Family Cultivation: I Become a Mirror

Several people exchanged glances, agreed with him, and together they rode the wind northward. Li Xizhi inquired about the injuries, and Li Xijun recounted the incident with Situ Mo, causing Li Xizhi to frown repeatedly and say in a low voice:

"I know of this man! Situ Mo is ranked among the top three in his generation at the Tang Jin Sect, known for his domineering nature, not well-liked."

"However..."

He showed a determined look and continued:

"But according to Seventh Brother's description... this man is far from mediocre. Despite his overbearing personality, he won't be easy to deal with. We should find an opportunity to eliminate him!"

Li Yuanjiao was carefully observing Li Chenghuai and said indifferently:

"He came straight for us, which means he either has a Zifu backing him or he's gotten hold of some message. If he dies, the Tang Jin Sect will surely learn of it, which makes things troublesome."

He shared his speculation and voiced his doubts:

"Back then... Situ Mo's lineage lost in the power struggle... it was rumored that their entire line was wiped out, which emboldened the elders to join forces and destroy the Ji Family. But seeing Situ Mo now, I fear those rumors may be baseless."

Li Xijun nodded, coughed, and speculated:

"He possessed numerous treasures and profound spells. He must have strong backing in the Tang Jin Sect; he doesn't seem like someone who's alone..."

Li Xizhi recalled the records he had read in the sect for a moment and said softly:

"In the matter of the Tang Jin Sect, I've studied it carefully, and many secrets surround it. Extinguishing one lineage and then turning to the Green Pond was probably a coerced show of allegiance. It's normal that they secretly fostered orphans to preserve their legacy."

"Situ Mo must be the son of Situ Yi from those times. As a legacy orphan, it's normal that he's taken seriously."

Li Xuanxuan murmured in a low voice:

"If that's the case, he's even more difficult to deal with... Killing him outright would likely provoke furious retaliation from the Tang Jin Sect. It would be best to use a scheme..."

Li Xuanxuan's intention was clear, and Li Yuanjiao had his plans too. Although their family was low-profile, none of them were hesitant. Suddenly faced with a Foundation Establishment enemy, they were neither afraid nor impulsive, contemplating how best to eliminate him without a trace.

Li Xuanxuan was full of worry as he muttered:

"Yet we can't overcome him in a fight. Only by adding the mage and your siblings to our forces would we have a chance to eliminate him. Besides, he may have countless aces up his sleeve. As a direct descendant of the Tang Jin Sect, could he lack life-preserving treasures?"

The few relatives all had their thoughts and remained silent. They had already flown to Libu Prefecture. Here, the terrain featured small hills, with various villages interspersed among them. A jade token shone in Li Xizhi's hand as he infused it with mana and said to his family:

"Wait a moment."

After a short while, they saw two people riding the wind rapidly toward them. Both had reached Qi Cultivating Peak and appeared to be of advanced age with a dignified air, bearing the look of cultured and esteemed upbringing. One of them respectfully asked as they stopped before the group:

"May I ask which among you is the envoy from the Immortal Sect..."

Li Xizhi tossed out the Jade Token and said softly:

"Qing Sui Peak, Li Xizhi of the Qingdu family, disciple of the honored Yuan Tuan, from the fungal forests of the Yuan Family!"

Hearing this, the two men immediately understood his background and bowed their heads in respect, saying earnestly:

"We've seen the lord! We've seen the lord! This way, please... All the personnel in the market have been arranged! We're just waiting for the lord's inspection..."

Li Xizhi just waved his hand and replied:

"There is no rush for that; let them wait... These are members of my family, we encountered bandits on the road and sustained minor injuries. Take them to be treated first, use the best spiritual medicine, and put the expenses on my account."

The two men hastened to say:

"You jest, my lord… What's this writing not writing business? I will see to it immediately."

Li Xizhi narrowed his eyes and smiled:

"Write it down."

The two men looked at each other and could only repeat dutifully:

"Yes... Yes..."

Li Xizhi wasn't here to leave any loopholes; he wasn't from the direct Chi Family line, nor did he have any powerful sect affiliations that would allow him to extort without restraint.

'Quite the spectacle!'

Li Xijun and Li Xuanxuan exchanged a glance, following one of the men down. The old man turned back, looked puzzled at Li Xuanxuan, and asked:

"Have I met the elder before?"

Li Xuanxuan smiled and said:

"I once opened a small shop in the marketplace of Guanyun Peak."

"Oh, oh! I also worked as a steward there!"

The cheerful old man replied a few times, as if he recalled something, then stopped talking with a bit of embarrassment. Li Xuanxuan communicated with a secret technique:

"I've seen these two before... Back when my family wasn't considered a Noble Family, I used to sell Talismans outside, and they came to look... full of arrogance! Now..."

