The Mirror Legacy

Chapter 1219: Peacock (I)

When Li Wushao asked, Li Xuanxuan immediately shook his head and replied, “Of course, nothing has been decided yet… Back then, Chenghuai’s marriage was arranged when Zhi’er and Xiao’er returned home to visit. Now that there’s only this one child, and no word has come from the sect, the family can only put things on hold… Besides, Zhi’er is no longer who he once was. He’s now an important figure in the Southern Sea, so this matter must be handled even more carefully…”

The Foundation Establishment Realm formation on Qingdu Peak had not yet been completed when Li Xizhi and Yang Xiao’er had returned home several times. It was far from the grand appearance of today’s Purple Mansion Realm immortal family, not to mention that Li Xizhi’s current status was far higher now.

After the elder spoke, Li Wushao nodded and replied, “The master and madam once said that they only hoped the young master would grow up safely and continue the family line. They had deliberately chosen the Ding Family back then. Now that Zhouluo has grown up, his marriage has become all the more important. Several families have shown interest, and some have even visited the master personally. Since the young lord took charge these past few years, such visits have only become more frequent…”

Li Xuanxuan nodded repeatedly; of course, he too hoped that Li Zhouluo would find a good wife. The elder spoke gently, “We must still make sure both sides are willing. If things turn ugly, we might end up offending people instead.”

“Of course.” Li Wushao didn’t seem sure the elder had caught the hint, but he bowed respectfully and said, “The master’s intention is for Zhouluo to visit the Southern Sea before reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm, stay there for a while, meet a few young ladies from various families and sects, develop some rapport, and then hold the wedding there. Once everything is settled and he has broken through to the Foundation Establishment Realm, he can return depending on his own wishes.”

Xuanxuan was taken aback and asked, “Wouldn’t that be too ostentatious? It might end up displeasing some of the families…”

“Haha!” Li Wushao laughed and shook his head. “Not in the least! The old elder may not be in the Southern Sea, so he doesn’t know, but our master is treated as an honored guest wherever he goes now. Zhouluo is the rightful heir of the Purple Mansion Realm immortal family line, nephew of a Daoist Master, carries the royal blood of Yue State, and is the grandson of Jiutian Pavilion’s master. He’s also an outstanding talent in his own right. Which family wouldn’t be eager to approach him?”

Li Xuanxuan’s sense of the situation improved, and he thought to himself, Ximing mentioned that Yang Tianya was still lurking somewhere back then, and he’s a direct descendant of the Yang Family Daoist Master… indeed…

Li Wushao kept talking. “Besides that, there’s also the matter of Xieqi Peak. The current peak master there, Lin Wuning, heard that I was going to the lake and came to visit me several times to deliver a message on his behalf. He said the Azure Pond Sect gathers five qi at the lake, three of which can’t be found anywhere else. They’ve become rather courteous lately, and hope to establish a site with the Moongaze immortal family as the Azure Pond Sect’s foothold, so that future visits to gather qi can follow a proper arrangement.”

The corners of his mouth curled into a grin as he said, “It’s truly satisfying to see the Azure Pond Sect in this state today.”

Li Xuanxuan thought for a moment and immediately understood that it must be something like Golden Autumn In Lake, which was mostly unique to the Azure Pond Sect. Their Moon Lake Autumn Reflection Technique was renowned. His family possessed the Supreme Yin Moonlight, yet did not dare to use it, leaving him rather conflicted.

His thoughts stirred, and he asked, “Who are these people gathering qi? Surely they wouldn’t send Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators, and they must have sworn the Profound Scenery Spiritual Oath…”

“Indeed.” Having gained much experience during his time at Azure Pond, Li Wushao immediately understood the unspoken meaning. He pulled Li Xuanxuan into the hall and whispered, “Old elder, Xieqi Peak naturally wouldn’t send Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators for qi gathering. After all, the art of qi gathering is of utmost importance. The secret to Golden Autumn In Lake lies in the breathing incantation, so unless you resort to soul searching…”

Li Xuanxuan merely chuckled and replied, “No rush. Let their people come and gather the qi as they please.”

Li Wushao nodded heavily. Soon after, Quan Yuduan and Si Xunhui returned, but the two Azure Pond Sect disciples deliberately stayed away, seemingly wishing to avoid running into the cultivators of Purple Smoke Gate. They didn’t appear to have enjoyed themselves fully, moving with a restrained and uneasy air.

Wang Quwan was already waiting by the lake, so he led Li Wushao away. When he saw them from afar, Quan Yuduan smiled and said, “Old elder, we’ll head over now. Once we finish our duties, we’ll return to report to you.”

Li Xuanxuan nodded slightly and replied, “Be careful in all things.”

The group departed northward. Li Xuanxuan escorted them to the edge of the lake as night fell once more. The lake grew utterly silent, and the cultivators of Purple Smoke Gate, who had been hiding on the island, finally emerged. Several streaks of purple qi rose into the air and drifted away like wisps of mist.

————

Peacock Sea.

The farther north one went, the more magnificent the waters of Peacock Sea became. By the northeasternmost shore, at the Great Boon Bronze-Color Temple, the sea beneath the spirit mountain shimmered with iridescent hues. The sunlight made the colors shift endlessly, and clusters of coral floated to the surface, resembling writhing fish and serpents.

Looking down from the Spirit Mountain, one could see several dark figures moving slowly across the sea, bowing with every step as they made their way toward the mountain. Coral rose beneath them, bearing their bodies as though allowing them to walk upon level ground.

Yet the mountain was teeming with leaping and squawking peacocks. When several mortals finally reached the foot of the mountain, the birds pecked mercilessly at them. These people were already frail and emaciated, how could they endure such torment? Covered in blood, they fell into the sea.

At that moment, a few young monks who tended to the peacocks watched with great amusement and laughed aloud, “Such wavering minds, they deserve it! Bowing with each step is meant to cultivate release of the heart. If one cannot let go of pride, self-love, and selfish thought, how can that be called devotion? How can one seek emptiness?”

As they laughed, a sudden gale swept through the mountain. Some of the young monks, who possessed little cultivation, were caught up by the wind along with the mortals on the ground, and were all hurled together onto a vast plain of iridescent feathers.

Before even landing properly, the monks were already exclaiming in joy, “We’ve been chosen by a blessed land!”

“The Seven-Colored Speaking Peacock’s Back! One of the highest blessed lands!”

The young monks immediately sat cross-legged upon the peacock’s back and began chanting devoutly. The dozen or so pale and thin mortals, with broken limbs and bloodied faces, saw this and began chanting as well. Astonishingly, their pain seemed to vanish completely.

The enormous peacock spread its wings and soared eastward, the gemlike darkness of its eyes shimmering with radiant light. The Eastern Sea stretched vast and boundless, and the peacock, bored by its long flight, eventually snatched up another person as an offering, drawing a burst of joyous cheers from those on its back.

The few young monks who had been enjoying themselves the most were left behind. Seeing mortals enter the blessed land before them made them resentful, but they suppressed their jealousy and began chanting scriptures with all their strength.

The peacock flew swiftly until it reached the end of the sea. When it had finished its snacks, it transformed into a woman robed in garments of five colors, who had a dignified and gentle bearing. She dove beneath the waves, cast a spell, and slipped through the earth, flying into an underwater cavern until she came upon a pool of jade-green water.

She smiled faintly. “Greetings, Great Daoist Master Buzi.”