Mount Qingdu.
Li Ximing had rarely stepped out of his courtyard, yet today he stood alongside Li Xijun atop the azure sacrificial altar. Still not quite daring to face his father, Li Yuanping, he kept his brows and eyes lowered, silent as a stone.
Li Yuanjiao slaughtered the two demon beasts with a jade knife and waited quietly for a while. Only when the auras radiating from the two youths surged explosively and both sat down cross-legged in unison did he let out a breath of relief.
After all, the Immortal Mirror and its talisman registers chose their recipients. If it did not bestow talisman qi, the two Foundation Establishment demon beasts would have been wasted. The family still had a dozen or so talisman pills left, which was more than enough.
'Talisman pills possess the ability to break through bottlenecks. Though their efficacy for Foundation Establishment cultivators is not as miraculous as it is for Qi Refinement, they can certainly be taken when breaking into the late stage... Once the Three Completions Realm-Breaking Pills are concocted, the chances of our clan's Foundation Establishment cultivators reaching the peak of Foundation Establishment will increase drastically, and the time required will be shortened substantially.'
Li Yuanjiao waited for a while. After regulating his breath for a long time, Li Xijun was the first to open his eyes.
His sword-like eyebrows accentuated his handsome, dashing eyes. Now those eyes were deep and profound, and white vapors roiled around him, bone-chillingly cold. Pursing his lips, he exhaled a puff of white mist, rose, and said respectfully, "This junior has received [Bright Frost Pine Ridge] and broken through to the fourth level of Qi Refinement."
He paused, his expression far calmer than before receiving the register. The subtle trace of arrogance had settled, making him appear much more composed. "Upon receiving this register, the mind becomes still as water, able to pierce illusions and scrutinize subtleties. True essence and magical power turn like frost and snow, yielding twice the result with half the effort when cultivating spells."
Watching him, Li Yuanjiao nodded repeatedly with a smile. On the other side, gold and crimson light surged around Li Ximing, rising and sinking in circulation through his Shengyang Mansion and Juque Court. Opening his eyes, he said softly, "Your nephew has broken through to the fifth level of Qi Refinement and obtained [Valley Wind Fire Induction]. It allows me to manipulate flames and guide qi, refining true essence."
After a brief explanation, he added with some surprise, "Not only did I break through, but this time I also received a cultivation method—the *Pheasant Fire Continuous Motion Art*, a fourth-rank method."
"A cultivation method?"
Li Yuanjiao was instantly overjoyed and took out a blank jade slip. Beside him, Li Xijun added, "This junior received a secret art, *Hanxue Ji*."
Li Yuanjiao had the two of them record their acquisitions. Greatly pleased in his heart, he produced a jade slip, placed it into Li Ximing's hand, and instructed, "This is the *Leap Yang Method* I glimpsed from Tu Longjian. I went over it roughly and wrote it out from memory here. Since you can manipulate flames and guide qi, you should study it well."
He then took out an azure jade bottle. "This is [Xuanyang Departing Fire]. Take it and make use of it."
Li Ximing quickly took it and read it carefully, filled with delight. He answered, "I have heard that immortal sects have methods for internal refinement of spiritual fires, allowing one to draw worldly spiritual flames into the Shengyang Mansion. Internally, they can be drawn forth for pill concoction; externally, they can be unleashed to repel enemies. Now that I have [Valley Wind Fire Induction], I can also guide fire to concoct pills.
"[Xuanyang Departing Fire] is violent and scorching, unsuited for pill concoction. Nephew intends to transform it into [Changxing Origin Fire]. First, it can assist in concocting pills, and second, it will allow me to cultivate the *Pheasant Fire Continuous Motion Art*!"
Li Yuanjiao smiled with satisfaction and nodded repeatedly. "Good. That is precisely what I had in mind."
Li Ximing sighed with regret, continuing, "It is only a pity that this cultivation method requires [Changxing Origin Fire] rather than [Spring Yang Spirit Fire]. Among the dozen or so spiritual fire transmutations recorded in the *Leap Yang Method*, [Spring Yang Spirit Fire] is like the spring sun—gentle and nurturing—and the most adept for pill concoction... It is not quite that fortunate... If only I had two spiritual flames..."
"Hahahaha!"
