Chapter 655: Secret

**The Immortal Clan of Profound Reflection, Masters of Brush and Ink!**

Pingyazhou.

The grand hall was bathed in sunlight. Li Zhouwei sat in the main seat, holding a jade slip. The light streamed past the vermilion pillars, illuminating the spacious central area of the hall.

Since returning from the lake, Li Qinghong had retreated to her cave dwelling for secluded cultivation, awaiting Xi Zikang's arrival. His father, Li Chengliao, was also in seclusion, refining his cultivation to prepare for a breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment stage. Authority had once again fallen into Li Zhouwei's hands.

Li Zhouwei didn't mind the trouble; focusing solely on secluded cultivation would progress too quickly and arouse suspicion. He planned to concentrate on practicing cultivation arts, letting his cultivation level progress more slowly, which also wouldn't interfere with family matters.

His hand rested on the table. A soft radiance flowed across the pale golden jade slip, revealing a few small characters:

“Upper Luminary Suppressing Radiance”

Xi Zikang had not yet entered the Grotto-Heaven, so another escape technique, 'Flowing Sun Refracting Radiance,' was not yet available for study. Over the past year, Li Zhouwei had sent people into the mountains to contact Bai Rong while simultaneously dedicating himself to studying this current method, achieving some progress.

His spiritual consciousness entered his body, revealing a hazy scene within his Jueque Court. Only a small, bean-sized point of light gently flickered, continuously absorbing the spiritual energy within his body, showing no particular miraculous qualities.

Yet, Li Zhouwei gradually straightened his posture, gazing down at the jade slip, pondering, and gently caressing it.

For no other reason than this: it was the first time the Li clan had ever seen, or even heard of, a spell being refined within the Jueque Court. Furthermore, the way 'Upper Luminary Suppressing Radiance' would suppress, then fly from the Jueque Court to the Sheng Yang point between the eyebrows, and then outward to repel enemies, was utterly unheard of.

“It's commonly said that Foundation Establishment occurs in the Qi Sea, and divine abilities reside in the Sheng Yang. What then is the Jueque? Moreover, without forming a Purple Mansion, only the Qi Sea is visible among the three apertures, making the Jueque Court seem superfluous in the Purple Mansion Golden Core path…”

He realized that the spell's operation route and path were completely different, leading him to conclude that this spell was quite ancient, probably predating the Purple Mansion Golden Core Path. He began to form some expectations:

“Given how intricate its casting is, it likely can't be unleashed quickly. One must be calm and collected. It truly has the style of ancient times.”

As he pondered, a figure quickly entered the hall. Chen Yang, clad in armor, knelt on one knee before him, her voice low and stern:

“Reporting, my Lord! The Eastern Shanyue rebellion has been quelled. Li Jiman has come to seek an audience and is already outside the hall.”

A year had passed since the events at the lake. Everything was peaceful, except for some disturbances in Eastern Shanyue. Li Jiman’s son had failed to poison him, then fled the city, inciting significant unrest.

Li Zhouwei had sent Chen Yang there. She descended from the sky, beheaded the prince, and Li Jiman then submissively came over.

The Shanyue leader knelt before the hall entrance, his old face covered in cold sweat. Eastern Shanyue now, in truth, was no different from the Eastern people; they dressed impeccably. Li Jiman's headwear rested on the ground, askew.

Li Zhouwei glanced at him. The old man lamented:

“Your humble servant greets… Great Lord of Accord!”

The Shanyue people always addressed him this way. Li Zhouwei paid it no mind, continuing to read his jade slip, waiting for the man to defend himself.

Li Jiman's current position was indeed extremely awkward. He had been placed on the throne by Li Yuanping, making him a member of the Elder Branch. Yet, power had now unexpectedly shifted into the hands of the Middle Branch. Although Li Xicheng and Li Chengliao held no factional biases, this affiliation was ultimately a mark he couldn't erase.

He had always been low-key. Who knew that rebellious son, after forty years as crown prince, simply couldn't hold it in anymore? Failing to incite his father to break through to Foundation Establishment, he instead colluded with outsiders to poison him…

Now kneeling before His Lordship, he couldn't voice his grievances. After rambling on for a while, Li Zhouwei nonchalantly interjected:

“Eastern Shanyue is not large. Keep a good watch over it. If you are unable to manage, the Prefecture will send people to assist.”

