Li Jianglong

Li Jianglong is a son of Li Zhouwei, an administrator of the Li Family of Moongaze Lake, and a Bright Yang cultivator. Although his father's biological third son, he is publicly known as the Second Young Master. His courteous manner and years of dependable service earn him authority over Floating South and later the family's island affairs. His ambitions become increasingly visible as military success opens a path into the Song court. His latest confirmed cultivation is late Foundation Establishment. (Chapters 967, 1274, 1391, 1696, 1712–1713)

Biography

The reserved second young master

Jianglong is born with the golden eyes of Zhouwei's descendants, but his father publicly presents the biological third son as his second. His mother is Madam Chen, the sister of Chen Yang, giving him a maternal connection distinct from those of his brothers. By early adulthood he has entered Qi Cultivation and developed a careful sense of propriety. He directs that a panacea offered by Wenhu be sent to the family together with seized spirit items. Li Minggong understands that he is clarifying the fate of a gift she kept after an elder refused it, lest Zhouwei suspect her of accepting a secret bribe. Jianglong's respect for his elders already includes attention to how their conduct will be interpreted. (Chapters 967, 1030, 1181)

He also makes himself useful in discussions of clan policy. When Li Jiangxia advocates recruiting and training groups of young cultivators, Jianglong suggests allowing them to choose their own futures after reaching Qi Cultivation: staying with the family, returning home, or seeking opportunities elsewhere. The offer softens the policy's appearance without sacrificing its practical advantages, since cultivators still need resources and many will remain attached to the family. In a proposed marriage alliance with Profound Peak Gate, he favors delay rather than exposing future children to the consequences of Changxi's declining position. To show goodwill while postponing the marriage, he volunteers to cultivate at the gate himself. Zhouwei accepts the proposal and sends companions with him, instructing him to behave humbly and cautiously. (Chapters 1052–1053)

His mild speech can nevertheless conceal a firm grip on household politics. Discovering that Li Hun hopes to attach himself to Jiangxia, Jianglong draws him into a courteous conversation and then rebukes his loose discussion of family affairs. He takes away the man's command token and leads him to wait for Li Hun’s father in the side hall, restricting his access to the household rather than allowing the budding connection to develop unchecked. At Profound Peak Gate, Jianglong remains safe after Changxi's death weakens the sect; its leaders are anxious to return him unharmed. When Li Ximing visits, he finds Jianglong studying among books and jade slips. The stay gives him an education within a diminished institution whose vulnerability had helped motivate his original caution. (Chapters 1055–1056, 1098, 1110)

On his return, Zhouwei assigns him Floating South. The choice suits his maternal connections: Li Anshuo's wife belongs to the Chen Family, and Jianglong already possesses leverage over the man responsible for mortal affairs there. Jiangxia is relieved that Jianglong will not take control of Milin and threaten his eastern-shore position. Jianglong, in turn, advocates appointing a strong Foundation Establishment cultivator over Milin, which would check his brothers' expanding authority. Chen Donghe's severity toward his own kin makes him an unreliable source of maternal favoritism; Zhouwei ultimately chooses Cui Jueyin. Jianglong accepts his own posting respectfully, while the brothers' recommendations reveal how closely they watch one another's influence. (Chapter 1128)

Floating South and the limits of borrowed authority

Jianglong's government of Floating South is successful. The territory remains free of recurring unrest from rogue and devil cultivators, brings spirit items to the family, and helps keep Jiangbei's disorder beyond the river. His monthly reports give the household information about neighboring powers and their overtures, while his office allows the clan's stronger cultivators to leave without abandoning the northern territory to disorder. Li Jiangqian later acknowledges that Floating South and the eastern shore continue to function smoothly under the younger brothers. Jianglong still returns for Li Chenghui's funeral, maintaining his place in the household while serving away from the island. (Chapters 1177, 1184, 1215, 1235, 1274)

That record cannot protect his office from a superior political command. Jiangqian summons him privately and announces that the Li Family must surrender Floating South because a Northern Upper Sect True Monarch is to reincarnate in Jiangbei. Zhang Duanyan has delivered the Golden Feather Sect's decree. The news almost breaks Jianglong's composure: years of work are suddenly subordinate to an event over which he has no control. Once he understands its scale, he warns that mishandling the withdrawal could endanger millions and destroy the family. His local knowledge then becomes essential to separating their holdings from the land they must relinquish. (Chapter 1274)

Jianglong explains that Li authority largely rests on spirit fields and veins guarded by cultivators brought from elsewhere. Removing them will be relatively simple, but Floating South's depleted population cannot support an effective local government, and entrenched families in Hidden East could quickly absorb the abandoned territory. He proposes using gifts and advance warnings to induce troublesome local families to depart, while taking settled rogue cultivators and their villages along with the withdrawal. The brothers' discussion also entertains indirect harm and scapegoats instead of formal convictions, revealing the ruthlessness beneath an orderly departure. Jianglong remains uneasy when Guan Gongxiao discusses the Capital Immortal Dao's part in the arrangements: outward restraint does not establish that its intentions are safe. The withdrawal teaches him that competent administration alone cannot preserve a territory. He also helps Chen Yang clean up traces in Floating South, work that gives his uncle an understanding of the northern crisis. (Chapters 1274–1275, 1314)

By Chapter 1302 Jianglong has returned from the north and entered seclusion at the eighth heavenly layer of Qi Cultivation, with the Talisman Pill and Three Aspects Breaking Realm Pill intended to support a future Foundation attempt. Administrative success has not removed his need for greater cultivation strength. By Chapter 1359 he is attempting his breakthrough in seclusion, alongside Jiangxia and other members of the household. (Chapters 1302, 1359)

Foundation service and a dangerous infiltration

Jianglong and Jiangxia emerge from seclusion with solid Foundation Establishment foundations. Ximing tests their cultivation and makes their advancement serve an immediate institutional need: Jiangqian can finally set aside family business to cultivate, with Jianglong handling the island and Jiangxia retaining the eastern shore. Jianglong's restraint distinguishes him from his more forceful brother, but he shares Jiangxia's concern about Wang Quwan. He judges Quwan's submission conditional rather than heartfelt, while recognizing that the favor Ximing has shown him will still oblige him to return. Jianglong can acknowledge the practical value of a subordinate without confusing deference with permanent loyalty. He also receives a golden ring from the Golden Tang Gate's dharma artifacts, whose Metal Virtue does not conflict with Bright Yang. (Chapters 1391–1392)

During the next northern conflict, Jianglong appears with Fei Chingyi as reinforcements are arranged for Jiangbei. His newly born eldest son gives these public responsibilities a more personal stake. Jianglong asks Ximing to name the child rather than choosing independently; Ximing gives him the name Li Suihuan. The request secures an elder's recognition for his household, and Ximing perceives the calculation beneath Jianglong's emotional gratitude. The son is named while cultivators are departing for battle, linking the family's next generation to Jianglong's ongoing service. (Chapter 1417)

When news from the northern battlefield fails, Jianglong cannot safely infer casualties from the life jade alone: Purple Mansion battles interfere with the information available to those waiting at the lake. The danger becomes immediate when an injured Fei Chingyi returns with one arm severed. Jianglong first checks whether he has entered the formation, admitting him only after Li Quewan gives her approval. He notices something evasive in Fei's account and suddenly demands to know what he is hiding. Fei claims that he abandoned the family's Qi cultivators to save himself. Jianglong accepts that explanation and helps him up; he has detected a concealment, but has not uncovered the hostile scheme behind the report. (Chapters 1436–1437)

Jianglong responds with limited deployments rather than emptying the household. He summons An Siwei and Sun Bai to help defend the northern bank, while proposing that Cui Jueyin and the family contingent travel to Mount Tangdao alongside Purple Smoke Gate for mutual support. When black qi surges against the lake and Cui moves to oppose it, Fei takes the guest cultivators outside. Quewan counsels Jianglong to wait: rushing into an unknown attack could cause casualties, and Jiangqian's position on the northern bank makes him a better source of reliable intelligence. Jianglong agrees. His suspicion and defensive arrangements help preserve the direct lineage, but his restraint also acknowledges the limits of Foundation cultivators facing a scheme involving greater powers. He later continues guarding the northern bank. (Chapters 1437, 1472)

The heir's household and repeated delegated burdens

As Jiangqian and the clan's senior cultivators pursue advancement, Jianglong continues absorbing the work left behind. Ximing orders him to use the grand formation to adjust terrain and spiritual energy slowly, creating persistent disturbances that will help conceal the search beneath the Wilderness. Jianglong's contribution is to arrange this work through the family's defenses and personnel. He also enters the grotto heaven in search of treasures, but repeated pursuit by Buddhist cultivators drives him into a corner. Ximing draws him out before the expedition ends. Jianglong has collected treasures and survives, though he descends unwillingly; the experience gives him no immediate new cultivation rank. (Chapters 1559, 1565)

His later reports show the breadth of his administrative obligations. He and Ding Weizeng inform Ximing that three expeditions to Shahuang Kingdom have failed to locate Zhusheng, whom Ximing seeks in connection with a jade-ring spiritual item. Jianglong also reports continued destruction above the Turbid Slaughter Mausoleum, the lack of news from the north, and Jiangxia's watch over the Wilderness. When Ximing asks after Suihuan, Jianglong explains that the child has a spiritual orifice and has begun Embryonic Breathing cultivation. Ximing arranges for him to cultivate an ancient Radiant Fire method obtained by Zhouwei and bestows the excellent techniques acquired from the grotto heaven. The gift rewards Jianglong's years of work while strengthening his son's prospects. (Chapters 1596–1597)

The reward does not solve the problem of Jianglong's own cultivation time. He has reached the point of attempting the middle Foundation stage but has repeatedly been occupied with lake affairs. Hoping to find someone to relieve him, he recommends Li Zhouming. Ximing rejects the suggestion: Zhouming is not capable of managing others. Instead, he allows Li Jiangzong to take an acting office and learn from Minggong, without immediately burdening the promising young man with full responsibility. Jianglong is thus recognized as indispensable, but that very usefulness makes it difficult for him to withdraw. By the time Li Suining meets him, he has attained middle Foundation and serves from Crimson Radiance Hall, declining to occupy the main seat after the family's enfeoffment as Wei. (Chapters 1597, 1609)

Suining remembers a future in which Jianglong becomes a Profound Holder of the Purple-Gold Hall and True Radiant Cloud Envoy, among other imperial offices. Those remembered honors belong to Suining's vision of later events; the Jianglong before him remains a middle Foundation cultivator. Jianglong also emerges from seclusion for the gathering attended by his thirteen-year-old son, whose rapid cultivation and expansive ambition earn Ximing's approval, though the boy's bold speech makes his father frown. During the ensuing turmoil, Jianglong takes his place among the household's ranked cultivators and acknowledges Ximing's order to keep people on the island, maintain vigilance, and gather more intelligence despite the protection of the grand formation. His son's progress and the clan's rising status deepen his stake in the institution he continues to administer. (Chapters 1609–1610, 1624–1625)

War merit and the Song court

By the next major crisis, both Jianglong and Jiangxia have reached late Foundation. Zhouwei orders Jianglong to draft memorials affirming loyalty to Song and seeking a title and desert fief for the Zhuang Family. Jianglong immediately sees the defensive purpose: if Song accepts the arrangement, it must help defend Smoke Valley Temple and relieve pressure on the lake. He also voices the obstacle that the court has enfeoffed the Li domain precisely to serve as a bulwark. Zhouwei intends the request to test imperial goodwill, and sends Jianglong, Chen Yang, Qu Buzhi, Li Zhoufang, and others to Milin to activate its great formation and prepare withdrawal routes for the eastern-shore cultivators. Jianglong's diplomacy and defensive administration are now parts of the same war effort. (Chapter 1696)

His service then produces conspicuous military merit. Lingu Lanying brings him before Zhouwei and Yang Ruiyi, praising his contingent for routing Buddhist cultivators in the Wilderness, joining the Song army, and intercepting defeated northern forces. She reports that the attack caught the Zhao army during its crossing, disordered its ranks, inflicted more than ten thousand casualties, and captured two direct descendants of the Gongsun Family. Jianglong arrives in damaged armor with battlefield dust still on him, but remains composed before the Daoist Masters. The reported losses are the result of his contingent's military action, while the praise makes him personally recognizable to the court as its commander. (Chapter 1712)

