Family Cultivation: I Become a Mirror

Chapter 306 - 280: Branch (Part 1)

Minghui had cried out only once before the Golden Hall began to shake, ready to collapse. It trembled all over, emitting bursts of Dharma Light. Minghui’s face showed panic. Knowing that the Golden Core Cultivator he had connected with could hear him, he hurriedly yelled:

"Senior, spare my life! Senior, spare my life! Minghui is a disciple of the Lotus Sect’s Jin Lian Maha, belonging to the Dharma Appearance Taoist Lineage. I only beg for my life to be spared, I swear I will never set foot on the lake ever again!"

The Golden Hall wobbled before gradually stabilizing. Minghui performed a long-distance bow in the void before daring to stand up and fly away.

Minghui tested his newly grown arm and peered into the magic artifact of the Golden Hall, only to see a dazzling orb of colored light sinking and floating. His severed arm had already turned into a puddle of white fluid, and the Golden Hall creaked under the strain, filled with resplendent men and dancing girls screaming and shouting like ants on a hot pan.

"What a pity!"

Minghui cursed softly as he watched his collection of men and women from across the Northern reaches, an effort that cost him much, now on the verge of being scorched by the colored light. Opening his mouth, he said:

"Let go of your mortal coils and come to my temple! I am on the cusp of achieving Maha, once I create the Land of Bliss, you will all have your share of joy!"

He then lifted the Golden Hall above his head, opened his mouth wide, revealing his pearly teeth and rosy lips, saliva glistening like dewdrops, faintly exuding a strange fragrance.

With a vigorous shake, down fell men the size of fingernails, tumbling into his mouth. Minghui’s white teeth clamped shut, and for a moment, limbs and flesh flew wildly, crimson traces streaming over his tender lips. The attendants in the hall above, however, were ecstatic, leaping eagerly into his mouth.

After dozens of breaths, Minghui licked his lips and said contentedly:

"I need to replenish my vital energy first, then I will go back and ask Maha if I can save this Golden Hall."

Minghui cast a wary glance in the direction of Lijing Mountain, not even daring to think of Li Qinghong. Having faced a life-and-death situation, he was extremely frightened, thinking to himself:

"This Li Family must be the work of some venerable one, unheard of until now. I shall ask my master upon returning, let’s go! Let’s go!"

Not until Minghui scampered away like a stray dog did the commotion subside, leaving behind a crimson scene at the foot of Jade Court Mountain. From the threshold to the stairs was covered with all kinds of filth, which the neighbors worked together to clean up before shuddering back to their homes.

————

Jade Court Mountain had long been under the governance of the An Family but had recently come under the Li Family. The common folk, used to hardship, were not greatly troubled by the havoc caused by the devil cultivator Murong Xia, who killed over a hundred people. In their eyes, the good days under the reign of the current Li Family far outweighed the loss of life. They would merely inquire who had died and commiserate, lamenting the rarity of such peaceful times.

Li Yuanjiao plunged into the myriad affairs of Wutu Mountain, while Li Yuanping took over the family business, gradually becoming busy. Holding a vermillion brush, he lightly tapped on the Wooden Slip on the desk before him.

Li Yuanping, weakened by congenital illness, seemed frail. His eyebrows were often furrowed, as if weighed down by endless heavy thoughts, difficult to let go—even when sitting in the most respected seat in the courtyard, there was a sense of unease.

"This year’s harvest is better, we should have fewer losses."

Li Yuanping muttered to himself, then looked at the middle-aged attendant by his side and said warmly:

"Uncle, having managed the Clan Head Courtyard for many years, I am new to running a household. I ask for your guidance."

The old man beside him had sunken eyes and grey temples, his gaunt appearance contrasting with his neatly arranged clothes. He was Li Xiewen, once in charge of household affairs under Li Xuanxuan, now nearly fifty years old and a son of Li Yesheng.

People of the North Foothills of Da Li Mountain mature early, marrying and having children by their early teens, with a lifespan of only forty to fifty years. Li Xiewen, devoid of any cultivation level, would typically be of the age to wait for death in bed. But after years of toil, he gained some spiritual objects for nourishment, appearing relatively healthy.