Li Jiman could only kowtow. Chen Yang led the man away, then returned to the hall, saying in a low voice:

“Your Highness, that Crown Prince was so foolish; there might be a deeper injustice… Could it be Dizhili…”

Eastern Shanyue and Northern Shanyue had always been at odds, so it was understandable why Chen Yang thought that. Li Zhouwei put down his jade slip and replied:

“Even if there’s a grievance, it only reflects Li Jiman’s incompetence. He’s old and can’t even control his own son… Dizhili, after all, is an old comrade who has risked life and death with me; he wouldn’t seek trouble now.”

He rose from the table and said in a low voice:

“Internal strife among the various households and factions within the clan is common. Since Li Jiman and Dizhili don't align themselves with any faction, naturally, someone would want to replace the Shanyue King. With such a maneuver, next time the calculations won’t just involve Li Jiman.”

“You don’t need to worry about these matters.”

He strolled to the front of the hall, pulled a letter from his sleeve. It detailed a series of recent changes in Qingchi, covering an entire page densely.

Qingchi had undergone radical changes over the past year. Chi Xuxiao fully promoted Chi Fuobo's faction, which was now soaring within the sect. Si Yuanli remained secluded, and the Si family faction was in disarray, with hardly anyone left in their positions.

Even several members of the deeply rooted Linggu family had lost their positions in the South Sea. Li Xizhi had been missing without a trace for a year, and Ning Hejing was making significant moves in the East Sea. There were even rumors that Li Xizhi had been harmed by the Chi family.

The letter’s conclusion mentioned that Qingchi's envoy had arrived at Moon-Gazing Lake with the rewards. Li Zhouwei chuckled to himself and shook his head repeatedly:

‘Qingchi is truly tumultuous. The rewards for the North-South conflict were delayed for five full years… and only now are they mentioning any rewards.’

In truth, all other families, except for the Li clan and the Linggu clan, had received their rewards years ago. For these two, it was stated: “Their achievements are substantial; further deliberation is required.” This deliberation then lasted for five years.

He calculated the days, realizing it should be today. After waiting for a while, An Siwei indeed came forward to report, respectfully saying:

“Your Highness, someone from the Qingchi Sect has arrived!”

“Let’s go and greet them.”

He stepped out, with the two others following behind, heading together out of the hall.

Qingchi’s delegation did not arrive by glowing cloud ship, but by a spirit boat. Two individuals stood before the boat, their expressions amiable. Upon seeing Li Zhouwei approach, both disembarked and bowed.

The leading figure was quite imposing, dressed in blue and white interwoven robes. His eyes were full of kindness, and his tone was very polite:

“I am Li Quantao. Greetings, Clan Head!”

Chi Fuobo was clearly not a narrow-minded or foolish person. Since the reward was meant as a gesture of goodwill, he wouldn't play tricks by sending someone to cause trouble. The person in charge of this matter was none other than Li Encheng's son, Li Quantao!

Li Zhouwei had also heard of his name and understood that the man before him was a favorable connection. He said softly:

“Please, honored envoy!”

Li Quantao seemed to have been faring well recently; his expression appeared much more mature, and his demeanor was quite refined. The few people behind him showed him extreme respect.

Chi Fuobo truly had few capable individuals under his command, so he re-employed many talented people who had been sidelined within the sect. As Li Quantao's faction had offended Chi Wei, Chi Fuobo didn't care and quickly promoted him. Now, Li Quantao's status was quite significant.

He let out a hearty laugh and entered the hall with Li Zhouwei. Once inside, he said seriously:

“You and I are both of the Li lineage. I won’t bother with convoluted procedures; just take the items directly!”

He was a straightforward and generous man. With a sweep of his sleeve, a person behind him quickly stepped forward, holding a large box with both hands. As spiritual energy was infused into it, the jade box immediately opened on its own.

“Whoosh!”

