Family Cultivation: I Become a Mirror-Chapter 169 - 159: Relic (Two-In-One)_2

"The agreement between the two sects was to advance from the east of Shanyue, which led to the forcible killing of Xiangping."

Already fraught with guilt on his arrival, this statement hit Xiao Yuansi like a hammer to his head, breaking his cultivation concentration. He unbuckled the Green Peak sword from his waist and handed it over with a lowered voice:

"Jing'er... he... is gone."

Li Tongya had long been aware, yet could not help but shed tears. He took the sword with both hands and choked up:

"Tongya lost his elder brother at the age of twenty, followed by one family member after another passing away. Now I have neither parents to see nor siblings left!"

Xiao Yuansi, who was now a cultivator at the Foundation Establishment stage, was so shaken by these few words that tears streamed down his face. Remembering the promise he had made years ago to take care of Jing'er while refining elixirs at the Li Family, he gritted his teeth and said:

"Tongya... Tongya... I, I have failed you."

Li Tongya abruptly raised his eyebrows and demanded loudly:

"Elder Xiao! I ask you just one thing, how did Jing'er die?"

The face of Xiao Yuansi turned red as internal tumult warred within him, and it took several breaths before he could speak:

"He was harmed by the Chi Family... he was offered up to the demonic beings in the Southern Border for pill concoction! My master has been locked beneath the tower, and to this day has not been released, leaving me powerless to help..."

"So it was the Chi Family!"

Li Tongya knew that the Chi Family wielded great power within the Green Pond Sect and that such actions were only too plausible. He bowed in gratitude and said:

"Thank you, senior!"

"I dare not."

Xiao Yuansi shook his head, feeling overwhelmed by the mournful atmosphere; he quickly shifted the topic, declaring sternly:

"My junior brother instructed me to bring back many things to the family, and I am entrusting them to you now!"

"The most precious of these is the Green Ruler Sword."

Xiao Yuansi pointed to the Green Ruler Sword encased in its sheath in his hand and explained:

"This sword was forged by the request of my master from seven feet of Green Abyss Copper found on Green Pond Mountain, combined with thirty-two types of heavenly materials, earthly treasures, and spiritual objects, and entrusted to the Peak Master of Yuanwu for its making. Upon completion, the sword had achieved the status of a Foundation Establishment level."

"Later, with my junior brother's constant nourishment day and night, the sword's intent and body echoed each other, and as it broke through Foundation Establishment, it imbued the Green Ruler Sword with a refined spirituality. It accumulated a pure strand of Moon Que Sword Intent which is profoundly mysterious. Jing'er instructed me to ensure I brought it back to the family!"

Xiao Yuansi shook his head and sighed:

"However, once it came into my possession, the sword refused to come out of its sheath. Even when called forth with mana, it appeared dull and lackluster, as if it has developed a spirit and refuses to submit to my command."

Li Tongya looked it over from top to bottom. Although he couldn't see the blade, the pale-colored tassel that dangled from it was rather attractive. He tried to draw the sword, but as expected, could not pull it out of the sheath.

"That's one thing."

Xiao Yuansi looked mournfully at the sword for a moment before continuing:

"Secondly, Jing'er had earned some merits in the Southern Border, and hearing that the family lacked a pill concoction heritage, he exchanged for one, which is right here."

He took out a Jade Slip that glowed radiantly and was quite beautiful to behold. Its surface was engraved with tiny characters which Li Tongya read upon receiving it:

"'Essential Secrets of Pill Refinement'"

Then Xiao Yuansi produced a Storage Bag and passed it to Li Tongya, explaining:

"In this is a collection of miscellaneous items, over a hundred Spirit Stones, a few Qi Cultivation Stage Talismans, and a precious Sui Origin Pill, which could increase the success rate of Foundation Establishment by half."

Li Tongya hastily took it, impressed by Li Chijin's thorough considerations, muttering to himself:

"This child..."

Finally, Xiao Yuansi took out one large and one small Jade Slip. He placed the smaller one upright on the table, and softly said:

"This is the 'Clear Pupil Technique of the Spirit Eye', a rare Pupil Technique that excels at breaking through illusions. It's difficult to cultivate. Jing'er originally acquired it for Xiangping, who is skilled with the bow."

Then he solemnly passed the larger Jade Slip to Li Tongya, instructing:

"This records Jing'er's swordsmanship. He compiled it into a manual titled 'Moon Que Sword Canon', which he claimed to be of Fifth Grade - an exceptionally precious technique! You must absolutely keep this a secret... It includes Jing'er's mana imprint to prove that I have not read it."

This statement stirred Li Tongya. Such a Fifth Grade cultivation technique could even tempt Zifu Monks, let alone Xiao Yuansi who likely had not even reached the Foundation Establishment stage. Li got up in a hurry and said respectfully,

"I have nothing but admiration for the person you are, Elder!"

