Chapter 149: Bestowal

The Three Tombs and Six Seas demand immediate action.

The Southern Border remains unsettled, and unrest brews in the Northern Territory.

The land of supreme immortals is shrouded in unfathomable secrecy.

An ancient immortal venerable is suspected of a personal descent.

This might well be the most troublesome predicament he had ever encountered.

"I grant you the pinnacle of the Southern Border, the cultivation realm of Master of Law."

"This artifact is the ultimate family treasure of my lineage—the Annihilation Stele."

"Your development in the Southern Border brooks no delay."

"Remember well: should a crisis arise, call out my name at once."

After a slight pause, Li Changsheng slowly raised his hand, conjuring a phantasm of endless mountains of corpses, seas of blood, and the bloody purgatory of the floating slaughterhouse.

A seemingly modest, archaic stone stele materialized in his palm.

As these calm words left his lips, a flash of profound brilliance, virtually imperceptible, crossed his eyes.

The Southern Border was no place for a prolonged stay.

Even more crucial matters awaited him...

As for Elder Jian...

Li Changsheng had already swept his divine sense across the Underworld River the moment he noticed the anomaly.

Yet, he had found nothing at all.

Presumably, the perpetrator's mastery over causality was in no way inferior to that of the Underworld River...

Li Changsheng found it truly unimaginable what manner of existence could be mentioned in the same breath as the Underworld River, which held sway over all living beings.

All of this was too utterly absurd.

Elder Jian had vanished without him even noticing; even in Wuyao's memory, the person known as Elder Jian did not exist at all.

This was, to say the least, deeply unsettling...

I grant you the realm of Master of Law...

Along with Li Changsheng's words, a surge of pristine spiritual energy abruptly poured into Wuyao's body!

As the aura around her surged continuously, the snapping sound of something shattering echoed from within her.

Within a breath, Wuyao's surrounding aura had grown vastly more majestic!

It could only be described as terrifying!

Ripples of heavenly and earthly spiritual energy emanated from her body—unmistakably the hallmark of a Master of Law cultivator!

"Pacify the Southern Border as swiftly as possible. Should you have any needs, call my name directly."

Issuing further instructions to Wuyao and leaving behind several supreme cultivation manuals, Li Changsheng did not linger.

With a single step forward, his figure vanished abruptly!

When he reappeared, he had arrived at a place within a ten-thousand-li radius of the Li family's domain where the spiritual energy of heaven and earth was exceptionally dense!

With a light step of his foot, the central mountain peak here suddenly trembled, endless patterns proliferated, and a strange radiance flickered.

The spiritual energy in this area rapidly surged upward, and a magnificent heavenly gate was visibly outlined!

Without hesitation, Li Changsheng flickered and stepped directly across it.

As a flash of white light crossed his eyes and his vision cleared, Li Changsheng headed straight for the main peak's grand hall!

Bang.

With a wave of his hand, the doors of the grand hall flew wide open.

"Changsheng, what is this..."

Noticing the newcomer, Li Yue looked stunned, his voice tinged with puzzlement.

This brat had just left through the front door and returned through the back; surely he wasn't trying to stir up trouble again, was he?

He had just been pondering whether to pass down the position of patriarch to him; could it be that he had caught wind of his plan...?

Li Yue felt a twinge of guilt in his heart.

"Father, do you know of Elder Jian?"

Naturally noticing Li Yue's expression, Li Changsheng ignored it, cupped his fists in a salute, and asked directly.

The disappearance of Elder Jian could only be resolved after confirmation.

"Elder Jian?"

"Which Elder Jian?"

Li Yue was full of bewilderment and incomprehension.

"Never mind."

"Father, immediately notify all alchemists of the Li family. Gather them here in half an incense stick's time."

Sensing Li Yue's expression, Li Changsheng's heart sank. With a calm response, he turned and left.

Leaving Li Yue alone in the grand hall, utterly baffled.

What kind of stunt was this supposed to be?? Why couldn't he understand a single thing???

After leaving, Li Changsheng did not go anywhere else, heading straight for the Li family's Scripture Pavilion.

With a wave of his hand, he collected all of the Li family's supreme cultivation manuals, then proceeded to the Pill Pavilion to gather those rare, top-tier medicinal pills.

