Family Cultivation: I Become a Mirror

Chapter 428 360 Morning Glow Qi

Green Pond Sect.

The breeze gently rustled through the secluded path, where a cultivator, fully clad, sped along with a white glow under his feet, clearly augmented by the Godspeed Technique.

'Finally back.'

Li Xizhi trudged along, his brow furrowed in discomfort. The cloak he wore was tattered, betraying signs of his weary travels.

'This stint of duty lasted a full two months, and the tasks at the foot of the mountain were as numerous as cow hairs... If not for the experience I gained within my family, it would have been truly troublesome.'

Not all disciples of Green Pond Sect could cultivate tranquil in the mountains; there were all kinds of mundane duties to attend to—some easy, some exhausting. How tasks were assigned largely depended on the influence that the disciples' Immortal Peaks held within the Sect.

Qing Sui Peak had been in decline for years. While Chi Jing cultivated, he had Si Yuanbai's protection and thus no major troubles, for Si Yuanbai was deeply versed in the Talisman Path, with high-level connections in the Sect, enabling him to be exempt from such mundane tasks.

But now with Yuan Tuan, a soft-hearted man lacking authority and backing within the Sect, things were not so pleasant when it came to his turn. He'd been extremely busy handling numerous affairs off the mountain.

To add to that, there were many Sword Cultivators who came to Qing Sui Peak, drawn by its reputation. Li Xizhi dared not show his face too openly, which brought constant grievances to his heart.

These Sword Cultivators were mostly Qi Cultivators who claimed to suppress their cultivation levels; but in reality, they had decades more cultivation experience than he did, not to mention their deep Sword Dao insights and keen eyes—far beyond what he could handle.

Li Xizhi also feared disgracing both his family and Qing Sui Peak. He had to sneak up and down the mountain each day, wrapping himself up thoroughly to maintain a low profile and avoid trouble.

Upon finally reaching the mountain's summit, Li Xizhi took a deep breath and abruptly looked up.

Before him in the bamboo grove, the wind carried withering leaves, and amidst them stood a blue deer as tall as a man. Atop its back sat a Daoist nun with delicate features, quietly watching him.

"Master!"

Li Ximing called out respectfully. Yuan Tuan nodded calmly, without inquiring about his disheveled appearance—as if already anticipating it—and said softly,

"I have retrieved the cultivation technique for you."

Her slender hand extended, passing over a pale-yellow Jade Slip. Li Xizhi hurriedly received it. With a thought, his Spiritual Sense scanned it and revealed five large characters:

"Morning Glow Dew Technique"

Li Xizhi instantly relaxed, then he heard Yuan Tuan say softly,

"This Cultivation Technique is also Fourth Grade. Although it isn't comparable to the leading Immortal Peaks' direct lineages, it is superior to the common Sect cultivation techniques. It's fairly difficult to practice, hence scarce within the Sect, available only to those with Foundation Establishment."

Li Xizhi did not ask Master why she was unwilling to obtain a better technique like the 'Primordial Clearing Rain Controlling Technique'; he simply listened and saw her lips move slightly. A soft whisper sounded in his ear:

"Most of the teachings of this technique have been lost. Only a few fragmented transmissions remain within Wu Country, so there's no need to worry."

Li Xizhi did not know how much effort Yuan Tuan had put into acquiring this technique, but feeling grateful, he could only respond respectfully,

"Master's kindness is like..."

Yuan Tuan, however, suddenly spoke up, cutting him off directly:

"It's what I should do."

She looked into Li Xizhi's eyes and continued softly,

"This technique requires collecting Morning Glow Qi, rising up into the clouds and descending into deep valleys, which is quite troublesome. The Sect would never give the Qi gathering technique to your family for assistance, you will have to purchase it at a high price from the Sect."

Li Xizhi looked up, with a strained voice he asked,

"May I know the price..."

"One hundred and twenty Spirit Stones," Yuan Tuan said, her voice clear yet gritted, which stunned Li Xizhi into bowing his head. Internally conflicted, Yuan Tuan replied,

"Let your family pool together what they can, and if it's not enough, I'll subsidize the rest."

"Thank you, Master!"

Li Xizhi knelt in respect and when he arose, Yuan Tuan was already nowhere to be seen. He walked into his own courtyard in a daze, lit a candle, and spread out a piece of paper, hesitating for a long stretch before putting pen to it.

The dim candlelight flickered, casting a reddish-gold hue on his face. Li Xizhi pursed his lips as a drop of ink fell from the brush in his hand.

He set the brush down with a clear conscience and took a fresh sheet of paper, only to start worrying again and blankly stare into space.

...

With heavy snow falling, Li Ximing bid farewell to his relatives in the Li Family and set out to return to the Xiao Family. Though he had not reached Qi Cultivation, the Magic Artifact Qingxuan, on his wrist, transformed into a blue deer with patterned fur and hopped alongside him, matching his steps.

The members of the Li family naturally wouldn't let Li Ximing travel to the Xiao Family alone, for Devil Cultivators roamed the regions. Even though his blue deer was much faster than the ordinary Fetal Breathing, it still entailed a journey of several days, which was not without danger.

Without any need for the family's persuasion, Li Yuanjiao took the responsibility to fly him to the Xiao Family.

This year's snow arrived early, fluttering down in a storm. Li Yuanjiao escorted Li Ximing away, while Li Yuanping assigned tasks to the rest of the clan before dispersing, just as a white light approached rapidly from the distance and landed atop the Great Formation.

"Yuan Family's Cultivator Yuan Huyuan here to pay a visit! Please open the Mountain Gate!"

His voice, imbued with Mana, echoed and resonated, causing Li Yuanping to hesitate momentarily.

'Yuan Huyuan? Why has he come?'

As a peak-level Qi Cultivator and a member of the Yuan Family's Direct Lineage, Yuan Huyuan held an esteemed status. Though Foundation Establishment was unattainable for him, his dignified presence in his Vestment robe as he calmly waited outside was undeniable.

With Li Yuanjiao away from the clan, Li Qinghong swiftly rode the wind, piercing out of the Great Formation, spear in hand. She approached and hailed with clear revere:

"Li Family's Li Qinghong greets the senior."

Dressed in Jade Armor with Spear in hand, Li Qinghong's presence was valiant and spirited. Yuan Huyuan, though an old cultivator of over a hundred years, was visibly taken aback by her appearance and said with a chuckle while stroking his beard: