Chapter 677: Two Qi

“Bright Sun”

Given the collapse of the Wei and Li dynasties and the dominance of Buddhist cultivators, the Northern Buddhist sects naturally intended to vie for high positions. Li Zhouwei then asked:

“So it seems now that Sheng Mingjin, the King of Brightness, has died, which means the Buddhist cultivators lost the struggle for Bright Sun.”

“Indeed.” Bai Rong fell silent, only managing to utter two words after a long pause. Li Zhouwei, sensing the hint, did not press further, sitting quietly and silently on the magic artifact.

“Ding Jiao…” The Dragon Prince Ding Jiao was indeed very good to him, but Li Zhouwei still harbored deep doubts, which he never revealed due to the powerful influence of the dragon lineage.

“Qingchi and Luoxia are no good, but are the dragons any better? Even with the Thunder Devouring incident remaining unsettled, over thousands of years, the dragon lineage has always played a less than honorable role…”

The dragon lineage had been plotting the Thunder Devouring for many years. Li Qinghong’s life or death in the sea remained uncertain, so how could Dongfang Dingjiao be unaware? Yet, the Dragon Prince acted as if nothing had happened, engaging in lively conversation and showing great warmth towards him.

Li Zhouwei maintained his composure in the grand hall, often offering smiles, which was already showing Ding Jiao considerable respect. Firstly, there was the Dragon Prince’s revered status; secondly, it was to cultivate a good relationship with him, hoping it might even bring a glimmer of hope for Li Qinghong regarding the Thunder Devouring incident.

“Even if things were to worsen, there was no longer any room for maneuver concerning the dragon lineage’s actions. The family’s elder was surely doomed, and we absolutely cannot let the dragon lineage think we resent them. It was best to appear completely unconcerned by not mentioning it at all.”

Once he brought up Li Qinghong’s matter to Ding Jiao, he would be revealing his concern, and the consequences of Ding Jiao’s refusal would be more than the Li family could bear. Li Zhouwei acted as if nothing were amiss, only musing inwardly after leaving the Dragon Palace:

“Ding Jiao’s openness meant either that at worst, the Thunder cultivators involved in the Thunder Devouring incident would only lose their cultivation, not their lives, or that he completely regarded me as merely a white lin, implying the Li family members could not possibly be seen as my kin…”

Despite Ding Jiao’s repeated courteous conversations, Li Zhouwei still found it difficult to confide in him, let alone reveal his true thoughts. Everything was merely polite exchange:

“The nature of my family’s relationship with the dragon lineage, and the underlying reason for Ding Jiao’s familiarity with me… perhaps clues will only emerge after the Thunder Devouring.”

“Unfortunately, Senior Bai Rong and Ding Jiao lingered for too long; the South Sea is now inaccessible. I’ll have to wait for the next opportunity…”

Li Zhouwei cultivated cross-legged on the magic artifact for a period, finally flying to Wangyue Lake. Bai Rong immediately became invigorated, sighing:

“Next time, I absolutely won’t go, no matter what… It’s both tedious and busy…”

The fox, by nature, preferred to remain secluded in its peak. It was eager to return home, so it flatly rejected Li Zhouwei’s invitation and flew away like it was escaping on its magic artifact.

Li Zhouwei rode the wind to land on the isle and proceeded to the main hall, where a young man dressed in a pleated robe was waiting outside. His golden magical power was as sharp as a sword. Seeing Li Zhouwei, he quickly stepped back two paces, bowed, and greeted him:

“Third Brother!”

“Zhou Luo has arrived.”

Li Zhouwei had only met his fourth brother a few times, but Li Zhouluo, however, bowed with great reverence and said respectfully:

“It’s been a long time since we last met, Third Brother. It troubles me that you’ve been working so hard outside. We brothers are inadequate, only capable of helping with small matters at home. Thinking of this, I feel deeply ashamed.”

Li Zhouwei glanced at him in surprise, then nodded and said:

“Fourth Brother, there’s no need to be so modest. Each of us has our own responsibilities. Now that you’re cultivating Qi, you’re also a pillar of our family. Don’t be so modest.”

“Understood.”

