Family Cultivation: I Become a Mirror

Chapter 317 - 290: Golden Melting Cave

Xiao Xian sat waiting in the hall, anxious at heart, moving the jade cup around on the table, constantly shifting his posture in his seat, appearing restless and uneasy.

After a long while, a commotion of footsteps sounded outside the courtyard. Xiao Xian, previously slouched in dejection, instantly became alert, hurriedly straightening his back and adopting a solemn posture. Yet he only heard the sycophantic voice coming from below:

"Young Lord Guitu, my young master is discussing important matters with the clan brother on the mountain... please wait a moment, please wait a moment..."

"It’s fine."

That voice was mature and steady, open and forthright, yet to Xiao Xian it struck like thunder, his mind instantly blank, leaving only one thought echoing within:

"Xiao Guitu... what is he doing here!"

It happened in the blink of an eye—a young man entered from outside the courtyard, broad-shouldered and imposing, exuding martial vigor, arcane talisman scripts densely patterned on his armor which shimmered with dharma light, clearly a major figure from the Immortal Clan.

Xiao Xian dared not be negligent, hurriedly lifted his robe and came down, performing a grand bow and respectfully declaring:

"Xiao Xian of Yu Mountain lineage pays respects to the Eldest Young Lord!"

This person was Xiao Guitu, now at the Third Layer of Qi Cultivation, elder brother of Xiao Guiluan, and the most outstanding talent of the current Xiao generation, head of the main vein. Naturally, Xiao Xian dared not be disrespectful, giving full courtesy and immediately paying respect.

"Yu Mountain’s Xiao Xian..."

Xiao Guitu glanced at him with genuine interest, smiling as he said:

"I have heard your name; the Yu Mountain lineage has been doing quite well these recent years, and I’ve also heard you have some affinity with the Li Family’s Second Miss."

Xiao Xian forced out a dry smile, unable to discern Xiao Guitu’s intentions and could only brace himself and step forward to invite him up. Xiao Guitu strode like a dragon and sat down, fixing his gaze and saying:

"Not bad."

Xiao Xian quietly breathed a sigh of relief, only to see Xiao Guitu continue:

"I have important matters to inform the Li Family today. You may stand by and listen."

As soon as he finished, several people entered from below. At their head, clad in black with a sword at his waist, was Li Yuanjiao. He stepped forward and smiled, saying:

"I am Li Yuanjiao. Greetings to Young Lord Xiao."

Xiao Guitu looked up, the two of them locking eyes for a breath, both secretly on guard. Then Xiao Guitu burst into a forthright laugh and replied:

"So it’s my brother-in-law. I am Xiao Guitu; long have I admired your name."

Li Yuanjiao nodded and advanced, taking a seat at the head of the table. With Xiao Guitu seated, Xiao Xian naturally no longer qualified to sit, so he stood respectfully at Xiao Guitu’s side, only nodding in greeting when Li Yuanping arrived.

The rest withdrew, the courtyard gate quietly shut, isolating array formations began to operate, and Xiao Guitu lifted his tea, getting right to the point with a low voice:

"I have come for two matters."

"First, clan uncle Xiao Yongling has already made his breakthrough to Foundation Establishment, forging his Taoist Foundation at ’East Feather Mountain’, now replaces his elders in guarding the north. He will not return to Guanyun Peak for decades."

"Congratulations to the patriarch. What a pity our own patriarch is secluded in cultivation; otherwise, he would surely see him off in person."

Li Yuanjiao responded. Xiao Yongling was of the same senior generation as Li Tongya, so his tone was naturally respectful, addressing him as patriarch. Xiao Guitu thanked Li Yuanjiao for Xiao Yongling and continued:

"Second, according to word from the Yuan Family, Yu Muxian has already emerged from seclusion, has broken through Foundation Establishment, and formed his Immortal Foundation at ’Golden Melting Cave’. This Immortal Foundation has not been cultivated successfully in over a hundred years and has alarmed the Perfected Person."

When he finished speaking, all present fell silent. Li Yuanjiao turned his jade cup, an overcast look on his face, and replied:

"Thank you, Young Lord."

Xiao Guitu paused, giving him a moment to think, then continued:

"’Golden Melting Cave’ specializes in artifact refining, but is extremely difficult to cultivate. First, one must possess extraordinary talent; second, while cultivating, one must constantly endure the pain of flesh peeling away... Once, a disciple from Yuanwu Peak practiced this path, howled day and night, and eventually ruined his cultivation technique... For Yu Muxian to succeed in it, he must be one of great resolve—not to be underestimated."

