Family Cultivation: I Become a Mirror-Chapter 176 - 166 The Situation is About to Change (Two in One)

Shamo Li had stayed in the land of the easterners for several months before he finally understood what enjoyment truly meant. The sight of the dancers, adorned with veils and swaying gracefully, almost made Shamo Li’s eyes pop out of his head. Some of the junior disciples of the Li Family took him to watch operas, go hunting, taste wine, stroll the streets, and gamble on fighting roosters and dogs. Every day was filled with delightful living.

"Damn it, those in the west are truly a bunch of fools!"

Only then did Shamo Li understand why those from Shanyue who returned from the east held such disdain for the westerners. The lifestyles of the two regions were starkly different; life in the east was easy and comfortable, but what gave Shamo Li a headache was the complex and sensitive political life of the easterners.

Whenever Shamo Li opened his mouth, nine out of ten times what he said would cause one or two people to shut up with displeasure and somehow, without knowing how, he would offend someone. Eventually, he learned to be wise and kept silent unless absolutely necessary, content to smile merrily instead.

"Young master!"

Snapping back to reality, Shamo Li saw someone approaching him. After recalling carefully, he realized the person was Li Yuanxiu, the illegitimate brother of the Li Family, a royal side branch in Shamo Li’s view. He quickly responded,

"I have seen this brother!"

The man was slightly taken aback, accustomed to Shamo Li’s unfiltered speech, but he didn’t mind and smiled,

"Do you still like the dancer?"

"Like it! Of course, I like it!"

Shamo Li instantly broke into a wide grin. Having spent time here, he had figured out a pattern—saying he liked something often resulted in it being delivered to his room the following day.

"It’s just that there is one downside—the rules among the easterners are strict; unlike home, where you can just take whomever you fancy. Only these official dancers..."

Shamo Li sighed regretfully, but just then the large door to the courtyard creaked open, and a youth in a black robe entered. On seeing him, everyone lowered their heads and fell silent, while Shamo Li’s eyes lit up with warmth as he called out,

"Yuanjiao, brother!"

Li Yuanjiao entered the room, glanced around, and saw that the idle scoundrels of the family were, for a change, of some use to him, sharing a taste with Shamo Li and likely divulging a lot of information to him.

Li Yuanjiao, observing Shamo Li’s slightly red, tipsy face, placed the jade box on his table and said with a smile,

"I’ve just come into possession of some Spirit Fruit and thought of my cousin immediately, so I have brought them to you!"

Shamo Li was overjoyed, thinking to himself,

"Li Yuanjiao truly is my main support in the Li Family. These past few months, he has sent several gifts my way, each one a fine Spiritual Object..."

While profusely thanking him, Shamo Li took the jade box and pondered what good things this batch of Spirit Fruit could buy him. Li Yuanjiao, well-aware of his thoughts and knowing everything Shamo Li said and did each day, said in all earnestness,

"Cousin, do you still remember the great endeavor of reclaiming your throne?"

"Of course, I remember!"

Shamo Li’s face reddened slightly. During the first few days in the town, he had been mindful of his goal of kingship, especially under the subtle influences from Li Yuanxiu, but recently, he’d nearly cast aside thoughts of it entirely.

"Forgive my bluntness, cousin, but if you lack even the Qi Cultivation Level, even if my family places you on the throne, you might not be able to retain it... You must be careful!"

These words stunned Shamo Li, sending a shiver down his spine. He cursed himself harshly in his heart and abandoned the idea of selling the gift. Gritting his teeth, he said,

"Thank you for the reminder. Shamo Li is enormously grateful. Since arriving in the east, I’ve already broken through the fourth layer of Fetal Breathing. From now on, I will focus on seclusion for Immortal Cultivation to swiftly break through Qi Cultivation..."

Li Yuanjiao nodded, turned his head, and left. Shamo Li was left in the courtyard, his gaze lingering affectionately on the dancers in the corner. The group beneath him all looked up at him expectantly. Shamo Li coughed once and, looking in the direction where Li Yuanjiao had departed, murmured lowly,

"Continue dancing. Tonight is the last night... Starting tomorrow, tomorrow I’ll begin cultivating!"

Li Qiuyang, who stood quietly to the side clutching his sword, had been sent to protect Shamo Li. Watching him day and night, he had come to understand this young man quite well. He glanced at Shamo Li, who looked content and slightly sighed, thinking to himself,

"The bloodline of the Mulushi clan is quite remarkable indeed. This fellow is clearly a pleasure-seeking scoundrel. At a little over twenty, he has already cultivated to the fourth layer of Fetal Breathing! How unfair it all is."

Touching the white hairs at his temples, Li Qiuyang calculated the time and realized he was already forty-five, yet had just broken through the fifth layer of the Yujing Wheel of Fetal Breathing. A wave of sadness washed over him.

"My cultivation speed is declining day by day. Once Qi Cultivating Peak Cultivators reach the age of sixty, their vitality plummets further. I wonder if I will ever manage to break through Qi Refinement in this lifetime, command the Qi to fly, and wander freely between heaven and earth..."

"I entered the Immortal Path at the age of eight, treasuring it greatly, practicing diligently day and night, never daring to waste time except for completing the tasks required by the family. Yet, to perish just like an ordinary person after a century, while this dissolute young man revels in song and dance, only to see Qi Refinement on the horizon—how deeply unfair!"

Li Qiuyang shrank into the shadows of the corner, his demeanor growing increasingly aged, and a deep yearning that he could hardly contain emerged within him. He mused,

"Uncle Tongya has watched me grow up since I was little; in his heart, he must have a trace of affection for me as a junior. If I were to ask him for an Elixir, perhaps there would still be a chance for me to break through Qi Refinement in this lifetime..."

As Li Qiuyang entertained the thought, his lips involuntarily curled into a smile, but then he forcibly suppressed his wishful thinking, chiding himself,

"The family is now brimming with outstanding younger members. Not to mention Yuanxiu and Yuanjiao, even Qinghong is making rapid progress. How could they waste a precious Elixir on an old man like me."