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Chapter 651: 657 Chapter: Forgotten
At this time, Li Zhirui was unaware of the news of Li Zhiyue’s passing, he continued to cultivate, refine pills, and study the Pill Recipe.
It was Jiang Fengwu who had left seclusion. Hearing Li Wenli’s words, she sighed lightly and said, "Zhirui is still in seclusion; I, his sister-in-law, will go in his stead."
The funeral for Li Zhiyue was not grand; it was even carried out quietly.
Moreover, since her body was not present, only a cenotaph could be erected, its lengthy inscription recounting her life’s deeds.
Of course, the content was somewhat glorified.
After all, descendants would come to pay respects in the future, and it wouldn’t do for them to see less favorable aspects of their ancestor, would it?
It was not until over half a year after the funeral that Li Zhirui emerged from the quiet room.
"You were in seclusion for such a long time and yet you didn’t break through to the Nascent Soul Late Stage?" Jiang Fengwu, seated in the pavilion, asked with some surprise.
"It is not so easy," Li Zhirui shook his head. He estimated it would take another ten or twenty years.
Does this amount of time seem long? To mortals, it might represent a third of a lifetime, but to him, it was merely the blink of an eye.
However, if some opportunity arose, it might happen sooner.
"What is it? Do you have something to say?" Seeing the hesitant expression on Jiang Fengwu’s face, Li Zhirui took the initiative to ask.
"Zhiyue passed away half a year ago."
Li Zhirui felt as if he had been struck by lightning, staggering at the news. He had always harbored hope that Li Zhiyue might obtain a Flesh Ganoderma or some other Spiritual Object to continue her immortal path.
But the news he now heard was of such devastating tragedy!
"A month ago, Zhiyue’s two Spirit Beasts brought her remains back to Wanxian Island," Jiang Fengwu quickly stepped forward to support Li Zhirui.
Now practicing the Wanling Sutra herself, she, of course, knew the Methods to dissolve a contract, and her heart was filled with myriad emotions upon seeing those two Spirit Beasts.
Before her death, Li Zhiyue had to endure the agony of her Divine Soul Origin being torn apart, just so her two Spirit Beasts could survive.
"Where is Zhiyue’s body? Where are they?" It took a while for Li Zhirui to regain his voice, filled with sorrow, he asked.
"The body has already been buried, and after managing the funeral, the two Spirit Beasts left," Jiang Fengwu replied.
What were they off to do? Most likely, they were out to avenge Li Zhiyue!
Even though they knew they were no match for the Tier-4 puppet, with hatred blinding them, they cared for nothing else, seeking only revenge, even if it meant death.
"Let it be," Li Zhirui originally wanted them to stay with the clan and live a safe and secure life, but since they had made their choice, he could only respect it.
"I would like to visit Zhiyue’s gravesite alone."
With that, he slowly walked towards the clan’s burial grounds.
It was a small hillock, devoid of any insect or bird sounds, utterly silent, with nearly a thousand steles standing upon it!
Each stele represented a clan member, some burying ashes, some just clothes and caps, but no bodies were there.
This was because the Spiritual Energy was so rich on Wanxian Island that any buried corpse might turn into a zombie after a few decades.
Moreover, the mortals living on the island were also not permitted to bury bodies.
Li Zhirui stood for a very long time in front of a brand-new tombstone and left without saying a word.
"It’s been many years since I’ve come to pay respects to you, Uncle," he said.
A few steps up was the burial site of his elders, such as Li Shiqing and Li Shilian.
When they had buried him, Li Zhirui had been seriously injured and was unable to attend. He had visited to pay his respects once afterward, but since then, he had never returned.
At first, he was afraid that seeing reminders would bring back memories, so he dared not come, but gradually, he forgot.
"Time truly is the most magnificent, yet the most frightening thing!"
Gazing at the tombstones that showed signs of age, Li Zhirui meticulously wiped each one clean, and before he knew it, tears were streaming down his face.
"Uncle, rest assured, the family is doing very well now, our strength has increased by a lot..."
"Do you know? Zhixuan has also made a breakthrough to the Nascent Soul, and she has even become the disciple of a Divine Transformation ancestor..."
"The Heavenly Spiritual Root you used to long for so eagerly, the family now possesses..."
He talked to himself for a long time until the sun set and the evening skies were filled with glow, only then did he leave the graveyard.
"Are you okay?" Jiang Fengwu asked with a look of concern on her face as she saw Li Zhirui’s red eyes.
"Don’t worry, I’m fine."
He truly was fine. As a Nascent Soul cultivator, his willpower was undoubtedly very strong, and half a day of indulging in his emotions was enough for him to cope with them.
In the days that followed, Li Zhirui returned to the routine he had before he went into seclusion.
He focused on guiding Li Chengsheng and the other two, hoping they could advance further before The Secret Realm of Wanxian opened. Even if they couldn’t achieve that, any increase in strength was good.
Of course, besides them, Li Zhirui also occasionally gave guidance to other juniors, hoping they could go farther and do better.
Several years later.
Li Chengsheng’s diligent cultivation finally reaped rewards; he was about to break through to the Golden Core Late Stage!
"Is Sheng’s cultivation speed too fast?" Jiang Fengwu asked with some unease.
Li Zhirui shook his head, "It is a bit fast, but it should not be problematic. The foundation Sheng laid down earlier is firm and solid; it won’t affect his future cultivation."
How could he possibly gamble with his son’s path of cultivation?
Even after receiving a positive response, Jiang Fengwu’s concern did not subside, and she constantly kept an eye on the quiet chamber where Li Chengsheng was in seclusion.
It wasn’t until half a month later, when a surge of energy emanated from the chamber, inhaling and exhaling the spiritual energy in the Spirit Realm with great ferocity, that she finally felt at ease.
"Now do you believe me?" Li Zhirui smiled and said.
Jiang Fengwu gave him a glance, too lazy to respond.
Over a month later, the door of the quiet chamber opened and Li Chengsheng, who had consolidated his realm, strode out confidently.
The face that hardly ever showed much emotion now carried a radiant smile.
He had every reason to be happy. You see, Li Chengsheng was only two hundred years old but had already reached the Golden Core Late Stage, and had more than three hundred years to pursue the Nascent Soul!
Although it wasn’t always true that more time guaranteed a breakthrough, at least the chances were greater. Moreover, he also had the guidance of both his Nascent Soul parents at critical times.
"Father! Mother! Your son has not let you down!" Li Chengsheng declared loudly.
"Very good! You’ve done very well!"
Li Zhirui and Jiang Fengwu were extremely pleased and encouraged him to keep it up and use the remaining years to strengthen himself further.
Despite Li Chengsheng’s outstanding performance, Li Zhirui, who had been to The Secret Realm of Wanxian himself, said that there were many who were stronger than him; therefore, he absolutely mustn’t become complacent.
"My brother has succeeded in his breakthrough; I wonder when I will be able to achieve that," Li Chengshuo said somewhat despondently and confused.
She had been incredibly diligent during this period but still felt that the breakthrough to the Golden Core Late Stage was a distant dream, hence her confusion about what to do next.
