Li Qinghong drifted down into her cave dwelling and formed hand seals to cast a spell, concealing the bloodstains on her back. With sixty percent of her magic power remaining, she swallowed several pills to suppress her wounds.
Inside her, the [Perilous Sparrow of the Vast Sky] continued to circulate silently, keeping her injuries under control so that they posed no grave danger. The demonic qi invading from the wound would have forced an ordinary cultivator into urgent secluded cultivation to suppress it, but her lightning-attribute magic power neutralized it in the time it took to drink a cup of tea. As the two pills settled into her stomach, a faint touch of color returned to Li Qinghong's cheeks.
Helian Changguang was likely a direct inner-sect disciple of a demonic sect. His demonic arts and techniques were far superior, and he possessed magic artifact after magic artifact. Her cultivation was a notch above the pair's, and being a lightning cultivator, she had been able to overpower them both. With a single glance, she had gauged their general strength and taken note of several of their artifacts. Yet the escape arts of demonic cultivators were notoriously difficult to counter. Although Li Qinghong could easily suppress the two in direct combat, with Helian Changguang by Liu Qiao's side, he would withdraw the moment things went awry, making a clean kill exceedingly difficult.
Li Qinghong was sharp-witted. From the moment the clash with the couple began, she had held back twenty percent of her true strength to lull them into dropping their guard. When she suddenly erupted, she obliterated Liu Qiao in a single breath, then turned to deal with Helian Changguang, nearly killing this direct demonic disciple as well.
"Still, Helian Changguang had some tricks up his sleeve after all, even managing to wound me."
She knitted her brows slightly and pressed a hand to her forehead. The magic power within her body was still surging and restless. Purple light danced faintly across her cheeks and shoulders, emitting faint crackling sounds.
In the past, Li Yuanjiao had always kept watch over the household, and Li Qinghong had rarely suffered injury. This was virtually the first time in decades she had been pushed to such a degree. With [Perilous Sparrow of the Vast Sky] in motion, her combat prowess gained an additional twenty percent.
Thus, in her final clash against Helian Changguang, she had gone all out. Empowered by the [Perilous Sparrow of the Vast Sky], her spear struck with such overwhelming might that within a few exchanges, Helian Changguang was stunned and fled decisively. Had he not, he would have had to leave his life behind right there.
As she was pondering, Li Minggong stepped forward quickly and bowed respectfully, saying, "Minggong's cultivation is shallow, so I could not see clearly. I only hope Grand-Aunt prioritizes preserving herself."
Suppressing her injuries with the medicinal pills, Li Qinghong felt only a slight tightness in her chest. She smiled and said, "It is no great matter."
"Yet before Grand-Aunt's injuries are treated, you are going to reinforce other places..."
Li Minggong was momentarily at a loss for words, only able to speak respectfully and tactfully.
Li Qinghong said gently, "Li Wushao's strength is somewhat lacking; I know not if he can hold out. I must go take a look. We cannot afford a defeat there, throwing away his life along with Li Wen and An Siming's."
Still uneasy, Li Qinghong instructed, "Although the demonic cultivators here have been repelled, I know not how the other posts fare. I still need to check on them. This jade pendant is effective for three days. If any demonic cultivators attack, crush it, and I will rush back."
She retrieved a purple jade pendant from her robes and placed it in Li Minggong's hand.
"Only tell the people below that I am healing in seclusion in my cave dwelling. Do not speak of this to them, lest their resolve waver and the news leak."
"Minggong understands."
Li Qinghong tucked her black hair behind her ear, took up her spear, and without hesitation chose to reinforce her clan's cultivators. After having Li Minggong guard the post well, she rode the lightning out of the formation.
She had flown forward only a few li when her brows suddenly furrowed.
Far away in the northern sky, countless radiances rose up. Dazzling golden light and red flames spewed forth, sweeping across the horizon. The white clouds in the sky were forcefully severed for three breaths before slowly drifting back together. Li Qinghong looked carefully: in the direction of Mount Bianyan, water and fire fell together while metal and wood clashed wildly. Likely several Foundation Establishment cultivators had perished at the very same moment.
