Chapter 1216: Guest From The Southern Sea (II)

Li Xixuan's spirit stirred. He shook his head heavily and replied, "What would you people sitting in the great hall know of hardship...? My children have no spiritual orifices. If I divide the family, they'll become minor sects overnight. One day they're scions of immortal descent, the next they're packing their belongings to make a living by the riverbank. If I divide them like that, will they not resent me? Will they not resent the family?"

He sighed softly as he continued, "I dare not divide them... But if I don't, then over a hundred people are crammed into one house. Relatives, when too far, they're useless; when too near, they're heartless. Only when they're neither far nor close can things stay pleasant. Now there's friction in the east and bickering in the west, does that not wound the family bond? What can I do? This old body of mine has only a few years left. Once I die, they'll surely split. The direct line will live in comfort, and those cast out will begin to hate. Isn't that an omen of decline?

"Let them stay cooped up and grumble at one another, it's better than dividing and uniting in resentment against the island. I can understand you all, but you cannot understand me. Perhaps that's the difference between immortal and mortal."

Li Zhouluo fell silent. He had heard of such troubles before. Pouring another cup of tea for the old man, he replied, "The shelter quota for the island has already been set, and there are quite a few slots. Qingdu and Jade Court will conduct the evaluations, and I'll make the final judgment."

Li Xixuan's eyes flew open, round and bright. His attitude changed at once, his back straightening as he asked eagerly, "Family head, do you mean..."

Li Zhouluo said quietly, "The assessment will mostly cover matters under Qingdu's usual supervision. It wasn't meant to be announced for another month... But those family members who study diligently and have earned Qingdu's commendation won't be few. Granduncle, it would be best to prepare early."

Li Xixuan was a shrewd old man. His expression immediately brightened, and he nodded repeatedly, "I understand... I understand... But how many positions are there? What ranks do they hold?"

Li Zhouluo smiled, shaking his head as he rose. Li Xixuan leapt to his feet, eyes suddenly reddening as he said again and again, "Thank you, family head... thank you for pleading with the old elder on our behalf. The Yuanwan lineage still has many good children; this is their one chance at salvation."

Li Zhouluo was not a man of such great authority, and Li Xixuan certainly knew this so-called shelter policy was almost certainly devised by his own grandfather. But since the power to make decisions lay in Li Zhouluo's hands, the old man willingly grasped the step offered and followed him out, lifting his robe as he went, only to see Li Zhoufang's astonished face.

"Family head!"

Seeing that Li Zhouluo had already departed, Li Xixuan quickly grabbed hold of Li Zhoufang and said, "Quick, nephew, take me back to the island at once!"

"

Oh, oh, oh.

"

𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Li Zhoufang, at a loss, helped him up, and the two hurried toward the island. Li Xixuan slapped his thigh and muttered under his breath, "You'll have to trouble yourself to make another trip. Call back all those good-for-nothings sneaking about the island."

Li Zhouluo had already arrived before the main hall as the two made their way to the island. Dili Guang was pacing anxiously like an ant on a hot pan. The moment he saw Li Zhouluo, he cried out, "

Ah

—Family head! Envoys from the Azure Pond Sect have arrived! They've been waiting in the side hall for some time. You left so suddenly that I couldn't find you... I've already notified the old elder; he just arrived moments ago!"

Li Zhouluo hurriedly pushed the doors open and entered. Sure enough, Li Xuanxuan was standing inside, the old man visibly anxious. He immediately said, "Quickly, invite them in at once!"

Li Zhouluo straightened his robe just as two figures entered at a brisk pace. The one in front wore silver-white garments beneath a scarlet brocade robe, his round face and large eyes exuding a handsome air. The one behind him was tall and refined, fair-skinned, and carried a sword at his waist.

A third figure followed behind them, dressed in black like a guard; tall, thin, and radiating a sinister, venomous aura. It was none other than the Hooked Serpent, Li Wushao, a demonic serpent who had lingered at the late Foundation Establishment Realm for years. He bowed to the two visitors.

The red-robed youth in front returned the courtesy with a graceful bow, his round face brightening into a charming smile as he spoke, "Quan Yuduan of Jiutian Pavilion greets the family head!"

The young man behind him, his eyes filled with curiosity as he took in the hall's furnishings, also bowed and said, "Si Xunhui of Jiutian Pavilion pays his respects to the family head."

"Please, rise quickly." These were all disciples of Li Xizhi, and they looked exceptionally familiar and dear to Li Zhouluo. He hurried forward to help them up, nodding as he spoke, "Honored cultivators, your presence at the lake, was it by chance, or did my grandfather send you with a message?"

When he uttered the word grandfather, Quan Yuduan's expression changed entirely. He immediately stepped back a pace and said respectfully, "So it is the young master himself! My third junior brother and I hurried here all the way from the Southern Sea, unaware that the young master was now managing the household."

Quan Yuduan had originally thought Li Wushao's bow had been directed at Li Xuanxuan, but upon realizing it was meant for this young master, his face lit up with pleasant surprise. He nodded repeatedly and said, "Young master, your cultivation has advanced so swiftly! Excellent, excellent... truly worthy of such a noble bloodline!"

Beside him, Si Xunhui raised his brows and looked on with open envy. There were only a few family lineages in all of Jiangnan that could make Si Xunhui envious.

On the other hand, it was the first time anyone had addressed Li Zhouluo in such a way, and he felt a bit uneasy. Lifting his brows, he asked, "My grandfather... how is he doing now?"

At the mention of Li Xizhi, Quan Yuduan's face brightened in delight, and he said with a broad smile, "The news may not have reached the lake yet... but my master's name, Rosy Glows of the Celestial Pavilion, has already resounded throughout the Southern Sea! From Lüfang to Danjungwulo, everyone now knows his name. Forget the devil cultivators, even the family head of the Miao Family from Thunder Island challenged him and was utterly defeated, his Heavenly Glow leaking from his body. If not for my master's mercy in dissolving the backlash, that old man would have perished on the spot!

"My master has taken charge of the nineteen islands under the Azure Pond Sect's Southern Sea dominion, cleansing the entire sea of devil cultivators. Even the Lingu Family's method of refining resentment, unbroken for three generations, has nearly been eradicated. Peace now reigns across the region. The market's reputation and resources have multiplied severalfold, completely recovering the losses of past years."

Li Xuanxuan laughed heartily, tilting his head back in delight. Si Xunhui too seemed deeply moved, adding softly, "Our Sect's Daoist Master also met with our master and discussed the arts with him. He was astonished, saying afterward that your grandfather's mastery of the Heavenly Glow had already far surpassed that of Lingu Xia of old, and even exceeded the Daoist who revised the Dawn Dew Gathering Technique. He called your grandfather the foremost Heavenly Glow practitioner of the past three centuries!"

Li Zhouluo was awestruck, while Li Xuanxuan stroked his beard and sighed deeply before asking, "Where was this said? Has word of it already spread across the Southern Sea?"

Si Xunhui quickly shook his head and replied, "I heard it in private, and have only told my master; no one else knows. My master instructed me not to spread it. But I couldn't help sharing the good news with you elders today."

"Excellent, excellent!" Li Xuanxuan's eyes were moist with emotion as he nodded and said, "Zhi'er truly is remarkable... To have reached such heights within the sect, alone, enduring all that hardship. Yes... truly wonderful..."