The Mirror Legacy

Chapter 1466: All Matters Settled (I)

Li Zhouwei gained much from his time on Mount Dali. He then took his leave from Qingyu Qian, then departed the mountain with the white ape, leaving amid the respectful voices of the demonic creatures on both sides.

The pact between dragon and fox still stands, but the foxes clearly lean toward neutrality. Even if they are getting pressured into aligning with the Dragon Clan, they only wish to remain secluded in Mount Dali and avoid involvement in worldly affairs…

This is not just a gap in strength but also a matter of geography. Even in decline, the Dragon Clan still commands an entire sea, while Mount Dali lies by a lake. As for matters of Bright Yang, they dare not meddle too much…

He turned slightly and looked at the white ape, asking quietly, “Did you discover anything?”

The white ape immediately bowed and replied in a hoarse voice, “I heard from the demonic creatures in the cave… there is another great king in the mountain, even more powerful than the Demon King Tingfu[1]. It has snow-white fur and a noble bloodline, but it has not shown itself in recent years. As for anything more… it is hard to say what is true.”

“Even more powerful…”

Li Zhouwei immediately had a sense of the situation.

Qingyu Qian is already preparing to cross the immortal threshold, so this demon king must possess at least four divine abilities. Combined with the fox tribe’s ancestor who may have received guidance from an immortal… their strength is formidable…

As for Senior White Banyan, crossing Foundation Establishment Realm and reaching the stage of nurturing divine abilities in just a hundred years may not seem much for humans, but for demonic creatures whose cultivation is slower, it is extraordinary talent… he likely benefited greatly after the fox-dragon pact.

Although he had not met White Banyan this time, he had gained plenty of information and a clearer understanding of the overall situation. As he traveled on light, he pondered inwardly, After all, everyone has their own interests. Only by listening to multiple sides can one find even a sliver of opportunity in the situation…

He returned over the lake on light, still deep in thought. Even so, he continued stepping through the great void toward Qingdu Peak. The small courtyard felt somewhat desolate. At the entrance, an old man had set up two wooden racks to air out armor.

Li Zhouwei had already seen Li Xuanxuan once when he returned earlier, but there had been no time to talk before he had to hurry off to the mountains again. Now, carrying news of White Banyan, he descended into the courtyard.

“The Daoist Master has arrived.”

Li Xuanxuan seemed somewhat downcast, but he still smiled upon seeing him. He said, “Everyone said you could reach the Purple Mansion Realm, but the breakthrough still worried me. Seeing you here in front of me finally puts my mind at ease.”

The wrinkles on his face were deeply set. Even with all kinds of tonics, his vitality had not recovered in recent years. Coupled with constant worry, he looked even older.

“It is thanks to the old elder’s great fortune and protection,” Li Zhouwei replied respectfully. His gaze swept over the armor in the courtyard and found it entirely ordinary, merely mortal armor.

Li Xuanxuan smiled and said, “Armor from my youth when we campaigned in Mount Yue. I air it out from time to time. Though the family keeps it spotless with mana, it still lacks something.”

Li Zhouwei offered a word of praise. Li Xuanxuan sighed as he sat down, shaking his head with regret as he said, “It is a pity about Chengqi. Zhoufang has not left the house these days and cannot restrain his grief. He has always been diligent. I have never seen him like this.”

Li Zhouwei found himself at a loss for words. Li Chengqi had never been well regarded in the family, nor was his cultivation high. His descendants were all gone, and only Li Zhoufang still grieved deeply for him. He could only respond, “This grudge will be repaid sooner or later. For now, we should settle the matters of the Jiangzong as soon as possible. It will at least offer elder brother some comfort.”

Li Xuanxuan fell silent, then said in a hoarse voice, “You are a Daoist Master now and your brothers and elders all fear you. Not only do they not dare speak with you, but privately they say Zhoufang does not know his place. Among them are even those he once promoted and those who gained protection through him. It is as if all his efforts over these decades meant nothing. That you still have this concern is a good thing.”

Li Zhouwei’s golden eyes flickered slightly as he replied respectfully, “I understand.”

He stepped forward, picked up the brush from the desk, smoothed the paper with one hand, and with a light touch, his brush moved like a dragon, swiftly writing a vertical line of words, When great desire turns to emptiness, vengeance must be repaid.

As soon as he finished writing, the paper became soft and fine like silk, gleaming snow-white with a faint golden glow. Li Zhouwei turned and said softly, “The family has delayed issuing an order out of concern that someone might show leniency, or that the reward would be too grand and elevate matters too high, causing an uproar. But since the old elder has spoken, it would not be right to ignore it. When I return to Zhijing Mountain, I will place this before my uncle’s grave.”

Li Xuanxuan nodded with a sigh. After a few more words, Li Zhouwei spoke of White Banyan and asked about his health. He did not leave from the mountain but stepped into the great void and appeared atop Zhijing Mountain.

Zhijing Mountain was now covered in blooming gardenias. The jade table, which was usually empty, was filled with stacks of dharma artifacts and manuals. Several large chests stood on either side, filled with countless treasured panaceas.

The heavenly light on the mountain was already bright, and under its glow, everything shone brilliantly.

Li Zhouwei knew at a glance that these were gifts from various sects and cultivators. Anything placed on Zhijing Mountain was no ordinary item, mostly offerings and treasured panaceas from the three sects and seven gates, and Purple Mansion Realm rogue cultivators. Lesser items had already been stored in the family treasury.

How lively! I wonder how many once forced me out of the lake, and how many only stopped when I entered the sea!

