Kindness Repaid

Earlier on, Li Xizhi had understood that guarding this place was no easy assignment. If the Tuoba family merely sent an ordinary member, it would still be manageable, but if they dispatched a direct descendant, he would need an escape route prepared in advance. Therefore, he had inquired into the roster, roughly mapped out the passes surrounding Baixiang Valley, and sorted through the cultivators stationed there. Now as he fled, he took the most direct routes. Flying upon his rosy dawn light, he passed more than a dozen outposts large and small. Most were small hills and minor formations, either already uprooted by demonic cultivators or lying silent and subdued, not daring to show their heads. There were two great arrays along the way: one had sealed its gates completely, while the other was surrounded by demonic cultivators, making it too perilous to approach. Members of the Yang family were supposed to be within, but whether they were trapped or dead, there was no sign of life, leaving him no choice but to press forward blindly. By now, cold sweat drenched his back. Turmoil raged within his body; the sea of Qi in his dantian was nearly empty, and his dawn light was growing faint. Riding the dimming radiance, he passed another small hill, but the formation remained motionless, barring him outside. Li Xizhi dipped his dawn light slightly, casting down two weary glances. His insides were in complete disarray, his life hanging by a thread. Pinching an incantation to steady his posture, a bitter thought crossed his mind: *Among more than a dozen formations, is there truly not a single one familiar with my family? Is this sheer misfortune, or deliberate calculation...?* His dawn light sank lower, reduced to the dregs of an empty lamp. Seeing that even his last Huishui Pill could not be spared, he calculated silently: *Only this single one remains, yet Tuoba Chongyuan is closing in fast. Soon it will not just be a matter of depleted magic power—I fear I will be overtaken before I even reach Mount Bianyan.* A chill settled in his heart. The Chengdu Pass ahead was most likely guarded by Yuan Huyuan. That old man was his master Yuan Tuan's elder brother, but the two families had already severed ties. *I've run out of time.* Given that old man's temperament, he considered even the juniors of the Chi family too intimidating to offend; he certainly would never dare oppose the Tuoba family. Even before their falling out, he would have hesitated; now, there was no chance whatsoever that he would open the formation to welcome him. Li Xizhi accelerated, intent on sweeping past rapidly. To his surprise, a splash of silver-white water vaulted out from the array of Chengdu Pass, rushing straight to meet him! "Peak Master, I have come to aid you!" "Peak Master, I am Li Quantao of Fuchen Peak! That fiend is ferocious, and Yuan Huyuan refuses to open the gates, but our brethren are not far ahead. Let us fight and retreat southward!" "Fellow Daoist! We are already close to Mount Bianyan! We need only stall him briefly, and reinforcements will arrive!" Li Xizhi instantly felt the burden lift from beneath his feet as the magic power required to maintain his dawn flight plummeted. With Tuoba Chongyuan momentarily checked, Li Xizhi caught his breath, color returning to his pale cheeks. Yet he was startled by the man's words, his eyes immediately recognizing the dharma treasure in the youth's hand. *Bi Shui Dan! He is one of Li Encheng's people!* Li Encheng had been known as "Bi Shui Dan," named precisely after this dharma treasure. That Bi Shui Dan was an ancient dharma treasure retrieved from the Mifan Sect ruins and held some renown within the sect. Now that Li Encheng was dead, this youth had to be his descendant. Even with several peak masters present in Baixiang Valley, the battle had deteriorated to such a dire state; how could they afford to be reckless? Yet Li Quantao was, after all, the son of a master alchemist, blessed with first-rate talent and resources—not to mention having the ancient dharma treasure Bi Shui Dan in hand. Stirring his magic power, he unleashed countless streams of grayish-white Fu Water, spraying into the wind. "Fu Water." Fu Water was rare even in Jiangnan, let alone in the north. Tuoba Chongyuan felt the gale supporting him buck like a runaway horse, pitching straight downward. He was forced to halt and whip up the winds, pausing in midair. Hearing Li Quantao's shout, Tuoba Chongyuan assumed he was Li Xizhi's brother arriving to the rescue, and his expression darkened. In contrast, the white pearl in Li Quantao's hand released several streaks of flowing light that cascaded into the clouds. Thunder cracked across the heavens as water droplets rose from below, surging into the roiling clouds. Tuoba Chongyuan finally frowned. Summoning white light to his hand, he said coldly, "Bi Shui Dan! He is one of Li Encheng's people!" *This man actually dared come to my aid...