Northern shore.

Cold winds swept through the pavilion. Li Zhouwei stood atop the cliff, seemingly gazing into the distance. Yet spiritual qi continuously gathered within his body, forming streams of mana from the [Scripture of the Body Guarding Tiger Pass] and flowing into his qihai.

Within his qihai, the mana churned and transformed into streams of dark-golden currents. They gathered at the depths and rose at an astonishing speed, faintly forming scale-like glimmers of light.

Li Zhouwei had always cultivated quickly. In the past, he had deliberately practiced various arts to conceal his speed and slow his progress. After achieving divine ability, his speed became even more astonishing. Now, with nothing held back, his cultivation soared. In just a few months, the mana in his qihai had already reached more than half the level required to form an Immortal Foundation.

At this rate, in about half a year, I should be able to condense the Immortal Foundation of [Sovereign In Peril].

Logically, a war between north and south could break out at any moment, and focusing on cultivation now was not the wisest choice. However, Li Zhouwei still had green talismans. As long as he formed his Immortal Foundation, using the talisman qi without side effects would likely allow him to achieve divine ability. It was a gamble worth taking.

Li Jiangqian stood beside the hall. When Li Zhouwei glanced over, he reported, "Since March, several groups of Buddhist cultivators and devil cultivators have crossed the river, appearing at the northern shore, the Wilderness, and Shanji Prefecture. They have now been driven back. We lost a few Qi Cultivation Realm cultivators, and Guest Cultivator Miaoshui suffered minor injuries."

Li Zhouwei nodded as Li Jiangqian continued, "There are more and more cultivators in the north. I have heard that many direct descendants of Dao lineages have arrived. Murong Yan appeared somewhere in the great desert and passed near the edge of the Golden Feather Sect. It is said that Daoist Master Tianhuo also showed himself, but no conflict broke out."

"The Golden Feather Sect has always been adept at maintaining balance. They will not fight." Li Zhouwei replied casually, "It might be that Tianhuo crossed the river first."

Li Jiangqian lowered his head and said respectfully, "There is good news. Uncle Zhouming has broken through... and also... Brother Jiangnian has come out of seclusion, while Brother Jiangliang has already reached the mountains and is preparing to meet you."

Li Zhouwei showed little surprise and simply said, "Let him come up."

Li Jiangqian lowered his head and withdrew. After a few breaths, a man in white came up along the stone path. He had a pair of striking golden eyes, elegant brows, and a vibrant heroic spirit. Tall and well-built, he looked every bit a promising young talent. It was Li Jiangliang.

He arrived before the pavilion and bowed respectfully. "Greetings, father!"

Li Zhouwei showed no coldness and let him sit in the pavilion, speaking casually, "I hear you have found yourself a lovely companion. Why not bring her to the lake for us to see?"

Though Li Jiangliang appeared calm, he could not help but feel nervous facing Li Zhouwei. His gaze fell as he replied softly, "Tianyou encountered some trouble along the way and was delayed... Her father and brother ran into problems, so she had to go check on them."

"Mm." Li Zhouwei nodded and asked, "The imperial-blood Yang Family?"

Li Jiangliang confirmed it, looking slightly embarrassed. He no longer carried the obedient and docile demeanor of before. Instead, he seemed full of vigor, with a hint of calculation beneath it.

"I did not know at first... We met while traveling, and our ambitions aligned. Only later did I realize, though I did not know which branch of the imperial Yang Family...

"She... she is a junior of the Yang Family, of direct bloodline. She has already reached the Foundation Establishment Realm. It is said she is related to Clan Uncle Zhouluo and intends to visit him..."

Li Zhouwei did not indulge him in further talk and simply watched him quietly. "What are your plans going forward?"

Sweat had already formed on Li Jiangliang's back. He replied respectfully, "Tianyou hopes I can accompany her to Simin Prefecture. I have met her elder brother as well. He is a first-rate figure, someone like you, Father... Once we reach Simin Prefecture and I meet her father, the matter will be settled..."