Li Xuanxuan chuckled inwardly, the old man had already presented several spiritual objects, and Li Yuanjiao picked out a few of the cheaper ones to use, and said in a deep voice:

"I'll use the opportunity to close the door and rest, and I'll set off in a few days."

Li Xijun responded and went into seclusion with him. Li Xuanxuan dealt with this man's flattering compliments in the courtyard, thinking to himself:

"Disciples of the Green Pond... really have such prestige!"

...

At the Li Family, on Wutu Peak.

With a gentle gesture, Li Ximing coaxed the flames from the pill furnace to leap out and fall into his hands, forming the Long-Range Prime Fire. He opened his mouth and swallowed the flames.

"At the Seventh Layer of Qi Cultivation... it's been some time now!"

He had stabilized his cultivation level over the past few days, and when the time was right, he broke through to the Seventh Layer of Qi Cultivation, entering the late stage of Qi cultivation, strengthening the Li Family's core combat power and moving one step closer to Foundation Establishment.

Meng Zhuoyun, half-dressed with her snow-white skin exposed, lay on the ground lazily, propped up by her elbow, her fair left hand holding a long, slender brush, while the other pressed against a portrait.

She seemed leisurely, occasionally adding a stroke to the painting, her legs bent and raised, her skin under the sunlight appeared soft and delicate, a waist that could be fully grasped.

Li Ximing undressed and rolled up her sleeves to reveal milky skin in a nearly exposed state and then embraced her.

Meng Zhuoyun made a sound as he turned her to face upwards, her hand with the brush shaking slightly, and she said softly:

"You've made another breakthrough... With your talent, it's no wonder the Li Family holds you so tightly."

Li Ximing was very quiet while working, but Meng Zhuoyun couldn't stop talking, uttering a few words; her red lips and white teeth opened and closed in the sunlight, like a piece of blood-red spiritual jade, capturing Li Ximing's gaze. He whispered:

"Stop thinking about revenge, the dead are dead, just stay with my family and live a stable life."

"Hmm?"

Meng Zhuoyun sighed lightly, her cheeks flushed, her eyes seductive like silk, but her tone had a mocking undertone:

"Hmm? Spend a lifetime as your furnace?"

"What are you talking about! Hmm..."

Li Ximing brushed her damp hair, laying it over her temples, revealing her smooth forehead, and for once he earnestly persuaded:

"It's not bad for you... Your former husband was with you for only half a year, it was just an arranged match, could he really be better than me?"

Meng Zhuoyun's face showed a trace of sorrow as she whispered:

"You're a genius, he's not as good as you."

"That's right... Since you didn't have much affection for him, what's the meaning in being so fixated on revenge..."

As Li Ximing was about to persuade her further, his mind calculated rapidly:

'This woman has a level of Qi cultivation and is a rare alchemist. As long as she devotes herself to my family, not to mention maintaining this rate of cultivation every year, I also won't have to spend time on those Fetal Breathing Qi Refinement elixirs! Best of both worlds!'

"Yes, in truth, I had little interaction with him... It was just an arranged match... I just accepted him, that's all."

The Meng Zhuoyun before him gasped twice, then shifted the topic, murmuring:

"But he treated me as a person..."

Her agile eyes suddenly fixed on him, and she said softly:

"That man was smart, but without any power or background, nothing special, no hope for Foundation Establishment, obviously can't compare to you... But he treated me as a person... you don't have a shred of sincerity for me."

Li Ximing stared, taken aback by her suddenly firm gaze amidst the haze of inebriation, Meng Zhuoyun said:

"But you treat me like a dog, a tool, or something else, like an object."

"If I cried out or if I hurt, you would just soothe me, as soon as you were satisfied, you tossed me aside, and when you were happy, I could keep up appearances."

Her voice carried a rasp.

Li Ximing did not reply but suddenly grabbed her, and both let out a low sigh; after waiting for a moment, he cast a Cleansing Technique and whispered gently:

"Today's elixirs, there are three different ones, named Tranquil Heart, Qi Supplement, and Calming Spirit. Don't forget to refine them."

After saying that, he dressed and left without looking at her expression. Meng Zhuoyun, too lazy to pick up, remained lying on her back for a while before finally sitting up, picking up the half-wet painting on the ground, taking up the inky brush to add a few strokes.

The black ink dissolved and spread on the paper, forming a fingertip-sized spot. Meng Zhuoyun sat boldly on the ground without a thread on, beads of sweat rolling down her snow-white skin, tracing delicate lines along the side of her legs.

Meng Zhuoyun hung up the painting and observed it carefully; in the painting, Li Ximing sat in a large chair while she stood next to him, both beaming with joy, very sweet indeed.

"Heh..."

A delicate, long, cold laugh came from her throat, sounding almost like a moan.