Bright and brilliant with pure white light, one passed by the five-story balcony of a side building, then saw a 170-foot round platform. Covered walkways resembled floating bridges. After traversing seven grand halls and twelve opposing buildings, one finally arrived at the Crimson Light Hall.
The Crimson Light Hall was located in the northern part of the prefecture, ranking below the main hall. Recently built, its construction was initiated by Li Jiangzong to demonstrate his humble acceptance of a secondary position. Later, when the Li clan was enfeoffed as Wei, Li Jianglong likewise refrained from occupying the main seat and moved here as well. Consequently, this location gradually became the center of power for Moon Lake and Tingzhou.
Though not yet as prominent as it would later become, the Crimson Light Hall was already taking shape.
Li Suining, the eldest, followed closely behind Li Minggong. As they approached, an elderly man in a long gown came to greet them in front of the pavilion, his face wreathed in smiles. "Greetings, esteemed Sir!" he said.
"Elder Qu, you are too kind!" Li Minggong replied with a smile, showing deep respect.
The old man sighed. "Another group of children has arrived," he mused. "It feels as if Jiangzong and the others are still children before my eyes. I wonder how many more times this old man will see such a sight..."
Qu Bushi... Li Suining recognized him instantly with a quick glance and quickly lowered his head.
The old man was originally from Jiangbei. Throughout his life, he had served various clan heads. Despite his limited strength, he excelled at managing spiritual fields and was not required to participate in battles. Later, during the great chaos on the lake, he was fortunate to be away and survived. He then endured hardships, gathering information as he wandered, eventually making his way to the Southern Wilderness.
However, his strength was too meager, and he lacked any significant connections or means. Upon reaching Black Lacquer Ridge, he unexpectedly encountered King Black Ape on patrol. Although he invoked the Li family's name, it proved useless that day, and he was swiftly apprehended. He was then cast into King Black Ape's magical artifact, the Kan Water Gorge, where, amidst roaring laughter, he was transmuted into yellow earth and blood.
Li Zhouming once regretted this greatly, and Li Suining likewise gnashed his teeth in hatred over the incident, feeling utterly helpless.
Now, seeing the old man standing before the hall, smiling with his hands tucked into his sleeves, Li Suining also raised his head and bowed with a smile. "Greetings, Senior Qu!" he said.
Qu Bushi glanced at him with a hint of surprise, then nodded repeatedly. Raising an eyebrow, he said, "Everyone, come inside..."
All the children, young and old, filed in. However, Qu Bushi detained Li Minggong. The old man said earnestly, "Jiangzong is looking for you! The Second Young Master has emerged from seclusion; it's perfect timing!"
"Oh?" Li Minggong's eyes lit up, and he stepped inside.
Li Suining, meanwhile, had already reached the front of the hall. He lifted his robe to bow, and in that fleeting moment, he glimpsed two figures.
One figure wore predominantly white attire, with orange-yellow fabric at the collar and patterns of genuine fiery soaring sparrows adorning both sleeves. His gaze was bright, and though he had yet to grow a beard, he carried a solemn demeanor.
This was none other than their own steward, Li Jiangzong — the only man of the Jiangque generation who, despite not being a direct descendant of Mingyang, possessed exceptional ability.
This uncle, Jiangzong, had earned praise from the King of Wei for his magnanimity and respectfulness, being deemed capable of succession. For many years, he held the position of clan patriarch within the Qingdu family, meticulously managing the internal affairs of the lake region. During the Li clan's decline, he even skillfully navigated various factions, sought favors, and collaborated with Li Zhouluo to preserve their lineage...
Li Suining slightly lowered his gaze but couldn't help turning his head to discreetly observe the man on the other side.
This person was resplendent with light, his cultivation profound, and golden-red light shimmered around him. Dressed in a crimson robe, he sat on the main seat with a frown, holding a book scroll in his hand, and looked over from a distance.
Beneath his brows, remarkably, shone a pair of golden eyes!
'The Second Young Master...' A warmth welled up in Li Suining's heart.
