Chapter 1269: Unified Metal (II)

Moongaze Lake.

Dawn rose as usual. A young man in crimson robes stood atop the high pavilion, gazing over the entire lakeshore. Behind him stood a young man in black robes, bowing respectfully. He was seemingly only a few years older, with a sword at his waist and an air of deference around him.

The crimson robed youth slowly looked down at the letter in his hand. His brows tightened slightly, revealing a cold hint of disdain as he murmured, "Kong Guli is dead..."

The youth behind him remained calm as he saluted and replied, "I have heard the news as well. Grace Covenant Gate is handling it with great extravagance. We will likely need to send people over."

The Kong Family had pledged allegiance to the Grace Covenant Gate only a few years before unrest broke out in the Eastern Sea. Kong Guli, one of the last two surviving elders of the Kong Family, had been entrusted with an important task there. He set out to reinforce the Purple Smoke Gate on behalf of the Grace Covenant Gate, but had unexpectedly fallen prey to an ambush by the Chunyi Dao Gate and died midway.

When the news arrived, Kong Guxi wailed bitterly, yet before he finished crying, Daoist Master Zhugong personally went to Chunyi Dao Gate to demand justice from Daoist Master Guanghou. After several days of commotion, she returned and immediately promoted Kong Xiaxiang to a high ranking Dharma Protector, even granting several marriage alliances with her own direct lineage as compensation.

Kong Guli's funeral was also held with the highest honors. As nearly all his descendants had perished, they found the youngest surviving Kong youth by bloodline, who was personally accepted by Daoist Master Zhugong as a disciple. She invited the major families to offer condolences and witness the ceremony.

Li Jiangqian had been watching these grand proceedings occur for the last several days. He folded the letter in his hand and shook his head, "Chen Yang, the condolence delegation must be impressive. Grace Covenant Gate must deepen its ties with the Kong Family until they are inseparable. As for the Li Family, we must avoid suspicion, so you must personally lead the group."

He instructed, "Also, take care... do not speak too freely with members of the Kong Family. Kong Guxi will not seek you out, and our family, now at the Purple Mansion Realm, will not disgrace itself by severing ties. At most, you will receive some cold looks."

"I understand!" replied Chen Yang.

Visiting the Grace Covenant Gate was not an easy task. Li Jiangqian was secretly guarding against the Profound Grace Dao lineage sowing discord between the Li and Kong Families in an attempt to force the Kong Family to cling tightly to the Grace Covenant Gate. A scene might erupt if someone hot tempered like Ding Weizeng went. Cui Jueyin's identity made him unsuitable as well. Chen Yang was thorough in handling affairs and thoughtful in nature, making him the most suitable choice.

Chen Yang withdrew after receiving the order. Li Jiangqian remained on the high platform. After a moment, he saw Cui Jueyin ascend from below, salute, and respectfully offer a jade slip with both hands, "My lord, the Milin academy we established some time ago has now admitted many mortal family members. A few days ago, they were examined one by one, and the results are ready.

"Even mortals differ in aptitude when reading Dao scriptures. Some cannot cultivate yet can still understand Daoist principles. Some are diligent enough to grasp a little. A few have cultivators in their families who give the occasional guidance, allowing them slight progress..."

Li Jiangqian frowned and asked, "If they already have cultivators guiding them, what need do they have to study in Milin?"

Cui Jueyin looked slightly embarrassed and answered, "The academy was originally founded for the family's impoverished children, but after a few months, nearly all family members have come to study. First, the cultivators in the family do not have much free time to teach. Second... they cannot teach very much anyway."

Li Jiangqian paused slightly, then shook his head, "It seems I overestimated them."

When it came to Daoism, ordinary rogue cultivators knew only one or two spells. Guest cultivators of the family were generally the same unless they specialized in talisman crafting, spirit plants, alchemy, or artifact refinement. Until they reached the Foundation Establishment Realm, when the Immortal Foundation was forged, one did not possess true insight into heaven and earth.

Although the Li Family was an immortal family with abundant Daoist manuals, even direct descendants only gained slight Dao attainment at the Qi Cultivation Realm. Among the family's Qi Cultivation Realm juniors, only Li Zhoufang and Li Zhouyang had any spare time, and no matter how they cherished the younger generation, they could not neglect their own cultivation to teach mortals.

Thus, the large number of students at the Milin academy was unexpected yet reasonable. Li Jiangqian shook his head with a smile and said, "It is a fortunate surprise. The barriers that have been forming between the various courtyards can be somewhat eased. Divide these children into groups. Mix those from different branches and those unfamiliar with each other together, and separate those from the same courtyard. Let them learn to know one another."

He never missed a chance to adjust matters. Cui Jueyin took careful notes as he continued, "A few do possess a strong comprehension of Daoist principles and often say astonishing things, but since they cannot cultivate, talent serves no purpose."

Li Jiangqian lifted his brows slightly, thinking,

Talisman seeds possess spiritual orifice-like qualities... perhaps these children could try for one. But the time when innate ability might reveal itself is uncertain, far later than six years of age, and they have already shown they cannot cultivate. It is of little use... Forget it. If one is truly gifted like Quewan, the talisman seed will respond on its own.

He waved for Cui Jueyin to withdraw, when he suddenly noticed pure qi rising overhead. Thin strands drifted upward, sweeping aside the cloud layer and revealing a clear sky. Light and gentle, it flickered briefly before quickly withering away.

Li Jiangqian contemplated for a moment, observing closely, "This celestial phenomenon... I have never seen anything like it."

𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Soon, someone arrived to report, bowed, and said respectfully, "My lord, Elder Tian Zhongqing of the Tian Family failed his attempt at Foundation Establishment Realm and has passed away."

Li Jiangqian realized what had happened immediately and shook his head. "So it was his Pure Essence that failed to break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm. He was the only one on the lake attempting Foundation Establishment Realm through Pure Essence... In the early years, when the lake region was impoverished, that was the lineage he cultivated. His age was too great, and although he later switched techniques, it was too late."

A trace of genuine emotion crossed his face as he continued, "It is impressive he lasted this long. Although Dwelling Heart that Charges Profundity benefits the Immortal Dao, combined with seclusion and the Twelve Essences, which were all helpful to him, he was still one step short... Had he cultivated a third or fourth grade technique earlier and received more resources, allowing him to be ten or twenty years younger, he still might have had a chance.

"The family had no prodigies in those early years, but several stewards of other surnames were admirable. A pity..."

The Jade Court Guard bowed and withdrew. Li Jiangqian pondered for a moment on the platform before someone from Qingdu arrived and reported, "Elder Tian left a final wish that his spiritual husk be buried beside Meiche River in Lijing Prefecture. It is said Elder Chen shed tears upon hearing the news. Lord Li Wen and Elder An have already departed."

Tian Zhongqing's grandaunt was the wife of Lord Xiangping, and he himself would call Li Xuanfeng 'uncle'. His status was prestigious, and he had risen through merit.

Li Jiangqian let out a heavy sigh as he said, "Send condolences to the Tian Family. I recall the elder had lost all his sons. The one currently presiding over the Tian household... Tian Ling, yes. He is at Qi Cultivation Realm now. Though only his nephew, he served the elder like a son. Grant the gift to him."

He waved the man away, descended from the platform, and said, "I will go personally."