In Ziyan Blessed Land, purple qi drifted ethereally, a bank of clouds and mist shrouding the peaks. Since Li Xuanfeng had been brought back in person by a Real Person, the cultivators of Ziyan Gate treated him with great courtesy. They specifically arranged a cave dwelling for his cultivation on the main peak. Although the Dao lineage he practiced was entirely unrelated to purple qi, the spiritual veins were abundant and the spiritual opportunity rich, which was still beneficial to his cultivation. Had he cultivated in such a place in his earlier years, he might have broken through several years sooner.
Unfortunately, his path of cultivation had gradually reached its end. Li Xuanfeng's scripture only reached late Foundation Establishment, lacking any chapter for breaking through to the Purple Palace. His cultivation had slowly arrived at a bottleneck; like the likes of Tang Shedou, he could only wear away his time in late Foundation Establishment.
Even if he had the time to practice secret techniques, he lacked the corresponding scripture. Li Xuanfeng could only adjust his aura to its peak, taking up movement techniques and pupil arts to practice slowly.
After Li Xuanfeng cultivated here for several days, Real Person Yuanxiu soon arrived with someone, tearing through the void and entering the blessed land openly. As Li Xuanfeng was cultivating in the mountains, he looked over to see Yuanxiu carrying a man in his hand. Looking closely at the face, it was none other than Ning Heyuan.
To be safe, Real Person Zipei still summoned Li Xuanfeng. Returning to that cave dwelling where purple qi rose and sank, he saw three Real Persons sitting in a circle, with Ning Heyuan standing blankly in the center.
The impact of Ning Tiaoxiao's death on Ning Heyuan was entirely incomparable to its impact on Li Xuanfeng. Yuansu's place in Ning Heyuan's heart was perhaps akin to Li Tongya's place in the Li clan back then. Li Xuanfeng saw him standing respectfully, yet his eyes were somewhat unfocused, looking completely absent-minded.
Li Xuanfeng had just come to a halt when Ning Heyuan spoke, his voice trembling slightly: "Does Master know after all? Was she murdered and driven out by you all, or did she go willingly?!"
Real Person Zipei did not conceal anything and spoke plainly. Li Xuanfeng listened from the side and understood in his heart: whether it had been willing or unwilling no longer made any difference; willing or not, she had to go.
Real Person Zipei said softly, "Yuansu never liked hearing of the past, and perhaps never spoke of it to you. Since I have preserved this item for him, I should also tell you where it came from, so you know whose grace you have received."
"This ancient seal was originally the magical artifact of a great demon under the Feathered Serpent. Later it fell into the hands of a senior of Yuehua Origin Manor, thus acquired by the immortal manor and cleansed by moonlight."
"Finally, it was obtained by Real Person Donghua of the immortal manor, who gifted it to Ning Tiaoxiao."
"This seal is the 'Xinyou Yongze Seal', cast primarily from Xinyou Dark Gold, Taiyong Essence, and Langya Treasure Jade. It is an ancient seal, upon which rests the vestige of the Lushui Feathered Serpent..."
"Back then, both Qiushui and I used this treasure. There are twelve incantations. I shall pass them to you now; memorize them carefully."
Zipei looked toward Real Person Puyu and had him divine the time. Finding it suitable, she took the small seal from her sleeve and said softly, "This object is returned to its rightful owner. Please treasure it."
Ning Heyuan nodded respectfully and received it with both hands. Zipei placed the seal upon his palm, seemingly lost in memories. After pondering for a moment, she imparted the incantations, listened closely for a while, and waved her sleeve. "Go!"
Si Boxiu held his hands behind his back, his rigid face icy cold; with a flick of his sleeves, he vanished into the Great Void.
Real Person Puyu also nodded and took his leave.
The two of them only felt their vision blur before being swept out of the blessed land by that sleeve. Looking around, they had already arrived in Libu Commandery, the easternmost territory of Qingchi Sect, right at the border between Qingchi and Ziyan. Beneath their feet, voices bustled, and city lights shone brightly.
Both Ning Heyuan and Li Xuanfeng conjured winds in the air to steady themselves. Ning Heyuan held the seal to his chest, still somewhat dazed. The jade seal blazed with brilliant light, various green waters welling around him as green-gold radiance flowed along his sides. His eyes were tightly closed, seemingly communicating with the small seal.
