Chapter 739: Arrangement of All Matters

The old domain has been compromised; please remember the new domain.

“You dared to deceive me.”

As Li Ximing uttered his single question, purple flames erupted in the mountains. Heavenly light shone through, enveloping Woven Tiger in the scorching violet fire. The stone bricks were scalding, and Woven Tiger’s face, already pressed to the ground, dared not lift, emitting a sizzling sound as he was seared.

Leaving aside for a moment the severe consequences of deceiving a Purple Mansion master, the sheer psychological pressure exerted on a cultivator when a Purple Mansion expert, face to face, calmly asks, “You dared to deceive me,” was already a form of torture on an entirely different level.

Woven Tiger’s thoughts remained unknown, but Li Chenghuai, standing nearby, felt a shiver of dread surge up his spine to his head. Even though he wasn't the one who had lied, fear gripped his heart.

‘Uncle now... possesses the might of a True Person!’

As Li Ximing gazed at Woven Tiger on the ground, he felt less anger and more a sense of regret. The man's lie was a clever blend of truth and falsehood. The “direct descendant of Mifan” he mentioned was most likely the one lured away by the Duxian Dao and subsequently tricked by Woven Tiger into their demise. This affair, involving Purple Mansion masters, was highly secretive, and had Chang Yun not mentioned it, Li Ximing would not have been able to confirm it.

Woven Tiger’s fabrication about the Mifan direct descendant was grounded in reality; such a person had indeed existed and had connections with him. This allowed Woven Tiger to prevent Li Ximing from being misled by divination, and also ensured the details were accurate—for Woven Tiger, unfamiliar with other Mifan lineages, could not have invented such a person out of thin air. As long as Li Ximing lacked definitive information, Woven Tiger could have continued his fabrications. If it hadn't been for Li Ximing obtaining Fudou’s head and using advanced witchcraft to ascertain Fudou died from a sneak attack, the ‘Minor Chamber Sky Clarity Dispersing Cloud Art’ would have been difficult to use as corroborating evidence.

“In just a breath, he concocted a coherent story. If it weren't for his incomplete planning and eagerness to prove his worth, by revealing the ‘Minor Chamber Sky Clarity Dispersing Cloud Art,’ he would have left fewer traces...”

Li Ximing sipped his tea as Woven Tiger lifted his charred face, from which it was impossible to tell if he was weeping. Li Chenghuai, catching Li Ximing’s eye, stepped forward, grasped Woven Tiger’s chains, and asked:

“Just tell everything truthfully, and the True Person will make his own decision. Why resort to such a move?”

Woven Tiger opened his eyes, which had been scorched pure white during the earlier battle. He lifted his head and said:

“This humble one has spent a lifetime fighting with schemes in the South Sea. Whenever I encountered a situation, if my schemes succeeded, I naturally won. If they failed and I couldn’t prevail, I deserved to lose. There is no principle of sitting idly by, waiting for the ‘True Person to make his own decision.’”

Li Ximing set down his jade cup and nodded.

“Good!”

No sooner had he spoken than a burst of heavenly light, swirling with purple flames, swept Woven Tiger away, his flesh and bones disintegrating into ash. Along with him, all the various chains and iron clasps, adorned with formation patterns, melted away completely. The Foundation Establishment cultivator, kneeling on the spot, was utterly dispersed like smoke in but a single breath.

“Clang.”

Several warped, burnt pieces of iron clattered to the ground—Woven Tiger's shackles. He had cultivated Hurricane Ghost Yin, which was naturally countered by Bright Yang. With that single blast, all his cultivation was utterly dissolved, not even triggering the slightest phenomenon.

Li Chenghuai stood silently to the side, letting out a quiet breath. Li Ximing placed three jade slips on the table, rubbed his brow, and asked:

“Chenghuai, a Hurricane Ghost Yin technique and a Floating Cloud Body technique, both Rank Four, would greatly benefit the family's foundation. See if... anyone in the family is interested in cultivating them.”

Li Chenghuai pondered, then replied:

“I will go back and check which child in the family is just reaching the Qi Condensation stage.”

Li Ximing simply instructed him to make the arrangements, but knowing that no clan member would be able to reach the spiritual treasury of Minor Chamber Mountain Mifan in time, he asked:

“Funan and Midong, having had people returned due to sect annihilation and the seizing of leverage over noble families, are at least from the same source. Are there any talents among them with the same spiritual affinity?”

Li Chenghuai replied:

“I will check.”

He immediately sent a messenger. Soon after, a court guard presented a jade slip, which Li Chenghuai took and began to read. The benefits of his meticulous family management became apparent. Li Chenghuai had clearly kept track of these details long ago, recording each one. At that moment, there was no need to wait; after a quick glance, Li Chenghuai replied:

“There is someone named Wang, who shares a spiritual affinity with the Floating Cloud Body, and is at the late Qi Condensation stage. There's also Guest Elder Huang, who also cultivates the Floating Cloud Body. However, we have no Qi Condensation cultivators with an affinity for Hurricane Ghost Yin.”

Li Ximing casually remarked:

“This branch of the Wang clan in Jiangbei is vast, and Wang He still holds office in the Duxian Dao... It's difficult to manage them in the Mifan territory. Since he is already at late Qi Condensation, now is a good time to support this member of the Wang family. It would be best if he could achieve Foundation Establishment, which would also help stabilize the relocated populace in the Funan region.”

As he gave these instructions, a premonition arose in his heart:

‘This time, there's no hope of acquiring much from the spiritual treasury. We'll just test the waters for now. Fortunately, this isn't a one-off event; we can delve deeper once the younger generations rise to prominence.’

Li Chenghuai understood. Receiving his command, he withdrew, but not before observing the True Person, clad in white robes with golden patterns, close his eyes, exhale, and then suddenly speak:

“Chenghuai, destiny and timing, talent and wit, innate cultivation and insight—it is rare to possess all three. While cultivation and wit are often considered paramount, one must also beware in this world that... when luck runs out, it's difficult to reach the Purple Mansion; with shallow fate, one cannot achieve divine abilities.”

“I have received your teachings.”

Li Chenghuai knew he was referring to Woven Tiger and acknowledged it. Li Ximing then mused:

“Summon the few from the Zhou generation... And also... please invite the Elder Master.”

Mount Qingdu.

Mount Qingdu now featured many newly constructed pavilions and fewer trees. It had transformed from a secluded retreat for a few Foundation Establishment cultivators and direct descendants into a bustling peak of clan governance, with streaks of light rising and falling everywhere and figures moving busily. Li Quelan galloped all the way, landing amidst the mountains.

The silver-white necklace around her neck subtly reflected light, and her face bore a thoughtful expression. Now at the late Qi Condensation stage, with her seventh-layer cultivation, she was considered a formidable force within the Li family. Li Quelan had made a trip to Beishanyue, returning without success and feeling slightly disheartened.

‘Profound Witchcraft Dao Arts are truly too difficult...’

The ‘Profound Witchcraft Dao Arts’ were witchcraft derived from a rune seed. To call them mere witchcraft, however, was an understatement; it was, in fact, a comprehensive compendium of Warlock ways. The number of witchcraft methods within it was astonishing, primarily focusing on three paths: transformation, witch talismans, and spirit capture. The Dao Arts were complex, essentially comprising three major chapters without even distinct divisions like one, two, or three levels. Despite being profoundly mysterious, the chapters were so sloppily organized, they seemed as if casually bound together.

“After all, it's an ancient cultivation method, valuing simplicity as beauty...”

Li Quelan didn't cultivate many spells; aside from her regular cultivation, almost all her remaining energy was dedicated to the ‘Profound Witchcraft Dao Arts.’ Yet, she had barely scratched the surface. Following Li Jiangqian's advice, she focused more on the transformation aspect for self-preservation, with other methods being merely for divination. After all, the ‘Profound Witchcraft Dao Arts’ began with the phrase: “When profundity is first achieved, then practice witchcraft.” Li Quelan noted that the ‘first achievement of profundity’ referred to none other than the Purple Mansion stage!

“In ancient times, if you didn't have a divine ability, you couldn't even claim to have achieved anything; it's truly enough to make one envious.”

