Family Cultivation: I Become a Mirror

Chapter 419 356: Departure (2)

"You massacre the common people, injuring the harmony of Heaven. Are you not afraid of karmic retribution?"

Chi Buzi let out a sneer, his voice like a deep, shadowed current, murmuring:

"Karma is but a plaything in Maha's hand. The common people are cattle and sheep beneath my Divine Skills. Do you think these cattle are so adorable? They hate me with venom, yet long to take my place."

"As for retribution."

His smile grew ever more grotesque as he replied:

"It is a powerless wail, a pitiful delusion."

...

Though Chi Buzi had landed afar, he was still within Lu Jiangxian's Divine Sense. With the added enhancement of that soul-bound witchcraft and Divine Sense, even the faint stirrings of Chi Buzi's thoughts could be perceived by Lu Jiangxian.

"Chi Buzi's arrival was so sudden, I could only deal with him like that..."

The Talisman Qi was inscrutable even to Zifu Monks, so Lu Jiangxian naturally boasted grandly, steering the topic as if even Golden Core cultivators coveted it. As long as Chi Buzi dared not wager on Lu Shui's discernment, he would never dare to expose anything.

As for that Immortal Official's soul, it was naturally under Lu Jiangxian's control, possessed of a considerable degree of autonomy. With the entirety of his former Immortal Court memories and the incantation ritual within the Mirror, that was sufficient to deceive Chi Buzi for quite some time.

Even if any contradiction arose, the Immortal Official would merely believe he had lost most of his memories, and would never suspect himself to be a soul fabricated by another.

As long as Chi Buzi dared not seek out Lu Shui, the constant surveillance of that soul meant that at the slightest hint of exposure, Lu Jiangxian's lurking measures would instantly end his life—a far better end than dying at Wangyue Lake.

"Once some time has passed and he's outlived his usefulness, and as soon as the trail can no longer be traced back to me, everything will be so much easier."

Lu Jiangxian set his mind at ease, even showing a trace of anticipation.

"That Immortal Official, when asked about current affairs, will surely inquire about the Green Pond Technique and secret spells, and at the very least will raise issues only Zifu cultivators might encounter. By then, once Chi Buzi comes to Wangyue Lake, I can link to the soul and read his memories..."

Scanning with Divine Sense over Wangyue Lake and its surrounds, Lu Jiangxian rummaged again through the many clan treasuries. There was nothing truly new, though the Ding Family's inheritance included a newly added set—an unremarkable Second Grade cultivation technique.

Lu Jiangxian memorized this technique in passing, then unhurriedly settled himself back upon the Dharma Mirror, as the scattered blood pearls Chi Buzi had left behind rolled about on the ground.

'This might be of use.'

Within these blood pearls pulsed the essence of Chi Buzi's Divine Ability spell power. While not plentiful, witchcraft was ever most skilled at exploiting such essence-blood relics, and with so many to hand, Lu Jiangxian could surely make good use of them.

'I just need to hint at it, and have the members of the Li Family present it to me.'

The Dharma Mirror could only meddle with the outside world via Divine Sense and the Taiyin Moonlight; all else was impossible. Unless one touched upon the fate line within the Immortal Mirror, it was impossible even to move anything, let alone draw someone into the Mirror world.

Thus, though Lu Jiangxian coveted these blood pearls, he could do nothing but wait for the Li Family to make the offering.

...

Li Yuanjiao and his kin watched as Chi Buzi rode the wind and departed, exchanging glances, clearly caught unawares. He whispered:

"The Water Mansion Immortal Official from Dangjiang Stream? Immortal Mansion?"

"He must have been possessed by some Metal Nature."

The Li Family now had some experience. Li Yuanping nodded slightly and replied:

"Brother… Did you see that thing from our clan? How could a Metal Nature arise…"

He cut himself off at once, exchanging a glance with siblings, and tacitly shifted the subject:

"Judging by the one occupying the Perfected Person's body, he seems rather easy to reason with. Who knows what fate awaits him."

Li Xuanxuan's expression eased somewhat. He wiped the sweat from his brow, softly saying:

"I just wonder if this Perfected Person will recover, and when he'll return for vengeance against our clan. For now… we must be prepared on both fronts."

"Yuanjiao, what do you think of leaving for overseas?"

Li Yuanjiao slowly shook his head and answered:

"Our clan must have at least two Foundation Establishment cultivators to consider branching out. At present, sending anyone overseas would leave us without a foothold, a death sentence for nothing."

He paused:

"My thought is: Better to quietly send Ximing to the Xiao Family, negotiating with Ancestor Yuansi to take him in under the pretext of pill concoction, letting him stay inconspicuously at his peak."

"For one, Ancestor Yuansi is a kindly elder. Ximing will not be mistreated while under his care, and will surely learn much more than remaining at home ever could."

Li Yuanjiao gradually recovered his composure, continuing methodically:

"Secondly, should disaster befall our Li Family and our house be annihilated, the Zifu would surely silence all survivors. Without Divine Skill concealment, fleeing anywhere would be pointless… But since Xiao Chuting can shield the suspected Immortal Sect remnant Chen Taojing, he can just as surely use Divine Skills to hide Ximing's whereabouts—leaving a spark to preserve our line."

Li Xuanxuan too slowly took his seat, sighing:

"Ancestor Yuansi has already aided us so greatly. The protection of predecessors will eventually run out; if not absolutely necessary, I would never ask this of him."

Li Yuanping, always silent at the side, slightly nodded, cupping his hands as he withdrew:

"I shall make arrangements at once."

Li Xuanxuan nodded to him, then turned to Li Yuanjiao:

"At this time of crisis, it would be best for you to carry the Immortal Mirror on your person. Seal the ancestral hall and stay on Wutu Mountain, in case of any unexpected need."

Li Yuanjiao formed a mystic gesture, gathering up the scattered red pearls upon the ground and taking out a Jade Box to contain them. He gazed at them under the moonlight.

The jade beads were crimson-bright, glowing and full, giving off a faint ashen mist. Bathed in moonlight, they shone with an extraordinary luster. Yet staring at them for long left the heart oppressed and irritable, the feeling hard to express.

Only then did Li Yuanjiao put them away, feeling the Talisman Seed within him give a slight twitch. His heart thrilled in secret: