Chapter 488: Colorful Clouds in the Sky (Tai Shang Palace Leader)

Li Xizhi waited on the altar for a while. He was the only one among them who had received the talisman seeds but had not yet undergone the full initiation ceremony. As expected, a brilliant light soon rose from within the Ascendant Yang Residence.

"Rainbows piercing the clouds!" he exclaimed. His aura instantly surged, and his cultivation, having just entered the Foundation Establishment stage, rapidly climbed. Rainbow lights flickered around him, making him appear increasingly ethereal.

However, the progression within the Foundation Establishment stage was vast. While such a surge could elevate one's cultivation by several levels during the Qi Condensation stage, it ultimately did not help him break through to the Mid-Foundation Establishment stage. Instead, his cultivation paused right at the cusp of a breakthrough.

Li Xizhi's eyes were tightly closed, his lips subtly moving. He exhaled a plume of rainbow light. When he opened his eyes, various colorful lights floated within them before slowly dimming.

Looking at the gazes directed at him from those around, he smiled, "Just one step away from a breakthrough! That's actually a good thing; it prevents a hasty advancement that might arouse suspicion. My journey to the East Sea will allow me to refine my cultivation, practice my techniques, and then seek the perfect opportunity for a breakthrough!"

Li Xizhi revealed his cultivation, then explained his newly acquired ritual energy. Feeling a momentary itch to demonstrate his skills, he circulated his magical power. Rainbow light danced between his fingers as he formed a hand seal, bending his middle and ring fingers into his palm while the others stood upright, forming a tripod shape.

In an instant, the spiritual energy on the mountaintop ceased its flow, solidifying completely in the air. After just a moment's pause, it rapidly streamed towards his hands, swirling and colliding, transforming into wisps of white qi.

"Indeed, there's progress!" Li Xizhi praised. Li Ximing, watching from the side, had shining eyes. He remarked, "Elder Brother is truly farsighted. You're about to break through to the Mid-Foundation Establishment stage. It seems that undergoing the initiation ceremony during the Foundation Establishment stage yields much greater benefits. Our family can certainly follow your example in the future."

Li Xizhi replied, "Brother Ming, you flatter me... While I can certainly cultivate at a leisurely pace within the sect, you all need to quickly establish your immortal foundations to support the family and secure greater benefits. Naturally, you can't afford to wait until the Foundation Establishment stage to undergo the ceremony."

His thoughts were not on this topic, however. Instead, he said with a solemn expression, "I've seen Zhou Wei."

Fearing that the family might not handle the matter well, Li Xizhi repeated what he had just told Li Chengliao. He stated in a deep voice, "In ancient times, it was taboo to directly call someone by their given name, which is why Daoist names were adopted. When he begins cultivating at six years old, remember to give him a Daoist name. It would be most beneficial if it relates to 'Ming Yang' (Bright Sun)."

"When I return to the sect, I won't just focus on acquiring this eye technique. I'll also try to take on more missions, build connections, and exchange some of the Ming Yang spells obtained from the East Fire Grotto-Heaven for him, to aid this child in his cultivation for self-protection."

Li Xuanxuan drew his sleeves together, saying somewhat hoarsely, "My child... you needn't push yourself. Focus more on your own cultivation. These matters shouldn't burden you... Yu Muxian cultivated for many years, almost depleting most of the Yu family's wealth. Yet you, my child... for all these years, you've never asked for anything from the family! Your father and I simply worry that you might be bullied within the sect..."

Li Xizhi waved his hand, saying earnestly, "Grandfather, please don't be so formal with me about these matters... When the family sought the 'Morning Glow Qi' for me back then, I doubt they thought this much about it. Being overly precise about such things takes away the meaning!"

Upon hearing this, Li Xuanxuan could only nod. Li Xizhi, realizing he had been away from Green Pine Island for a long time, did not dare to delay. He said softly, "Time is pressing. I must return overseas now. If there are any family matters, please do not hesitate to send a letter."

Everyone escorted him out. Li Yuexiang, who had only recently become familiar with her elder brother, felt a touch of reluctance to part. She softly asked, "Elder Brother, how long will it be until you return from this journey?"

