Chapter 1737: One After Another (I)

The blazing silver light was dazzling, filling his heart with icy dread.

In Li Ximing's view, although the Li Family had many capable members, the prospects in the next generation were far from promising. Li Zhouwei was pursuing the Dao, while the sons of the Bright Yang lineage each harbored their own ambitions. If the situation deteriorated, there was no telling what fate would befall the Bright Yang bloodline. Li Ximing knew perfectly well that they could not be relied upon.

At the same time, both Li Quewan and Li Jiangqian possessed the potential to attain the Purple Mansion Realm. This was especially true of Li Quewan, whom Li Ximing regarded as the Li Family's fallback for withdrawing to the Eastern Sea should the Bright Yang Dao fail. Li Jiangchun was another promising candidate for the Purple Mansion Realm and carried the Yang Family bloodline, making him the perfect successor to Li Quewan. He could be relied on as another hidden card.

Yet when it came to the generations after them, Li Ximing had a deeply ominous feeling.

The reason was simple. If the sons of the Bright Yang lineage could not be preserved, the generations after them would be thoroughly mediocre. Li Jiangchun's sword heart was evident to all, and the family was counting on him to comprehend sword intent, with no intention of allowing him to be distracted. It was almost certain that he would leave no descendants.

Thus, although both Li Quewan and Li Jiangchun were at the Foundation Establishment Realm, they would be better off placing their hopes in Li Zhouluo than in him. Li Quewan was wholly devoted to pursuing the Dao and was already preparing to attain the Purple Mansion Realm, so descendants were even less likely for her. Neither the second nor the fourth lineage had any outstanding juniors, while the third lineage had already branched away. Only the first lineage continued to flourish.

Li Zhouming had originally been the best choice, but Li Ximing had discussed the matter privately with Li Xuanxuan. After all, Li Zhouming cultivated Bright Yang. Having considered it at length, the old man felt that they should no longer allow Bright Yang cultivators to lead the family.

Li Suining's arrival had been perfectly timed. He belonged to the next generation, possessed exceptional innate ability, and showed great promise in the Dao of Formations. Most importantly, he was steady, intelligent, and composed. Li Ximing had taken a liking to him at first sight and hoped to continue his bloodline precisely as a safeguard for the family's future...

Yet with Li Jianglong's circumstances fresh before his eyes, the sight of that silver light immediately made Li Ximing suspect that Li Suining was the work of some great power. The young man they were preparing to entrust with the family's future might well be a spy planted by some other faction. How could Li Ximing not be horrified?

In that instant, he forced his gaze to remain fixed beside the furnace. Although his expression remained calm, his heart had already turned as cold as icy water. He activated the Immortal Artifact's probing ability and locked it firmly onto Li Suining.

The silver light surrounding Li Suining shifted in wondrous ways, expanding and contracting like one’s breath. Li Ximing examined it intently, and saw the silver radiance gradually fade, revealing traces of a familiar aura.

It seems to bear the aura of the fox tribe's [Heaven-Governing] Dao lineage, yet it also somewhat resembles the fluctuations of mystics that appeared when Wanlin Heaven first opened.

Although Li Suining also cultivated [Heaven-Governing], his mere Qi Cultivation Realm could not possibly shine so brilliantly under the Immortal Artifact's scrutiny. Li Ximing swiftly reached his own conclusion, and his suspicion gradually shifted in another direction.

Could this be an arrangement made by the fox tribe...

This possibility eased the chill in his heart slightly. After all, his family had fairly close ties with the fox tribe. When the Grand Daoist Master from Luoxia had come to the lake years ago, a demon king of the fox tribe had even appeared to counter him. In a sense, the two sides shared common interests.

Although this silver light carries a certain nobility, it does not seem to possess any substantial power. It looks more like the Immortal Mirror has exposed some hidden trait... After all, if this truly involves reincarnation, it must have begun long ago...

He closed his eyes slightly and pondered for a long while, gradually forming a preliminary judgment.