In high spirits, Li Yuanjiao patted his shoulder and reminded him, "It is fortunate that the *Leap Yang Method* and the *Pheasant Fire Continuous Motion Art* were obtained through the Immortal Mirror, which lies beyond destiny. If it had also happened to be the spiritual fire best suited for alchemy, one would have to suspect whether some Violet Palace master had laid out bait!"
Beside them, Li Xijun listened to his words. Holding *Hanxue Ji* in his hands, lost in thought, he cast a subtle glance at the smile on Li Yuanjiao's face and said with a smile, "Jun'er will go down now to find people to gather spiritual qi and cultivate my spells."
Li Yuanjiao nodded and turned to Li Ximing: "There is no hurry regarding the transmutation of the spiritual fire. Gathering the specific spiritual items required will take some time; I shall dispatch people to search for them right away. You two stabilize your cultivation bases first and take things step by step.
"Do not descend the mountain for now. Enter secluded cultivation for a few years to provide a pretext for your changes in cultivation."
The two brothers, Li Ximing and Li Xijun, cupped their hands and spoke in unison: "Junior obeys."
...
Li Yuanjiao cultivated on Mount Qingdu for over a month. True to his word, Fei Luoya arrived, calling out before the azure mountain gate. Li Wushao was the first to soar out from the lake waters, calling out clearly, "This one is Li Wushao. May I ask what brings Senior here?"
"A hook snake?"
Fei Luoya was at the middle stage of Foundation Establishment, and a blood-red light shifted frightfully in his eyes. Seeing through Li Wushao's true form at a single glance, he replied, "An Eastern Sea demon... To find shelter under the Li clan can be considered your good fortune."
Hailing from the Shanyue, Fei Luoya spoke in an overbearing, haughty manner, acting soft-spoken only before Li Tongya. Li Wushao nodded sullenly at his words and said, "Senior has keen eyes."
Meanwhile, Li Yuanjiao had already ridden the wind to meet him. Cupping his fists, he exchanged a few polite words before Fei Luoya cut straight to the point: "Have you received any word? Can Li Tongya take action? How about we set out immediately to kill Fu Daimu?"
Li Yuanjiao replied, "I have already inquired with someone within the sect. Fu Daimu had a close friend who joined Qingchi and died in the demonic calamity; he has no significant backing.
"However, he does have some dealings involving mutual benefit with the peak master of [Fuchen Peak] among the Thirty-Six Peaks."
Fei Luoya had not expected that the fellow had truly forged connections with the Qingchi Sect, and asked anxiously, "Then what should we do?"
Li Yuanjiao lowered his voice: "My son has investigated the matter. It is merely business. Fuchen Peak would not wish to become overly entangled with such a man. Once you and I slay him, we need only send over some precious herbs and apologize to this Fellow Daoist, and the matter can be treated as resolved."
Fei Luoya was instantly overjoyed and chuckled, "Your noble clan truly has deep connections and abundant means!"
Li Yuanjiao smiled faintly. His inner calculations went far beyond this: 'Li Encheng, the master of Fuchen Peak, is known as the [Biwater Elixir]. He is one of the Qingchi Sect's mid-tier alchemists and has been at the peak of Foundation Establishment for years. Why would he care about such an insignificant figure? He merely treats him as a pawn peddling precious herbs.
'As long as we secure a portion of the precious herbs and have Xizhi deliver them, we might even establish a relationship with him. Giving the boy another connection within the sect will benefit everyone.'
Most Shanyue were ferocious by nature. Now that Fei Luoya was set on killing Fu Daimu, waiting even a single day was torment, and he wished nothing more than to execute him immediately. He urged impatiently, "Fellow Daoist! Why not set out right now!"
Li Yuanjiao cupped his hands and explained, "The clan elder cannot act lightly. Senior, please wait a little longer for Fellow Daoist [Fuqingshan]."
Fei Luoya had no choice but to wait patiently. Over a day later, a streak of red light broke through the sky. Steering a crimson jade boat, Yuan Chengdun came to a steady halt before the mountain. Stowing the boat away, he smiled and said, "Chengdun made a trip to Helin Commandery and arrived late. My apologies to you two."
"No matter!"
Li Yuanjiao looked at the two of them. From the lake, Li Wushao also flew up, cautiously falling in behind him. Li Yuanjiao said, "I have a grand formation in hand; Fu Daimu will not escape."