Li Yuanjiao nodded, his face unchanged, speaking sincerely:

"My family also inquired. This Yu Muxian forges many alliances within the sect, sharp-witted and eloquent. Yuanjiao has one more question... This ’Golden Melting Cave’—is it perhaps a Zifu Path patron?"

This question was too sensitive, causing Xiao Xian at the side to lower his head. Xiao Guitu hesitated, his eyes glinting, then answered:

"I have considered that. Before leaving home, I asked the patriarch specifically; in the South River, there is no Zifu Path linked to ’Golden Melting Cave’ of the Metal Nature."

The two exchanged a glance, both aware of the issue at hand. Li Yuanjiao lowered his voice with a cold laugh, saying:

"Chi Zhiyun truly thinks highly of him!"

Xiao Guitu sipped his tea, calmly replying:

"Chi Zhiyun means to support the Yu Family at Wangyue Lake in order to restrain us; Yu Muxian is just the lucky one, yet, of all things, this lucky one’s methods are vicious, making him quite troublesome indeed."

Li Yuanjiao raised his head, closely observing Xiao Guitu’s expression, and spoke in a low voice:

"And your meaning, Young Lord, is...?"

Xiao Guitu shook his head in silence and answered:

"This matter is too difficult. Zifu’s Divine Skills are extraordinary; the higher their cultivation, the more Divine Skills they have and the more inhuman they become—not something anyone below Zifu can interfere with. The Perfected Person received Yu Muxian in person; the intentions are obvious."

With no other choice, Li Yuanjiao could only let the matter drop. Xiao Guitu cupped his hands and continued:

"After Yu Muxian came out of seclusion, rumors spread in the sect that the Sword Immortal was unwell. Noble family should be wary."

He paused, explaining:

"Sword Immortals are rare in this world. The Qing Sui Sword Immortal, with Foundation Establishment cultivation, rose to prominence with his sword; his name is famous throughout South and North River. But these past decades he’s not appeared, raising suspicions and wild rumors everywhere."

Li Yuanjiao sighed inwardly. He had only learned the truth in recent years: his putative grandfather had already perished in the Southern Border. Judging by Xiao Guitu’s remarks, most of the Xiao Family were aware as well.

He nodded, discussed some matters concerning Xiao Guiluan with Xiao Guitu, and had Li Xizhi brought in, who obediently called him uncle. Only then did a genuine smile appear on Xiao Guitu’s face as he said with a laugh:

"Seeing this nephew always reminds me of Guiluan as a child—her laughter still so vivid. Guiluan returned to visit in these two years, and I’ve heard you and your wife are in perfect harmony—this too is a good thing."

Li Yuanjiao laughed heartily, Xiao Guitu showed affection toward Li Xizhi for a while, then instructed someone to take the child away, cupped his hands, and took his leave.

Xiao Xian followed behind, just managing to cup his hands toward Li Yuanping, and hurriedly said:

"If there is any news, please inform me."

He then rushed after Xiao Guitu. Li Yuanjiao courteously escorted them out of the territory and then rode the wind back to the courtyard—the sky was already darkening.

Returning to the head seat, Li Yuanping had long been waiting. The two brothers exchanged a look; Li Yuanping pondered, then asked:

"Elder brother, how much can we trust Xiao Guitu’s words?"

Li Yuanjiao only furrowed his brow, knocked his jade cup on the table in frustration, and replied:

"Difficult to say. Xiao Guitu is no mediocrity. His words are sincere, his manner composed—there’s no telling true or false... The Xiao Family truly overflows with talent: Xiao Chuting, Xiao Yongling, and now yet another Xiao Guitu—none of them are easy to deal with."

"The patriarch once said the Xiao Family and the Green Pond Sect, outwardly at odds, are secretly closely allied. Who knows what these Zifu experts are scheming in their hearts. The Xiao Family is indeed kind to us; there’s no need for deception on this point. Yet if we blindly believe and obey them in everything, sooner or later we’ll become someone else’s cultivation provisions."

Li Yuanping nodded quietly, his pale face uneasy, and replied:

"Yu Muxian’s emergence from seclusion, bringing the momentum of his Foundation Establishment breakthrough, is bound to intervene in lake affairs."

Li Yuanjiao sat at the head, pondering for a moment, then struck the armrest and made up his mind, replying:

"Open the cave mansion at Meichi Peak—inform the patriarch!"