Clouds and Mist

Zhulu Sea, Zongquan Island. Clouds drifted across Zongquan Island amid damp moisture. A bronze-colored altar stood tall and imposing, inscribed with intricate patterns depicting rain, mist, and lightning, its blue-gray stone complementing the hues of copper and iron. Li Qinghong had cultivated here for more than ten years. With travel back and forth being inconvenient, she had ordered Zong Yan to construct another altar on the island, which at least allowed the islanders to receive some rewards. She slowly stood up. Lightning flowed over her jade armor, and lightning gleamed from the circle of varied bronze and silver statues around her, surging toward her person and cascading down the jade sleeves at her wrists. Li Qinghong had been in secluded cultivation here for over ten years; her strength had steadily grown, and her aura had become increasingly refined. Overseas, water receded and thunder rose, a season when lightning was at its peak. Aided by the altar, she frequently ventured out in search of lightning to commune with the thunder pool within her body. Over these ten-plus years, she had achieved twice the result with half the effort, rivaling more than thirty years of cultivation in the inland realm, leaving her just one step away from late Foundation Establishment. Restraining her magic power, she stepped forth upon thunder. Beneath the altar stood a young man of about twenty, who likewise cultivated lightning arts. Holding a spear, he stood quietly. Seeing Li Qinghong descend upon thunder, he bowed. "Junior pays respects to Great-Aunt." "Chengkun." Li Qinghong gave a slight nod. This junior was also a child of the Zhong branch. Cultivating lightning arts, he had remained by her side, guarding the overseas island and using the altar to assist his cultivation. Li Chengkun was a man of few words. Without speaking much, he cupped his hands in congratulation. "Congratulations to Great-Aunt on your great progress in cultivation." He said only this. Li Qinghong nodded slightly and offered him some pointers on his cultivation before rising upon the wind and flying out of the island. Over all these years, her understanding of the altar had grown increasingly deep. The seventeen statues around it each represented a region; it seemed that in ancient times, the affiliations of lightning had been strictly apportioned—whichever direction lightning fell from belonged to a specific power. The dragon-shaped statue to the southeast was the most active and provided the most information; most of the lightning bolts she had obtained over the years had come from the southeast. Using the altar, Li Qinghong had gathered spiritual lightning on numerous occasions. Although she could not decipher the names of those lands and seas and could not consistently claim the lightning, venturing out to sea from time to time often yielded harvests. *Calculating the days, that spiritual lightning should be descending soon.* Li Qinghong rode the wind, treading upon thunder as she flew northward. The Mystic Pattern Bottle tied to her waist shone with dazzling brilliance, exceedingly radiant. The Mystic Pattern Bottle had already stored eleven bolts of lightning, yet it remained stable and robust. The fracture-like patterns resembling lightning across its surface grew ever brighter, containing translucent bolts of lightning whose pale purple light rose and sank, truly astonishing. She flew through the air for a while, just about to turn toward the southeast, when she suddenly looked back. A streak of radiance had risen above Zongquan Island, and the jade talisman on her wrist emitted a cool glow. *What is that... Good thing I haven't gone far.* Whenever Li Qinghong left Zongquan Island, she would leave behind a jade talisman in case anything happened on the island during her absence. However, her magic power did not linger long, and having never specifically studied this art, the talisman remained effective for only a month or two. Her heart leaped. Without another thought, she immediately rode the wind back, piercing straight into the grand array. Zong Yan and the others only had time to part their lips before she vanished like a bolt of lightning. Returning upon thunder, she swiftly arrived back on the island. Li Chengkun was already waiting before the array. Bypassing Zong Yan and the others, he stepped forward, bowed, and transmitted via a secret method: "Great-Aunt, Eighth Uncle has entered the array, heavily wounded." *Xizhi!* Deducing the situation upon hearing this, Li Qinghong's expression turned grim. She whispered, "Something must have happened. Keep the news sealed; do not let anyone know Zhi'er is here." "Great-Aunt... Eighth Uncle concealed his form and used his jade pendant to summon me outside before slipping into the array under cover. Aside from me, no one on the island knows." Li Chengkun nodded and slowly withdrew. Once he disappeared from sight, Li Qinghong shook her head slightly, pondering in silence. *We can make our move on the lake, but who knows what has happened on Xizhi's end.* Entering the cave dwelling, Li Qinghong saw Li Xizhi sitting cross-legged, his face as pale as golden paper. Rainbow light flowed across his body as he worked to dissolve his injuries. Li Qinghong hurriedly activated the array, shattered several spirit stones, and stepped back outside. *** Qingchi Mount. The bell atop Qingchi Mount tolled six times. Morning-glow cloud ships trailed dazzling radiance, their colossal, iridescent wings fluttering as they flew back from every direction. A Violet Palace cultivator had fallen. Cultivators stationed across various territories had all been summoned back, and even some who had not been seen in the sect for years now showed their faces, returning from the Eastern Sea, the Southern Border, and even the Northern Sea. When the news first arrived, it was said that the fallen metal and iron within the peak was enough to bury several people at once. Now that Yuanwu had perished, the metal and iron scattered across the mountains had long since been collected and stored in the sect vaults. Upon learning of this, Ning Heyuan had laughed uncontrollably and joked that Yuanwu Peak would not need to requisition metal and iron from the sect for a hundred years—using Yuanwu alone would suffice. Li Xuanfeng checked his flight in midair, circled twice through the white mist, and landed atop a mountain peak. The members of the Ning family stood respectfully with heads bowed. Li Xuanfeng looked around; the verdant mountains in all directions remained emerald green, unlike the rumors of turning completely golden. He waited for a moment. Soon, the Ning family members dispersed across the peak. This was Dongquan Peak, which originally ranked among the foremost of the thirty-six peaks. However, Yuansu had never bothered to develop it, and the prominent figures of the Ning family had all gone to the Southern Border, leaving its reputation obscure. When Li Xuanfeng entered the grand hall, he found Yuansu seated at the head. The hall was likewise empty of bystanders, as none dared loiter before him. Clad in golden armor, Li Xuanfeng knelt in salute. "Greetings, Real Person." Yuansu wore an inscrutable expression. Looking down at him, he said in a low voice, "Yuanwu has fallen... Yuanwu is dead and gone. Come with me to meet the Chi family." Li Xuanfeng felt a flicker of suspicion, but dared not question him. He nodded, rose, and followed Yuansu out of the hall. Standing before the doors was a tall, middle-aged man—Ning Hejing. Yuansu gave a slight nod and rose upon the wind. Ning Hejing merely nodded curtly to Ning Heyuan and the others beside him, without even a hint of a smile. Maintaining a distance of one pace, he flew into the air alongside Yuansu and several direct descendants of the Ning family. Ning Heyuan's face darkened for a moment before returning to normal. Behind him, several Ning juniors looked equally displeased, clearly resentful of Ning Hejing's aloofness. Ning Hejing cared nothing for their reactions, softening his expression only toward Li Xuanfeng. Li Xuanfeng nodded in return, and together they descended on the wind toward the Qingchi Main Hall. Clouds surged and mists gathered within the hall, pure qi curling gracefully. In the center hung a large golden bell, undoubtedly the source of the chimes heard earlier. Standing beside this golden magical artifact was a middle-aged man who appeared to belong to the Chi family. At the very head stood a man in dazzling robes with a sword at his waist—none other than the Sect Master of Qingchi, Chi Zhiyun. Judging by their resemblance, the man standing below him had to be his younger brother, Chi Zhiyan. The cultivators bowed in salute. Chi Zhiyun busied himself with greeting Yuansu first, saying respectfully, "Greetings, Real Person Yuansu." Chi Zhiyun was now at late Foundation Establishment, having mastered an unknown number of secret arts. A gentle spiritual glow suffused his face, and his aura was magnificent; having consumed many precious herbs, he stood above looking thoroughly imposing. Yuansu nodded, casually gestured toward Li Xuanfeng, and spoke: "Within my clan, everyone to the left and right is useless trash. I have brought only this junior along. If there is an opportunity, you all may interact well." "This is Li Xuanfeng, Li Chijing's nephew!" Chi Zhiyun examined him closely and asked coldly, "Where is Senior Sui Guan?" "Real Persons appear and disappear without a trace, traversing the Great Void and journeying between the realm and overseas. How could juniors like us know?" Chi Zhiyun was taken aback, but quickly caught himself. A genial smile appeared on his face as he nodded. "Could Sui Guan be planning to bring you to observe the ceremony?" "He is not." Chi Zhiyun quickly gathered his thoughts, cupped his hands, and said respectfully, "We shall obey the Real Person's command." Yuansu waved a hand and inclined his head slightly toward the central spirit tablet, offering his respects to Yuanwu. The Ning family members behind him bowed one after another. Chi Zhiyun watched with cold eyes. Once the ritual concluded, he shot a glance toward Ning Hejing. Ning Hejing turned to Ning Heyuan and commanded in a deep voice, "You all may withdraw." Ning Heyuan's eyelids twitched. He glanced at the Real Person, and seeing that Yuansu showed no sign of objecting, he had no choice but to lead the others away in silence. Yuansu nodded and drifted away with Li Xuanfeng, leaving the remaining three standing in the hall. Ning Hejing stood in a corner. Chi Zhiyan, who had remained silent throughout, finally spoke with a sinister look, whispering: "Hejing... The spiritual bell tolled six times. Has Li Xizhi returned to the sect as ordered?" Ning Hejing recalled carefully for a moment and shook his head. "He has not." Chi Zhiyan's features resembled Chi Zhiyun's, though they appeared more delicate and cunning. He sneered, "Back then, who knows what underhanded trick that Li Chijing used to defeat Elder Brother... The clan despises the Li family... People have long been dissatisfied with him! Once Yuansu dies—" Chi Zhiyun hastily cut him off, berating him: "You reckless brat! I still have uses for Li Xizhi! If you get him killed like this, how many people in this sect will still have any strength left to