Having made her decision, Li Qinghong was just about to sit cross-legged when she saw a faint glimmer outside the grand formation. Two young men rode the wind inside. One wore a white robe and had handsome features; the other wore a golden Daoist robe, looking thoroughly dejected.
"Aunt!"
The two were naturally the brothers Li Xijun and Li Ximing. They landed one after the other. Li Xijun cupped his hands and said, "Seventh Brother has broken through to Foundation Establishment! I brought him inside for Aunt to see."
Li Qinghong glanced at Li Ximing. Li Ximing had not yet recovered from his father's passing. Seeing his mournful expression, she said gently, "The timing was unfortunate. Your father did not blame you in the least. You must try to look past it."
Li Ximing raised his sleeve, nodded, and murmured an agreement. His eyes and brow looked much subdued. He spoke softly, "Now that I have broken through to Foundation Establishment, those several medicinal pills the family needs can also be put on the schedule. In the next few days, I will head to the alchemy pavilion on Mount Wutu to study the Barrier-Breaking Pill formula. It will be of great use for breaking through to both Foundation Establishment and Qi Refinement."
Li Qinghong nodded approvingly. Her gaze swept lightly over him, catching sight of several bluish-gold patterns embroidered on the hem of his hanging sleeves. Women were always more sensitive to such symbols; it looked rather like an orchid to her. She asked him about matters at home, and seeing that his spirits were low, swallowed her offer of a sparring match and let him go down to rest and recover on his own.
Once Li Ximing stepped out, Li Qinghong turned to Li Xijun and asked, "Jun'er, does Ximing still have any contact with that Meng girl?"
Li Xijun lowered his brows and said softly, "None."
Li Qinghong sighed. Li Xijun did not want her to dwell on it and immediately shifted the topic, asking about her lightning arts. After Li Qinghong explained everything, he nodded and said, "Indeed, most of it is no longer usable, but at least this method is of some use. Whenever we retrieve a kind of spiritual lightning, it won't have been a loss."
"Far more than that," Li Qinghong said softly. "Cultivating upon this altar is exceedingly comfortable. Being able to guide lightning and circulate qi makes it better than any of the family's other cave abodes. There is no need for me to remain in Qingdu Cave Dwelling, which frees up a spot for the rest of you."
As the two were conversing, a Jade Court Guard suddenly stepped forward and reported, "My Lords, a Shanyue Foundation Establishment cultivator has arrived at Qingdu."
Li Qinghong furrowed her brows slightly. Stepping upon lightning, she rose into the air and descended toward the lake. Sure enough, she saw a cultivator waiting atop a black cloud. His eyes were blood-red with slender, vertical pupils—truly terrifying to behold. Clad in gray robes, he still appeared middle-aged.
"Hmm?"
This Shanyue cultivator possessed a mid Foundation Establishment cultivation. Gazing intently at Li Qinghong, he asked in a raspy voice, "Are you a Foundation Establishment cultivator of the Li family?"
"Indeed." Li Qinghong cupped her hands. Recognizing the man before her as Fei Luoya, she was fairly polite and said softly, "I am Li Qinghong. Li Yuanjiao is my elder brother."
"I see."
Just as the middle-aged man nodded, the surface of the lake suddenly burst apart. Li Wushao flew out on the wind, two pitch-black shadows rippling beneath his robes, and silently took up a position behind Li Qinghong.
A streak of golden light rose from the other side as well. Clad in his Daoist robe, Li Ximing rode the bright light to approach them, his magical glow dazzling and remarkably imposing. Seeing such a grand display, Fei Luoya immediately grew vigilant and backed away a short distance.
"Does Senior have other business? Why not come down so we can discuss it in detail?"
Li Qinghong made a polite invitation. Fei Luoya was exceptionally cautious and completely unwilling to enter the formation. Shaking his head repeatedly, he organized his words for a moment before saying with some embarrassment, "Does... does... what Li Yuanjiao said back then... still hold true today?"
The others were all taken aback, not knowing what matter he was referring to. Fei Luoya had no choice but to explain.
It turned out that back then, several of them, together with Yuan Chengdun, had slain Fu Daimu in the west. His territory had all gone to Fei Luoya, who then decided to organize the Shanyue to grow spirit rice.
Li Yuanjiao had proposed letting the Li family take over those lands and grant Fei Luoya a portion of the harvest each year. But Fei Luoya had been greedy; how could he have agreed?
Yet after managing it himself for all these years, he found that the yields were not even fifty or sixty percent of what Li Yuanjiao had promised, and he had wasted a great deal of cultivation time in the process. Overcome with regret, he had come back to seek out the Li family.
Hearing this, everyone was overjoyed. How could there be any reason to refuse? They immediately agreed in chorus and offered to discuss the details. But Fei Luoya still refused to enter the formation, so they had to find a small courtyard in town to settle down.
No sooner had they all sat down than Fei Luoya seemed anxious and uneasy, as if this were not the true purpose of his visit. After hesitating for several breaths, he said rather awkwardly, "Your noble clan has grown ever more prosperous. But regarding what I inquired about years ago... does your clan have any word?"
Li Yuanjiao was not present; how could Li Qinghong know what this Shanyue had discussed? She could only say tactfully, "My brother may have already begun handling it for Senior. Why don't you tell me once more..."
Fei Luoya had initially felt somewhat irritated and embarrassed upon seeing the blank looks on their faces. But with Li Qinghong's words, he could only sigh and say, "Is the Purple Palace behind your noble clan... willing to show me a clear path forward?"
'He wants to pledge allegiance to our family...'
Li Qinghong realized. Fei Luoya was indeed a formidable combatant, and they knew something of his background. Having learned various shamanic arts on Mount Wu, he was broadly knowledgeable and would be a tremendous asset. Her heart stirred at once.
Yet her family had no Purple Palace cultivator of their own after all. Fei Luoya was not stupid; he was also the type who would not loose his hawk until he saw the hare, not so easily brushed off. Li Qinghong found herself in a dilemma. Pondering briefly, she lowered her voice and said, "So it was this! My brother also wished to recommend you, Fellow Daoist, but... how could a Master be so easily seen? Even the few of us can only obtain an audience when we have rendered great merit. My brother was dispatched on orders, so I fear he cannot give Fellow Daoist an answer right away."
The man before her was a Shanyue after all, so Li Qinghong tried to speak as straightforwardly as possible while watching his facial expression.
Fei Luoya blinked, momentarily perplexed. Pondering her words, his two slender, vertical pupils stared at Li Qinghong, and then sudden realization struck him. He replied, "I understand!"
'What this young girl means is... one must possess merits to be introduced into the Purple Palace master's fold... So that's how it is! Yes, Eastlanders have all these intricate rules and formalities...'
He relaxed considerably, flashed an unsightly smile, and nodded. "If your noble clan needs anything, feel free to ask me!"
Li Qinghong knew that he had caught her drift. He was an old creature who had cultivated for a century after all; he simply hadn't interacted with many people. Being so cautious and wary, he naturally had his own calculations.
Having received word, Fei Luoya appeared much more relaxed and had no patience to chat with them any longer. Waving a hand, he said casually, "I am drawing closer to late Foundation Establishment and am already waiting to polish my cultivation for a breakthrough, so I will not keep you company any longer. In a few days, I will send Zhu Xian to discuss the details of this matter with you."
With that, he rode the wind away without looking back. Seeing him off past their borders, Li Qinghong mused, 'This old Shanyue grows stronger and stronger as he cultivates. We can only stall him with delaying tactics for now... As for the Purple Palace... I will wait for Brother to return and discuss with him how to resolve it.'
Chapter 431