Encounter

Only now did Li Qinghong arrive at Fenkuai Island. Without drawing attention to herself, she searched through the Qingchi Sect market for a while until she found a restaurant to gather information. Upon making discreet inquiries, she learned that the Qingchi cultivator garrisoning the market was none other than Ning Heyuan. "It's actually him!" Li Qinghong vaguely remembered the man. Years ago, while cultivating on Mount Yuting, he had passed by, disguised himself as a rogue cultivator, and sparred with her. His magical arts had been formidable, and his disposition undisciplined and arrogant—a direct descendant of the Ning family. When she asked further about the recent celestial phenomena, it turned out just as expected: there were no rumors whatsoever of a sword severing the sky. Speaking of the dark, oppressive disturbance over the offshore waters, the East Sea cultivators could only vaguely surmise that some major event had occurred, ignorant of where it had even begun. "It seems for now this news is known mostly to the Purple Mansions and their trusted confidants... For word to spread down here, it will take at least six months to a year." After making a round through the market, Li Qinghong grasped the general situation and thought to herself: 'The one who intervened must have been the True Monarch of the Xiuyue Sect... I wonder if that True Monarch possesses a status fruit. Such terrifying might... The Xiuyue Sect is said to be the foremost among the Three Sects, so this True Monarch cannot be simple either.' 'Were it not for the talisman seed protecting me, I likely would have forgotten that scene just now as well... Those below the Purple Mansion do not even have the right to know! No wonder over all these years... one so rarely hears of Golden Cores taking action. It turns out that even when they do, any low-realm cultivator who catches sight of it will forget it entirely.' She took a look around. The goods of the East Sea were vastly different from those inland, offering much to see. As she walked at a leisurely pace, two cultivators in green robes beside her were conversing in hushed tones: "I heard the market master is returning to the immortal sect to report on his duties. Whom did the sect dispatch to take over the garrison?" "I hear it's the 'Jingeng Astral String'... Hailing from the Southern Border, a ferocious man who wrestles tigers and wolves with his bare hands." The other picked through items in a display cabinet and said softly, "A newcomer arrived at my formation node, sent by the sect. He rode here on that Daoist's jade boat... Those fellows were lucky enough to hear the Daoist drop a few secrets." The man beside him could not contain his curiosity and blurted, "What secrets?" "How should I know!" The green-robed cultivator rolled his eyes impatiently and muttered, "I only heard that this Daoist is a capable general under True Person Yuansu. Even the market master treats him with great deference..." Overhearing this, Li Qinghong immediately understood they were speaking of her own elder. The corners of her lips curved, and she smiled inwardly: 'Second Uncle truly commands quite the presence nowadays... Even Ning Heyuan has to treat him with deference...' Ning Heyuan had once caused a commotion at Mount Yuting, leaving a deep impression on her. Having confirmed that her elder was indeed in this market, she stepped out of the pavilion and sought out the steward in charge of the market center. This man was a Qingchi steward who had managed the market for years, seasoned in worldly affairs. Seeing that Li Qinghong possessed Foundation Establishment cultivation, wore jade armor, and carried a brilliant spear, he knew at once she was no ordinary figure and came forward with a warm smile. Displaying none of the usual arrogance, his attitude grew noticeably more respectful upon hearing that she was looking for Li Xuanfeng. He said softly, "The Daoist is occupied with pressing affairs, and ordinary guests cannot easily obtain an audience. Does the Fairy have any token of proof? It would make it easier for me to report upward..." He spoke courteously, and Li Qinghong merely smiled faintly, answering in a gentle voice, "I am Li Qinghong of the Qingdu Li clan, the Daoist's own niece." At these words, the steward understood at once and beamed. "It was my clumsy eyes failing to recognize greatness... So you are a direct daughter of a noble clan. That serves better than any token. Fairy, please wait a moment." Li Qinghong nodded. Only moments after the man left, a young man came riding the wind with an air of easy familiarity, calling out with a laugh: "So it is Qinghong! You could have come straight to see me—why stand on ceremony?" 