Chapter 1728: Preparing For Purple Mansion (II)

Tears streamed down Li Jiangqian's face as he bowed. "I will always remember everything the family has done for me... I will not fail your expectations."

Li Ximing sighed softly and asked, "Have you chosen where to enter seclusion?"

Li Jiangqian shook his head and sighed. "The lake is the only choice. I would not feel at ease anywhere else."

Li Ximing had considered Zhen Tao Residence and pondered inwardly, The spiritual aura in Jiangnan is unlikely to change again, so it is actually somewhat safer than the outer-sea. My only concern is that something unforeseen might happen, leaving our family unable to defend the lake and allowing the enemy to break in...

Quewan will certainly enter seclusion at Zhen Tao Residence, so it would be best for Jiangqian to remain at the lake. If they enter seclusion separately and something happens at either location, at least one of them can be kept safe.

With that, he agreed. Sweeping his sleeve, he declared solemnly, "You will enter seclusion within the inner formation. The qi flows there are stable, and no one will disturb you. I will personally activate the [Two Bright Rites of Layered Fire] and use my divine ability to anchor the spirit treasure within the grand formation, helping you attain your divine ability!"

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On the island.

Heavenly light shone brilliantly over Zhijing Mountain, but its radiance had dimmed considerably beyond the mountain and across the lake. Li Suining arrived in haste, travel-worn from his journey, and landed before the lofty hall on the island just as a man in coarse hemp robes came hurrying down.

"Guest Cultivator Nantan!"

Li Suining offered a brief bow, and Nantan Chen cupped his hands with a smile. "Greetings, young master!"

Much like in his previous life, Nantan Chen, a Nanzhang cultivator of less than honorable origins, had revealed a talent for alchemy and quickly assumed responsibility for the family's pill refinement. Li Suining had come this time to pay his respects to the old elder, Li Xuanxuan. Seeing Nantan Chen descending from the hall, he knew the man had personally delivered a report to the elder.

He smiled warmly and said, "Congratulations, Guest Cultivator."

Nantan Chen shook his head and bowed before swiftly departing. Li Suining watched his receding figure with a peculiar sense of emotion.

Chen Jinxi... actually fell...

Chen Jinxi was Chen Yang's biological son and the main pillar of the Chen Family. His cultivation had eventually reached the late stage of the Foundation Establishment Realm, and he and Chen Jinguang were hailed as the twin talents of the Chen Family. Although they were not particularly renowned beyond the region, they were ranked among the foremost cultivators of non-Li descent around the lake.

That battle became inexplicably fierce and cost him his life. Even Nantan Chen was deeply saddened and went to pay his respects...

This was precisely what Li Suining found so strange. In his previous life, Nantan Chen had been suppressed by Chen Jinxi his entire life and obstructed at every turn. The conflict between them had been exceptionally bitter, to the point where the entire Chen Family had always treated Nantan Chen with contempt. Upon learning of Chen Jinxi's death, Nantan Chen should have laughed aloud in delight.

Instead, after Chen Yang lost the pillar of his family, he immediately became more restrained and had no attention to spare for Nantan Chen. That is why Nantan Chen has managed to thrive so quickly in this life...

He was filled with indescribable emotion, but his greater concern remained the situation onshore, which weighed constantly on his mind.

The King of Wei may have suffered more serious injuries this time; he probably cannot emerge from seclusion anytime soon. Fortunately, nothing disastrous happened.

He strode forward into the great hall and announced respectfully, "This junior, Suining, pays his respects to the old elder!"

The old man acknowledged him and allowed him to enter. Li Suining bowed once more and said respectfully, "I have brought my cultivation to completion and have come to request a pill!"

When he raised his head, he saw the white-haired old man leaning against the main seat, seemingly somewhat troubled, with a book in his hands. Under the glow of the lights, his aged eyes even appeared slightly clouded. He was beginning to resemble the man Li Suining remembered from his previous life, leaving Li Suining momentarily dazed.

The old elder... has aged so much.

Li Xuanxuan seemed unaware of this. He rose with great delight and smiled. "You have finished regulating your condition... and are ready to break through!"

Li Suining quickly put on a smile. Li Xuanxuan personally helped him to his feet, his eyes filled with approval as he sighed. "Sometimes, even I cannot understand it. Whether it was Quewan back then or your younger brother, those of you who grew up by the lakeshore are more sensible, while those raised on the island... are less inclined to behave."

Li Suining assumed he was alluding to Li Zhouming and shook his head in confusion. Li Xuanxuan sighed and explained, "That younger clansman your Uncle Jiangzong gave you, Li Suiqing, has only become more disobedient with age. Although his father spent much of those early years in seclusion, there were clearly others who taught him. I do not know how he turned out this way, but everyone has grown dissatisfied with him. Never mind, never mind. Today is a joyous occasion for you, so let us not speak of such dispiriting matters..."

Only then did Li Suining understand. A large portion of the family's affairs, both great and small, now rested in the hands of his uncle, Li Jiangzong. This uncle was an exceptionally capable man, yet his legitimate son, Li Suiqing, was utterly incompetent.

Li Suining remembered him vividly. Li Suiqing had a stubborn and unruly nature, though he would restrain himself whenever the family elders reprimanded him. Yet he could never rid himself of his greed and repeatedly landed himself in trouble. After being assigned to manage a marketplace, he committed serious embezzlement and was sent back to Qingdu in disgrace. From then on, nothing more was heard of him.

As the family grew, its members naturally varied in character. Li Suining did not reside in Jade Court, and thus knew little about these matters. He remembered Li Suiqing because of his important status and because the young man was a source of great anguish for Li Jiangzong.

He therefore offered a few words of consolation. "Younger cousin is still immature. The old elder will have to trouble himself with guiding him..."

Li Xuanxuan appeared deeply troubled as he replied, "How can it merely be immaturity... Zhouming, at least, is often by my side, so I understand his nature. I have also observed Suiqing. He is not simply unruly, but rotten at heart... How long can an old man like me keep him in check?"

Li Suining marveled at his keen judgment and quietly drew a sharp breath, shaking his head inwardly, And this is while the King of Wei is still here... Once he is gone and the Purple Mansion Realm cultivators have disappeared or fallen, that is when the demons will truly run wild...

While he was still pondering this, an unfamiliar white-robed cultivator hurried into the hall. His cultivation was not particularly high, and he had only been admitted after sending word three times.

His face was covered in tears as he fell to his knees and sobbed, "Old elder... My family's ancestor... cannot hold on much longer!"

Li Suining clearly felt the old man before him tense. Li Xuanxuan took several labored breaths before rising to his feet and asking blankly, "Qiuyang... Is it Qiuyang?"

The white-robed cultivator could only nod through his sobs. The old man wept as he said, "Qiuyang is several years older than I am. It has not been easy for him... not easy at all! He was once burned by Merging Fire. Even with so many miraculous spirit pills and Sun Bai personally treating him, all we have managed to do is to prolong his suffering in bed through his final years..."

Li Xuanxuan's hands and feet turned cold. He tossed the book in his hand onto the table and hurried out of the hall. Filled with concern, Li Suining hastened to support him and carried him away upon the wind.

Only when they reached the lakeshore did the old man seem to return to his senses. Li Suining suddenly felt an icy grip around his wrist as the old man clutched his hand tightly and choked out in bewildered helplessness, "Suining... how much longer do I have to watch over all of you... Qingdu is arrogant; Jade Court is severe; and the Daoist Masters have eyes for only a select few. Their attention is fixed entirely upon matters above... When I am gone one day, who will maintain harmony among the descendants of the four lineages?!"

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