Tian Youdao only stared at him expressionlessly upon hearing those words. Tian Zhongqing froze for a moment, then realization struck him. His hands ceased trembling, his tears stopped flowing, and he merely bowed slowly to kowtow, saying in a low, despondent voice,
"Your nephew understands."
Unexpectedly, Tian Youdao let out a cold snort and replied, "It hasn't come to that yet."
Tian Zhongqing had just closed his eyes, preparing to utter his dying words, but upon hearing this, his eyes widened into perfect circles. Caught in such a wild roller coaster of emotions, he coughed twice and said hoarsely, "Zhongqing is no coward who fears death!"
A faint smile finally appeared on Tian Youdao's face, though it quickly faded back into indifference. Keeping a stern, flat face, he said, "Who told Rong'er to be such a good-for-nothing..."
Tian Zhongqing knew that the Tian Rong his uncle spoke of was Tian Youdao's eldest son—and his only offspring. Unfortunately, he had not inherited his father's talent. A profligate playboy who knew only how to stage cockfights, course hounds, eat, drink, and make merry, he was the greatest regret of Tian Youdao's life.
"Looking at the younger generation of the Tian clan, having mediocre talent would be fine, but they don't even know how to restrain themselves. I truly wish I could beat every single one I lay eyes on. Tian Rong is the most useless of them all. You are the only one who possesses a spirit aperture and can preserve our family's foundation."
Tian Youdao waved his hand, his expression turning somewhat somber. Shifting the subject, he said in a heavy voice, "Now is not the time for this. Under the present circumstances, our only recourse is to plead with one person."
"Who?"
Tian Zhongqing hastily looked up, only to see Tian Youdao ponder briefly before speaking:
"Li Jingtian."
***
"Come to Xianyou Peak."
The words were as placid as still water and sounded aged, yet they exploded like a clap of thunder beside Li Tongya's ear. In an instant, he recognized it as Xiao Chuting's voice. A mixture of joy and dread surged within him; his jade chopsticks paused for a brief instant before he swiftly set them down.
He respectfully gave an affirmative reply, noticing that the people around him seemed completely oblivious. By this time, the dharma assembly was drawing to a close. The immortal sect disciples at the high seats had all departed, and few of the Foundation Establishment families remained. Li Tongya stood up, flew out of the formation, and headed up the mountain.
Gazing down at the rushing Yue River beneath his feet and the pines and cypresses dotting the mountainside, Li Tongya's suspicious nature once again stirred doubt in his heart. Though he showed no outward reaction, towering waves churned within his mind.
*Xiao Chuting's 'Old Man on the Stream' and my Vast Sea happen to be dao complements... and he has looked after me with such care. With so many coincidences entwined, how could one not harbor suspicion?*
Yet the Xiao family's kindness to the Li family was truly as weighty as a mountain, making Li Tongya feel a pang of guilt even for suspecting them. At this point, there had long been no turning back. He had no choice but to suppress his doubts, quietly traveling through the mountains for a while before landing in front of the highest, most prominent peak.
The peak possessed its own independent formation, and an opening had been deliberately made midway up the mountain for Li Tongya to enter rather than requiring him to climb from the foot. The balance was struck just right—it preserved Li Tongya's face without demeaning their own standing.
Li Tongya nodded slightly and touched down on the mountainside. Before him lay a desolate expanse of cold grass rustled by forest breezes, through which brown wooden steps wound upward. Xiao Yuansi was already waiting there. Upon seeing Li Tongya, he chuckled softly and cupped his hands in a gentle salute.
"Fellow Daoist, this way—"
After all, this was a formal occasion, so Xiao Yuansi addressed him as "Fellow Daoist" rather than the intimate "Brother Tongya" he used in private. Li Tongya nodded in response and cupped his hands.
"I trouble you, Fellow Daoist."
The two glided upward side by side, skimming almost right along the ground. After a full incense stick's time, they finally reached the summit of Xianyou Peak.
At the peak, the sound of gurgling water echoed. Between two sheer precipices lay a deep pool enveloped in chilling mist, flanked by cold-hardy flowers and grasses—a scene of celestial elegance. Perched upon the cliff sat an old man clad in white robes, looking full of vigor, beaming with a smile as he watched the two approach.
Xiao Yuansi cupped his hands lightly and gestured for him to ascend the cliff while remaining in place to wait. Li Tongya lightly tapped his feet against the stones and landed before Xiao Chuting. Cupping his hands and bowing low, he said respectfully, "Junior Tongya pays his respects to the Zhenren! Warmest congratulations to the Zhenren on attaining the Purple Palace and establishing an immortal clan!"
Xiao Chuting nodded gently. Li Tongya tapped his waist, produced a jade box, and held it up with both hands, saying respectfully, "Junior congratulates the Zhenren, and offers a Jinmie Fruit!"
The jade box, of course, had been replaced. The box picked up from the ruins of the Lake Wangyue market was far too mysterious and profound; Li Tongya was not wealthy or reckless enough to give it away as mere packaging to Xiao Chuting. He had naturally switched it out beforehand and safely stowed the original away.
"Oh?"
Xiao Chuting raised his brows slightly. Taking the jade box from his hands, he gently pried it open. Instantly, an amber-gold spiritual object radiating iridescent light was revealed, its skin delicate and tender, with halos of light shifting across its surface.
The fruit had previously been rampant and arrogant, but now it trembled violently and could no longer speak, only silently mouthing curses. When Xiao Chuting drew it into the air with his power to examine it, it dared not even mouth words anymore. Xiao Chuting nodded and said, "Indeed, it is a Jinmie Fruit. However, its age is not high—just over a hundred years. You have shown great thoughtfulness."
Having received Xiao Chuting's praise, Li Tongya's countenance grew even more respectful. Xiao Chuting spoke again: "Rise. There is no need for so much ceremony. Sit down and chat with me for a while."
"Yes!"
Even though Xiao Chuting spoke gently, Li Tongya dared not presume on his favor. He still maintained the etiquette of a disciple as he waited, merely raising his head slightly in an attentive posture.
Xiao Chuting nodded slightly and said softly, "I must congratulate you as well. You also broke through to Foundation Establishment early on; your prospects are boundless."
Li Tongya hastily voiced his gratitude, but Xiao Chuting waved his hand to cut him off and smiled. "You need not worry so. I am not about to eat you; otherwise, Yuansi would surely kick up a fuss with me."
This little joke eased the tension in Li Tongya's heart, rendering the atmosphere far more genial. Without waiting to see Li Tongya's reaction, Xiao Chuting continued on his own: "Li Mutian certainly knew how to raise his sons. Hearing Yuansi describe you two brothers, your father's appearance and demeanor almost seem to materialize before my eyes. What a pity he passed away so early. At that time, I was occupied with breaking through to the Purple Palace and never had the chance to meet him."
This was pure polite banter. Back then, the Li clan had been nothing more than a tiny Embryonic Breathing family. When Xiao Chuting laid down his chess pieces, he had not even bothered to say much to Li Tongya, let alone take the time to visit Mount Lijing and sit down for a chat with Li Mutian. Lending Li Tongya a hand had merely been casually placing a pawn during idle moments. It was only later, when Li Chijing's talent came to light, that Xiao Chuting began to view the Li family with growing importance.
Li Tongya nodded in agreement, displaying a look of regret. Then he saw Xiao Chuting let out a soft laugh and pivot the conversation: "As for the Yu family of the dense forest, I have heard of them as well. In my youth, I even crossed hands with Yu Yufeng. That man's palm techniques were truly remarkable, and he was quite famous in Lixia Commandery for a time. Later, he was defeated by a junior, Yuxie, becoming a stepping stone for Yuxie's rise to fame. Shamed beyond measure, he gradually faded from view."
Seeing Li Tongya listening intently, Xiao Chuting continued: "After that, he returned to the Yu family to become their ancestor, and no further news was heard of him. Who would have thought the Yu family would produce another Foundation Establishment cultivator and stir up such great turmoil on Lake Wangyue in recent years? I have heard of that as well."
Caressing the fishing rod in his hand, he said in a soft, gentle voice, "To suppress the Yu family, simply getting rid of 'White Jade Hand' Yu Yufeng will suffice."
Chapter 234