Unable to Return South

"Fellow Daoist, save me..." "Hand over the precious herb!" ... Having firmly resolved to return south, Li Xuanling naturally flew southward without looking back. Along the way, chaos reigned everywhere—one moment immortal and demonic cultivators clashed as a precious herb was unearthed; the next, Shakya cultivators subdued monsters until both sides were gravely wounded. It seemed full of opportunities to scavenge easy pickings, but Li Xuanling's heart was set on home like an arrow loosed from a bow. He kept his head down and flew south, refusing to pause for even a moment. Within the Li family, Li Xuanling possessed the deepest attainment in the River-Crossing Torrent Steps. Consequently, he brushed past every danger without a single leaf clinging to his robes. Riding the wind without mishap for a time, he soon reached the great river along the border of the State of Xu. Surging billows rolled past as waves crashed against the shore in overlapping layers of glistening white spray—a magnificent, breathtaking vista. The great river divided north and south with its roaring waters. It was one of the places in the realm richest in water qi. Its upper reaches wound deep into the State of Zhao, twisting and meandering until they turned back at Mount Luoxia before vanishing into the borders of the State of Wu, known as the ancestral vein of the southern waters. Li Xuanling cultivated the River Unity Qi Formula and was inherently a Qi Refinement cultivator attuned to great rivers. Beholding this scene, he could not help but pause and gaze upon it. "How vast and mighty are the rivers..." When Li Xuanling had first traveled north, he had passed by this great river. He had been unable to resist cultivating by its banks for several days, his spirit broadening and his cultivation progressing noticeably. He had seen this spectacle before, yet seeing it again on his return journey still stirred his mind beyond restraint. Moved by the sight, he landed beside the river and watched the pale azure waters rush east, feeling all the more insignificant. "The course of a human life is like this surging torrent—never in one's own control." Li Xuanling recalled this journey north. He had originally merely wandered about the State of Xu, yet the impulse to visit Mount Luoxia had sprouted without rhyme or reason. Once stirred, that thought had surged like an avalanche or a tidal wave, carrying him across the State of Xu into the territory of Zhao before he even realized it. "If not for Fahui interrupting me, I would still be hopelessly trapped in that obsession... Was it truly my desire to go, or was some Purple Mansion or Maha willing me there...?" A chill ran down Li Xuanling's spine. The shadow of a giant hand orchestrating moves between heaven and earth seemed to loom over him, making him shudder. The sheer chaos and bizarre encounters along his flight southward only reinforced this suspicion, chilling him to the bone. "What unearthing of precious herbs, what Shakya cultivators subduing monsters—they were likely all illusions deliberately conjured to make me turn back north!!" Pondering silently, Li Xuanling walked along the riverbank for a stretch. Ahead, a large reef emerged. Perched atop the rock was an old man in a coir raincoat. His brownish-black coat dripped with water as he silently held a fishing net tangled like a snarl of hemp, patiently teasing out the knots. Beneath the brownish-black coir hood was a pair of piercing eyes, staring fixedly at the approaching Li Xuanling. Startled, Li Xuanling came to an abrupt halt. Before the relief in his heart could even fade, a profound terror welled up. His mind roared, and he thought in horror: *I've fallen into a spell!* Li Xuanling immediately circulated his magical power, but before he could ride the wind away, the old man called out clearly: "Young lad! There is no need to head south any further!" Li Xuanling had barely risen a foot off the ground when he was forcefully crushed back down. His limbs could not budge; across his entire body, only his mouth could move. He blurted out in shock: "A Purple Mansion Master!" "What fine willpower you have, lad. We deployed beauties, monsters, wealth, and treasures all along the way, yet not one could sway you in the slightest..." The fisherman lowered his head once more, staring down at the tangled mess of netting in his hands. He said mildly: "So I had to step in personally to intercept you." Li Xuanling could not move. He could only part his lips and say in a muffled voice: "Junior is merely a Qi Refinement cultivator, while Senior is a mighty figure of immortal cultivation. Why go to such lengths to manipulate a minor cultivator like me...?" The fisherman laughed heartily. He peered closely at Li Xuanling and answered: "We have plotted this game for decades; nothing can be allowed to go wrong. It was no easy feat luring you to the north, yet who would have thought a lad like you would be so cautious? It shouldn't have been this troublesome in the first place." Li Xuanling felt the pressure lift from his body as the master released the restraint. Knowing there was no chance of escape, he simply sat cross-legged with abandon and said, despondent: "If Junior's guess is correct, the one you are targeting is my father, and I am merely bait?" The Purple Mansion master shook his head, glanced at him, and chuckled: "Incorrect. Your father is also bait." A chill crept up Li Xuanling's spine. He parted his lips and said raspily: "Yet my father has always been cautious. I fear he may not satisfy your expectations." The Purple Mansion master shook his head again, speaking warmly: "Li Tongya will have no choice but to come. He already has a premonition; otherwise, he wouldn't be sitting silently atop Mount Lijing." The man exhaled slowly, a look of genuine admiration crossing his face, and spoke gently: "We of the Purple Mansion have watched the changing winds and clouds for centuries—what kind of figure have we not seen? I must admit this Li Tongya is quite a remarkable man, yet he is not ruthless enough. Unable to let go of his family and principles, he has no choice but to await his end." Li Xuanling fell silent. He gripped the long sword at his waist, tears glistening faintly in his eyes, his face flushed. He asked: "If father and son both obey and go to our deaths, can my Li clan obtain a night of peace?" The fisherman looked deeply at him, clapped his hands, and answered: "Both Mount Dali Monster Cave and Xiao Chuting are protecting your clan. The Li family will come to no harm." Li Xuanling let out a long breath and was about to ask more, but the Purple Mansion master waved a large hand and snapped in a low voice: "Enough! I answered you only out of respect for your father, yet you keep babbling on. Go on, head toward Mount Luoxia!" Li Xuanling pursed his lips. With a heavy inward sigh, he bowed to the man, then rode the wind northward. The Purple Mansion cultivator was left alone on the reef, gathering his net while muttering curses: "What a bloody mess—couldn't even reel in the fate of a mere Qi Refinement cultivator! Forcing me to step in myself..." --- Winter gradually crept in. As news of Xiao Yongling's breakthrough reached the market, Li Xuanxuan prepared a modest gift and personally carried it up Guanyun Peak to offer his congratulations. Having broken through to Foundation Establishment, Xiao Yongling was in high spirits, yet he looked upon Li Xuanxuan with a complicated gaze. Taking the jade box from the table, a sweep of his spiritual sense revealed that the spiritual medicine inside was of top quality for the Qi Refinement level. He gave a slight nod and merely replied: "You have been thoughtful." "Thank you for your care over these past few years, Senior..." During the years Li Xuanxuan had managed business in the market, Xiao Yongling had presided over it and lent no small measure of help. Li Xuanxuan was naturally full of gratitude and responded deferentially. Hearing this, Xiao Yongling paused slightly. Unable to restrain himself, he rubbed the jade cup before him twice, hesitating as if wanting to speak. After a dozen breaths, he waved his hand listlessly and pointed to a white-robed man holding a long staff beside him: "After I depart, Ruyu will oversee the market. If your family has any important matters, feel free to seek him out." "Greetings, My Lord!" Li Xuanxuan hastily cupped his hands. To the side, Xiao Ruyu smiled gently. Now possessing a cultivation of the eighth layer of Qi Refinement, he said softly: "Brother Xuanfeng and I share a long friendship; there is no need to be so formal. Just call me Ruyu." After exchanging a few words, Li Xuanxuan bowed and took his leave. Xiao Yongling knitted his brows, a trace of guilt on his face. Watching Li Xuanxuan's departing figure, he said wearily: "Li Xuanling has most likely reached the north. A game between Purple Mansion masters... yet I cannot speak plainly. The Old Ancestor did his best to maneuver tactfully, yet it still came to this result, leaving me ashamed before Li Tongya." "Yet it is something beyond anyone's power to change." Xiao Ruyu looked far more mature now, his eyes resolute and his voice heavy as he said: "Our Xiao family... has already done everything humanly possible..." Xiao Yongling gave a bitter smile and replied: "Who knows... This is for the best right now. No single family on Lake Wangyue can be allowed to dominate. Once this matter passes, that crowd of Purple Mansion masters can settle down a bit, sparing us from living on edge day after day."