Family Cultivation: I Become a Mirror

Chapter 423 358: Carved Gold Stone

"So be it,"

Li Qinghong, having been in seclusion for quite a while, was ready to stretch her muscles. Smiling, Li Yuanjiao nodded and stepped back.

Her face broke into a smile, and with a flick of her spear, she spun a beautiful spear flower that shimmered with purple light. Li Qinghong didn't engage in a spell battle using thunder light on the lake; instead, she first used the Water Manipulating technique to approach the catfish demon a few steps at a time.

Thunder Dharma differs from Sword Qi. Sword Qi is "the sharp energy formed by the emanation of metal", and it doesn't conflict much with aquatic creatures; the energy loss from piercing through the water is minimal.

On the other hand, Thunder Dharma is "thunder attribute, also fire, the vital energy of Yin Yang with Yang in excess becoming thunder," if released underwater, naturally, it wouldn't be ideal.

Thunder Dharma's efficiency declines underwater compared to on land, but this doesn't mean that Li Qinghong would not be able to handle this minor demon. She activated the River Rapids Step and thrust her spear straight into the belly of the creature.

As for the spell "Du Ruo", there was no need to hurt herself when dealing with a minor Middle Stage Qi Cultivation demon, so the magic artifact she wielded was an inferior grade small spear suitable for Lower Stage Qi Cultivation.

"Boom!"

Li Yuanjiao felt a slight tingling on his face as a bright white light flashed by, followed by a muffled explosion and myriads of bubbles appearing all at once, stirring the water into a murky state.

The stunned catfish demon leaped on the spot and coldly did a twist, dissipating the spell it had been gathering in its mouth. It wobbled away unsteadily, each of its long whiskers standing straight out, emitting a sharp, piercing screech.

"Aaaw..."

Li Qinghong seized the opportunity, her spear technique flickering uncertainly, shaking the water realm within the formation until the fish and shrimp turned belly-up, floating to the surface. The demon, with a cultivation level weaker than Li Qinghong's, could only flee in a clumsy and embarrassed manner, belly flopping through the water.

"After all, it's Thunder Dharma,"

Li Yuanjiao commented with admiration,

"Such Taoist lineage is rare in South River. If it weren't for the risk of shortening one's life span and self-harm, it would truly be the supreme offensive technique of our family."

If the Li Family had not recently acquired the "Golden Hall Bright Yuan Art," there would not have been any Cultivation Technique that could surpass the "Purple Thunder Secret Essence Technique." Although the Golden Hall Bright Yuan Art is a Fourth Grade Cultivation Technique, it's vast, principled, and majestic like the sun, and might not be as powerful in offense compared to the damaging Thunder Dharma.

With this thought, Li Yuanjiao was reminded of something:

'Xihong has made considerable progress these past few years. Just a few days ago, on his 26th birthday, he managed to break through to the Fifth Layer of Fetal Breathing. But Uncle Donghe is still away in the deserts of the west...'

Although Chen Donghe would return in a year or two, which in theory would be in time for Li Xihong's Qi Cultivation, Ximing, who was studying the Alchemy Dao in the Xiao Family, and Xijun from Meichi Peak had higher talent and were quickly catching up to Xihong.

'Both Ximing and Xijun reached the Fourth Layer of Fetal Breathing by the age of fourteen or fifteen, looking to breakthrough to Qi Cultivation within the next five to seven years. If the "Golden Sun Radiant Origin" were given to Xihong, at least one of the two younger brothers would become impatient.'

After pondering for a while, Li Yuanjiao knew that with disasters occurring everywhere, and with sporadic contact from the west, it would really be a problem whether they could gather a "Golden Sun Radiant Origin" in the next seven years.

'I'll discuss it with Xihong when I get back.'

Coming back to his senses, Li Yuanjiao saw that Li Qinghong had already dragged the large catfish back. The fish's body was mottled with black and white, stiff with sealed cultivation, still dribbling froth from its wide mouth.

This demon had been struck by lightning, charring its body and forcing it to spew out chunks of fish, ducks, crabs, snakes, and pieces of clothing and driftwood—presumably from those who lived off the lake.

"Hmm,"

Li Yuanjiao glanced over and cast a spell, causing the azure-blue Great Formation that separated inside from outside to dissipate. The Array Plate on the ground began to rise slowly, circling around before landing in his hand.

"This 'Murky Water Stream Array' is quite useful; its concealment is exceptionally strong. As long as the Array Plate is protected, it can trap the enemy."

Pocketing the Array Plate, Li Yuanjiao replied,

"It's a handy Water Manipulating Formation Art. It's too bad it's only for rent. To buy it would cost over a hundred Spirit Stones."

Li Qinghong, graceful in her movements and wearing a slight smile at the corner of her lips, responded nonchalantly as she used her Mana to control the catfish, the size of a small cabin. The two rode the wind side by side, heading up the mountain together.

Li Yuanping had already prepared the ritual implements, dressed in his Taoist robe, waiting for the two of them, with an old monkey standing respectfully beside him, clothed in a Taoist robe and wooden clogs. On the other side stood Li Ximing, who seemed to have just returned, ready to attend the family's sacrifice.

As Li Yuanping saw his siblings return with the demon, he praised them and produced a wooden box from his sleeve, saying excitedly,

"Brother! The 'Wanling Flower' has bloomed!"

He opened the palm-sized wooden box, revealing three quietly resting spirit flowers with a soft red hue. The flowers were delicate, about the size of a palm, with long slender stamens and five petals, red on top and white on the bottom.

As soon as the box opened, everyone including Li Yuanping couldn't help but smile, their lips curling upwards as he explained,

"This flower delights the heart and brings joy on sight. Whoever sees it cannot help but smile. It is so gentle that whether one is a commoner or a cultivator, as long as they haven't formed their Immortal Foundation, they must smile sincerely."

After Li Yuanjiao admired the flowers for a while, he instructed,

"Divide two of them first and have Ximing deliver them to Ancestor Yuansi. Tell him that it's Ximing being nosy and offering a modest gift to express gratitude."

Having given his instructions and bestowed some provisions for cultivation upon the old monkey, who accepted them all without refusal, Li Ximing then stepped forward.

"Thank you, respected uncle!"

Li Ximing was polite and respectful. Having cultivated in the Xiao Family for two years and receiving Xiao Yuansi's generous teachings, and having read many medical texts, he had acquired some of Xiao Yuansi's refined elegance.

He had grown taller and his features had matured. While he didn't have the delicacy of his childhood features and was not notably handsome—merely having an average appearance—his temperament made him look warm and composed.