readbooksol Chapter 446 368: Stripping of Official Garb
Chapter 446 368: Stripping of Official Garb
Streaming light emerged from Xianyou Peak, navigating through the wind. Li Yuanjiao bade farewell to the people of the Xiao Family, taking Li Ximing with him as they drifted back home.
The long wind tore through the void as the young man stood with his hands behind his back, clad in a Taoist robe with a medicine pouch at his waist, overlooking the mountains below. Ahead, Li Yuanjiao, in a black robe, silently rode the wind and said in a deep voice,
"Golden Sun Radiant Origin has been assembled in only one set, and Xijun has already decided to take Cold Pine Snow Qi."
"My brother has been wronged."
Li Ximing's Taoist robe fluttered gently as he nodded lightly, caressing the jade beads Qingxuan in his hand. The corners of his mouth drooped, as if hiding many worries, his expression largely unreadable.
Li Yuanjiao was good at harboring suspicions. With just one look from Li Ximing, countless thoughts raced through his mind, some of discomfort, unsure of what Li Ximing was thinking, so he flew in silence.
The two men flew without words until Lijing Mountain appeared below them.
Li Ximing, gone for several years, found the mountain beneath his feet still familiar. Once they entered the cave mansion, Li Yuanjiao handed him the jade box and the Talisman Pill containing Golden Sun Radiant Origin,
"Retrieve the Golden Hall Bright Yuan Art from your father."
Li Ximing nodded in acknowledgment, saying respectfully,
"Ximing will certainly not let you down!"
He retreated slowly. Li Yuanjiao still sat in the chief seat, his eyebrows fiercely knit together. After a long time, he exhaled and his expression softened as he muttered,
"They've grown up... they've all grown up... even in front of their own family, they show no joy or anger, concealing their thoughts; how can I entrust the Li Family to you!"
"As children, I found Ximing amiable and Xijun aloof. Yet, as adults, both have become inscrutable... It turns out Xijun seems to be more humane."
Li Yuanjiao had discussed the affairs of the Xi month generation with Li Yuanping many times:
In terms of character, Li Xijun was the most outstanding. While Li Ximing was also good, he always seemed to be inexplicably proper, lacking any outstanding traits, sometimes even a bit dull.
Had it not been for Li Ximing's high talent, his aptitude for Alchemy Dao, and his birth into the eldest branch, the two would have seriously considered handing the Li Family over to Li Xijun.
However, after much deliberation, seeing the good relationship between the two brothers and Li Ximing's amiable and receptive nature, they decided to support each other, and thus settled on Li Ximing.
Now seeing him in such a state, thinking he had become distant from his family after the few years outside, Li Yuanjiao removed the black robe, feeling worn out. Looking into the small well within the cave mansion,
he saw his own ferocious eyes reflected in the clear, rippling water, with a brow too close together, giving the impression that he was about to devour someone. Li Yuanjiao narrowed his eyes and after a while, suddenly thought to himself:
'My father disliked me the most when I was young; he must have been intimidated by this appearance!'
He took a dispassionate glance, then sat cross-legged and began to cultivate on his own.
...
Li Ximing left the mountain, walking silently for a while. The spiritual energy on Lijing Mountain was far inferiors to that of Xianyou Peak. Counting the years, he was already sixteen years old.
'Fetal Breathing Fifth Layer, upon taking the Talisman Pill, reaches the Sixth Layer. Spending two to three years to break through, I will be an Qi Cultivating cultivator by eighteen.'
Xiao Yuansi was also a Qi Cultivating cultivator at twenty, but it took him nearly sixty years to break through. The reason for the slow progress after Qi cultivation was clear to Li Ximing:
'It's nothing but the Xiao Family's need for him to practice alchemy.'
Xiao Chuting, the old ancestor of the Xiao Family, was also a Foundation Establishment Alchemist. With him preceding in that role, Xiao Yuansi was still dragged down to such an extent. It was only because Xiao Yuansi was a gentle and upright gentleman that he dutifully practiced alchemy.
'What about me? I'm the only one in the family. Once the alchemy fire is lit and driven by benefits, even if the family takes care, there won't be much opportunity for cultivation left... not to mention...'
Having just made the breakthrough to Yujing, able to ignite the alchemy flame and practice alchemy, the letter from home came immediately after. Li Ximing did not want to be suspicious, but his heart inevitably cooled.
He walked slowly for a while, then saw a figure waiting ahead, standing with a sword in arms, with a striking appearance—naturally, it was Li Xijun.
Li Xijun had already taken the Talisman Pill, gathering the Sixth Wheel of Fetal Breathing, thus his strength slightly exceeded Li Ximing's. Gripping his sword, he came forward softly and said,
"Brother, it is rare for you to return home. Why such a troubled expression?"
Li Ximing stared blankly at him for a moment, then suddenly took out a golden-patterned jade box from his storage bag, handed it to him, and seemed to exhale in relief as he said,
"You should take it instead!"
"Golden Sun Radiant Origin?!"
Li Xijun was momentarily stunned, unable to speak for several breaths, then finally cursed,
"Li Ximing! What madness is this!"
Li Ximing appeared much more relaxed as he replied,
"I've thought it over a lot. The family needs a steady supply of elixirs, and I will ultimately have to spend time on alchemy. If that's the case, wouldn't it be a waste of this Fourth Grade cultivation technique?"
"Better to give you this opportunity. I'll use an inferior technique, and from now on, focus solely on alchemy, leaving the suppression of the clan in your hands."
He paused for a moment, then continued,
"I've seen many alchemists in various clans who were often misled by the Alchemy Dao, rarely achieving Foundation Establishment; it's better to be like my grandfather, concentrating on drawing talismans, rather than longing for breaking through to Foundation Establishment..."
Li Xijun gave a cold laugh and responded,
"You sure know how to make comparisons!"
Angered, he said,
"Your grandfather resorted to drawing talismans because he had no hope of advancing! You, however, with talent superior to the rest of us, are now saying you'll focus solely on alchemy!"
"Can a Qi Cultivating Alchemist be the same as a Foundation Establishment Alchemist!"
Li Xijun clenched his teeth and bluntly said,
"You are scared, Li Ximing! The family has placed so many hopes on you, expecting you to be a figure like Xiao Chuting. Yet, you're so full of caution, already contemplating your own exit strategies!"