the entire clan came out to welcome him. Now, the disparity in cultivation and status between these two was far greater than that between Yuan Tuan and Li Yuanjiao in the past, no wonder Yuan Fuyao was so apprehensive.

Li Xizhi waved his hand, inviting himself in. Yuan Fuyao, steeling himself, followed the feathered-robed Taoist into the grotto-mansion and sat to one side. Then, Li Xizhi asked, "Young Master, you have been with the Yuan family for many years. Now that my master is missing, I've searched the East Sea extensively with no news. I came to you this time to ask if the Yuan family has any information, and what the current situation is."

Yuan Fuyao hesitated for a moment, then replied. "My family… has five main branches, and my father is not among them… The various branches currently have some friction, which is essentially due to… the things left by the ancestor not being enough for all branches to share."

"Ancestor Huyuuan is from the main branch of the first house… but currently, talents are scarce, with only him at Foundation Establishment level… As for news of Ancestor Yuan Tuan, the family only knows she went to Qunyi, with no other information."

Li Xizhi hummed in acknowledgement, glanced at him, said nothing further, and then whispered. "What are your plans, Young Master?"

A faint sweat appeared on Yuan Fuyao's forehead. He only replied, "I… I only follow my family's orders, cultivating here among your esteemed family, waiting for my father's return."

Li Xizhi nodded and spoke. "Very well, I will take that as your intention, Young Master."

He smiled and abruptly stood up. Yuan Fuyao was caught off guard, realizing his words had been somewhat amiss. He opened his mouth, looking at the feathered-robed Taoist, meeting his slightly sharp sidelong glance as he turned his head, but found himself unable to speak.

A flicker of disappointment crossed Li Xizhi's eyes. He slowly walked out of the grotto-mansion and, reaching the steps, spoke as if casually. "The friendship between our two families is profound. Young Master, you are welcome to stay here for as long as you wish."

After saying this, he gracefully departed, riding on a rainbow. His wife, Yang Xiaoer, was already waiting in the air, looking somewhat worried and gazing at him inquiringly. Li Xizhi flew up alongside her and said playfully, "The elders in our family are simply too traditional. Having been an aristocratic family for many years, they carry the burden of all the good deeds they've done… Seeing our two families as generations-long allies, they couldn't bear to refuse. But what does it matter? Yuan Chengdun merely wants our family to protect his descendants. All we need to do is protect them; must we also sacrifice my sister?"

He paused, and his usually calm and gentle face showed a fierce intensity, much like his father Li Yuanjiao. He said coldly, "He has no courage, no strategy, and no sense of propriety. If Yuxiang actually cared for him, then so be it. But would she truly be wronged for the sake of repaying this half-baked favor? What kind of logic is that?"

Yang Xiaoer took his arm and gently said, "Fortunately, it was just a private agreement between two individuals; otherwise, if it got out, it wouldn't sound very good… Yuxiang is perceptive; Yuan Fuyao truly struggles to understand her."

"Alright…" Li Xizhi waved his hand and replied, "My sister handled it well; she already ensured her escape routes. There's nothing 'good-sounding' or 'bad-sounding' about it. Do you believe that if we give him the betrothal gifts, that boy will secretly be delighted?"

The two landed back on the peak and stepped into the grand hall. Li Yuxiang came up smiling, her eyes seeming to speak as she looked at him. Not much time had passed since they left, and everyone was still in the hall. Li Xizhi replied, "I’ve already played the bad guy. Little sister, go fetch those betrothal gifts and hand them to him. You know how to speak, he might even thank you."

Li Yuxiang said softly, "Thank you, elder brother, for the trouble."

Although Li Xizhi had forcefully handled the matter, his attitude towards Li Xuanxuan remained very humble. He respectfully said, "This grandson, in a moment of pique, spoke decisively along with his words, I wonder if it has delayed any family matters…"

"Go on, go on… What are you saying to amuse this old man…"

Li Xuanxuan lifted his foot as if to kick him. Li Xizhi rose with a smile. Li Xuanxuan, seeing the siblings' seamless cooperation, sighed from the side and said in a hoarse voice, "This is already for the best."

Li Yuxiang retrieved several jade boxes from a cabinet in the hall. Within them, brocade pouches were neatly placed. She blinked her phoenix-like eyes, took the boxes in hand, and flew away on the wind towards the grotto-mansion down the mountain.

Yuan Fuyao was sighing in his grotto-mansion when, unexpectedly, someone reported that Miss Yuxiang had arrived.

Yuan Fuyao quickly rallied his spirits and rushed out with two servants. Seeing the beautiful woman descend on a cloud of fire, he hastily spoke. "Yuxiang is here! I…"

He was about to explain, but Li Yuxiang smiled slightly, made a silencing gesture, and quieted him. From her sleeve, she took out several jade boxes and said with a smile, "Look at what these are!"

