Family Cultivation: I Become a Mirror

Although Situ Mo was only injured, fortunately that monk can no longer stir up trouble. Li Yuanjiao politely declined Kong Tingyun's invitation, and their group did not linger on Yuezhou Island, heading straight for the northern shore of Zhu Lu Sea.

Kong Tingyun escorted them beyond the boundary, floating back atop a cloud in high spirits, humming a tune twice. Upon catching sight of her subordinates respectfully approaching, she hurriedly composed her expression and thought to herself:

"Muo Tuo really didn't predict Brother Jiao's arrival! The Li Family truly has some tricks up their sleeve… Was it Xiao Chuting's covert intervention or a Zifu cultivator in the shadows? Li Yuanjiao's fate remains hidden—I refuse to believe he's as unfathomable as Liu Changdie or Tulong Jian!"

Regardless, Kong Tingyun made an excellent move with this gambit—she suppressed her enemies and solidified ties with the Li Family, killing two birds with one stone, and returned to Yuezhou Island in a blissful mood, intent on a good night's sleep.

With the Li Family flying onward, Li Qinghong remained at ease, yet once Li Yuanjiao left the Kong Family's territory, his expression grew faintly grim, brows knit in suspicion. Li Qinghong sensed something amiss and whispered:

"Brother, what's wrong?"

Li Yuanjiao gripped his sword and replied in a low voice:

"I suspect Kong Tingyun's strength has changed… Back then in Salty Lake, when we ambushed the hooked serpent together, she was far weaker than she is today. If she possessed such power then, a mere hooked serpent—even at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage—would stand little chance before her Golden Mountain. Why would she need me to share in the spoils?"

Li Qinghong pondered briefly, then nodded and said:

"I was just thinking—it might be the Talisman's effect. She uses those Talismans without hesitation; clearly, they're not rare for her. Perhaps her background isn't simple."

Li Yuanjiao stroked Green Peak and murmured:

"Indeed. I suspect… it's Changxi Perfected Person's intention to show goodwill. Kong Tingyun may be his descendant. In the matter with the hooked serpent, she lent us a Formation so freely, yet dawdled for two years before retrieving it. I thought it coincidental, but now it finally makes sense."

"It's not a bad thing after all."

No matter if Changxi Perfected Person wishes to win favor with Xiao Chuting or with himself, for the moment there is no malice. The Li Family can only accept graciously. Li Yuanjiao mused secretly:

'At least this confirms one thing—so long as one has the Immortal Mirror, they can not only break through destined fate, but also evade Divine Skills and remain undetected. I can't fathom how high such status reaches.'

Looking again at his sister, Li Qinghong was clearly lost in thought, having reached the same conclusion. Only Kongheng sat in meditation, eyes downcast, saying nothing.

After flying over the sea for some time, Li Yuanjiao took out a sea chart to inspect.

The largest island in the East Sea is as vast as Yue Country itself—Yinzhou, far to the east, home to powerful monsters and many sects. The Li Family does not intend to go there; instead, they plan to head south and settle on a secluded island at the sea's edge.

After surveying the map, Li Yuanjiao used his Immortal Foundation to summon a Fetal Breathing demon fish. Hearing its gurgling bubbles, he turned back and said:

"There's a southbound water vein not far off—we can hitch a ride."

The group rode the water vein for three days before finally breaking through the sea's surface at the southernmost tip of Zhu Lu Sea, bordering the coast of Great Owl Sunflower View. The sky was overcast, and thunder rumbled without cease.

Li Yuanjiao gazed ahead, seeing the Mountain Gate of Great Owl Sunflower View to the west, with clouds and storms swirling, shrouded in a curtain of black rain. Faintly, peals like thunder resounded from within.

"Either someone is breaking through to Zifu, or a Zifu has fallen!"

Li Qinghong said:

"Jun'er is at home. If someone truly advances to Zifu, he will naturally send servants to offer congratulations. No need for concern."

It was the first time they had witnessed such vast celestial phenomena, visible even from the East Sea. Li Yuanjiao merely glanced a few times before looking away, returning to his sea chart. After some while, he finally said:

"Let's settle in this area—distant from contested waters and at the very edge of Zhu Lu Sea. Remote, yes, but all the safer for its desolation."

After a brief discussion, the group split up to search for a suitable island. Li Yuanjiao headed straight south, examining the surroundings and spotting several small islands—the largest no bigger than a town, the smallest barely ten li across.

Although they could invite someone to channel the earth vein and gradually expand the island, they were not the Xuan Yue Sect; inviting help would be quite troublesome, and Li Yuanjiao had little inclination for it.

After flying for quite a while, a small island appeared in the distance—flat and shrouded by a faint Formation, but only with the strength of a Middle Stage Qi Cultivator.

Li Yuanjiao gauged its size—about half the size of the Li Family's estate, then landed lightly and knocked tentatively.

...

Zong Yan made a circuit about the island, descended on the Hall riding the wind, and was met by a subordinate bringing a young boy. The subordinate announced respectfully:

"Island Master, this is the boy listed as born on Kui Yinye."

Zong Yan lifted the boy's clothes, confirming the child did indeed have a navel, and only then took out two bottles of blood-essence from his Storage Bag, speaking kindly:

"From now on, you will live in my side hall. Take this medicine every three days without fail."

The boy nodded obediently. Zong Yan dismissed him and relaxed, chuckling:

"Luckily, I registered all of them in advance—otherwise, if we had to search for one last minute, who knows how long it'd take."

"The lord is wise."

The subordinate bowed, replying:

"With that greenfish dealt with, the rest will be much easier."

Zong Yan nodded repeatedly, when suddenly, someone came stumbling in, face flushed and eyes red, choking out:

"My lord! My lord! Another Foundation Establishment cultivator just arrived outside—vicious-looking! Trouble's brewing!"

Zong Yan's face went pale in an instant. He backed away repeatedly, struggled to catch his breath, and only then moved forward, muttering: