Chapter 166: The Bestowal of Talismans to the Generation of Yuan and Qing

Chapter 166: The Bestowal of Talismans to the Generation of Yuan and Qing

Lu Jiangxian sat at the foot of the mountain, watching the moon-white stone spirits hopping around energetically. These spirits, enlivened by his mana, worked diligently within the mirror; their pale blue halos casting shadows that shifted on the ground.

The majority of the buildings within the mirror realm had been repaired, presenting a much more pleasing sight.

For Lu Jiangxian, life within the mirror involved studying shamanic spells and observing the Li Family outside. It was a life marked by simplicity and, at times, monotony. Such was life, caught in a cycle of resignation and boredom.

Now that my study of shamanic spells has made some progress, these years haven't been wasted!

He had not only developed certain cursing techniques but had also discovered blessings and tracking spells. However, for an Artifact Spirit confined to a mirror, these advancements held little practical value.

Yet, Lu Jiangxian sensed the increasing connection between the shamanic spells of Mount Yue and the mirror. As his understanding of this type of spell deepened, he found it easier to manipulate the mirror, allowing him to perform many actions previously thought impossible with them.

His divine sense spilled out of the mirror, and with a loud rumble, the stone door opened. Li Xuanxuan and Li Xuanling, leading several children, entered.

The refreshing scent of burning incense filled the air, though the children were unable to smell it with their senses still sealed by mana. Hence, they showed no reaction and followed their elders in silence.

Li Yuanjiao, engulfed in darkness and unable to hear or speak, clutched Li Xuanxuan's hand tighter when he felt a reassuring pat on his shoulder.

Following his father's earlier instructions, he kneeled down, his knees cushioned by something soft and smooth as if kneeling on a pad.

Li Tongya had already been waiting inside the stone chamber, silently observing the mirror on the stone platform. He said nothing as the four children kneeled.

He looked at Li Qinghong but did not object to her presence here.

"The Li Family of Lijing offers respect along with fine delicacies and wine... On behalf of the four children present, I respectfully request the Profound Light! They will dedicate their lives to pursuing the Dao and their destinies rest in your hands... When the time comes, they will remain true to their oath. With this talisman burned, we express our gratitude to the Supreme Yin," he stated with great solemness and sincerity.

Lu Jiangxian's divine sense stirred, sending out invisible, colorless ripples that caused a nearly transparent white glow to emanate from each child's head.

To the far left was the eldest, Li Yuanxiu, who possessed a spiritual orifice and commendable talent. Although he did not match Li Xuanfeng from the previous generation, he was superior to Li Xuanxuan.

A six-cun white glow, indicating his compatibility with the Profound Pearl Talisman Seed, hovered above his head. This glow signified that, once he consumed the talisman seed, his cultivation speed could increase by sixty percent due to his inherent spiritual orifice.

"There's no need for us to hide anything... Yuanxiu is generous and kind; he won't be jealous of his younger cousins."

Li Tongya and Li Xuanxuan exited the stone chamber, still concerned. Li Tongya gravely added, "My worry isn't about Yuanxiu. Yuanxiu himself is generous, but not all future descendants might share his temperament. With only one or two talisman seeds per generation, those who receive them may become proud... Affairs of the world suffer not from scarcity but from uneven distribution. Over time, if we cannot manage our clan properly, it may lead to discord."

Li Xuanxuan also fell silent. The two stood on the mountaintop for a while, facing the cold, biting north wind.

Li Tongya murmured, "For our family members, especially the direct descendants who possess a spiritual orifice or have received a talisman seed, let them be aware of the mirror's existence, but make them take a Profound Scenery Spiritual Oath to prevent leaks of information."

"The more people that know about this, the greater the risk of exposure... Second Uncle also knows that the spiritual oath isn't foolproof," Li Xuanxuan added respectfully.

Li Tongya shook his head and replied, "We can only take it one step at a time. At the very least, we must ensure that the next generation won't be divided. The system needs to be improved over generations; there's no measure that can guarantee absolute safety forever."

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Meanwhile, in Lixia Prefecture.

The people from Golden Tang Gate had already withdrawn. The blood and corpses in the prefecture town had been cleaned up by scavengers, leaving only scattered traces of life and white, dry bones everywhere.

The now desolate prefecture town echoed with the mournful whistle of the wind as if it were silently weeping. Corpses were left to decay and be devoured by wild animals, while the roads of Lixia were slowly being reclaimed by encroaching wild grass after being deserted for over a year.

The sky above Lixia Prefecture was cloudless. From the south, a figure flew over like a shooting star.

Tied around his waist were five or six medicine pouches, and he carried a long sword on his back. His face showed signs of hardship, including a faint scar on the left cheek.

Looking down at the desolate town below, he sighed sorrowfully and said in a low voice, "Twenty years have gone by... and the Azure Pond Sect has finally allowed me to return. It seems Clan Uncle has also managed to avoid the sect's scrutiny..."

"The time has come to take action for my Xiao Family's cause."

Passing through the deserted town, Cloud Crowned Peak loomed ahead. He felt both joy and sorrow—joy for escaping the clutches of the Azure Pond Sect and returning to his familiar home, and sorrow for having to return his junior brother's belongings.

Shaking his head, he murmured, "How should I face Jing'er's family..."