Xiao Xian waited inside the hall, his heart fraught with anxiety. He shifted the jade cup on the table back and forth, constantly adjusting his posture in his seat, visibly restless.
After quite a while, a flurry of footsteps sounded from outside the courtyard. Slumped listlessly in the lower seat, Xiao Xian perked up at once, hastily straightening his back and composing himself. Yet from below, a flattering voice was heard saying:
"Young Master Guitu, our young master is currently on the mountain discussing important matters with his clan brother... Please wait a moment, please wait a moment..."
"No matter."
The voice was composed, mature, and magnanimous, yet it struck Xiao Xian's heart like a clap of thunder. His mind went entirely blank, leaving only a single thought echoing within:
Xiao Guitu... What is he doing here?!
In the blink of an eye, a young man entered from outside the courtyard. Broad-shouldered and commanding, he exuded a heroic, imposing presence. Intricate talismans and runes covered his armor, rippling with magical light—at first glance, clearly an important figure of an immortal clan.
Xiao Xian did not dare show the slightest neglect. Gathering his robes, he hurried down, bowed deeply in formal greeting, and said respectfully, "Xiao Xian of the Yushan branch pays respects to the Eldest Young Master!"
This person was indeed Xiao Guitu, currently at the third layer of Qi Refinement. He was Xiao Guiluan's elder brother, the most outstanding figure of this generation in the Xiao family, and head of the main branch. Xiao Xian naturally dared not be remiss, according him full respect by immediately coming down to pay his respects.
"Xiao Xian of Yushan..."
Xiao Guitu glanced at him, showing a look of keen interest, and chuckled. "I have heard your name. The Yushan branch has fared decently in recent years, and I hear you share some affinity with the Second Young Lady of the Li family."
Xiao Xian offered a dry, placating smile, unable to fathom Xiao Guitu's intentions. He could only brace himself and invite him up to take a seat. Xiao Guitu walked forward with vigorous, commanding strides and sat down, staring at him.
"Not bad."
Xiao Xian secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Then Xiao Guitu continued, "I have come with important matters to convey to the Li family. Stay by the side and listen."
Hardly had his words fallen when several figures entered below. The one at their head wore black robes with a sword at his waist—none other than Li Yuanjiao. Taking a step forward, he smiled and said, "I am Li Yuanjiao. Greetings, Young Master Xiao."
Xiao Guitu looked up. Their gazes met in midair for a breath, both feeling a secret jolt of respect and wariness. Xiao Guitu let out a hearty laugh and replied, "So it is my brother-in-law! I am Xiao Guitu. I have long heard of your renown."
Li Yuanjiao nodded and stepped forward to take the seat of honor. With Xiao Guitu seated there, Xiao Xian naturally no longer had the standing to sit; he stood bowed beside Xiao Guitu, only nodding slightly when Li Yuanping entered behind them.
Those below all withdrew. The courtyard gates were carefully closed, and the array isolating the inside from the outside began to operate. Xiao Guitu lifted his tea, cut straight to the chase, and said in a grave voice, "I have come this time for two matters.
"First, Clan Uncle Xiao Yongling has successfully broken through to Foundation Establishment, forging the Dao foundation 'Mount Dongyu.' He has taken the place of our elders to oversee the north and will not return to Guanyun Peak for several decades."
"Congratulations to the Patriarch. It is merely a pity that our own Patriarch is in secluded cultivation; otherwise, he would surely have seen him off in person,"
Li Yuanjiao replied. Xiao Yongling was of the same generation as Li Tongya, so Li Yuanjiao naturally spoke with respect, addressing him as Patriarch. Xiao Guitu thanked Li Yuanjiao on Xiao Yongling's behalf and continued:
"Second, according to word from the Yuan family, Yu Muxian has emerged from seclusion. He broke through to Foundation Establishment and achieved the immortal foundation 'Golden Melting Cave.' This immortal foundation has not been attained in over a century, and the matter has alarmed the True Sovereign."
Once these words were spoken, all present fell silent. Li Yuanjiao turned his jade cup, his expression turning somewhat somber as he replied, "Thank you, Young Master!"
Xiao Guitu paused, giving him some time to think, before continuing, "'Golden Melting Cave' excels at artifact refinement, but cultivating it is extraordinarily difficult. First, it requires outstanding natural talent. Second, while cultivating, one must endure the constant agony of flesh and skin peeling away... A disciple of Yuanwu Peak once cultivated this path, wailing day and night, before ultimately abandoning the art... For Yu Muxian to successfully forge this path means he possesses immense fortitude. He cannot be underestimated."
Li Yuanjiao nodded, his expression revealing nothing, and said with sincerity, "My family has also inquired about him. This Yu Muxian has forged extensive ties within the sect and is sharp-witted and eloquent. I have one further question... Is this 'Golden Melting Cave'... a dao complement to a certain Purple Mansion?"
The question was far too sensitive; hearing it, Xiao Xian beside them bowed his head. Xiao Guitu paused, his eyes gleaming, and replied, "I have pondered this as well. Before leaving home, I specifically asked the Ancestor. In Jiangnan, there is no gold nature to which 'Golden Melting Cave' points."
The two exchanged a look, both realizing where the crux lay. Li Yuanjiao lowered his voice and sneered coldly, "Chi Zhiyun certainly thinks highly of him!"
Xiao Guitu took a sip of tea and answered unhurriedly, "Chi Zhiyun wishes to support the Yu family on Lake Wangyue to hold my family in check. Yu Muxian is merely that fortunate soul. It just so happens that this lucky fellow also has ruthless methods, which makes him a real headache."
Li Yuanjiao looked up, carefully studying Xiao Guitu's expression, and said in a low voice, "What does Young Master mean...?"
Xiao Guitu shook his head silently and replied, "This matter is too difficult. The divine abilities of the Purple Mansion are astonishing. The higher their cultivation and the more divine abilities they wield, the more inhuman they become. It is completely beyond anything below the Purple Mansion to interfere with. The True Sovereign personally granted an audience to Yu Muxian; the intention is already abundantly clear."
Li Yuanjiao could only let it drop. Xiao Guitu cupped his hands and continued, "After Yu Muxian emerged from seclusion, rumors began circulating within the sect that the Sword Immortal is ailing. It is best your noble clan exercises caution."
He paused and explained, "Sword immortals in this world can be counted on one hand. Sword Immortal Qingsui wielded his sword with peerless pride while still at Foundation Establishment, his name known throughout both south and north of the river. Now that he has not shown himself for decades, suspicions have arisen, and rumors are running rampant."
Li Yuanjiao sighed inwardly. He had only learned the truth in recent years that this nominal grandfather of his had perished in Nanjiang. Judging by Xiao Guitu's attitude, the Xiao family from top to bottom likely knew as well.
At that moment, he nodded in agreement and chatted with Xiao Guitu about Xiao Guiluan. He had Li Xizhi brought in, who obediently called him Uncle. Only then did a touch of genuine warmth appear on Xiao Guitu's face, and he smiled, "Seeing this nephew of mine always reminds me of Guiluan in her youth, laughing and playing—it is as vivid as yesterday. Over the past two years, Guiluan has visited home, and hearing that you two live in marital harmony is truly a fine thing."
Li Yuanjiao laughed. Xiao Guitu spent a moment showing affection to Li Xizhi, then had the child taken down before cupping his hands in farewell.
Following behind, Xiao Xian only had time to cup his hands toward Li Yuanping and say hurriedly, "If there is any news, please send word to me!"
With that, he scurried after Xiao Guitu. Li Yuanjiao courteously escorted them to the boundary, and by the time he rode the wind back to the courtyard, dusk had already fallen.
Li Yuanjiao landed back in the seat of honor, where Li Yuanping had already been waiting for some time. The two brothers exchanged a look. Li Yuanping pondered and asked, "Elder Brother, how much of Xiao Guitu's words can be trusted?"
Li Yuanjiao merely furrowed his brow, placing his jade cup upside down on the table with a dull clatter. Somewhat frustrated, he answered, "Hard to say. Xiao Guitu is no mediocrity. His words and expressions seemed sincere, his conduct measured and composed; it's impossible to discern his true depths... The Xiao family truly produces talent generation after generation: Xiao Chuting, Xiao Yongling... and now Xiao Guitu. Not a single one of them is easy to deal with.
"The Ancestor once said that the Xiao family and the Qingchi Sect appear discordant on the surface, but in secret, they are intimately aligned. Who knows what those Purple Mansions are calculating? The Xiao family has indeed shown kindness to our clan, and there is no need for them to deceive us over such matters. Yet if our clan believes and obeys everything, sooner or later we will become fuel for someone else's cultivation."
Li Yuanping nodded silently, a hint of unease on his pale face as he replied, "Yu Muxian's emergence from seclusion, riding the momentum of his successful Foundation Establishment, means he will certainly intervene in the affairs of the lake."
In the seat of honor, Li Yuanjiao pondered for a moment, then struck the armrest, having made up his mind. He answered, "Open the cave abode on Meichi Peak. Notify the Patriarch!"
Chapter 290