As the seat where the superior sect, Yuehua Yuan Mansion, had held sway centuries ago, Lake Wangyue naturally possessed superb earth and spirit veins. Its southern shore bordered Mount Dali, rich in spiritual herbs and demonic beasts; its western shore lay near the great desert, where the loose earth yielded all manner of spirit ores; its northern shore was where spirit veins gathered amid magnificent mountains and rivers; and the eastern shore, occupied by the Yu family, was an expanse of flat, fertile land.
This was the first time Li Tongya had flown straight across Lake Wangyue toward the northern shore. The journey spanned several hundred li. By boat, it would have taken a full day and night, and certain reaches were infested with aquatic demons. A few poked their heads up to test Li Tongya's aura, only to slink dejectedly back into the water.
Li Tongya could not be bothered to deal with these beasts. He had no philanthropic urge to slay demons. Once in the water, such creatures were cunning and difficult to handle. Without fox demons to gather intelligence, killing a small one might only bring out an old one. It was simply not worth risking entanglements and complications for a few scraps of demon material.
Halfway across, he flew past the ruins of the market on Lake Central Islet. It had been stripped clean. The great boat trade had collapsed long ago, and only the prohibitive grand array above still functioned, discharging arc after arc of lightning.
Li Qinghong watched quietly all the way until the northern shore came into view. She saw the clear lake water crashing against sheer bluffs, sending up plumes of spray. Waterfalls poured from caverns in the cliffs, tumbling into the lake with deafening roars. Gazing closely, she murmured softly:
"The northern shore sits higher, and the climate is cold. The shore is lined with cliffs, stone precipices, snow-capped peaks, and freezing pools—not at all like the boundless reed marshes near our home. Both have their merits. If one speaks of sustaining ordinary life, the southern shore is far more pleasant; but if one speaks of cultivating immortality, the northern shore boasts splendid mountains and rivers, where spirit veins truly converge."
Li Tongya nodded in approval and continued flying north for a time. The terrain grew increasingly precipitous until a towering, isolated peak finally appeared ahead. Shrouded in mist and clouds and dotted with hardy pines and cypresses, it was enveloped by a translucent grand array, looking much like an immortal realm.
Pavilions and halls stood in rows across the mountain. Figures could be seen in the distance, some sitting cross-legged, others sparring with spears or swords. Snow blanketed the mountaintop, where an elegant small pavilion was nestled.
Clad in a grey robe, Li Tongya trod upon the void and arrived before the barrier. He tapped lightly on the array and channeled his Dharmic power, speaking in a low voice:
"The rogue cultivator Wan has come to pay his respects. I humbly request Senior to show himself."
Below, several figures immediately rose into the air, extending their spiritual sense. Li Tongya's robe was woven from spiritual cloth, silently shielding him from those prying gazes. After he stood suspended in the air for a dozen breaths, a streak of light shot upward and halted before him.
The middle-aged man wore a white robe of brocade and descended before him with a gentle smile. Dignified and refined, he was none other than Fei Wangbai.
"This is no place to talk. Brother Wan, please come inside."
Fei Wangbai played along smoothly, addressing him familiarly as Brother Wan. Li Tongya nodded and descended with Li Qinghong to the small pavilion atop the peak. They followed Fei Wangbai inside, took their seats, and lifted their teacups. Only then did Fei Wangbai let out a sigh:
"Brother Tongya, my condolences."
"Alas."
Li Tongya paused, knowing full well what Fei Wangbai meant. Not wishing to dwell on it, he gestured toward Li Qinghong and said, "This girl is the child I spoke of earlier. Have a look, Senior."
Fei Wangbai studied Li Qinghong for several moments, forming a favorable impression. Asking her to open her hands, he saw the worn calluses on her palms and nodded slightly. "Brother Tongya, rest assured. I will instruct her personally."
This matter had already been agreed upon long ago, and there was little cause for surprise. So long as Li Qinghong was not an indolent or spoiled scion, Fei Wangbai would certainly accept her. At a glance from Li Tongya, Li Qinghong knelt and said respectfully:
"Master!"