After exchanging a glance that said everything, Xiao finally felt at ease to sit down and take a few sips of tea. The empty courtyard was left with just the two of them. Li spoke softly,

"May I ask, Elder, how much longer can this matter... remain hidden?"

Xiao Yuansi put down his tea bowl, gauged Li's intentions for a few moments, and then replied,

"Apart from a few Zifu Monks, only Chi Zhiyun from the Chi Family and I know about this. Chi Zhiyun spends his days in seclusion and is not fond of social interactions. The way the Chi Family handled this matter was not honorable, so he would not spread the word. Naturally, I would not either. Keeping it secret for another fifty years is not a problem."

"Fifty years."

Li Tongya noted this timeframe in his heart and thanked Xiao. The atmosphere in the courtyard suddenly grew heavy, and both opened their mouths but could find no words.

After sipping his tea and feeling restless, Xiao Yuansi had no choice but to speak up,

"Yue Country is about to undergo a major change. Three aging Zifu peak figures are at the end of their lifespans. Chaos is bound to erupt soon."

"One is a Loose Cultivator, unpredictable in his whereabouts. Another is from Shanyue, who has been relying on a Secret Technique to extend his life, but something went wrong, causing him much embarrassment. The last one is Chi Wei from the Chi Family. All three are reaching their end and are desperately searching for a way to break through to the Golden Core, though the chances are slim, we must still be cautious."

Li Tongya listened intently as Xiao Yuansi's eyes suddenly lit up with enthusiasm,

"Judging by time, the Serpent Jiao should have produced six or seven fruits by now. Since I am here, let's concoct the elixirs. This saves us from worrying about preserving them for too long and losing their Spiritual Energy."

"But... how could I impose?"

Li Tongya, stuck between courtesy and obligation by his offer, politely declined twice before waving his hand. Li Xuanxuan outside received the Mana transmission and hurried to fetch the Serpent Jiao fruits.

————

Xiao Yuansi stayed on Lijing Mountain for a few days and spent his days concocting elixirs, as well as guiding Li Tongya through some cultivation puzzles and discussing his future path.

"The 'River Qi Decision,' when cultivated to the Foundation Establishment, forms an Immortal Foundation called [Vast Sea], renowned for its unstoppable, resounding Mana that is vast and powerful. Cultivators of this technique can often fend off multiple assailants, with their Mana circulating swiftly."

"The former owner of the Wangyue Lake market cultivated this very technique. It took three cultivators of the same realm with special Magic Artifacts to finally bring him down. Although the technique is quite dull, paired with your Swordsmanship, it indeed becomes a perfect combination."

Li Tongya nodded solemnly, carefully noting this information, then suddenly recalled Yu Mugao's disciple who had joined Yuanwu Peak and asked,

"Elder, do you know about the disciple from the Yu Family by Wangyue Lake who has joined Yuanwu Peak?"

Xiao Yuansi nodded, tidied up the Jade Box in his hand, and answered,

"Before leaving Green Pond Sect, I had already investigated the surrounding families thoroughly, including the Yu Family. The disciple's name is Yu Muxian; his talent can only be considered decent, but he has a gift for Artifact Refining, which got him noticed by Yuanwu Peak."

"Speaking of which, I have heard an amusing tale."

Xiao Yuansi chuckled softly and said to Li,

"Yu Muxian begged the Peak Master of Yuanwu to assign him a county, and even divided the quota for accepting disciples under Yuanwu Peak, despite Yuanwu Peak having recruited its full quota of disciples for several years already."

"That is to say, unless someone passes by chance, for the next few decades, no one will come to Wangyue Lake to accept disciples!"

Li Tongya pondered for a moment and exclaimed,

"What a clever strategy!"

The reason why the numerous families around Wangyue Lake had not engaged in large-scale annexation was mainly because each was entwined with the various Peaks of Green Pond Sect. Taking sudden action could provoke criticism from within the Sect. The Yu Family, too, was often troubled by this.

However, the Peak Masters were bound by their relationships and thus obliged to consider the welfare of these families, but they weren't their nanny. The Lu Family's tale was still fresh in memory; these entanglements typically involved the kinship of one or two people, and it was common for a family to be wiped out upon the death of an elder when the protection faded.

By cutting the core of the problem, the Yu Family had effectively shattered the hopes of most families for the future. As the older generation slowly withers away, the day they lose their protection will come, giving the Yu Family an opportunity to profit from the chaos.

"Besides, this move also eliminates a major threat from the Peaks accepting new disciples."

While receiving the elixirs from Xiao Yuansi, Li Tongya was contemplating to himself.

"An Jingming's talent is absolutely one of the best in Wangyue Lake in a century. If he were to join the Green Pond Sect, Yu Family's southern expansion would be entirely blocked... Moreover, with such a talented individual joining a Sect from a neighbouring family, I'm afraid the Yu Family Head wouldn't be able to sleep at night."

"Such an excellent tactic... no doubt Yu Mugao and Yu Xiaogui have spent a considerable amount of gifts and favors. This father and son pair are really not easy to deal with!"