Family Cultivation: I Become a Mirror

Li Chengliao's smile gradually faded; he scrutinized him carefully, then stepped down, the jade boots under his brocade robe making a crisp sound upon the steps.

He fell silent, watching as the old man's sweat soaked the ground. Understanding dawned upon him, and he intoned gravely:

"Liu Yi, what is going on?"

This single sentence struck Liu Yi like thunder, making his legs tremble; finally it broke him. He wept,

"Ancestor, Xu…"

He only managed to utter a syllable before the White Ape behind Li Chengliao suddenly opened its eyes, strode forward, and reached to seize the old Liu.

But where was there time for that? Black fire erupted from Liu Yi's limbs and all his bones, exploding violently from his chest and abdomen, showering the whole hall in blood, with organs flying everywhere.

The black blood splattered like a fountain, swirling throughout the great hall. Li Chengliao stepped back, yet his robe was still splashed with black blood, smattering his chest and collar.

From the boiling black blood, a jet-black mark sprang out, soaring upwards to flee—yet a furry, massive hand snatched out, skillfully clasping the dark light in its grip.

The dark light struggled with all its might to escape, but it writhed helplessly in the torrent of demonic power. Though its level far surpassed the rest, the demonic force was boundless, forcibly grinding it away until dissolution.

After the White Ape withdrew its hand and retreated, Li Chengliao reached up to wipe off the bloodstains at his collar, then removed his brocade robe, draping it over his elbow.

"Chen Qianhu!"

Li Chengliao called out abruptly, neatly hanging his bloodied robe over a chair. Chen Mufeng, who had hurried in, saw the hall awash in black blood—his pupils dilated, and with a thud, he dropped to his knees, trembling as he said:

"This subordinate knows his crime."

He bitterly regretted it in his heart, dreading and resenting Xu Xiao, yet with faint relief—at least it was only a younger one in front of him; if it had been Li Yuanping, he'd have kicked him before he could even speak.

Li Chengliao turned his back to him, suppressing his anger, and said:

"What are you kneeling for? Go call everyone, keep watch on the Xu Family first! Xu Xiao probably still knows nothing!"

Chen Mufeng leapt up from the ground, rode the wind, and rushed out the door. Li Chengliao's voice echoed through the courtyard:

"If he escapes, you need not return."

Chen Mufeng hastened to reply and hurried out. Yet Li Chengliao, his heart still uneasy, recalled old affairs of Chu Yi from Yu Fu County—well aware of many secrets, and though his thoughts remained unclouded, he was convinced Xu Xiao was no match for Chu Yi.

"With the Kong Family and Chu Yi as cautionary tales, this matter cannot be handled with the slightest laxity."

He waved for a subordinate to approach, instructing:

"Post guards at the Liu Family, especially Liu Lingzhen."

At this moment, Li Chengliao had not a single thought of doing others a favor or protecting reputation; his mind was filled solely with terror and murderous intent. He ordered the White Ape up at once, flew into the air, and headed for Qingdu Mountain.

Li Chengliao had barely reached the mountain when the main hall was already deserted; only a young girl remained in the courtyard, combing her hair. Slender phoenix eyes and arched willowy brows—the sight left Li Chengliao's heart hollow, his face dark, but he spoke:

"Aunt."

Li Yuexiang was younger than him, but her seniority was far above; seeing Li Chengliao's appearance, she asked:

"Why such haste? My elder brother has already entered seclusion."

At these words, learning Li Xijun had shut himself away, Li Chengliao felt dread in his heart. Li Yuexiang continued:

"A few days ago, he sensed an opportunity to break through to the Seventh Layer of Qi Cultivation—a rare chance. So he hurried to seclusion for the breakthrough. Best not to disturb him."

'This is bad!'

Though Li Chengliao saw little benefit in telling Li Yuexiang, he chose brevity and quickly explained the circumstances.

After hearing everything, Li Yuexiang set her comb down with a thoughtful air, replying:

"So, someone carries Destiny upon them, and that's why my brother suddenly secluded himself, and the patriarch and the Donghe Clan Elder took a group of Qi Cultivators to congratulate Perfected Hou Fu, leaving our fighting strength empty?"

Li Yuexiang's reminder shocked Li Chengliao so that chills ran down his spine—suddenly recalling how those of real standing had gone east, he replied hoarsely:

"Can Destiny really wield such Divine Skills?! I fear it's just coincidence!"

Li Yuexiang gathered up her hair, replying:

"Let us not panic; before my brother secluded, he entrusted me with a Jade Stone so I could summon him out. Keep a close eye on his movements—shall we try it?"

Li Chengliao nodded decisively, his voice low and grave:

"Please wake Eighth Uncle. This matter is grave—better to err on the side of caution than let one slip through. If anything goes wrong, I'll shoulder all responsibility."

Li Yuexiang produced a Jade Pendant from her bosom and murmured:

"What's all this about responsibility? Don't talk nonsense!"

With a gentle squeeze, she crushed the Jade Pendant to powder.

…

Qingdu Cave Mansion.

Li Xijun's complexion was wan as he stepped out from the Cave Mansion—several people were already waiting for him. He looked around, received a short letter, and a Jade Courtyard Guard stepped forward and reported respectfully:

"Sir, the Clan Head Courtyard reports… Young Master Chengliao… something happened."

"The eldest young master?"

Li Xijun frowned. The Chengming Generation in the Li Family were not notably gifted; except for Li Cheng Huai who had recently begun to show promise, only Li Chengliao, son of Li Xihong, was considered broad-minded and upright. He asked:

"What happened?"

"It's said… there was a dispute with the Xu Family of the town… all for a woman."

"What?!"

Li Chengliao had always behaved well on the mountain—who would expect him to cause such trouble once below? Li Xijun's face clouded, but for now, lacking details, he refrained from comment and only spoke quietly:

"Delay this matter for now. Bring Yuexiang up to see me."

Yuexiang rushing to waken him—there had to be trouble. Li Xijun immediately thought some elder overseas had fallen or a Jade Talisman had shattered, in need of aid—he felt real unease.

Just then, as he stood up, another person hurried before him to report respectfully:

"Sir, the young lady and young master have come to pay respects."

Li Xijun took his seat again and waved them up:

"Let them come in."

Li Yuexiang and another quickly entered. Li Xijun hadn't yet grasped the situation, but cordially bade them sit. Li Chengliao, however, could not wait to do so, and said quietly:

"Eighth Uncle! There's a man below—the signs of Destiny are on him, and he might repeat Chu Yi's disaster."

The words were completely out of expectation—yet far more dire than he imagined. Li Xijun's brows shot up; he started, then in a deep, tense voice asked:

"Where is he? Have you provoked him—or how far has he gone?"

"Chengliao already has him contained. He's not so dreadful as Chu Yi, but equally strange—likely bears Destiny, not to be underestimated."

Li Xijun rubbed at the Jade Pendant at his waist. With a pause, the lake beside Qingdu roiled, gales swept the courtyard, and a young man in black came striding in—sinister, snakelike eyes flicked about, and he bowed his head, saying:

"Young lord called for me—is there something you wish to order?"

Li Wushao now had grown his two tail-hooks, his combat strength finally at par; Li Yuanjiao had tasked him with guarding and cultivating at home. Li Xijun replied softly:

"There's trouble at home—will require your help, Senior Wushao."

From the shadow at Li Wushao's feet, two black lights curled and twisted. He nodded and withdrew to stand behind Li Xijun. The latter said:

"Let's go—go see for ourselves!"

Li Chengliao nodded. Suddenly, Li Xijun hesitated, extending a hand to hold back his younger sister, Li Yuexiang, and said in a deep voice:

"You are not to go. People like this are always unfathomable—likely to use some sinister trickery."

Li Yuexiang paused, withdrew a Talisman from her sleeve, and pressed it into her brother's hands:

"Brother! This was left to me by father—take it for your own protection… No one knows his real cultivation; you must also be wary of a hidden identity."

Li Xijun nodded silently; riding the wind, he sped down toward the town. From afar he saw several men circling above, seemingly relaxed but actually vigilant—the Li Family, though its outward appearance held, had quietly entered a state of high alert.

The Jade Courtyard Guard beside him recounted the events in his ear, guiding his gaze across to the Xu Family's compound, and said in a low voice:

"Sir, that one is Third Layer of Fetal Breathing. Shall we send someone to test him—draw out this Xu Family Demon Disciple for you to see?"

"No need for such trouble."

Li Xijun answered, forming an Invisibility Technique. He stood upon Cloud Peak, not descending to probe with Spiritual Sense, but rather, both eyes glowing white as frost or snow, haze or cloud, as he fixed his gaze.

The Xu Family's defensive Great Formation was pitifully modest, useful only for isolating within and without; under the power of his Pupil Technique and Talisman Qi, it quickly faded. One sweep—and Li Xijun instantly spotted the handsome youth in the courtyard.

"Third Layer of Qi Cultivation?!"