Ning Heyuan's hands clutched the dharma seal tightly, clutching so hard his knuckles turned white, his eyes filled with complex emotion in the night as he stared ahead.
*I always heard that this one from Ziyan Gate did not get along with Yuansu. Now it seems they were acquainted in their early years; it was just a falling out, and in the end, she still helped him preserve so much...*
Yuansu had just passed away, and Li Xuanfeng's stance could not be more important to Ning Heyuan. This veteran general did not need to do anything; merely standing behind him gave Ning Heyuan confidence.
Ning Heyuan paused, then asked, "Brother-in-law, do you still have any business to attend to? Or will you return to the sect with me?"
"If brother-in-law has matters to attend to, you may go on your own... If not, please come back to the Ning family with me."
Li Xuanfeng nodded and took to the wind alongside him. Ning Heyuan made conversation with him for a while, and upon confirming that his attitude had not changed much, finally set his mind at ease.
***
Clouds drifted leisurely in the sky above Xunlin Plain. Yuan Huyuan stood quietly above the mountain forest, watching the people below crawling past like ants, his hands hidden in his sleeves turning slightly pale.
This man had a broad face and graying temples, with a succession of medicine pouches on his body. Tears covered his broad, honest face, and his usually gentle eyes were slightly red as he looked ahead with complex sorrow.
Nominally, Yuan Tuan was supposedly in seclusion at the Yuan family, but it was merely an act put on by the two brothers Yuan Huyuan and Yuan Hudu.
The person approaching was none other than Li Xizhi. Having returned all the way to the Li family, he immediately received a letter from the sect: Yuan Tuan's soul lamp within the sect had extinguished; she had fallen in the Eastern Sea.
Li Xizhi naturally knew his sister had been played by the Yuan family, but Yuan Hudu, the patriarch of the Yuan family, had likewise taken an arrow before the eyes of the crowd, not only losing all face but still nursing his injuries even now; the score had been settled after all.
Having received this news, and with Yuan Chengdun's two demon-subduing short staves also sent back to the Li family, Li Xizhi had ridden the rosy glow over, intending to seek out someone from the Yuan family.
Who knew that as he circled above, using his pupil technique to investigate all around, he soon discovered Yuan Huyuan silently concealing himself high in the sky.
A streak of rosy light approached from afar, drifting brightly in the air. Yuan Huyuan instinctively wanted to retreat, but the light gradually sharpened, revealing an elegant youth treading upon it.
Yuan Huyuan saw him and sighed in his heart. Now both families knew the situation clearly, and there was no need to hide. He merely cupped his hands. "Xizhi..."
Li Xizhi merely cupped his hands in return and said softly, "Senior Huyuan."
"Tuan'er has fallen..."
"Yes..."
"You tricked Yuan Chengdun into leaving, didn't you?"
"He thought he was going to save Yuan Tuan, but in truth, it was because he also practiced the Qingshuan Dao. The dragon race felt that having one more cultivator of Qingshuan gave them a bit more assurance..."
Li Xizhi lowered his eyes and replied, "The dragon race needed Master as a key. The Yuan family certainly did not obtain the Qingshuan lineage by coincidence; the ancestors of the Yuan family were disciples of Yanyang Temple Palace, were they not?"
Yuan Huyuan's old face drooped, his brows tightly furrowed, his entire body stiffening as he listened. Trembling, he said, "I did not know... Xizhi, I did not know... You are so clever, you must have known long ago."
"I did not know things would reach such a state."
"Back then, when Yuan Tuan brought Chijing back, I personally escorted him. He even called me Senior, and Li Tongya treated me with great courtesy, as did Li Yuanping and Li Yuanjiao..."
Yuan Huyuan could not produce a sound, merely waving his hand mutely. This honest, gentle old man thought it over again and again: Yuan Tuan had been missing for so many years, yet not a single person had warned him.
Li Xizhi looked at his state and sighed in his heart. He retrieved the two demon-subduing short staves from his sleeve and took out a letter from his robe, saying softly, "Senior, times bring gatherings and separations; personal sentiments cannot obstruct the tide."
Li Xizhi stood in place for a breath. The old man repeatedly straightened his sleeves, his wrists trembling slightly. Without looking at Li Xizhi, he said in a shaking voice, "I don't hate you... I don't dare to hate."
Li Xizhi finished speaking and rode the wind away.
Yuan Huyuan's sleeves gathered together uneasily. Yuan Huyuan had never been one to speak harsh words; he had gently persuaded Li Xizhi to return, and only then did he ride the wind back alone, completely forgetting what he had originally intended to do passing through this place.
Yuan Huyuan returned alone to Xianyou Peak.
In his mind, he recalled the scenery on Qingsui Peak all those years ago: Li Chijing holding his sword and reading, while Yuan Tuan gathered her hair and smilingly called him Senior Brother...
"A hundred years passed in the blink of an eye, and I have no right to protect the junior sister left behind."
"It must have been the doing of our clan's all-calculating Real Person."
***
At Mount Qingdu.
Li Xicheng's funeral had been held for months. White hemp hung throughout the clan, and Li family members from every town had rushed back, creating a grand spectacle. The figures entering and leaving the Central Hall had multiplied, all capable members of the family.
First, it was because Li Xicheng had aided numerous clansmen and enjoyed great prestige in the clan; second, the Zhong branch was currently in ascendance, and Li Xicheng was the father of the current clan patriarch, so everyone wanted to come and pay their respects.
Li Xijun sat cross-legged beneath a green pine, white snow drifting down upon his white robes. After a moment, someone came forward and said respectfully, "We await the Patriarch's instructions."
A woman came forward: "Kong Qiuyan of Xuanyue Gate greets Fellow Daoist."
"I have long heard that the Li family possesses bright frost and pine snow. Meeting Fellow Daoist today, I see the rumors were not exaggerated."
This woman appeared generous and poised, with a straight bridge to her nose and delicate skin. She bowed first before speaking softly.
Li Xijun responded politely and praised her as well, asking about Xuanyue Gate's circumstances in recent years. Kong Qiuyan responded openly with appropriate tone, causing him to nod slightly.
The woman also gazed at him for a moment before exchanging courteous remarks and slowly withdrawing. Li Xijun did not take it to heart, asking, "Has Ximing ended his seclusion and descended the mountain?"
Seeing the man nod, he rode the wind down toward the mountain.
Over these years, having broken through to Foundation Establishment and gradually taking charge of Qingdu, he made frequent appearances. Many surrounding families had heard of his name. Yet what spread first was not his methods, but rather his appearance; in the end, visitors from the major powers across several commanderies all knew that the Li family had an elegant youth who cultivated wind and snow.
In the Central Hall, white cloths also hung, fluttering slowly in the air. Li Xijun descended before the hall amidst wind and snow, just happening upon Li Zhouwei holding a long halberd, walking at an unhurried pace before the steps.
"Fourth Granduncle!" Li Zhouwei bowed with hands cupped.
Li Xijun helped him up and nodded gently, following him inside. Several people in the hall had been there for a long time, waiting quietly.
Li Xuanfeng and Li Qinghong were away, and Li Xuanxuan was unwilling to take the seat of honor. With Li Xizhi rarely returning and the Li family assembled, everyone looked to Li Xizhi. But looking around, he shook his head and said softly, "My master's soul lamp within the sect has extinguished. In a few days, I may have to return to the sect to assume the position of Peak Master of Qingsui Peak, so I cannot stay long."
Li Ximing had just emerged from seclusion, his cultivation already at late Foundation Establishment. His cultivation speed was remarkably fast, and he had already begun pondering secret techniques and alchemy, becoming one of the family's highest in cultivation.
Excluding Li Ximing, within the family Li Qinghong and Li Xuanfeng were both at late Foundation Establishment, followed by mid Foundation Establishment Li Xizhi and Li Wushao, and early Foundation Establishment Li Xijun.
Li Ximing nodded solemnly. "Brother Yuansi!"
"According to the news I received, Shangyuan's breakthrough succeeded. Nine times out of ten, he attained the Yuzhen Fruit Status, but was besieged by Yongshui, Taiyuan, and Taiyi—two early Golden Core and one late Golden Core..."
"How could it be so fast!"
"Yet having attained the Fruit Status, he cannot fall so easily. Years ago, Yingze slew Shaoyang Demon Lord, so how much more so for those of later generations?"
The colorful rosy glow upon Li Xizhi's body gradually calmed down.
Chapter 531