* To preserve his life, Li Xizhi had fled along the mountains. Through all his calculations, he had never imagined someone from Fuchen Peak would come to his rescue. Though faintly surprised, his hands did not slow. Taking his medicine, magic power surged within him, and he unleashed dawn-light spells into the sky. Those words of stalling had been spoken for Tuoba Chongyuan's ears. Li Xizhi formed incantations with his hands, remaining vigilant against any betrayal from this person, while flicking the last Huishui Pill into his mouth. Sweeping his spiritual sense over them, Tuoba Chongyuan found that Li Quantao before him was merely in the early Foundation Establishment stage. Having just killed two disciples of Yu Yuwei, he did not hold the newcomer in high regard, casually waving his sleeve. The colors on Tuoba's body dimmed slightly. Needing no weapon, a single incantation caused the Bi Shui Dan to shudder violently. Li Xizhi and Li Quantao joined forces, barely managing to withstand the assault. Tuoba Chongyuan pressed relentlessly, and within a dozen exchanges, Li Quantao's complexion began to shift. Though Li Quantao's personal cultivation was lacking, the dharma treasure in his hand was versatile and formidable, capable of projecting a white water wall to deflect spells while buying time through attrition. Having just fought an intense battle and lost his favored weapon, Tuoba Chongyuan was momentarily held at bay for several rounds. As they fought and retreated, after barely ten exchanges, Li Quantao's face turned ashen. Empowered by his great seal, every gesture Tuoba Chongyuan made carried the force of a dharma treasure strike. Had he not lost his weapon, he would have swatted Li Quantao out of the sky long ago. Li Xizhi instantly understood. Striving to regulate his breath, he stepped in to take over the burden. His magic power boiled as his Dao Foundation manifested, stalling the enemy without regard for the toll on himself. Sure enough, before the two had flown a few li, several streaks of white light came hurtling through the air. Unlike the previous pale white, these were far denser, bordering on a faint yellow. Li Quantao's heart leaped into his throat as he drew forth talismans. Li Xizhi likewise activated several talismans, forming the Heart Cauldron Calamity Dispelling seal to neutralize the spells. Li Quantao simply drove his Bi Shui Dan, hurling it ruthlessly into the white lights without the slightest regard for damage. The white light collided with the dharma treasure, instantly shattering into tens of thousands of white blades that poured down like torrential rain. Li Xizhi's protective barriers lasted only two breaths before the blades struck his feather robe. Li Quantao caught a face full of white blades. Activating a talisman to shield his head, he coughed twice, reached out into the empty air, and swiftly caught his severed arm and foot, hurriedly pressing them back into place. Golden light surged from Li Xizhi's feather robe once more, shearing away the remaining blades. It cost him only a mouthful of blood; his wife's feather robe had saved his life yet again. Li Xizhi quickly ingested another pill and turned to look at the youth beside him. A physique molded by a Fu Water Dao Foundation possessed unique wonder; compared to ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators, it was far less vulnerable to injuries like severed limbs. Recalling his Bi Shui Dan, Li Quantao continued riding the bloody gale. Though his injuries appeared severe, he remained warm and spirited, even finding the composure to say, "The body of the Bi Shui Dan is exceptionally durable, capable of withstanding even the Purple Mansion. There is no need to worry." Li Quantao was somewhat experienced in battle; he immediately took medicine, conjuring a sky full of reverse-flowing Fu Water. Though struck until he spat blood, he still replied to Li Xizhi via spiritual sense, "This concerns my own family; I could not leave you to your fate." Li Xizhi replied, "That old man is cowardly and indecisive, ingratiating himself with outsiders to keep the peace. Even someone like Yuan Chengdun could bring himself to cut down the jade tree in his own courtyard; do not expect him to see clearly." Li Xizhi's condition was abysmal, and he ought to have fled immediately. Yet if he withdrew, whether he could escape remained uncertain, and the youth who had rushed out to save him would almost certainly perish here. Yet Li Quantao had underestimated Tuoba Chongyuan at every turn. In the end, the wounds he sustained were far heavier than anticipated. Knowing his elder brother was not in the formation made cold sweat drench his face. *Thank heavens that demonic brute refused to pursue any further. If he had relentlessly pressed the attack while my brother was absent from the array, I fear the two of us, along with every cultivator in the formation, would have been buried here!* Seizing a fleeting opportunity as the sky burned crimson, Li Xizhi grabbed Li Quantao, and the two executed a blood escape simultaneously, vanishing into the southern sky. Tuoba Chongyuan's expression had turned grim. He had chased Li Xizhi for far too long, venturing too deep into enemy territory. Though confident in his strength, he quietly weighed whether the pursuit was worth the cost. Breaching the pass was an inevitability, and hunting down the feather-robed man had merely been incidental. Catching him or not mattered little—it was just a single Foundation Establishment cultivator. But if it compromised the clan's larger objectives, that would be a grave blunder. What did a great immortal clan care for the affairs of a single lineage! Tuoba Chongyuan halted and broke off the chase. He flew more than ten li, and his immortal chariot caught up, grinding through the white air. Tuoba Chongyuan no longer wore his former relaxed and leisurely demeanor; pouring