Family Cultivation: I Become a Mirror

Chapter 304 - 278 Minghui

Xiao Xian stepped out of the courtyard with light and nimble grace, feeling a sudden rush of cold wind that brought him back to his senses. With hands clasped behind his back, he walked a few steps on the stone steps. The chilly wind howled from all directions, and the servant behind him advanced a couple of steps, flattering him:

"Young Master is truly sincere towards Miss Qingxiao. Everything is at the behest of Li Yuanping... Everyone sees it clearly, and I’m sure Miss Qingxiao is quite moved."

Xiao Xian nodded noncommittally, inhaling the scent of incense wafting through Lijing Town. Known for his gentle character, he took no offense at his servants’ glib talk, even when the phrase "at the behest" was used.

Seeing Xiao Xian not responding verbally, the servant had no choice but to follow in silence. However, the words struck a chord in Xiao Xian’s heart. He continued to pace slowly and rub the jade ring on his finger without saying anything.

Truth be told, even though his heart was full of goodwill towards Li Qingxiao, he hadn’t gone to such lengths in her interests. His current actions represented not just Xiao Xian as an individual but also the entire Yu Mountain lineage.

"The late ancestor Chu Chu was always friendly with our lineage. Unfortunately, he passed away earlier this year, and with his death, our family lost its backing. Father has become increasingly worried... and these past years have grown more and more difficult..."

Xiao Jiuqing was a man of romance with many children, and not a few possessed a Spirit Aperture. Xiao Xian, whose talent was nothing special, had always been of little significance in Xiao Jiuqing’s eyes.

The year he accompanied Xiao Guiluan to the Li Family, the tumultuous journey changed Xiao Xian’s destiny. He returned home with those two pieces of cake, soggy from the journey, and shared everything with his mother. After many years of struggle in the deep confines of the household, she immediately grasped the critical points.

She called for Xiao Jiuqing and, after a bit of exaggeration, managed to make Xiao Jiuqing overjoyed. In a blur of fear and anxiety, rumors about the affection between the two flourished, and it almost seemed that Xiao Xian had no choice but to engage with the Li Family.

"What kind of fate is this..."

Over these past years, Xiao Xian had earnestly toiled and now couldn’t clearly distinguish whether he was motivated by the pressure of the clan or by Li Qingxiao herself, leaving him with a wry smile. He had gathered a lot of information to assist Li Yuanping. If it were not for Xiao Jiuqing secretly gathering news in the background, opening the arsenal, and checking the records, Xiao Xian, with just the Cultivation Level of Fetal Breathing and not belonging to the main vein of the Xiao Family, couldn’t have accessed such secretive information.

Hit by the evening breeze, Xiao Xian became even more sober. In fact, he hadn’t drunk much Spiritual Wine, but being with Li Yuanping always left him restless. Taking advantage of having had a few drinks, he excused himself from the courtyard.

In the night, Lijing Mountain lay silently in the dark like a Serpent Jiao coiled upon the ground. Turning to gaze at the mountain, Xiao Xian suddenly felt a faint sense of panic rising within him.

"Members of the Li family have the appearance of a wolf king. They are probably prostrate with knee bent, lowly crouched in submission, not willing to live meagerly under the Xiao Family or even the Green Pond Sect... I and my father have befriend the Li Family, but in the end, it must not turn into a disaster..."

The servant behind him, bowing in attendance, saw Xiao Xian gazing intently at Lijing Mountain and spoke softly:

"Young Master, this mountain has a shallow Earth Vein and its Spirit Mechanism is not prominent. It cannot be considered a famous mountain."

"A famous mountain?"

Xiao Xian laughed it off and shook his head, snapping back to reality and slowly resumed walking, replying:

"We cannot be certain."

————

The entirety of Lijing Mountain was brightly illuminated, with specks of gold from the candle flames flickering throughout the mountain, making the dark expanse of the woods less daunting.

High in the clouds above the forests, Li Tongya stood suspended in mid-air with his hands crossed, a tightly wrapped Longsword on his back, staring expressionlessly at the person before him.

This man had a kind and compassionate face but was plump, wearing a brownish-yellow robe that fell loosely around him. In his hands, he held a Zen Staff emanating golden light, and as the gold rings hanging from it collided, they produced a tinkling sound. His head emitted a halo of colorful light, and he calmly fixed his gaze on Li Tongya.