The group rode the wind into the sky. Fei Luoya called out, "The helper I invited is named Zhu Xian, with a cultivation at the early stage of Foundation Establishment. He is currently keeping watch over Fu Daimu.
"Three at the early stage and two at the middle stage, with Yuan Chengdun being especially formidable in strength. Add to that this grand formation, and success is practically guaranteed."
Li Yuanjiao echoed in agreement, while thinking to himself: 'Even if this man goes back on his word and joins forces with Fu Daimu to kill me, with Yuan Chengdun here and the grand formation in my hands, I can advance or retreat at will. Nothing will go wrong.'
...
Mount Wu was originally the cultivation grounds of Duanmu Kui. He was a great cultivator at the peak of the Violet Palace who possessed an immortal book, ranking among the very best Violet Palace masters in Jiangnan. Even casually instructing a few Shanyue to run errands had naturally formed a major faction.
Duanmu Kui had never cared. Merely by cultivating on Mount Wu, the disciples and descendants beneath him multiplied. In his more than two hundred years of secluded cultivation here, twenty-nine Shanyue Foundation Establishment cultivators had emerged over time.
When Duanmu Kui died overnight, he left nothing behind for these disciples and followers. The Shanyue scattered like birds and beasts. The formidable ones among them—such as Fu Daimu and Fei Luoya—carved up the Shanyue territory. The strongest, Jiao Zhongzi, occupied Mount Wu, while Fu Daimu, a tier below, established a foothold in Dajueting.
Fei Luoya explained as he rode the wind, "Fu Daimu had numerous conflicts with me on Mount Wu. He finds me an eyesore, and his strength is far greater than mine. In recent years, I have stayed secluded within my own domain, ready to flee at any moment.
"Yet in this day and age... who knows what it is like outside? It is best to kill him as soon as possible."
The group picked a spot and landed. The Shanyue helper, Zhu Xian, also arrived on the wind. Yet he looked completely like a man of the East, with well-formed features. Holding a rattan whip, he cupped his hands: "This one is Zhu Xian. Greetings, Fellow Daoists."
Li Yuanjiao and the others exchanged greetings and set up the formation disc. Fei Luoya said, "We still need to lure him out. I must trouble Fellow Daoist Yuan to accompany me on a trip. That scoundrel is cautious; unless our strengths seem evenly matched, he will surely grow suspicious and dare not pursue me."
Yuan Chengdun nodded candidly and rode the wind away alongside him, their voices fading into the distance: "You and I will exchange blows with him for a time, and that early Foundation Establishment cultivator, Zhe Ledai, will certainly strike. You and I will feign ignorance to lure the enemy..."
Li Yuanjiao watched the two depart, his eyes narrowing slightly. Silently activating the [Mystic Pattern Bottle], he trailed distantly behind them. Watching bursts of shamanic arts and spell light erupt across Dajueting, alongside Fei Luoya's feigned cries of alarm and fury, and sensing nothing amiss, he then withdrew.
Before long, two streaks of light came in pursuit. Fu Daimu, a late Foundation Establishment cultivator, was a heavily wrinkled old man with a burly build who wielded a halberd. Zhe Ledai, holding twin swords, was stocky and cursed incessantly, clearly full of himself.
Only when all four entered the formation together did emerald-green light envelope them. The pursuers' expressions shifted drastically, while Fei Luoya burst into wild laughter. Sweeping his gaze around, Fu Daimu sneered at Zhu Xian, "Little Junior Brother? You have placed the wrong bet!"
Whip in hand, Zhu Xian replied placidly, "I thank Senior Brother for your concern. Today, I have come to invite Senior Brother to add a few resources to my path."
Fu Daimu did not dispute with him, merely glancing at Li Wushao: "You even brought a hook snake! Two early stage, two middle stage, plus a grand formation—truly a lavish undertaking!"
Though trapped inside the formation, he relied on his hidden trumps and showed no fear at all, laughing heartily: "Yet you underestimate the two of us!"
Holding twin swords, Zhe Ledai did not flinch, charging straight at Zhu Xian and Li Wushao. His swords opened and closed, steadily parrying both opponents.
Fu Daimu likewise clashed with Yuan Chengdun and Fei Luoya, their battle unleashing streams of golden and blood-red light with immense momentum.
