Chapter 728 521: Yan Sheep_2

Bai Rong sat alone, then suddenly asked:

"Yet, I hear rumors in the cave that your noble family descends from Mingyang?"

Li Xijun sighed inwardly, feeling the rumors were spreading wider and wider; after all, it was impossible to cover up forever. He could only wave his hand, while Bai Rong appeared thoughtful.

The two talked a while, but Bai Rong soon grew restless, hastily delivering what he meant to say:

"I've heard that in a few months, the elders in the cave are to attend a ceremony at Northern Sea. Most likely it concerns the breakthrough of Shangyuan—best we keep away from Northern Sea, perhaps there's a Golden Core keeping watch…"

"Though we can hardly go in person to East Sea, at least we could watch from afar—just in case we gain some insight."

He smiled and said:

"After all, it's an event that comes only once in several decades, and moreover, this is Shangyuan—the first Sword Immortal in over a century. Think of it, across the seas and lands, from Fetal Breathing up to Golden Core, all eyes are on this—truly a delight."

Having finally gotten this chance, Li Xijun was unwilling to let him go easily and hastily asked another question:

"Is the Jade True position still vacant?"

Bai Rong paused slightly, his expression at last growing solemn. He nodded:

"Precisely! So long as Shangyuan's breakthrough succeeds, not only will he be the first Golden Core in three centuries; if he refines the 'Jade True Six-Nine Merging Empty Nature,' and becomes master of the Jade True fruit position, we can witness the transformation of heaven and earth."

He smiled, a fox-like cunning surfacing on his face:

"If another Shangyuan Perfected Lord emerges, not to mention anything else—even a hundred arts of cultivation may follow suit, transforming."

Li Xijun escorted him all the way out of the mountain, watching him fly back into Da Li Mountain, his own heart still uneasy, glancing at his clansmen below, all gleeful and elated, song and dance unending.

After all, expansion truly dissolves conflict; swallowing the great Yu Family cake, the seven families swept clean—all delivered to Shanyue—the leftover space sufficing to foster seven or eight prestigious houses, everyone rubbing their hands, brimming with hope.

Li Xijun returned to his Jade Platform, his thoughts unsettled:

"Change is approaching… If Shangyuan Perfected Person succeeds, it'll be the greatest upheaval in five centuries."

...

Central Hall.

The Central Hall steps gleamed bright, boots made crisp and pleasant sounds; Li Zhouwei paced inside, the clan soldiers on both sides lowering their heads.

He broke through Qi Cultivation, took charge of clan affairs, gradually managing the Clan Head Courtyard. The oddity ingrained since the womb faded greatly, making him seem more alive, occasionally even showing a smile when he spoke.

Yet, should a subordinate commit an offense, his gaze sharpened, chilling all around; Chen Yan, sword in arms, followed behind, accompanying him into the inner chamber.

Li Zhouwei set his Long Halberd on the stand, glancing carefully at Chen Yan, who remained at Fetal Breathing Fifth Layer. Brow lowered, he said:

"Chen Yan, step forward."

Below, Chen Yan's vigilance flared. In a flash, he reviewed all recent matters in his mind, unable to spot any errors; inwardly, he thought:

"What is this fierce tiger plotting again… It shouldn't be like this…"

He stepped forward and bowed respectfully:

"Your servant is here!"

Li Zhouwei drew a jade bottle from his robe, tossed it into Chen Yan's arms, saying indifferently:

"This is Bright Divine Powder, hurry and use it to break through."

Chen Yan was briefly stunned, accepting it with suspicion. Li Zhouwei wiped his weapon, speaking softly:

"I know you're not content; I'll report to Qingdu, and allocate your resources as befitting direct lineage as far as possible."

He sat quietly, then spoke:

"Feel free to try if you can catch up to me."

Chen Yan slowly lifted his head, seeing for once a glimmer of laughter in this usually calm person's eyes—straightforward and frank, looking right at him. Chen Yan gave a muffled reply, saw Li Zhouwei wave a hand, and hurriedly withdrew.

All the way out from the grand hall, returning slowly to his own cave mansion, only then did Chen Yan's expression reveal eagerness to give it a try, his grey eyes narrowing slightly.

For years, Li Zhouwei had held him down. Outwardly, he was obedient, yet secretly, he analyzed Zhouwei's every move and temperament, doing every task perfectly as assets for his own advancement.

Chen Yan quietly calculated, muttering:

"Then let us see… You and I are both blood of Qingdu…"

...

Grand Hall.

Li Zhouwei watched him leave, put away his weapon, and silently gazed at the sunlight in the grand hall.

"Chen Yan is shrewd and decisive… takes pride in his Li Clan blood, ambitious… It's just a pity he is not of my direct brotherhood…"

Managing clan affairs, he grew to understand his peers—Li Ximing's descendants weak, Li Xijun still unmarried, only Li Xihong's line was numerous.

Looking further, most have good character; innate talent at best average, far inferior to Chen Yan. Li Zhouwei could only raise him to mid-tier, yet rarely keep him close.

He weighed for a while, untroubled, removed his outer robe, and walked into the rear courtyard.

Li Zhouwei's ash-brown eyes narrowed slightly, sensing something amiss; his spiritual sense swept ahead. There stood a young woman, docile and silent, her head bowed.

He glanced briefly and understood:

"A few days ago, she had her fourteenth birthday; her family sent someone ahead."

Li Zhouwei understood, strode in openly, pushed open the door. The girl startled slightly, rose and bowed with lowered brows:

"This concubine, Xu Peiyu, greets the Princely Heir."

Li Zhouwei responded, approached at leisure, and let her sit, inspecting her closely.

Her face was slightly round, fine brows and curved eyes—in the true style of northern South River features, clearly chosen with care. She looked several years older than he, and smiled before even speaking.

While Li Zhouwei looked at her, Xu Peiyu was likewise quietly observing him. She glanced at those eyes only once, not careless, yet all at once was captured by some emotion.

Suddenly, she felt as though a field of gold was standing before her. His eyes brimmed with vibrant color, tempting to the extreme. She blurted out:

"Ah!"

Xu Peiyu was eighteen, long practiced in coquettishness, adept at toying with admirers. Yet even she was caught off guard—some inexplicable passion welled up inside, so much she didn't notice when he took her hand.

All her schemes vanished before that face and gaze; before Xu Peiyu herself realized, they had disappeared, and even as she lay upon the couch, she had not come to her senses.

Li Zhouwei merely watched her flushed cheeks quietly. His eyes were frank and clear, conveying his craving, he asked:

"You are of the Xu Family? What do you want?"

It was a perfect opportunity, yet Xu Peiyu was at a loss for words; that face too pleasing for her to cope. She pondered a moment and answered:

"Men such as the young lord, some take advantage without reciprocity—making women all the fonder."

She took immense satisfaction in giving herself, as if shrouded in the shadow of some colossal being, a deep sense of safety rising; even if he devoured her like a beast, her thoughts turned to joy.

Li Zhouwei was startled; an unfamiliar emotion stirred within him, something so intense he had never felt before—he couldn't help smiling slightly, saying some gentle words.

Li Zhouwei was born able to sense others' emotions; now it seemed a fire was burning before him, a total devotion given up to him—within his heart arose an unprecedented touch.

After all, he was only fourteen. Cunning as he was, all his studies had taught him only how to outwit, to split factions, to maintain status—never of romance. He simply held her, imitating scenes read in books, and suddenly felt a spark of anticipation:

"In my secondary lineage, most remain lifelong with one partner… taking Tongya, our forefather, as example… Even if I cannot name her wife, I can have only her alone…"

Thinking thus, he noticed Xu Peiyu hadn't listened, just stared dazedly at his nose. Her slender hand rested on his shoulder, then quietly sliding down—till it reached his chest.

Li Zhouwei's eyes narrowed slightly, mood turning calm in an instant. After a careful glance, he understood at once.

His demeanor cooled, and with a self-mocking laugh, suddenly realized a simple truth:

"To handle those weak of will, all you need is an especially alluring Mingyang body."

Head lowered, he seemed to watch a fantasy crumble:

"Yet I am born with uncanny gifts—almost everyone in the world is weak-willed before me. She is mortal; how could she withstand my tests?"

He could only push her away, sit atop the main seat, see the infatuation in Xu Peiyu's eyes, and reflect silently:

"No wonder they fear me!"