Li Yuanjiao had cultivated on Mount Qingdu for over half a year. Though his cultivation had progressed once more, breaking through to the middle stage of Foundation Establishment remained a distant prospect. After all, Foundation Establishment was not like Qi Refinement; taking several decades between breakthroughs was commonplace.
"Father still hasn't set out. He always bustles about, refusing to leave until every matter is settled."
Li Xuanxuan had fussed and delayed for over half a year, yet he still showed no sign of departing. Li Xijun did not rush him either, choosing to wait patiently. Gathering cold water was no urgent affair, after all, and pressing too hard might give away the ruse.
With Li Qinghong in secluded cultivation, there was no one else guarding the family estate. Li Yuanjiao could not afford to lose himself completely in meditation, regularly emerging to practice divine arts and swordsmanship. As he was reading a sword canon, Li Wushao drifted down upon a gust of wind, clad in black robes.
Li Wushao had received the Qingyun Mi Fruit with profuse thanks and swallowed it to cultivate. Beneath his black robes, two pitch-black shadows were already faintly emerging; another year or half a year, and the two hooks would likely grow out completely.
Li Wushao said, "Patriarch, two people have landed before the mountain. They claim to be from the Han family of Dongliu Island, here to pay a visit."
Li Yuanjiao was somewhat surprised and repeated, "The Dongliu Han family?"
Li Yuanjiao had heard of this Han family before. The Foundation Establishment demonic beast captured for their sacrificial rites had been seized near Dongliu Island, and having stayed in that region for a time, Li Yuanjiao knew a bit about them.
The Dongliu Han family was an established clan comparable to the Yuan family, possessing a good number of Foundation Establishment cultivators and a substantial foundation carved out across the East Sea. Li Yuanjiao naturally had to welcome them in person. Straightening his robes, he flew out of the cave dwelling.
Two figures stood in the courtyard, both at Foundation Establishment. The leader was a young cultivator with plain features and archaic, austere attire. Behind him followed a burly man of great stature with broad shoulders and a waist like a bear.
Li Xijun was accompanying them in the courtyard, chatting amiably with the young man. Both wore warm smiles, their conversation harmonious.
At the sight of the burly man, Li Yuanjiao understood a great deal. Cupping his hands, he stepped forward and said, "Li Yuanjiao of Mount Qingdu greets Fellow Daoist!"
The young man let out a soft exclamation, his gaze flitting swiftly across Li Yuanjiao's face before replying, "Pardon my manners. I am Han Shizhen of Dongliu, humbly serving as the Han family's Young Patriarch. Greetings, Fellow Daoist!"
Li Yuanjiao nodded in return and ushered the two to take their seats. Han Shizhen smiled graciously and said politely, "Some days ago, a clan uncle of mine was gravely ill, and my clan brother came to your noble family seeking medicine. He gave offense to your honored house back then, so today I have come specifically to apologize and have brought a modest gift. I hope you will accept it with a lenient smile."
With that, he pulled the burly man forward and explained, "This clan brother of mine has an irascible temper by nature. At the time, eyebrows were singed and life hung in the balance, so his words were rather crude. I hope you can forgive him..."
As it turned out, this burly man was the very Foundation Establishment cultivator who had come demanding medicine before the new year. Back then, he had been insolent and domineering, only to be firmly put in his place by Li Qinghong. Now, his head hung low, and he offered profuse apologies.
Both sides were prominent families, and naturally no one would hold a grudge over such a minor matter. Li Yuanjiao politely demurred before saying, "Think nothing of it. Fellow Daoist was desperate to obtain medicine; I understand entirely. It is of no consequence."
Han Shizhen insisted on handing over a jade box. Li Yuanjiao had Li Xijun accept it, then asked, "May I ask how your honored elder is doing...?"
"Ah." Han Shizhen gave a faint shake of his head. "He failed to pull through. Though he consumed several life-extending medicines, his injuries were simply too severe. In the end, his immortal foundation crumbled, and he turned into a spiritual slough."
Seeing that neither visitor wore mourning white, Li Yuanjiao had assumed the elder survived and was about to offer congratulations, only to realize he had touched upon a sore spot. Evidently, the East Sea did not share the custom of donning mourning hemp. He could only say consolingly, "My condolences..."
"It matters not." Han Shizhen smiled and said in a mild tone, "Though Clan Uncle died, he brought back a treasure for our family—far more useful than a single Foundation Establishment cultivator. Consider it a fortunate turn!"
Li Yuanjiao and his nephew paused slightly. Han Shizhen caught the look on their faces and realized his misstep. Wary of leaving a foul impression, he quickly explained, "Such are the customs of our East Sea; they differ somewhat from the inland... Please take no offense."
Li Yuanjiao merely nodded. A mere apology was hardly worth Han Shizhen traveling all the way inland. He waited silently for what was to follow.
Sure enough, once the brief pleasantries concluded, Han Shizhen cut straight to the point: "How much Wanling Flower does your noble family produce each year?"
'So it's for the Wanling Flower!' Li Yuanjiao understood at once. With the upper hand now in his family's court, he relaxed slightly and said in a deep voice, "It blooms once every three years, yielding fourteen blossoms per bloom."
"Excellent!" Han Shizhen nodded in delight. "And how much revenue does Fellow Daoist earn selling these flowers inland?"
Hearing this, Li Yuanjiao had already guessed his intention. He replied, "The price has risen somewhat in recent years—roughly two spirit stones a blossom."
"Pah!" Han Shizhen had just lifted his jade cup, but hearing this, he slammed it down heavily without touching a drop of tea, lamenting, "Fellow Daoist! That price is far too cheap! This is a wondrous treasure that prolongs life and banishes sorrow!"
He urged, "Your inland enjoys singing, dancing, peace, and prosperity, never facing any catastrophic tribulation. The rogue cultivators below may be ignorant, but you and I from prominent clans know full well in our hearts: this so-called demonic calamity is nothing more than a farce!
"It is merely that our East Sea sects drove up the price of blood qi, prompting the Three Sects and Seven Gates to adopt a tactic of pulling the firewood from beneath the cauldron! How could the Wanling Flower ever fetch a decent price in such a bright and peaceful place?"
'Bright and peaceful...' The corner of Li Yuanjiao's mouth twitched. Yet Han Shizhen's words caught his attention, and he said thoughtfully, "Pulling the firewood from beneath the cauldron..."
"Precisely!" Han Shizhen sighed. "In recent years, the overseas demon tribes have demanded offerings with increasing urgency, driving prices through the roof for blood qi, resentment, soul essence, and spirit water. East Sea cultivators don't even have enough for themselves, so how could any be shipped inland?
"Consequently, the Three Sects and Seven Gates relaxed control over the river mouths, letting overseas rogue cultivators enter. Then they directed and acted out this demonic calamity themselves, unleashing their own high-grade demonic cultivators to slaughter mortals and rogue cultivators. Not only does this purge dissenters and secure their dominance, but it also fills their own bellies."
Han Shizhen talked with easy confidence, quietly observing Li Yuanjiao's shifting expressions. Li Yuanjiao merely sipped his tea and nodded along in cooperation.
"In this way, the sects eat meat, the great families drink soup, and they even seize the moral high ground—I hear this righteousness is quite valued in your inland."
Han Shizhen teased with a chuckle, "In recent years, your noble family must have reaped quite a harvest from those demonic cultivators, yes? I hear each of them was dripping with wealth, carrying a dozen spirit stones even at Embryonic Breathing. We out there are envious beyond words!"
Li Yuanjiao gave a low chuckle. "We did indeed slay some demonic cultivators."
Han Shizhen glanced sideways at Li Xijun, only to find the young man smiling and nodding even more naturally than Li Yuanjiao. His suspicions were finally confirmed:
'The Li family truly does have some backing in Qingchi. Li Yuanjiao keeps his thoughts deep and hidden, but Li Xijun is still young—he clearly knew all along.'
With that, his smile turned all the more cordial as he continued, "That is why I say, all the spiritual energy inland is concentrated on those few immortal peaks, while the rest of the land is filled with mortals and few cultivators. How many Foundation Establishment cultivators can there be? How many ever end up on the brink of death from combat? This Wanling Flower ought to be sold in the East Sea!"
Li Yuanjiao nodded and asked amiably along with his train of thought, "How does Fellow Daoist propose we split the profits?"
"Straightforward!" Han Shizhen beamed. "Ten spirit stones a blossom—seventy percent for me, thirty for you!"
Both Li Yuanjiao and his nephew paused, stunned by the boldness of reselling at five times the original price. As Li Yuanjiao pondered in silence, Li Xijun immediately chimed in:
"Senior is being far too greedy!"
Han Shizhen shook his head, speaking with full confidence: "Your noble family could try selling it yourselves, but I fear you would release word today only to find your stronghold wiped out tomorrow! The East Sea does not reason with you!
"My family will handle selling this spiritual item, which means taking on every covetous glare upon ourselves! If my family didn't carry some weight in the East Sea, we would never dare touch it!"
Having traveled to the East Sea before, Li Yuanjiao had his own calculations. He responded: "A fifty-fifty split."
"Sixty-forty at best," Han Shizhen replied firmly. "An honest man does not mince words. I dislike haggling back and forth—my word stands."
"Very well, but I have one condition."
Li Yuanjiao nodded. Han Shizhen looked at him solemnly. "Speak, Fellow Daoist."
Li Yuanjiao spoke evenly: "What I require is forty percent of the actual proceeds from selling the Wanling Flowers. Fellow Daoist must not buy them from me for four spirit stones apiece, hoard them as rare treasures, and resell them at exorbitant prices."
Han Shizhen was momentarily taken aback, as if his true intentions had been seen right through. He chuckled dryly to mask his awkwardness, then laughed aloud: "Fine, fine, fine! Fellow Daoist does not act like an inland cultivator at all—your sharpness is just like someone from our East Sea!"
The two deliberated for a time and settled the quantity for the coming year. Li Yuanjiao cautioned: "Remember that this flower must not hear weeping, for it withers upon hearing it, nor may it be touched by metal or jade..."
Han Shizhen nodded to indicate he had committed it to memory. After exchanging a few polite remarks, he asked abruptly: "Might I ask if your esteemed sister, Li Qinghong, is betrothed?"
Li Yuanjiao had already grown accustomed to his blunt style, replying directly: "My sister's cultivation method is peculiar; she cannot enter into marriage. Please forgive us."
"Pardon my impudence." Han Shizhen's expression did not waver as he nodded slightly. Li Yuanjiao took a sip of tea and inquired softly: "Fellow Daoist Han... I wonder if any inland clans have established a foothold in the East Sea and founded branch families?"
During his journey to the East Sea, Li Yuanjiao had specifically searched for such things. However, those families were under the rule of the Three Sects and Seven Gates and could not openly establish roots overseas; if they had, they likely did not use their own names.
With a local boss like Han Shizhen before him, Li Yuanjiao naturally wanted to inquire properly.
"Of course there are," Han Shizhen shrugged and answered. "Not many, though. Most are Purple Mansion immortal clans; ordinary families, even those with ample Foundation Establishment cultivators, rarely gain a footing overseas... They merely maintain a presence in the market fairs.
"The East Sea is nothing like inland. Islands cannot grow spirit rice, and danger lurks on every side. The Three Sects and Seven Gates laid down rules barring independent market fairs. Once you build a power base overseas, you are no longer subordinate to the Three Sects and Seven Gates—who would let you return? Every immortal foundation is accounted for, and the Three Sects and Seven Gates are no fools."
Looking at Li Yuanjiao's expression, Han Shizhen shook his head gently. "Though there is some room to maneuver and the Three Sects and Seven Gates do not enforce things strictly, the returns are small in the end. Many clans keep a retreat route overseas, but few ever manage it in earnest."
Li Yuanjiao nodded inwardly and inquired about further details, which Han Shizhen answered one by one before taking his leave with his companion.
Li Yuanjiao escorted them all the way beyond the family's territory. Only upon returning to the mountain did a smile finally grace his face. Li Xijun offered congratulations:
"Now with an additional dozen or so spirit stones, the family will have an annual surplus of twenty spirit stones in total. Everything will be far easier to manage."
"Indeed!" Li Yuanjiao nodded inwardly and said in a low voice, "What he said regarding the demonic calamity... was rather intriguing. It likely represents how the major overseas clans view the calamity, which is worth considering."
"Precisely," Li Xijun remarked. "Though the inland Purple Mansion masters act in collusion, they are not entirely of one mind. The demonic calamity is led by Qingchi, with various factions wrestling for influence; there may well be other calculations at play."
Uncle and nephew chatted for a while before Li Xijun said, "Granduncle's talismans are nearly finished."
Li Yuanjiao instructed, "Regarding Granduncle's matter, I will have to trouble you to accompany him. Enter secluded cultivation to achieve your breakthrough first, and set out immediately afterward."
"Understood. Rest assured, Second Uncle," Li Xijun replied. Turning around, he headed into Qingdu Cave Dwelling for secluded cultivation.
Li Yuanjiao remained alone in the courtyard, sipping tea as he mused to himself:
'Qinghong will soon emerge from seclusion... Kongheng possesses Foundation Establishment cultivation, and the round trip will take them barely half a year. Nothing should go amiss...'
He sat in his seat for a few moments before setting the jade cup down gently, his mind finally made up:
'It is only half a year. I had better ride the Xuanwen spiritual mist and follow them on the journey. There are no outstanding talents among the Chengming generation; Xijun is the pillar connecting past and future. Nothing must happen to him.'
He immediately summoned Li Wushao, giving him a few instructions to watch over the house. Then he brought out the sword canon to read, waiting only for Li Xijun and the others to depart.
……
Having left Mount Qingdu, Han Shizhen and his companion traveled northward. The burly man behind him spoke up:
"Young Master, it seems the Li family intends to establish a foothold overseas."
Han Shizhen nodded and said softly:
"Hardly surprising. They have backing in Qingchi and can enter and leave the East Sea with ease. It is only natural they would seek a retreat route. How many powers in the East Sea originated as refugees from inland?
"Besides, Sword Gate, the Pure Unity Way, and Chijiao Island are locked in a vicious struggle over the Qingsong Temple ruins, throwing everything into turmoil. It is prime time to enter the sea. If I were Li Yuanjiao, I would harbor the same idea."
The burly man nodded in agreement, expressing some concern:
"I only hope they know their place and do not foolishly settle near our territory... Our families have only just forged a bit of goodwill; it would be a shame to sour relations over this."
Han Shizhen shook his head, stating decisively:
"Certainly not... From what I see, Li Yuanjiao is cautious and keeps a low profile. If their family seeks a foothold, they will choose a desolate, uninhabited island, preferring hardship and toil over exposing themselves to public view."
The man sighed and lamented:
"In this wretched, destitute place, who knows when our family will ever be able to establish a foothold inland."
"Wait until the Old Ancestor reaches the Purple Mansion realm!" Han Shizhen replied with a smile. "It's not as if we have no chance. The inland is peaceful and prosperous, with the Three Sects maintaining order—who doesn't covet that? Didn't Tang Yuanwu and Changxiaozi both hail from overseas? When that time comes, the Seven Gates could easily add a Dongliu Gate, or at worst, another immortal Han clan."
"As for the Li family," Han Shizhen continued, "they are local powers after all, and making friends with them brings benefits. If our family ever gains an opportunity to come ashore, we will need the help of such clans. Even if the Old Ancestor fails his breakthrough, we could still hire a few Foundation Establishment cultivators to help guard our island."
"Yes!" the man responded respectfully, murmuring, "Young Master considers all sides thoroughly."
Han Shizhen paid no heed to his flattery, only appearing somewhat troubled:
"The commotion over the Qingsong Temple ruins is growing larger by the day. I only hope it does not draw the intervention of the Three Sects... It would be best if Sword Gate, Pure Unity, and Chijiao—these three Purple Mansion powers—remained entangled indefinitely. That way, our days would be much more comfortable."
Chapter 403