magic power into the chariot, he sped all the way back. Casting a spell to calculate the position, he followed the magical guidance and swiftly descended into a mountain forest. There, he found his long halberd thrust into a moss-covered boulder, its light gleaming brilliantly. Because the treasure had been sealed by Li Xizhi, he could not summon it with a wave of his hand. He had to retrieve it in person. Landing absently before the rock, he gave a hard tug, but to his surprise, it did not budge in the slightest. "Hm?" The harsh words on the tip of his tongue halted abruptly. Sensing the halberd remained firmly anchored to the rock, completely unmoved by his exertion, his expression grew increasingly solemn. A jolt went through him. He whipped around to see the crimson sky churning with mist and clouds, revealing a youth clad in a cloud-patterned Daoist robe, his hair meticulously combed, greeting him politely: "Dongfang Heyun greets the young master." Tuoba Chongyuan's expression shifted, curiosity surfacing on his face. He scrutinized the lustrous bead in the youth's hand and showed a look of comprehension. Even now, he retained the composure to reply: "Hearing of something is never as good as seeing it! When Emperor Wu of Great Liang slew dragons and phoenixes to found the realm, he obtained two pearls—Heshui and Ruoshui. The one in your hand must be an imitation crafted by ancient cultivators." The youth smoothed his sleeves, bowed with cupped hands, and smiled. "So you are the young master of the Tuoba family. No wonder you are so generous! I originally received orders to come here and claim a share of the spoils. How fortuitous that a long halberd dropped from the heavens, landing right before me. I thought I had gained a fine dharma treasure for nothing." Dongfang Heyun shook his sleeve, and a warm, lustrous white pearl rolled out, shedding shimmering radiance as he said, "Fellow Daoist, this halberd belongs to me." Tuoba Chongyuan was already in a foul mood and let out a laugh of sheer anger. Anxious to get back, he had no desire to waste words on him. He gradually exerted his strength to wrench the halberd free, preparing to retort coldly, but the harsh words stopped on his lips as he realized the halberd remained firmly stuck in the rock, unmoved by his efforts. His expression grew increasingly grave. Dongfang Heyun bowed slightly, carefully looking him over, and smiled amiably. "Why hasn't the young master fled yet? Hurry and run for your life!" He continued, "Ever since Tuoba Xuan died, your noble clan has not dared take half a step into the Eastern Sea. It is rare to catch sight of you. I have no other intention than to take your life, Young Master." Hearing this, Tuoba Chongyuan realized something was amiss and stared at him darkly. The identity of the youth was practically obvious. He quietly clasped a jade talisman in his hand, the yellow and white hues across his face deepening as his power gathered. The atmosphere between the two grew exceedingly tense. Suddenly, a brilliant flash ignited in the sky— *Rumble!* The heavens brightened abruptly. The spiritual atmosphere between heaven and earth shifted violently with resonant hums, casting off multiple waves of luminescence. The nearby mountain range shuddered violently, crumbling and exploding into fragments. *Rumble!* Watching the sky turn crimson, Li Xizhi narrowed his eyes. In the far distance, a colossal arc of light flashed, shedding sheets of gold. Amid two crisp crackling sounds, a sprawling complex of buildings materialized, plunging into the distant mountains. "Perhaps the shift in the spiritual atmosphere has connected with a grotto-heaven, causing something to descend!" With Tuoba Chongyuan no longer in sight, Li Xizhi let out a breath, finally able to turn his mind to other matters. Li Quantao's condition was hardly any better; his internal injuries were far more severe. He was no hotheaded youth acting on impulse; willing to leave the pass to rescue Li Xizhi and repay a debt of gratitude, he had also factored in his brother's presence nearby. "Peak Master, follow me. My elder brother took charge of the array not far ahead; we can enter there." "Peak Master, do not worry. It is less than half a quarter of an hour's journey. I can still hold on!" Li Quantao evidently held higher status here than at Chengdu Pass. Without needing to report, he waved his token and led them inside. Passing through the defensive array, they found the interior in shambles, with numerous collapsed buildings. Though the place was a mess, the cultivators' morale remained relatively steady. Li Quantao made a couple of inquiries, then turned back to say, "Peak Master, my elder brother left to provide reinforcements and has not yet returned, but this place is safe enough. Rest easy and heal your wounds!" Li Xizhi sat down cross-legged. Making a careful assessment, he found his feather robe was damaged once more, costing him another dozen-odd years of lifespan, but his life was preserved. *Fortunately, I had the Huishui Pill! Fortunately, kindness was once shown...* Li Xizhi mused that his family still possessed a Jianyang Ring, equally formidable, but because of its ties to Qingsong Abbey, he had never dared bring it out for use. "No need to be so polite. Thank you, brother... Words cannot express my gratitude..." The youth's face tightened slightly. He said nothing more, merely offering a soft: "Aye."