Chapter 575 435: The Appearance of Huanyuan Border (2)

"The entrance to this stone cave lies squarely within the mountain's belly, with layers of rock as barriers. The earth vein here is shallow, spiritual energy thin—no one would expect a cave mansion to be opened here, so it has remained undiscovered all this time."

Li Ximing, seeing him point out the location, quietly let threads of interlacing bright light emerge behind him. With a flick of his sleeve, those beams passed beneath both his sides, rapidly converging in front of him.

In a single breath, a dazzling radiance emerged. White stone bricks formed one by one, closely inlaid together, transforming into a massive city gate barrier—bright, crystalline, and imposing.

The gate towered high; two white pillars were inscribed with countless patterns, mysterious witchcraft symbols, eaves jutting sharply. Within the gateway, bright light flashed hazily, as if facing a blazing sun.

Li Xijun focused his gaze and saw that between the twin doors, there were words—yet the script was strange and muddled, like talismans, unrecognizable.

Li Ximing, taking him to admire this mighty barrier gate, spoke:

"The words up there... On the right door, they read: 'Illumination Becomes Radiance'; on the left, 'Brightness Turns to Glory.' I gained this insight when I broke through to Foundation Establishment, only then did I understand."

Li Xijun found it odd, frowning as he said:

"There are words on the Immortal Foundation? I've never heard of such a thing."

He stared for a couple more glances, making his eyes ache, and had to look away. Li Ximing operated his Immortal Foundation, and this 'Huanyuan Border' descended from above, landing on the mountainside.

Within the gateways, brilliance churned. Beams of light poured down, turning earth and stone to drifting sand, rustling as they flowed down. Li Ximing stood with his hands behind his back while Li Xijun praised,

"Such might! As expected of a Fourth Grade cultivation technique."

Li Ximing said,

"Though... this Immortal Foundation of mine walks a path of suppression and annihilation. Our family's 'Vast Sea' belongs to the Kan Water line, not a forceful and injurious route by nature, which makes the difference appear great. If compared to Aunt's 'Mysterious Thunder Lake,' the power would be similar."

Mentioning this, Li Xijun recalled a matter, lowering his voice:

"Our family's informants overseas have heard: Mingyang has a same-path counterpart named 'Illuminated Heart,' from a certain Immortal Island on Qunyi Island. Let's take note."

Li Ximing laughed heartily and shook his head:

"I've only just broken through to Foundation Establishment and don't even have a Zifu cultivation method—how am I already thinking about same-path pairs!"

"Just collecting clues, that's all."

Li Xijun paused, softly explaining:

"After all, Zifu level cultivation methods are next to impossible to acquire. Even if found by chance, there are layers upon layers of encryption... I discussed with Aunt; our thought is this:"

"If our family truly chooses to follow the Mingyang path, we must first collect similar spells and cultivation techniques, pooling collective wisdom..."

At this key point, he switched to transmitting with mana,

"Our family lacks Zifu-level cultivation methods, but with Xizhi in the sect, he can view Zifu content. Though he can't transmit it out, he can use it to write portions for the 'Golden Hall Bright Yuan Art'... You will refine it further... Then seek help from the Li Encheng and Yuan Xiao families far and wide."

"Any cultivation method we create ourselves will inevitably have many flaws... We'll have to follow the Deng Family's example, filling the gaps with life after life... After several disciples break through successively, we'll eventually be able to attempt Zifu..."

Li Ximing fell silent, extending his hand; the mountain barrier turned to flowing lights, returning behind him. He said:

"The cave is now revealed."

Li Xijun pressed his lips and went forward with him, putting the matter aside as they entered the cave. The sound of water trickled, ringing crisply. Gleaming light flowed in Li Xijun's eyes; everything in the cave became clear to him.

They saw, beside the underground river, rugged rocks. At the highest point stood a red stone, about the size of an ordinary table and chair, shining brilliantly, covered in fine pale patterns—very pleasing to the eye.

Upon this red stone grew a palm-sized, finger-thick golden stone flake, which at first glance revealed nothing strange, quietly radiating a gold-white light.

Li Xijun looked twice, seeing nothing significant. He glanced again at Li Ximing, who appeared equally puzzled. Li Ximing said helplessly,

"Our family's rise was too rapid—just a century or so. Though we now have a few Foundation Establishment members for show, we still know too little about such things..."

