Chapter 1380: Chunyi (I)

Splitreed Island.

The Azure Pond Sect had rotated several groups of personnel on Splitreed Island. The many tall pillars erected years ago by Ning Hejing had long since been melted down and replaced with newly planted groves of trees. Several lofty peaks had been turned into pine forests, with small pavilions standing gracefully among them.

A young man in black robes held a sword as he stood in the pavilion. Its blade gleamed with golden brilliance, and six streaks of golden light circled at his side, trailing long streams of radiance. He lifted his brows and let out a breath as he faced the resplendent rising sun.

"Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators are indeed different."

This man was Li Zhouluo, who had come to Splitreed Island. He had already emerged from seclusion, broken through to Foundation Establishment Realm, and achieved the Gold Feathered Beast.

Now that he had left Moongaze Lake, he was high-spirited and full of vigor. As he waited in the pavilion, a woman in blue robes walked slowly along the path, carrying a swaddled infant in her arms.

"Yunqing!" Li Zhouluo turned and nodded to her.

The woman smiled gently. Reaching the table, she handed the child to him and took out a jade flask to pour him tea. Li Zhouluo received the child and thanked her, then turned to look at the baby. The woman in blue sat quietly by the table, following his gaze.

This woman in blue was Pang Yunqing. Li Xizhi had searched several times on his behalf before the two finally took a liking to one another. She was from the Pang Family of Bamboo Creek Island, a family under the governance of Chunyi Dao, and was currently cultivating at the Azure Pond Sect.

His father Li Chenghuai had not played much of a role in the matter of marriage. After the Daoist Master returned to Moongaze Lake and Li Zhouluo emerged from seclusion, he took his leave and came to the island. He had then entered seclusion again after taking medicinal pills. By then, Li Zhouluo's major affairs, whether his Foundation Establishment Realm or his marriage, had already been arranged.

Li Xizhi had sought out many potential families for Li Zhouluo, from the Northern Sea to the Southern Sea. Numerous families had hoped to attach themselves, and there was no shortage of beauties. Some families were in trouble and came seeking a lifeline, while others simply arranged meetings between peers to size one another up. After looking through them, Li Zhouluo had ultimately chosen Pang Yunqing.

There was nothing particularly remarkable about the arrangement. The Pang Family of Bamboo Creek Island had long been under Chunyi Dao, with a stable inheritance. Pang Yunqing had only been accepted as a new disciple after the Ning Family had taken control of the Azure Pond Sect. Her master was Lin Wuning, a trusted confidant of the Ning Family.

She came quietly, and Li Zhouluo recognized her good temperament. Since the two families were well matched, the marriage was settled. Later they moved to Splitreed Island and were blessed with a child, the current eldest grandson of the fourth lineage, Li Jiangchun.

Although Li Zhouluo had a child with her, there was still little conversation between them. Pang Yunqing had never been talkative. Aside from tending to the child, she seized every moment to cultivate and had no time for idle chatter.

Though quiet, she had her own path of cultivation and few other concerns. If she heard a word or two of affection, she would stammer awkwardly. In the end, the two were more like Dao companions who merely discussed cultivation.

Now that Li Zhouluo had emerged from seclusion to practice spell arts, he took care of Li Jiangchun. This was their usual arrangement and had happened more than once. After waiting a moment, Pang Yunqing offered an apologetic word, lowered her delicate brows, and took her leave, clearly hurrying back into seclusion.

Perhaps... most of the Dao companions among the great families of the world were just like this.

Li Zhouluo was already accustomed to this. He lifted Li Jiangchun in his arms and walked around the courtyard. Seeing a black-robed middle-aged man approach, he quickly raised his head and said, "Uncle Wushao... this is..."

Time had left few marks on Li Wushao. He looked much the same as before. After saluting, he said in a deep voice, "The pavilion master invites you!"

Li Zhouluo hurried to his feet and glanced around. Seeing no one else nearby, he had no choice but to hand the child to Li Wushao and replied, "I will go at once!"

This made Li Wushao jump in fright. He fumbled as he caught the child, completely at a loss. The baby began to wail loudly, and he felt utterly overwhelmed, while Li Zhouluo had already hurried away.

Li Zhouluo made his way up the peak, where a dignified man in a feathered robe sat. Li Zhouluo quickly bowed and said respectfully, "Greetings, grandfather."

Li Xizhi lifted his brows and smiled, speaking softly, "Come."

He invited Li Zhouluo to sit, then began, "You must have heard the news from the Southern Sea in March of last year. Several Purple Mansion Realm cultivators besieged Maha Baoqing. If not for the Buddhist land coming to his aid, and the Temple Master of Great Konghai Temple watching, he would not even have had the chance to reincarnate.

