The Young Tianshi, Li Zhengxuan, locked eyes with Xu Yuanzhen.
After a moment, Li Zhengxuan’s gaze softened, appearing deep and contemplative. “Senior Sister, is your target the Heavenly Book Talismanic Canon?”
Xu Yuanzhen waved her hand dismissively. “I won’t deny some interest in the Heavenly Book Talismanic Canon, but I won’t exchange it for Xiaotang. I have plenty of time and patience—no need to rush.”
Li Zhengxuan nodded. “Your teaching is wise, Senior Sister. Over these years, I’ve erred on the side of impatience. I’ve focused solely on cultivation to the point of blindness, neglecting to guide Junior Brother Li Ming and others properly. I’ve also failed to show enough care for other sect members. For today’s situation, I’m the one who should bear responsibility.”
Nearby, a middle-aged Daoist who had remained silent by Li Xuan’s side rose and approached Xu Yuanzhen and Li Zhengxuan.
“For Zhengxuan to say such a thing shames this old Daoist. The fault of poor discipline falls on me, not Zhengxuan. How could I let him shoulder the blame for our family?”
The middle-aged Daoist looked steadily at Xu Yuanzhen.
“You’re right, Nephew Yuanzhen. As for Li Ming’s death, it was his own doing. The mistakes he made before cannot simply be written off due to his demise.
Li Ming repeatedly violated sect rules and must face public punishment. Only then can justice be served for the fellow disciples he wronged.”
With a solemn expression, Elder Ziyang turned to his eldest son, Li Xuan, standing silently nearby.
“Not only should Li Ming be punished, but you and I must also bear the blame for our oversight. To atone, we will immediately investigate anyone associated with Li Ming’s misconduct. If others are found guilty, they will be severely punished. We owe this explanation to everyone in the Mansion!”
Li Xuan lowered his head. “Yes.”
Xu Yuanzhen ignored Li Xuan, her gaze calm as it rested on both uncle and nephew. “Isn’t this good? Each of you has heard the promise you wanted from the other.”
She nodded lightly at Elder Ziyang. “The upcoming tasks will be hard on you, Third Martial Uncle.”
With that, she turned and left.
After her figure disappeared from view, Li Xuan suddenly raised his head. “Father! Senior Brother!”
Elder Ziyang and the Young Tianshi sat down calmly.
“My words earlier came from the heart,” said Elder Ziyang. “Though I mourn Ming’er’s death, what happened today was his own doing.”
Elder Ziyang continued, “Over the past two years, I believed you had matured and thus refrained from intervening too much. That mistake led to today’s humiliation at the hands of Nephew Yuanzhen. It’s a deserved lesson.
The infamy of this incident must fall solely on Li Ming. Otherwise, the entire Li family would bear the consequences. Though he was my son and your brother, he is unworthy.”
Li Xuan remained silent before speaking hesitantly. “Even so, it should be up to us, the Li family, to handle our own matters, not for Xu Yuanzhen to overstep her bounds! Over the years, she’s grown increasingly arrogant. Outsiders even call her the ‘Second Tianshi.’ Does she really think she is?”
The Young Tianshi responded lightly, “Our sect has suffered repeated internal turmoil, and our vitality is severely damaged. We cannot afford further internal strife.
The nickname ‘Second Tianshi’ given to Senior Sister is merely external provocation meant to sow discord within our sect. Taking it seriously would only play into their hands.”
Elder Ziyang said, “Who the Second Tianshi is doesn’t matter. What matters is that the Tianshi surname remains Li. This basic truth—do you still not understand it today?”
Li Xuan lowered his head again. “Yes, I understand.”
Elder Ziyang’s gaze drifted to the door. “Today, what’s worth noting is that besides her reputation and personal strength, Nephew Yuanzhen has an extremely effective network within the Mansion. The speed with which she gathered evidence was impressive. It seems we’ve underestimated her in the past, which was a grave mistake.”
Meanwhile, although the Minor Grotto-Heaven had undergone some changes, disciples like Lei Jun, who entered for training, had already reaped significant benefits.
Having been nourished and cleansed by the waters of the Immortal Pool, Lei Jun’s cultivation revealed profound progress upon introspection.
The Dao Foundation, typically square and simplistic at the early Foundation Establishment stage, began to undergo transformation.
Surrounding his Dao Foundation, a structured perimeter began to rise, resembling a city wall. Openings appeared, representing the Eight Gates of Daoist tradition: Du (Closure), Jing (View), Si (Death), Jing (Shock), Kai (Open), Xiu (Rest), Sheng (Life), Shang (Hurt).
As each gate opened, the Dao Foundation emanated even greater mystical Dao intent. When all eight gates were fully open, Lei Jun’s cultivation would ascend to the Intermediate Foundation Establishment Stage.
Lei Jun smiled in satisfaction.
Back in the Mansion, the punishments regarding Li Ming were gradually made public. Li Ming’s reputation was utterly destroyed, and many of his associates within the Li family faced repercussions.
Outside the Mansion, even outsiders began paying attention.
Meanwhile, Tang Xiaotang remained in high spirits, often playing with spirit beasts passing by.
Xu Yuanzhen remarked bluntly, “Seeing your foolish expression, I know you’ll fall for the same trap next time.”
Tang Xiaotang, unfazed, retorted cheerfully, “I’m not foolish—you’re just too cunning.”
Lei Jun quipped, “Senior Sister’s wickedness knows no bounds.”
Tang Xiaotang shot back, “Can you stop saying that with such admiration and respect?”
Lei Jun casually commented, “Senior Sister doesn’t just subdue Senior Brother and Elder Ziyang with force. She ensures Li Ming’s reputation collapses completely, stirring anger in those previously deceived by him. That way, he’ll never recover his standing.”
Tang Xiaotang nodded, amused. “So, just like you said, she knocked down the small ones and then went after the big ones!”
Lei Jun facepalmed, realizing her focus was entirely misplaced.
Lei Jun sighed and said, “If possible, it’s always best to hold the moral high ground, even in part. Fewer enemies, more allies—do more good deeds to highlight the wrongdoings of your opponents. It saves effort in the long run.”
Tang Xiaotang clenched her fist enthusiastically. “Exactly! Good deeds should be done in broad daylight. If you want to shine, you need an audience—preferably friends and supporters!”
Lei Jun massaged his temples, watching her stride away confidently, already sensing her plans might go awry in unexpected ways.
Xu Yuanzhen, meanwhile, put down her brush and shifted her gaze between Lei Jun and Tang Xiaotang.
“Senior Sister?” Lei Jun asked hesitantly.
Xu Yuanzhen smiled faintly. “She may avoid major losses, but small ones will pile up. It’s fine. As for you… good days are ahead.”
Lei Jun frowned slightly. “The way you say ‘good days’ gives me a bad feeling.”
Xu Yuanzhen chuckled softly but didn’t elaborate. Instead, she picked up her brush and resumed her work.