Chapter 502: Minghuang

Early morning.

The morning light slowly climbed the stone steps, bathing the two stone beasts in front of the door in golden hues. The artisans who crafted these figures for the Li family had modeled them after the Hooked Serpent, Li Wushao, with two winding tails and proudly raised beast heads.

Li Zhouwei emerged from the central hall, his brocade and velvet golden boots tapping crisp sounds on the ground. With his sword at his waist, he had matured considerably in recent years, his innate intimidating presence having receded, no longer inspiring awe in those who beheld him.

The light in his eyes had also slowly receded, transforming into a rather distinctive dark brown, seemingly devoid of any terrifying aura. He stepped forward lightly, only a hint of cunning flickering in his gaze as he looked around. The occasional display of agility and nimbleness in his movements was startling, making him seem unlike a child in his teens.

Chen Yang, clad in black armor, followed behind. Li Zhouwei had grown taller, and the two were now almost the same height. Chen Yang's expression was unreadable; he simply followed silently. Upon reaching the hall, he instinctively waited outside, allowing Li Zhouwei to enter alone.

Li Chengliao was at the head of the room, reading a letter. Seeing Li Zhouwei approach, he smiled and said,“Wei’er is here.”

Li Zhouwei was now eleven years old and at the fourth level of Embryonic Breathing cultivation. The Li family, unlike with typical direct descendants, had not sent him up the mountain but rather had him cultivate in the central hall, focusing on halberd techniques, fearing that too rapid cultivation might lead to an unstable foundation. He didn't seem to cultivate much, yet a few days prior, after several days of seclusion, he had broken through to the fourth level of Embryonic Breathing, his cultivation steadily progressing day by day.

Draped in a wolf fur cloak, he looked very imposing. He asked,“How are your eyes now?”

Li Zhouwei sat steadily and replied,“If this child does not make a move or get angry, the golden color will not appear.”

“Good.” Li Chengliao couldn't quite grasp how he achieved this, so he didn't press further. He took a cultivation manual from the desk and said softly,“Your Uncle Xi Zhi visited home, and he acquired this eye technique for you. Take a look at it first.”

Li Zhouwei stepped forward decisively and gently took the manual. On its cover was written:“The Great Mark Golden Eyes”

Since Li Chengliao had told him to look at it first, he quietly leafed through it in the hall:“In the autumn of the fifth year of Wuming, I visited my friend Xuan Dou and met Yang Jin Xin, a judge of the Underworld Tribunal. We had a delightful conversation. Sensing the distinct differences between light and shadow, and the difficulty of perceiving true forms, I developed some eye techniques and recorded them here…”This prologue, which introduced the origin of the cultivation method, was followed by tens of thousands of words, mostly instructing how to cultivate a golden eye by tempering it with magical power. In ancient times, it could be mastered in just twenty years. Ideally, if one could obtain a spiritual energy called ‘Ming Xi Yao Qi,’ the cultivation time could be greatly reduced. Upon closer inspection, the final signature was Cui Yan.

Li Zhouwei merely glanced at it, and Li Chengliao said softly,“I've inquired about this Cui Yan. Legend has it he was a Golden Core cultivator from the Zhaoyuan Immortal Estate of the Wei Kingdom, known as True Monarch Shang Yao. This eye technique was likely something he created in his early years. Its rank isn't high, only third-grade, but it's just right for concealing your eyes.”

As Li Chengliao spoke, he gestured for Li Zhouwei to sit down and continued,“Only cultivation methods obtained from a Grotto-Heaven have their origins recorded in such detail. If it were an ordinary Jiangnan spell, where would the signature be? It would have been lost completely long ago.”

Seeing Li Zhouwei nod, he picked up a book and a jade slip from the desk and said softly,“As for this one, it’s a halberd technique that Ancestor Xuan Feng obtained from overseas. It was originally recorded on this jade slip, but since you haven't developed spiritual consciousness yet, I’ve transcribed it for you.”

“There's a copied version and the original, both here.”

Li Zhouwei gently took them and replied respectfully,“Thank you, Father.”

He glanced at the cover of the halberd technique, which read:“The Sixty-Year Cycle Soul-Refining Halberd Arts”

Li Zhouwei wasn't in a hurry to open the books in the great hall. Instead, he changed the subject and asked,“I know a little about the Great Wei, but only fragments. How many True Monarchs were there exactly? Does the family have any information?”

“The family has gathered some information over the years.” Li Chengliao was surprised by his sudden inquiry and replied,“In ancient times, Golden Core cultivators were prevalent, and Dao Embryos walked the earth. The lands within the seas were several times larger than they are today, and overseas territories were dozens of times vaster. The Wei Kingdom produced several True Monarchs throughout its history; two were of the Cui surname, one of whom was Shang Yao Cui Yan. The Li clan had the Great Ancestor and Emperor Yuan…”

“Four True Monarchs.” Li Zhouwei acknowledged. Hearing this, Li Chengliao nodded and said softly,“After the fall of Wei, the subsequent Qi, Liang, Zhao, and Yan dynasties saw emperors whose cultivation levels steadily declined. In the final Zhao Kingdom, only Emperor Zhaowu reached the True Monarch level. As for today, the nation has become a mere regional division; there are no longer so-called immortal nations.”

Li Zhouwei listened, then nodded gently. Seeing that he seemed thoughtful and had no intention of asking further, Li Chengliao smiled and said,“I will introduce someone to you.”

No sooner had he spoken than a wisp of gray mist rose from the side of the hall, sweeping over and revealing a figure. It was a man in gray, with a sinister expression. He knelt on one knee and said in a hoarse voice,“Wushao greets the Young Master.”

Li Zhouwei nodded in return. Li Chengliao then said,“This is Senior Wushao, a Mid Foundation Establishment cultivator. The family specifically sent him for your personal protection.”

Li Wushao had been cultivating at the bottom of the lake for years, gradually cultivating some trusted Qi Condensation demonic beasts to watch over the lake for him. He didn't need to oversee them daily; an occasional appearance sufficed. He had originally been with Li Yuexiang, but now that Li Xi Zhi had come to take his sister away, Li Xi Jun had sent him down the mountain.

Li Zhouwei bid him rise. Li Wushao efficiently cupped his hands, said nothing, and quickly melted into the shadows of the corner. The young man observed him carefully for a moment, then looked up at Li Chengliao and asked aloud,“It seems the family has arranged some matters.”

“Indeed.” Li Chengliao replied,“You are growing older. Your Uncle Yuan Ping had already taken over the family headship at your age. Moreover, you possess the Mingyang bloodline, and there are few talents in the main lineage, so you are certainly destined to manage the family in the future.”

“I intend to choose a location in the Shanyue region. You will take some troops there, which will be perfect for practicing your halberd techniques. When the time comes, I will let you see some blood.”

The Li family's tradition had always been like this, and neither father nor son showed any unusual reaction. Li Zhouwei nodded, tucked the items into his sleeves, and was about to leave when Li Chengliao suddenly called out to him.

The young master, draped in wolf fur and with an appealing charm in his brow, smiled and said softly,“The family has deliberated for a while and decided to follow ancient custom by not calling you by your given name, but by bestowing upon you a Daoist title... or rather, an appellation.”

Li Zhouwei raised an eyebrow with interest, a hint of cunning appearing at the corners of his eyes as he smiled. He asked,“What Daoist title has the family chosen?”

Li Chengliao seemed delighted, laughing heartily twice. He carefully wrote two characters on the desk, then gently picked up the mulberry paper and replied,“Ming Huang.”

Li Zhouwei narrowed his eyes, pressed his hand to the treasured sword at his waist, and lowered his chin slightly. The expression on his face was less one of satisfaction and more the serene contentment of a wild beast discovering a suitable den for rest.“Hm.”

The young man let out a resonant laugh, and the color in his eyes flickered in time with his laughter. A fragrant peony scent gradually filled the great hall, and the rustling sound of wings beating emerged.“Buzz… buzz… buzz…”

The golden morning sun on the stone steps ascended even faster, winding like a snake, rapidly climbing and leaping into the great hall. Its already brilliant golden light grew even brighter, so dazzling that Chen Yang outside the hall couldn't open his eyes.