The Wilderness.
A streak of light flashed across the sky as a pale-gold long boat sped through the clouds. A man in white robes stood within. Beside him, Li Jiangqian and Li Quewan waited quietly, while Li Wen guarded the stern with a golden mace in hand.
Li Zhouwei had only stayed in the Profound Peak Gate residence for one night before setting off. He seldom wore white, but since it was the memorial day of his father, Li Chengliao, he had dressed accordingly. One hand rested upon the railing of the dharma boat, and he remained silent.
The Li Family did not possess many flying dharma artifacts, and flying shuttles were even rarer. The Li Family governed the eastern and northern Mount Yue regions, where countless cultivators of various unrefined qi resided. Many were already forced to leave and fend for themselves, and they had numerous poor cultivators capable of flight among their number. Thus, there was little need for the family to provide flying equipment for ordinary tasks.
After entering the family's island, both the Li Family's direct descendants and talented outsiders were subject to strict supervision. With so many affairs to handle, whether in cultivation or mundane duties, few traveled beyond fifty kilometers within the region. Only a handful, pampered by their parents, bothered to use flying shuttles.
As for Li Jiangqian and his brothers, they simply did not dare to request one. After all, neither Li Ximing nor Li Zhouwei had ever requisitioned a flying dharma artifact during their cultivation. Since the brothers had no reason to travel north or to the Eastern Sea, they had even less justification.
The dharma boat beneath their feet was the first flying dharma artifact crafted after the Li Family became an immortal family. It was the final work of an elder cultivator from the western shore named He Jiumen.
This dharma boat, named Curved Blessing, ranked as a superior artifact among Qi Cultivation Realm tools, though He Jiumen's humble background meant he had never mastered the art of transformation. The boat could not freely change its size and thus could not compare to Ning Wan's Everflowing Jade Cloudliner. Still, aside from that flaw, it was splendid in every respect. Fortunately, no one could tell that it lacked a transformation ability, making it presentable enough.
The boat cut through the wind with great speed as it made its way toward the eastern shore. Li Zhouwei silently accepted a dark-colored handwritten letter from Li Wen, glanced through it briefly, then slipped it into his sleeve.
Kong Yu took his own life...
Standing behind him, Li Jiangqian failed to notice his father's shift in expression. The dharma boat gradually slowed to a halt over a mountain range on the eastern shore. Moments later, the sound of hooves echoed as a youth rode forth on a black horse with crimson eyes.
As he neared, he dismounted, boarded the vessel, and greeted respectfully, "Father!"
Li Jiangqian studied him for a moment and recognized his third brother, Li Jiangxia. A cheerful smile spread across his face as he listened to their father's gentle tone. "It has been quite some time since we last met. Your second brother has returned from Profound Peak Gate as well. Come aboard. We'll head back to the lake together."
A smile filled Li Jiangxia's face as he bowed to Li Jiangqian and Li Quewan, saying clearly, "Eldest brother, it has been so long since we last met. I've missed you dearly."
Li Jiangqian had spent some time with his second brother, Li Jianglong, but had only met his third brother, Li Jiangxia, a few times. It truly had been a long while, and he replied with a smile, "Your cultivation has improved, third brother. You must train diligently in the Qi Cultivation Realm. How are your spell arts coming along? Dao cultivation is the foundation, you should make good use of your time to practice defensive arts, as they will greatly aid your Foundation Establishment breakthrough."
Li Jiangxia’s brows rose as he smiled back. "The family's affairs are many, and you work hard to manage them, yet you still remember your younger brother... Thank you for your concern, brother. I will remember your words."
Their exchange ended there, but Li Zhouwei had heard every word. Without speaking, he led the group swiftly onward. Moongaze Lake soon appeared in the distance when Li Quewan, after a long deliberation, finally spoke, "Family head... calculating the fate of Profound Peak Gate's direct descendants will be difficult. My shamanic talisman arts already face great constraints when divining Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators. It will be even harder for those who have broken into the Purple Mansion Realm..."
Earlier, Li Ximing had clearly mentioned the object in his possession in relation to divination, which everyone present had recognized. Yet Li Zhouwei knew Li Ximing had only used divination as an excuse for the Immortal Mirror, so he replied, "It's fine. I will ask the Daoist Master to handle this matter. You need not concern yourself."
