Family Cultivation: I Become a Mirror

Qingdu Mountain.

Time passed like flowing water, and Qingdu Mountain had firmly become a peak within a lake, fully integrated with the water veins and earth veins of the lake, such that no traces of it being transported could be seen.

Li Xijun was practicing swordsmanship on the mountain. Compared to his brothers, his talent was not remarkable. In two years, Li Ximing had broken through to the ninth layer of Qi cultivation through taking medicine, his cultivation level gradually nearing perfection. Li Xizhi had also broken through to the seventh layer. But Xijun was still lingering at the sixth layer.

"The last three layers of Qi cultivation are especially difficult. My talent is inferior, and I only managed to keep pace with them previously by taking some advantage. It's only natural that I've fallen behind."

His mentality was stable, and he tirelessly practiced his swordsmanship day and night. The longsword swayed with an increasingly rhythmic charm, achieving a state of perfection.

"'Three Parts Moonlight Flow' is indeed difficult. After so many years of arduous research, I've finally made some progress."

While Li Xijun was practicing his swordsmanship, he saw a monk land on the peak, carrying a long jade box on his back, looking at him amiably.

"The mage has finally returned!"

Kongheng had been away for two years, and if it wasn't for a letter sent back by Li Xizhi for explanation, one would have feared some mishap had befallen him on the road. Li Xijun glanced at the jade box on his back and, sensing a premonition, joyfully said:

"Could it be that the Dharma Sword has been forged?"

Li Xijun had not a single valuable treasure on him. The ceramic red pearl and body protection magical instrument, "Evening Red Glaze," which had been a very decent Qi cultivation level magic artifact given by Li Yuanjiao, had been given early on to his younger sister, Li Yuexiang, for self-defense. Now, he had only his sword.

Now that his elder brother had specially forged a Foundation Establishment magical instrument just for him, how could Li Xijun be anything but delighted? He rarely showed such happiness despite his usual composure.

"Indeed!"

Kongheng nodded, took down the jade box, and with both hands, he lifted a longsword from it. The blade shimmered like white snow, with a cold light flowing through it. The blade was thin, and the sword was slightly slender overall.

Kongheng held the sword with both hands, presenting it to Xijun:

"This sword is three feet, nine inches, and three parts long, weighing ninety-two pounds and twelve taels. It is forged from cold iron essence and gold, a Foundation Establishment magical instrument, clear as flowing water, pure as white frost, named: 'Han Lin.'"

Li Xijun's eyes were already fixed upon it, and he gingerly accepted the sword, nodding:

"Good... good..."

The "Han Lin Sword," once in hand, clanged sonorously. The two seal script characters "Han Lin" on the sword body suddenly lit up, emitting a white light as if they were pleased.

Li Xijun inverted Green Peak, and with a reverse grip, held the sword. The snowy-white blade rested on his opposite shoulder, emitting a bone-chilling cold. He took a moment to measure the sword, then said again:

"Good!"

His brows lifted as he swung the treasured sword, creating a fierce, cold wind at his side. A hint of cold light swung back and forth in the wind, suddenly transforming into three streaks of light, crystal clear and white, leaping and dancing in the air, circling around him.

"Three Parts Moonlight Flow!"

Li Xijun let out a breath as the three streaks of light vanished out of sight. The sword technique that he had not been able to perform for many years finally came to fruition with the aid of Han Lin, turning the green stones beneath his feet into powder.

"Good!"

But then a deep, husky voice rang out. Li Xijun was very familiar with this voice. He quickly sheathed the sword and said respectfully:

"I pay my respects to the great ancestor!"

Li Yuanjiao emerged from the stone path, looking very satisfied, and said softly:

"Your talent in the Sword Dao is not bad, and your diligence and hard work are commendable. Devoted to the sword, you have finally achieved something."

He paused for a moment, then continued softly:

"Tongya's great ancestor also took thirty years to master this move. You've caught up to him now."

