After the path was cut off

Chapter 44 Xuanli Bestows the Law

The "Mysterious Departure" silently manifested, and the stagnant atmosphere in the hall suddenly changed.

Li Wangxiang was pondering how to persuade his brother when he never expected that the Mirror Master would break with their previous agreement and appear on his own. The original plan was to wait until they reached Yunyin Lake and erected the sacrificial vessel before having the Mirror Master manifest before the people, which would be easier to explain.

However, someone was thinking faster than him.

"Zheng—"

A sword's cry suddenly arose.

An invisible sword aura pierced the air with a sharp whistle, heading straight for "Xuan Li" with a speed almost like a line of cold light!

Because "Xuan Li" is a mirror projection, the sword energy passed through the mirror and should have missed its target, but in the next instant it suddenly turned back and exploded in the mirror image. The lights in the hall flickered, and the mirror image floated in the fierce sword energy, like a phantom moon falling into a raging sea.

Li Wangxiang was greatly alarmed: "Qinghan, you mustn't be rude!"

Li Qingfeng, who was standing beside him, reacted very quickly and quietly pressed down on Li Qinghan's wrist, which he had raised again.

"What superb swordsmanship." Xuan Li's mirror surface rippled slightly as he secretly admired it. This sword strike was devoid of any fancy techniques, solely aimed at slaying the enemy; he had already glimpsed the true essence of the sword. How could such a talent emerge from such a remote and impoverished place?

"Qinghan, why don't you apologize!" Li Wangxiang scolded again, then quickly stepped down the stairs and bowed deeply in front of everyone.

"Xiao Xiu Li Wangxiang, along with his clansmen, paid homage to the Mirror Master."

"This junior was ignorant and offended the master of the mirror; I am willing to accept punishment."

He turned to his family members, whose faces showed surprise and doubt, and explained in a deep voice:

"It was only thanks to the protection of the Mirror Master that I was able to survive the destruction of Beichen."

His bow made Xuan Li somewhat embarrassed. He had only shown up because he found their discussion long and tedious and couldn't stand the loneliness, but now he had to put on airs.

"Sigh, pretending is so tiring."

But the play had already begun, so he had no choice but to play it out. He quietly activated the celestial artifact's power, letting out a wisp of it.

boom!

A vast and majestic aura, as powerful as the starry sky and as solemn as the heavens, instantly filled the hall!

Li Wangchuan, who was in the main seat, and Li Jingshan, Qingfeng, and Qinghan, who were seated below him, all felt their souls tremble and involuntarily left their seats to bow down.

Even Li Wangxiang felt his soul stirred and his knees slumped at this moment.

Is that the gossipy mirror owner?

It wasn't that he had never seen a magnificent immortal artifact before. In the past, when the envoys of the Immortal Palace inspected the lower sects, the artifacts would often arrive while the people disappeared. The immortal artifacts acted on behalf of the emperor, and even a wisp of their emanating pressure was as vast as an abyss and as imposing as a mountain, making it impossible for anyone to even think of looking up at them.

He never expected to sense a similar aura from the Mirror Master.

No, it is more ancient, clear, and brilliant, and the feeling is very familiar—like facing the source that gave birth to all things.

If Li Wangxiang was already like this, then the situation was even worse for others.

Xuan Li had no idea what kind of shock his little display of skill had brought to others.

It was quite satisfied with the commotion it had created. Although it was tired of putting on an act, the sight of everyone bowing down greatly satisfied its childlike nature.

"Arrogant and haughty, sheath your sword for three days as a warning to others." A stern voice echoed through the hall. A beam of mysterious light pierced through the mirror and entered Li Qinghan's brow. 'This girl is incredibly audacious. Mark her first; having her by my side will surely keep me entertained.'

As Li Qinghan trembled, she felt as if her soul had been veiled. A look of surprise flashed across her eyes. She tried to circulate her energy, but couldn't mobilize the spiritual energy within her body. Feeling a chill, she lowered her head even further.

'This girl is still not convinced, but she and I are indeed destined for each other,' Xuan Li thought to himself.

This technique was something it had only recently figured out. First, it used its position to suppress the opponent's soul, and then used a wisp of mirror light to cover it, which would cause the opponent to have a distorted perception of their own spiritual energy. Even though their Qi Sea was not damaged and their spiritual power was still there, they just couldn't activate it.

It sounds impressive, but in reality, its effectiveness is not determined by the substance itself.

It all depends on cause and effect.

The deeper the entanglement between the two parties, the greater the effect.

It's actually quite pointless. The deeper the entanglement, the less dangerous it is. If there's no danger, why bother deceiving them?

