Yu Yuwei went off to fret on his own. Li Xizhi knew nothing of artifact refinement and could be of no help. Ever since Tang Shecheng and Yu Xiuxian, who had inherited Yuanwu's mantle, and finally Yu Muxian had all perished, the Qingchi Sect's tradition of artifact refinement had fallen into steep decline, leaving the sect unable to find any good artificers.
The old man wore a deeply troubled expression. Holding the large purplish-red cauldron, he glanced at Li Xizhi and muttered, "Xizhi... the fallen grotto-heaven is called Dongning Palace. Several Purple Palace seniors have sent people inside... Counting the days, I hear sects like Chijiao and Xiukui, which originally couldn't spare the manpower, will also arrive soon."
Li Xizhi nodded, assuming an attentive posture. He watched as Yu Yuwei mumbled on, "By now, even this old man can no longer see clearly... Chijiao and Xiukui fight incessantly overseas, with cultivators falling every month, yet the Purple Palace seniors intend to turn back north and involve themselves in Mount Bianyan...
"Inscrutable... truly inscrutable!"
The old man sighed and lamented for a while before sitting to the side in some bewilderment. Li Quantao looked at the two of them and said in a heavy voice, "Dongning Palace... was once one of the cave abodes of the cultivators of the State of Ning. Ning was the homeland of Real Person Donghua, Li Jiangqun, and Ning's Jiajiang Li clan was of Golden Core lineage. How much could they have left behind? Add to that the Wanling Sect and the King of Ning, and it must be intensely tempting."
Yu Yuwei thought far deeper than that, but their acquaintance was too shallow for him to confide in Li Quantao. He simply gave a faint nod and murmured, "I received news yesterday that my nephew Yu Fuyu died. No one in the family is willing to collect his remains, so I must make the trip myself."
The Yu family feuded like bitter enemies. When Yu Yuwei mentioned his nephew's death, his face remained entirely devoid of emotion; he merely drooped his eyelids, exchanged a few parting courtesies, stored the cauldron into his robe, and took to the wind to depart.
Once the old man left the courtyard, Li Quantao stepped forward and whispered, "Brother Zhi... the members of the Yu family are mostly selfish and cruel. Although Yu Yuwei is getting on in years, there is no telling what he might do... You must remain on your guard."
Seeing Li Xizhi look his way, Li Quantao assumed a solemn expression and continued, "Brother Zhi, do you still know of what happened with Murong Xia? Your noble clan should have records of it... The Yu family made no attempt to conceal it, brazenly scouring the land for mortals and driving them with dharmic power to build several corpse pyramids, erecting a grand hall for Murong Xia to feast on people day and night.
"Though every clan suffered under Murong Xia, and everyone understood the Yu family had little choice... to do so with smiling faces, disdaining even to hide it, and groveling beneath Murong Xia from beginning to end..."
Li Quantao shook his head and said grimly, "It was truly beneath contempt!"
Li Xizhi was well aware of that history and nodded slightly. Li Quantao continued, "What's more... Yu Yuxie's death is inextricably tied to Yu Yuwei as well. Rumor has it that he was deliberately harmed in a clan feud. How could one trust a person who could even bring about the death of his own blood brother?"
*Yu Yuxie was clearly refined into an elixir by Chi Wei for his cultivation...*
Li Xizhi controlled his expression, though he could not speak of this openly. He merely replied, "Thank you for the reminder, worthy brother."
As the two were speaking, a figure approached from below, bowing low while presenting an azure token with both hands. The man said with utter deference, "My lords, an immortal decree from the supreme sect."
The Qingchi Sect possessed numerous ways to deliver orders. Had a Foundation Establishment cultivator arrived bearing the token, it would have been considerably more solemn. To send only a simple token now without dispatching an envoy showed their displeasure.
Li Xizhi stood up, smoothed his sleeves, and received it with the prescribed hand seals. Channeling dharmic power into it, he caused it to emit an azure glow, which projected a concise directive:
"Li Xizhi of Changtian Peak is to resume guarding Baixiang Valley within three days and heed all deployments."
***
Yanshan Pass.
Mist drifted hazily over Yanshan Pass. A black-robed cultivator descended on the wind, and the cultivators below hurriedly offered their greetings. Li Wushao had always worn a stern face; saying little, he kept his head down and rode the wind forward.
As soon as he set foot on the ground, he spotted a burly artificer clad in red robes, hung with a clattering array of iron implements, looking down from the pass walls. It was Chu Minglian.
Chu Minglian had spent most of this recent period forging artifacts within the pass. Having ties to the Li family and possessing an open and generous demeanor, he had already become well acquainted with everyone.
Catching sight of Li Wushao, Chu Minglian looked over with keen interest and asked, "Fellow Daoist Wushao... why haven't I seen you running over to Lingu Lanying's place lately? You returned so quickly today..."
Stationed not far from Yanshan Pass was Lingu Lanying of the Lingu family. This female cultivator's mount was a white hook snake. Li Wushao, claiming he had not seen his own kind in years and merely wished to visit, had frequently flown in that direction.
