Family Cultivation: I Become a Mirror-Chapter 168 - 159: Relic (Two-In-One)

Li Yuanxiu stood in the courtyard, cradling his sword, while Li Yuanjiao, clad in a black robe, drew his sword and danced, cutting through the cold wind with a few sharp whooshes. His hands turned white from his tight grip, and Green Peak felt heavy; a fine sweat was visible on Li Yuanjiao's face.

"Jiaojiao, how long have you been studying the 'Mysterious Water Sword Technique'?"

Li Yuanxiu placed his hand on Li Yuanjiao's shoulder, correcting his sword technique, and asked in a gentle voice.

"Just over two years."

Li Yuanjiao replied softly. After Li Yuanxiu corrected a few of his mistakes, a boy who looked younger than Li Yuanxiu walked into the courtyard, bowed to the two, and raised his head to say,

"Brother, my father is asking you to come up the mountain."

"Hmm."

Li Yuanxiu nodded to Li Yuanyun before him and turned to say,

"Go tell them in the eastern courtyard that I won't be handling affairs right now."

Behind him, Li Pingyi had grown tall, his frame even more imposing than his father, Li Xiewen. He nodded and went out. Li Yuanxiu then excused himself from Li Yuanjiao and followed Li Yuanyun up the mountain.

Li Xuanling sat in the courtyard, watching the tea leaves in his cup float and sink. Li Tongya had instructed him to inform Li Yuanxiu about the Dharma Mirror, yet his heart was filled with worry and unease.

Li Xuanling had long known that his child, Li Yuanyun, possessed no Spirit Aperture, and he had still held some hope—perhaps the Dharma Mirror could choose him, providing a solution to his lack of Spirit Aperture.

Kneeling before the Dharma Mirror, Li Xuanling had finally accepted reality. With a mixture of bitterness and pain in his heart, he watched his child running up and down the mountain, truly indescribable feelings surging within him.

"What to do with this child..."

As a child, Li Xuanling had seen his third uncle, Li Xiangping, especially fond of Li Jingtian. Now it was his turn to taste this sentiment, more than simple affection... Li Xuanling utterly disbelieved there could be no guilt, no sorrow.

There was a steady tapping at the door. Li Yuanyun had already led Li Yuanxiu into the room. The boy had talked with Li Xuanling through the night, learning of his lack of a Spirit Aperture and couldn't help crying twice. Now, he seemed to have no trace of tears on his face, instead appearing almost cheerful as he came to comfort Li Xuanling.

"Greetings, Uncle!"

Li Yuanxiu bowed, and little Yuanyun conscientiously stepped back outside the door. Li Xuanling's gaze lowered, and turning his head away, he said with a raw voice,

"I called you here today because you have become Xuanjing, and you should be aware of some family matters."

Li Xuanling had thought deeply before seeking him out and had carefully organized his words before speaking:

"There is a Magic Artifact passed down from our ancestors within the family, a grayish-green 'Mirror,' which far exceeds the Foundation Establishment level and has many marvelous uses—truly extraordinary."

He detailed the wondrous uses of the Dharma Mirror, citing examples from past events. After Li Yuanxiu listened with delight, Li Xuanling continued:

"Some days ago, when you were secluded with your senses sealed, it was to seek this Talisman Seed. Your younger siblings, Yuanjiao and Qinghong, have been favored, and Talisman Seeds have already been secretly bestowed upon them by Shengyang Mansion!"

His words sidestepped the fact that one could seek the Talisman Seed, lightly touching on the concept of being favored by the Dharma Mirror to receive the seed. Naturally, this was to avoid wounding Li Yuanxiu. However, this elder brother of the Yuanqing generation seemed completely oblivious to the implication, happily saying,

"That is truly wonderful."

After speaking, a hint of sadness flashed in his eyes, and he added softly,

"It's just a pity about Yuanyun."

This hit exactly at Li Xuanling's sore spot, and he couldn't help nodding, his voice turning grave:

"Yuanyun cannot cultivate. There are many things I cannot say to him as his father... His life will not be easy going forward, and I'll need your extra care, Xiu'er."

Li Yuanxiu nodded solemnly. The two talked under the lamp for a long time, from the looming threats of the Yu Family to the distant support of the Xiao Family. Many of Li Yuanxiu's insights greatly impressed Li Xuanling. They talked until late into the night, and only then did he have Li Yuanxiu swear the Xuanjing Spirit Oath and saw him out.

"With this son to shepherd the household, all will be well in the future."

Li Xuanling's mood greatly improved, watching Li Yuanxiu descend the mountain, he nodded in satisfaction and turned to cultivate.

————

Xiao Yuansi paid his respects to his great-uncle, Xiao Chuting, and also met with his cousin Xiao Yongling, before he could finally be on his way. Riding the winds along the ancient Lidao, passing over successive layers of forested mountains, he arrived within the Li Family's domain. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

The crude Misty Maze Array that had once been on Lijing Mountain had been replaced with a complex Great Formation shimmering with golden light. Xiao Yuansi nodded slightly in approval. Although this Formation was insignificant in the eyes of someone with his Foundation Establishment Cultivation, it still indicated the Li Family's progress over the years.

Stabilizing his figure outside the Formation, Xiao Yuansi nervously called out:

"Qing Sui Peak..."

After thinking for a moment, he changed his tone:

"Xiao Yuansi of the Xiao Family of Lixia has come to visit. Please open the Mountain Gate!"

There was a noticeable pause below before a small opening was made in the Formation. Xiao Yuansi withdrew his Spell and descended into it, to be greeted by an unfamiliar youngster, vaguely familiar, who bowed to him:

"Li Xuanxuan of the Li Family, at your service, Elder. My family's elder is in seclusion. Please, come in and have a seat."

Xiao Yuansi nodded lightly, looked at him, and, restraining his curiosity about whose child he might be, sat down to wait with a cup of tea for Li Tongya and the others to arrive.

Just as he collected his thoughts, Li Tongya had already arrived at the door, dismissing the attendants so only the two of them remained in the courtyard. Li Tongya bowed respectfully:

"Greetings, Elder!"

Xiao Yuansi looked at him sentimentally, noting his greying temples, and spoke softly:

"You've aged as well... How is Xiangping?"

Li Tongya bowed his head, his eyes downcast, giving away no particular emotion, and replied: