Chapter 1181: Seclusion Of Chengming (II)

Moongaze Lake.

Thunder rumbled faintly on the horizon as rain began to fall over the island. Mist rose all around, and stillness settled upon everything. Figures moved hastily inside the grand hall, draped in white; only the sound of rain and footsteps echoed together.

No one spoke inside the hall until a downpour swept in from the north. The world was now beyond shrouded in rain. A streak of light wove through the storm and landed before the hall, revealing a woman with a jade pendant at her waist. Her appearance was unremarkable, but her bearing was bright and composed.

"Lady Xinghan!"

The cultivators on both sides bowed respectfully. Li Xinghan gave them a quick nod, ascended the steps, and entered the main hall. There, she saw Li Jiangqian, draped in white, descending from above.

The young master who currently acted as the family head lowered his brows and said, "Aunt, you're here. I was just about to find you. I received word from Uncle Zhouluo that two of our elders of the Zhouxing generation met misfortune in the northern region of the Floating South territory. Someone has come to claim compensation. It's not something I can decide; a senior must handle it."

Li Xinghan had been stationed on the eastern shore to repel the cultivators of the Capital Immortal Dao, or rather, to fight the devil cultivators who had taken advantage of the chaos to plunder. She had slain several with her sword, yet, having grown up amidst bloodshed, she found little satisfaction in it.

Having just hurried back from the eastern shore, she felt a pang of sorrow upon hearing this and asked, "Which brothers were they?"

Li Jiangqian replied, "One was Uncle Zhouken of the second lineage, at the early Qi Cultivation Realm. The other was Aunt Xingsai of the first lineage, at the peak of the Embryonic Breathing Realm."

Both were acquaintances of Li Xinghan. Li Zhouken's talent had even been considered decent; he had once visited the central isles. The news stirred sorrow in her heart as she said, "The family always sends our direct descendants out to temper themselves, treating them as any hired retainer. They're even made to take the most dangerous border assignments. It's meant for experience, yet misfortune like this only ends in needless death."

Li Xinghan had trained with the sword since childhood and had never dealt with such matters before. Killing men or slaying demonic creatures was simple, but handling funerals left her lost.

She asked uncertainly, "Where are the two seniors?"

She was referring to Li Minggong and Li Chenghuai. Li Jiangqian replied, "Great-aunt Minggong and great-uncle Chenghuai have both gone into seclusion to heal, as well as the guest cultivator Miaoshui and Senior White Ape as well. Lord Cui is outside searching for Dharma Protector Ding. Only Qu Buzhi, Li Wen, and An Siwei remain on the lake."

He paused and added, "And Dharma Protector Chen Yang."

To be exact, Chen Yang was Madam Chen's elder brother and the maternal uncle of his second brother, Li Jianglong. His recent breakthrough had undoubtedly raised the standing of the Chen Family by the lake, whose bloodline was closely tied to the Li Family. By all rights, Li Jiangqian should have been pleased, but his expression showed little joy.

"Still no word on Guest Cultivator Ding?"

Li Xinghan felt a surge of worry. Ding Weizeng's strength was among the very best, and his loyalty to the family had never wavered. His disappearance for several months could not help but cause deep concern.

After hearing Li Jiangqian's report in full, she replied, "Let's gather all our brothers and sisters for a proper talk. At a time like this, with the family lacking its pillar, it will only seem as though we've failed our duty if we don't unite."

Li Jiangqian nodded repeatedly, sent someone to summon the others, and said, "Aunt, I'll also be going into seclusion soon. There's still one technique I haven't mastered, but I can't delay my Foundation Establishment Realm any longer."

He cultivated the sixth-grade Heavenly Scripture of the Dimming Li Day, and had recently mastered the Flame-Stepping Movement, its complementary escape spell Crimson Radiance of the Li Sky, and the now well-known Supreme Yang Resonance Art. The one technique he had yet to master was the sixth grade spell Great Li White Radiance, which required the Radiant Fire of the Purple Mansion Realm, a resource he could no longer hope to obtain.

