Chapter 1617: Hidden Thoughts (I)
Li Suining pondered inwardly, yet he reined in his emotions with remarkable speed. Weighing the priorities and urgency of the situation, he soon arrived at a conclusion.
There are quite a few mighty figures watching Moongaze Lake. I can't appear too unusual... As for the Daoist Master's actions, there's no way I can influence them. Whether he comes or not, all I can do is try my best to save Guest Cultivator Ding and prevent any unforeseen disaster.
But where exactly is the [Golden Chapter Court Tablet Art]?
Doubt arose in his heart, though only a thoughtful expression appeared on his face as he cautiously asked, "But... gathering spiritual qi takes quite a long time. Even if the Daoist Master obtains the cultivation art, I'm afraid this junior would still have to wait several years."
Li Jiangchun shook his head slightly and replied, "Not necessarily. The Daoist Masters have many retainers under their command. It would be enough to exchange for it through them as well."
The implications of those words became clear to Li Suining almost instantly, and he immediately calmed down.
That's right. Since I had spiritual qi available after emerging from a year of seclusion in my previous life, the [Golden Chapter Court Tablet Art] must have been obtained through an exchange. When trouble broke out in the Wilderness in my previous life, Daoist Master Zhaojing hurried back and scarcely left again afterward. That means the [Golden Chapter Court Tablet Art] was most likely sent over by Daoist Master Yuanbian from the Eastern Sea!
That also explains why the [Golden Chapter Court Tablet Art] happens to share the same aura as the [Stellar Enclosure Grand Repository Divine Scroll]... Daoist Master Yuanbian is renowned for his attainments in formations, blessed with immense fortune and countless treasures. The [Stellar Enclosure Grand Repository Divine Scroll] is very likely one of his possessions as well!
It was precisely because this upheaval in the Wilderness cost them Guest Cultivator Ding and Dharma Protector An, causing the family to once again come under threat from Buddhist cultivators, that the Daoist Master dared not leave freely before the Yang Family ascended the throne.
“Daoist Master Yuanbian would not enter the inland regions, and something as precious as the [Stellar Enclosure Grand Repository Divine Scroll] could never be entrusted to a mere subordinate for delivery. That must be why they first sent over the related [Golden Chapter Court Tablet Art] instead!
He relaxed slightly. By his estimation, his deductions were at least seventy to eighty percent correct. Only one final doubt remained, If that's the case, then why in my previous life was I still given a choice between the [World-Watching Awakening Star Art] and the [Golden Chapter Court Tablet Art]? Could it be... that there is more than one Dao lineage...
As he continued pondering, Li Jiangchun misunderstood his silence and reassured, "No need to worry. Though you started somewhat later than others, whether it's the cultivation arts regularly provided by the lake or the Daoist manuals you've been studying, all of them are meant to build a solid foundation. The disciples raised at the lake have to learn them as well..."
Li Suining put aside his thoughts and answered respectfully, though his mind was occupied with something else entirely.
Back then, the sky had been filled with gray fire. I wonder which northern powerhouse it belonged to...
Having made up his mind, he finally spoke, albeit somewhat hesitantly. "Uncle... there is something I'd like to ask, though I'm not sure whether I should."
"Oh?"
Li Jiangchun paused in surprise and looked at him in confusion. He saw Li Suining raise his eyes, a faint redness lingering within them as he said with a sigh, "I wonder... what sort of arrangements the third young master has in the Wilderness."
The third young master naturally referred to Li Jiangxia!
Li Jiangchun came to a stop and sat down with him beside a small table within the pavilion, asking in an apparently casual tone, "What's brought this on?"
The arrangements concerning the family's direct line were not something Li Suining should have been asking about. No matter how high Li Jiangchun's status was or how much Li Ximing valued him, raising such a question without reason would naturally arouse suspicion. It would have been highly unusual. Fortunately, Li Suining had prepared an explanation long ago and sighed.
"My father died in Jiangbei while serving the clan... I've never even seen him once since childhood... I heard he served under the third young master and Guest Cultivator Ding. The third young master personally delivered his belongings back then. As his son, now that I've received an assignment here on the island, I ought to pay my respects to this clan uncle at least once..."
Among the Three Holders, aside from Li Jiangliang, who served at court, Li Suining was quite familiar with the other two clan uncles. This Northern Expedition Grand General and Left Commander of the Hall of Martial Service had been a forthright and generous man. Because of Li Suining's father, he had taken special care of him and looked after him on many occasions. Even now, recalling it left Li Suining with a lingering sigh.
Given Li Suining's status, he could have directly paid a visit to Li Jiangxia. However, Li Jiangxia was now a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator. Others might not know it, but Li Suining knew very well that Li Jiangxia was currently in seclusion within the mountains, which just so happened to spare him from the coming catastrophe.
At the mention of a clan member dying in service, emotion flickered across Li Jiangchun's eyes. During the turmoil of the past decade, the Li Clan had suffered the greatest losses in the Wilderness, most of them at the hands of Buddhist cultivators.
Lowering his gaze, he sighed and answered as expected, "Third brother has already entered seclusion. At the current time, the Wilderness is being supported by Uncle Zhoufang and An Xuanxin, while Guest Cultivator Ding oversees affairs there. For now, focus on your cultivation with peace of mind."
Li Suining nodded, putting on a disappointed expression, and said softly, "Guest Cultivator Ding... is someone I ought to meet as well. But Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators come and go unpredictably, and it wouldn't be appropriate to trouble the family's elders over such a matter. Once my cultivation leaves me some spare time, I'll simply wait for an opportunity, prepare a gift, and pay him a visit myself!"
Now that he had laid the groundwork and raised the matter indirectly, Li Jiangchun did not think much of it. He merely nodded casually and smiled before strapping on his sword, riding the wind into the air, and flying toward the island.
After flying for some time, he descended at a pavilion. Pushing open the door and stepping inside, he found an elderly man seated in the place of honor, carefully studying a bamboo slip in his hands.
"This junior greets the old elder!"
As he bowed within the pavilion, Li Xuanxuan hurriedly rose to his feet. A smile spread across his face as he strode over and helped him up, saying, "I've said it before... There's no need for such formalities in the future. Just push the door open and come in. Look at your fifth uncle. He strolls right in with a grin on his face. A little less ceremony would do you good."
Li Jiangchun rose with a smile and turned his head slightly. Sure enough, Li Zhouming, dressed in red robes, was standing to one side with a teapot in hand. He seemed to have just refilled the old man's tea. Though he wore a faint smile and kept his eyes lowered, his gaze lingered on the bamboo slip atop the elder's desk, his brows slightly furrowed.
After escorting the elder back to his seat, Li Jiangchun respectfully said, "This junior has already met with several members of the family."
"Oh?"
Li Xuanxuan raised an eyebrow and stroked his beard as he listened to the young man speak. "Suihuan is spirited and ambitious, Suikuan is mature for his age, and as for Suining... having lost his father so early in life, he seems rather thoughtful and carries many things in his heart... Reaching the fourth stage of Embryonic Breathing Realm at fifteen years old is acceptable."
He made no mention of Li Suining's request, nor did he bring up his filial sentiments. He merely described him as 'rather thoughtful.'
Li Xuanxuan fell into thought, while the dandyish young man nearby chuckled and said, "Acceptable? He's already far better than I was. He just can't compare to you."
Li Jiangchun was roughly the same age as Li Suining, but his spiritual orifice had manifested later. He only began cultivating at seven years old, yet had already reached the fourth stage of Embryonic Breathing Realm by age nine. Later, after consuming spirit pills and Talisman Pills, he entered the Qi Cultivation Realm at ten and began cultivating the [Majestic Gui Yin-Seizing Divine Scroll].
That same year, he obtained Sword Qi, an achievement that even startled the Daoist Master. Li Ximing was greatly pleased and personally instructed him in the family's [Law of Celestial Moon]. Though he devoted himself to the Sword Dao, his cultivation did not lag behind. After reaching the fifth stage of Qi Cultivation Realm, he deliberately slowed his advancement and began studying the [Lesser Yin Profound Monarch Water-Fire Record].
Because of this, Li Xuanxuan developed a somewhat regretful fondness for him. Since Li Jiangchun spent more time practicing the sword than advancing his cultivation, the old man often visited him. He would frequently stand in the courtyard for two or four hours at a time, silently watching him train.
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