Li Xizhi took a brief rest. Beneath his feet, the cloud vessel was already in motion. A man approached from outside the door—a cultivator at the late stage of Qi Refinement, fair-faced and beardless, with hair turning white and a poised, dignified air, though one of his sleeves hung completely empty. He came to a halt at Li Xizhi's side.
Cupping his hands, he said in a low voice, "Fei Yihe greets the young master."
Li Xizhi found the name somewhat familiar; he was likely a member of the Fei clan who had gone south back then. Over the years, thanks to Li Xuanfeng's protection, he had managed to keep his life despite being covered in scars.
Hearing this, Li Xizhi returned the courtesy and said softly, "Xizhi greets Senior."
This reminded him of his young uncle Li Yuanqin in the Southern Border, who was supposed to be even younger than himself. Not knowing what he looked like now, he asked, "May I ask if my young uncle has come? We ought to meet..."
Fei Yihe shook his head and replied, "The young master was dispatched to the sect to cultivate alongside the children of the Chi family."
"The Chi family truly makes use of everything to its fullest," Li Xizhi remarked softly.
Fei Yihe parted his lips and sighed, "Ah, you know how that boy is..."
At his words, Li Xizhi understood the situation as clearly as a mirror and sighed inwardly. Yet Fei Yihe looked rather anxious. Sitting down beside him, he asked, "I have spent years in the Southern Border and was often in secluded cultivation lately, while the General went out to campaign in the Eastern Sea. I have heard only scattered whispers about the Fei family. May I ask the young master, how is my clan doing? What cultivation realms have Tongyu and Tongxiao reached?"
Li Xizhi sighed and said quietly, "Young Master Tongyu is currently managing the clan, but they have severed contact with our family, so I know very little. I only heard that Young Master Tongxiao failed in his breakthrough; he died, his Dao extinguished, and his line was cut off."
The news seemed little different from what the old man had anticipated. He showed no outward shock, but upon hearing "died, his Dao extinguished," the fingers resting on his knee twitched, and he asked in a fluster, "What?!"
Li Xizhi recounted what little news he knew. Fei Yihe nodded repeatedly in thanks, unable to say anything more. He sat upright in his seat, keeping his hands tucked into his sleeves and remaining silent for most of the voyage.
The Rosy Dawn Cloud Vessel flew at incredible speed. Before long, it gradually showed signs of coming to a halt. Only then did Fei Yihe shake out his sleeves, revealing hands pale from clenching. He took out a small letter that had long been written.
He paused, then said in a low voice, "If one day the Fei clan collapses... if there is any room to maneuver, I beg you to preserve a bloodline for us..."
Li Xizhi saw this clearly and sighed inwardly. Stowing it away, he replied, "That is only natural. If the opportunity arises, I will certainly deliver it for Senior."
Over the years, every time Li Xizhi returned home, Fei Yihe had asked him to deliver a letter. By now, there were at least five or six. What change could ever come to the Fei family? Yet the old man carried on without cease, writing each one faithfully. Though Li Xizhi had never opened them, any outsider could see his earnest devotion.
Fei Yihe nodded and held his peace.
After a long while, Li Xuanfeng strode in, having already unbuckled his golden armor. He said softly, "Xizhi is here."
Li Xizhi nodded gently and answered, "My coming this time was in response to the sect's decree to conscript cultivators."
Li Xuanfeng's spiritual armor had actually lost its brilliance when the two True Monarchs, Yongshui and Taiyuan, made their moves; it was now hardly different from hanging a few scraps of metal and would take considerable effort to repair. He had returned for only a brief time, so he had never repaired it and had long since put it away.
Hearing Li Xizhi's words, he asked, "Does Granduncle know how this conscription of the clans will be arranged?"
Li Xuanfeng paused, then replied, "According to the sect, forty to fifty percent of clan cultivators are to be drawn and sent to Mount Bianyan, merely as a precaution. If the front line becomes fierce, more will be conscripted."
"If forty to fifty percent of our clan's cultivators are taken, our bones will truly be broken. I was wondering how many cultivators the clan would have to send, and seeing this now, I fear there is no escaping it..."
"Those juniors of my clan—Xizhi, you have met them all. How were they?"
"Very polite, composed and self-possessed."
Li Xizhi understood the unspoken praise and reservation alike. He sighed, saying, "I only hope it can be changed."
Li Xuanfeng nodded slightly.
While the two talked for a while, several people approached. Li Xizhi looked closely; the man in the lead wore robes shimmering with radiant spiritual light—it was his brother-in-law, Yang Ruizao. Yang Ruizao had gathered several Daoists on good terms aboard the vessel earlier, and a few Foundation Establishment cultivators now followed behind him, bowing respectfully toward Li Xuanfeng: "We greet Senior!"
Li Xuanfeng nodded in acknowledgment and asked each of them their names. Li Xizhi stepped forward, and the three stood together at the vessel's prow, unifying command aboard the vessel under Li Xuanfeng's lead.
Li Xizhi stepped out with him. Standing at the prow, the north wind stirred gently all around them. They had already crossed the great river that divided north from south; the waves surged in a vast, rolling torrent.