A wave of medicinal fragrance wafted forth. Before their eyes were five Suanyuan Pills embedded in their grooves, grayish and veined, emitting flashes of flowing light. An Siwei, standing behind, quickly lowered his head, not daring to look further.

Above them were two slightly smaller jade boxes and one long, narrow jade box. Li Quantao opened them one by one, saying softly:

“There's no need to elaborate on the Suanyuan Pills; these five are substantial and highly beneficial for Foundation Establishment. As for these two jade boxes, one contains the rare thunder-attributed spirit medicine, Thunder Heart Convergence, and the other is Nine-Petal Spirit Lily.”

He held one in his hand and opened it, revealing a pale purple organ resembling a heart and lungs, densely covered with black veins, subtly pulsating. Beneath it lay a few flower petals.

Li Quantao chuckled and said:

“This item is easy to preserve. The only thing to note is that it must not be taken out during thunderstorms. If it leaves the box and encounters a thunderstorm, it will transform into lightning and vanish, its essence scattering completely, unrecoverable by anyone below the Purple Mansion stage.”

“This item is very beneficial for Thunder Cultivators, and it is for Senior Qinghong.”

He closed the box and put it away. He did not open the other jade box, but described its contents through the container:

“This is the Nine-Petal Spirit Lily. It can treat damaged foundations, congenital deficiencies, unstable cultivation, and unstable immortal roots. It cannot be exposed to light; it will wither if it sees light.”

Chi Fuobo was quite generous; both of these spirit medicines were rare and valuable. Li Quantao placed them both back into the large box, then took the longer jade box, opened it, and said:

“This is a Bone Tree Yin Bloom Branch, a rare Jueyin magical artifact…”

He raised his eyebrows, looked at Li Zhouwei, sighed deeply, and said in a low voice:

“The Sect Master originally intended to award a Mingyang artifact. However, Lord Ning repeatedly petitioned to obstruct it. The matter was delayed again and again, and ultimately, that artifact couldn't be retrieved, so it was changed to this one.”

“I see!”

Li Zhouwei nodded, glancing at the jade box. Inside lay a jade branch about the length of a forearm, half bone, half jade, clear, cold, and pristine. A few scattered pure black leaves hung on its branches, enveloped in a faint aura of Yin.

‘Bone Tree Yin Bloom Branch, what an unappealing name… but it looks rather good.’

After examining it, Li Zhouwei smiled and said:

“Honored envoy, you are too kind. Whatever the sect bestows is fine; there's no need to trouble the Sect Master unnecessarily. My clan gratefully accepts this gesture.”

Li Zhouwei certainly wouldn't be able to use this artifact. Not just him, but most cultivators probably wouldn't understand how to use it effectively. It would likely only reveal its true power in the hands of those in the Daughters' Kingdom and Pure Unity Dao.

However, he felt that Ning Hejing's actions were utterly unreasonable.

“I don't know what Ning Hejing is thinking. This item is a treasure to Pure Unity Dao. If I can't use it myself, can't I at least exchange it?”

An Siwei accepted the jade box. Li Zhouwei noticed Li Quantao still had a look of regret, and his mind turned:

“Ning Hejing is, after all, someone who governs a region; he shouldn't be that foolish. Most likely, he merely advised Chi Xuxiao against bestowing a Mingyang artifact, fearing my clan would grow too powerful… It seems someone embellished the story, hoping my clan would resent Ning Hejing…”

Li Quantao only felt that the young man before him had a somewhat imposing demeanor, speaking with a touch more politeness. He could never have imagined how many thoughts were swirling in the young man’s mind. As they entered the hall, Li Quantao dismissed his entourage, finally revealing a look of worry.

He said in a low voice:

“Clan Head… have you heard any news of Xizhi? He and I are as close as brothers… Since his disappearance, the Underworld Abyss has undergone drastic changes, and the sect’s soul lamp for him has become extremely dim… I am extremely worried!”

The anxiety on his face did not seem feigned. Li Zhouwei shook his head and said softly:

“Even the High Sect has no news; how would my clan know!”

Li Quantao could only sit in his seat, frowning, unable to relax for a long time. He said in a deep voice:

“Your esteemed clan might not understand the gravity of the situation. The Underworld Abyss is filled with Qi of Dawn and Lesser Yang light, both dazzling and spirit-damaging. Even a year’s exposure is enough to be fatal!”