It's merely icing on the cake. If you encounter someone with no connection to it and a firm will, this little trick is probably no match for a mere breath.

But for now—

Just enough.

After the punishment, came the imperial edict, which I had pondered all night.

"In the past, when the heavens were struck by a cataclysmic event, the human race felled the Jianmu tree to make boats and migrated with each passing day to ensure the continuation of their lineage. Now that the calamity is gradually subsiding, we should spread the teachings of the Dao throughout the nine provinces, establish humanity as the pinnacle among all living beings, and carry on the legacy of the Jianmu tree."

These few words, though brief, carried a profound meaning in the hall, almost like a decree.

These words were not fabricated by "Xuan Li" out of thin air.

This is what it pieced together and deduced by referring to Li Wangxiang's dream, the ancient meaning on the Sun Chasing Shuttle, and the Taiyin Decree of the Demon Clan.

Although the imperial edict was not detailed, it was not as complete, comprehensive, or clear as the decrees of the demon race.

However, since "Xuan Li" takes position as its essence, everything it proclaims becomes lawful—if even one word is wrong at this time, it will surely suffer a backlash from heaven and earth.

The announcement of this imperial edict caused a sudden increase in pressure on Xuanli, but fortunately, nothing terrible happened.

Then the mirror light settled slightly, and then the following was announced:

"I am the master of the 'Mysterious Separation' Mirror."

"Now, moved by the Li family's compassion for the suffering of all beings, I bestow upon them one copy of the True and Wonderful Secret of the Perfect Union of Exoteric and Esoteric Teachings, one copy of the Secret Seal of the Dividing Light and Mirroring of Taiyi, and one copy of the Jade Chapter of the Intercourse of the Mysterious Mirror of the Nine Heavens."

"I hope you will adhere to the right path and spread the Dharma to benefit all beings."

As soon as the words were spoken, the mirror shone brightly, and three dazzling star rivers formed from endless Dao patterns burst forth from the sky! It seemed to crush all the vast secrets of heaven and then remelt them into three star rivers, which entered the minds of everyone present.

As the first stream of stars flowed, a sound like a tree sprouting from its branches suddenly rang out from the Lingtai altar.

A Taoist priest chanted:

"Difficult, difficult, difficult, the Dao is most profound, do not take the Golden Elixir lightly."

As the sound waves passed, the seven characters "The True and Wonderful Secret of the Perfect Union of Exoteric and Esoteric Teachings" flashed in the mind's eye, like the sun illuminating the stars, making all the acupoints of the body shine brightly.

The Taoist priest recited again:

"Without encountering a wise man to impart the secrets, empty words will only leave your mouth weary and your tongue dry."

The "True and Wonderful Secrets of the Perfect Union of Exoteric and Esoteric Teachings" then transformed into paragraphs of text, imprinted deep within the mind—"Cherish your life and nature...Avoid evil desires...The moon hides the jade rabbit, the sun hides the crow, and the tortoise and snake naturally intertwine...Gather the five elements and use them in reverse order, and when the work is complete, you will become a Buddha or an immortal."

Before the first galaxy had even disappeared, the second galaxy had already arrived.

The supreme power of the precious mirror is revealed:

The light from the mirror transformed into a celestial net, covering the starry sea and overseeing all the heavens and myriad realms.

A mirror hooks onto seventy-two secret realms on the verge of extinction, and a waterfall of light surges upwards, lifting them to the heavens!

Furthermore, it illuminates reincarnation, reverses time, enlightens mortals, averts calamities and brings good fortune, and connects the real and the illusory...

Countless magnificent scenes flashed by one after another, eventually converging into the "Taiyi Dividing Light and Reflecting Secret Seal," which was deeply engraved.

The third galaxy evolves into a fairyland where gods interact.

The precious mirror hangs high between heaven and earth, piercing down into the deepest hell. The thoughts of sacrifice and prayer on earth transform into countless threads of spiritual energy that converge into the precious mirror, clearly reflecting the cycle of life and death of all living beings.

The profound meaning of the "Nine Heavens Mysterious Mirror Interacting Jade Chapter" was thus deeply imprinted.

After completing the transformation, Xuanli intended to give a few more instructions, but seeing the Li family members all bowing their heads on the ground, their minds dazed and speechless with shock, he felt a loss of interest. The mirror light faded, and he quietly disappeared. In reality, he did not vanish far, but ordinary people could no longer perceive his presence.

Li Wangxiang was the first to regain his composure. Although he was prepared, he was still shocked by this extraordinary method. He calmly communicated with the Mirror Master's divine thoughts for a moment, and the others gradually awoke as well.

He rose and helped his elder brother back to his seat, saying, "Brother, you've been frightened."

"Looking towards home, this..." Li Wangchuan had lived most of his life and experienced many storms, but this was the first time he had personally faced such a transcendent being, and his mind was filled with turmoil.

"After the Mirror Master saved me, he praised my heart for protecting my family. This time, my leaving the sect to establish my own sect also received the Mirror Master's approval and support."

"Is...is it really true?" Li Wangchuan's voice trembled as he gripped his younger brother's arm tightly. "Wangxiang, this technique...can it truly lead to immortality?"

Li Wangxiang nodded.

"Annual sacrifices are held... Can the mirror master choose someone to activate their spiritual aperture?"

Li Wangxiang nodded again.

"Can the magic mirror's avatar be summoned to act on its behalf... even mortals can summon it?"

Li Wangxiang nodded for the third time.

Li Wangchuan's lips trembled slightly, and he uttered "Okay" twice, momentarily unable to catch his breath. After a long while, he suddenly came to his senses:

"The relocation must be decided as soon as possible. And the sacrificial ceremony... yes, the grand sacrificial ceremony!"

"Brother, we need to think this through carefully." Li Wangxiang felt a pang of sadness seeing his brother like this. His brother had suffered a lot throughout his life, and he owed him so much.

"I was confused. This matter is of great importance and requires caution." Li Wangchuan had lost his usual composure and was not suited to make any decisions. He took the initiative to speak. "Jingshan, Qingfeng, Qinghan, you all speak as well."

"Xuan Li" landed silently on Li Wangxiang's shoulder, full of interest. After hiding for so long, this kind of family dynamic was the perfect remedy for boredom.

Li Wangchuan's reaction was as expected, but these younger generation members, with their different thoughts, were quite worth watching closely.

Li Jingshan, in particular, appears rough and boorish, but is actually the best at concealing his true intentions.

Li Jingshan had recovered from his shock, but his expression showed no joy; instead, it was grave. He took out a jade slip:

"I just tried to record the true teachings bestowed by the Master of the Mirror, but I couldn't write a single word."

"Not only the Taoist methods themselves, but even the title and edicts of the Mirror Master could not be preserved."

His gaze swept over the crowd, his words cutting to the heart of the matter: "The Mirror Master doesn't want the outside world to know of its existence. Or perhaps—if the Mirror Master's existence were to be exposed, wouldn't it mean utter annihilation?"

Xuan Li felt embarrassed. It was true that he was not in good condition and needed to hide his whereabouts, but to be exposed like this was really shameful.

"Having received their kindness, one must bear their weight. I have nothing to fear but the misfortune that may prevent me from receiving their kindness," Li Wangxiang responded frankly.

Li Jingshan's expression darkened: "Father knows I am under the watchful eyes of many. This matter should not have been known to me." After saying this, he stood up, bowed, and left the hall.

"He was a survivor deliberately left alive when the Immortal Palace ordered the erasure of Qixia Town... It seems this child has his own plans," Xuan Li thought to himself.

"This child is too preoccupied with his own thoughts, always looking for a reason to leave home. You've suppressed him for so many years, it's almost become a knot in his heart." Li Wangchuan sighed, "His insistence on your broken foundation just now was also a prelude to his departure."

Li Wangxiang then realized that he had felt something was off about Jingshan earlier, and now he understood why.

"It was my negligence on my part regarding this child."

"It seems the appearance of the Mirror Master has truly startled him, causing him to reveal his true thoughts. His gloomy expression just now was completely unlike that of a member of the Li family."

"You should have a serious talk with him later," Li Wangchuan said, his mind gradually calming down. "Qingfeng, what are your thoughts?"

Li Qingfeng pondered for a moment, then cautiously said, "I have thoroughly studied the cultivation methods and Daoist scriptures sent back by my great-uncle. The Daoist practices of this era can generally be divided into three lineages: Yuqing, Shangqing, and Taiqing. However, the *True and Mysterious Secrets of the Perfect Union of Exoteric and Esoteric Teachings* transcends these, its origins ancient and profound. Perhaps…"

He stopped speculating at the right moment and turned to the matter at hand: "Even if we are very careful, it is inevitable that someone will see through our schemes. The higher one's cultivation level, the clearer one's understanding of the lineage. If you want to avoid being noticed, the Mirror Master cannot just pass on his teachings to my family."

Xuanli was shocked once again. Could mortals understand this? The Li family members are all talented.

"The Mirror Master is already aware of this matter." Li Wangxiang frowned slightly; he hadn't considered this possibility. "Qinghan, what about you?"

Li Qinghan's expression was respectful, but his tone was calm: "I will obey any orders from my elders."