Everyone was well aware of what was going on, yet none teased him openly. Privately, their curiosity burned, and they constantly fished for gossip. However, Li Wushao was tight-lipped, giving away nothing, which only piqued everyone's interest further.
With a sullen face, Li Wushao merely replied, "Greetings, Master... It is just that demonic cultivators have been running rampant lately. Fearing I might fail my orders, I shouldn't leave the formation."
Having said this, Li Wushao floated away on the wind. Chu Minglian looked on, thoroughly baffled. After making a round along the pass walls, another woman flew up before the grand formation.
This woman had delicate features and Foundation Establishment mid-stage cultivation. Clad in a light jade-green Daoist robe shimmering with radiant light, she was clearly adorned in no ordinary garb. Her black hair cascaded behind her like a waterfall, pinned with several decorative hairpins, looking exceptionally graceful.
She offered a polite bow and said gently, "I am Lingu Lanying of the Lingu family of Jiachuan... I seek an audience with Fellow Daoist Qinghong."
"So you are a Fellow Daoist of the Jiachuan Lingu family. I am Chu Minglian."
Chu Minglian was only here to refine artifacts and had no magical implement to open the grand formation. He waved his hand in polite excuse, exchanged a few glances with Lingu Lanying, and tactfully took his leave.
Lingu Lanying was in no hurry, quietly waiting before the formation. After a dozen breaths, someone stepped forward—a radiant, dignified female cultivator who said deferentially, "Li Minggong of Qingdu greets Senior."
Such a demeanor was very endearing. Lingu Lanying smiled faintly and followed her into the formation. Passing through several walls, she soon arrived before a small hill. The furnishings on the hill were simple and austere, with nothing extravagant.
Entering the cave abode, she immediately saw a white-robed woman reading a jade slip beside a table. On the hall dais lay a silver spear, from which white lightning leaped out from time to time, crackling in faint bursts.
*This must be the lightning cultivator, Li Qinghong...*
"Lingu Lanying greets Fellow Daoist!"
As Lingu Lanying took her in, Li Qinghong appraised her as well. Smiling, Li Qinghong stepped down from the dais and said cordially, "Wushao has imposed on you quite a bit recently. I apologize for the trouble!"
Hearing this, Lingu Lanying's expression stiffened slightly in awkwardness, though she smiled and replied, "It is no trouble at all. It gives my Gu'er some company."
From her tone, Gu'er was the white snake's name. A vague premonition stirred in Li Qinghong's heart, and she pondered silently: *What business could Lingu Lanying have with me? Nine times out of ten, it concerns Li Wushao and that Gu'er...*
After exchanging polite pleasantries, Lingu Lanying indeed said, "In recent years, your noble clan's Wushao and my Gu'er have grown quite close... I have seen him many times. Not only is he sharp-witted, his strength is also rather formidable. My Gu'er is young, after all, and through their interactions, she has learned much and benefited greatly."
Li Qinghong smiled, nodded, and said softly, "Fellow Daoist, what is your meaning...?"
Lingu Lanying gave an awkward smile, softening her tone. "If this matter could be brought to fruition, it would naturally be wonderful... Our families forged ties in earlier years, and I hold great admiration for Senior...
"Gu'er spoke with me several times. She was very hesitant, saying Wushao is capable, the Li family is a first-rate clan, and Li Wushao cares for her deeply. She hesitated for a long time..."
Hearing this, Li Qinghong sensed something was amiss. Her smile vanished, replaced by a grave silence. Lingu Lanying murmured, "Yet the child is still young, and in the end, she made up her mind that this cannot be... Her lineage has always practiced Lushui from generation to generation, and she has always longed for a husband who cultivates Lushui. Wushao, however, cultivates Fushui..."
Lingu Lanying spoke tactfully, but Li Qinghong knew plenty. She understood at once:
*What Lushui and Fushui! She simply looks down on Li Wushao's impure hook snake bloodline!*
Hook snakes were descendants of the Lushui Feathered Serpent, so Lushui was naturally the purest and most noble lineage. Li Qinghong had seen Gu'er before; not only was she a full size larger than ordinary hook snakes, her scales were fine, lustrous, and remarkably elegant.
Those of Heshui and Kanshui were lesser, mostly descending from subordinates of the Feathered Serpent. Among the various hook snake clans, none practiced Fushui, making Fushui naturally the lowest of all.
Li Wushao had been destitute before meeting Li Yuanjiao, his strength so meager that he had fled into the Salt Lake, which was largely tied to this bloodline.
Now that this was brought up, Li Qinghong's heart chilled at once. Having spent so much time together, the cultivators had long viewed Li Wushao as one of their own, and an unpleasant knot formed in her chest.
Lingu Lanying had not deceived her and had voiced the matter tactfully, feeling bitter inside. She looked at Li Qinghong, and seeing her stone-faced, had no choice but to explain, "My visit carries no contempt whatsoever. I merely came to speak with Senior in person... I have brought gifts of apology, hoping Senior might understand."
With matters coming to this point, Lingu Lanying had a terrible headache. The hook snake Gu'er was the only daughter of a veteran snake in the clan who possessed both immense prestige and strength; even Lingu Lanying had to show her considerable deference.