Back then, the Yang Family most likely knew little about the situation at the lake. Even the Star of Cultivation and Martiality, which stands as high as a True Monarch, is cut off here. Whatever the reason, the lake must hold many secrets... Rather than a spy, could he be... a reincarnated cultivator? Or perhaps he encountered some extraordinary opportunity?

Li Suining had revealed very few flaws. In fact, none of his behavior could truly be considered a flaw. Yet once Li Ximing viewed him from a different perspective and began harboring suspicions, many things took on an entirely different meaning.

Seen in this light, perhaps his calm and composure at such a young age is precisely because he is the reincarnation of a powerful cultivator. That would also explain how he somehow attained such profound Dao conduct in formations... Innate ability alone cannot account for all of this...

Yet his concern for the clansmen does not seem false... Could it be that he has not yet awakened the memories of his previous life?

Li Ximing contemplated the matter intently. Although he did not believe Li Suining possessed particularly great strength, he had silently raised his guard to its highest level.

Rather than alerting him, he merely waved his hand slightly and instructed, "Return to Jiangjun for now, lest anyone accuse you of abandoning your post."

Li Jianglong said nothing more and immediately bowed before taking his leave. Only Li Suining remained on the mountain. Before Li Ximing could speak, Li Minggong came up the mountain and handed him two letters.

"Daoist Master, a letter has arrived from Zhen Tao Residence."

Li Ximing could only suppress his emotions for the moment and read the letter. Liu Changdie had written at length to explain the situation, and his tone contained repeated pleas that made Li Ximing's expression tighten.

Something happened to Qingyan, and Fuxun was severely injured...

An ominous premonition arose within him. He set the letter aside and picked up Li Quewan's. After reading it from beginning to end, he noticed that she had addressed him as 'my lord.'

Something is amiss on the island...

Li Ximing's sense of foreboding grew even stronger. Li Quewan normally addressed him as Daoist Master. Before departing, he had made an arrangement with the two cultivators that if anything unusual occurred on the island and they dared not state it openly in a letter, they would change 'Daoist Master' to 'my lord.' Naturally, he did not believe Li Quewan had made a mistake.

Fortunately, she only changed it once, and her tone does not seem urgent. It should be able to wait a little longer.

Yet his concern suddenly intensified, and a chill seeped into his heart. Li Ximing cursed inwardly, Everything had to happen at once!

If Li Suining was meant to become a pillar of the Li Family's future administration, then Li Quewan was undoubtedly a vital source of strength whom they absolutely could not afford to lose. There was no question that Li Ximing had to make this journey.

Although Daoist Master Yan had agreed years ago to handle a matter for Li Ximing once he attained [Radiance Under Heaven], and Li Jiangchun's situation also required a trip to Nine Mounds, neither came close to the urgency of his unavoidable journey to Zhen Tao Residence. Li Ximing's mood immediately soured. He casually set down the letter and composed himself.

After waiting all this time, Li Suining finally heard the Daoist Master ask with a smile, "Have you come to collect a pill for your breakthrough?"

Li Suining remained respectful and courteous. He had never looked directly at Li Ximing, and thus had not noticed anything unusual about him. He nodded politely and replied, "My cultivation has reached completion, and I am preparing to break through... However, cultivation resources and demonic creatures of the [Heaven-Governing] Dao are scarce throughout the world, while Essence Gathering Pills of this Dao are rarer still. The old elder therefore sent me to pay my respects to you, my lord."

Li Ximing slowly nodded. "The [Heaven-Governing] Dao does not ordinarily have many taboos... However, if we can find a suitable pill, not only will your breakthrough be more secure, but it will also save you a year or two..."

He smiled and said, "I do not have any of these things on hand either. As it happens, I will be visiting the Eastern Sea soon, so I will ask Daoist Master Yuanbian for some on your behalf."

Li Suining did not seem to want him going to such trouble. He hesitantly bowed in thanks, looking as though he wanted to say something but ultimately holding his tongue. He lamented inwardly, If I had known, I would never have mentioned this! There may not be any wars for the next year or two... but what if something happens to him out there...

Li Ximing, however, was observing his expression. He beckoned him over to sit, casually brewed a cup of tea, and asked with a smile, "How far has your cultivation in the Dao of Formations progressed?"

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