Li Quelan gathered her thoughts and directed her gaze towards Mount Qingdu. She had visited only a handful of times, yet she had always held it in reverence. Qingdu managed matters of clan governance. In earlier years, it oversaw mortal direct descendants, but as the number of direct descendant cultivators grew and mortal bloodlines spread to collateral branches, it expanded its staff, shifting its focus primarily to managing cultivators. Subsequently, as intermarriages between the Li clan and external surnames and guest elders increased, most of the individuals apprehended by the Jade Court were also transferred to Qingdu for management. While the Jade Court continued its investigations, its judicial and punitive powers shifted to the lower-level cultivators of the Sixteen Prefectures, Two Peaks, and One Mountain, causing Qingdu's status to gradually surpass that of the Jade Court.

When Li Chenghuai broke through to Foundation Establishment and refined the ‘Do Not Investigate Me’ technique, capable of discerning the authenticity of low-grade Qi Condensation cultivators, it had little impact on the Li family's upper echelons. However, for the entire prefecture-peak system, it was a significant event that brought about a positive change in conduct. Ultimately, it even led to the discovery of three direct descendant clan elders, who were sent to the continent for house arrest, further elevating Qingdu's status.

Yet, precisely when Qingdu was at its most popular, there was a quiet, tree-shaded side peak of Qingdu, where not a single extra pavilion was built and few people frequented. Li Quelan arrived there with humility and said to the middle-aged man at the door:

“Please inform the Elder Master... the True Person wishes to see him.”

This middle-aged man, who was Li Quelan’s own brother, dared not speak much. He nodded repeatedly, entered the building, and immediately an old man came downstairs. The old man's cheeks had sunken, making his face appear gaunt, yet his benevolence remained undiminished. His eyes, crinkled with a smile, became two dark, shiny slits buried in wrinkles, and his mouth was slightly agape. Upon seeing him, Li Quelan felt an urge to smile along. Pursing her lips, she softly asked:

“Is the Elder Master still in good health?”

“Good... good!”

Li Xuanxuan quickly approached. Li Quelan eagerly reached out to support him, but the old man waved her off, craning his neck as he said:

“Ximing is back? Let’s go, let’s go... Let’s head over there now!”

Now, perhaps only Li Xuanxuan dared to call True Person Zhaojing ‘Ximing.’ As Li Quelan followed him, riding the wind, Li Xuanxuan sighed:

“A few months ago... He Jiumen reached the end of his lifespan and passed away. He used too much vital blood for artifact refining, only living to one hundred and fifty years—truly a pity. And his legacy, he couldn't pass it all on to Queyi and the others; the old man didn't even have a peaceful death!”

He Jiumen was an old cultivator from the West Bank who had maintained a good relationship with Li Xuanxuan in recent years. Li Quelan had only just learned of his demise. Before she could speak, Li Xuanxuan added:

“Donghe has been silent in the Jade Court all these years, and An Zheyuan is out again. Qiuyang, however, has let go and gone boating on the lake. I’m up here on the mountain with no one to talk to. Those groups of three to five who come up... they only see me as an old man whose words might be useful; it's all so insincere and meaningless...”

Apart from Li Qinghong, Li Quelan had first come under Li Xuanxuan's tutelage when she arrived on the mountain, and she felt quite guilty listening. However, Li Xuanxuan said:

“An Zheyuan doesn’t have many years left to live... and he was sent to the north. Guest Elder An also had an accident... What kind of logic is this? I will speak properly with the True Person about this later.”

In a few words, they had already descended towards Mount Zhijing, where a man and a woman stood at the foot of the mountain. The leading man was quite handsome, dressed in a pleated robe, his body radiating golden light like six strands of wheat ears, as nimble as a sparrow. The woman was of ordinary appearance, unadorned by makeup, wearing only a plain dress, with a single sword strapped to her back.

“Uncle Zhouluo, Aunt Xinghan!”

Li Quelan greeted them, and the two quickly bowed to Li Xuanxuan, the old ancestor. Li Xuanxuan hastily helped them up, then glanced at Li Xinghan, somewhat surprised, and asked:

“Zhouluo often visits me at Qingdu; I see him quite frequently. But Xinghan, I haven’t seen much of her... Where are you cultivating now?”

Li Xinghan cupped her hands and said:

“Reporting, Elder, Xinghan cultivates in the area north of Moon Lake, where the cliffs are steep and conducive to sword arts practice.”