"Mount Bianyan was attacked as well... Clan Uncle and Xizhi might both be there..."
She watched with trepidation, and after confirming that there was no brilliant golden rain among the anomalies, she comforted herself with a few words. She flew east for another quarter of an hour. The pass ahead thundered with rumbling blasts; a giant serpent was darting through the air, and seven figures were locked in battle.
Two Qingchi cultivators were each dueling a demonic cultivator. Li Wushao had already reverted to his true form—a giant black serpent whose two tail hooks whistled through the air, ceaselessly resisting the golden light cast by the Buddhist cultivator before him.
Li Qinghong arrived a bit late, when the battle was already reaching a fever pitch. Her side was being pushed back step by step, almost forced to retreat entirely into the defensive formation. Li Wushao's body was covered in golden seals, and he let out continuous hisses of agony. Li Qinghong instantly formed a different plan in her mind: concealing her figure, she vanished from sight.
This kindly, benevolent-looking old monk was a Master of the Dayuxiang. When he arrived, he spoke in a deceptively polite manner, calling himself Master Yuxin. Upon laying eyes on Li Wushao, he had even praised the beauty of his form.
Li Wushao did not believe a word he said. To him, apart from Kongheng, all Buddhist masters were crazed zealots with broken minds, the kind he never wished to face on ordinary days. But right now he had no choice and could only brace himself to fight.
Yuxin fought bare-handed with a genial smile on his face, yet his moves were ferocious. Striking all the way forward, his golden palm strikes nearly took half of Li Wushao's life! Li Wushao's venomous snake eyes were brimming with hatred.
"If not for undergoing the [Six Weirs Fate-Matching Extraordinary Method] twice, and the spiritual materials Xijun used being exceptionally potent in refining my body, I'm afraid I would have perished at this old bastard's hands long ago..."
Li Wushao was having an unbearable time, battered into submission by this Buddhist cultivator. His body was covered in golden palm prints that sizzled with white smoke; for every measure of magic power the enemy exerted, he had to expend two measures just to neutralize it.
Before Li Wushao could even catch his breath, the kindly, benevolent-looking old monk smiled, his lips moving as he buzzed with a low recitation. Li Wushao instantly felt his mind cracking like shattering rock, his thoughts stirred, and all manner of illusions materialized before his eyes! He hurriedly flicked his serpent tongue, thinking secretly, *Kongheng was right back then! These fellows know some sort of "Honored Cultivator Subduing Chant," which can indeed sway a monster's heart. I must thank him when I return!*
Li Wushao likewise flicked his serpent tongue and chanted a series of mantras of his own, gradually steadying his mind.
Yuxin's perpetually gentle and benevolent expression finally cracked in shock: "You!"
Yuxin seemed to have grown truly angered. Golden light welled over his body, and pushing forward with one palm, it transformed into a great golden seal pressing down toward Li Wushao. Terrified, Li Wushao's scales bristled, realizing this monk had not even used his true skill earlier!
Li Wushao cursed, then scrambled backward in a hurry, his body shrinking swiftly to dart downward with agile grace. Yet the seal shrank in tandem, shadowing him as it came crashing down.
*Clang!*
A crisp ring echoed through the air. Li Wushao let loose a stream of curses, but feeling no pain fall upon him, he hurriedly looked back, only to see a narrow-eyed monk holding a bronze zen staff, calmly parrying the blow.
"Kongheng has arrived too..."
Li Wushao was stunned, realizing that Kongheng had dealt with the demonic cultivators stationed at his post and rushed over to reinforce them. He instantly yelled:
"Yuxin! Your father has arrived!"
"Unruly beast, insolent mouth! Once I capture you—"
"Your father taught your grandfather!"
Yuxin's face changed slightly upon hearing this curse, and he said softly, "North World-Honored Dao?! Little snake, who taught you this?!"
Seeing him lose his composure, Li Wushao felt immense satisfaction. Hissing his tongue, he cursed back, "Damn you..."