The Li Family had long known that the Yang Family hid a Purple Mansion Realm expert, likely one who possessed a Fate Divine Ability to control the situation. They must have grand plans, and perhaps were quietly arranging something behind the scenes. But now, seeing his son speak so clearly and weigh matters so precisely, Li Zhouwei suspected he already had his own plans.

"I wish to go south for a while, but with the unrest on the northern shore, I cannot contribute, and I feel deeply ashamed... I hope to ask the Yang Family whether they can help guard the river for the south, and also lend some strength to our family." Li Jiangliang lowered his gaze slightly and said respectfully, "Tianyou mentioned that Clan Uncle Zhouluo shares this intention. I hope to help bring it about."

Li Zhouwei chuckled lightly, though there was no trace of amusement in his eyes.

Just moments ago, the boy had said that Li Zhouluo had not met Yang Tianyou. Now he claimed Li Zhouluo shared the same intention. This could only mean Li Zhouluo had already been in contact with the Yang Family. Otherwise, how would Yang Tianyou know? With Li Chenghuai away on training and Li Xizhi in the Eastern Sea, it was only natural for the Yang Family to approach Li Zhouluo.

Li Jiangliang lowered his head and said nothing more. After a long silence, Li Zhouwei finally said, "As for Zhouluo... he is, after all, of Yang Family blood, so there is no harm in maintaining contact. But the legitimate son, Jiangchun, has now arrived at the lake as well. He is the eldest of his line, his mother from a great family under the Chunyi Dao Gate, of proper lineage. I intend to bring him back and raise him here on the island."

Li Jiangliang nodded and said softly, "Father's arrangement is most appropriate... In truth, Great-Uncle Chenghuai would have been the best choice, but he is wholly devoted to the Dao and has long been assigned elsewhere... Withdrawing in time and turning to Uncle Zhouluo was somewhat forced.

"As for younger brother Jiangchun, I have met him at the lake. He is a very intelligent child and will surely achieve great things in the family."

With these words, Li Jiangliang made his stance even clearer. Li Zhouwei's smile faded. His golden eyes rested on Li Jiangliang as he said calmly, "I thought Jiangqian was the most decisive among you. I did not expect you to be the one bold enough to act. Have you truly made up your mind?"

Li Jiangliang stepped away from his seat and bowed, kneeling firmly on the ground as he said respectfully, "I understand what I am doing. There are many talented individuals in the family, so why would one such as myself matter? My journey south is not only to fulfill my own wishes, but also to contribute to the family. If circumstances change... it will also serve as a fallback."

Li Zhouwei simply examined him calmly and replied, "Just fulfill your own wishes. One day, when you come back to demand something from the family, we will likely have no choice but to give it to you."

Li Jiangliang immediately broke out in a cold sweat and hurriedly said, "I would not dare! In all matters, I will always consider the family. My intentions are clear and sincere, without any falsehood!"

"Get up." Li Zhouwei did not look at him. Instead, he gazed toward the surging river in the north as he said quietly, "You children must find your own paths. You are considered clever, but your younger brother Jiangnian is muddle-headed and ignorant. I fear he will stir up trouble if sent outside, yet I also fear he would not understand how to live. You are different. Even in death, you would at least know why you died.

"You have studied under Cui Jueyin for many years. Compared to me, a father absent in cultivation, he has been more attentive to you. Go and see him."

Tears welled in Li Jiangliang's eyes. He kowtowed three times before him and said, "Thank you, father!"

The man in white rose and quickly withdrew, disappearing into the mountains. After a while, another man came up from the hills. Wearing the same white robe, he looked instead somewhat wretched. Trembling with fear, he stepped before the pavilion and bowed. "F... Father."

"Jiangnian," said Li Zhouwei.

Li Jiangnian had spent far longer in seclusion than his brothers, doing little besides cultivation. Yet he was only at the eighth stage of the Qi Cultivation Realm. Kneeling on the ground, he did not dare move.

But Li Zhouwei seemed much gentler to him. As he helped him up, those timid gray eyes met his gaze before quickly lowering again. Li Jiangnian said softly, "F... Father... I have reached the eighth stage of the Qi Cultivation Realm. I wish to receive some provisions from the family... to break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm..."