After a thorough sweep, Li Changsheng had completely ransacked the entire Li family.

During this time, no one dared to stop him, which spared Li Changsheng from having to fly into a rage and slaughter people.

A moment later, a sharp glint flashed deep within Li Changsheng's eyes, and with a light step, his figure suddenly turned ethereal.

When he solidified once more, he had arrived at Yun Chen's courtyard.

"Master."

Sensing the fluctuation in a corner of the courtyard, Yun Chen looked surprised.

Recognizing the newcomer, respect flooded his eyes as he hurriedly cupped his fists in a bow.

"Master, is there something you forgot to instruct this disciple?"

After bowing, Yun Chen very sensibly fetched spiritual tea from the table and began brewing a cup for Li Changsheng.

"These are the resources and Dao methods that lead straight to the Ancient Mirror realm. Choose whichever you prefer."

"I want to see you break through to the Ancient Mirror realm in the shortest possible time."

"Furthermore, your own combat prowess must not lag behind that of a half-step Dao realm expert."

Li Changsheng waved his hand, tossing out a portion of the items he had previously plundered. A profound gleam flickered in his eyes as his calm voice rang out.

Though it was only a fraction, it still filled the entire courtyard to the brim.

It was more than enough to support Yun Chen in cultivating to the Ancient Mirror realm.

"This disciple obeys."

Though he did not understand the purpose behind his master's actions, Yun Chen dared not delay, hastily cupping his fists in a respectful bow once again.

His master's commands must be obeyed, and nothing else.

"A formidable enemy is approaching, and this master possesses a technique that can ensure your safety."

"However, this technique requires you to become a thrall temporarily. Are you willing to accept?"

After a moment of silence, a sharp glint flashed deep in Li Changsheng's eyes, his voice betraying neither joy nor anger.

The Son of Fortune was a variable within the starry skies.

In ordinary times, he might have left the Son of Fortune to his own devices.

At a juncture like this, however, Li Changsheng could not afford not to be cautious.

If Yun Chen refused, he would rather take the hit of having a million fortune points deducted entirely just to execute him on the spot!

To leave such a variable here and let nature take its course would leave anyone feeling uneasy in their heart.

Moreover, this particular variable concerned...

The safety of the entire Li family!

And indeed, the lives of all beings in the entire Qingling Realm!

Though he did not know just how formidable the ancient immortal venerable truly was, he could deduce it simply from the chess game at the Tianyuan Wine Tavern.

Even an entity like the Ancestor of Demons, who had suppressed countless immortals and fiends, did not dare to treat him lightly.

If it came down to him, even with the Underworld River in his possession, anxiety still lingered in his heart.

One had to bear in mind that the Ancestor of Demons had been erasable by his hand solely because he was merely a lingering will and a clone.

If the true physical body were to descend, Li Changsheng had no certainty of slaying him.

Between the two of them lay boundless ages of time.

Over such epochs, even a pig could have cultivated to a terrifying degree!

Let alone the Ancestor of Demons.

He could only guarantee self-preservation by relying on the Underworld River, let alone protecting the Li family or the entire Qingling Realm!

And to what extent had the true body of the ancient immortal venerable—who surpassed even the Ancestor of Demons in might—grown?

This was a gamble.

At the same time, it was a choice confronting all living beings of the Qingling Realm.

Li Changsheng thought far ahead, and saw through many things with absolute clarity.

At present, the only thing the entire Li family could rely on was himself.

And the ancient immortal venerable would inevitably arrive shrouded in murderous intent...

"I hope my judgment was wrong..."

After a long silence, a profound glimmer flashed deep within Li Changsheng's eyes.

If not for the ancient immortal venerable, Li Changsheng truly could not conceive who else would go to such targeted lengths to erase the traces of Elder Jian's existence.

"This disciple's life was saved by Master in the first place. Even if I were to truly serve as a thrall for all eternity, it would only be right and proper."

"To be given life and raised by one's parents, the debt can be repaid with one's head."

"To be saved without being raised, the debt cannot be repaid even through the cycle of reincarnation."

"Master has imparted the Dao, and ensured food and clothing for my brother and sister; Yun Chen is naturally not an ingrate."

"Whatever Master intends to do, please proceed without hesitation. Yun Chen shall forever remain Master's disciple."

Beside him, after a brief contemplation, Yun Chen's eyes revealed earnest resolve.

He performed three kowtows and nine prostrations toward Li Changsheng with utmost respect and utter sincerity.

"Very well."

Seeing this, Li Changsheng said no more and nodded.

With a wave of his hand, he summoned a drop of Underworld River water and directed it straight toward the center of Yun Chen's brow.

Before long, a vast influx of information surged into Yun Chen's mind, and an intricate rune emitting mystical brilliance surfaced between his brows!

It was none other than the Underworld Thrall Mark!

"Take these resources and elevate your cultivation as swiftly as possible."

"The enemy is exceedingly strong."

Issuing this final injunction, Li Changsheng did not linger.

With a single step, he headed straight for the place where Zhao Wan'er resided!

"Young Master."

By a serene lakeside, Zhao Wan'er was instructing Yun Jue in her cultivation.

Noticing Li Changsheng's appearance, surprise flashed in Zhao Wan'er's eyes.

After a slight pause, she bowed respectfully.

"Take these resources, ignite your soul lamp as soon as possible, and break through to the Ancient Mirror realm."

"A formidable enemy is approaching."

Without wasting words, Li Changsheng waved his hand, scattering a vast array of heavenly treasures as he spoke calmly.

For the two of them, simplicity and directness were best.

Zhao Wan'er preferred simplicity, and Li Changsheng was no different.

"Yun Jue."

Having finished everything, Li Changsheng turned to look at Yun Jue and called out softly.

"Milord, you may speak."

"Jue'er is listening."

Little Yun Jue cupped her hands obediently in a child's greeting, her youthful voice ringing out.

"Would you like to open your eyes and behold this world?"

A sharp glint flashed deep in Li Changsheng's eyes as he spoke calmly.

When he had previously acquired the Dao Underworld Scripture, he had studied the Underworld River.

Underworld thralls could comprehend the Underworld River and acquire divine abilities.

Among them was one particular art!

The Underworld Nightmare Technique!

The Underworld Nightmare Technique cultivated the Underworld Eye!

Wherever the Underworld Eye swept, all living beings trembled.

When cultivated to the realm of great success, it could even pierce through illusions and point straight to the origin!

One could say this was an extremely powerful pupillary technique!

Though calling it a pupillary technique was not entirely accurate, for the true function of the Underworld Nightmare Technique was far from that simple.

Its true application was to hunt living beings, extract their life force, and transform them into secondary eyes positioned behind the caster.

What these secondary eyes contained was the full essence of the slain living beings!

To a certain extent, they provided a buff to the caster of the Underworld Nightmare Technique!

Moreover, they could be manipulated by the caster to detonate voluntarily!

This technique imposed no restrictions whatsoever on any cultivator!

The stronger the slain living being, the more potent the buff of the Underworld Nightmare Technique!

Furthermore, there was no limit to the number!

This implied that it could be buffed infinitely!

In other words, the Underworld Nightmare Technique was fundamentally a heretical forbidden art born purely for slaughter!

Even Li Changsheng had praised this technique endlessly when he was exploring it back then.

However, techniques themselves possessed neither righteousness nor evil.

Li Changsheng harbored no aversion to this art; he merely wondered whether this little girl Yun Jue would be able to comprehend it thoroughly.

Still, as the Master of the Underworld River, he ought to be able to transmit the Underworld Nightmare Technique to her directly...

"We can give it a try..."

After a slight pause, a sharp glint flashed deep within Li Changsheng's eyes, and he murmured inwardly.

With a wave of his hand, he summoned two drops of Underworld River water from above and sent them darting straight toward the center of Yun Jue's brow!

As an intricate rune mark materialized, Yun Jue's body suddenly trembled!

A multitude of eerie patterns surfaced all over her body, and the rune mark between her brows suddenly flared with intense radiance!

An eerie, profound aura churned relentlessly behind her, and a dark purple eye of deeply bizarre appearance rapidly took shape!

The eye exuded an aura of boundless profundity, evil, and malevolence.

Although it was vertical and only a single eye, it gave off an inexplicable sense of unease!

It was none other than the primary eye of the Underworld Nightmare Technique!

"Incredible comprehension; a talent worth molding."

