Chapter 744 529: No Surplus Wealth (Part 2)

Qunyi Sea Strait.

Chi Buzi traversed the Great Void, plunging deep into the sea, and had already passed ten thousand miles before finally stopping on a desolate, uninhabited island.

The hands he hid in his sleeves still couldn't stop trembling, his breath ragged; the composure he once possessed had long since been cast ten thousand leagues away, and still he felt his vision flickering with darkness.

"Damn it… that was a Perfected Lord… even an Immortal…"

Chi Buzi panted, trying to calm himself. The fact that he hadn't been blown into a puddle of blue water at the scene meant that his words, at the very least, had won this Perfected Lord's grudging acknowledgement.

"Negotiating with a tiger for its skin… there's simply no other way…"

Chi Buzi's expression gradually darkened:

"Lu Shui must clearly know that this path now requires the proof of clarity and impurity to succeed, yet they've tricked Chi Rui and Chi Wei into running in circles! That so-called Five Elements Seeking Gold Method! Plainly, it's just to keep them from a successful breakthrough!"

"Yes, Mu Hai has said it time and again—he has exhausted himself suppressing the draconic nature of his official position; how could he tolerate anyone else attaining a surplus or intercalary position? He's afraid of having the guest become the master—he's scared stiff!"

Chi Buzi's gaze hid deep within the gloom, like a poisonous snake, thinking to himself:

"If you seek to break through to Golden Core, staying under Lu Shui Sect's thumb means death sooner or later! Stuffed into his Luigui Pool… If in this life I cannot ascend to Golden Core, then what meaning remains? I'd rather die!"

He, with bare feet, feared not those with shoes. He cared nothing if he was beaten to death by the Perfected Lord supporting the Li Family, nor if Lu Shui discovered him. If he couldn't break through to Golden Core, death would be his fate soon enough anyway.

"Death it is, so let it come. I'll just try!"

Chi Buzi's thoughts swirled; inwardly, he calculated:

"That one is most likely also of Water Virtue, treading in every camp, seeking clarity. If there's a mishap, but with Lu Shui's support, after all is done—when the matter is settled—there may still be a chance at Golden Core…"

...

Qingdu Mountain.

Li Xijun rode the wind back from the lake's shore, returning to the mountain. He had seen the omens to both the north and east: not just the Li Family, but the entire South River was restless and unsettled; all were wary and on edge.

Li Ximing had already entered closed-door cultivation early, yet Li Xijun had to pay heed to these developments. Their people in Secret Forest County were gradually being established; he had transferred some families over, preparing to set up several new peaks and mansions.

After all, Secret Forest County was quite vast, even more extensive than the original territory of the Li Family. Spreading out several peaks here would be more than enough.

Just as he entered the hall, he saw standing within a young man, dignified and noble, clad in white robes, with an exceptional air about him. Light shone in Li Xijun's eyes as he smiled and said:

"Brother Zhi!"

The newcomer was, of course, Li Xizhi. After spending the night in Smelted Mountain, he ended up unable to rest easy. Riding the wind alone, he left Yang Xiao'er safely in Smelted Mountain and returned by himself.

He nodded to his younger brother and spoke softly:

"Now it is the Shangyuan Perfected Lord who has successfully broken through in the Northern Sea. You should have heard of it."

Seeing Li Xijun nod, he summarized the situation in the Four Seas. Just then, Li Chengliao arrived, eyes alight upon seeing Li Xizhi, bowed and clasped his hands in salute:

"The various branches of the clan in Secret Mountain are all settled. We are surveying the earth veins and separating the mountains in preparation for establishing additional mansions and peaks."

Li Xijun responded in a low voice. Outside, a gentle rain began to fall; Li Chengliao seemed somewhat uneasy, and glanced lightly at the rainfall.

Li Xijun, too, felt a chill in his heart. Strange omens had been frequent of late—who knew if they would affect Li Xihong, currently in seclusion seeking a breakthrough. Unexpectedly, just as Li Xijun was distracted by these thoughts, someone below came up.

The woman was radiant and poised—she was Li Minggong, elder sister of the Chengming Generation. Her cultivation was not high; now, she was only at the early stage of Qi Cultivation. Sorrow colored her face as she bowed her hands and said:

"Reporting to Seventh Uncle… Eldest Uncle's Life Jade… has shattered."

Li Xijun stood dazedly for a moment, finally realizing where this rain had come from. Beside him, Li Chengliao heard the dire news of his father and his eyes reddened with grief, rooted to the spot.

Li Xihong was Li Xijun's elder brother. Their father had passed away early; Li Xijun was deeply attached to him. Though he had been prepared, he was still stunned on the spot. Li Xizhi, who did not know that his elder brother was in seclusion in breakthrough, also looked grief-stricken and murmured in a low voice:

"What happened!"