Relieved, Li Quewan withdrew. When the dharma boat came to a gentle stop in the region, Li Jiangqian followed Li Zhouwei into the main hall. As they walked through the colonnade, he saw a man in dark robes standing before the entrance.
The man's head was slightly bowed, his manner calm and gentle, as a string of jade hung from his waist. It took Li Jiangqian a moment to recognize him; it was his younger brother, Li Jianglong.
Li Jianglong had grown considerably in the nearly two years since they had last met. The traces of youth had faded, and a Chen Family gentleness had grown beneath his golden eyes and long brows. His temperament had changed as well, appearing softer and more composed.
Li Zhouwei took his seat at the head, and Li Jiangqian stepped to his left, standing respectfully as his father spoke, "Bring Liang'er and Nian'er here."
Li Jiangqian continued quietly observing Li Jianglong, who had retreated to a corner, bowing silently with his eyes fixed to the ground. He was entirely unlike the open and cheerful Li Jiangxia.
Below, Li Jiangxia began reporting on the affairs of the eastern shore, matters that had already been delivered to the central administration. Li Jiangqian listened without much attention.
It had to be said, Li Jiangxia's abilities were far from lacking. With Li Jiangqian's support behind him and capable men sent by the Li Family, he had firmly subdued the disorganized forces of the eastern shore. The various families had pledged allegiance, and the direct descendants had been relocated to Milin.
When his report was complete, Li Jiangliang and Li Jiangnian entered the hall one after another. Their elder brother swept his keen eyes across them. The one in front, Li Jiangliang, had bright golden eyes and a handsome, lively face. When he reached them, he bowed deeply and greeted his father with respect.
There was nothing unusual about the brothers' demeanor, and Li Jiangqian's gaze skimmed over his fourth brother, Li Jiangliang, before settling on the one behind, Li Jiangnian.
The young man's pupils widened slightly. For the first time, he looked upon his brother not with calm scrutiny but with visible astonishment. In fact, everyone in the hall, save for Li Zhouwei and Li Jiangnian himself, fell briefly silent in shock.
His face bore pale eyebrows, high cheekbones, and a sharp chin. The skin on both cheeks was drawn taut. If the least handsome among the Jiangque generation, Li Jianglong, could still be called broad-featured, then Li Jiangnian's face offered no redeeming traits at all.
But Li Jiangqian was not one to judge by appearances. He had not studied his younger brother's features. He had been slightly shaken when he found the eyes beneath his lashes. His hand clenched, then slowly relaxed.
They were a pair of lost, grey eyes.
Li Jiangliang's voice still echoed through the hall as Li Zhouwei asked a few gentle questions. Yet few could focus on him any longer. Every gaze had turned to find Li Jiangnian's eyes. The boy was slow to notice, entirely unaware as he answered each question in confusion as he looked blankly at his brother.
Li Zhouwei asked a few questions before finally asking, "Jiangnian, what stage is your cultivation now?"
Li Jiangnian's eyes were uneven in size, giving him a faintly awkward appearance. Nervousness welled within him, and tears quickly filled his eyes as he choked out, "E–Embryonic Breathing Realm, second stage."
He had only recently begun cultivation, and though his level was slightly below Li Jiangliang's, it was not bad. Yet the hall fell silent. Li Jiangliang stood properly in front, his composure forming too stark a contrast.
Li Zhouwei withdrew his gaze and said, "I gathered you all today first to ask about your cultivation and see your progress, and second to inform you that I will be entering seclusion, with a few instructions to leave behind."
His cultivation had long been sufficient to challenge the late stage of the Foundation Establishment Realm. Since Li Ximing was now overseeing Profound Peak Gate's affairs and the decision was made to abandon Shanji Prefecture, there was no reason to delay. He had resolved to enter closed-door cultivation immediately.
He first looked toward Li Jiangqian and said, "Jiangqian, you've reached the eighth stage of the Qi Cultivation Realm and already have the foundation to attempt your breakthrough. For now, temper your cultivation and refine your spell arts. Continue managing affairs within the island. Your granduncle Chenghuai will be cultivating, and Zhouluo has taken charge of Qingdu. There are many family matters, so discuss them well with your uncle."
Li Jiangqian quickly bowed in acknowledgment as his father continued, "Jianglong, your cultivation has advanced these past two years, and you've studied many Profound Peak Gate spell arts. Go to the Floating South territory and take over the positions of Fei Chingyi and Li Anshuo. The two of them will be under your charge, and you will act under the orders of Elder Minggong."