Lu Jiangxian didn’t examine the rest of Azure Pond Sect’s techniques in detail. He just glanced through several spell arts that all bore distinct characteristics of Azure Pond’s methods and footwork techniques.
After a full review, he stumbled upon something interesting.
It was an old biographical text that Chi Buzi had specifically found, hoping the split soul might recognize someone within it.
The book was quite peculiar. The author’s surname was Chen, Chen Xuanxiang. Lu Jiangxian brought it forth, transforming it into a small book he held in his hands.
“On the 21st day of the 11th month in the year before winter, in the early days after the chaos settled, I was betrothed young to a Li lady. I returned with my mother to Ning State and gained the service of two retainers, Xiao and Quan... I traveled south and roamed all across Jiangnan.”
This man had lived long ago, nearly a thousand years prior, during the flourishing era of the Yuan Family, when the Dongli Sect still existed. Remarkably, the text recorded news of the Six Sons of Chongming:
“Taiyue, Taiyi, and Taiyu shone brightly in the lead. Taixu, Taizhu, and Taiqing rose in their wake. The Dao lineage of Green Pine glowed brilliantly in the near-ancient era...”
Lu Jiangxian studied it closely, matching each name one by one. A strange feeling welled up in his heart, So that means... These were all disciples of Yingze...? One sect with four Golden Cores Realm cultivators? Maybe even six...
Doubt lingered in his heart, and he mused silently, “Just what kind of Dao lineage... was Green Pine Temple?”
———
Zongquan Island.
Li Qinghong waited a while inside the cave dwelling, but no response came. Even Chi Buzi's presence had vanished. The spring within the cave, once murky, had returned to clarity, and the tinkling sound of flowing water had disappeared.
She exhaled softly in the cave and did not dare to think too much. Turning back, she exited the residence. All was utterly still. Zongquan Island was cloaked in night, the formation intact, without a single disturbance or ripple of alarm.
Just outside was the ritual platform of the Profound Thunderpool. Li Chenghui was seated upright upon it in cultivation, barely three meters from the cave entrance. He had sensed nothing, not even the sound of knocking had reached his ears.
Li Qinghong stepped lightly outside. The starlit sky above was bright and serene. After enduring the falling of the sea, the dragon swallowing the purple pearl and the arrival of a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator, even someone as resolute as she no longer had the heart to cultivate.
She had barely stepped out when Li Chenghui, nearby, was instantly roused. He rose steadily and said in a deep voice, “Aunt, the matter the family asked us to investigate some years ago, we’ve finally found a lead.”
Li Qinghong immediately understood and asked, “Is it regarding the Bright Yang treasure?”
She had received a letter from Li Xijun, instructing her to keep an eye out for several Bright Yang treasures in the Eastern Sea to assist Li Ximing’s breakthrough to the Purple Mansion Realm. Despite her efforts to investigate, there had been no results. Now reminded, she thought in her heart, A Purple Mansion Realm cultivator could take our lives as easily as reaching into a sack. Ximing is already at the late-stage of the Foundation Establishment Realm. How many secret techniques has he mastered, and what are his chances?
But Li Chenghui had uncovered something else and simply said, “There’s a Dao lineage in the Scarlet Pristine Sea that cultivates Bright Yang. It’s located in a remote area to the east, and we’ve now found its exact location. We might pay them a visit, perhaps it will yield something.”
Li Qinghong asked for more details, and Li Chenghui presented a jade slip. Within, everything was meticulously recorded. Even the estimated truthfulness of the gathered information and how the retreating sea might alter the terrain for easier identification were recorded down.
He also offered a detailed report on recent changes to the island such as how much land had been revealed as the sea receded, how it was managed and how it was fairly distributed between the incoming family members and the native residents. Everything was orderly and transparent.
Li Qinghong read through it, and the worry in her brows eased slightly. She spoke gently, “Good child... among the Radiant Lure generation, only Chengliao, Minggong, and you have proven yourselves. Chengliao is now the family head, and Minggong is gradually taking hold of family affairs. Only you remain here with me, at the far edge of the sea... it’s been hard on you.
“Your elder brother... he didn’t send you here out of disregard. The family simply had no one else suitable. Please try to understand.”
Li Chenghui shook his head. He had always been silent and unambitious, diligently handling family matters with order and fairness. He never spoke of right or wrong. It was rare for him to speak in a deep tone, “Whether by reason or sentiment, even considering the heir, eldest brother is the family head. I know my own abilities well. Managing this small island is more than enough for me.”
He added quietly, “The three of us cultivated together since childhood, yet our cultivation cannot compare to our elders. We are far from it. Whenever this is discussed, I feel uneasy and unworthy. Things as they are now... are good. I am content.”
What Li Chenghui said could be called the shared burden of the entire Radiant Lure generation. From eldest Li Chengliao to youngest Li Chenghuai, they simply could not match the former generation.
No matter how hard these sons worked in cultivation, they found themselves far behind the records left by their fathers and grandfathers. No effort seemed enough. And then came Li Zhouwei, rising like the morning sun which made all others seem dim in comparison.
These children were sincere and clever. They looked at one another and felt unworthy of their place on the Qingdu rolls. This eventually led to the Radiant Lure generation’s voice within the family growing faint. Most did not dare not speak up at all.
Li Qinghong understood all this. Li Xijun had written to her several times on the matter. Nowadays, it was increasingly difficult to bestow talisman seeds, which meant one could not receive the formal initiations. The younger generation already lacked talent, without these two supports, how could they possibly catch up?
As for the heir Li Zhouwei, Li Qinghong naturally held great hopes. But she had seen too much in her life. What was highly anticipated often fails, and what was done without expectation often succeeds. Back when she left Li Chenghui to cultivate the thunder arts, she had her own reasons.
She simply encouraged him by saying, “I’ve prepared various pills for you. Now, with water falling and thunder rising, cultivation progresses quickly. It’s the perfect time to break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm. To speak frankly, you’re the only one in Radiant Lure who still has a real chance.
“Work hard on the island. The mainland shifts constantly, and a Purple Mansion Realm breakthrough is a remote hope. Success means joining the immortal families. Failure... if something changes in the family and we’re no longer here, someone must remain at Foundation Establishment Realm to steady things. Whether retreating overseas or gathering remnants... at the very least, you must reach Foundation Establishment Realm.”
After Qinghong had spoken to such an extent, Li Chenghui was startled. He stared at her blankly for a moment, then understood. He bowed deeply and said solemnly, “I, Chenghui, will keep this firmly in heart and dare not slacken.”
Li Qinghong nodded, then soared into the sky on lightning, speeding off in the direction marked on the jade slip. Li Chenghui stood quietly for a moment.
Li Chenghui had once been content. As one of the top Qingdu scholars in the family, governing a small island was effortless for him. He had simply wished to manage it well and await reassignment from the family.
But Li Qinghong had seemingly seen through his heart. Her words stirred something in him. Though his eyes remained lowered, there was now a subtle gleam within them. He sat back down in meditation, restraining the surge in his chest as he faintly resonated with the thunderclouds above.
If the family falls into turmoil, then I shall be the contingency. I will bear a spear and ride thunder into the fray.