During the Li family's peak, they boasted four Purple Mansion cultivators, three of whom were 'Holders' assisting the court. This Second Young Master was one of those three Holders: the Xuan Holder of the Purple Gold Hall, the Administrator of the Martial Offering Hall, the Governor of Jiangjuan County, and the True Light Cloud Emissary with a fief of 3,500 households—Li Jianglong!
The current Li Jianglong did not wear the purple-gold patterned robes nor the True Offering sash; he was merely a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator. Yet, when those golden eyes opened, their brilliant luminescence struck fear into anyone.
The Song produced only three heirs, still fewer than Wei... The brilliance of that era... it was too dazzling.
Bitterness welled in Li Suining's heart, and he lowered his gaze despondently. Yang Zhuo, the Song Emperor and an undeniable True Lord of great stature, had only three capable sons among all his children. Though praised by the court and commoners at the time, this was still one fewer 'dragon-like' son than the King of Wei possessed.
'Thinking back now,' he mused, 'those esteemed figures must have had their unavoidable circumstances. It's just that we, their juniors, couldn't see clearly. We basked in the glory, feeling proud, yet remained oblivious to the impending disaster.'
He knelt before the steps, appearing quite familiar with the procedure. Compared to the other children, he seemed remarkably calm and composed.
Li Jiangzong raised an eyebrow, and indeed, he saw the golden eyes looking over. "This is..."
Li Jiangzong flipped through the list in his hand, checking the boy's position. He said, "Eastern Manor... this is from Lord Minggong's lineage. There's also Suikuan, the legitimate eldest, who appears to have even greater talent. After so many years, this branch is finally flourishing once more."
To prevent the two from being influenced by their predecessors, Li Jiangzong deliberately avoided mentioning Li Xixuan. Li Jianglong, however, understood perfectly. He lowered his head, sipped his tea, cast a quick glance, and nodded imperceptibly.
Li Suining remained motionless below, silently waiting. Just as everyone had gathered, light suddenly flashed within the hall, colorful rays converged, and a profound stillness descended. Everyone present was astonished; they bowed in unison and respectfully declared, "Greetings, True Lord!"
Li Suining slightly raised his head, seeing a platinum light appear on the main seat. He then lowered his head like lightning, prostrating himself before the steps, unwilling to rise.
The True Lord stood before the steps, a smile on his face. "Rise," he said calmly, "there's no need for such formality!"
Instantly, all the cultivators rose, and a solemn atmosphere settled. The True Lord, embodying divine powers, exuded an invisible aura of majesty that permeated the hall, even without speaking.
Li Ximing sat down on the main seat, glanced around, and nodded. "Good," he said, "these children's talents are quite significant..."
Ever since the Chengming generation suffered heavy losses by the riverside, the Li clan's descendants had struggled, producing even fewer geniuses. Both the Zhouxing and Jiangque generations appeared listless. Had it not been for Li Zhouwei and Li Quewan, who was brought from the lake, only Li Jiangzong would have stood out. Their personalities varied greatly, making precise evaluations difficult. Though their talents seemed comparable to Li Cheng's, their current achievements, whether through experience or opportunity, were significantly inferior.
But now, looking around, he saw several talents well worth nurturing, and even more individuals with outstanding and delightful potential. How could Li Ximing not be overjoyed? His gaze swept across the group, settling first on the face of a young boy below. Noticing his golden eyes, he smiled and pointed, "Is that Suihuan?"
The young boy had handsome eyes and refined brows, his golden eyes gleaming brightly, exuding an air of nobility. He stepped forward and respectfully said, "Suihuan greets the True Lord!"
The young boy was indeed Li Suihuan, Li Jianglong's own son. Li Jianglong had specifically emerged from seclusion and come here partly on his son's behalf.
The name had been personally bestowed by Li Ximing. Counting the days, he was now thirteen years old, the eldest son of the Mingyang bloodline and ranked fourth in the Suiyu generation. His cultivation speed was also the fastest; he had already reached Qi Refining, cultivating the Recondite Flame Brightness Scripture.
With Li Ximing and Li Zhouwei successively reaching the Purple Mansion stage, the resources available to Li family disciples improved significantly. Starting cultivation at six years old, and with sufficiently good cultivation methods and resources, Li Suihuan completed six cycles of Fetal Breath, one cycle per year. Had it not been for the high difficulty of the Recondite Flame Brightness Scripture, his breakthrough time could have been even earlier.
Standing before the other disciples, he now exuded an even more exceptional aura, drawing sideways glances from all the cultivators. Li Ximing watched, smiling broadly. "You have your father's demeanor," he said. "Such talent and grace, even the direct descendants of immortal sects can't compare!"
Li Suihuan was young, but his courage was considerable. Facing the gazes of all the cultivators and the True Lord's scrutiny, he raised an eyebrow, his eyes bright, and replied, "Which direct descendant of an immortal sect... would have dared to challenge my revered grandfather's halberd blade back then? As descendants of the White Kylin, we shall bring light for a thousand miles, elevate the rising sun, make Moon Lake radiant, and achieve more than just the divine powers of a second generation!"
Everyone present exchanged surprised glances. Li Minggong broke into a smile, while Li Jianglong's eyelids twitched, and he frowned slightly. Li Ximing, however, raised an eyebrow and smiled, simply replying, "What great ambition!"
"Come!"
He drew a jade box from his sleeve and handed it to Li Suihuan, saying with a smile, "This is a family Fire-leaving artifact, called 'Li Guang Hua Xi'. I had it forged during my leisure time to verify divine powers and techniques. Now that I'm done with it, I'll give it to you as encouragement!"
For a moment, only his words of thanks and the surrounding murmurs of admiration could be heard. Li Suining stood to the side below, his head lowered. Listening to Li Ximing's praise, he felt no envy or jealousy, but rather a complex mix of emotions.
'Fourth brother...' Li Suihuan was not speaking idly, nor were his words mere boastful rhetoric. Indeed, even later, when the Eldest Young Master broke through to the Purple Mansion stage, people still spoke of Li Suihuan's 'divine powers of the second generation.' This fourth brother's own cultivation speed was exceptionally rapid; by the time the immortal decree arrived at the lake, his immortal foundation was perfected, his secret arts accomplished, and he was just one step away from the Purple Mansion stage.
Yet... who could have imagined that the Li clan, once at its zenith, would meet such a fate?
He slightly raised his eyebrows, not daring to look directly at Li Ximing. He only heard the satisfaction in his tone. Perhaps there had been a premonition in his heart, as he felt that Li Ximing was not as joyful as he had imagined.
Li Ximing, however, quickly turned his head and looked down with raised eyebrows. Pointing at Li Suikuan, who was nearby, he asked with a smile, "And you are?"
"Your junior, Suikuan... is a disciple from the Yuanwan branch!" The child immediately knelt and answered respectfully. Li Ximing nodded thoughtfully and replied, "Rare indeed!"
In his previous life, he had been oblivious, but now Li Suining understood perfectly. Li Suikuan had been singled out because he appeared to be the most outstanding among the children—a distinction, of course, owed to his foolish great-uncle, Li Chengzai.
This old man, though ignorant of cultivation, was willing to exert effort. He leveraged his connections to obtain spiritual resources from several guest cultivators and provided them to Li Suikuan prematurely. Given Li Suikuan's meager Fetal Breath cultivation, it was like a cow chewing on peonies—a blatant waste. How could the True Lord not perceive this? Ostensibly, Li Suikuan's talent appeared far superior to Li Suining's, but Li Suining himself knew the two brothers were merely equally matched.
Indeed, the True Lord's gaze swept past and quickly settled on Li Suining.
Even as a person who had lived two lives, his fear of the Purple Mansion stage and reverence for his family's True Lord would not diminish in the slightest. Li Suining's heart leaped as Li Ximing's gaze lingered on him for a moment. From the side, Li Minggong's gentle voice interjected: "This is Suining. His father was Jiangwu, who once cultivated the Xiaoshi Mountain lineage. He was gravely wounded by fire during the wilderness unrest and passed away not long after. His grandfather, Li Zhouhuan, died of old age by the lake. He is the second son of my second elder brother, Li Chengdu!"
