Chapter 802: Da Li Book

Li Chenghuai was startled. Li Zhouluo quickly got up, handed over several memorials from the desk, and explained in a low voice. Li Chenghuai's brow furrowed as he read them, then he raised an eyebrow and said, "So you were waiting for me here..."

After reviewing the West Bank matters, Li Zhouluo's proposed solutions were also presented. Li Chenghuai glanced at them and shook his head, saying, "Sentencing someone to death in court—you didn't handle that well... It shows a lack of authority, and also a fear of damaging inter-clan relations..."

Finally, he looked at the matter of the patronage list, pausing for a moment. Without saying much more, he just sighed and replied, "Let's go."

As soon as Li Chenghuai emerged from seclusion, Li Zhouluo seemed to shed a heavy burden. He took off his black robe, draped it over his arm, and quickly followed. Li Chenghuai, walking ahead, asked, "Where is the patronage list?"

Li Zhouluo had already tucked it into his bosom. He handed it to his father, who quickly scanned it. Li Chenghuai replied, "Both lineages are evenly represented, which isn't bad. The number of people is a bit high, but since the Elder allowed Jiang Qian to come, more is fine."

Li Zhouluo hadn't mentioned Li Xuanxuan's intentions, but Li Chenghuai, calculating the time, already knew. He exposed the truth with a single sentence, stepped out, and suddenly asked, "For Brother Cheng's legacy, there were originally three candidates in the ancestral hall. How are these three doing now?"

Li Zhouluo was still keeping track of this matter and immediately replied, "The one closest in bloodline and most suitable in age is named Zhou Tui. He has been diligently cultivating in the prefecture lately, showing great enthusiasm in both his cultivation and managing the spiritual fields..."

"The older one is Li Zhouda, also closely related by blood. He's very decisive and efficient in his work and is currently managing affairs at Yuting. His only flaw is his temper; last year, he got drunk and beat a clan member, resulting in a complaint filed in Qingdu."

He paused briefly, then concluded, "There's also another person, more distantly related by blood, named Li Zhousun. He was the one Lord Li allowed to temporarily reside in the manor before his passing. He seems to have given up hope early on and didn't seek any position in the prefecture; instead, he used this time for secluded cultivation."

Li Chenghuai pondered for a moment, then shook his head, saying, "A difficult choice..."

Although Li Zhoutui performed well, his crying at the funeral was truly unsettling. Li Zhouda's fiery temper inevitably caused hesitation. As for Li Zhousun, whether out of respect for Li Cheng's bloodline or some other reason, he ultimately withdrew himself, making it difficult for Li Chenghuai to help him.

After much thought, they stopped in the corridor, and he asked, "What about their cultivation levels?"

Li Zhouluo bowed and replied, "Zhouda has already reached Qi Condensation; he's a well-known brother in the family, and his reputation is slightly higher. The other two are still in Embryonic Breath. Younger brothers Zhou Tui and Zhou Xun are similar in age and cultivation."

Li Zhouluo didn't explicitly state it, but his meaning was clear: although the prefecture offered the same treatment, the resources Zhou Tui enjoyed from his father's generation were clearly superior to what the less influential Zhou Xun could command, indicating a disparity in talent. Li Chenghuai understood this, stepped forward, and nodded, saying, "I understand. Do not voice your opinion on this matter. After all, the legacy has already been passed down, and it's uncertain who will ultimately achieve Foundation Establishment. The magical artifacts are preserved within the clan. I will find an opportunity to meet with Zhou Xun. You don't need to show favoritism towards anyone, nor should you reveal your approval."

If it hadn't been for Li Xuanxuan's words, Li Zhouluo might have been confused by his father's instruction, but now he understood perfectly. He replied, "Your son understood long ago. I haven't met with any of them privately over the years."

"Good."

Li Chenghuai responded, smiling, "It's rare for you to have three years of experience; you've grown a lot."

Li Zhouluo could only give a sheepish smile and replied, "I now understand the stakes. If it weren't for the Elder, the lake our family managed for six generations would have been ruined by me in two or three years."

The middle-aged man in front of him shook his head, saying, "Our ancestors' good governance for a century only suffices for one generation of mediocre rule; one generation of mediocre rule is not enough to withstand three years of bad governance by descendants..."

As he was educating his eldest son, he saw a mass of apricot yellow rising into the sky, drifting directly towards the horizon. Halfway up, it descended, transforming into clusters of apricot-colored 'Li Fire' that suddenly blew across the lake.

These Li Fires, large and small, shimmered elegantly and ethereally in the air, like countless sky lanterns. The night had not yet fully receded, and the sky was dimly lit. The lake's surface reflected the entire sky of Li Fires, attracting numerous cultivators who flew on the wind to observe.

"Hum!"

In the distance, the formation on Qingdu Mountain was immediately activated, its colors shooting straight into the sky. The 'Morning Mist' within the formation was roused, sweeping into the sky and clearing away all the surrounding Li Fires.

Li Zhouluo's eyes lit up. Li Chenghuai immediately rose on the wind, circled once in the air, and indeed saw a man in a crimson robe flying on fire. His robe was worn very loosely, with a pure white short garment underneath, and apricot-yellow flames still burned in his black hair.