Kongheng glanced at him with a slight smile and offered a brief apology. Before him, Yuxin's demeanor gradually grew grave, and he said with solemn formality:
"Both the demonic and Buddhist paths have marched south together. The [Dayuxiang], [Merciful Dao], and [Emptiness-and-Form Dao] have all mobilized, along with the two great demonic clans—the Tuoba and Murong families—as well as the Helian family of Tiefu, the Xiangli family, and various lesser clans. Demonic qi billows, and golden light blankets the heavens. Meeting is karmic destiny. Yuxin only hopes to debate scriptures thoroughly with the Elder to perfect my Buddhist Dharma."
Kongheng spoke gently: "The humble monk is not skilled at debating scriptures; let us forgo it."
Kongheng had met Masters of the Dayuxiang before; this path of cultivation focused on the single thought of the heart—"my desire is me." He truly had no confidence he could out-debate this old monk, so not daring to converse further, he raised his zen staff and brought it crashing down toward his head.
The two instantly tangled into a skirmish in midair, fighting with flashes of golden radiance. Li Wushao understood the situation and went over to assist the two Qingchi cultivators.
Looking back, Kongheng and Yuxin each unleashed spells, chanting scriptural chapters from their mouths as golden petals showered the sky like rain, emitting fragrances of all kinds. Li Wushao squinted his serpentine eyes. Looking down into the sandy dust below where yellow smoke billowed, he saw several jackals sitting quietly on the ground, leaving their carrion uneaten to listen intently with ears cocked.
The demonic cultivators were cautious and selfish. Seeing the three opponents encircling them, they put on a brief show of intimidation before dissolving into black smoke. The survival arts of demonic cultivators far exceeded those of immortal cultivators; even when besieged by three opponents, they each transformed into black smoke and flew away, leaving the area empty without a single artifact left behind.
Yuxin was no fool and had long been observing the battle. With the demonic cultivators routed, the Qingchi cultivators and Kongheng were closing in on him. His eyes burned with sharp light as he nodded secretly: *Good Kongheng. If I converse with him, my cultivation should make progress. As for this bunch of fools... if they pursue further, I'll claim their lives!*
Taking his leave, Yuxin said, "A pleasure to meet today. If there is time, I shall seek out the Elder again."
His voice echoed hollowly over the yellow sands. The spell he had secretly prepared for some time unfolded: his body dissolved into falling golden petals, instantly reappearing several li away as if preparing to flee.
"Where does the Master think he is going?"
Suddenly, a figure cloaked in white and purple lightning blocked his path, her long spear leveled straight at him. The female cultivator asked coldly.
Before he could react, Li Qinghong dispensed with all pleasantries. Though her mouth had asked a question, her thunder spear was already thrusting straight at him. Yuxin waved a palm to meet it, utterly dismissive:
"My [Dayuxiang] is different from demonic cultivation; I fear not your lightning..."
Who would have thought that with a crashing roar of thunder, a vast burst of bright white sparks erupted from Yuxin's palm! Crying out in pain, he pulled his hand back like lightning. Looking closely, his palm was already charred black!
"A lightning cultivator!"
Yuxin's spiritual sense stirred, and he gritted his teeth. "There is another lightning cultivator!"
He twitched his long white brows. Behind him, the Qingchi cultivators and Kongheng had already drawn close. Yuxin instantly grew solemn, golden light flaring around him once more, his expression grave. Li Qinghong, however, gave him no pause, her spear thrusting straight forward. Sensing the dire peril, Yuxin shifted his form, flying faster and faster, and unleashing his evasive arts, he vanished into the yellow sands.
***
Mount Qingdu.
The family had deployed many hands, and when Li Xuanxuan emerged from his cave dwelling to find the household more than half empty, he was taken aback. He rushed over to look for Xijun, but upon reaching the hall, he learned that Xijun had already gone out to patrol the lake.
The clan was visibly deserted, and Mount Qingdu felt all the emptier.
Li Zhouwei walked into the hall, where only the elder Li Xuanxuan sat.
