The Mirror Legacy

Chapter 583: Silver Hook Spirit Thunder (I)

Li Xijun arranged the family matters before reviewing everything that had transpired during his seclusion. There had been no significant issues. The family's income had slightly tightened due to the increasing number of cultivators, but the shortfall was no more than one or two spirit stones—a minor concern.

"Not bad... Brother Xicheng is managing the household with increasing stability," Li Xijun remarked approvingly. Standing at the side of the hall was Chen Donghe, clad in jade armor, his hair entirely white. He had been stuck at the ninth heavenly layer of the Qi Cultivation Realm for years, his swordsmanship gradually reaching a deeper level. However, lacking the confidence to break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm, he had devoted more of his time to clan affairs.

The former leader of the Jade Court Guard, Chen Mufeng, had been demoted, leaving the elderly Chen Donghe to take charge. Within the family, only he held the reputation and ability to manage such responsibilities. After reading through the records, Li Xijun suddenly asked, "Has there been an increase in female attendants on Mount Wutu?"

Having been in seclusion for some time, Li Xijun was unaware of Li Ximing's recent progress and found no mention of it in the records. Curious, he asked the question, to which Chen Donghe replied, "Mount Wutu sent the previous attendants down the mountain years ago. No new ones have been brought up since, not even the An Family has been there more than a few times."@@@@

Li Xijun was surprised and thought to himself, This Brother Ming! What's gotten into him?

Dismissing the elder, Li Xijun soared into the air and descended onto Mount Wutu.

The fire vein on Mount Wutu had been active for over a decade, gradually stabilizing. Day and night, fiery baleful qi spewed forth, transforming the entire mountain. Vegetation had grown sparse, birds circled warily overhead, and jagged rocks jutted out across the landscape. The atmosphere was stiflingly humid.

Li Xijun broke through the formation and landed at the summit. The mountaintop gleamed with resplendent golden halls, radiating opulence. Before the white jade stairs stood two guards, silently on watch.

"Greetings, Clan Uncle," they said respectfully.

Both were youths from collateral branches, raised within the family's cave dwellings. Lacking talent, they had been assigned to cultivate the Guardian of the Courtly Path, quickly reaching the Qi Cultivation Realm but advancing no further.

After their respectful salute, Li Xijun asked, "Is Ximing refining pills?"

One of the guards went to inquire and soon returned, reporting, "The elder is already waiting in the hall."

Li Xijun nodded and entered. Passing through several corridors, he arrived at the main hall.

Li Xijun felt a pang at the thought of such costs, but he still nodded in encouragement, "To succeed on your first attempt is already commendable. There will be more opportunities in the future."

This matter reminded Li Xijun of something, and he added, "Senior Xiao Yuansi was very kind to you, selflessly teaching you all those years ago. Have you kept that in your heart? Now that you have broken through to Foundation Establishment Realm, both emotionally and ethically, you should pay him a visit."

Li Ximing, still preoccupied with the methods for refining the pills, snapped to attention at these words. Startled, he nodded repeatedly, "You are absolutely right, absolutely right! I almost forgot and nearly fell into the trap of ingratitude! I will pack up and head to the Xiao Family right away."

Li Xijun nodded and updated him on recent events. He then took out two jade bottles, one large and one small, and said, "While you were in seclusion, our aunt returned from overseas and brought back some Yuwa Stone Liquid and three Profound Tempering Pills—treasures only the direct lines of immortal sects can afford."

With a hint of joy, he added, "For some reason, my cultivation speed has significantly increased since reaching Foundation Establishment Realm. With these resources, and after taking the Profound Pill, my progress will only accelerate further."

Li Xijun congratulated him with a smile, his mood greatly improved. After chatting a little more, he excused himself and departed.

Li Ximing, holding the jade cauldron in his hands, calculated the time and dared not delay. He immediately mounted the wind and flew off from Mount Wutu, heading toward the Xiao Family.

————

The Eastern Sea, Qunyi Strait.

The overcast skies that had loomed over the Eastern Sea for years had finally begun to clear. Though thunderstorms and dark clouds remained more frequent between the various seas, most of the waters were now bright and sunny.

The Qunyi Strait stretched endlessly, linking together a series of islands. Apart from the deep-sea region of Lizhou, this area had the densest population, with long, narrow islands connected in a continuous chain amid turbulent waters.

The once-bright sky gradually darkened as clouds gathered overhead. Two beams of light descended from the north, landing on a small island.

Leading the way was a middle-aged man clad in golden armor and robes, standing with his hands clasped behind him. The second figure, bathed in purple light, resolved into a female cultivator wearing jade armor and wielding a spear. She stood atop thunderclouds for a moment, gazing at the darkening sky.