Chapter 240: Bringing Honor to Senior Grand Uncle
Li Shouzheng did not notice the shock on his father’s face. He had already devoted himself entirely to this set of sword techniques. Compared to the sword moves themselves, he cared more about his connection with the Emperor Mystic Sword.
Under Li Sifeng’s gaze, he actually completed the entire set of sword techniques in full. Every single sword move was identical to those Li Sifeng had practiced earlier, without the slightest difference.
After the shock came overwhelming joy. Li Sifeng had never imagined that he would give birth to such a peerless genius.
Even Jiang Zhaoxia, when he was young, was far inferior to Li Shouzheng.
“This kid…”
Li Sifeng muttered to himself, his voice trembling.
Pei Miao smiled and said: “Both he and Shoumin are geniuses, but Shouzheng’s comprehension is higher. Senior Brother also said that Shoumin’s cultivation aptitude will surpass Shouzheng’s.”
She recalled how her own reaction when she first discovered her sons’ talents had not been any better than Li Sifeng’s.
Now there were already rumors circulating within the sect that Li Shouzheng and Li Shoumin would become the next Zhao Zhen and the next Sword Solitary. News that the Sect Master had once recommended the two to Zhang Yuchun, only to be rejected, had also spread quietly. The disciples all sighed at the Sect Master’s discernment.
Hearing Senior Brother’s evaluation of Li Shouzheng and Li Shoumin, Li Sifeng felt even more delighted. Yet after the joy, a trace of melancholy surfaced.
He clearly sensed that these two sons were resistant toward him.
Such prodigious talents—could they mature too early?
Would they be hard to placate in the future?
Just as Li Sifeng was lost in wild thoughts, the Emperor Mystic Sword in Li Shouzheng’s hand burst forth with a clear sword hum.
In his hands, the sword looked like a greatsword, yet when he wielded it, it appeared exceptionally light.
Li Sifeng could sense that Li Shouzheng had not truly begun immortal cultivation or inner energy absorption. Despite being so young, he displayed an extraordinary force and bearing.
He even inexplicably felt a sense of reverence.
This made him feel absurd. He was actually in awe of his own four-year-old son?
“In the future, just stay in Clear Sky Sect with peace of mind and teach the children. The sect’s development is too fast now—you must firmly grasp your position as Hall Master of the Tempering Hall. This is far more important than an imperial throne.”
Pei Miao followed up, saying this as well. Having been separated from Li Sifeng for several months, she had been constantly uneasy, so she did not wish for Li Sifeng to go down the mountain again. As for royal power and grand ambitions, she felt they were not that important.
After having children, her resolve had grown even firmer, enough to withstand pressure from her family.
Li Sifeng nodded, his mind filled entirely with thoughts of Li Shouzheng’s future achievements.
He suddenly felt that obtaining the Emperor Mystic Sword had been for Li Shouzheng’s sake.
This sword suited Li Shouzheng too well, as though it had been born for him.
One Incense Stick’s Time later.
Li Shouzheng finally stopped. He planted the sword against the ground, panting heavily, drenched in sweat, yet his face was filled with exhilaration. This was the first time Pei Miao had seen such an expression on his face.
“Brother, you’re amazing!”
Li Shoumin ran over and said excitedly. The two brothers were the same height, with similar builds.
Li Shouzheng wiped the sweat from his face and smiled. “How am I amazing? I can’t even bring out a tenth of this sword’s power. This afternoon, accompany me to go see Senior Sister Yun Cai.”
“Senior Sister Yun Cai? Your father has already returned—why look for someone else?” Li Sifeng walked over, saying unhappily.
Li Shoumin turned to look at him and said: “Father, you might not be stronger than Senior Sister Yun Cai.”
Upon hearing this, Li Sifeng’s complexion shifted between red and green.
……
At noon, after Li Shouzheng and Li Shoumin finished eating, they wanted to leave, but Li Sifeng called them back.
Li Sifeng decided to teach them inner energy absorption cultivation.