Seeing his precious Shizi enter, the wrinkles on Li Xuanxuan's face relaxed. Scanning him with his spiritual sense, he praised, "Qi Refinement level seven already? Good!"
Li Zhouwei's shoulders were broad. He sat down heavily in a seat and gave an affirmative response.
Li Xuanxuan hastily stood up from his seat, looking deeply unsettled on his aged face. He even forgot to set his teacup back on the table, saying anxiously,
"Why did this Ning family mobilize so many of our people? I heard the Qingchi Sect only asked for seventy percent, yet he takes as many as he pleases! If I were there, I would give him a piece of my mind!"
"Is... is this something your father agreed to? Why didn't he mention such a major matter to me? Why send Yue..."
Li Zhouwei answered with cupped hands, saying merely, "It is an order from Mount Qingdu."
Li Xuanxuan was stifled for a moment, let out a long breath, and asked, "They, each and every one of them, have no regard for their own brothers and sisters..."
He held a roster in hand, looking at it with knitted brows. The old man pointed a finger, tracing past the names one by one, calculating which branch each belonged to and who their ancestors were.
Li Zhouwei listened quietly to his ramblings for a while.
Li Xuanxuan suddenly remembered something and said, "How is that child Xijun..."
Li Zhouwei replied, "He captured several demonic cultivators heading south and is interrogating them on the lake. He had me return first to report!"
Li Xuanxuan sighed repeatedly and said, "The Eastern Sea is in such turmoil; wouldn't it be better to have your Uncle Chengliao return?"
Li Zhouwei understood in his heart that involving Li Xuanxuan would only add another vexation. He comforted him, saying, "Qingchi is not to be trusted. I only heard that Granduncle Xijun received [Bright Frost Pine Ridge]; his cultivation is rising ever higher, and from now on he will no longer get angry. It is enough to see the clan's interests clearly."
Li Xuanxuan fell silent for a moment, sipped his tea, and sighed repeatedly. Just then, a middle-aged man hurried in from below. Broad and honest in appearance, he bore a long spear on his back and possessed a cultivation of Qi Refinement level eight.
This person was none other than An Zheyan's son, An Siwei. His younger brother An Siming had gone north, while he remained by Li Xuanxuan's side. At this moment he hastily bowed, his usually calm face filled with excitement.
"My lord! News has come from Daxu!"
Li Xuanxuan said hurriedly, "Speak! Wait... where is Xijun!"
An Siwei said in a deep voice,
"The Murong family and Foundation Establishment cultivators of Dayuxiang were ambushed midway, intercepted by cultivators of the Jinyu Sect! Li Xuanfeng led his troops out of the pass, simultaneously cutting off the enemy reinforcements, and thoroughly routed the northern cultivators!"
"Holding his bow, his lordship shot and killed Murong Wu of the Murong family's [Desert Dark Armor] and Buddhist elder Yuqian within a quarter of an hour! Murong Wu's body and spirit were utterly destroyed, while Yuqian was forced into reincarnation!"
"After slaying the two of them, his lordship spat golden blood, and the celestial bowstring snapped! A spirit beast of Dayuxiang seized the chance to pounce close, but his lordship sneered, seized it with bare hands, and tore it apart alive into a shower of blood, frightening twenty-one high cultivators of both the Buddhist and demonic factions into holding their breath in unison!"
"I heard that everyone froze for a full three breaths... Until that rain of blood fell completely to the ground, not a single person dared to utter a word!"
An Siwei finished in one breath, both overjoyed and awed:
"Now... now the whole of Daxu knows of the Immortal Bow of Mount Bianyan!"
***
A bit later.
Lijing Town.
Lijing Town was now the largest town by the lake, even surpassing Milin Town at the center of Milin Commandery. Milin had been battered into ruins, and the Li family chose not to reinstate the commandery system, dividing the area into various towns to govern. With the population dispersed, it could not compare to Lijing Town.
Near the tavern, voices buzzed in a lively clamor. The light-red wooden stairs...
Chapter 545