Family Cultivation: I Become a Mirror-Chapter 192 - 178 The Elders Emerge

"Xiu'er!"

The person arriving had a delighted smile between his brows. Who else could it be but Li Xuanxuan? Having now broken through to the realm of Qi Cultivation, he became the fourth Qi Cultivating Cultivator in the Li Family, blessed with a lifespan of two hundred years, riding the wind and traversing the heavens and earth. Naturally, he was in high spirits, and even his face seemed several years younger.

"Father has emerged from seclusion!"

Li Yuanxiu walked down excitedly and saw his father, Li Xuanxuan, flick his sleeves with pride as he said:

"Your father has consumed the Cave Spring Che Qi, cultivated the Cave Spring True Essence, and has a vibrant and prolonged vitality. I am adept at controlling Qi and drawing Talismans, and now I am already a Qi Cultivator!"

"It's not just me, your great-uncle also broke through and has emerged, advancing to the ninth layer of Qi Cultivation with the help of the Talisman Pill."

"That is very good indeed!"

Li Yuanxiu nodded repeatedly. As he saw Li Xuanxuan flip his palm over to reveal a hint of serene blue True Yuan, indeed there was an aura of peace and agility. Li Yuanxiu looked on enviously, then ceremoniously with a clasped fist said:

"Now that father has returned, the affair of the Family Head should naturally fall back into father's hands."

Thus, he took a step back, lifted the hem of his robe and knelt down to indicate the transfer of authority back to Li Xuanxuan.

The matter had been alright not to raise, but upon hearing this, Li Xuanxuan suddenly felt awkward. He had been the Family Head for over a decade, and by all accounts had done well. Before entering seclusion, he was still wondering if Li Yuanxiu could hold the situation steady. Yet, upon emerging, Li Xuanling had nothing but praise for him, and looking around, the family was even more orderly than before his seclusion. Seeing several clan elders shaking their heads with sighs made him not know whether to laugh or cry.

"Xiu'er, you're really flattering your father too much!"

Li Xuanxuan shook his head and said with seriousness:

"Now that your father has achieved Qi Cultivation, he naturally should enter seclusion to refine his skills. I must work harder in the art of Talismans to add more depth to our family's legacy. There is no sense in longing for power after attaining Qi Cultivation... Perhaps in a hundred years, our Li family will prosper greatly, and it will be the turn of Foundation Establishment Zifu Cultivators to lead as ancestors, with a plethora of Qi Cultivators maintaining the family. For now, you should continue as the Family Head!"

"Besides, Xuanling has told me about the accomplishments you have achieved in managing the family over these years. I was so pleased to hear them that I came down the mountain to see you!"

Li Yuanxiu chuckled sheepishly. His modesty was simply for politeness; he knew well that Li Xuanxuan would not actually take back the position of power. In a soft voice, he said:

"While father was in seclusion, there was unrest in the Shanyue region. Wang Si's Shamo Li has fled eastward and is now also cultivating in seclusion, trying to breakthrough in Qi Cultivation..."

He went on to explain the arrangements made against the Shanyue over the past years, which Li Xuanxuan had already heard from Li Xuanling. After listening to Li Yuanxiu finish, he said:

"Shamo Li consumed mixed Qi, which is much easier than the pure nature's spiritual energy. Now a year has passed, he is likely to emerge from his seclusion."

The father and son sat in the head seats, dismissing the clan soldiers and servants. Li Yuanxiu laid out the strategies for resolving various conflicts within the family. Li Xuanxuan nodded repeatedly, full of praise, and with a chuckle whispered:

"Xuanling said you surpassed us by a measure, it seems he left me some face. But this is not just a measure by any means!"

This remark was somewhat overwhelming for Li Yuanxiu, who kept apologizing profusely. The father and son laughed heartily into the evening, partaking dinner together until finally, Li Xuanxuan returned to the mountain.

————

Li Tongya stepped out from his Cave Mansion, radiating with True Yuan. His Qi Cultivation of the eighth layer was now considered one of the topmost levels above Wangyue Lake, with few Foundation Establishment Cultivators as his equals. However, he wasn't very pleased; if anything, he was slightly worried.

"The pace of my cultivation is merely average at best. Even with that precious Talisman Pill, it took me three full years to break through. With my sixtieth birthday fast approaching, I am afraid I won't have enough time!"

Feeling a bit irritable, Li Tongya exhaled slowly and glanced at Li Xuanxuan's empty Stone Chamber. He finally felt some relief and thought:

"Fortunately, Xuan'er has successfully broken through to Qi Cultivation. Our family has gained another Qi Cultivator. This child excels in drawing Talismans, further enriching our family heritage..."

Li Tongya's Talisman Technique originated from the "Spiritual Talisman Technique" that Li Chijin had brought back, which contained the methods for crafting twelve Fetal Breathing Realm Spell Talismans and three Qi Cultivation realm ones. Though not particularly profound, they were common and versatile.

Li Tongya really had no talent for this path; for over a decade, he had only managed to learn the Talisman Techniques of the Fetal Breathing Realm. He had never once succeeded with the Talisman Techniques of the Qi Cultivating Realm and eventually abandoned this path altogether, concentrating solely on cultivating his swordsmanship. Li Xuanxuan, on the other hand, was much more talented than him. His Cultivation Technique was well-suited for creating Talismans, so the responsibility for the family's Talisman Technique was given to him.

Reflecting on how he was clearly dull-witted when it came to Talisman Techniques, yet had spent over a decade creating profits for the Li Family, Li Tongya suddenly felt a shock in his heart. Through an analogy, he realized that his current approach to cultivation was quite misguided.

"I've been in a rush to break through to Foundation Establishment before turning sixty, but being caught up in the situation, I've overlooked that this kind of desperation for quick success is exactly the taboo I should avoid in cultivation! Luckily, I have accumulated a deep foundation over decades of practice, I can maintain my footing, and Talisman Pills enhance it. Otherwise, it wouldn't be surprising to be stuck in the Eighth Layer of Qi Cultivation for another decade... which would delay major matters!"

Feeling greatly relieved, Li Tongya discarded his obsession with breaking through Foundation Establishment before sixty and consoled himself:

"Methodically accumulating cultivation, even if I passed sixty, would not matter significantly. After all the events I've experienced since I started cultivating, if I can't break through to Foundation Establishment, so be it. I was but a farmer's son, and now I soar between heaven and earth, freely wielding my sword. Could this world really owe me anything more?"

Li Tongya let out a long breath of turbid air. His path to cultivation was based entirely on his personal effort, without a master or guidance. Now, realizing he had taken the wrong path but being able to correct it in time was nothing but the result of his own caution and repeated reflection.

After meditating in the great hall of his Cave Mansion, Li Tongya saw his only son, Li Xuanling, approach. The young man was now coming into his own, speaking respectfully:

"Congratulations, Father, on your retreat's completion!"

"Hmm."

Li Tongya nodded, his eyes quickly scanning over him, smiling as he said:

"You've also broken through to the Sixth Layer of Fetal Breathing. After accumulating a few more years, you'll be able to break through to Qi Cultivation."

"Yes."

Li Xuanling sat next to his father, considering his words for a moment before speaking in a low voice:

"Father, Qinghong is fond of Spear Technique, but our family lacks a master of it. I've been considering finding a good teacher for her..."

"Spear Technique..."

Upon hearing this, Li Tongya's brow lifted, and he suddenly thought of the Foundation Establishment level spear, flashing with Thunder Light in his Storage Bag. His heart stirred, and after musing for a few moments, he thought of Fei Wangbai from the Fei Clan dressed in brocade clothes whom he saw when Yu Family invited all the families. This man was also renowned for his Spear Technique. He replied:

"I've heard that a man from the Fei Clan on the North Shore excels in Spear Technique and holds top-tier strength on the lake. The Fei Clan's Family Head once asked me to visit his home. Perhaps I can take this opportunity to talk about it and forge a good relationship between our two families."

"That would be more than perfect!"

Li Xuanling was immediately elated. The Fei Clan's Fei Wangbai was a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. Although he had only just broken through in the past few years, he was nonetheless a genuine Foundation Establishment Immortal Cultivator. If he were to receive instruction from him, even if the Fei Clan wouldn't pass down their treasured techniques, it would still be better than being taught by any Qi Cultivator.

————

Lijing Town secret chamber.

Shamo Li formed hand seals, holding a small Jade Bottle, exhaling wisps of faint purple air from the tip of his nose. With each breath, the rhythm undulated until after the eighty-first rise and fall, the color gradually faded and disappeared.

Shamo Li suddenly opened his eyes, a flash of Purple Lightning flickering within, though it was somewhat impure, lagging behind slightly. Joy verging on madness crossed his face, and with a clench of his hands, a flash of Thunder Light filled Mana circulated between his palms.

"Purple Thunder Secret Essence Technique! Secret Thunder True Essence... It's truly formidable. A single strike of this Thunderbolt could severely injure an ordinary Fetal Breathing Cultivator. No wonder everyone envies the Path of Thunder; it's truly formidable."

Shamo Li paused for a moment, feeling the Mana within him, smacked his lips, and with a hint of regret, said:

"The only issue is, for some reason, the Mana inside me is somewhat lacking compared to the ordinary cultivators described in the books. It seems suited only for swift victory and not for prolonged battles."

Springing to his feet, Shamo Li pushed the stone door open with a palm and looked up at the courtyard. Sunlight gently drizzled down, warm and comforting, just like the kingship and life he was about to embrace.