Jiaopanying

"Oh?" Li Xuanxuan glanced at the jade box. Seeing its crystalline, shimmering radiance, he could tell it was no ordinary object. He laughed repeatedly, saying, "Senior is being far too polite..." "Nonsense." Yuan Huyuan pushed open the jade clasp and lifted the lid of the jade box. Lying within was a chilling, azure-tinted edge, appearing nearly four feet long. The blade was smooth and lustrous, patterned with fine, dense, scale-like markings that flowed with cold light. Li Xuanxuan could tell at a glance that this sword was extraordinary. With a catch in his voice, he asked: "This is..." "This sword is called Jiaopanying. It is three feet seven inches long, forged from hanmi stone and supplemented with serpent-jiao blood—an absolute top-grade Qi Refinement artifact." Holding the box with one hand, Yuan Huyuan explained: "This sword was once a magical artifact belonging to the Chen clan of the Lengyu Sect. Later, when the Lengyu Sect fell, it passed into the hands of a rogue cultivator. That rogue cultivator died under our ancestor's seal, and so it came into our family's possession." Although Li Xuanxuan was not skilled in swordsmanship, his gaze was captivated by the sword nonetheless. Yuan Huyuan continued: "Our ancestor heard that the magical sword Senior Tongya wields is barely at the Qi Refinement grade. Furthermore, no one in our family is versed in swordsmanship. Feeling it would be letting a pearl gather dust and sullying a precious artifact, he bade me deliver it on his behalf!" Li Xuanxuan protested that he could not accept it. The Yuan family's gift was far too lavish for him to shamelessly take, and he waved his hands repeatedly. Yuan Huyuan firmly thrust the jade box forward and said warmly: "My elder clan sister manages things all alone on Qingsui Peak. The ancestor fears she may be bullied, and looks only to the Sword Immortal's renowned might as someone to lean on..." At those words, Li Xuanxuan understood completely. He mused to himself: "This sword wasn't gifted for the sake of our Li family, nor for Second Uncle's sake, but solely for Fourth Uncle's face. The Yuan family has held sway over the Xunlin Plain for so many years with deep foundations; investing in a potential future Purple Palace immortal family is naturally nothing to them." Seeing Li Xuanxuan still hesitating to receive it, Yuan Huyuan simply shoved the jade box into his arms and said warmly: "Our ancestor has also heard about the marriage between the Li and Xiao families. The Xiao family and my Yuan family have watched over and assisted each other for many years. With your noble house gradually finding a firm footing on the lake, we have gained yet another source of support. If matters proceed smoothly in the future, our two families can also grow closer and connect our bloodlines." For prominent immortal families like the Yuan and Xiao clans, "finding a firm footing" naturally did not merely mean gaining a small toehold, but standing supreme as the sole dominant power in an entire region, with well-established connections both within the sect and among the clans. Li Xuanxuan merely nodded and committed the words to memory. Li Xuanxuan chatted with Yuan Huyuan with smiles for a few moments, and the two walked into the courtyard, sat down, and were served tea. Suddenly troubled by a doubt, Li Xuanxuan raised his head, hesitated for a breath, and asked: "When I was still young, I heard that the Tangjin Gate raided the Xunlin Plain and slaughtered countless people, yet I never heard of your noble clan suffering any casualties..." "So it's about that." Yuan Huyuan paused, seeming to hesitate over how to broach the topic, before explaining: "My Yuan family suffered few casualties; those who died were minor clans and the common mortals... Your noble family surely understands some of the secrets behind this as well. Since I have things to say today, I shall speak plainly." Yuan Huyuan raised his teacup and answered: "Every year, my Yuan family grows massive quantities of spirit herbs and mines spirit stones on behalf of the Qingchi Sect. That invasion was merely a division of blood qi and resentment between the Qingchi Sect and the Tangjin Gate. Slaughtering minor clans and mortals was enough—why would they need to slaughter an attentive slave like me?" A sarcastic smile appeared on his face as he scoffed at himself, lowering his voice: "The Qingchi Sect has ruled for five hundred years. Where minor clans breed people, where prominent families cultivate herbs, where tribes are kept in loose rein, and where pills are concocted alongside demons—all of it is demarcated with utter clarity. In five hundred years, the Xiao family has been the sole exception, and even that was the result of Chi Wei subtly indulging them... Do not underestimate those Purple Palace masters on Qingchi Peak. In five hundred full years, even the dullest demon beast would have turned into a shrewd old fox!" A secret dread seized Li Xuanxuan's heart, leaving him struck dumb. Yuan Huyuan glanced at him and smiled: "When the Qingchi Sect sits at the table for a