Li Ximing responded with a nod. Li Xuanxuan quickly wiped away his tears and said with a smile, "This is a joyous occasion, not one for tears. How is your divine ability?"
Li Ximing lightly waved his sleeve. A ray of heavenly light surged forth from his cuff, weaving through the hall's many ornaments. The entire great hall was bathed in brilliance, sealed from the outside by his divine ability.
"Bright Yang Art divine ability, Heaven-Venerating Gate!" Li Ximing said softly, "The Azure Pond Sect obtained the Dongli Secret Register from the grotto heaven of the Dongli Sect. They discerned long ago that I cultivated the Golden Palace Radiant Origin Manual, and they were aware of the many mysteries of my clan's Radiant Origin Pass, though at the time they paid it little heed.
"Yet they did not know that though I used the Golden Palace Radiant Origin Manual to build my Foundation Establishment, later I transformed my mana with the fifth-grade, same-essence Radiant Essence Scripture. It was also with this scripture that I achieved the Purple Mansion Realm. The divine ability born from it is called Heaven-Venerating Gate."
Li Xuanxuan looked slightly perplexed. After frowning in thought for a moment, he asked, "Then is there a difference between the divine ability attained through the Radiant Origin Pass? Could it be that different grades of Immortal Foundation, when breaking through to the Purple Mansion Realm, yield different divine abilities?"
Li Ximing paused briefly, then spoke softly, "In truth, the difference is not that great. Aside from rare substitutions, any technique that can produce a divine ability is generally of fifth grade or higher. Whether it is Radiant Origin Pass or Heaven-Venerating Gate, they are both aspects of the same Bright Yang Dao divine ability, only with slight differences in what each excels at. As for sixth or seventh-grade manuals, perhaps their divine abilities are stronger, but I have never seen them."
The light at the center of his brows flickered faintly as he spoke in deep thought, "After cultivating this divine ability, I realized that a person's divine ability is tied more closely to their own Dao cultivation than to the manual itself. It gradually breaks free from the manual's constraints. Perhaps this is the difference between innate nature and destiny. When the Purple Mansion Realm touches upon destiny, it seems no longer bound by manuals."
Li Ximing paused again, speaking with some caution, "When I linked to the great void, I faintly sensed a premonition. It seems that the Purple Mansion and Golden Core Daos are bound by manuals, and that reaching the peak of the Purple Mansion Realm and breaking through to the Golden Core Realm is already the limit. Once one forges Metallic Essence and ascends to Fruition Attainment, manuals are no longer needed. From then on, everything depends solely on one's own cultivation."
He lifted the teacup, took a light sip, and continued, "Perhaps the ancient techniques of Qi Ingestion for nourishing one's nature, or spell arts beyond the Golden Core Realm, may offer further insight. But the Purple Mansion and Golden Core Daos ends with the Golden Core Realm. Once one ascends to Fruition Attainment and becomes a True Monarch, a single thought can transform heaven and earth. At that level, what manual could possibly offer them guidance?"
Li Xuanxuan nodded, calculated silently, and said quietly, "I have heard that the Answers to a Beggar's Questions Under the Mulberry Tree, bestowed by an immortal, is no more than seventh grade. Most likely, the truly exquisite manuals for the Purple Mansion and Golden Core Daos are those of fifth or sixth grade."
Li Ximing nodded. He touched the center of his brows, then pointed outside the hall. The colorful clouds in the sky dispersed at once. He spoke softly, "Chenghuai is cultivating the Untraceable Presence. This blazing heavenly radiance would be unfavorable for him, so I have withdrawn it for now... These past ten years... how has the family fared? How is the world?"
Li Xuanxuan sighed and shook his head. Clearly, these past ten years had not been easy, but now that their family possessed a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator, such matters no longer weighed as heavily. He said comfortingly, "The main upheaval was in Jiangbei. Daoist Master Chang Yun's Chengyun Gate seized a vast territory. Once the situation stabilized, two Purple Mansion Realm cultivators from outer-seas also settled in Jiangbei, and numerous minor sects and gates of every size sprang up like wildflowers.
"Jiangbei's spiritual energy has become concentrated, and across the river, the Wilderness temples tied to the water veins have also flourished. The spiritual energy there changes with each passing day..."