“That won’t do. Cultivating the Primordial Unity Scripture must receive Senior Grand Uncle’s approval. Father, you cannot teach us without authorization.”
Li Shouzheng looked at Li Sifeng and said seriously. Li Shoumin stood to the side and nodded along.
These words made Li Sifeng so angry that his chest felt tight, yet he could find no reason to refute them.
Pei Miao tidied the table while smiling and said: “Sifeng, don’t rush this matter. Senior Brother quite likes them and will certainly teach them personally.”
Li Shoumin waved his small fist and said: “That’s right. Senior Grand Uncle already set a plan for us. In the future, we’ll take first and second place at the Grand Dao Tournament and prove that Senior Grand Uncle’s judgment was right!”
Li Shouzheng nodded, anticipation evident on his face.
Li Sifeng said gloomily: “You are the sons of the Hall Master of the Tempering Hall. In the future, you must bring honor to the Tempering Hall.”
“We are disciples of the Sect Master’s faction. We only bring honor to Senior Grand Uncle. Father, please show some self-respect.” Li Shoumin said seriously.
Li Sifeng glared, realizing that his second son truly had a knack for infuriating people.
This would not do!
If he did not beat them once, they would not know whose blood flowed in their veins.
When he was young, Senior Brother had taught him in exactly this way, often beating him into submission.
Just as Li Sifeng was about to make a move, a voice entered the courtyard.
“Brother, are you well-rested? Your little sister has come to see you.”
Li Sijin had arrived!
Upon hearing this, Li Sifeng immediately broke into a smile and hurried out of the room, going into the courtyard to welcome Li Sijin.
The siblings reunited after a long separation, both extremely excited. Li Sifeng pulled Li Sijin into the courtyard. When Li Shouzheng and Li Shoumin saw her, they both saluted. She liked the two boys very much and raised her hand to rub their heads.
After sitting down, Li Sijin began to complain about how Li Sifeng had made the sect worry.
“For your sake, Senior Brother even went down the mountain personally to the Northern Border Lands to look for you. Brother, you’re already grown—when you act in the future, you must think things through!” Li Sijin scolded Li Sifeng.
Li Sifeng froze and asked in surprise: “Senior Brother went to the Northern Border Lands?”
Pei Miao was also surprised, because this matter had not spread and was known only among the higher-ups.
Li Shouzheng and Li Shoumin had intended to leave, but when they heard their aunt mention Senior Grand Uncle, they moved closer to listen.
“Nonsense. The ghost that harmed you was lurking within a Tempering Hall disciple and returned to Clear Sky Sect. Fortunately, Senior Brother saw through his trick at a glance. Otherwise, who knows how much trouble would have arisen?” Li Sijin felt lingering fear when recalling the matter.
Hearing this, Li Sifeng was likewise terrified, because he knew all too well the horror of the Silent Nether Ghost King.
He never imagined that this evil ghost could be so vicious.
When he thought of how the Silent Nether Ghost King had already set its sights on Clear Sky Sect and would seek revenge in the future, he shuddered with fear. The terror surged uncontrollably from deep within, making his body tremble and his face turn deathly pale.
Seeing how frightened he was, Pei Miao immediately thought of many dreadful possibilities. She quickly grasped Li Sifeng’s hand and asked: “Sifeng, what exactly did you experience in the Northern Border Lands?”
Li Shouzheng and Li Shoumin circled to the side. Seeing how frightened their father was, they exchanged a glance.
Li Sifeng took a deep breath and said: “I’ll find another chance to tell you later…”
“What’s there to hide? That evil ghost has already been killed by Senior Brother. Its soul has also been restrained by Senior Brother within the Soul Refining Banner. Don’t be afraid—this matter is settled. Tsk tsk, Li Sifeng, after wandering outside for so many years, how did you become so timid?” Li Sijin teased.
She also harbored resentment toward Li Sifeng, feeling that he was too selfish. They were all busy building the sect, yet Li Sifeng insisted on descending into the secular world, coveting vanity and glory.
Over the years, how many times had Li Sifeng made them worry?
Upon hearing that the Silent Nether Ghost King had already been executed by Senior Brother, Li Sifeng sprang to his feet and asked in shock: “Truly?”
“Of course. Don’t blame yourself too much either. Senior Brother said that even if Xu Ning and Third Senior Brother encountered the Silent Nether Ghost King, they might not necessarily be able to defeat it. You were simply unlucky.” Li Sijin nodded.
Li Sifeng stood there in a daze.
When facing the Silent Nether Ghost King, he had been utterly desperate, believing the evil ghost to be invincible. Yet Senior Brother had gone north alone and slain it.
When he saw Senior Brother yesterday, he could tell that Senior Brother looked in excellent condition and had not been injured.
Pei Miao noticed Li Shouzheng and Li Shoumin listening nearby and immediately told them in a low voice to go out and play.
The two ran out at once.
Li Sifeng took a deep breath and tried hard to steady his emotions. He sat back down and muttered to himself: “Just how high is Senior Brother’s cultivation?”
Li Sijin snorted and said: “Stop worrying about Senior Brother’s cultivation and think about yourself first. Your cultivation is already inferior to Xue Jin’s—don’t let him squeeze you out of your Hall Master position.”
She felt deeply pained as well. She could tell that Li Sifeng had experienced something truly terrifying, but she had to seize this chance to make him change. He could not keep descending the mountain at every turn.
Li Sifeng thought about the horrific experience of facing the Silent Nether Ghost King and did not pay heed to Li Sijin’s reminder.
On the other side.
Li Shouzheng and Li Shoumin ran out of the courtyard.
“Brother, it feels like Father isn’t that impressive.” Li Shoumin could not help but say.
Li Shouzheng looked ahead and said: “Father is a fierce general who dominated the battlefield, but that was the secular world. Within the sect, it truly doesn’t count for much. You should take this as a warning—never delay cultivation for other matters. Senior Grand Uncle said that he hopes we pursue longevity and strive for more important goals in the future.”
Li Shoumin nodded and said: “Naturally. Before crossing Heavenly Tribulation, I absolutely won’t go down the mountain.”
“By the time you cross Heavenly Tribulation, perhaps the Spirit Perception Realm won’t be that formidable anymore.”
“Then how about this—after you and I become the strongest in the sect, we’ll go down the mountain?”
“That sounds good. Even if we go down the mountain, we must carve out a reputation. We can’t be like Father, wandering for so many years without any achievement.”
“Exactly. He just came back and already wanted to deal with us. Who does he think he is? We weren’t even raised by him.”
“Don’t say that in front of Senior Grand Uncle. Be careful he smacks you.”
“Relax, I’m not that foolish.”
Two four-year-old children discussed matters like little adults.
Li Sifeng’s return did not affect Li Qingqiu’s life, nor did it affect the development of Clear Sky Sect.
At the sixth layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm, he indeed could not keep up with the sect’s first echelon.
Several days later, Li Sifeng could not help but seek out Li Qingqiu. Unable to suppress his emotions, he wept bitterly before Li Qingqiu. The Silent Nether Ghost King had dealt him a tremendous blow. Fortunately, the Prison Qilin had survived.
After venting his emotions, Li Sifeng proposed personally teaching Li Shouzheng and Li Shoumin, but Li Qingqiu refused.
“Your ability is insufficient and will hold them back. I will teach them at the beginning. Later, you will be responsible for imparting sword techniques and urging them in their cultivation.”
Li Qingqiu stared at Li Sifeng as he spoke. It was not that he was unwilling to let go of Li Shouzheng and Li Shoumin, but that the two children’s talents could truly only be handled by him.
Moreover, Li Sifeng was their father. No matter who taught them cultivation, this fact would never change.
Li Sifeng was deeply stung. Although he had already realized that he was not strong enough, being pointed out directly by Li Qingqiu still hurt him greatly. Thus, he began secluded cultivation, preparing to first raise his cultivation level.