Xuan Li clicked his tongue in amazement and transmitted his voice to Li Wangxiang: "Your adopted granddaughter is cold and hard-hearted. She doesn't trust me, and she probably doesn't trust you entirely either. This is quite a distant statement."

Li Wangxiang replied, "If one is of sound mind, it is indeed difficult to readily believe in such an opportunity."

Li Wangchuan nodded: "Qingfeng, Qinghan, you may step down. Qingfeng, carefully study what the Mirror Master has taught you, especially the 'Taiyi Dividing Light and Reflecting Secret Seal.' The 'Mirror Evolution Technique' within it can be used to request the Mirror Master to divide the light, which is crucial to the foundation of our Baixi Town. You must master it as soon as possible."

Qingfeng and Qinghan rose to bid farewell.

After the younger generation left, Li Wangxiang rubbed his temples:

"My brother often says in his letters that the younger generation is worry-free, but I see that they are all deep and thoughtful. Only Qingfeng is intelligent and composed, and cares deeply for the family, but unfortunately, he is only mortal. Jingshan's heart is not at home. Qinghan is proud and unyielding, suspicious and sensitive, and not good at hiding his true feelings. Alas, after I pass away, can they protect the family well?"

Li Wangchuan waved his hand:

"Although the three children each have their own thoughts, they are still Li family members at heart. They get along very well with the residents of Baixi Town."

"You'd never guess, but the children in town are most fond of Qinghan, who is suspicious and sensitive. Children and grandchildren have their own destinies. There's no need to force them to live like you and me; you and I aren't always right either."

"Is the Mirror Master still by your side?" Li Wangchuan asked seriously.

Xuan Li slowly revealed himself: "How did you find out?"

Li Wangchuan glanced at his composed younger brother but did not rise to bow.

"Reporting to the Mirror Master, I did not notice it at first. Later, seeing the juniors repeatedly questioning me, and Qinghan's offense, the Mirror Master only gave me a minor punishment as a warning. Furthermore, seeing Wangxiang's respectful yet casual attitude towards the Mirror Master, I concluded that the Mirror Master is not heartless or holy, and that he and my younger brother have a deep friendship."

Xuan Li was speechless; it seemed that the entire night's rehearsal had become a joke.

"You noticed it all. What about the younger generation?"

Li Wangchuan listed them one by one:

"Jing Shan probably didn't realize it. He was unwilling to know more about the existence of the Mirror Master, and even if he noticed something unreasonable, he wouldn't seek verification."

"Qingfeng is extremely intelligent. Since the elders have not spoken, he will only do his best to cooperate and act according to their wishes."

"As for Qinghan, she is very suspicious and will certainly not believe it. Not only will she not believe it, but she may also suspect Wangxiang because of it. But it doesn't matter, Qingfeng will persuade her."

Li Wangxiang keenly noticed: "A gentle breeze and a chill?"

"The two of them were inseparable since childhood. Qingfeng was intelligent and often helped Qinghan with her questions. Over time, she rarely argued with Qingfeng."

Li Wangxiang frowned: "But one of them is a mortal, and the other is a cultivator..."

Li Wangchuan sighed, "Let the children be. You've seen it yourself, they're all very opinionated. My words often don't carry any weight."

Upon meeting the master of the mirror, Li Wangchuan felt greatly relieved.

"It is truly a great fortune for my younger brother to have won the favor of the Mirror Master."

"I, as the elder brother, am of meager ability, a mere mortal, and of shallow knowledge."

"But if the Mirror Master truly has a use for it—"

Li Wangchuan's palm landed heavily on his chest. Despite his advanced age, the blow still carried a hint of the fierceness he had displayed in his youth.

"Take this life."

"Xuanli" actually had a good impression of this person, as it possessed the ability to clearly discern the good deeds and evil consequences of all living beings. Li Wangchuan's good deeds numbered over a thousand.

If he exists in the netherworld, his achievements in the next life will be immeasurable.

"I am not fully recovered and will likely bother you in the future."

"Moreover, all beings are inherently equal, so why distinguish between high and low? You have upheld justice and righteousness throughout your life. In terms of the Way, you can be called a fellow Daoist."

"You flatter me!" Li Wangchuan said, moved.

"I am truly a sinful person. The Mirror Master is unaware that the number of people who have migrated from Baixi Town over the years, and who have died because of me, is probably in the tens of thousands."

"What crime is there in trying to ensure the continuation of the race?" Xuan Li said dismissively.

"It is already commendable that you do not intentionally harm others."

Upon hearing this, Li Wangchuan felt a slight sense of relief from the fear and guilt that had been building up for decades.

He could no longer contain himself and burst into tears.