The Li Family had originally intended for him to cultivate Jade True in order to place the Jade Court Guards under his command. But his performance had been too poor, and the role had now been given to Li Zhouda instead.

Li Zhouwei did not seem particularly disappointed and said softly, "Go and take what you need. Focus on learning more techniques to preserve your life."

Li Jiangnian replied in a low voice, "I understand. I do not possess golden eyes... I cannot compare to my brothers..."

Li Zhouwei seemed lost in thought. He glanced at him and replied, "Fortune and misfortune are yet uncertain."

At that moment, a beam of golden light descended from the sky and transformed within the pavilion into a man dressed in golden-white Daoist robes. He sat down casually. Li Zhouwei gestured for Li Jiangnian to withdraw, then returned to the pavilion and poured tea.

"Granduncle has returned."

Li Ximing appeared slightly hurried. He exhaled and smiled, "I have come back to discuss something with you."

Li Zhouwei's expression turned slightly strange as he asked, "Granduncle is being rather polite today." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Li Ximing laughed heartily. He reached into his sleeve, took out a brocade box, and placed it gently on the table. He opened the brocade box. Inside, upon a bright red lining, lay a translucent white stone, gleaming like a pearl. Golden patterns were etched across its surface, flowing continuously, with faint white mist swirling around it.

Li Ximing smiled and said, "This item is a [Six-Form Spirit Stone] of the [True Essence] Dao, a rare spirit material."

Li Zhouwei recognized it at once. He lowered his gaze and examined it for a moment, a trace of admiration flashing in his eyes as he asked, "The [True Essence] Dao? This item... could it have come from Anhuai Heaven... Has the Supreme Yang Dao lineage come asking about it?"

"Exactly!" Li Ximing sighed and replied, "We examined Zhugong's injuries. She was ambushed by Wei Xuanyin. To heal properly, she needs high-grade Bright Yang spirit items, which we do not have. At best, I can refine a pill using several auxiliary materials. I was hoping to take some of your blood as a substitute."

"I see." Li Zhouwei said thoughtfully, "Daoist Master Zhugong... It seems this was meant as a warning to others."

Li Ximing nodded repeatedly and closed the brocade box as he said, "Tinglan took out this item to have me ask you. She is determined to save her... so she had me bring it first to request your help. What do you think of this matter?"

Li Zhouwei quietly looked at the box, took a sip of tea, and replied, "Zhugong... Since she refuses to withdraw from Jiangnan, she must have something she seeks from Tinglan..."

Before he could finish, both men froze and raised their heads, looking toward the northeast. They saw brown clouds surging into the sky and rolling sand and dust. A deep rumble echoed from afar as the earth trembled and spiritual energy surged upward.

In the distance, it seemed as if entire mountain ranges were shifting. Thunderous explosions rang out, startling birds into flight, yet they circled in the air. Even as sand and wind battered them bloody, they continued to hover, unwilling to leave.

The rising dust quickly obscured the distant sky. Li Ximing stepped onto light and rose, gazing from afar. His expression gradually turned uncertain and alarmed.

He exchanged a glance with Li Zhouwei and murmured, "[Stable Earth]... There is a sign of [Stable Earth] in Jiangbei!"

Li Ximing seemed to recall something and his expression turned complicated in an instant. For a moment, he said nothing, only tightening his grip on the brocade box as the light beneath his feet flickered unsteadily.

The Li Family had once obtained the techniques of the Profound Peak Gate. Kong Guxi had even entrusted the entire Kong Family's foundation to them. This surging aura was extremely familiar. Li Ximing recognized it almost at a glance!

The [Profound Light Mountain Chasing Scripture]!

Li Zhouwei stood beside him within the light, watching the falling sand in the distance. Only when the sun set did the phenomenon completely fade, leaving behind only the fluctuating spiritual energy in the air.

Crimson light draped over him. The golden-eyed man turned his head and spoke in a low voice, "Granduncle... what if it has succeeded?"