Li Xinghan didn't know the technical details, but she nodded with faint envy. Though a generation older, she was still only at the fifth stage of the Qi Cultivation Realm.

After a short wait, a man in black pleated robes entered the hall. A sword hung at his waist, and his bearing was sharp with metallic energy. His cultivation had reached the seventh stage of the Qi Cultivation Realm.

Li Xinghan nodded and called out, "Brother!"

Li Zhouluo answered in turn. He had recently taken charge of Qingdu, and had consolidated his cultivation. He had continued training in spell arts, but affairs around the lake had kept multiplying. It was only upon sitting in the hall that he finally found a moment to rest.

After another short while, the eldest of the brothers, Li Zhoufang, arrived. The two brothers looked nearly identical. They were both known for going wherever duty called and rarely speaking. After a brief greeting, they stood quietly to the side. Li Jiangqian withdrew respectfully.

Few among the Zhouxing generation stood out, yet these few were already considered leaders. Just as Li Zhouluo was about to speak, thunder roared outside and heavy rain poured down. A figure descended before the hall, shook off the water from his robes, pushed open the doors, and entered with a grin.

He called out, "Brothers! What a rare chance to see you all together!"

A golden chain jingled crisply around his neck. His face was rather handsome, his white robes neat, and he held a folding fan painted with flowers, birds, and fish.

Li Zhouluo's expression turned slightly awkward, but he kept his composure, stepping forward to greet him, "Fifth brother, you're here. You seldom visit the island; what a coincidence to see you today."

Li Xinghan glanced at the newcomer; it was Li Zhouming, the direct grandson of the family's Daoist Master. His cultivation was only at the early Qi Cultivation Realm, the weakest among those present.

She had met him only a few times before, so she offered a brief bow and said, "So today I finally get to see fifth brother."

Li Zhouming smiled, bowed to everyone, lifted his robe slightly as he stepped in, and folded the fan in his hand, saying, "I know, I know. I ran into the old elder not long ago and got quite the scolding. He told me to reform myself and start anew, so I thought I'd come to the island for a look, and perhaps hear some good counsel."

"Alright."

Li Zhouluo replied softly. He held the highest position among the brothers, and with Li Zhouwei absent, the others naturally deferred to him. He spoke quietly, "Jiangqian is about to enter seclusion for his Foundation Establishment Realm, so someone must oversee the island. Both Jiangxia and Jianglong are fine children, and each hold important posts. Choosing either to manage the island would seem partial to one side. I asked the old elder, and he said it should be decided by us of the Zhouxing generation. What do you all think?"

Once Li Zhouluo finished, Li Zhouming tucked his fan under his arm and said with a grin, "Why, naturally it should be you, brother! You're the most respected among us. You can just take charge of family affairs; there's nothing more to discuss, nothing at all!"

He tapped his folded fan against his sleeve as he spoke. The brothers Li Zhoufang and Li Zhouyang remained silent, as always, while Li Xinghan merely held her sword without replying.

Seeing the quiet mood, Li Zhouming shrugged and said, "So it's settled then? I thought it was something serious."

Li Xinghan could no longer hold back and finally spoke, "Brother... when the old elder said the Zhouxing generation would choose, did he mean we're to choose which young master, or that the decision lies among us Zhouxing generation members?"

Li Zhouluo, the most striking of them all and clear in speech, answered, "The old elder feared that appointing one of the young masters directly would stir resentment. He hopes one of us brothers will temporarily oversee things; it's only for a few years, after all."

Li Xinghan finally nodded thoughtfully. Though she had spent many years away from home, she was well aware of her brother's accomplishments. There was, in truth, no better candidate, but hesitation still lingered in her heart,

The youngest branch has never presided over family affairs before... Have the two Foundation Establishment Realm elders been informed? If the old elder's order truly says this, then it's no different from naming Fourth Brother as acting head outright...