Li Zhouwei appeared thoughtful, narrowing his eyes slightly. He then looked up, showing a troubled expression on his face, but his heart secretly pounded.

Li Xizhi’s jade token within the clan was clearly unchanged; it was even as bright as ever!

‘Is the jade token not precise enough… or is he trying to deceive me with words!’

Li Quantao and Li Xizhi shared a life-and-death friendship. Li Zhouwei didn't believe Li Quantao would conspire with Qingchi to deceive him. But was it difficult to deceive Li Quantao? Using a false letter to elicit genuine emotion was not a complex scheme.

As he fell silent, Li Quantao assumed he was wavering and said in a low voice:

“Xizhi has a very good relationship with Lord Si, and that senior has withdrawn from the world because of his orders. You could ask him; there will surely be a reply! He's in seclusion all day, seeing no one, so I can't meet him… Otherwise, I would have gone to ask myself!”

Li Zhouwei nodded as if enlightened, and said happily:

“Good! I will write the letter right away!”

He chuckled inwardly, thinking:

“So that's the idea!”

Ask Si Yuanli? Si Yuanli is merely at the Foundation Establishment stage; how could he possibly know what’s happening thousands of miles away in the Underworld Abyss? They simply want to ask Si Bohui!

“Si Yuanli has feigned weakness for so long and has now lost all power. Chi Fuobo has grown suspicious, truly suspecting that Si Bohui is in secluded cultivation, and Si Yuanli is acting on his behalf in secret!”

If Si Yuanli truly had the secret support of a Primordial Cultivator, then even if the letter didn't contain specific news about Li Xizhi, it would at least reveal that Li Xizhi was safe and sound, preventing the Li clan from becoming disheartened… And once Li Quantao, who knew the truth, showed any sign of relaxation, Chi Fuobo would immediately have grounds for his judgment!

Li Zhouwei merely put on a solemn expression, cupped his hands toward Li Quantao, and said gravely:

“Senior, you and my clan's elders share a life-and-death friendship, and I trust you! When I write to inquire about this matter, you must absolutely not let anyone else know! If there is a reply, send someone to deliver the letter, and Senior, you must also ensure no one else finds out… lest something goes wrong!”

He added fuel to the fire, causing Li Quantao to nod repeatedly and utter several oaths. Li Zhouwei understood his good intentions, but since Chi Fuobo was conducting this test, he surely had a way of knowing their conversation. It was simply a matter of believing or not believing.

Seeing that the matter was settled, Li Quantao sighed in relief. Before long, he bid farewell and departed. The group flew away on clouds, and Li Zhouwei escorted him all the way to the lake, watching him disappear into the distance.

He returned, stepping on brilliant light, and landed in the grand hall. He pulled out a sheet of letter paper from the table and casually tossed it aside.

Write to Si Yuanli? Such blatant communication would not be believed by Chi Fuobo, even if Si Yuanli dared to speak! Li Zhouwei had never intended to write to Si Yuanli from the start.

“Such haphazardly obtained news… that’s what would truly appear to be the result of secret communication between the Li and Si families…”

He calculated the time, realizing he could reply to Li Quantao in a month. But sending a letter openly to the sect… how could that convince Chi Fuobo?

“Li Encheng and Li Enxi died one after another… The original channel is also cut off…”

Li Zhouwei pondered for a moment, then lightly brushed a formation array on the table. After a brief wait, a young man entered the hall, dressed in green outside and white inside. It was Li Chenghuai.

Li Zhouwei's voice was extremely low:

“The Deng family once left my clan a method for secret communication… Can that shop still be found? Please, Clan Uncle, go to the market, contact the Deng family members, and when the time comes, send a letter to the sect on my behalf.”

Li Chenghuai withdrew without a single question. Li Zhouwei, meanwhile, twirled the jade slip in his hand, quietly gazing at the sparkling jade box in the sunlight:

‘For clever people… the more secretly obtained the information, the more credible it becomes… To deal with clever people, one must act foolishly; to deal with foolish people, one must act cleverly. It is nothing more than that.’