The Mirror Legacy

Chapter 1218: Glazed Pagoda Of Unrestrained Boundary (II)

Quan Yuduan quickly waved his hand. “The matter is important, but not urgent. There’s no need to disturb him if he is in seclusion. Once I finish my current duties, I’ll be passing by the lake again. It won’t be too late to visit the young master then.

“There’s also another pressing matter. Years ago, Daoist Master Zhaojing visited Chengyun Gate and agreed that Mount Xiaoshi’s Dao Collection would include a share for Moongaze. I wonder, has your family produced any cultivator who has reached the Foundation Establishment Realm? The appointed time is near, and I have come partly to escort my junior brother there.”

He inclined his head slightly and stepped aside, clearly indicating that the next words were not his to say. Though he was the senior disciple of Jiutian Pavilion, he could not speak on behalf of the Si Family.

Si Xunhui then stepped forward and bowed with clasped hands, “Since your family’s cultivators will also be going, I must trouble you to look after this junior as well.”

Mount Xiaoshi Dao Collection?

Li Zhouluo lifted his head thoughtfully, but Li Xuanxuan raised a hand to stop him. The younger man knew little of such matters, while the elder was far more informed.

He said hoarsely, “There is a Foundation Establishment Realm sword cultivator by the lake, personally elevated by Daoist Master Zhaojing from humble beginnings. His Immortal Foundation is the Floating Cloud Body; it is of the very same Dao lineage of Mount Xiaoshi.”

The Si and Li Families were not first-hand affiliates of any Purple Mansion Realm power and were thus much slower to join in such affairs. After all, suitable Embryonic Breathing Realm cultivators were rare, and even those few progressed slowly. Inwardly, he thought, An outsider, good. If it had been one of master’s own kin, an elder or uncle figure, any dispute later would only embarrass both sides. An outsider is better… Daoist Master Zhaojing truly isn’t greedy.

Thus the Si Family’s direct descendant replied, “Ah, yes, the Floating Cloud Body. This junior can rest easy with your esteemed family’s elder watching over him.”

Li Zhouluo immediately went to summon Wang Quwan in person, while Li Xuanxuan stroked his beard and asked, “I read in our family’s reports that Chengyun Gate captured two cultivators and claimed a new underground palace appeared beneath Chengshui Marsh. Is that true? The news spoke of the palace being a relic of the ancient Wanglin Upper Sect…”

Si Xunhui silently shook his head, while the more outspoken Quan Yuduan answered directly, “Of course, that rumor came from Chengyun Gate themselves! They did capture the cultivators, yes, but it was that Daoist Master who lured out the Mount Xiaoshi cultivator just to gather the final conditions needed to open the Dao Collection.

“As for that underground palace, I’ve never heard of it! The Wanglin Upper Sect was a mighty Dao lineage. If such a palace truly existed, anyone entering it would be courting death. If you ask me… Chengyun Gate probably built it themselves!”

Si Xunhui clearly had a more complete picture of the matter and spoke softly, “It’s very likely that Chengyun Gate built it themselves, partly to give their own disciples a place to temper themselves, and partly because gathering blood qi everywhere isn’t convenient. Discontent is inevitable after suppressing their subordinate families for so long. This underground palace serves their needs much better.

“On top of that, they can sell talismans and pills on the side, making legitimate business easier for their gate. After all, their products are crude and can’t compete with those from Jiangnan. Using this method, they can at least generate steady profit nearby.”

Li Xuanxuan understood and nodded. By that point, Li Zhouluo had already returned with Wang Quwan from outside the hall. The middle-aged man still carried his sword at his waist, his expression solemn.

Li Zhouluo smiled and said, “Dharma Protector Wang, this is Quan Yuduan, first disciple of Jiutian Pavilion… and this is Young Master Si Xunhui of the Si Family from the Azure Pond Sect.”

Those two names were not terrifying to the current Li Family. Yet in Wang Quwan’s eyes, they represented the highest circles of nobility. The Si Family now ruled the Azure Pond Sect itself.

He quickly bowed, but heard Si Xunhui call out, “Greetings, senior. I must trouble you for your assistance this time.”

Li Xuanxuan nodded lightly. “These two disciples of the immortal sects are heading to that underground palace and passing by this place. Since you too have received an opportunity, you may accompany them.”

“How could that be appropriate?… Such an opportunity should be reserved for the direct bloodline of Moongaze…”

Wang Quwan’s first reaction was panic, and he began to kneel in refusal. But Quan Yuduan caught on immediately, exchanged a look with him, and interjected with a light laugh, “The scenery at Moongaze Lake is beautiful. My junior and I will take a stroll around the lake and return later.”

He took Si Xunhui with him and left. Li Xuanxuan waved his hand, dismissing Li Zhouluo as well, until only two remained in the hall. Wang Quwan knelt firmly on the ground, but Li Xuanxuan helped him up and said softly, “Do not worry, Quwan. You won’t be sent as a pawn. Although Si Xunhui is a young master of the Azure Pond Sect, you are not going to protect him this time. If protection were truly needed, would the Azure Pond Sect lack two peak masters?”

Wang Quwan was startled and quickly raised his head. The old man was smiling kindly as he nodded and continued, “This time, you will represent the Li Family of Moongaze. Though I do not know what lies within the underground palace, few families should pose trouble for you now. Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators face opponents of their own level, focus on protecting yourself and see what opportunities you can seize.

“As for Si Xunhui, do not fear him too much. Take every share that rightfully belongs to you, unless it involves a Purple Mansion Realm spirit item. In that case, let him take it, or you may not leave alive…”

Wang Quwan finally nodded and said respectfully, “I will remember the old elder’s instructions and do my utmost.”

Li Xuanxuan continued, “When you head out, find Zhouluo and take the Profound Peak Gate’s Hundred-Stone Spirit Shield and Muddy Red Jade Treasure from him. The underground palace will be filled with direct descendants of Purple Mansion Realm families. I don’t expect you to make a grand display, but with these two life-saving artifacts, you won’t be suppressed by another’s dharma artifact so easily.”

Those were two full Foundation Establishment Realm dharma artifacts; the Hundred-Stone Spirit Shield was ordinary in quality, but the Muddy Red Jade Treasure was a rare and precious item indeed.

Wang Quwan nodded heavily and said at last, “I will remember the family’s grace. I will return from the north with both artifacts intact.”

Only then did Li Xuanxuan dismiss him, instructing Li Zhouluo to prepare the artifacts for him. But Wang Quwan set them down again and said solemnly, “This matter is of great importance. Please allow me to return home once to settle my affairs with my juniors before coming back to collect the two dharma artifacts.”

He rode the wind toward Jiangbei. Si Xunhui and his companion said they would be touring the lake, taking a flight around, while Li Wushao returned ahead of them.

The old cultivator still appeared in his middle years, as he kept a sword at his waist. Upon seeing Li Xuanxuan, he bowed, his voice low and hoarse, “Wushao greets the old elder!”

Li Wushao looked remarkably like Li Yuanjiao, and Li Xuanxuan’s eyes blurred for a moment. He hurried to help him up, tears glimmering at the corners of his eyes, “It’s been so many days since we last met…”

Li Wushao noticed this and bowed again. “Old elder! I’m living well at the Azure Pond Sect. That damn place, everyone calls me Lord Li there! But the moment I step into the Eastern Sea, if they don’t recognize me, the bastards might just catch me and toss me into a pill furnace… Haha!”

The old man couldn’t help but laugh and shook his head, “You still speak so crudely. Even after joining an immortal sect, you can’t shake off those Eastern Sea habits. People will surely gossip about you…”

“Can’t learn it! Can’t learn it!” Li Wushao replied simply, “They call me uninhibited and free-spirited—bah, all nonsense… Now that I’ve looked around and seen things for myself, I can report back to the pavilion master. Tell me, the young master isn’t married yet, is he?”