Yuan Fuyao took them, opening each one. His spiritual sense delved in, discovering a dazzling array of jade and treasures, shimmering precious liquids, spiritual artifacts, rare medicinal herbs, and demonic pearls piled like mountains, glittering brilliantly. For a moment, he was mesmerized.

Li Yuxiang sighed very, very softly in her heart and said gently, "My brother said that you, Taoist friend, do not wish to reside long in our home… You are upright and a true gentleman, with no other intentions."

These words immediately startled Yuan Fuyao awake. He opened his mouth, somewhat hastily, to explain, but was again cut off by her subsequent remarks. "Since that is the case, these were originally the betrothal gifts left to our family by Senior Yuan Chengdun. Now, I am returning them to you, Taoist friend, one by one. They are truly too valuable, so please guard them carefully."

These words, once spoken, placed Li Yuxiang and these immensely valuable treasures on opposite sides, shattering his attempts to salvage the situation, leaving him speechless.

"Our family's promise to Senior still holds true. The Li family will always have a place for you, Young Master, and will protect you to the best of our ability."

Li Yuxiang handed over all the jade boxes, released her grip, and softly said, "Take care, Taoist friend."

She quickly departed on the wind, leaving Yuan Fuyao standing dazed in place. Even with spiritual treasures sufficient for three generations of cultivation now in his hands, he didn't feel the anticipated excitement. Instead, he had a sense of profound loss.

"What a truly good girl."

He quickly banished this feeling from his mind. Seeing the servants on either side with eyes gleaming, a sense of security finally filled his empty heart. He sighed, "Now there's some leeway…"

All the words he had wanted to say churned in his stomach. He murmured, "Now there's no leeway…"

This year, the Li family's ancestral rites at the base of the mountain were smaller in scale than in previous years. With four regions flooded, it was truly not advisable to undertake large-scale ceremonies. Lu Jiangxian watched from the Void, observing the sharp decline in population within these few prefectures and the rising tide of malevolent grievances.

"In the Mushroom Forest Marsh, things are almost settled."

The Li family could not see the situation on the plains, but Lu Jiangxian saw clearly that within the Yuan family, the faction close to the Chi family was gradually dominating the situation. Yuan Huyuuan was becoming increasingly desperate and probably wouldn't last much longer.

"It's not just this yin-natured rainfall… the wails of these millions of common folk are also disrupting the balance of Xuanping."

He observed quietly, unable to intervene. From within the mirror, he beckoned the stream of spiritual energy that ascended from the ancestral rites, refined it slightly, and then channeled it back into Li Xizhi, who was at the altar.

Now, Lu Jiangxian was no longer what he once was. He squinted his eyes, watching the patterns emerge on Li Xizhi, who was clad in feathered robes. These patterns largely divided into two directions.

One was surrounded by light vermillion runes, a color between red and pink, slightly sharp, with the turns of the seal script appearing incisive: "Crimson Manor Flowing Rainbow."

This talisman, firstly, could bless descendants, granting higher talent and intelligence to children born after its recipient received the blessing. Secondly, it could make one's magic power more profound, enhance the power of the immortal foundation, and boost flying speed.

The other was encircled by an orange-yellow halo, with colors gradually fading at the sides, slowly turning into yellow and white. Its seal script shone brightly: "Colors Pervading Cloud Paths."

This talisman could nourish mental power, invigorate the spirit, enable the recipient to neutralize others' spells, and understand the flow of magic power. Each time one entered seclusion for cultivation, this talisman would be nurtured, slowly enhancing the power of one's own spells.

What was even rarer was that this talisman possessed the ability to preserve life. Although it couldn't compare to escaping death or extending life, nor could it avert disasters, it could slightly add to one's fortune.

Lu Jiangxian briefly peered at it, pondering. "Crimson Manor Flowing Rainbow" was only useful for descendants born after receiving its blessing. Li Xizhi was already a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and Yang Xiaoer was a Qi Condensation cultivator, making it unlikely they would have more children. This effect would probably not be needed.

On the other hand, "Colors Pervading Cloud Paths" was a rare spiritual energy with the effect of blessing one's luck, and its power would grow with longer periods of secluded cultivation. The cultivation method Li Xizhi practiced was specially chosen, and with his Qingchi identity as protection, he was the least likely among the Li family members to encounter trouble, making this spiritual energy quite suitable for him.

With that thought, Lu Jiangxian waved his hand. This spiritual energy transformed into a bright yellow color and entered Li Xizhi's body. Then, he shifted his gaze to Li Zhouwei.

Over the past few years, the Bright Yang Golden Nature had become increasingly intertwined with him, and many anomalies had already appeared. Lu Jiangxian simply waited silently.

"Once he receives the talisman and gains cultivation, I can use the connection between the talisman seed and his main body to try and help him control these influences at will… to prevent him from being too conspicuous."