This was precisely why Li Minggong treated Li Suining with more favor. Li Ximing gazed at him intently and smiled, "Fourth layer of Fetal Breath?"
Li Suining suppressed his excitement and respectfully replied, "Reporting to True Lord, it has been half a year already!"
"Good..."
Li Ximing glanced at Li Jiangzong and said, "Go to the clan and collect a portion of resources and two pills; you can begin Qi Refining now. Do you have any learned traditions or skills you excel at?"
Li Suining took a step back and prostrated himself on the ground, respectfully declaring, "Reporting to True Lord, your junior has undertaken some study in formations... and hopes to learn the Way of Formations!"
Having lived two lives, Li Suining naturally knew exactly what his family currently lacked most!
He also knew how to reveal his talent: in his previous life, almost everyone of the Suiyu generation had read books on the Way of Formations, and as many as three brothers had been assigned to cultivate formation arrays!
'Our family's Way of Alchemy is renowned far and wide,' he thought. 'Artifact refinement, led by Uncle Jiangzong, has rapidly come to prominence. Only the Way of Formations is missing! This has been a long-standing concern for several esteemed figures!'
"Oh?"
As soon as his words fell, the True Lord before him slightly opened his eyes, which gleamed with light, and quietly looked over. "Eastern Manor has long resided outside the continent, accumulating some reserves," he remarked, "and now attempting the Way of Formations!"
Li Ximing, however, felt little joy. He watched with a cold gaze, then cast a glance at Li Jiangzong, causing the young man's expression to subtly change and his brow to furrow.
Li Ximing, of course, knew his family lacked formation masters; he had even discussed it with Li Jiangzong just recently. He hadn't expected to hear such an answer from Li Suining, especially when he had asked about combat arts like swordsmanship, spearmanship, and staff fighting!
A disciple from the Eastern Manor, whose family could be considered fallen and impoverished by the lake, had only achieved the fourth layer of Fetal Breath through constant, diligent cultivation. How could he possibly have the leisure to practice other diverse arts? Especially the Way of Formations, which required expensive formation flags just for entry! Yet, he instantly pinpointed the very talent his family lacked most and was preparing to promote... Claiming to have studied it, wasn't that highly suspicious? He knew well how ambitious those below him could be!
Although he didn't utter any harsh words, just these few suspicious thoughts instantly made the light in the hall grow cold and dim. The atmosphere solidified; Li Minggong's expression changed, and his gaze showed concern.
With Purple Mansion divine powers, his mood and thoughts influenced the local energy. An ordinary child, witnessing such a scene, would likely be terrified into tears and confess everything. Li Suining, however, remained expressionless. "Reporting to True Lord," he said, "when my grandfather passed away, your junior once came to the lake alone and met Protector Ren, who had arrived then. My father had served under him, so they had some acquaintance. He heard that your junior possessed spiritual apertures, so he took out the various techniques my father had left behind and let your junior take them back to read. At that time, among my father's belongings, there was indeed a 'General Treatise on the Way of Formations'!"
"Your junior read it obsessively, never letting the scroll leave his hand... It has been nearly ten years now!"
How could an ordinary child lie in front of him? Li Ximing saw that his expression remained unchanged and, in his heart, already believed him. His expression softened slightly, and he said faintly, "Oh? Without formation flags, it must have been tough for you!"
In his previous life, Li Suining's willpower had been astonishing; he had indeed studied for six or seven years, if not a full decade. However, without formation flags in hand, how could one easily begin? Although this experience would prove quite beneficial for his future cultivation of the Way of Formations, even up to the day he stood before the grand hall, he remained in a state of gradual, hazy understanding. In the end, he had discovered no significant insights and dared not mention anything, humbly stating he would accept any arrangement.
But the current Li Suining had a steady and calm gaze. He simply bowed again, rose, and respectfully stated, "Reporting to True Lord, it is also possible to use other objects as substitutes!"
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