Seeing this, Li Changsheng turned his gaze slightly, a trace of astonishment welling up inside him.

The Underworld Nightmare Technique was, after all, a heritage of the Underworld River.

It was far more abstruse than any art circulating in the mortal world.

To think that Yun Jue's comprehension would be so formidable!

"Wan'er, I must wrong you for a moment."

With that thought, Li Changsheng turned to look at Zhao Wan'er, waved his hand to summon a drop of Underworld River water, and pointed it straight at the center of her brow.

An arcane power emerged, and an intricate mark formed between Zhao Wan'er's brows.

Her status as an underworld thrall was thus established.

As a massive influx of information flooded her mind, Zhao Wan'er's expression turned intensely dramatic.

Now stunned, now astonished, and at times tinged with a faint melancholy.

This left Li Changsheng somewhat bewildered; he genuinely could not fathom what was going on inside this girl's head.

"I shall anchor a phantom projection of the Underworld River here; it contains boundless inheritances, so you two must perceive them well."

"As for Yun Jue, cultivate the Underworld Nightmare Technique to perfection before comprehending other arts."

Issuing these calm instructions, Li Changsheng waved his hand to anchor the Underworld River's phantom projection high above the Li family's domain!

With a light step, he turned and flew straight toward the Li family's main hall!

Meanwhile, Zhao Wan'er gazed in the direction of Li Changsheng's departure, her expression complex, her heart refusing to calm down for a long time...

...

"Young Patriarch."

The moment Li Changsheng stepped out of the void, a chorus of respectful voices rang out.

Looking up, he saw dozens of old men standing ahead.

Most of these individuals exuded the fragrance of medicinal pills, and faint, marvelous rhythms circulated around them.

Much like Xiao Tianding of the Immortal Forest Sect, these were cultivators who had forged their own paths within the Dao of Alchemy!

As their cultivation realms advanced in the days to come, their understanding of the Dao of Alchemy would only grow more profound.

However, the reason Li Changsheng had summoned them today was not to bestow resources for their breakthrough.

"An enemy from beyond the Qingling Realm is approaching, and the Li family must make preparations."

"From this moment onward, all of you must intensify the refinement of heavenly-grade pills to supply the cultivation of the seven序列 (successors)."

"The Li family's Scripture Pavilion is hereby opened to everyone."

As Li Changsheng's calm voice echoed, the many alchemists looked at one another in dismay, clueless about the situation.

"We obey the Young Patriarch's command."

After a brief pause, the crowd collectively cupped their fists in a bow toward Li Changsheng.

After all, the one who had summoned them here today was none other than the Young Patriarch, and the Patriarch would undoubtedly be aware of such a move.

They only needed to follow instructions.

Beside them, Li Yue looked utterly bewildered, failing to grasp the unfolding scenario.

Judging by your expressions, you all seem to understand a little bit of something—why is it that I still don't understand a single thing??

Li Yue's head was full of question marks.

Yet, after a brief contemplation, Li Yue also understood the gravity of the situation Li Changsheng had encountered.

His gaze swept across the crowd without uttering a word.

Clearly, this was a tacit approval of Li Changsheng's actions just now.

Seeing this, Li Changsheng did not linger further. Returning the Annihilation Stele to Li Yue, he headed straight for the dwelling place of the Li family's seven successors.

With a series of maneuvers, Li Changsheng's tally of underworld thralls increased by 7.

Having made all arrangements thoroughly, he departed the Li family as well.

His destination this time was the Immortal Tomb, one of the Three Tombs and Six Seas of the Qingling Realm!

The Chu Tomb possessed the Tianyuan Wine Tavern, and the Immortal Tomb was bound to have a similar place.

The Li family had merely laid down preliminary arrangements; the rest still needed to be explored from the outside world.

The only places available for exploration in the Qingling Realm were those supremely mysterious Three Tombs and Six Seas.

The Chu Tomb, the Immortal Tomb, the Dao Tomb.

The Chu Tomb held the inheritance of the Ancestor of Demons.

Would the Immortal Tomb also harbor the inheritance of an ancient immortal venerable?

Lost in thought, Li Changsheng arrived at the Immortal Tomb in mere moments.

Suspended in mid-air, he swept his divine sense across the entire Immortal Tomb!