Chapter 63: Sacrificial Methods

After seeing Li Chijing off, Li Tongya saw Li Mutian emerge from the backyard with his hands behind his back. Li Mutian's face was stern, and his voice was a little hoarse as he said, "Go check on that mirror."

Tian Shoushui had passed away the year before last, leaving behind a complete set of wooden toys he had prepared for his grandson, Li Xuanfeng. The collection included everything from wooden horses and carts to wooden bows. Li Xuanfeng was only just old enough to pick up the smallest pine wood doll when Tian Shoushui fell while moving lumber in heavy snow, succumbing to his injuries that very night.

Li Mutian himself buried Tian Shoushui, and he and Ren Pingan talked all night long in front of the grave. Perhaps it was the biting wind and heavy dew of that night that gradually made Li Mutian's voice hoarse.

The three spirited young men who went to join the army back then were Tian Shoushui, who was brave and daring; Li Mutian, who was thoughtful and decisive; and Ren Pingan, who was quiet and reserved. Now, the brave and daring one was left with a body full of scars and died prematurely. The thoughtful and decisive one has a house full of descendants, but his mind is gradually failing him. The quiet and reserved one still watches over Jingyang Village for the Li family, ensuring that not a single cent of land tax is missed each year.

Deeply affected by these events, Li Mutian had aged considerably in recent months. Fortunately, treatments from Li Chijing's magic and some tonics had revitalized him; his complexion was no longer so gaunt, and his full head of white hair had regained its luster. Yet, his expression remained weary, and even his straight posture couldn't conceal the subtle slowness in his speech and movements.

Seeing the elder enter the front yard, Li Tongya quickly stepped forward to support Li Mutian. However, Li Mutian grumpily pushed him away, muttering, "Your old man told you to go check on that mirror in the backyard!"

Li Tongya offered an awkward smile and headed to the backyard. Only then did Li Mutian slowly make his way to the threshold of the inner door, leaning against the wall. He sat down against the doorframe, stretched out his withered hand, and pinched his numb thigh. Gritting his teeth, he muttered, "Damn it, I'll be needing a walking stick myself now."

Backyard.

In the backyard, Li Tongya gazed at the Mystic Mirror, which seemed to float amidst the moonlight. Noticing ephemeral text flashing across its surface, he quickly extended his spiritual consciousness and slowly immersed it into the mirror.

Lu Jiangxian's spiritual consciousness stirred. He transcribed the magic formula he had meticulously refined last night, tailoring it based on the requirements for supplicants in the "Sacrifice and Essence Seizing Method." After giving it a name, he projected it into the spiritual consciousness.

Immediately, a vast stream of information flowed through his spiritual consciousness. Li Tongya closed his eyes tightly as a scroll of magic formulas slowly unfurled in his mind.

The Beast Sacrifice Method

This method requires a demon beast as the offering. The sacrifice must be slaughtered amidst the collective spiritual essence of the entire clan. By offering incense, souls, essence blood, and spiritual power to the Mystic Mirror, one can obtain a wisp of Talisman Qi. This Talisman Qi is purported to: strengthen cultivation, enhance the six senses, improve innate talent, alter aptitude, elevate one's physical quality, and mend any deficiencies...

The "Beast Sacrifice Method" was quite extensive. Li Tongya remained with his eyes closed, receiving the information for the duration it takes an incense stick to burn. He then opened his eyes, his face etched with shock. He immediately took up his knife-pen and blank wooden slips to meticulously transcribe the method, writing without pause until dawn. Afterward, he hastily set out to find Li Xiangping.

----

Li Xiangping was meditating in his Meichi Mountain cave dwelling. He had just entered the fourth layer of Fetal Breath, the Azure Origin Wheel, and his cultivation speed had significantly slowed. At this rate, he estimated it would take at least six or seven years before he could even attempt to break through to the Jade Capital Wheel, let alone the further six or seven years he would need to wait if his attempt failed.

Yesterday, the Wan family dispatched Wan Yuankai to discuss ambushing Ji Dengqi. This young man had already broken through to the fifth layer of Fetal Breath, successfully achieving the Jade Capital Wheel.

"It seems the Wan family already has two Jade Capital Wheel cultivators," Li Xiangping mused. "Furthermore, Wan Xiaohua, the head of the Wan family, was already at the Jade Capital Wheel five years ago. It's quite possible he has now broken through to the Spirit Initial Wheel, reaching the pinnacle of Fetal Breath cultivation."