"One Maha fell in that battle, and only three of the five Merciful Ones survived. Although Baoqing escaped, he was gravely wounded and can no longer stir trouble. The various factions then divided up the Southern Sea.

"Now Daoist Master Qiuhu has stepped in to coordinate. After careful discussion with Daoist Master Zhusheng of Shahuang Kingdom, they have exchanged for Northern Dan Island. Though Ten Thousand Mile Stone Pond is no longer ours, it remains a key defensive position."

Li Xizhi continued softly, "Daoist Master Qiuhu has sent people to garrison it. On one hand, Tantai Jin submitted a memorial recommending Family Uncle Yuanqin. On the other hand, he used his seclusion to attempt a breakthrough to the Purple Mansion Realm as a reason to decline the position of sect master. The seat now stands vacant, and there are many voices

"When Daoist Master Qiuhu asked who should fill the vacancy, Tantai Jin strongly recommended me."

Li Zhouluo raised his head and said, "Grandfather's strength and reputation are unmatched. No one in the sect would object. There have long been such voices. Tantai Jin..."

Li Xizhi waved his hand and said, "Tantai Jin may speak well, but I cannot become the sect master. I replied to Daoist Master Qiuhu and recommended Si Tongyi instead. The Daoist Master is understanding and will not force me. However, once Si Tongyi becomes sect master of the Azure Pond Sect, Qin Xian, Lin Wuning, and the others will surely rise to high positions.

"Yunqing is Lin Wuning's disciple. I have asked him to transfer people to Mushroom Forest Plain, not far from Moongaze Lake. You and your wife can cultivate there and still attend to family matters."

Li Zhouluo hurriedly bowed and assented, then asked, "And father and grandfather on this side..."

Li Xizhi shook his head and replied, "Judging by the timing, your father will soon emerge from seclusion. With the Yang Family and what I have left behind, he can cultivate steadily. Sending you away now is also due to the changing situation... I do not wish to remain on Splitreed Island any longer."

"Ah?" Li Zhouluo was momentarily stunned and asked, "Grandfather intends..."

Li Xizhi let out a faint sigh.

His cultivation had remained at the late Foundation Establishment Realm for a long time and had already reached its limit. Over the years, his mastery of arts and techniques had steadily risen to a certain height, but it had gradually slowed. He feared he could not improve further without greater support.

He was unwilling to take the position of sect master of Azure Pond. Splitreed Island was bringing fewer and fewer benefits and had even become unpaid labor for the Azure Pond Sect. After a long moment, his thoughts stirred. Since his cultivation had remained unchanged for years, Li Xizhi finally decided to leave this place.

Li Ximing had written letters over the years as well. Though the Supreme Yang Dao lineage had clearly stated that the Heavenly Glow Dao lineage was rare, with few inheritances even among ancient lineages, what cultivator did not aspire to reach the Purple Mansion Realm? Especially one like Li Xizhi, who was only a single step away.

As news arrived one after another of others entering seclusion to attempt the Purple Mansion Realm, Li Xizhi could no longer remain idly in the mountains.

"One branch of the Heavenly Glow Dao lineage of the world emerged from Luoxia, while the other rose from Xia Mountain. If I am to seek a path to break through to the Purple Mansion Realm, I likely must visit Xia Mountain of the Dragon Clan. Whether it was our predecessor Lingu Xia or the Daoist who cultivated the Dawn Dew Gathering Technique, in the end they lacked proper methods and forcibly broke through around Xia Mountain... There must be clues there.

"As for my post at Splitreed, I have already held it for a third term. Had it been another cultivator, he would have reaped great benefits by now. A year ago, I requested to relinquish the duty of guarding Splitreed and asked to return home to visit. Daoist Master Qiuhu has already granted permission."

He took a sip of tea. "I have sent a letter home. The Daoist Master has already entered seclusion. I will ride the Dawn Rayfish back to the lake to take a look and seek his guidance, then leave the mainland and travel across the four seas to search for the Heavenly Glow Dao lineage."

In truth, Li Xizhi still had concerns. He needed to personally ask Li Ximing about the meaning of that fragment. It was something that could neither be spoken of to outsiders nor written in a letter.

Li Zhouluo could only bow and say, "I only hope for your safe return."

Li Xizhi waved his hand and rose with his hands clasped behind his back, looking free and unrestrained as he replied, "Once I have arranged matters for you and Chenghuai, my heart will be at ease. When my father sent me into the sect, his only wish was for me to shelter the family. When the Daoist Master achieved the Purple Mansion Realm, I already intended to leave. It was only because the family was unsettled and a few matters remained unresolved that I stayed on the island to watch over things... Now that the family is more stable, it is time for me to return and take a look."