feast, we are but servants kneeling upon the ground. What they consume is the spiritual essence of heaven and earth, the blood and marrow of millions of common folk. To be frank..." Yuan Huyuan's expression turned solemn, his tone carrying an earnest note of advice: "This is also what my ancestor meant... The venerable elder is nearly three hundred years old and has seen too much. Since your noble clan has a Sword Immortal in the sect, why not send more disciples into the sect? What your noble clan needs to do is squeeze into a seat at Qingchi's feet, not onto Qingchi's table and into their bowl. Foundation Establishment is merely the first step..." Li Xuanxuan pondered for a breath before managing a strained response, sighing: "Junior has been enlightened..." Only then did Yuan Huyuan nod slowly, drinking down the tea in his cup, and said: "Very good. Henceforth, my Yuan family shall be in the east, and the Li family in the west. The Ding clan has been a collateral branch of my Yuan family for many years; my family will not touch them, and neither will the Xiao family." Dipping his finger into the spilled tea, he smiled as he casually traced a line across the table. Standing up, he lightly cupped his hands and chuckled: "Our conversation today has been most pleasant. I ask Fellow Daoist to convey everything to Senior Tongya. Huyuan must also pay a visit to the Xiao family, so I shall not impose any longer!" Li Xuanxuan hurried to his feet and escorted him out of the formation. Turning back into the courtyard in deep thought, he saw someone sitting quietly at the head seat. His lapels were smoothed straight, sitting upright and solemn, holding the chilly, gleaming Jiaopanying and examining it closely. Li Xuanxuan bowed low and said respectfully: "Second Uncle!" "Mm." Li Tongya stared at the dense, fine scale patterns, his fingers gently caressing them. A gleaming white streak of sword qi lit up along the blade. Li Tongya nodded and remarked: "A fine sword indeed." From Li Tongya's demeanor, Li Xuanxuan suspected that he had been listening to Yuan Huyuan's words from aside all along. Standing with cupped hands, he watched Li Tongya place Jiaopanying back into the jade box. Li Xuanxuan said in a low voice: "Second Uncle, the Yuan family's meaning is... if we truly want to endure under the Qingchi Sect's feet, we probably must align ourselves with the various peaks. In the sect, even if we cannot have a peak master of our own, we must at least possess eyes, ears, and voices. And at home, we must produce resources the Qingchi Sect values, so we will not be casually manipulated whenever they please..." Li Tongya gave a noncommittal hum and answered: "On the surface, Chijing is still in Nanjiang; aside from a few Purple Palace masters, hardly anyone knows the truth. In a few years, we will select an unremarkable, well-behaved child from the Xiyue generation to send over first." "Understood!" Li Xuanxuan assented. Li Tongya walked down a few paces, stopping before the table where Yuan Huyuan had sat. Looking at the faint water stain, he instructed: "Ding Xiding meant well. Send him back with some return gifts. Our family will not touch him, but do not grow too close either; avoid any suspicion that might displease others." Li Tongya glanced up at Li Xuanxuan and shook his head, saying: "The Yuan family is prudent indeed. Terrified that I might fail to understand the times, they came specially to warn us." Li Xuanxuan nodded and took up the thread: "It seems the Yuan family still does not know the truth about Nanjiang. They think Fourth Uncle stands a good chance of achieving Purple Palace out there, and even hold a degree of wariness toward our family. The Ding family holds the entrance, serving as a buffer zone between the three families; your nephew will not touch them." "Good that you understand." Li Tongya nodded. He was now a Foundation Establishment immortal cultivator; a single seclusion could last several years. If these matters were not made crystal clear and the younger generations were left to act recklessly, finding enemies on all sides upon emerging would be disastrous. Ever cautious, he had spoken a few extra words. "Word of my breakthrough to Foundation Establishment will soon spread. In a few years, when the time comes to pay tribute, our Li family will be classified as a prominent family. According to what the Yuan family implied, the Qingchi Sect's exploitation of prominent families is likely even more severe, far harsher than what minor clans endure. We must make good use of these few years to survey the spirit fields thoroughly and organize our manpower." "Understood!" Li Xuanxuan responded, then added: "There is, however, one matter to report to Second Uncle. At the summit of Mount Yuting lies a jade well, round as the sun and so broad it takes nine men with outstretched arms to encircle it. The well water is ice-cold, with dozens of suits of bronze armor submerged within. According to An Zheyan, it was used by his ancestors to soak cold armor and refine that sub-court cold armor qi, dating back to ancient times."