The suicide of Li Pingyi was a severe blow to the old man, causing him to wither rapidly. Though the main family sent people to console him, it also meant his lineage had entirely faded from the center of power. Li Xiewen’s reluctance to relinquish his authority was his attempt to regain some of it.

Upon hearing Li Yuanping’s inquiry, Li Xiewen hurriedly claimed unworthiness and replied:

"I have served in the Clan Head Courtyard for many years, my only advantage being my clear sight and hearing. I would not presume to offer guidance."

Li Yuanping waved his hand, and the old man introduced:

"In our house, apart from the direct descendants who are Qi Cultivators, there are only three who have cultivated the Orthodox Law: An Zhiyan at the Seventh Layer of Qi Cultivation, Chen Donghe at the Fourth Layer, and Tian Youdao at the First Layer. As for those with mixed Qi, it’s just Li Qiuyang and Elder Ren. Mixed Qi Cultivators are merely in name and can largely be disregarded,"

"Additionally, there are two at the Fetal Breathing Peak, three at the Fifth Layer with Yujing Wheels, ten at the Fourth Layer, and one hundred and fifteen minor cultivators at lower levels, mostly good-for-nothing old fellows."

Li Yuanping nodded slightly, and Li Xiewen continued:

"The Clan Head Courtyard has two at the Fifth Layer of Fetal Breathing, three at the Fourth Layer, and countless scouts and those below the Fourth Layer as well as ordinary clan soldiers. Although there are many cultivators with different family names in the house, only a handful are truly noteworthy."

Li Yuanping offered him a seat and had the servants bring tea, then spoke:

"I would ask my clan uncle to enlighten me."

Li Xiewen gave thanks and with a calm demeanor, respectfully said:

"The most powerful among them is Lady Dou of the Dou Clan, with the peak Cultivation Level of Fetal Breathing. She is surrounded by numerous supporters, like oil on a blazing fire. Although the Dou Clan doesn’t have the name of a Prestigious Family, they indeed have the substance, owning private Spiritual Fields, associating with high and low ranks, and carrying quite an air of authority."

Li Yuanping shifted the tea on the desk and stared at Li Xiewen, who seemed unaware as he shook his head, pointed at Dou Yi, who was cowering as if he wished to crawl into a crevice below:

"The Dou Family has already placed people by the Young Master’s side, as one can see."

Li Yuanping exhaled and laughed, replying:

"I’m already aware of the Dou Clan’s affairs."

Meanwhile, Dou Yi himself had some cultivation level, but in front of Lady Dou and Li Yuanping, he crouched in fear, bothered by an old mortal pointing at him, and a rage began to build within him. He quietly lifted his head, only to see Li Yuanping directly gazing at him, which made him quickly lower his head again.

Li Xiewen nodded silently and offered a bow:

"The Chen Clan relies on Chen Donghe and has always been regarded as the head of the Prestigious Families, honored by everyone. Elder Chen keeps a low profile and never shows off. However, there is a junior named Chen Mufeng in the Chen Clan, only seventeen years old and already at the Fourth Layer of Fetal Breathing, a disciple of Li Qiuyang, with excellent talent, certainly worth promoting."

"Good."

Li Yuanping nodded cheerfully, and Li Xiewen, with his wrinkled face, said softly:

"As for the other clans, the Tian Clan is assigned externally, the Liu Clan is in decline, the Xu Clan has few offspring, and the Ren Clan’s branches do not get along. Among those worth noting are only a few people like Tian Zhongqing and Xu Gongming. The rest are mediocre and are of little use."

Li Yuanping nodded as if suddenly enlightened, and he asked a few more questions about family matters, gripped Li Xiewen’s hand, and said earnestly:

"I am young and inexperienced, I would greatly appreciate my clan uncle’s guidance in family affairs."

Li Xiewen naturally agreed repeatedly, and before long, he withdrew. Li Yuanping then sat back down, his pale fingers pinching the jade cup on the desk. He looked at Dou Yi sitting below and smiled:

"Uncle Xiewen has managed our household under my father for many years; it’s just a pity that his health is failing, otherwise, I would entrust him with greater responsibilities."

He then picked up the Wooden Slip and began to read it carefully. After sending Li Xiewen away, a clan soldier came to report, saying respectfully:

"Young Master, Madam has arrived."