Chapter 746 530: Chengyi (Part 2)

He could only first list [Ying Ze] as a suspect:

"No matter what, at least five Perfected Lords are lying in ambush for this [Ying Ze]; Luoxia Mountain has the Dao Fetus, and so must Yin Si. Under no circumstances can our secret be exposed."

He didn't even consider Chi Buzi's proposal; he simply thought this person was a nuisance, and sighed:

"At the very least, Lu Shui is in a bad situation. No matter what happens this time, some injury is inevitable, and there's no spare energy to manage the people beneath."

He transformed those memories, and soon, a mass of ancient texts appeared before him, contained within jade slips of green hue.

"Chi Buzi is cautious, only allowing him to see these Foundation Establishment Chapters of the Green Pond Technique… Yet oddly enough, the five Lu Shui ways are all present."

These five ways he specially selected, namely:

"'Dark Floating Xi Yun Scripture, Green Pond Cave Mystery Scripture, Choukui Seeking Water Technique, Clear Ning Evening Scripture, Dew Tribulation Falling Petal Method'"

Each corresponding to the five Lu Shui paths:

"Dense Weight, Cave Spring Sound, Choukui Hidden, Clear Evening Rain, Dew-Wash Tribulation."

Lu Jiangxian temporarily set these aside. Naturally, it was impossible to let members of the Li family cultivate these techniques; he could only use them as reference for compiling his own spells and as material to study the [Lu Shui Noon Talisman Linguistic Nature].

"After all, the Lu Shui way is closely linked to talismans, so crafting talismans in the South River comes easier. Perhaps some insight can be gained."

The remaining techniques of Green Pond he did not examine in detail, only glanced at some of the various spells, each possessing the unique style of Green Pond's spell and movement arts.

After reading through, he found a few things of interest.

This was a brief biography, quite ancient, specially sought out by Chi Buzi to let a divided soul see if there might be a corresponding person.

The book was rather peculiar; the author's surname was Chen, named Chen Xuanxiang. Lu Jiangxian deliberately called it forth, manifesting a small tome to hold in his hand.

"On the twenty-first day of the eleventh month, in the year when peace first returned to chaos, I was betrothed in childhood to the Li clan, then followed my mother back to Ning Country, aided by two servants, Xiao and Quan… Traveling southward, I wandered throughout the South River."

This person lived long ago—should be a thousand years past, right at the time when the Yuan family flourished and the Dongli Sect still existed, rarely recording news of the Six Sons of Chongming:

"Taiyue, Tai Yi, Tai Yu stood luminously before; Tai Xu, Tai Zhu, Taiqing rose behind; Qing Song Toaist Lineage, resplendent in recent antiquity…"

Lu Jiangxian studied them carefully, matching each one, feeling strange in his heart:

"So… these people are all disciples of [Ying Ze]…?"

"Is it one house of four Golden Cores? Even six Golden Cores…"

He was beset by doubts, thinking secretly:

"Qing Song Temple… What sort of lineage is it?"

...

Sect Spring Island.

Li Qinghong waited a while in her cave mansion, but found no response; even Chi Buzi's presence had vanished, the spring water within the cave turning from murky back to clear, the tinkling cave spring sounds disappeared altogether.

She exhaled lightly in the cave, not daring to think further, turned and left the cave mansion; all was quiet, Sect Spring Island was shrouded in the night, the formation was completely intact, not a single trace of disturbance nor any sign of warning ripples.

Right outside lay the Dharma Altar of [Mysterious Thunder Moor]; Li Chengwei sat upright on the altar, cultivating, only a dozen yards from the cave entrance, without the slightest awareness—he hadn't even heard the knocking at the door.

Li Qinghong stepped out quietly, under the bright starry sky; only now, after the descent of seawater, the dragon swallowing the purple pearl, and the Zifu's personal arrival, did she—whose resolve was steadfast—lose the mind for cultivation.

She only left the cave mansion and instantly startled Li Chengwei next to her; he arose steadily and said in a deep voice:

"Aunt, the matter the clan had us investigate those years ago now has a lead."

Li Qinghong quickly understood and asked:

"Is it the Mingyang artifact?"

She had received Li Xijun's letter, instructing her to look out for several Mingyang artifacts in the East Sea in advance, to assist Li Ximing in assaulting Zifu. Li Qinghong had made many inquiries with no results; now, with this reminder, she thought inwardly:

"The Zifu claims our lives like taking something out of a bag. Ximing already reached Foundation Establishment Late Stage; not sure how many secret techniques he has mastered and how many chances remain."

Li Zhouyan, however, had discovered other things, saying only:

"There is a lineage cultivating Mingyang in the Zhu Lu Sea, in a remote eastern part; the specific location has now been found, so we may inquire—perhaps there will be gain."

Li Qinghong questioned carefully. Li Chengwei presented a jade slip, wherein every detail was annotated clearly: even which information was true or false, what changes might follow the recession of seawater and how the terrain may shift—everything was documented in detail.

He also submitted an account of the recent changes on the island: how much land had been revealed as the sea receded, how it was handled, the distribution between clan members and natives—thorough and fair, all clearly organized.

Li Qinghong read it over; the worry on her brows eased somewhat, and she spoke gently:

"Good child, among the Chengming generation, only Chengliao and Minggong are fit; Chengliao is now Family Head, Minggong is gradually grasping clan affairs; yet only you are here with me at the edge of the sea… It's been hard for you."

"Your elder brother… did not send you here on purpose; rather, the clan truly has no one else fit. You must understand…"

Li Chengwei shook his head; he was always taciturn and had no ambition, simply handling clan assignments in an orderly fashion, never uttering a word about right or wrong—yet now spoke with rare gravity:

"In terms of emotion and duty, even considering only the princely heir, Elder Brother is Family Head; Chengwei is perfectly aware of his abilities—governing this tiny isle is enough."

Softly, he added:

"The three of us cultivated together since youth, but our cultivation compared to our fathers' is far inferior. Every time the subject arises, it leaves us hopeless and uneasy. To be able to have fulfillment as I do now—Chengwei is satisfied."

Li Chengwei's words could be called the secret grief of all the Chengming generation, from eldest Li Chengliao to youngest Li Cheng Huai—a sense of decline.

No matter how hard the sons strive to cultivate, they find themselves always far behind the records left by their fathers and forefathers, and no amount of effort can bridge even the slightest gap. Then, Li Zhouwei rose like the morning sun, making the stars and moon pale by comparison.

All these children are devoted and clever—glancing at each other, always feeling unworthy of the position atop Qingdu Mountain. It has even caused the voice of the Chengming generation within the clan to diminish to almost nothing; most do not dare speak out.

Li Qinghong understood, of course. Li Xijun had written several letters on this matter. Now talisman seeds are ever harder to bestow, which means talisman inheritance is inaccessible. The younger generation already lacks talent and now lacks these two tools—how could they possibly catch up?

As for princely heir Li Zhouwei, Li Qinghong certainly held high hopes, but she had seen too many things; expectations often lead to disappointment, while unintended matters succeed easily. Leaving Li Chengwei here to cultivate Thunder Dharma was also a part of Li Qinghong's own plans.

She only encouraged:

"I've prepared all sorts of elixirs for you. Now the water falls and thunder rises—cultivation will proceed quickly; it's a good time to break through Foundation Establishment. To be frank, among Chengming, only you have a chance."

"Work hard on the island. Affairs within the sea change in an instant; to break through to Zifu is a remote hope. Success means joining the Immortal Clan; failure… If anything happens to the clan and we're no longer here, at least someone at the Foundation Establishment level is needed to hold down the fort, whether fleeing overseas or gathering the remnants… Foundation Establishment, at the very least."

She had spoken so frankly that Li Chengwei was shocked, staring at her in awe, then, understanding, bowed deeply and solemnly declared:

"Chengwei will remember this and dare not be negligent."

Li Qinghong nodded, mounted a thunder light, and swiftly flew off according to the direction given in the jade slip; Li Chengwei stood quietly for a moment.

Li Chengwei had originally led a peaceful life—he was among the best of Qingdu's trained, and with his ability, governing a small island was effortless. He was content to manage this land and wait for the clan's orders.

But Li Qinghong seemed to see through his thoughts; after this conversation, his entire demeanor shifted. His eyes, still lowered, now glimmered with resolve as he resumed his meditation, suppressing the surge in his heart, vaguely resonating with the thunderbolt in the clouds.

"If the clan faces change, I must be the last resort—spear in hand, riding the thunder."