When she first heard about the two snakes, she had been excited for a couple of days. The Li family was currently in the ascendant, and forging ties with them was something Lingu Lanying could only wish for. Yet no matter how pleased she was with the match, it was ultimately not her decision alone. How could she force Gu'er to yield?
Lingu Lanying felt somewhat lost within the cave abode. Li Qinghong could see the woman's predicament, and the irritation in her chest subsided somewhat. Sighing softly, she replied, "This was merely a matter of mutual willingness to begin with; what need is there for gifts of apology? Please take them back, Fellow Daoist."
Having such an awkward matter thrust upon her out of nowhere, Li Qinghong had little desire to entertain her further. The Lingu family was one of the foremost clans, and having offered ample face, she could hardly berate her.
Li Qinghong exchanged a few perfunctory words, and seeing her displeasure, Lingu Lanying promptly took her leave. Just as Li Qinghong was about to summon Li Wushao, Li Minggong hurried over and said respectfully, "Aunt, Artificer Chu has finished crafting the feather robe!"
This feather robe was naturally refashioned from the brocade robe seized from the demonic cultivator years ago. Originally belonging to the Wanling Supreme Sect, Chu Minglian had been delighted by the find and spent a long time modifying it, incorporating every fine material he could gather. After expending immense effort, it was finally complete.
"Oh?"
Finally receiving some better news, Li Qinghong's eyes brightened. She stepped out of the cave abode with Li Minggong, only to run into Li Wushao and Kongheng waiting outside.
Kongheng's cultivation had grown increasingly refined, and his complexion looked luminous, while Li Wushao stood quietly to the side. With so many people around, Li Qinghong could hardly speak with him in detail, saying only in a gentle voice, "Let us inspect the feather robe first."
Yanshan Pass had once been the seat of a minor sect, possessing a fire vein on the mountain. Riding the wind, the group descended by the artifact furnace, where Chu Minglian stood waiting.
A broad smile covered his open face. Cupping his hands toward Li Qinghong, he waved his sleeve across the table, and a white feather robe instantly appeared.
The robe was adorned with exquisite white feathers, grand and elegant. Encircling the neck and shoulders was a collar of beautiful cyan-blue plumes radiating a soft, halo-like blue glow that drifted down along the white plumage. Cyan, blue, and white interwove like fine jade.
The shifting phantom colors floating over the robe made it difficult for anyone to look away. Chu Minglian wore a face full of pride, his gaze drifting over the feather robe with lingering reluctance.
"This feather robe originally belonged to the Wanling Supreme Sect, but after being modified by demonic cultivators, it was altered beyond recognition. I stripped away those ostentatious decorations and altered numerous details, so it no longer resembles its past form.
"I also revised many of the ancient designs. After all, the True Monarchs and golden natures differ, and many things are no longer what they once were."
He laughed heartily, exuding confidence. "What is more, now that True Monarch Yuzhen Liujiu Hexu has attained the fruition status, I meticulously altered the formations and incantations. Its power is greater than before, offering even stronger support to its master."
Chu Minglian said solemnly, "Though I cannot compare to the Tang Shecheng of those years, this feather robe possesses an exceptional foundation. In its current state, it is by no means inferior to the core lineage dharmic robes of Qingchi or Jinyu!"
This feather robe was naturally not of the same caliber as that [Xiayou], yet merely resting on the table, it exuded a breathtaking presence. Li Qinghong gently picked it up, her face filled with delight.
"Setting aside its protective powers, it can easily withstand casual attacks from ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators. If Qinghong pays attention and channels dharmic power across its surface, it can reach an even higher tier."
Chu Minglian explained, "First is [Yuqing]. The feather robe itself possesses techniques left behind by the Wanling Sect of old. Those demonic cultivators did not know how to employ them, leaving them buried for years. By infusing dharmic power into these thirty-two primary plumes, it can unleash an azure light, sending you soaring like a bird into the blue sky, swift as thunder and lightning, immensely useful for taking to the heavens or plunging into the seas.
"Second is [Serene Cold]. Cold gold, ice jade, and other materials have been added to this robe. Once Qinghong dons it, it immediately produces a heart-calming icy effect, working wonders whether in cultivation or amidst combat illusions!"
As he reached this point, Li Qinghong was already unable to put it down. She cradled the feather robe in her hands; the three colors of cyan, blue, and white flowed through her palms, drifting along her fair wrists. Chu Minglian laughed and said, "I designed this robe with great care, adding an art known as [Decreed Plumes]. It allows all thirty-two cyan plumes along the robe's edges to be launched simultaneously, each trailing flowing light like an arrow, exceptionally effective against vast numbers of enemies."
"Thank you, Senior!"
Li Qinghong smiled softly. Chu Minglian nodded, his broad face brimming with pride, and asked, "I can only be said to have modified this feather robe, yet it is the finest piece to ever come from my hands. Have you thought of a name for it, Qinghong?"
Li Qinghong gave a slight nod. Looking at the colors flowing in her grasp and the cyan plumes fluttering gently in the wind, she pondered for a moment before replying:
"Let it be called [Queqingling]!"
Chapter 563