Fei Wangbai nodded repeatedly in acceptance. Looking at Li Qinghong, he thought to himself, *So long as she is sensible, that is enough. I do not expect her to achieve anything extraordinary, but the girl is comely and pleasing to look at.*
Fei Wangbai cared deeply about appearances. The younger generation of the Fei family were all handsome and dignified, and unkempt looks grated on his eyes. Seeing Li Qinghong's poised bearing, he felt relieved and said warmly:
"You may wait outside. I have matters to discuss with your grandfather."
"Yes!"
Seeing Li Tongya give a slight nod, Li Qinghong bowed respectfully and withdrew. Hurrying out of the inner hall, she saw white snow drifting down beneath the dark night sky. Smiling, she stepped forward and opened the courtyard gate.
"Aah!"
To her surprise, a figure stumbled through the gate with a cry. Fortunately, Li Qinghong was a cultivator of the third layer of Embryonic Breathing; stepping aside with fluid grace, she easily dodged. A lavishly dressed youth fell flat on the ground with a thud, grimacing in pain.
"Who are you?"
Li Qinghong smiled and helped him up. At that age, youth was at its most radiant. Her voice held a buoyant, heroic lilt and an innate brightness, yet her features carried a delicate grace. The youth's face flushed crimson, and he stammered, unable to speak coherently.
"Fei... Fei Tongxiao."
*Clink.*
Inside, Li Tongya watched Fei Wangbai set down his teacup and offered a faint smile. Fei Wangbai shook his head awkwardly, murmuring, "This boy..."
"It is only natural for a young man to be drawn to a fair maiden. There is no fault in it."
Li Tongya gently gave him a way out. Fei Wangbai nodded, then pulled the conversation back to serious matters, his tone solemn:
"Brother Tongya, are you truly certain you can secure two or more Foundation Establishment helpers once you make your breakthrough?"
"I am."
Li Tongya nodded calmly, exuding confidence. "My younger brother had someone bring me a Suiyuan Pill. With the aid of this elixir, it is well worth the gamble."
Hearing this, Fei Wangbai sighed softly and replied, "We are not disciples of great sects; we do not possess secret ancestral arts and methods passed down through generations, nor do we know our true chances of success. Foundation Establishment has always been a gamble with one's life...
"My grandfather died in the attempt, and so did my father. Across three generations of our Fei family, ten have tried to break through to Foundation Establishment, yet I am the only one who succeeded."
The subject cast a somber pall over both men. Recovering himself, Fei Wangbai gritted his teeth and said in a heavy voice:
"Very well! I trust you, Brother Li Tongya!"
He raised his cup in a toast, then smiled again. "I can buy you three years. During these three years, the Yu family will not have the leeway to target your clan. After three years, there will be another five years during which the Yu family will be overwhelmed with trouble, keeping Yu Mugao tied down."
Seeing Li Tongya nod, Fei Wangbai continued, "However, you must succeed, Brother Tongya. These eight years were bought at the cost of many of my hidden cards and secret pawns. If you fail to establish your foundation and perish, body and soul..."
Fei Wangbai sighed softly, muttering, "...then this lake will truly become the Yu family's private domain, and over the course of a century, every family will be dismantled and destroyed by Yu Mugao one by one!"
Li Tongya nodded gently. If he failed to achieve Foundation Establishment, the Li family's threat to the Yu family would diminish drastically, granting them a brief respite. Yet once the news of Li Chijing's death arrived, they would still be unable to escape annihilation.
***
Li Tongya rode the wind across the lake for a long while until the brilliant morning sun rose. The vast reed marshes of the southern shore finally appeared before him. He paused to look, a torrent of emotions surging through his heart.
*A gamble with one's life.*
Gazing at the small island nestled within the reeds, Li Tongya gently landed upon it. As the rugged stones shimmered with golden light under the dawn, a sudden wave of daze washed over him.
Decades ago, bringing Xiangping through the reeds, he had stood on this very muddy shore holding the magical mirror. He had stripped off his upper garment, preparing to swim to the island, while Xiangping huddled among the reeds holding the mirror. Li Tongya had been merely a half-grown youth back then, bare-chested in the setting sun as he gave instructions to his little brother.
"Sir! Where are you headed?"
Li Tongya slowly raised his head. A small boat was gliding across the calm lake surface. At the prow stood an old man in a coir raincoat, his face lined with wrinkles. Leaning on a long bamboo pole, he asked with a warm smile:
"Sir, are you going toward Lichuankou?"
Chapter 204