Having crossed the river, the spiritual atmosphere turned starkly different. The surroundings were a desolate expanse of yellow-grey, the earth parched and cracked, white bones strewn across the ground, with blood and resentment echoing everywhere.
Several streaks of light flitted across the sky. Seeing the Rosy Dawn Cloud Vessel emerge, each turned back. These people seemed very experienced; after flying for a short distance, they immediately plunged into the fields and vanished into the grey smoke.
Li Xuanfeng stood quietly. After a long silence, he said, "First we make landfall in Daxu to meet the people of the Jinyu Sect."
As they spoke, Mount Bianyan gradually came into view. The mountain was situated in the very center of the twenty-eight southern cities of Daxu, convenient for reinforcing all directions. White mist billowed with a faint, somber scent.
While several juniors conversed, Li Xuanfeng was somewhat lost in thought. He still clearly remembered this mountain range and the Hui Temple at its foot. Back then, he had come here with his second uncle to hunt wolf demons; by now, it had likely fallen into ruins.
In his heart echoed the name of his younger brother. Expressionless, he muttered quietly, "Xuanling..."
Only Li Xizhi behind him seemed to sense something, casting a quiet glance backward.
***
While Li Xuanfeng and his company headed north, another Rosy Dawn Cloud Vessel descended upon Lake Wangyue. Still adorned with specks of rosy light, it touched down on Mount Milin. The various clans across the lake hurried to send representatives over.
Cultivators bustled up and down Mount Milin. Li Xijun stood upon the jade terrace atop the summit, gazing at the Rosy Dawn Cloud Vessel resting quietly before him with mixed emotions.
*Strictly speaking, this is the first time our family has received a cloud vessel. Sudden though it is... it also marks us as representatives who hold sway over a region.*
He waited on the terrace for a moment. Beside him stood Chen Donghe and An Zheyan, both at the late stage of Qi Refinement. On the other side, An Siming and An Siwei were remarkably also at late Qi Refinement. The two brothers had just returned from the Great Desert and looked travel-worn.
Yet in the end, neither had achieved Foundation Establishment. The two brothers were steadfastly loyal, never going back on their word and never uttering half a complaint, which put Li Xijun somewhat at ease.
Beyond the Li and Fei families, only a number of small clans from the east and north shores remained on the lake. All respectfully paid their respects to the Li family first. The members of the Fei family stood nearby as well, looking hesitant and ill at ease.
The Chen and An families possessed the greatest strength; lined up behind them were the Tian, Dou, Xu, and other clans. Further back, Dili Youjie of the Northern Shanyue and Li Jiman and Shamo Li of the Eastern Shanyue stood at the margins. As for the surrendered tribes and noble clans settled among the Shanyue, they lacked even the qualification to step onto the terrace.
Shamo Li was an elder of the clan, the first Eastern Shanyue King who had risen to power by submitting to the Li family in the past. He cultivated lightning methods and had even seen Li Tongya. Lightning methods depleted lifespan, and what this old Shanyue cultivated was not orthodox qi; he had aged especially fast, keeping his eyes half-closed in the back without speaking.
Li Xuanfeng's calculations back then had been accurate. Today, counting the prominent branch and the main house of the Li clan, there were only nine cultivators at the late stage of Qi Refinement, and those surnamed An accounted for three of them. The two brothers' children had even broken through to Qi Refinement this year. The An family's bloodline was exceptionally potent, a fact known to all.
After everyone waited for a short while, a white-clad man in splendid robes and an ornate cap flew down from the Rosy Dawn Cloud Vessel. Stepping off the vessel with a faint smile, he revealed a jade seal.
The crowd bowed with a resounding clamor, chanting in unison, "Greetings, Immortal Sect Emissary!"
Zhao Tinggui had the bearing of an elegant young lord, but his tone was anything but polite, terrifying the nearby family heads so that they exchanged glances, trembling and not daring to speak. Zhao Tinggui continued, "By order of the sect's celestial decree, Yuanwu Peak's term of governance has elapsed. Lake Wangyue and the various clans of eastern Lake Wangyue and Lixia now fall under the jurisdiction of my Moon Lake Peak!"
Li Xijun was the first to comply, yet his mind caught on several subtleties. Ever since the Xiao family became independent and carved away most of Lixia Commandery, the land of Lixia had been left fractured and incomplete. Hearing the meaning in this man's words, those carved-out lands were now all to be subordinated to Lake Wangyue. This matter was neither large nor small. Although Lake Wangyue had grown larger, it was hardly good news; after all, with the Xiao family right beside them, those lands belonged to them and could not be touched.
Only then did Zhao Tinggui look toward Li Xijun. Walking forward very courteously, he extended a hand white as jade and smiled. "Brother Xijun, no need for formalities!"
