The morning light shines through the clouds, and it is a bit dazzling.
Li Xuanyuan, who was climbing to the top of Taiqiu Mountain, noticed this light, so he stopped, turned sideways and looked up at the sky.
The pale golden morning light reflected on his black clothes from top to bottom, forming countless extremely tiny flashing light spots.
The breeze in the mountains blows from afar, passing through the rolling mountains and countless dense forests, and finally stays here.
Li Xuanyuan's long black hair scattered casually was slightly raised by the breeze, revealing his handsome face.
At this moment, his whole body was under the dim light of the morning.
After looking at it for a while, he withdrew his gaze with a stern expression and continued walking towards the top of Taiqiu Mountain.
What's on the top of Taiqiu Mountain?
There is a sea of clouds, two spiritual trees of level three or above, and a large flat land paved with bluestone slabs.
Of course, the most important thing is that there is also the patriarch of their Li family: Li Changqing.
Li Changqing was about to leave today, but when he walked out of the cave and was about to go straight to Hengduanfang City in the west through the cloud curtain, he noticed Li Xuanyuan's aura.
This surprised him a little, so he did not choose to leave immediately, but stayed where he was and waited.
It wasn't until Li Xuanyuan's figure passed through the light curtain on the top of the mountain and completely appeared in front of his eyes that he turned his head and looked over.
With a tall and straight body and slender arms, Li Xuanyuan stopped under the peach tree and bowed slightly:
"Xuan Yuan has met my fifth uncle!"
...
...
In front of the sea of clouds, Li Changqing stood on the edge of the cliff with his hands behind his back.
Li Xuanyuan, on the other hand, was standing one step behind. He changed his usual casual look and showed a rare trace of seriousness on his face.
Both of them looked at the sea of clouds just a short distance away, watching the cloud waves stirred by the breeze surging towards the cliff.
None of them spoke, so the top of Taiqiu Mountain suddenly became silent.
In the vast space, there were only the subtle sounds produced by the half-sized spiritual peaches swaying among the branches.
Li Changqing and Li Xuanyuan stood together. Looking from outside, they looked very similar.
Moreover, this similarity is somewhat different from the similarity between ordinary Li clan members due to blood connections.
In addition to being similar in body shape and appearance, the two of them are more similar in temperament.
However, Li Changqing had hidden this temperament many years ago and rarely revealed it.
It was only now under the background of Li Xuanyuan that it was unknowingly noticed.
Although Li Xuanyuan was undisciplined, his thoughts were delicate enough, and he naturally noticed that the fifth uncle was different from the past.
However, he did not ask any questions, he just retracted his gaze towards the sea of clouds and fixed his gaze on the cliff ten feet away from his feet.
From the gaps between the sea of clouds, he could also see the entire Taiqiu Mountains below, as well as the tribesmen walking through them.
I don’t know how long it took, but the turbulent sea of clouds gradually subsided and began to dissipate.
Li Changqing finally spoke:
"Xuanyuan."
Li Xuanyuan bowed his head in response.
"Fifth uncle."
Li Changqing did not turn around, but turned his head and glanced at the latter without saying a word.
He was waiting for Li Xuanyuan to express his intention of coming this time.
So after Li Xuanyuan paused for a moment, he opened his mouth to speak.
His tone was calm, without much emotional ups and downs, as if he was talking about something that had nothing to do with him and had no impact on the family.
Listening to Li Xuanyuan's words, Li Changqing remained silent, his expression unchanged, as if he had anticipated the scene at this moment.
After waiting for a while, Li Xuanyuan had almost finished speaking, and the sea of clouds a foot away from the two of them had also disappeared in the breeze.
The pale golden light from the sky completely penetrated the clouds, illuminating the entire top of Taiqiu Mountain, and covered the bodies of Li Changqing and Li Xuanyuan with a layer of golden gauze.
At this time, Li Changqing finally turned around and looked at Li Xuanyuan, but the latter's tone was still calm, as clear and natural as the clear spring in the valley or the singing of birds in the mountains.
"Twelve brothers and fifteen brothers have already established foundations."
"Brother Ninth has also entered the late stage of foundation building."
"Eighth Uncle has been practicing for many years. Even though he has not yet reached the final threshold of the foundation-building realm, he is not far away if he thinks about it."
"The family is fine and everything is prosperous."
"Fifth uncle..."
"Ho..."
At this point, Li Xuanyuan's tone finally had a slight ups and downs, so he looked at Li Changqing in front of him and continued:
"Fifth uncle... I want to try walking this avenue alone!"
...
...
The breeze is rising, the peach fragrant and the plum green.
Everything on the top of Taiqiu Mountain seemed to have stopped after Li Xuanyuan said these words.
Li Changqing's face changed slightly, but he didn't show much surprise.
The road faces the sky, and one person walks alone.
Since Li Xuanyuan has only spoken out about this matter now, he has already thought about it for a long time.
Li Changqing was silent for a while, his eyes fixed on Li Xuanyuan's face. After speaking, he said only one word calmly.