exert?!" Seeing Chi Zhiyan curl his lips, he barked, "Zhiyan!!" Chi Zhiyan shut his mouth in silence, looking somewhat embarrassed. Chi Zhiyun scolded coldly: "How many times have I told you?! Li Chijing defeated me fair and square with sword intent! It is nothing shameful! Your endless hedging and squirming is what truly makes you look like sore losers!" "What brazen audacity!" "You are truly going to ruin me!" "You...! I admitted defeat in broad daylight and never harmed the Li family afterward—that was how I salvaged my dignity! But your side of the clan acts without considering the consequences, playing underhanded tricks on the Yuan family's side. That is truly roasting me over a fire!" Chi Zhiyan, unsettled by the phrase "harmed the Li family," had his thoughts wander and his secret exposed by his elder brother. Somewhat embarrassed, he could only mutter, "It's nothing much..." Chi Zhiyun sighed endlessly, but suddenly noticed his younger brother beside him had fallen silent. Turning around to look, he saw Chi Zhiyan wearing a dazed, unsettled expression. A sudden chill gripped his heart, and he demanded, "What have you done now?!" Chi Zhiyan had no choice but to remain silent. Chi Zhiyun walked down with a dark expression, saying coldly, "With uncles like this, no wonder the nephews turn out the same!" Ning Hejing, having been reprimanded out of nowhere, dared not say a word. After all, his cultivation was only at early Foundation Establishment, his talent inferior even to several of his younger brothers, and he was well aware of Li Xizhi's reputation. He took the scolding in silence. Cupping his hands, Ning Hejing said to Chi Zhiyun, "Sect Master, please proceed to the main hall." Ning Hejing was the elder clan brother of Ning Heyuan and Ning Hemian, one of the few Ning cultivators currently remaining in the sect, serving as the Peak Master of Yuanxing Peak and enjoying a very close personal friendship with Chi Zhiyun. Chi Buzi was Chi Zhiyun's great-great-grandfather, and Chi Zhiyun's lineage was the maternal clan of Ning Hejing's branch. The two had grown up together, and their interests were tightly bound; they were virtually brothers in all but name. *** Meanwhile, Li Xuanfeng was watching Chi Zhiyun, but this young Sect Master of Qingchi Sect was secretly observing him as well. In the end, their family's sword immortal owed his fame to this very man. Back then, Chi Zhiyun was still the Young Sect Master, tasked with overseeing Li Chijing's departure for the Southern Border. Calculating the time, eighty or ninety years had passed. Chi Zhiyun naturally remembered that youth from back then. In the blink of an eye, eighty years had flown by, but he had never forgotten that sword strike. Whenever he drew his sword to practice, the image of clear wind and a bright moon rushing toward him would always surface before his eyes, causing him to pause in contemplation and silently reminisce. As for his defeat by Li Chijing, Chi Zhiyun had truly never held a grudge. How many in Jiangnan cultivated sword intent to this day? A defeat was a defeat; he had never stooped to petty tricks. Later, as his cultivation advanced and his swordsmanship and spellcraft deepened, he was no longer the Chi Zhiyun who rushed his progress. Yet he always felt that sword strike back then was so breathtaking that it left him feeling inadequate, and he rarely used a sword thereafter. And this Li Xuanfeng before him—his brows and eyes were far sharper than that youth's had been, weathered and ruthless. The armor upon his body reeked of bloody slaughter; he was like a treasured sword so splendidly honed that one wished to keep it for oneself. Having taken numerous precious herbs, Chi Zhiyun still appeared quite youthful, retaining the countenance of a middle-aged man, whereas Li Xuanfeng already wore the weathered look of an old man. Moreover, as his position as Sect Master grew increasingly precarious, Chi Zhiyun searched high and low without finding anyone capable of taking up the burden, and he began to feel some regret: *Back then, if the Ancestor had not harmed Li Chijing... how many capable helpers would I have in my hands today?! Not only was Li Chijing peerlessly sharp, but his intellect was also second to none. If I had his assistance, I wouldn't have been driven to distraction by this bunch of fools!* *Not to mention! Not to mention there were also Li Tongya, Li Xizhi, and even that Li Qinghong—every one of them capable of holding down an entire region on their own... How did I end up today with only these few fools in my hands...* Li Xuanfeng watched the Chi family, thoughts churning silently within his heart. As Chi Zhiyun spoke earlier, the jade talisman at his waist had swayed slightly, causing Li Xuanfeng's pupils to contract before he quietly lowered his head. He was all too familiar with that jade talisman. It was precisely with that talisman that he had claimed a bloody harvest overseas, tying dozens of storage bags to it. Now, seeing it hanging from Chi Zhiyun's waist: *Is this a warning... or a hint?* Though brief, that sight was enough for Li Xuanfeng to understand. *** Meanwhile, Li Chengliao took his orders and headed down, leaving the two brothers, Li Ximing and his companion, to inspect the mountain. Milin Mountain had originally been the Jiang family's sect grounds; its earth pulse ran deep, and though it lacked a fire pulse, it had the advantage of an abundant and sturdy foundation. Li Ximing pinched his fingers to calculate for a moment and praised, "The earth pulse here bears the countenance of famous rivers and great mountains. Although the spiritual energy is somewhat lacking, still..."