Chapter 1613: Bound For The Sea (I)

Li Zhouwei released his grip on the [Demon-Suppressing Gut-Cleaving Mace] and watched as Li Ximing produced a jade talisman. Intricate shamanic patterns covered its surface, every fine detail shining clearly as streams of ascending white light belonging to the [Capital Guard] Dao flowed across it.

“This is the [Mountain-Supervising Spirit-Pointing Talisman], a spirit artifact from the ancient Dao lineage known as the [Garrison Profound Dao]. It can manifest radiant splendor, but its most important function is [Spirit-Pointing], which is used to command mountain spirits and river spirits. Back when the art was complete, those mountain and river spirits could even exchange a few moves with beings on the level of the Merciful One…

“Nowadays, it’s only good for running errands. Still, it’s quite suitable for protecting the younger generation.”

Li Ximing raised the [Mountain-Supervising Spirit-Pointing Talisman]. He directed its light toward Zhijing Mountain beneath their feet before tossing it onto the ground and stamping his foot. “Guardian spirit of ordered ranks, come forth from the Garrison Court!”

White smoke immediately billowed upward. The spot where the [Mountain-Supervising Spirit-Pointing Talisman] landed transformed into a towering spear-wielding man clad in black robes and armor. Golden-white radiance shone from his body while the aura of incense offerings drifted around him, lending him an imposing air.

He knelt before them with the force of a collapsing golden mountain and falling jade pillar, then respectfully said, “This minor god greets the lord…”

His voice rang out with firm conviction. Turning slightly, he lowered his eyes and bowed once more toward Li Zhouwei. “This minor god pays his respects to Your Highness.”

Li Zhouwei raised an eyebrow and examined the figure in interest. Li Ximing smiled and explained, “The [Mountain-Supervising Spirit-Pointing Talisman] is quite interesting. It has another advantage as well. The mountain spirits and river spirits summoned through [Spirit-Pointing] are closely tied to the land itself. This minor god was summoned upon Moongaze Lake, so he’s actually fairly powerful…”

After studying the spirit carefully, Li Zhouwei asked, “Does it retain memories? Does it possess a true spirit?”

Li Ximing shook his head somewhat regretfully. “It’s not like Xuanyi’s Pure Corner Merit Bottle. Although the minor gods commanded by the [Mountain-Supervising Spirit-Pointing Talisman] are formidable, they must be sustained through divine ability. Once enough time passes and the sun and moon complete their cycles, the spirit disperses. When it’s summoned again later, its mind is completely blank, just as before.”

Li Zhouwei nodded. “Its strength falls into an awkward middle ground. Just as granduncle said, it’s really only useful for appearances and handling the occasional errand.”

Li Ximing continued from where he left off, “Apart from [Spirit-Pointing], its other function is [Light Supervision]. That mystic’s power depends on how thoroughly one has communicated with the nearby lakes and mountains beforehand, the cultivation level of the master’s Dao lineage, and the number of supporting jade talismans available. At the very least, when used upon the lake, the power of [Light Supervision] is already quite respectable.”

As he spoke, he pushed the spirit treasure, the [Two Bright Rites of Layered Fire], back toward Li Zhouwei. Yet Li Zhouwei shook his head. “Granduncle should keep the [Two Bright Rites of Layered Fire] and use it himself.”

“Hm?” Li Ximing frowned and replied, “What use would I have for a spirit treasure…”

Li Zhouwei said with a smile, “The [Two Bright Rites of Layered Fire] needs Radiant Fire to use. Unless granduncle plans to give me a portion of Radiant Fire too, it’s wasted on me. But that’s beside the point. Granduncle is already powerful enough as it is. With three spiritual flames at your command, you’re already more than a match for most early Purple Mansion Realm cultivators. Add the [Two Bright Rites of Layered Fire], which complements them perfectly, and even the old cultivators of the Supreme Yang Dao lineage would likely fall short. Whether it’s a Maha or someone with three divine abilities, they’d have to think twice before provoking you…

“That carries an entirely different significance. These days, danger lurks everywhere. Only with strength comparable to a mid-stage Purple Mansion Realm cultivator can one confidently handle most crises.”

Who could remain unmoved by a spirit treasure? Looking at the perfectly round treasure, as smooth and complete as a Golden Core, Li Ximing felt no small amount of excitement himself.

After hesitating repeatedly, he finally tucked it away with obvious reluctance to part from it. “What a waste. Once Jiangqian brings good news, this thing will be handed over to him!”