Though he had not held a banquet and had declined all visitors under the pretext of seclusion, the current scene was not due to Jiangnan’s customs. Rather, families from both Jiangnan and Jiangbei, related or not, had come to offer congratulations. Even after filtering out the worthless items, it was clear the gifts were far more substantial than those given when Li Ximing achieved the Dao.

It was a reflection of the warmth and coldness of the world, and how human relations were thinner than paper. When Li Ximing reached Foundation Establishment Realm, he was unknown, and even when he advanced to the Purple Mansion Realm, some still watched with cold eyes. Now they came eagerly to openly curry favor. Even those claiming to be of the Orthodox Dao, the Supreme Yang Dao lineage, were no exception. Their gifts were simply heavier than before.

He reached out, took the compiled scroll of names, and read through it carefully.

Across Jiangbei and Yue State, aside from Changxiao Gate and the sealed Snow Ji Gate, none who should have come were absent. Even the battered Grace Covenant Gate sent representatives…

Beyond Yue State, there were Shahuang Kingdom, Slaughter Jun Gate, Jingyi Mountain… even Master Dingyang of Lacquer Marsh sent congratulations, and even the somewhat unrelated Ni Family of Wu State…

As he read through the list, from west to east, countless small families had come to congratulate him, while from north to south, innumerable minor sects offered their wishes. From this list alone, it seemed no one bore ill will toward them.

As for our enemies, they need no mention. Among the more amicable ones, only Chunyi Dao Gate and Southern Shun Raksha showed no movement. As for gifts, only Slaughter Jun Gate and the Xiao Family, who were close, remained as before and did not go out of their way…

He lifted his sleeve and, without ceremony, swept this first windfall into it. Though these items held little value to a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator, they were more than sufficient for rewards and handouts.

As for the chests of treasured panaceas, they were of little use to him, so he left them here for Li Ximing to use in alchemy. He placed the writings into a jade box and sent someone to deliver it. When he asked about Li Ximing, he learned that he had already taken a pill and entered seclusion.

Li Zhouwei then spent several days on the mountain studying [Bright Light Heavenly Surge] and [Arrayed Palaces Heavenly Yang Escape]. As light and darkness alternated and time passed, Chen Yang came to report, kneeling on the mountain steps.

Li Zhouwei and Li Ximing had made no special arrangements, but with their status and power, those below dared not be careless. When Li Ximing was on the mountain, Ding Weizeng would report; now that Li Zhouwei was here, it was Chen Yang who came.

The man in black knelt and said respectfully, “Daoist Master, the people from Purple Smoke Gate have returned. The dharma artifact has been repaired.”

“Bring it up.”

Li Zhouwei set aside the jade slip and gave the order. Two men carried up [Da Sheng], its curved form gleaming, its light pure and bright as it cast radiant arcs across the mountain.

The golden-eyed youth extended his hand, and [Da Sheng] rose into the air before settling obediently into his palm. He weighed it slightly and said, “Not bad.”

[Da Sheng] had not been heavily damaged; only its blade had been slightly misaligned. After being nourished with divine ability for some time, it required little effort to repair. The artifact smiths could report his words back, and they immediately bowed in gratitude.

Li Zhouwei spoke casually, “How is the Viewing Pavilion? Has the person arrived?”

Chen Yang was quick to read the situation. Knowing what he meant, he answered at once, “Daoist Master Qiuhu has appeared at Mount Azure Pond. After receiving your handwritten letter, Chu Minglian arrived at the lake last night and is awaiting orders.”

Li Zhouwei waved his hand, dismissing the Purple Smoke Gate cultivators who dared not raise their heads, and asked, “How are Daoist Master Qiuhu’s injuries?”

At this, Chen Yang immediately bowed lower and said softly, “It is said there are no major abnormalities… only… the Azure Pond Sect has promoted Lin Wuning, a trusted member of the Ning Family, to lead Yuanxing Peak. The former peak master of Xieqi Peak has been reassigned to Lord Yuanqin[2]. The people from the Eastern Sea have all returned… the previous Yuanxing Peak master, a junior of the Ning Family, caused chaos and has been dismissed.”

Li Zhouwei shook his head slightly and said softly, “The Si Family is thin in numbers, and Si Yuanli may not emerge from seclusion. Senior Qiuhu intends to cultivate members of the Ning Family, but Senior Yuansu has no descendants. With Hejing and Heyuan dead and a purge carried out, the backbone has been broken… If Zhao Tinggui were still alive today, there might be room to maneuver, but now it is difficult to handle.”

The affairs of the Ning Family were not his concern. Ning Wan still had a long lifespan, and as long as her divine ability endured, she had ample time to cultivate talent. Hearing the good news about her, Li Zhouwei tapped his cup and fell into thought, This spirit embryo… one is not enough.

The [Divine Technique of Pavilion View: Refining Within Fire] was extremely useful. It allowed a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator to assist a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator in refinement. With spiritual essence on hand, Li Zhouwei barely needed to expend effort. He could quickly refine a spirit embryo suited to himself with only occasional use of his divine ability.

However, spiritual essence was limited. Once this portion was used up, further refinement would require his own divine ability, taking over a decade and delaying his cultivation. Moreover, spirit embryos differed from spirit artifacts. They required constant nurturing with divine ability. One was manageable, but more would likewise hinder cultivation.

1. Dao title of the demon king of Mount Dali. ☜

2. Son of Li Xuanfeng, Li Yuanqin. ☜