Chapter 645 477: Qing Song Matters Concluded (Part 2)

The clouds were awash with colors; Li Xizhi's rosy radiance moved through them as a fish in water. He flew on in silence for several days, while the two behind wracked their brains, seeking something to say to distract him.

Just then, several feathered beasts descended from high above. They turned out to be striking, gorgeously colored fish with wings sprouting from beneath their ribs, round heads and flat snouts, their orange-feathered wings beating nimbly in the air.

"Rare indeed! To encounter cloud-skate rays."

The few cloud-skate rays hesitated momentarily at Li Xizhi's rainbow light, then quickly vanished into the clouds. Li Xizhi glanced after them and replied:

"When the waters are great, the cloud-skate appears. It must be the rain clouds of some noble Clan Elder that cause these spiritual beasts to fly so low as to cross our path."

Cloud-skates love water and rainbow light. Li Xizhi, having studied the Morning Glow Daoist Lineage, naturally understood these creatures well. If not for the two companions by his side, those fish would have lingered, drinking more of his rainbow light rather than departing so readily.

"They must have come from the Northern Sea, heading to the East Sea and South Sea."

Yang Xiao'er answered, lamenting:

"In times like these, such spiritual beasts are rare enough. Who knows how many things the sundering of heaven and earth has destroyed…"

"Most gravely injured, of course, are the thunder and magnetic veins; for centuries unseen… The celestial thunder is gone, not to mention, even Xuan Yue is now but the so-called Gen Earth of 'Foolish Rushing Mountain'…"

Yuan Huzhao interjected. Li Xizhi sighed inwardly, understanding the intent of the pair, taking it only as consolation, and softly said:

"Do you know why the cloud-skate favors the rainbow?"

The two were taken aback, glad Li Xizhi finally spoke, yet puzzled, and asked. Li Xizhi said:

"Feathered beasts originate from the lush and the bright, such as feathered serpents and luan birds. Scales beasts come from union and convergence, like hui-jiao and Piwu. The cloud-skate has feathered wings and a scaled body, dwelling between the two kinds."

"And between the two, water disperses and light gathers, harmonizing as the rainbow glow."

Li Xizhi said softly:

"The last elder who cultivated the 'Morning Glow Dew Technique' was called Linggu Xia. His mount was a gu-diao, also a half-scale, half-feathered fiend."

Yuan Huzhao sighed:

"I was mischievous as a child and neglected my studies. Now all I can do is envy my senior… It seems these five-folds of fur, feather, insect, scale, and bare flesh each bind to their own Daoist Lineage. There's great learning in that."

They flew for a while until the Yuan Family's Mushroom Forest Plain came into view. Yuan Huzhao's face fell, bid farewell, and descended. Wangyue Lake was also close at hand; Li Xizhi's spirits sank once again.

...

Qingdu Mountain.

For over a year, though the northern counties of Yue Country no longer suffered deluges, the rain lingered on. The rice and millet saw no sun, rotting in the fields with no harvest reaped.

The Li Family had bountiful harvests in previous years and had long prepared reserves, so each household received grain per usual. Though some embezzlement and scandal could not be avoided, the family's foundations were deep, averting any disaster.

Li Yuanjiao's funeral was long since completed, but only now did news from Qing Song Temple slowly spread. Cultivators from various places, suddenly realising, hurried to pay their respects and offer condolences.

After all, the Li Family had killed a disciple from Yuanwu Peak yet still sat in peace. Though Li Yuanjiao died, such too showed the depth and strength the Li Family possessed.

These people knew little of the truth, but that didn't keep them from currying favor. Li Xuanfeng could not be found in the Southern Border, but the Li Family could not leave Wangyue Lake.

As word spread, the Li Family's estate began to fill with visitors. Li Yuexiang, donned in mourning, was Li Yuanjiao's orphan; anyone could guess she had inherited countless treasures. Her gentle beauty made her the envy of many families, who all but flattened the family's threshold with their visits.

"Go… take that letter back!"

Li Xuanxuan waved away the servant, looking rather troubled. Generally, such turmoil wouldn't reach him, but even the Han Family from Eastern Sulphur had sent inquiries. The situation threatened to spiral out of control, and mishandling it might offend several families…

He set his face, rarely revealing displeasure, and said in a low voice:

"How ironic! Of all times for the house to be teeming with guests!"

In life, Li Yuanjiao had no great fame; yet in death, an endless stream paid respects. The irony of it left Li Xuanxuan uneasy.

He had just found a moment's peace when a ruckus erupted outside. Several people hurried in, footsteps in a noisy muddle. One cried out:

"Elder, the master is back! The master is back!"

Another, trousers rolled up as though just from the rain, called:

"Elder! Someone from Xuan Yue Sect has come!"

With Li Xijun in closed cultivation, Li Xuanxuan had temporarily taken charge of matters on the mountain. Both were disciples he had personally raised and were loyal, but lacked a certain decorum. With no choice, he stopped one of them and asked:

"Which master?"

"The master from Immortal Sect!"

Li Xuanxuan shot out of his seat, hurrying outside. Sure enough, several stood beyond the formation; an old man exclaimed "Aiya!" and rushed to open the wards.

Li Xizhi waited a moment outside, only to see nearby a young woman in ochre robes. She bore the features of northern Zhe River: round face, dark brows, fine and gently sweet facial lines, though she pressed her lips, betraying a touch of sorrow.

"Seems to be Xuan Yue Sect attire."

He looked her over. The woman, sensing him, spoke out:

"Taoist Fellow… which Immortal Sect are you from?"

Neither Li Xizhi nor his wife liked wearing the Green Pond colors, but he was clad in Mysterious Pattern Feather Clothing, showing his extraordinary heritage. Thus asked, Li Xizhi saluted and said:

"Li Xizhi of Qing Sui…"

"Ah, so it is…"

The woman's expression softened instantly. Before she could say more, Li Xuanxuan hurried out, staring blankly at Li Xizhi, and said:

"Good!"

'Grandfather is already so old!'

Li Xizhi barely recognized the haggard old man before him. With guests present, Li Xuanxuan first drew him aside and, turning to the ochre-dressed woman, said:

"So it is Taoist Tingyun. Please, enter through the ward…"

Kong Tingyun nodded in return, landing politely atop the peak, burning prayer paper and offering a formal salute as propriety required, then soon withdrew from the main hall, where Li Xizhi and the rest waited.

Li Yuanjiao had passed for some time, and since these were all cultivators, few secular rites were observed; they simply saw Kong Tingyun off together.

Kong Tingyun, afraid of stirring too much sorrow, brought up no old matters, but quietly said:

"Of the six jade boxes in Qing Song Cave Heaven, two are lost. Do any of you know of them?"

Seeing Li Xuanxuan shake his head, Kong Tingyun said:

"By all the Zifu's will, each of the six jade boxes has its destination. It's heard that several are still missing. My Clan Elder says the various Perfected Persons are much displeased."

Li Xuanxuan had wanted to ask after Changxi Perfected Person's gains, but thinking on her awkward position, reckoned she'd gained nothing, so he changed the subject, replying:

"With so many vying for so little, it's inevitable…"

Kong Tingyun hesitated long, as if words clogged her throat, a darkness in her heart:

'Clan Elder has some nerve, wanting to have Li Xuanfeng bring Yuansu over at a time like this. Truly discourteous! Better to wait…'

At last, she saluted, and with a gentle gaze at Li Xizhi, softly said:

"Your father and I were close in life. In future, please often visit my Xuan Yue."

Kong Tingyun did not know Li Xizhi's temperament and dared not make firm promises, so she offered only warm intent. Li Xizhi saw the sincerity and nodded in return.

Kong Tingyun did not linger but departed on the wind. Only then did Li Xizhi turn back to Li Xuanxuan and say:

"It seems… this elder had deep ties with Father."

Li Xuanxuan waved it off, himself unsure how close the two had been, and dropped the matter. He regarded Li Xizhi thoughtfully for a moment, then sighed:

"You too have broken into Foundation Establishment. All you brothers have done the family proud; now it's only a matter of Xijun!"

"Xijun's in seclusion?!"

Li Xizhi was taken aback, anxious:

"Why not send word? At least prepare some elixirs?"

Saying so, he suddenly recalled he himself had also cultivated in seclusion. Even if a letter were sent, it couldn't be received. He simply wished well in his heart. Li Xuanxuan, meanwhile, drew Yang Xiao'er over, eyeing her carefully and nodding:

"A proper and sensible one."

Yang Xiao'er wanted to speak but hesitated, glimpses of worry on her face. The old man's face broke into a smile; he knew her meaning, and gently said:

"I'll take you to see Huai'er."