Li Zhouluo chuckled. His talent was second only to Li Zhouwei among their generation, and as a member of Li Xizhi’s line, his natural abilities were considerable. While he didn’t possess a Rune Seed, he began cultivating Qi at eighteen, only slightly later than Li Xijun had at that age.

His entire body radiated a golden aura, like six strands of wheat, trailing long fiery tails. They circulated constantly around him, as nimble as sparrows, highlighting Li Zhouluo’s bright eyes and brows, and giving him a sharp, youthful energy.

He cultivated the “Mangjin Asking Profound Method,” a rather excellent ancient technique. When the Li family breached the Forbidden Grand Array, they acquired Mangjin Feather Liquid, which allowed this ancient method to be practiced. Li Zhouluo was among the first to cultivate it, naturally full of youthful spirit.

Li Zhouwei, impressed by him, nodded and smiled:

“I’ve reviewed the ‘Mangjin Asking Profound Method.’ It appears to be a fourth-grade technique, no less effective than other cultivation methods. Just cultivate it diligently.”

Li Zhouluo, delighted by this unexpected praise, his expression brightened, followed him into the hall. Li Zhouwei casually asked:

“Where are First Brother and Second Brother?”

The two he referred to were naturally the brothers Li Zhoufang and Li Zhouyang. They were older than Li Zhouwei and he had met them more frequently in the past, thus they were quite familiar to him.

Li Zhouluo smiled and replied:

“Both elder brothers are in secluded cultivation beneath Qingdu Peak. It looks like they might achieve Qi cultivation within the next two years.”

“Good!”

Li Zhouwei praised them, partly as an commendation for his two brothers and partly as an affirmation of Li Zhouluo’s candid and generous attitude. His voice softened considerably:

“My father has been in secluded cultivation for a long time, and Aunt Minggong and Uncle Chenghuai are also nearing the time for Foundation Establishment. The sooner you all reach Qi cultivation, the sooner you can shoulder the family’s burdens.”

Li Zhouwei knew his own family well; few uncles, let alone brothers, could speak and laugh so freely in front of him. So, he patted Li Zhouluo’s shoulder and softly said:

“Kong Heng and I have both left the East Sea. Zongquan Island is unguarded. Once the two elder brothers emerge from their secluded cultivation, you few should discuss who will lead a group to the East Sea to oversee the area.”

Li Zhouluo respectfully replied:

“As the Patriarch commands.”

Li Zhouwei smiled and allowed him to leave. His previously subdued mood improved considerably. He walked down the steps to the back hall, where Li Xuanxuan, having received the news, quickly came to greet him, his face alight with hope:

“Minghuang, what did the Dragon Prince say?”

Li Zhouwei first invited him to sit in the hall, then, after a moment of hesitation, softly said:

“I still don’t know if there’s any turn for the better, but at least… His Highness Ding Jiao bestowed a treasure in appreciation.”

He took out the Fuluo Gold, then recounted his journey, omitting and altering certain parts, only telling what he could. The elder shook his head repeatedly upon hearing this. He also mentioned the matter of the Hidden Casket.

Li Xuanxuan finally let the matter drop. He took out two jade slips from his robes and handed them to Li Zhouwei, saying solemnly:

“Minghuang, the spiritual essences for the two children must be prepared first.”

Li Zhouwei took the jade slips and scanned them with his spiritual sense:

“Bright Separation Blazing Essence: One must find a convergence of telluric fire, then sequentially refine the Malevolent Fire using four types of separated fires – Xuanyang, Guanli, Tianyang, and Chongli – to obtain their essences. Afterward, illuminate the sky with the Malevolent Fire, yielding one wisp every six months, with ten wisps making one portion.”

“Grand Yi Complete Mercury: One must find a location where the properties of matter undergo profound transformations. Using a complete pill treasure as the pivot, balancing Yin-Yang spiritual objects and coordinating Five-Element treasures, one wisp is obtained every 181 days, with ten wisps making one portion…”

Such were the outlines detailed in the two jade slips. The remaining content consisted of operational methods and secrets, far more extensive than typical Qi-gathering techniques. Li Zhouwei had already read them, so Li Xuanxuan whispered:

“Both of these are somewhat problematic. The complex techniques are secondary concerns; firstly, spiritual fires are difficult to find, and secondly, locations where the properties of matter undergo profound transformations… Minghuang, do you have any thoughts on these?”

Li Zhouwei pondered for a moment and softly asked:

“Uncle Ximing possesses a Li Fire Flag. It contains five types of fire; I wonder how many of them are suitable?”

Li Xuanxuan had already considered this. He took out the reddish-yellow Li Fire Flag from his sleeve and softly said:

“I already asked him. It has five types of Li Fire refined into it, but only Guanli and Chongli are suitable. The other three are not, so we are still missing two types.”

“He also provided an address in the East Sea, claiming there’s a Li Fire leyline there, which would be ideal for Qi gathering.”

Li Zhouwei thought for a moment, immediately formed a plan, and replied:

“Sir, do you recall the Runyang Method? The only spiritual fire in our family is Uncle Ximing’s Ever-Flowing Primordial Fire, which was originally transformed from Xuanyang Li Fire.”

At his words, the elder nodded and said:

“Now, if we reverse the cultivation method to convert it back to Xuanyang, we’ll have one of the two fires. We’ll only be missing Tianyang. Where can we acquire it?”

“No need.” Hearing the elder’s words, Li Zhouwei shook his head and said:

“Sir, you likely haven’t read the Runyang Method. Tianyang is also included in the conversion process. As long as we first refine with Xuanyang, then use the Guanli and Chongli from the Li Fire Flag, another person can convert the Xuanyang into Tianyang, and we can then continue the process without needing to search elsewhere.”

“Alright.” Li Xuanxuan nodded in realization. Li Zhouwei softly said:

“Aunt Minggong cultivates fire arts, so she will need to make this trip, taking An Siwei and a few others to the East Sea… I believe the address Uncle provided is near the Suzhu Archipelago, which should also be safer.”

Li Xuanxuan, feeling for the younger generation, immediately said:

“It seems a bit unfair for Minggong and Siwei to constantly exert themselves on every matter…”

Li Zhouwei said gently:

“Everything will be arranged properly. We can use this opportunity; once they return, we will provide them with Suiyuan Pills to aid their breakthrough.”

“Good!”

Upon hearing this, Li Xuanxuan’s expression relaxed considerably. Li Zhouwei always handled clan affairs with efficiency. He had already begun considering the Grand Yi Complete Mercury, whispering:

“A place where the properties of matter undergo profound transformations… I haven’t heard of such a specific place, but there is one location that seems quite suitable.”

Li Xuanxuan, who had been vexed by these matters for a long time, quickly raised an eyebrow to inquire, watching as Li Zhouwei said gravely:

“Chengshui Marsh!”

He declared loudly:

“This location was once a battlefield, suppressed by the Xinyou Luze Seal, turning it into a vast expanse of verdant water. Later, with the combined efforts of many Purple Mansion cultivators, it was transformed into coalesced water. This place is likely the most suitable for profound transformations of matter!”

“As for the complete pill treasure… our family possesses a mercury drop of considerable grade. However, it’s an item specifically for Complete Pill cultivators and cannot be used by others, which is why it has been kept hidden. Now is the opportune time to retrieve it.”

Li Xuanxuan listened as he effortlessly arranged everything, nodding in agreement repeatedly. Li Zhouwei only softly added:

“However, Chengshui Ling is dangerous. It would be best to have a Foundation Establishment expert to lead the charge. I will entrust Senior White Ape and Li Wen, among others, to make the trip.”

“Just arrange it as you see fit!”

Li Xuanxuan, seeing the spiritual essences for the two children were secured, felt greatly relieved and happily withdrew.

The hall then grew quiet. Li Zhouwei waited for a moment, then took out the jade slip inscribed with the “Runyang Method,” stroking its patterns and narrowing his eyes in contemplation:

“What a powerful technique… what an ingenious technique…”

Li Zhouwei understood this item came from Tu Longjian. He even suspected that the “Runyang Method” was one of the most vital and critical inheritances of the Dongli Sect, a thought that sent shivers down his spine.

“This thing… why isn’t a single secret technique locked? How is it possible for no secret technique to be locked! Just allowing people to read it so freely!”

No lineage in the world would be foolish enough not to secure their cultivation methods with secret seals; otherwise, their own “Rivers and Grand Tombs Scripture” wouldn’t have remained untouched for nearly a century… For the dignified Dongli Sect, such a crucial lineage was completely unprotected…

“And the Complete Pill… it’s precisely because of Chengshui Ling… and conveniently, there’s a mercury drop. Even if the mercury drop isn’t suitable, Hengzhu also possesses a Purple Mansion spiritual object.”

Li Zhouwei didn’t dwell on these thoughts. He casually approved the documents on his desk, put down his vermillion brush, and then a thoughtful expression appeared on his face:

“Now that Kong Heng has also been compelled to leave, if any further complications arise, things will become difficult to manage…”

White Ape was about to depart north to gather Qi. In previous years, the family had numerous Foundation Establishment cultivators, but now, it was suddenly empty. Li Zhouwei pondered for a moment and summoned Chen Yang.

Chen Yang, now at the fifth level of Qi cultivation, clasped his fists in salute. Li Zhouwei then whispered:

“Zongquan Island has been left vacant for too long. First, please ask Guest Elder An to make a trip to the East Sea. If Uncle Cheng emerges from seclusion, immediately ask him to return…”

He paused, then added:

“Should there be any other news, send word back swiftly.”

Chen Yang respectfully withdrew. Li Zhouwei sat quietly for a moment, then suddenly waved his hand. The grand hall doors boomed shut, instantly closing to block any outside prying eyes or disturbances.

While the sun was at its zenith, he took out the stone box containing the Fuluo Gold, a solar spiritual item.

‘Once this item leaves the deep sea, it must not be exposed to moonlight. Should it encounter moonlight, it will instantly transform into Xuanping Qi.’

Inside the stone box, light grey spiritual water flowed, reflecting a bright yellow shimmer. Yet, his spiritual sense couldn’t discern anything. Li Zhouwei simply channeled his magical power and lifted the stone box before him.

He felt a slight warmth in his glabella, and the bright yellow dot reflected in the stone box instantly disappeared.

A point of bright light emerged within the Sun Ascendant Mansion, his spiritual sense burning like fire. Li Zhouwei steadied his mind, and as the magical incantation for Up-Illuminating Fuguang circulated, this bright light instantly plunged like a falling comet, trailing a scorching tail flame, passing through the Twelve-Storied Pagoda, and descending into the Juque Courtyard.

Li Zhouwei kept his eyes closed for a long time, light and shadow shifting beside him. After a considerable period, he exhaled a ray of heavenly light, illuminating the hall with a dazzling golden brilliance. Only then did he open his eyes, the golden glow in them slowly fading.

“What a treasure.”

The Up-Illuminating Fuguang, which had previously circulated slowly within the Juque Courtyard and sluggishly risen to the Sun Ascendant Mansion, was now not only several times thicker but also circulated much more swiftly. With just a thought, it could now erupt from his glabella within a few breaths.

“Regardless of how much its power has increased, its circulation speed now makes it viable for practical combat…”

Li Zhouwei hadn’t been cultivating the Up-Illuminating Fuguang for long. A normal cultivator at its peak could activate it in mere breaths. Once he refined this magical light to perfection, it might even gush forth in a single breath.

Fuluo Gold proved far more useful than he had anticipated, naturally putting Li Zhouwei in a good mood. However, he was not yet satisfied. He exited the hall, ascended on the wind, and flew all the way to Qingdu Mountain, where he retrieved two jade slips from the ancestral hall.

Both of these techniques were appendices to the “Heavenly Departure Sunset Scripture.”

One was the sixth-grade Li Fire Profound Light, Grand Li Baixi Light! The other was the fifth-grade Solar Li Fire technique, Solar Yingli Art!

“My own Bright Sun Dao tradition is closely related to Li Fire. My cultivation of Grand Li Baixi Light is akin to that of fire-virtue cultivators… it’s perfectly suited.”

“As for the Solar Yingli Art… although it’s not a direct magical light, this technique is a solar Li Fire method, and Fuluo Gold is a solar spiritual item, so it might provide an additional boost!”