"good."
...
Li Changqing and Li Xuanyuan left from the top of the mountain, and when they reappeared, they were already inside the Li family's ancestral hall.
The interior of the ancestral hall was dark and dark, and apart from the footsteps of the two of them, there was no other sound.
In the center of the lobby of the Li family ancestral hall, there is a wooden altar with a thick ancient classic on it.
That’s the genealogy of the Li family in Taiqiu Mountain!
Li Changqing stood with his hands clasped next to several futons under the wooden altar, looking up slightly.
Li Xuanyuan followed behind him, also staring ahead.
The two of them paused for a while, then Li Changqing withdrew his gaze, stretched out his hand to take the family tree from the wooden altar, and let it hang in the air.
Turning his hand gently, the family tree was opened and turned to the page with the clan members of the Xuan generation.
Li Xuanyuan moved forward a little distance, lowered his head and saw the names of his contemporaries on the genealogy tree.
Many of them have dimmed, and many are still bright.
Li Changqing took out a cinnabar pen and handed it to Li Xuanyuan, who took it with both hands and then turned to continue searching for his name in the genealogy.
Li Xuantian, Li Xuangang, Li Xuanyu, Li Xuanyuan...
The tip of the cinnabar pen gradually approaches the family tree, and once the pen is put down, the three characters "Li Xuanyuan" and his generation will be completely erased by this bright red.
Li Xuanyuan naturally knew what his writing meant. Although he had been thinking about this matter for many years, at this moment, he was still in trouble.
The right hand holding the cinnabar pen could not stop trembling slightly and could not put it down.
Li Xuanyuan has never doubted his loyalty to his family, nor has he ever questioned his understanding of the path of spiritual practice.
But at this moment, he was at a loss as to what to do, as if he was caught in a dilemma in his life.
On the one hand, there is the family belief that has never changed since childhood, and on the other hand, it is the will to get rid of the shackles and pursue the path of cultivation wholeheartedly.
Should you give up your identity as a member of the Li family in Taiqiu Mountain, or should you give up your self-cultivation and pursue a higher realm of cultivation?
For Li Xuanyuan, this is a problem that has troubled him for decades.
The expressions in his eyes alternated, and the hand holding the cinnabar pen moved up and down, after a moment of silence.
Li Xuanyuan finally gave up!
He removed the cinnabar pen in his hand, showing a rare trace of dejection on his face.
Li Changqing kept looking at him and saw that he had made a choice, so he reached out to take the family tree suspended in mid-air, then turned his eyes and glanced at the names of Li Xuantian and Li Xuangang before closing the family tree.
...
Does family help or hinder spiritual practice?
Different tribesmen may have different answers. For Li Xuanyuan, he thinks it is the latter, just like Li Changqing thought many years ago.
Back when Li Changqing broke through the Qi Refining Stage and successfully entered the Foundation Building Realm, he faced the same choice as Li Xuanyuan now, and was even more decisive than him.
But in the end, both of them made the same decision, and they did not have the heart to cross themselves out of the family tree.
Regarding blood and family, it has become a belief for all Li clan members, and belief is difficult to change.
Li Changqing softly told Li Xuanyuan some of his family's past experiences in the ancestral hall, and also mentioned the choice he faced many years ago.
He said that it is natural to make the same choice because of the same belief. But the results after making the choice will not necessarily be the same.
Li Changqing put the genealogy in his hand back on the altar, then turned around and continued to look at Li Xuanyuan, his eyes suddenly showed a special meaning that was difficult to detect.
He opened his mouth and said:
"I told your eighth uncle before that I have no choice, but you are different."
Walking over there and passing by Li Xuanyuan, he finally said:
"In that case, let's change the method and what will be the result?"
Li Xuanyuan turned his head and looked over with a calm expression. He saw that the figure of his fifth uncle Li Changqing was about to leave the ancestral hall, so he paused for a moment and then moved to catch up.
Two figures walked one behind the other in the black and solemn ancestral hall, and when they were about to walk out, they were already side by side.
After walking out of the gate, Li Changqing stood still, then turned sideways, glanced past Li Xuanyuan, and looked inside the ancestral hall with a complicated look in his eyes.
Everything is as before, but something seems different!
...
...
The bluestone slabs outside the Li family ancestral hall were covered with sunlight from the sky, leaving only a shadow under the eaves.
Li Changqing and Li Xuanyuan stood in the shadows, quietly watching everything around them.
Same choice, different results!
Li Changqing raised his hand and let fly a message crane, and then began to speak, his tone was calm and there was not much emotion. The latter stood beside him, listening silently.
The wind blew the ancient trees outside the ancestral hall, making a special sound in the sunlight.
When Li Xuangang received the summons and rushed to the ancestral hall with the paper crane, Li Changqing happened to finish speaking.
So under the witness of Li Xuangang, Li Changqing made the final decision on Li Xuanyuan.
"From now on, Li Xuanyuan will not receive support from the family, nor will he receive help from the family. In contrast, the family will not arrange any tasks for him."
"He will leave Mount Taiqiu for an indefinite tour!"
...
Li Xuangang looked at the two figures in the shadow opposite him in the sun, his face changed slightly, his eyes moved back and forth between them, and he hesitated to speak several times.
But until Li Changqing finished speaking, he could not open his mouth. He just stood there like Li Xuanyuan.
The scene was still for a moment, and then Li Xuanyuan broke the calm.
He took a step back, bowed towards Li Changqing and saluted:
"Thank you, fifth uncle!"
Then he got up, turned around, walked down the steps, and knelt down on one knee facing Li Changqing and the ancestral hall behind him.
He opened his mouth and said:
"Li Xuanyuan, a member of the Xuan generation of the Li family in Taiqiu, would like to bid farewell to the clan leader and all the ancestors of the family today!"
"From now on... I'm afraid the younger generation will have to walk this path of cultivation alone!"
Li Changqing looked at him in the shadow under the eaves of the ancestral hall, while Li Xuangang looked at him in the sunshine outside the ancestral hall.
After lying on the ground three times, Li Xuanyuan stood up, nodded to his fifth uncle Li Changqing, and then turned around and left with a hint of determination.
When he passed by Li Xuangang, their eyes collided, and he spoke inaudibly:
"Brother Ninth, it's a family matter... I'm sorry!"
Li Xuangang followed his figure and moved his eyes until Li Xuanyuan took a few steps and turned into a ray of light and flew to the outside of Taiqiu Mountain.
Seeing the escaping light passing through the mountain-protecting light curtain to the south, Li Xuangang turned to look at Li Changqing, who stayed where he was.
He called out:
"Fifth uncle."
But Li Changqing did not respond to him, but only said: "Family affairs, everything is as usual!"
After saying that, without waiting for Li Xuangang to respond, he turned into a golden escaping light and flew away from Taiqiu Mountain and headed west.
...
The sky is clear and the sun is shining brightly.
Outside the Li family ancestral hall on the hillside of Taiqiu Mountain, Li Xuangang was the only one left here. He looked out at the mountain with a complicated expression.
Finally, after turning his head to look at the interior of the ancestral hall for a few times, he also left the place.
From today on, in the next two years, he will officially take over all the affairs of the family!
...
The Li family in Taiqiu Mountain is peaceful, and many clan members are still busy with their family tasks. They don't know that the clan leader Li Changqing and the elder Li Xuanyuan in the late stage of foundation building chose to leave on the same day.
At the top of the weapon peak, Li Changzhi, whose beard had turned gray, looked at the two disappearing lights in the distance, sighed heavily, and then turned around dejectedly and walked into a newly built weapon refining pavilion.
In a daze, Li Changzhi, who had been in the limelight for more than two hundred years, actually looked a little stooped. At this moment, time seemed to have fallen on his head all at once.
...
On such a sunny noon, Li Xuanyuan left his family, left Taiqiu Mountain, and began an open-ended "travel"!
After he completely left the Tianhe area in the south, he landed on a mountaintop.
Turning around and looking in the direction of Taiqiu Mountain to the north, he suddenly felt relaxed.
He took off his black clothes and took out his family token from his storage bag.
Putting the token in his hand, he stared at the "Xuan" style word on it and the number "Thirteen" on the other side for a moment.
Then, he put the token and the mysterious clothes into the deepest part of his storage bag.
A third-level spiritual sword was thrown into the air, and Li Xuanyuan, dressed in a green shirt, jumped up and continued southward with the sword in the breeze in the mountains.
A gentleman is like an orchid, listen to the wind!
Freed from the "shackles" that had trapped him for decades, Li Xuanyuan wandered around this vast world.
At this moment, his cultivation actually took another step forward, and he was suddenly not far from the peak of foundation building.
His long black hair was messy in the wind, and his blue clothes were dancing with it. Li Xuanyuan raised his head and looked at the sky at the end of his field of vision, where there was an unknown and wider world.
...
What comes after the Nascent Soul realm?
Li Xuanyuan did not know that after leaving the family, he would face the dangers of the entire world of cultivation alone. Cultivation may be more difficult, but it may also be smoother.
But what is certain is that if one day he can return to Taiqiu Mountain again, it will be many, many years later!
...
...
ps: (The plot of Li Xuanyuan leaving the family was already planned in the outline, but when I actually wrote it, I found that I couldn't get the effect I wanted. Sure enough, there are still problems with my writing skills! If there is something you don't understand,
It can be simply understood as:
Li Xuanyuan wanted to get rid of the shackles of his family and pursue a higher realm of cultivation, but his family beliefs hindered him. Therefore, Li Changqing, who had a similar experience to him, provided him with a different result.
And this result is because the entire Li family has become strong enough in the hands of Li Changqing and does not need Li Xuanyuan to support it. Well... that's probably it!
A long time ago, Li Yuheng said: Uncle Thirteen wants to live forever!)