'This is Ning Heyuan?!' Li Qinghong was slightly taken aback. The face was still the same, though looking somewhat more mature, but his overall demeanor was utterly transformed. Back then, he had been an idle, aloof scion of a noble house, but now he presented a warm, smiling facade—a completely different person. "Qinghong greets you, Fellow Daoist!" Li Qinghong replied courteously. A flash of surprise crossed Ning Heyuan's eyes, and he smiled. "Many years have passed, yet Fellow Daoist's grace remains as striking as ever!" Seeing Li Qinghong clad in jade armor and appearing no older than twenty-five or twenty-six, Ning Heyuan knew she had achieved Foundation Establishment at a very young age. After offering a few words of praise, he answered, "Brother-in-law was sent out on orders and will likely need several more days to return. Please come with me into the palace hall to rest a while, Fellow Daoist." 'Brother-in-law...' The generational titles were completely mismatched. Amused, Li Qinghong agreed. The two chatted about what had taken place on Mount Yuting all those years ago, both expressing nostalgia. Ning Heyuan said apologetically, "Back then, I was too young and childish, and I offended your noble clan. Please forgive my rashness, Qinghong." "Not at all... If not for your intervention back then, Fellow Daoist, I wouldn't have known that there is always a mountain higher than the one before..." Exchanging polite pleasantries, they glossed over that awkward episode. After a few more words, Ning Heyuan's expression brightened with delight, and he laughed. "Brother-in-law is back! Qinghong, wait a moment while I go welcome him!" Li Qinghong had originally prepared to wait ten days to half a month before seeing Li Xuanfeng. She had not expected him to return so soon. A smile touched her lips, and she nodded. "Very well!" Ning Heyuan rode the wind outward, and before long ushered in a middle-aged man. The man wore armor beneath an over-robe, his dark-gold spirit armor exuding a somber luster. His brows and eyes were sharp, and he wore a short beard. A golden bow was slung across his back. His dark boots, gleaming with hints of gold, struck the ground with a rhythmic metallic clang as he strode into the hall. The familiar face she had not seen for so many years finally appeared before her eyes. Li Qinghong stood up, her voice slightly choked with emotion: "Second Uncle!" Hearing his niece's slightly aggrieved call, Li Xuanfeng felt his heart lurch. He hurriedly stepped forward, his voice deep: "Good... Qinghong has reached Foundation Establishment!" "Mm!" Her eyes reddening slightly, Li Qinghong softly gave an affirmative response. After Li Xuanfeng left home, her father Li Xuanling and grandfather Li Tongya had passed away one after the other. Eldest Uncle Li Xuanxuan was easily rattled by every rustling leaf, hardly able to step forward and shoulder the family burdens, so the responsibility had naturally fallen upon their generation. Eldest Brother Li Yuanxiu had died young, while Second Brother Li Yuanjiao, all for the sake of the promise "Yuanjiao dares not forget," worked from dawn to dusk and burned the midnight oil, treading on thin ice so cautiously that he would ponder every sentence three times before speaking. Li Qinghong, too, had been constantly on edge, not daring to let her guard down for a single moment. Now, with the exceptionally gifted, decisive, and capable Second Uncle of her memories standing right before her, words surged in her heart, yet for a moment, she could not speak them aloud. The Ning family members had already tactfully withdrawn. Li Xuanfeng took her by the hand and rode the wind with her to his cave dwelling. Once the stone door was shut tight, he looked at Li Qinghong gently and let out a chuckle, his voice somewhat raspy: "Qinghong has grown up too!" Li Xuanfeng's face bore a strong resemblance to Li Xuanling's, only sharper and fiercer, whereas Li Xuanling had appeared gentler and more composed. Now, seeing her second uncle's expression soften to look so much like her father's, the tears Li Qinghong had held back for so long finally streamed down. She said softly: "Second Uncle... Father... Grandfather... were all murdered by Maha!" Even though Li Xuanfeng already knew the news, hearing it now still stung his ears with acute pain. His eyes filled with a hatred so deep it seemed ready to bleed, and he said heavily: "I know... Rest assured, Hong'er... Second Uncle knows!"