Li Xijun was just pondering when, unexpectedly, this white-clad cultivator came down from the clouds to help him up with a warm and polite demeanor, saying only, "With Fellow Daoist Qingyi cultivating on Yuanwu Peak, your noble clan will certainly turn peril into safety, and our seniors will surely watch over you. Brother Xijun, please put your mind at ease. My master entered secluded cultivation to attempt a breakthrough and could not come in person. I am Zhao Tinggui, head disciple of Moon Lake Peak, here on my master's behalf."
This Peak Lord of Moon Lake Peak in secluded cultivation naturally referred to Ning Wan. The relationship between the two families was indeed close, and Zhao Tinggui held himself very humbly, smiling as he bade him rise.
Although Li Xijun had anticipated this, a sense of unease still arose in his heart. He thought to himself: *Good! It truly is Moon Lake Peak.*
A group of green-robed disciples descended from the cloud vessel. Zhao Tinggui waved his hand and said softly, "Bring your people aboard."
Gradually withdrawing his smile, his attitude remained polite as he looked around at the minor clans, saying in a low voice, "The troops conscripted this time are meant to garrison several locations assigned to my Moon Lake Peak. This concerns the merits and lives of myself, Tinggui, and my brothers on the peak. Do not try to fob me off with cultivators of miscellaneous qi.
"If I take note of any clan whose disciples are too useless, when I return in a few months to conscript again, heads will roll.
"If your clan disciples perform exceptionally and render meritorious service, I, Tinggui, will likewise not be stingy with rewards. What is more, opportunities on the battlefield are plentiful; you must send forth your capable disciples."
Li Xijun watched the scene before him. On the surface, Zhao Tinggui was warning the various clans, yet was he not speaking to him, Li Xijun, as well? Though the two families were close, when it came to matters of life and limb, things could not be brushed aside easily.
Zhao Tinggui turned back to him. "Xijun... let you and me discuss the details."
The two entered the peak together and took their seats in a grand hall built of white jade. After exchanging pleasantries, Zhao Tinggui said casually, "I wonder how many Foundation Establishment cultivators your noble clan can spare?"
Li Xijun pondered for a moment and nodded slightly. Zhao Tinggui fell silent for a breath, then said softly, "Senior Qinghong must take the field... I do not know about others, but she could likely rival our peak's core lineage. Moreover, her inheritance is of the lightning Dao, perfectly suited for garrisoning.
"We also need one mid Foundation Establishment and one early Foundation Establishment to establish a firm foothold first."
Zhao Tinggui had already calculated in his heart: Li Ximing of the Li family was mostly at mid Foundation Establishment and an uncommon alchemist. If he could bring him to the north, many casualties could be reduced.
Opening his mouth, he asked, "I wonder if Fellow Daoist Ximing..."
Zhao Tinggui could not let him brush this aside lightly. He thought to himself: *Qinghong and Li Xijun are powerful, but they aren't garrisoning for my Moon Lake Peak! If I could secure Li Ximing, I wouldn't need to worry at all; I could just recline comfortably within the sect. Why would I need to make this trip in person?*
Li Xijun did not dare agree to this directly and could only answer tactfully, "Tinggui surely knows as well... the elders and brothers of my clan have likely already rushed to the north...
"Reporting to the Emissary: our clan has an ancient Shakya guest elder who is a Master, more than enough to match a mid Foundation Establishment cultivator. We also have an early Foundation Establishment demon cultivator; though lacking orthodox heritage and spells, he can easily match an early Foundation Establishment cultivator.
"As for Ximing, he has just entered secluded cultivation to break through and cannot come out in the short term."
*This is a refusal.*
Li Xijun looked somewhat embarrassed. "Ximing..."
Zhao Tinggui set his teacup down heavily. Hearing Li Xijun's excuse, he sighed and could only say, "There is no rush for now. Let us proceed as my worthy brother suggests. If the front line becomes strained, Fellow Daoist Ximing will likely still need to step forward. If things truly reach a critical juncture, we might even need to trouble Brother Xijun... Brother Xijun is a clever man, and given the relationship between our two families, I will not beat around the bush with you.
"As for the Qi Refinement and Embryonic Breathing cultivators, the Ning family has already been assigned elsewhere. The main force still depends on your noble clan."
Li Xijun pondered for a moment and nodded slightly. Zhao Tinggui remained silent for a breath, then said softly, "Swords and spears have no eyes in the mountains, but for small clans, this is also boundless opportunity. Resources and magical artifacts unobtainable in ordinary times can be looted from a couple of corpses today. Great chaos is also great opportunity."
Li Xijun watched him for a moment, then asked, "How many cultivators are required?"
Zhao Tinggui replied, "Seven at late Qi Refinement, twenty-one at mid Qi Refinement, seventy-one at early Qi Refinement, and one hundred Embryonic Breathing cultivators... All must cultivate orthodox qi."
Li Xijun was surprised for a moment and frowned.
The Li family's low-tier cultivators were definitely among the most numerous among the clans, especially since they were generous toward outside surnames, opening their cultivation techniques. Li Xijun had thought even Chi Zhiyun would be tempted.
"Indeed..." Li Xijun said.
Zhao Tinggui responded, hesitating slightly: "Have each clan bring their people aboard."
Chapter 540