Li Xinghan was plain in appearance, but her voice was as crisp as snow, quite moving. Upon hearing ‘sword arts,’ Li Xuanxuan’s eyes lit up, and he asked:

“Have you cultivated sword Qi?”

“Reporting, Elder, I have cultivated it.”

As they approached the True Person’s cultivation abode, they lowered their voices, not daring to speak. Li Xuanxuan didn't press them, leading the way to the mountaintop. There, gardenia flowers danced, covering the ground in a thick layer like white frost. Several jade pillars lay amidst this sea of flowers, with faint purple flames flickering.

The True Person, clad in white robes with golden patterns, was reading a jade slip at the head seat. Upon seeing Li Xuanxuan approach, he immediately rose to welcome him, helped the old man sit down, and poured tea. Only then did the younger generation dare to move, standing respectfully to the side.

Li Zhouluo glanced over, noting his father, Li Chenghuai, standing silently to the side, and his heart couldn't help but pound.

‘What is this about...’

With several juniors present, Li Xuanxuan remained silent for a moment. After Li Ximing’s words of concern, Li Chenghuai then said:

“Reporting to True Person, Zhou Fang and Zhou Yang from the Elder Branch have gone to the wilderness and have not yet returned.”

Li Ximing nodded, then looked at Li Zhouluo and Li Xinghan before him, appearing quite satisfied. He specifically glanced at the sword behind Li Xinghan, nodded, and said:

“My family originated with the Way of the Sword, but apart from my two brothers, few among the younger generation have loved swords. You two, one cultivates Geng Jin and the other Yu Zhen, both using sword techniques, which is quite commendable!”

Li Zhouluo cultivated the ‘Radiant Gold Profound Inquiry Method,’ being the first in the family to do so. Li Xinghan, however, was unique; she cultivated the ‘Jade Dao Unison True Art’ from the Yu family lineage. This cultivation method was obtained from the Yu family's secret vault. Although it had no specific rank, it was a rare and completely inherited cultivation method. Few in the Li family had cultivated this method over the years, primarily due to the difficulty in gathering Qi. The ‘Jade Dao Unison True Art’ originally required carving intricate patterns, with Qi Condensation cultivators needing to hold a jade plate and chant scriptures all day long to gather Qi. While five or six years of effort might not seem long, chanting scriptures and gathering Qi all day, unlike other methods that only required one or two hours daily, naturally delayed cultivation, so few were willing to undertake it. Furthermore, this spiritual energy had to be gathered by the same person, without alternating shifts. The original scriptures were largely scattered after the Yu family’s demise, making it even more difficult. Li Xinghan’s father, though a direct descendant, was not exceptional in ability or talent, so he naturally couldn’t acquire such a valuable item.

But fortune and misfortune are intertwined. Because his father's cultivation was insufficient, he wasn't even qualified to participate in the great river battle. With only his status as a direct descendant, he had to marry a wife with some connection to the Yu family. Li Xinghan's maternal uncle had once been a Yu family guest elder, knowledgeable in scriptures, and doted on her immensely, personally spending five years gathering it for her! Her maternal family’s efforts were not in vain; Li Ximing truly felt a spark of insight upon seeing this!

It was always better for each family's Dao lineage to be as diverse as possible, so they wouldn't be suppressed by a single magical artifact, forcing everyone to bow their heads, or have a single spiritual aura bring misfortune to all. His own direct lineage lacked a Yu Zhen cultivator, and Li Ximing, pleased with what he saw, smiled and said:

“Your immortal foundation holds the essence of profound unity, and you also live in the era of Yu Zhen. In the past, True Lord Yuzhen Liujiu He Xu was also a sword immortal; he ascended to his position... This Yu Zhen... perhaps it is also an excellent Dao lineage for sword cultivation, no worse than Geng Jin. Just practice your sword well.”

Li Ximing didn't need to make any promises. As a dignified True Person, speaking these words in front of the Li family's old ancestor and the Foundation Establishment cultivator overseeing Qingdu, already meant that Li Xinghan had caught his eye. Though the young woman harbored no complex thoughts, she understood perfectly and quickly bowed down.

“Thank you, True Person!”

The old domain has been compromised; please remember the new domain.