Li Xiangping narrowed his eyes, pondering, "Our Li family's strength has increased considerably in recent years, but the Wan family hasn't stagnated either. The increasing urgency of their calls for aid suggests that the Ji family's power has also grown."

"The three families are currently lying low," he continued his thoughts. "The Ji family is striving to assimilate the lands they've seized, while the Wan family quietly accumulates strength and seeks allies everywhere. Our Li family is steadily growing to its appropriate size. Once the Ji family has fully digested its new territories and the Wan family reveals its true intentions, our Li family will also possess the power to contend. A conflict between the three families is inevitable; we should probably prepare early."

As Li Xiangping was assessing the situation, he saw his second brother, Li Tongya, approach his cave dwelling, holding a wooden slip. "Third brother, take a look at this," Li Tongya said with a smile.

Puzzled, Li Xiangping took the wooden slip, untied the white cloth wrapped around it, and softly murmured, "The Beast Sacrifice Method?" After reading it carefully for a while, the astonishment on his face intensified. He then looked up and asked, "The writing style is quite similar to the Guidance Method, and it also uses the Mystic Mirror as a medium. Could it be that the Mystic Mirror itself bestowed this method?"

Li Tongya nodded with a smile. He then rose, took the copied "Moonfall Sword Arc" from a shelf, and began to read it carefully as well.

After reading for a while, Li Xiangping said gravely, "This formula states: 'With the spiritual essence of a thousand people and a Qi Condensation demon beast, one obtains a gray Talisman. With the spiritual essence of ten thousand people and a Foundation Establishment demon beast, one obtains a white Talisman...' This seems perhaps a bit too difficult."

Li Tongya's smile faltered as he replied somewhat awkwardly, "Although it's very enticing, even the lowest level of sacrifice required by our family is difficult to achieve right now."

Li Xiangping smiled, put away the wooden slip, and waved his hand. "There's no rush," he said. "Qi Condensation demon beasts aren't something you just stumble upon. I have something else I'd like to discuss with you."

With this in mind, Li Xiangping glanced at Li Xuanxuan, who was sitting on a stone stool engrossed in a sword technique manual. He then said gravely, "I wish to train a full-time clan army across the four villages. One person from every five households will specialize in martial arts and battle tactics, to be prepared for any unforeseen circumstances."

Li Tongya nodded thoughtfully. "Has the Wan family come for aid again?" he asked seriously. "Has the situation become this critical?"

"More than that," Li Xiangping replied.

Li Xiangping shook his head and replied, "I'm also concerned about the Shanyue tribes to the west. The spiritual energy is gradually recovering in the northern foothills of Mount Dali, and no one can predict if the western Shanyue will try to expand their territory. Although we haven't seen any Shanyue in the mountains these past few years, it's always better to be prepared and take precautions."

"Indeed," Li Tongya agreed.

Li Tongya nodded gravely. "If we wait until the day the Shanyue truly cross the border, it will be too late to organize the village militia. The Shanyue have not only shamans but also their tattooed and short-haired warriors, who are likely to be formidable opponents."

Li Xiangping stood up and straightened his attire. With a smile, he said, "Xuanxuan is too young to command respect, and while Qiu Yang has both age and prestige, he isn't a figure of sufficient authority. I wouldn't feel comfortable entrusting this matter to anyone else; Second Brother, you must oversee it personally."

"Don't worry, I'll handle this," Li Tongya replied.

Li Tongya also smiled. The two left the cave dwelling, chatting as they returned to Lijing Mountain. They saw Liu Rouxuan already waiting by the courtyard gate, and she came forward to greet them as soon as she saw them.

"Young Clan Leader," Liu Rouxuan said.

Liu Rouxuan bowed slightly, a joyful expression on her face. She gently leaned closer to Li Tongya and, smiling broadly, whispered, "Husband, I'm pregnant."

Li Tongya was instantly overjoyed, letting out a delighted laugh before sweeping her up by the waist. "Really?" he exclaimed, roaring with laughter.

"What benefit would I get from lying to you?" Liu Rouxuan replied.

Liu Rouxuan's face flushed as she softly replied.

Li Xiangping, who was standing nearby, also smiled. "Congratulations, Second Brother," he said softly.