Chapter 614: 散庚浮白

The old domain name has been compromised. Please remember the new domain.

Moon-Gazing Lake.

The sky was bright, and the lake water was clear and transparent. Qingdu Peak stood in the middle of the lake, with stone steps winding up its side. In front of the grand hall, an old man paced in circles, clad in a grey-blue cloak.

Li Xuanxuan waited for a moment before a spear-wielding man landed in front of the hall. He was at the ninth level of Qi Condensation. He saluted with cupped hands and respectfully said,“Siwei greets Your Excellency.”

“What’s the situation by the shore?”Li Xuanxuan quickly helped him up and inquired. This man was An Siwei, son of An Zheyuan, a composed and dignified individual of remarkable talent. He lowered his voice and replied,“What I saw earlier was true. North of the Fei family, all the way to the river, everything is a vibrant crimson, numbering over a million. Lapis lazuli, gold dust, and other materials are mixed in, attracting numerous cultivators who are scavenging everywhere.”

“I heard… people from the north say it’s an anomaly indicating the demise of Buddhist cultivators.”Li Xuanxuan twirled his beard, his heart sinking. He clenched his fist and replied,“Buddhist cultivators are exceptionally skilled at reincarnation. If they were forced to perish, it implies the battle has reached a critical juncture.”

“Your Excellency said the same…”An Siwei was naturally referring to Li Xijun, who was still investigating by the shore. Before he even finished speaking, frost and snow began to drift in front of the hall. Li Xijun entered, carried by the wind, his Hanlin sword at his waist, his face still somewhat pale.

“Xijun!”Li Xuanxuan asked. Li Xijun first returned the greeting, then softly said,“It seems many spellcasters have perished. The riverbank appears to have some spiritual artifact suppressing it; the situation looks much better. Before, there were demon cultivators circling, but now there are none.”

He placed a hand on his sword, stepped forward in the hall, and after a moment’s thought, said with interest,“It seems Bianyan Mountain might not be a good place after all. True Immortals’ schemes are ever-changing. If the riverside is held, where will the demon cultivators go?”

Li Xijun’s words greatly relaxed Li Xuanxuan. The old man raised his eyebrows and looked out, suddenly noticing a platinum aura drifting from the north, and immediately grew alert.

Li Xijun, whose ocular techniques were the most formidable, had already seen through it. He let out a soft breath, a strange glint appearing in his eyes, and the trace of worry between his brows vanished. He turned back and smiled,“It was a great victory!”

He immediately felt a great weight lift from his heart, and his hand, which had been gripping the sword hilt, relaxed. He instantly thought,“It seems there truly was a scheme at play! But I’m in the rear, so I haven’t heard any news. Perhaps Chi Zhiyan made a good move… But if it was a Purple Palace cultivator’s scheme, then there’s a good show to watch!”

Li Xuanxuan still couldn’t clearly see the distant figures, but seeing the thunderous iridescent clouds and the golden, radiant aura, combined with Li Xijun’s words, his heart relaxed. The old man had been on edge for most of the night, and joy now uncontrollably spread across his face:“Ancestors bless us, this looks like a great triumph!”

He gradually recognized his juniors, counting several individuals, but did not spot Li Xuanfeng. Instead, he noticed a person in white armor, before whom everyone else stood respectfully, suggesting an extremely noble status. The old man immediately said,“There seems to be a high-ranking cultivator as well; the white aura is too dazzling to see clearly. We should prepare an early welcome so as not to be impolite!”

Li Xijun paused slightly, understanding that Li Xuanxuan didn’t cultivate ocular techniques and couldn’t see clearly. He smiled inwardly and nodded, saying,“It should indeed be a grand welcome. We shall go together!”

The group rode the wind together to greet them. Li Xijun was slightly faster than Li Xuanxuan, and it was only when he felt the clan jade pendant at his waist respond and glow that he relaxed. He then turned sideways, performing a junior’s salute.

“Whoosh…”Li Xuanxuan first caught sight of Li Qinghong, who wielded a spear. Although she usually carried herself with heroic vigor, a hint of worry clouded her brow. On either side were Li Ximing and Li Xizhi; though somewhat dejected, they didn’t appear to have severe injuries.

His mind settled, he then focused on the white-armored cultivator in the center. The man wore a tiger-headed dark helmet that covered his face down to his cheeks, making him appear very imposing. His pupils were pale white, his hair and beard raven black, and he seemed to be in his prime.

The chilling white patterns on his cheeks and neck flickered, making it hard to keep one's eyes open, let alone discern his features. Li Xuanxuan found his bearing somewhat familiar and mused,“This golden aura is even colder than my second brother’s Geng Gold. Could he be a high-ranking cultivator of the Dui Gold path?”

He thus dared not look further, quietly averting his gaze. Yet, even before the person arrived, everyone felt as if their faces were being cut by knives. Li Xuanxuan grew even more suspicious and pondered,“Could it be a True Immortal from the Golden Feather Sect? What concern is he of ours?”

By the time the cultivators arrived, Li Xijun had already spoken, softly saying,“Greetings to all my elder brothers and seniors.”

His voice was as clear as ever. Li Ximing and Li Xizhi both looked dejected and did not respond immediately. Li Qinghong also looked towards the person in the center. Li Xuanxuan felt suspicious, but then heard a slightly hoarse male voice say,“No need for formalities.”

“Drip, drop…”A clear drop of dew rolled down Li Xuanxuan’s grey-blue attire. All of a sudden, autumn dew began to fall abundantly over the lake, dripping with a cold, sharp sound. This sound made the old man immediately look up, meet those eyes, and say blankly,“Xuanfeng…?!”

The chilling white patterns on Li Xuanfeng’s face had faded. His eyes were sharp and spirited; the suppressed killing intent from his recent slaughter of numerous Buddhist cultivators had transformed into an indescribable majesty. His armored robes further accentuated his divine might, making him appear like an immortal general descended from a celestial palace.

Yet, his face appeared to be just over thirty. In an instant, Li Xuanxuan was pulled from a sense of suffocation into memories of the past. The old man gasped, his face slightly flushed:“Second brother…”

“Elder brother.”Li Xuanfeng responded. The autumn dew over the lake intensified, like a sudden downpour. Li Qinghong, looking worried, softly suggested,“Perhaps we should enter the peak first…”

Li Xuanxuan, having once led a clan, was no ordinary elder. He quickly discerned something from the juniors’ expressions, then hurried down, guiding the white-armored Li Xuanfeng into the hall.

But his heavy gaze never left his younger brother’s face, his eyes slightly red, as if scrutinizing something.

Li Xuanfeng, who was like an immortal bow, had now weathered many trials and shed his youthful superficiality. With that hint of recklessness gone, he was even more striking! Not only was Li Xuanxuan stunned, but Li Xuanfeng himself would likely be surprised if he looked in a mirror!

Li Xuanfeng took his seat and surveyed the younger generation. For a moment, he spoke of something else first, softly saying,“Qinghong, that Helian Changguang has been killed by me. You needn’t worry anymore.”

Li Qinghong’s almond eyes were slightly red. She nodded, not interrupting him. Li Xuanfeng’s pupils flickered, and his voice was very calm:“The Buddhist cultivators by the riverbank were completely annihilated, startling the northern cultivators into retreat. As a result, Bianyan Mountain vanished without a trace. The Chi family’s direct lineage and their forces were all wiped out there. Si Yuanli, acting on an immortal’s revered decree, fueled this outcome. Even though it seemed legitimate and grand, a feud has now arisen between the Si and Chi families.”

“If I were to die, the Jiangnan aristocratic families would surely celebrate. Qingchi would then fall into the hands of Si Yuanli and Linggu Lanying. Even though Si Yuanli has his virtues, he is by no means indecisive; changes are bound to happen.”

His face, hard as iron, lacked his father’s composure but gained the domineering ruthlessness of one who had slaughtered countless cultivators. Every word was chilling:“In the five prefectures, the Yuan family were originally staunch supporters of the Chi family. Yuan Tuan and Yuan Chengshun were also harmed. How could they not harbor resentment? The Hu family is kind but weak, while the Hu Du family is venomous and ruthless. Should the situation change, they might not be unshakeable.”

“The Yu family was dismembered by the Chi family. Only Yu Yuwei could have resolved it, but he died earlier, making it even harder for them to rise.”

“The Linggu family is deeply rooted and has always harbored ambitions. They have traditionally held sway over the South Sea and are noble clans of Wu and Yue mountain tribes. They have marital ties with the Xiukui family, and Si Yuanli will surely cultivate their favor, making them a potential ally…”

“The Ning family depends solely on Ning Wan. Ning Heyuan likely has no chance of survival, and if the Ning family falls into Ning Hejing’s hands, they cannot be easily trusted…”

His gaze swept over everyone’s faces, finally resting on Li Xizhi. His voice gradually lowered:“Xizhi… it took our Li family nearly three generations to reach the status of a Jiangnan aristocratic family. The Chi family’s overgrown power is already evident. Si Yuanli will certainly use you. Regarding clan affairs, you must handle them yourself.”

“Please be at ease, Second Grand-uncle.”The elegant and dignified young man nodded slightly, displaying his usual generous demeanor. He softly said,“I only worry about Uncle Yuanqin…”

“No matter.”He saw the white-armored man sitting upright, and his voice was deep:“He knows what he’s doing.”

Li Xizhi thoughtfully stepped back. Li Xuanfeng then opened his eyes, looked at Li Qinghong, and said in a lower voice:“Qinghong, if I am gone, you are the only one in our family skilled in combat. Your lightning spells are fierce. Stay safely at sea, deterring evildoers. You do not need to get deeply involved in internal clan disputes.”

“Yes.”

Only then did Li Xuanfeng look at Li Ximing. Li Ximing, who had always been afraid of him, lowered his head and dared not speak. The man simply asked,“Ximing, how confident are you about reaching the Purple Mansion realm?”

Li Ximing’s heart ached, filled with bitterness. He said heavily,“Less than twenty percent.”

Li Xuanfeng nodded and surprisingly said softly,“That’s considered high. Don’t rush for quick success… Where is Minghuang?”

“He has gone to the East Sea and has not yet returned.”Li Xijun replied. Li Xuanfeng looked at him and quietly said,“You are devoted to the path of the sword, but unfortunately, you are burdened by our family. Not everyone has the potential to become a sword immortal. Wang Xun still travels the world; you could certainly do the same.”

Li Xijun paused slightly, then saw Li Xuanfeng look at the old man beside him, his voice showing a flicker of emotion for the first time:“Xuanling was the same back then. Once is enough; there’s no need for it to happen again.”

“Bring the clan records.”Li Xijun immediately withdrew. In less than two breaths, he returned with a purple jade slip, and a book pressed beneath it. Li Xuanfeng gently took them, casually placing the jade slip on the table, and then grasped something in his hand.

“Clang…”Golden energy condensed in his hand, forming a pen woven with gold and silver. He flipped only one page, to the uncle’s lineage, and with a lift and flick of his pen, it landed on the paper.“Li Yuanyu.”

He handed the item to Li Qinghong, and said hoarsely,“You are most perceptive and see things well. What I did was not beautiful, but there are no more opportunities. For matters hereafter, you must pay closer attention…”

Li Xuanfeng exhaled a golden mist, then paused his words. After a slight hesitation, he unfastened the brocade pouch at his waist, effortlessly releasing its seals. With his other hand, he gently drew out a white bow.

This white bow was formed from the transformation of Gold-Geng energy. Li Xuanfeng meticulously gazed at this dark bow that had accompanied him through a lifetime of battles, gently caressing it. The words "Gold-Geng" on its body vanished, shifting and transforming into two characters:“Shen Bai”

His voice became a little gentler as he softly said,“I wielded gold from my rightful position and finally forged this bow. All items in my storage pouch are to remain with the family. This immortal bow, however, I leave to Yuanqin.”

Li Qinghong vaguely saw golden sand swirling at her feet, understanding that Li Xuanfeng had little time left. She could only nod. The white-armored man finally stood up, silver-white light shimmering on his face, his voice clashing like metal:“In the struggle between north and south, I have killed countless people. Murong Helian, Kongwu Beimian… all their blood debts rest in my hands…”

“Now that I am undergoing this transformation, their grievances will be temporarily eased. If unnecessary, family members should not go north, lest they be harmed by others.”

“Li Xuanfeng accumulated the heaviest karma from killing and committed many evil deeds. It is fitting that he should perish by killing, and there is no resentment.”

Everyone in the hall wept with downcast eyes. But the man burst into loud laughter, pulled up the sobbing Li Xuanxuan beside him, gently waved his hand, and sent everyone else out of the hall. The hall doors closed with a resounding crash. He laughed and said,“Elder brother… Our second uncle didn’t like alcohol, so we three brothers dared not drink much. Now that the great matter is settled, why don’t we get drunk?”

A golden flask appeared in his hand. He dropped a few crystalline Wanling flowers into it, set down a jade cup, and smilingly filled it for the sobbing old man. Though his voice was slightly hoarse, it carried the heroic spirit of one long seasoned in battle.

“Elder brother!”Li Qinghong and the others stood outside the hall. The woman raised her tear-filled eyes and saw a brilliant, extreme radiance filling the entire hall. Two figures were cast onto the hall doors.

The two brothers, sometimes weeping, sometimes laughing, spoke ceaselessly with loud voices. They spoke of the Green Sword and White Blade, of banishing Fierce Clouds; they spoke of throwing swords to pierce wood, a youthful romance; they spoke of suppressing Jiao-serpents and the demise of Buddhist cultivators, of long whales and the setting moon…

The two joked, cursed, played finger-guessing games, and gambled with wine.

They spoke of archery piercing the Golden Lord, first drinking three cups. Arrow Illumination was named Water Tomb, and they raised their goblets in salute to each other.

They further spoke of tearing apart the Yan General’s demon, pounding the table and clinking glasses. They annihilated eighteen Buddhist cultivators, and downed a large cup.

Their laughter even drowned out the sobbing outside the hall, echoing through the mountain. Li Xuanxuan had never been so unrestrained and jovial. He spoke of many things from the past that he had never dared to mention, while Li Xuanfeng before him laughed heartily, quick and unreserved.

The radiance within the hall, however, grew fainter and fainter. The old man’s voice remained high-pitched:“Xuanfeng! At that time, the main position… it should have been Xuanling’s and yours!”

Li Qinghong gradually stopped her tears, her almond eyes cast down. Only one figure remained projected onto the hall doors. Everyone looked up, listening as he cursed or scolded, cried or laughed, but no one responded to him anymore.

“Whoosh…”The autumn dew from the sky fell like rain, urgently tapping against the roof ridges. Cold wind swept through the mountain, rattling the leaves with a rustling sound, and brushed past everyone, yet no one activated their spiritual energy.

Clear, transparent autumn dew rolled down their ritual robes, swirled twice in the muddy earth, then gradually converged into a stream, washing the mud down the stone steps, leaving behind a cool, clean path.

Li Qinghong looked up. The heavy clouds in the sky had dispersed. Dusk was falling, and stars twinkled. The distant lake water surged with waves, and several dark, submerged rocks emerged, reflecting glints of metallic luster.

She quietly took a step forward and carefully pushed open the hall doors. Inside, the hall was softly illuminated by starlight and moonlight. The dark steps were clearly defined, and the old man leaned against a pillar, asleep with his head bowed. He was only wearing a white inner robe, but thankfully, the grey-blue cloak had been gently placed over him by someone.

In front of him, the table was a mess, covered with spilled wine. The opposite side, however, was clean and tidy. The white bow stood beside the table, and the jade cup was placed neatly at its edge, filled with clear wine, reflecting the moonlight as if untouched.

A Wanling flower floated in the wine.

Her gaze slowly moved across the dark table. The only bright object in the entire hall was a two-finger-wide talisman, resting on the corner of the table. Its patterns were intricate. Everything was neat and clean, as if its owner had simply stepped away.

Li Qinghong did not enter. She bowed gently, her voice slightly muffled as she softly said,“Second Uncle…”

The old domain name has been compromised. Please remember the new domain.