Shrouded in the spiritual mist of the mystic patterns, Li Yuanjiao silently gripped his sword and drew near. Compared to the clash among the other three, the battle between Li Wushao and his opponents was far more mediocre. Though all three were at Foundation Establishment, they were rogue cultivators who cultivated in isolation, still wielding Qi Refinement magical artifacts.
Zhe Ledai and Zhu Xian did not seem to know many spells either, merely testing each other with the wonders of their respective immortal foundations. Li Wushao originally had some strength, but having severed the hook on his tail, he was significantly weakened.
As Li Yuanjiao drew closer to the three, the Qingchi Sword leapt into his hand. An azure-white sword light flared abruptly. Zhe Ledai's expression finally changed, and he raised his swords to block.
"Not good!"
Yet the artifacts in his hands were only at the Qi Refinement level; how could they rival the Qingchi Sword? Having accumulated power for so long, Li Yuanjiao unleashed a dazzling, blinding Lunar Crescent Sword Arc that struck his twin swords with sharp, screeching cracks, carving away a flurry of blade shards into the air.
As Zhe Ledai parried, Li Wushao's serpent tail tore through the air, and Zhu Xian struck with all his might as well. Together, they battered him until he coughed up blood. Zhe Ledai barely managed to pull his arms back to ward off the most lethal second blow of the Qingchi Sword.
At that moment, Zhe Ledai felt a chill at the back of his neck and his heart plummeted. Terrified, he cried out, "Not good! [Jing Dragon King]!"
Blood qi surged within him as he activated a shamanic secret art. His true essence burned bright crimson, and finding a momentary opening, he whipped his head around, only to see a colossal bluish-gray flood dragon serpent lunging right at his face. Raising his sword to block, he shouted at the top of his lungs, "Senior Brother! Strike quickly!"
As a newly ascended Foundation Establishment cultivator, Zhe Ledai's strength was by no means lacking; coordinating his twin swords, he had kept Zhu Xian and Li Wushao firmly at bay. Had Li Yuanjiao fought him one-on-one, taking him down would likely have been difficult.
However, an ambush relied on sudden surprise. Li Yuanjiao had struck from right next to him and with extraordinary ferocity. Zhe Ledai had already lost his composure; it was fortunate enough that he had not been gravely wounded.
Fu Daimu knew that Zhe Ledai had done his utmost, yet he still had not forced out Yuan Chengdun's immortal foundation. He could only sigh with resentment and flicked his sleeve, sending a mass of black and crimson hurtling out.
"[Human Head Mountain]!"
The magical artifact expanded rapidly against the wind into a black-and-crimson expanse, densely hung with over a thousand human heads. Their eyes bulged, saliva dripped from their mouths, and they shrieked shrilly, long inky hair fluttering as gusting yin winds whipped up all around.
Fei Luoya gestured with both hands, pinching together two streaks of spell light as he mocked, "To think you had the gall to beg the Jiang family for their arts back then and carefully observed Jade Smoke Mountain three times, only to imitate it into such an unsightly monstrosity!"
Even as he mocked him, Fei Luoya remained vigilant. Circulating his immortal foundation 'Do Not Investigate Me', he abruptly vanished into thin air, leaving the Human Head Mountain to crash across empty space as foul, sinister screeches spewed forth.
Yuan Chengdun gazed calmly at the massive Human Head Mountain bearing down upon him, allowing the colossal shadow to engulf him. Gripping the short staff tightly, faint golden patterns slowly crawled across his face.
"Beast! How laughable—to use a demonic mountain to suppress me."
Golden light welled from the staff. Yuan Chengdun's [Fuqingshan] abruptly activated, and he smashed two blows toward the incoming colossal peak, conjuring two golden staff shadows.
*Rumble!*
Black smoke plumed as the Human Head Mountain was struck, the heads upon it screaming in unison. Silent and unyielding, Yuan Chengdun swung the short staff faster and faster, battering the magical artifact until it roared and shook violently.
On the other side, Fu Daimu had just stepped in to rescue Zhe Ledai, sweeping Li Yuanjiao and the others aside with a flick of his sleeve. His face turning pale, he turned back and lost his voice in shock: "[Fuqingshan]! You are Yuan Chengdun!"
Chapter 390