"Murong Xia has already left my family’s territory. Even if I release my Spiritual Sense, I won’t be able to find him. Mage, you have confronted me for a long time. You should be satisfied by now!"

Li Tongya spoke slowly with a calm tone, though anger surged within him. He had reluctantly ordered Li Yuanjiao to let Murong Xia go as a last resort. This Buddhist Practitioner had endured a stalemate with him, without using the Dharma Mirror, they indeed couldn’t handle Murong Xia, and even found themselves at a disadvantage...

"The great benevolence of the benefactor, Minghui is deeply grateful!"

The Buddhist practitioner nodded slightly, containing Li Tongya’s golden light which then gradually faded away. Li Tongya’s ascending Dharma Light also retracted into his body, and he too let out a slight sigh of relief.

Li Tongya was originally cultivating in the mountains when Li Qinghong crushed a jade talisman for help, immediately awakening him. Although Murong Xia only displayed the cultivation level of the sixth or seventh layer of Qi Cultivation, Li Tongya actually felt a real threat and thus prepared to act, only to be stopped by this Buddhist practitioner from an unknown origin.

Without a word, the practitioner raised his Zen Staff and emitted a golden light, forcibly suppressing Li Tongya. After about a dozen exchanges with him, Li Tongya felt his internal organs burning as if on fire and immediately realized he was no match, leaving him no choice but to stand in a stalemate until Murong Xia left the vicinity, which somewhat eased the atmosphere.

"To think that a practitioner of Zen Taoism would shelter a devil cultivator who consumes humans... The mage really has a good nature!"

Li Tongya said this with plain sarcasm, only to hear Minghui softly laugh and respond,

"The donor is attached to appearances. Murong Xia, after removing these people’s outer appearances, is actually converting nobles, which is a blessing for these two-legged sheep. Being able to enter the realm of ultimate joy, it takes nine lifetimes to accumulate such great fortune!"

Li Tongya scoffed and gave no reply, and the monk Minghui slowly formed a Dharma Seal and continued to answer,

"This humble monk is the chief disciple of Lotus Temple, ordered to escort Murong Xianan to the south. If there has been any offense, I ask for your forgiveness, and indeed, there will be a blessing to repay you..."

"The method of cultivation that Murong Xia practices is that of the devil’s Joy. It is also our doctrinal Joyful Zen which should proceed southward, requiring the consumption of sixteen thousand seven hundred and fifty-six people before attaining enlightenment in Linghai County, achieving Maha, and transforming into Joyful Zen. Then these sixteen thousand seven hundred and fifty-six people will all enter the land of great fortune together, which is a truly meritorious and good deed..."

Li Tongya had long heard that Zen practitioners were eloquent, and now he had seen it firsthand. He chose not to engage further in the conversation and simply replied,

"The southern region belongs to my Immortal Path. Has your religion been granted permission?"

Minghui nodded lightly and answered,

"The Immortal Sect took Xu Country and killed our compassionate practitioners. Letting Murong Xia go south was the exchange. The Sword Immortal should know this well. If there has been any offense, this monk will personally go to the Southern Border to apologize."

On hearing this, Li Tongya finally understood why this man was so polite—apparently, it was out of respect for Li Chijin. While the Immortal Sect’s taking back of Xu Country might seem imposing on the surface, behind the scenes, it was nothing more than a trade-off of interests.

Although Li Tongya despised the methods of these few individuals, he couldn’t help but bow his head and answered,

"So that’s how it is."

Minghui put away the Zen Staff in his hand. Seeing that Li Tongya was easy to speak with, his smile became much warmer, and he said in a gentle voice,

"I see that your nobility also governs its people with kindness, which coincides with the principles of our religion. It’s truly a blessed connection. I would like to stay here to preach..."

Li Tongya immediately shook his head to refuse. He did not want to have anything to do with Buddhism and wished this person would go as far away as possible. The last thing he wanted was for him to stay. He simply replied,

"Taoist Fellow still needs to escort Murong Xia. Do not let yourself be delayed."

The refusal in his words was clear, but Minghui pretended not to understand and shamelessly asked again with a smile,

"There are many mages escorting Murong Xia. One less wouldn’t matter. Your nobility and our religion are predestined..."

"Our small temple cannot accommodate a great being such as the Mage."

Li Tongya had to refuse directly, yet Minghui wasn’t annoyed and answered,

"Then let it be. Aside from this, there’s one more thing I’d like to ask the donor."