Li Xizhi simply smiled, "It will be more than a few years. If you have some free time, you can certainly arrange for an escort to Green Pine Island. Not only is it an excellent place for cultivation, but it would also give us a good opportunity to reunite as siblings."

Li Yuexiang nodded, looking quite moved. She said playfully, "Elder Brother, while you're away, please choose a suitable husband for me!"

Li Xizhi, however, took her words to heart. He nodded solemnly and said softly, "Father is not here now, and an elder brother is like a father. As your elder brother, I will certainly not allow Xiang'er to suffer any grievances."

After saying this, he cupped his hands in a respectful gesture to the others. Colorful light rose beneath his feet, and he swiftly vanished into the eastern horizon.

No sooner had Li Xizhi left than Li Qinghong returned, riding the wind. Covered in dust from her journey, she landed on the peak, then took out a jade bottle from her embrace and presented it. "This spirit water is called 'Green of the Deep Pool'," she announced, "and it belongs to the Lush Water lineage. It cost ninety-seven spirit stones."

Li Qinghong had taken one hundred spirit stones when she departed and now returned three. With all five types of spirit water collected, Li Xuanxuan quickly invited Liu Changdie to join them.

Liu Changdie had been exploring Mount Qingdu for the past few days, observing the earth veins and the flow of spiritual energy. He had initially expected to wait for a year or two, so he was slightly surprised to see that the Li family had gathered all five types of spirit water so quickly.

Taking the jade bottle, he examined its contents: "Confluence Water: Distant Sea Serpent Flow; Mulin Cold Water; Yin Water: Water in Stone; Mansion Water: White Feather Unfallen; Lush Water: Green of the Deep Pool."

Liu Changdie was pleasantly surprised and exclaimed, "To think there are so many varieties of spirit water! We're only missing Kan Water to complete the Five Virtues!"

Seeing everyone look over, he cupped his hands and smiled, "You might not be aware, but my array formation is quite specific. If all the spirit waters are of the same nature, the power will be somewhat stronger. If they are different, it's best if they encompass the Five Virtues, as the power will be equally exceptional."

Liu Changdie took out a jade bottle from his robes and said softly, "During my previous travels, to cultivate the 'Clear Eye Spirit Pupil' technique that I acquired from your esteemed clan, I specifically collected Clear Essence Spirit Water. I now have two portions remaining, both of which are Kan Water."

He used this jade bottle to replace the 'Distant Sea Serpent Flow' from the collected waters, thereby completing the Five Virtues. Li Xuanxuan's face lit up with joy, and he smiled, "Many thanks, Master!"

Liu Changdie merely smiled without speaking. He had long ago visited a grotto-heaven in the East Sea, known to him from his previous life, where he acquired numerous spiritual objects. His storage bag already contained many types of spirit water, including the full set representing the Five Virtues. This was why he had considered setting up such a grand array.

Regardless of which five spirit waters the Li family presented, his explanation was already prepared and could adapt. He simply put away the spirit water, handed over a list, and stated, "I will now proceed to set up the array. Please ensure your esteemed family collects all the spiritual objects and sands listed here."

Li Xuanxuan naturally assented. Walking out with Liu Changdie, he subtly tugged on his sleeve and asked, "I wonder, Master, does that remaining portion of Clear Essence Spirit Water in your storage bag still have any use?"

Li Xuanxuan was, of course, hoping to acquire it for his descendants to cultivate the 'Clear Eye Spirit Pupil' technique. Liu Changdie quickly understood and simply smiled, "It is yours, for your esteemed family..."

The old man did not agree, and the two descended the mountain, their conversation still carrying faint sounds of amiable dispute. Liu Changdie had never met this elder in his previous life, yet in this one, they had known each other since the elder's youth. They found their discussions about the past quite congenial.

The heavy rain on the mountaintop slowly subsided, and the dark clouds over the lake gradually thinned, allowing the sky to become faintly visible. Morning glow appeared on the horizon, and a warm breeze from the north blew down the white cloth hanging on the wall. The dark clouds in the sky had, unexpectedly, completely dispersed.