Realm of Sun and Moon Radiance.

Layers of golden radiance flickered while a single point of light hovered in the air. Heavenly light spread through the ancient pavilion as the middle-aged man in Daoist robes slowly exhaled, filling the empty chamber with pale brilliance.

Li Ximing opened his eyes. His spiritual sense swept outward as radiance flickered within his qihai. Bright Yang qi swirled like a vortex around the perfectly round Immortal Foundation that resembled a luminous pill.

The Immortal Foundation of [Radiance Under Heaven] had been completed. Tiny sparkling motes of white light hovered above the Immortal Foundation, resonating with spiritual energy and pouring down mist-like streams of pale qi.

He calmed his mind and quietly pondered, If I simply allow the talisman qi to nourish it on its own, the Immortal Foundation should reach completion in around six years... Not particularly slow...

Li Ximing's cultivation speed had never been slow to begin with, and [Valley Wind Leading Fire] also possessed qi circulation effects that provided considerable assistance.

If I enter seclusion with spirit pills, I should be able to shorten that by another two or three years...

After calculating carefully, Li Ximing estimated that with the aid of spirit pills, this nourishment process had taken a little over a year.

The difficulty of condensing [Radiance Under Heaven] is no small matter. If I were using this for the Foundation Establishment Realm, it would likely give me quite the headache. But for a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator, it merely costs an extra month or two. Everything has still gone smoothly.

With a thought, his figure appeared within a lightning-flashing treasure tower. Rising to his feet and stepping out, he glanced once at the dim palace lights, and his heart stirred immediately.

"Hm?"

He stepped through the air and appeared within the small courtyard inside the inner formation. A small stone hung from a string beneath the beam, while a boy dressed in white stood in the courtyard wielding a wooden sword, striking the stone repeatedly with dull thudding sounds.

Li Ximing had made no effort to conceal himself. The moment he appeared, the boy immediately raised his brows and smoothly sheathed his sword in one fluid motion, both shocked and delighted.

"Greetings, Daoist Master!"

Li Ximing sized him up from head to toe. The moment he saw those eyes, they felt strangely familiar, and he asked with a smile, "Jiangchun?"

"Indeed!"

Li Ximing helped the child to his feet. How could he not understand the meaning behind this? Delighted, he said, "You truly look exactly like your great-grandfather[1]. How old are you now... and what technique are you cultivating?"

Li Jiangchun hurriedly welcomed him into the courtyard. His eyes shone brightly as he offered tea and answered respectfully, "I awakened my spiritual orifice rather late. I am eight years old now, and after the fifth month I will be nine. I cultivate the [Majestic Gui Yin-Seizing Divine Scroll] and have just broken through to the third stage of the Embryonic Breathing Realm!"

"[Majestic Gui Yin-Seizing Divine Scroll]!" 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Understanding dawned on Li Ximing immediately. He laughed heartily and gestured for the boy to sit, saying happily, "Good! Good... I have read the [Majestic Gui Yin-Seizing Divine Scroll] as well. Although it is an ancient technique without any formal grade, the one who wrote it recorded everything in extraordinary detail, and his attainments were astonishing. Even compared to your elder brother's [Heavenly Scripture of the Dimming Radiant Day][2], it is no worse. You absolutely must not waste it.

"Furthermore, the [Majestic Gui Yin-Seizing Divine Scroll] is incredibly detailed. It explains all kinds of techniques and spell arts from low to high levels, including the key points of every stage of cultivation. It is as though a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator personally annotated it. Only something like this deserves to be called a 'Scroll.' It is far from ordinary!"

Li Jiangchun smiled and nodded. Li Ximing calculated briefly on his fingers, surprise flickering across his face as he nodded and said, "You awakened late... meaning you began at seven years old. And in just over a year, you've already cultivated this quickly... Truly rare!"

"I merely took advantage of certain opportunities."

The courtyard gate creaked open as Li Zhouwei leisurely strolled in. Smiling, he approached and transmitted with spiritual sense, "I personally studied the [Majestic Gui Yin-Seizing Divine Scroll] and even asked the elders to compare it. The various Yin Fruition Attainments all stem from Supreme Yin, while Lesser Yin techniques are especially suited to the [Supreme Yin Breathing Meridian Nourishment Sutra]. The compatibility is excellent. Jiangchun is cultivating the [Supreme Yin Breathing Meridian Nourishment Sutra]."

"Oh?" Li Ximing nodded inwardly and replied, "With the assistance of [Supreme Yin Moonlight], it's no wonder his cultivation advances by leaps and bounds..."

"Granduncle speaks truly." Li Zhouwei smiled faintly before turning serious and said, "That is precisely why I've kept him within the inner formation and will only let him out after he reaches Qi Cultivation Realm... Although the talisman seed within him leaves him unafraid of inspection, our family is currently standing at the center of attention. Cultivating too quickly will inevitably draw unwanted eyes."

Li Ximing laughed heartily and quietly pulled the child closer. Seeing the calluses on his palms, he knew the boy trained diligently every day. He smiled, satisfaction practically overflowing from his face as he said, "I once obtained a portion of [Profound Lake Unified Origin Qi], said to greatly benefit Lesser Yin cultivators. I'll prepare it for you!"

Li Zhouwei could not help laughing. Li Ximing immediately turned toward him enthusiastically and lowered his voice. "The [Majestic Gui Yin-Seizing Divine Scroll] requires [Lesser Ruins Yin Qi]. How are Minghuang's preparations coming along?"

Li Zhouwei nodded and replied, "It has long been prepared. This qi must be gathered on the night of the new moon, when murky qi sinks downward. Mansion Water and Supreme Yin spirit items are placed within jade vessels and left suspended in the great void overnight before collection."

"With a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator in the family, gathering this qi becomes much easier. We simply spend one day each month cultivating within the great void and bring the materials back along the way for them to harvest qi... By my estimate, it should be ready within a year or two."

Li Jiangchun listened quietly, repeatedly bowing in thanks. Li Ximing smiled and said, "Practicing the sword is a good thing... I was clumsy in my childhood. At your age, I still could not sheathe a sword so cleanly. It's obvious how much effort you put in."

Li Ximing could tell that major changes had likely occurred outside, and Li Zhouwei seemed burdened with worries. Ending the conversation with praise for the child, the two walked out together and began strolling through the inner formation bathed in flickering purple light.

Li Ximing asked softly, "How are things?"

"Suiguan made his move... It was a world-shaking event. Millions of corpses litter the land, and white bones cover the wilderness. Granduncle had been in seclusion condensing your Immortal Foundation the entire time, so I dared not disturb you."

Li Zhouwei slowly recounted the events in Jiangbei, leaving Li Ximing silent.

"Jiangnan still has not recovered from that great catastrophe. Though things appear unchanged on the surface, powerful undercurrents are already stirring beneath. Everything is completely different now!

"Ever since the Jiangbei matter concluded, Purple Smoke Blessed Land and Great Xiukui Temple both sealed themselves off and announced complete mountain closure. Even when our family sent people there, they could not meet anyone... Although neither side has revealed any news regarding their Daoist Master, judging by the current situation... the circumstances of those two Daoist Masters are absolutely grim. Whether they live or die remains unknown!"

Li Ximing felt a chill run through his heart. Although hearing about Suiguan earlier had already filled him with unease, this news still shook him deeply. "It's actually reached this point?!"

1. This great-grandfather is Li Chenghuai. ☜

2. Previously known as Heavenly Scripture of the Dimming Li Day. ☜