"No matter; since it's in our hands, we'll just ask someone trustworthy."

Li Xijun remained calm. The {Han Lin} at his waist slid forth, hesitated, yet ultimately refrained from cutting, instead stopping Li Ximing, and whispered:

"We don't know the origin of this thing, nor how to store or keep it intact. To hastily slice it may damage the treasure; best to leave it in the cave mansion and seal it with an array."

Li Ximing immediately found this reasonable. The two sealed the cave mansion and set up a concealed formation before leaving together. Li Xijun said,

"I'll have my elder brother send a team to guard this spot."

Only then did the two prepare to settle down, but saw a middle-aged man waiting outside, his expression aloof, at Qi Cultivating Peak, dressed in the yellow-and-white Taoist robe of the Xuan Yue Sect. Li Ximing recognized him and smiled:

"So it's Taoist Fellow Kong Gu, what brings you to Wangyue Lake!"

This was Xuan Yue cultivator Kong Gushun, who in earlier years had come with Kong Tingyun to Wutu Peak to open the Fire Vein, and was familiar with Li Ximing. Though his face was aloof, he was genuinely warm-hearted—born with such an appearance. Now he showed a smile and rasped,

"So it's Taoist Ximing; I'm here to deliver good news!"

"And what might that be?"

Li Ximing, interested, stepped up. Kong Gushun politely cupped his hands:

"Yesterday, my uncle was on duty in the sect and encountered a team of Green Pond Sect members entering the sea from Salty Lake, only to realize it was your esteemed Li Xuanfeng leading the group—he has finally left the Southern Border!"

"My uncle reports that this venerable was truly peerless, his cultivation already at Foundation Establishment Middle Stage, sharp-edged, clad in black armor and wielding a golden bow—like a god descended."

The two were both stunned, exchanging glances:

"Second grand-uncle has left the Southern Border!"

For clan cultivators sent to the Southern Border, there was usually but one fate: battling monsters and dying lost in the south. In old times, members of the Li family had no hope of Li Xuanfeng ever returning home.

Later, Li Xuanfeng broke through to Foundation Establishment and gained Yuansu Perfected Person's trust; everyone was overjoyed, and seeing what he brought back, hope flickered anew.

But then Yuansu still wouldn't relent. Li Xuanfeng remained in that haunted Southern Border for another dozen years. Hope faded once more, so this sudden news brought unspeakable delight.

Kong Gushun, observing their expressions, knew he'd sold this favor well. He swept them with his Spiritual Sense and was shocked to exclaim:

"Ximing! You've reached Foundation Establishment!"

Li Ximing's face showed some joy; he waved off modestly:

"A lucky breakthrough, nothing to boast of."

Li Xijun could not restrain himself; letting Li Ximing lead Kong Gushun inside to sit, he hurriedly rode the wind into town to find Li Xuanxuan, thinking to himself,

'If the old man hears this news, he'll be overjoyed!'

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but smile as he brought word to Xuanxuan in Hengzhu. The old man's kindly face and devoted affection were fresh in Li Xijun's mind. Now, in an urgent rush, he dragged the calligraphy-writing Li Xuanxuan out and told him the news.

"What!"

Li Xuanxuan's face flushed instantly as he leapt into flight, leading his juniors to Qingdu to ask Kong Gushun for details.

Kong Gushun, startled by this commotion, recounted everything Kong Yu had said in praise of Li Xuanfeng, prompting Li Xuanxuan to burst out laughing and say to the two juniors:

"I knew it! My brother was always extraordinary from childhood! When our uncle was still alive, he always said Xuanfeng was the most talented of the Xuan generation. Now it has indeed come true!"

The old man had not been this happy in ages. Taking Kong Gushun aside, he asked:

"Where is my brother in the East Sea?"

"He should be at the marketplace on Red Reef Island."

Kong Gushun replied. Having delivered his news, he took his leave, and the group saw him off together. Li Xuanxuan, itching to go, looked at Li Xijun and asked tentatively:

"What if... I made a trip to the East Sea..."

Li Xijun, seeing the old man's cautious look, chuckled and said:

"Great-uncle... the East Sea brims with danger—if you go alone it's too risky. Best not...!"