Yang Ruiyi offers to take Jianglong to the imperial capital and request a title for him. He explains the opportunities of the Purple-Gold Hall, whose protection and borrowed power make court service attractive to ambitious cultivators. Zhouwei sees the desire beneath his son's obedient silence and permits him to go. Jianglong accepts respectfully, framing the opportunity as a way to shoulder the burdens of his father, Tingzhou, and Song; Zhouwei also tells him that he can see Jiangxia in the capital. Afterward, Zhouwei acknowledges that both brothers seek higher authority and resent remaining constrained beneath him. Jianglong's years of orderly clan service have therefore led to a path beyond the lake, but the court appointment remains prospective rather than an already attained Holder rank or divine ability. (Chapters 1712–1713)

Appearance and personality

Jianglong has golden eyes, neat but comparatively plain features, and a tall, well-built physique. In youth his appearance is clean and unostentatious. While governing Floating South, he wears simple cloth garments and plain boots with a sword at his waist; later, as a senior family administrator, he appears in an ornate crown and crimson robes. After the Wilderness fighting, his battered armor and lingering killing intent reveal a harsher aspect of the otherwise composed official. (Chapters 1030, 1235, 1274, 1696, 1712)

His habitual respect is useful both socially and politically. He can make an uncompromising policy sound generous, volunteer for a risky sect connection, or accept an unwelcome posting without open protest. His father eventually credits him with years of impartial administration and few installed confidants. Yet Jianglong also seeks checks on his brothers' power, disciplines a would-be partisan, and pursues recognition for his own son. His restraint gives way to anger when he suspects Fei Chingyi is concealing information. Zhouwei ultimately recognizes that the obedient administrator shares his brothers' desire to rise beyond the authority available at Moongaze Lake. (Chapters 1052–1056, 1128, 1417, 1437, 1712–1713)

Abilities and cultivation

Bright Yang cultivation

Jianglong follows the family's Bright Yang cultivation and spends part of his early education studying at Profound Peak Gate. His progress depends on sustained cultivation alongside administrative duties: he is already a Qi cultivator in youth, reaches late Qi while governing Floating South, and returns from the north at the eighth heavenly layer. At that point the Talisman Pill and Three Aspects Breaking Realm Pill are planned support for a future Foundation attempt. His subsequent seclusion succeeds, and Ximing's examination finds a solid foundation suitable for taking on the family's affairs. (Chapters 1030, 1110, 1274, 1302, 1359, 1391)

The main limit on his later advancement is the difficulty of leaving his work to a capable replacement. He seeks relief when ready to attempt middle Foundation, eventually attains that stage, and later reaches late Foundation alongside Jiangxia. His Bright Yang is compatible with the Metal Virtue artifacts distributed from Golden Tang Gate, allowing him to accept a golden ring without the conflict a mismatched cultivation path would create. His signature spell techniques are unknown, and he has not attained a divine ability. The Purple-Gold Hall's promised benefits offer a future route toward greater power, but his acceptance of that opportunity does not itself make him a Purple Mansion cultivator or Profound Holder. (Chapters 1392, 1597, 1609, 1696, 1712–1713)

Administration and measured diplomacy

Jianglong's strength as an administrator lies in combining practical resources, personal connections, and careful presentation. His proposals give trained cultivators reasons to remain attached to the family, and he volunteers to cultivate at Profound Peak Gate to reassure the sect during negotiations over a marriage alliance. He also recommends placing a powerful superior over Milin to constrain rival brothers. At Floating South he maintains order, secures spirit items, and sends regular reports. When ordered to withdraw, he distinguishes holdings the family can remove from populations and rival clans it cannot simply control, designing incentives and warnings around those differences. (Chapters 1052–1053, 1128, 1215, 1274)

He later supplies continuity while Jiangqian cultivates, handles searches and territorial reports for Ximing, and helps translate Zhouwei's defensive aims into court memorials. These skills have clear limits. Successful local government cannot overrule a sect decree, and an evasive witness can still give him a plausible incomplete explanation. In the Fei Chingyi crisis, he must combine his own questioning with Quewan's caution and await Jiangqian's better information. His authority is effective because it remains connected to the family's stronger cultivators, defenses, and intelligence. (Chapters 1274–1275, 1391, 1437, 1596–1597, 1696)