The Wilderness is also part of the riverbank's geomantic lines, lying between Moongaze Lake and Profound Peak Gate. In the past, its spiritual energy was meager, dotted only with barren mountains and remote temples. But once the spirit veins flourished, countless sects and gates rose up at once.
"As for the Yu Family, probing attempts have increased from many sides, all aimed at Zhouwei. They use Golden Tang Gate and the Mifan three sects as their spearhead, quietly testing the relationship between our family and the Dragon Clan... They’ve been growing ever bolder with every probe.
"Today's visit from the Mifan three sects was exactly such a move. If not for your successful breakthrough, much trouble would have ensued."
"Where is Zhouwei?" Li Ximing asked.
Li Xuanxuan replied, "He pretended to head to the Eastern Sea to subdue demonic creatures, but in truth he had already crossed to the opposite shore. He anticipated that the Mifan three sects would launch a great assault across the river to the northern bank, and was preparing to respond in secret. But your breakthrough disrupted everything, and the situation has completely changed.
"The Mifan three sects not only did not cross the river, they even sent people over to offer congratulations while provoking us. I do not know what they are planning."
Li Ximing nodded and said softly, "Whatever they had in mind, it no longer matters. Every sect will be sending gifts within three months. What we must do is settle things properly."
After hesitating for a long moment, he finally asked, "Is there... any news of Aunt?"
Li Xuanxuan faltered, then spoke in a low voice, "This matter... I truly do not know how to put it. Qinghong has been away from home for too long. Five years ago, the jade talisman lost the mana that nourished it, dimmed, and could no longer reveal its master's fortune or safety..."
Li Ximing steadied himself and said reassuringly, "Once matters here settle, I will discuss with Zhouwei. Depending on the situation, we may need to pay a visit to the Dragon Clan... to inquire about this matter."
Li Xuanxuan nodded repeatedly. Just then, sounds arose outside the hall. With a thought, Li Ximing caused the great doors to rumble open on their own.
Two figures stepped into the hall. The woman wore a light red cloud-brocade gown, a silver-white necklace around her neck, a talisman brush at her waist, and several talisman papers tucked in her sleeves.
She wore no makeup. Her skin was fair, her eyes bright with spiritual qi, and her smile bent like a crescent moon. Joy mingled with reverence as she bowed deeply.
"Junior Quewan greets the Daoist Master!" said Li Quewan.
The other was a man in a robe of purple and white. Fire-patterns adorned his crossed collar and sleeves. White jade with golden tassels hung at his waist. His gaze was bright, and his bearing carried a lofty, unrestrained air.
"Jiangqian greets the Daoist Master!" said Li Jiangqian.
Li Ximing lifted his head and beckoned the two closer. Li Quewan, at the sixth stage of the Qi Cultivation Realm, appeared somewhat reserved. Li Jiangqian, already at the seventh stage, was quicker and spoke warmly, "Ancestor has broken through and became a Daoist Master! The whole family is filled with joy. Just seeing those fools' faces is enough to ease one's anger..."
Li Ximing laughed lightly and instructed, "The two of you are cultivating too quickly. There is no need to rush. You should spend more time practicing spell arts instead."
"We understand." After saluting, Li Jiangqian smiled and said, "At first, not knowing Ancestor would emerge so quickly, our family was hard-pressed for Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators. So I discussed with Sister Quewan that I would attempt my breakthrough first, to achieve the Foundation Establishment Realm and assist the family. She could take her time in cultivation. But now it seems that is no longer necessary!"
Li Jiangqian's words greatly pleased Li Ximing. He nodded, then asked with a curious smile, "Your father... how many children does he have now?"
Li Jiangqian replied respectfully, "In the past decade or so, he has had four more sons. The younger ones have yet to formally serve within the family, but they are all doing quite well."
Li Ximing sipped his tea and conversed with them for a while longer. Then An Siwei descended before the hall, riding the wind, and reported respectfully, "Reporting to the Daoist Master... envoys of the Mifan three sects have arrived from across the river..."
Li Ximing had been seated for only half a day, yet the Mifan three sects had already acted swiftly. He spoke casually, "How was Mount Xiaoshi handled?"