He was tall and slender, with slightly long eyebrows. Beneath his dark brows were a pair of golden eyes. His arms were crossed over his chest, a sword hung at his waist, and in his fair hand, he held a small, round hammer, resting casually on his shoulder.

Seeing Li Chenghuai approach, the young man smiled slightly, looking spirited and energetic. He replied, "Greetings, Junior Grand-Uncle!"

"Congratulations!"

Li Jiangqian cupped his hands and bowed. Li Chenghuai responded with a smile. Seeing several people hurrying over, he slightly raised his head, and his first question was, "How is Que Wan?"

Li Zhouluo had just arrived and, hearing the question, smiled and replied, "Que Wan also went into seclusion before the New Year, saying she needed to adjust her aura, perfect her cultivation, and choose a day to break through to Foundation Establishment."

"Good."

Although Li Jiangqian's seniority was not high, his status was special. Once he formed an Immortal Foundation, his influence would undergo a qualitative change. He bowed to everyone, and his second question was, "Is there any news of my father and the True Man at home...?"

Li Chenghuai shook his head as he led him down, all the way to the prefecture center. Li Jiangqian stopped in the courtyard. After everyone had taken their seats, he looked around and noticed Li Zhouming was still missing.

Li Jiangqian waited patiently. After about half an hour, a young man in red robes rushed in from outside the hall. Li Zhouming, not daring to meet Li Xuanxuan's gaze, cautiously sat down on the side.

The Elder's gaze was sharp. He saw that while the young man's clothes were neat, his boots were improperly worn, and his hair ornament was very simple. He must have gone out riding in flowery clothes early that morning, likely flirting with some girl by the lake.

Only then did Li Jiangqian cup his hands in a salute and reply, "Reporting to all elders, your junior has successfully cultivated the Great Li Scripture Immortal Foundation. Its Li Fire is always with me; in motion, it can dispel metal auras, absorb wood essence, incinerate metal, and boil seas; in stillness, it can stabilize raging flames, draw Li light, and not startle birds..."

He only spoke these words, and the people around him began to offer congratulations. Li Jiangqian nodded in response. Li Xuanxuan, watching this, coughed and said, "Let's dismiss for now..."

The Elder waved his hand, dismissing the people on both sides. He then led Li Jiangqian inside privately, closed the doors, and asked, "How is it? You've cultivated our family's sixth-grade cultivation method. No one in our family has ever completed it before, so there must be something extraordinary about it."

Li Jiangqian helped him sit down and offered him tea, saying in a low voice, "Elder, I have completed the Great Li Scripture. This Immortal Foundation primarily focuses on techniques. The Immortal Foundation can store Li light, allowing for extremely fast fire manipulation. It connects to the 'First Manifestation in Heaven', thus it can also dispel evil spirits. Its inherent marvel lies in combining wood with medicine; consuming it increases longevity, heals injuries, and provides various enhancements..."

"Oh?"

Li Xuanxuan's eyes lit up. He asked, "Combining with medicine? Is it like elixirs?"

Li Jiangqian shook his head, extended a hand, brought two fingers together, and raised his thumb to touch the middle joint. Instantly, with a *bang*, a burst of apricot-yellow, bright flame emerged.

This flame was unlike the eager-to-burst Li Fire seen previously, nor was it like the five types of Li Fire swirling in the Yangli Scarlet Sparrow Banner. Instead, it rested steadily on his fingertip, perfectly still.

He smiled and replied, "The extraordinary aspect you mentioned, Elder, is likely this flame."

"My Immortal Foundation fire is called 'Apricot Li'. Ordinary fires fear earth, but this fire can resist it considerably. The legacy describes it in great detail: it fears no earth element except the two 'Sheji' soils. Unfortunately, when placed in a furnace, it's too fiery to form elixirs. My Qi Sea is filled with apricot yellow, and even if I achieve Purple Mansion, I will have no affinity with elixirs."

"As for the medicines created... most of them only I can consume. Perhaps creatures of the luan and que phoenix families could also partake."

Li Xuanxuan nodded, indicating he understood, and sighed, "Truly worthy of a sixth-grade Li Fire cultivation method. It encompasses almost all the advantages Li Fire can offer, and even managed to squeeze out the marvelous ability to heal injuries..."

Li Jiangqian quickly waved his hand and replied, "The division of cultivation lineages still remains. This lineage cannot achieve concealment, elixir refining, or healing others at all. Although it offers fast fire manipulation, it also has the drawback of Li light being too intense, making evasion techniques difficult to cultivate... It takes from one area and lacks in another; it cannot be complete!"

The Elder nodded repeatedly, looking quite emotional. He let out a long breath and replied, "Now that you've emerged from seclusion, I'll have to trouble you with family matters..."

The Elder took a small wooden box from beside the desk, opened it, and revealed a thick layer of cloth scrolls inside, clearly containing very detailed records. Li Jiangqian, not understanding, took them to read.