Military command and formation coordination

Jianglong coordinates deployments, defensive formations, and the timing of reinforcements. During the northern-bank crisis he divides tasks between a small urgent response and a supported contingent for Mount Tangdao, avoiding a mass deployment that would attract attention. When the lake is attacked, he accepts the need to observe before committing the direct lineage. Later he arranges gradual terrain and spiritual-energy adjustments through the grand formation, and is charged with activating Milin's defenses and preparing routes into the mountains. His command works through the clan's collective resources rather than an independently described terrain-changing spell. (Chapters 1417, 1436–1437, 1559, 1696)

The Wilderness victory demonstrates his ability to exploit an army's vulnerable movement. Lingu Lanying credits his contingent with striking the Zhao forces mid-crossing and turning their retreat into a much greater defeat. The casualties and captured Gongsun descendants establish a substantial military success, but do not measure Jianglong's individual spell power. He remains a late Foundation commander operating alongside Song troops and under the protection and political arrangements of stronger cultivators. (Chapters 1696, 1712–1713)

Power progression

Relationships

• Li Zhouwei: His father assigns him offices, understands his competition with his brothers, and recognizes the desire for greater authority beneath his obedient conduct. Zhouwei permits his prospective move into Song court service after the Wilderness victory. (Chapters 1128, 1696, 1712–1713)
• Madam Chen and Chen Yang: His mother and maternal uncle. The Chen connection helps make Floating South a suitable posting, while Chen Donghe's harsh treatment of his own kin prevents that elder from becoming an uncomplicated family patron. Jianglong later works with Chen Yang on clan affairs and defensive preparations. (Chapters 1128, 1181, 1314, 1696)
• Li Jiangqian: His elder brother and family head. Jiangqian delivers the painful withdrawal order for Floating South and entrusts island administration to Jianglong when entering cultivation. In a crisis, his investigation of the northern bank is a necessary check on the information reaching the household. (Chapters 1274–1275, 1391, 1437)
• Li Jiangxia: His younger brother and political rival. Their territorial interests diverge, but they cooperate in policy discussions and share concern about Wang Quwan's loyalty. Both reach late Foundation and attract the Song court's interest. (Chapters 1052, 1128, 1391, 1696, 1712–1713)
• Li Ximing: The senior cultivator who tests his foundation, delegates island and formation responsibilities, names Suihuan, and rewards Jianglong's service with opportunities for his son. Ximing also recognizes the difficulty of finding a suitable replacement for his administrative work. (Chapters 1391, 1417, 1559, 1597)
• Li Suihuan: His eldest son, named by Ximing during the northern conflict. Jianglong seeks the elder's favor for him and later reports his aptitude; the child's Radiant Fire inheritance and rapid progress strengthen the future of Jianglong's household. (Chapters 1417, 1597, 1610)
• Li Quewan: A fellow defender of the household whose judgment he respects. She authorizes Fei Chingyi's admission to the formation and persuades Jianglong to wait for reliable information instead of rushing into the attack. (Chapters 1436–1437)
• Lingu Lanying and Yang Ruiyi: The court figures who publicize his military achievements and offer a route to the imperial capital. Their praise turns his command of a successful contingent into an opportunity for office. (Chapters 1712–1713)

Items

Jianglong selects a golden ring dharma artifact from the Golden Tang Gate spoils distributed by the family. The available Dui Metal and Geng Metal artifacts do not conflict with Bright Yang, making the ring a suitable gift for his cultivation. Its individual combat effects and a formal name are unknown. (Chapter 1392)

He carries an unnamed sword at his waist while governing Floating South. His plain clothing and minimal equipment form part of his unostentatious appearance; the weapon's properties and his degree of sword attainment are unknown. The Talisman Pill and Three Aspects Breaking Realm Pill are mentioned as intended support for his Foundation attempt after his northern return, rather than as medicine he has already taken at the time of that report. (Chapters 1274, 1302)