Li Xijun hurriedly denied it, saying respectfully:

"How can this be compared? I am a slow learner, having studied this swordsmanship for twenty years. Although our senior practiced the sword for thirty years, it only took them ten years to master this Sword Canon. Of course, we are incomparable!"

Seeing his anxious expression, Li Yuanjiao realized it was genuine respect and not feigned humility. He chuckled heartily and said contentedly:

"Good, no matter what, at least you are better than me!"

Li Xijun wanted to say something but stopped when Li Yuanjiao raised his hand to interrupt him, picked up the Han Lin sword to examine it, and said gravely:

"This material is very good... It's probably only second to the 'Green Ruler'. The price won't be pleasant, but fortunately... it's only a modification, not forging from scratch... Take thirty Spirit Stones and send them to Xizhi. Don't let him overexert himself and delay his cultivation."

Li Xijun nodded. The Li Family was quite prosperous now, having saved up over a hundred Spirit Stones over the years; spending a few dozen was not a strain.

Li Yuanjiao returned Green Peak to him with a couple of mumbles:

"The name is not bad."

Li Xijun pursed his lips, Kongheng made a face but remained silent, then apologized and quickly excused himself. Li Yuanjiao took out a small note and said seriously:

"It's a letter Xizhi sent back. It had arrived at my Cave Mansion some time ago. Take a look."

Li Xijun nodded, glanced over it briefly, and said heavily:

"If my young nephew were to see this... he should immediately head overseas. On the one hand, to find an island that can serve as a base, and on the other hand, to prevent Situ Mo from focusing solely on targeting the Xuan Yue Sect."

"After all, the Xuan Yue Sect has a good relationship with our family, and Kong Tingyun is a friend of my second uncle. It's better if I join forces with her. At least we should make Situ Mo suffer a setback!"

His thoughts were quick, and he swiftly made deductions:

"It would be best to uncover Situ Mo's accomplices or his backers and eliminate them, preventing them from guessing our family's whereabouts. The threat would then be greatly reduced."

He said softly:

"As long as we leave this to Kongheng... he is the best at defense. Together with our family's Great Formation and Situ Mo being overseas and not yet returned, it will naturally be safe!"

While Li Xijun said this, he knew it wasn't necessary to have someone at the Foundation Establishment stage to stay behind as long as the location was secure. Aware of Li Yuanjiao's cautiousness, he kept these thoughts to himself.

Li Yuanjiao had been in seclusion for over two years, healing his wounds and with the aid of numerous Spirit Pills, his Cultivation Level had even slightly improved. He simply replied:

"It is feasible... but if Situ Mo's helper truly is Zhao Shi and Kongheng is not there to support us, we might not even find this monk, let alone deal with him."

Li Xijun nodded slightly and said in a low voice:

"Aunt is a great force to be reckoned with; she cannot be absent. Is what you mean, uncle... to have Elder Wushao stay behind?"

"Hmm."

Li Yuanjiao nodded and answered:

"We also need that serpent to guide us in the East Sea. It's better to deal with Situ Mo's issues first, then let Qinghong return home and switch with him."

"That's all we can do now..."

Li Xijun let out a sigh and expressed his concern:

"But I'm afraid that as soon as we make a move here, that person will have figured it out!"

"I've asked Kongheng; for that person to calculate my whereabouts also comes with a cost. It's not like they can know it all the time. It would be better to make a swift decision, go immediately, and catch Situ Mo off guard..."

As Li Yuanjiao spoke out loud, his heart was filled with doubts, and he thought to himself:

'My family is gradually gaining a position and can access some information. Zifu shouldn't make a move; the greatest fear is that a group of Mage Zhao Shis lies in wait specifically for us!'

Contemplating this, he decided to send Kongheng to the East Sea first to deliver a letter to Kong Tingyun of Xuan Yue Sect, to inquire about the current situation, and then plan accordingly.