The group soared up at once, descending like lightning to the underground Water Mansion of Qingdu Mountain. Only then did they find the Cave Mansion faintly damp, and as they flew to the stone door of the closed chamber, they saw water droplets all over the rocky wall.

At this they knew immediately. Li Xizhi lowered his gaze in silent waiting. Li Xijun hesitated for a moment, but in the end allowed Li Chengliao to open the door, while instructing Li Minggong:

"Elder Brother had many children; call them here."

Li Minggong nodded, a treasured sword at her waist, her attire stately. She replied:

"I have already sent for them—they will arrive shortly. The clan elders from the Clan Head Courtyard are also on their way."

Back then, when Li Ximing walked away from his duties, Li Xihong was entrusted with the Young Master position. Later, he became Family Head, and then that mantle fell upon Li Chengliao. His passing now was also no small matter, so the clan elders' presence was necessary.

Both by reason and by custom, it fell upon Li Chengliao to enter and handle the Spiritual Metamorphosis, while Li Xijun must manage the other affairs. Calming himself quickly, he watched as the young men and women entered the Water Mansion, all with careful formality.

These were Li Chengliao's younger siblings—some lacking in talent, some ordinary mortals. The Li Family's systems were merciless; not only had these children never set foot in Qingdu, but every gesture they made was tracked due to their status. All maintained a heavy silence.

Li Xijun carefully asked their names. Seeing their plain even slightly shabby dress, he had not yet had time to speak before—under Li Xuanxuan's lead—the clan elders arrived: a gathering of white-haired elders, Li Xuanxuan's beard quivering, looking full of regret.

The members of the Clan Head Courtyard were with the current Clan Head, Li Zhouwei, standing to the side. The Princely Heir stood with downcast eyes, clutching the Jade Slip in his hand, fingers bone-white at the tips.

Taking in every word and deed, Li Xijun finally spoke in a quiet voice:

"By old custom, the contents of Elder Brother's Storage Bag and Cave Mansion go to Chengliao. As for the other spiritual properties and treasures, they are to be divided among the children. We all witness this—let the proclamation begin."

Having spoken, he waited for Li Zhouwei to make the distribution. Unexpectedly, the youth clasped hands and replied:

"One residence from Grandfather's mansion, two meditation mats, a single incense burner; these convert to three Spirit Stones, but still there is not enough to divide. It is only exchanged for three hundred catties of Spirit Rice—each gets fifty catties."

At these words, Li Xuanxuan froze. The clan elders exchanged glances, each face holding different meaning. Li Xizhi met Li Xuanxuan's gaze—they understood each other's thoughts:

"Neither Chengliao nor Zhouwei are ones to covet riches… so how can they present themselves so greedily…"

After a brief silence, one person stepped forward: Li Xihong's second son, already established with a beard. Reverently, he said:

"Reporting to the elders: Grandfather left nothing behind of his mortal body; Father suffered hardship from youth and abhorred lavishness; things he gained in life were all donated to cultivators of poor branches within and beyond the clan. He dwelled in Qingdu for cultivation, and his mansion held not a single spiritual object."

At these words, all fell silent. Li Xijun nodded slightly. Li Zhouwei added:

"Reporting to the elders: Grandfather managed the house for seventeen years with not a spare coin left."

Li Xizhi heard in silence. All at once, he remembered the year he left home at twelve to join the sect, and how eldest brother Li Xihong had used his savings to buy him a Fetal Breathing Jade Pendant.

That year, Li Xihong had pressed it forcibly into his hand. Li Xizhi's mother was of the Xiao Family, his father was then Family Head—so he was used to brocade clothes and abundant food, yet clutching this in his hand felt like holding a burning coal.

This jade pendant was not even as fine as the standard-issue one for Green Pond Sect disciples, but he wore it for years, on his wrist, until its presence became forgotten.

Now, the cool touch of the jade against his skin suddenly felt glaringly sharp; hearing the words "no wealth remains in the family," he tasted bitterness in his heart.

Li Xijun, who spent year after year with his brother, felt the weight even more—dark thoughts descending upon him:

'Elder Brother always felt he was unfairly snatching things from Ximing, treading on thin ice all the while. The young masters never had the life of young masters… He was harsh even to himself.'

Lost in his thoughts, he saw the clan elders murmuring together. Li Xizhi turned his head, gently telling Li Xijun:

"Elder Brother was never one for words, only diligent in deeds. When Ximing emerges from seclusion, be sure to tell him… The burdens he carelessly tossed aside at eighteen, Elder Brother quietly bore in his stead."