Chapter 1206: Final Oblivion (II)

Li Zhouluo quickly returned to his main seat, drew out a jade slip, examined it carefully, and said, "I heard he's also a sword cultivator. It's only proper to reward him with a dharma sword. Dharma Protector Chen, what sort of artifact does he currently use?"

Chen Yang replied, "I've heard that it's merely a lower-grade Qi Cultivation Realm sword. It is quite ordinary."

Li Zhouluo nodded immediately and said, "A Foundation Establishment Realm artifact should not be granted lightly. A top-grade Qi Cultivation Realm dharma sword holds both proper value and meaning. I recall there's one in the treasury, a trophy from the northern war. Bring it here at once."

Knowing Wang Quwan would come to pay respects immediately, Dili Guang understood the urgency and went to fetch it at once.

Chen Yang confirmed, "Family head, I'll go beyond the island to receive him!"

Li Zhouluo watched him leave, feeling a quiet sigh well up within. After a short wait, a man came forward to pay respects. His appearance was plain, yet his steps were steady and firm, his eyes unwavering, and clouds swirled faintly beneath his feet as he bowed and said, "Wang Quwan of Jiangbei greets the family head!"

Though his looks were unremarkable, his name carried weight. Li Zhouluo smiled, helped him up, and asked, "Congratulations, Quwan! It is no small feat for Jiangbei to produce a sword cultivator like you."

Dili Guang stepped forward at the perfect moment, holding a jade box in both hands. Li Zhouluo took it with one hand, opened it, and saw a long sword within. Its blade gleamed with intertwining hues of gold and blue as it brimmed with pure qi. It was clearly a supreme-grade weapon at first glance.

Li Zhouluo smiled. "This sword measures one meter and three centimeters in length and weighs twenty-six kilograms and four hundred grams. Its base is forged from Tranquil Sea's Cold Iron and the golden quintessence found beneath the Great River. Its hue resembles the waters of Tranquil Sea, its patterns like golden river beasts. It shall be named..."

The sword had been a war trophy; though its materials were identifiable, no name had ever been inscribed upon its blade. After a brief moment, Li Zhouluo gave it a name filled with meaning.

"Tranquil Stream Clarity!"

Wang Quwan was a sword cultivator, and no sword cultivator could resist a fine dharma sword. Tranquil Stream Clarity, a top-grade Qi Cultivation Realm weapon, surpassed even Li Xinghan's previous sword, Northern Jade, in quality. Though now head of the Jiangbei family, Wang Quwan had earned everything with his own strength and perseverance, not a noble birth.

He immediately knelt and said, "Family head! This is far too precious!"

Li Zhouluo shook his head. "Your family rendered great service in defending Jiangbei. This is a deserved reward, and it also signifies the Jiangbei Wang Family's standing at White River Stream. What sense is there in speaking of value? If we were to compare, this sword is worth less than that Essence Gathering Pill."

With those words from Li Zhouluo, Wang Quwan could only accept the jade box with both hands. His gaze upon the dharma sword betrayed his delight; he held it to his chest as if it were a precious treasure and expressed his thanks repeatedly.

Li Zhouluo knew well of the man's reputation—reliable and capable without question. Now that he had emerged from seclusion and received a personal gift from Li Zhouluo, it was a gesture of deep significance and, in truth, a timely relief for Li Zhouluo himself. He was in no rush to assign him duties, instead smiling as he inquired about the state of Jiangbei.

After a round of questions, Li Zhouluo learned that Wang Quwan's elder brother, the Wang Family's alchemist, had disappeared years ago while traveling. The family was now managed by his younger brother, Wang Quyu. Li Zhouluo had heard of the man before; though his innate ability was inferior to Wang Quwan's, his methods were sharp and formidable.

He looked at Wang Quwan's expression and asked, "And your sword cultivation now, your Sword Qi is already formed. Sword Essence shouldn't be far, yes?"

It was naturally a word of praise, for attaining Sword Essence was exceedingly difficult. As expected, Wang Quwan shook his head and replied, "Sword Essence is still far beyond reach. I've long been at a bottleneck. Lately I've been studying the sword scriptures from around the lake, hoping to harmonize them with Jiangbei's sword arts and perhaps to carve out a path of my own."

According to custom, Wang Quwan still had to pay respects to Li Xuanxuan, Ding Weizeng, and the others, so Li Zhouluo dismissed him gladly. In high spirits, he ordered the small windows on both sides of the hall to be opened. Morning light poured in, filling the chamber with brightness and casting a warm glow across the desk.

The dawn climbed over the jade frames, flowing across the scaled shimmer of the Dragon Coiling Pillar beside the table. Its light reflected onto the main seat, warming Li Zhouluo's figure and painting the walls with faint, shifting patterns of scales.

————

Kong Guxi left the hall in a daze and returned to the island. His elder brother, Kong Guli, waited below, distracted and uneasy. The moment he saw Kong Guxi's hollow and lifeless expression, the old man seemed to understand everything. He covered his face and fell silent.

Kong Guxi said nothing at all. After taking a few steps, he saw Fu Yuezi approach and bow respectfully.

"Gate master."

A hundred emotions welled within Kong Guxi's heart from those words. Just as he was about to speak, he noticed the northern sky erupt with floating white clouds, hazily rising straight into the heavens and blotting out the sun.

"Another has reached the Foundation Establishment Realm."

He shivered, forgetting even to close the courtyard gate. He watched as Kong Guli and Fu Yuezi busied themselves packing, though there was truly nothing to pack. They were merely waiting for the Li Family's escort. To avoid looking like they were idly awaiting their fate, the old man busied himself with meaningless tasks.

Fifteen minutes later, hurried footsteps and the clatter of hooves echoed from the street corner, followed by the sharp crackle of firecrackers. Several voices shouted down the alley, "Great joy! Great joy! Lord Wang Quwan of the Jiangbei Wang Family has attained his Immortal Foundation! Rejoice, rejoice, come share the blessing, receive your rewards and gifts! Come, come!"

The two disciples guarding the Profound Peak Gate entrance also received their Immortal Foundation rewards with every shout of blessing and every cry of congratulations. They joined in the laughter and cheers. For them, joining the Grace Covenant Gate and ending years of wandering and dependence was a blessing in itself. They thought of little else, and soon the courtyard rang with unrestrained laughter and joy.

The laughter went on for quite some time before a clear voice finally broke through, "That's enough, disperse now. Our honored guests are resting inside; such noise is unseemly."

It was Cui Jueyin's voice. His tone, as always, was gentle and courteous. Knowing full well that Kong Guxi within must be in great distress, he spoke out of pity to disperse the crowd. At last, the people reluctantly withdrew.

The joyous sounds faded gradually, scattering into the distance. Cui Jueyin’s brows lifted slightly, catching the faint sound of muffled weeping from within the courtyard; the choked, sorrowful voice was just audible.

"Gate master... Gate master!"

"Fu Yuezi... go join the Li Family... go to the Li Family! In the end... following me eastward would only bring you hardship..."

"Gate master! What are you saying..."

"Brother... rises and falls are the way of the world. Outside, they beat drums and shout in joy; inside, sorrow runs dry. Twenty years for a small lineage to rise, three hundred for an immortal family to wither. Our fortune is spent, our destiny exhausted... just head east!"