Li Zhouwei neither agreed nor disagreed. By the time Li Jiangqian broke through, Li Ximing would almost certainly have cultivated [Radiance Under Heaven]. With three Purple Mansion Realm spiritual flames and the support of [Valley Wind Leading Fire], it was difficult to say who would be the better match for this spirit treasure…

Li Ximing smiled and changed the subject. “Do you remember the letter sent to the Eastern Sea years ago? There is finally news regarding the [Converging Water] spirit item you obtained. It’s called [Sinking Wild Agemetal]. It’s an extremely rare [Converging Water] spirit item, particularly suitable for forging weapons… Unfortunately, our family has little use for it.”

Li Zhouwei considered the matter for a moment before replying, “Keep it for me. If my calculations are correct, Dingjiao should reach the Purple Mansion Realm within the next decade. If this item doesn’t find a more important use, we can send it to congratulate him when the time comes. It won’t be unworthy of him.”

When Li Zhouwei had advanced to the Purple Mansion Realm, the gift Dingjiao sent had been a genuine Purple Mansion Realm spirit treasure. Compared to that, this return gift was considerably lighter. Unfortunately, the family was not wealthy enough to offer a spirit treasure as a congratulatory gift, so [Sinking Wild Agemetal] would have to suffice…

Only then did Li Ximing remember the matter. He silently nodded and mentioned Master Dingyang’s use of blood sacrifice upon a spirit artifact.

Li Zhouwei immediately frowned. “That would be inappropriate… At most, one could do as Zhugong did in the past when providing spirit materials and offer a single drop to foster affinity with the spirit artifact. There is absolutely no possibility of expelling a mouthful of blood essence!

“The higher my cultivation becomes, the more precious my blood grows. If I were truly forced to expend a mouthful of blood essence, then without a spirit item on the level of [White Blood Sap] to replenish the loss, it would probably delay my cultivation by decades!”

This was something Dongfang Heyun had specifically warned him about years ago. Li Zhouwei shook his head without hesitation, causing Li Ximing’s heart to tighten.

He sighed. “Fortunately, we have the [Qilin Crow Spirit Husk]!”

This was undoubtedly good news. Li Ximing immediately had someone summon Li Minggong, intending to send her to Lacquer Marsh. Only then did the conversation turn to the major and minor events of recent years.

His expression grew serious as he said, “The children of the Suiyu generation have grown up as well. There are three or five among them who show great promise… I think it’s time we started making careful plans for them!”

Li Zhouwei raised his head with interest and saw Li Ximing say, “One of them is your direct grandson, Suihuan. The boy has tremendous ambition, and his innate ability is excellent as well.”

Li Ximing appeared nothing but pleased. Smiling broadly, he repeated the boy’s words, his tone carrying a trace of heroic boldness.

Li Zhouwei chuckled after listening and said, “The child doesn’t know any better.”

Li Ximing withdrew his gaze and lowered his eyes. Taking a sip of tea, he replied, “Suihuan’s innate ability is exceptional, after all. He’s certainly worth encouraging. As for the others, they’re a step behind him, but still count as outstanding. One of them is called Li Suining, and his talent in formations is astonishingly high!”

At the mention of Li Suining’s name, a complicated look briefly crossed Li Zhouwei’s face. He set down his teacup and hesitated for a moment.

In the end, he neither spoke nor asked further questions, merely smiling as he said, “Li Suining?”

“That’s right!” Li Ximing set down his cup and said seriously, “Since we’ve finally produced a genuine talent in the Dao of formations, we shouldn’t leave the matter unattended. I had originally intended to make a trip south, but now it seems I should first visit the Eastern Sea and consult Senior Changdie…”

He laughed. “After all, we only recently gave him that spirit embryo. It’s about time I got some formation inheritances out of him in return!

“As for the family, the Upper Rite’s [Profound Origin Essence-Heart Technique] has already produced qi and can be bestowed upon Li Suikuan. As for cultivation techniques beneficial to formation cultivation, I’ll need to consult the Dao lineage and search through the pavilion to select a suitable batch.”

After a brief pause, he lowered his voice. “There’s no need to rush into exchanges. The pavilion already contains a considerable number of Foundation Establishment Realm techniques. We can take them out first and place them within the secret repository atop the great formation. If, one day, a particularly outstanding junior emerges, we can then exchange for a corresponding Purple Mansion Realm Dao lineage of the same affinity.”

Li Zhouwei found the proposal quite reasonable and added, “In any case, there are plenty of Foundation Establishment Realm techniques inside. We can also place some of the family’s existing Purple Mansion Realm techniques with matching affinities in there. Lower-grade inheritances like the [Profound Light Mountain Chasing Scripture] can simply have their Foundation Establishment Realm portions placed directly into the repository…”

Li Ximing nodded in agreement before abruptly changing the topic. “There is only one matter I’ve been considering… Minggong is no longer young, and her cultivation has already reached the required level.

“The old elder brought it up once as well. He was asking about divine ability too. It’s a matter that’s equal parts promising and worrying.”

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