The young man glanced at them, then used one hand to flip through, reading all the way to the bottom in one go. He then flipped back, carefully re-reading the West Bank matters, and chuckled, "They've truly eaten leopard's guts."

Li Xuanxuan's heart tightened upon hearing this. After all, Li Xixuan and others were mere mortals and couldn't withstand Li Jiangqian's methods. The Elder quickly restrained him and replied, "These people are elders, and many are highly respected, with children who have sacrificed much for the clan. The prefecture's issues certainly need to be resolved, but we cannot utterly dishearten them."

"I understand... I understand!"

Li Jiangqian held the cloth scrolls with one hand. The long strips of white cloth extended down, trailing on the ground, gently fluttering in the wind. He lowered his head to look at them and chuckled, "Just leave this matter to me. Please trouble Uncle Zhouluo to manage the family for a few more months, to avoid too much talk from below."

Outside the hall.

Li Zhouluo came out of the hall, leaving the main hall to the two of them, and went down with Li Chenghuai. It was then that he remembered something and spoke of the letter from Li Xizhi.

Li Zhouluo was naturally very proud, and his voice was slightly excited. Li Chenghuai showed no significant change in expression. After waiting for his son to finish speaking, he remained silent for a long time before saying, "He has always been very capable."

The relationship between father Li Chenghuai and grandfather Li Xizhi was genuinely not very close. Li Zhouluo hesitated slightly before saying, "Grandfather means he hopes I go to the South Sea before I achieve Foundation Establishment. He wants to help me choose a suitable cultivation partner... and for me to break through in the South Sea."

Li Chenghuai, for his part, nodded and replied, "That would certainly be for the best. Marriage is a significant matter; it's much better to have him help you keep an eye out."

Li Zhouluo looked at his father's expression and whispered, "Grandfather also sent his disciple Quan Yudu back with a letter, but you hadn't emerged from seclusion then. He said he had to deliver it to you personally. He returned a year ago and has been cultivating in the wilderness area. I've already sent someone to invite him."

Wang Quyi and others had gone north together. Earlier, letters had come back saying they encountered several direct descendants of powerful families after entering the underground palace, but after more than half a year, communications ceased, and even Quan Yudu couldn't contact anyone inside.

Now, the Xiaoshishan Dao lineage in the North had been silent for three full years. It was estimated that there was another grotto-heaven below. Quan Yudu, who had been escorting them, couldn't stay put, and unsure if he had completed his sect's mission, he had traveled extensively across Jiangbei in the past year or two, recently returning to the wilderness.

When Li Zhouluo mentioned that Li Xizhi had left a letter for him, Li Chenghuai finally showed some anxiety. He paced around the courtyard twice. Just as dawn broke, Quan Yudu, dressed in a large red robe, galloped in under escort.

The young man, wearing a jade crown, looked at Li Chenghuai's Dharma robe and the dark jade hanging from his waist, recognizing him. Slightly agitated, he bowed respectfully before him and said, "Greetings, Young Master! My master and mistress have missed you dearly over the years, often speaking of you... but being separated by thousands of miles, they could not meet..."

Li Chenghuai awkwardly helped him up. Quan Yudu, having spoken, indeed took a letter from his sleeve and said softly, "This letter is handwritten by my master. He instructed me that I must deliver it, disperse others, and allow Young Master to open it personally."

Li Chenghuai felt the letter and found it was not thick, in fact quite thin, though its surface was wrapped in spirit cloth. The presentation was not grand, clearly indicating it was handwritten. He glanced around; Li Zhouluo had already taken his people and closed the hall doors, heading down with them.

Only then did he raise his hand, unseal the outer mark, and take out the pure white letter paper. What met his eyes was Li Xizhi's flowing handwriting: "Handwritten on the evening of the 20th of the spring month. Your father is temporarily guarding the South Sea. All matters are settled, and I am choosing a granddaughter-in-law."

"If you have the ambition to cultivate the Dao and seek divine powers, you may cross the sea south with Yudu. Profound elixirs, magical artifacts, spiritual objects, precious lands, and immortal mountains—I will provide them all to the best of my ability."

"If you wish to protect the clan and live out your remaining years peacefully, I have instructed Yudu to bring years of Daoist scriptures, fine silks and satins, exquisite food, and a place to listen to the rain by the bridge—enough to shelter your descendants, ensuring three generations of uninterrupted prosperity and honor."

"Your father, Zhi, personally inscribed this."

Li Chenghuai read every word clearly. He then flipped the letter to the back, and although he knew there was nothing written there, he still scanned it up and down, turning the letter over and over in his hands.

Quan Yudu waited a while, having received no reply, then whispered, "Reporting to Young Master, my master has already instructed me to bring Daoist scriptures, with a Purple Mansion talisman as the centerpiece. Foundation Establishment artifacts, spiritual objects, talismans, and precious medicines are all complete..."

He recited names one after another, but Li Chenghuai seemed entirely oblivious, as if waking from a dream. He said hoarsely, "Did he have any other instructions?"

Quan Yudu, unsettled by the question, only replied respectfully, "Master... Master was unable to protect himself in the past and found it difficult to attend to Young Master. Now he wishes to compensate."