Funan.
The people on the main mountain of Funan seemed far fewer than before. A young man clad in black robes beneath silver armor stood at the summit. At his waist hung six archaic silver tokens, and his spear was planted in the ground, occasional sparks of lightning crackling along its length.
Soon, a woman in red palace attire ascended from below, holding a hexagonal lantern whose flame flickered like soft down. The young man looked up with a trace of exhaustion, set aside the thin sheet of paper in his hand, and spoke:
"Eldest Sister, you've arrived... Has Situ Mo come? What did Weizeng say?"
"No."
Li Minggong shook her head, her expression clouded with greater anxiety as she spoke softly, "There's no need to worry about Weizeng. Taking him into the family back then truly was a brilliant move. He has become someone capable of holding his own ground, steadfast and completely loyal. With him watching the front while the two of us hold the rear, Situ Mo won't make a move rashly. I came this time because I received word from home..."
She handed the letter to Li Chengkun. The young man read it steadily, slightly surprised, and responded:
"Fu Xie was killed..."
The two exchanged glances. Li Minggong barred the palace doors and whispered, "Regardless of whether this was one of the young masters' schemes to diminish Xuanyue's prestige and favor, the matter is harmless in the end. What truly matters is Chijiao Island. Guo Hongjian showing himself is a grave affair."
Li Chengkun read the letter through twice before replying, "Jiangqian is ruthless and decisive, his methods rather vicious. He is prepared to sacrifice Xuanyue if needed. Though Jiangxia has a bit of pride, he prefers open and honorable methods and feels compassion for the common people. This arrangement is just right as it stands; there's no need to change it. As for Chijiao Island... let Guo Hongjian do as he pleases. That fellow might not look very clever, but in truth, he acts entirely on Ye Gui's instructions. All we can do is wait."
Li Chengkun pondered for a moment, puzzled. "Yet Duxian Dao has been far too polite to our family... Ever since they took the mountain gate, they don't seem very keen on pursuing their feud with Xuanyue and Kong Haiying either. Otherwise, why would there still be no reaction even to this day?"
Just as Li Minggong was about to reply, silence suddenly descended outside the hall. The grand formation swayed slightly, and the tightly shut palace doors began to shudder violently, as though driven by some unseen power.
*Creak...*
The palace doors swung open naturally from inside out. A draft of cold air immediately blew in from outside, striking Li Chengkun with a bone-chilling frost. He shot up from the high seat, his heart sinking.
*A Violet Palace!*
To a Violet Palace cultivator, the formation on the mountain was virtually nonexistent. The fact that this Violet Palace figure had bothered to push open the door before entering the hall already seemed remarkably courteous. Whoever had arrived, neither of them had the standing to remain on their feet. Stepping aside, they bowed low in greeting. Li Minggong spoke respectfully:
"We know not which Real Person honors us with their presence. The juniors of the Li clan respectfully welcome you..."
Sure enough, a figure in plain brown cloth robes materialized before them, faintly radiating a profound, divine light. Neither dared lift their heads as Li Minggong greeted respectfully:
"Greetings, Real Person."
The Real Person's tone was relatively amiable, speaking in a drawn-out, heavy, resonant voice:
"No need for formalities! I am Sumian, master of Xuanmiao Temple. Having searched the seas several times without finding any sign of the Real Person, I came here to question the two of you."
The two hurriedly ushered him to the high seat and stood respectfully to the side. Only then did they catch sight of the Real Person's true appearance: Sumian dressed like a lay practitioner, appearing middle-aged without visible signs of senescence, though his voice was deep:
"Rumors are flying everywhere right now, making it rather inconvenient to visit the lake. Seeing the two of you here, I turned aside to ask... has Fellow Daoist Zhaojing returned?"
Li Minggong hesitated immediately. In the presence of a Real Person, she could not exchange looks with her brother. Yet after only that brief hesitation, Sumian sighed and said:
"No need to hide it. The sea is in chaos, and I have heard the news—he was pursued by Changxiao. I am only asking after his whereabouts. Even a shred of news would spare the two of us from fretting in suspense."
Li Chengkun could not confer with his sister, and could only listen as Li Minggong replied with deep worry:
"Reporting to Real Person: we have not returned to the lake for several days, but from start to finish, we have never received word that the lord returned to the lake... We know not how he is faring."
Sumian appraised Li Minggong, as if discerning the truth of her words. After a good while, he asked with suspicion:
"Then where is Li Zhouwei! Things are in such turmoil, yet he has not stepped forward to stabilize the situation! Must he wait until Duxian Dao attacks? Without him out here presiding, how can a mere handful of you withstand their schemes!"
Faced with Sumian's questioning, Li Minggong felt somewhat embarrassed and could only reply:
"The clan head has entered secluded cultivation..."
Sumian flicked his sleeve, appearing rather impatient, and snapped:
"Of all times to enter secluded cultivation, he chose this moment! That lake of yours possesses no concentration of spiritual essence either; who knows if it might take him even longer!"
Li Minggong paused, hesitating. "Indeed... the time needed for a Foundation Establishment breakthrough can be long or short, and this junior cannot say for certain... As direct descendants, we..."
"Enough!"
Without waiting for her to finish, Sumian cut her off with a wave of his sleeve and said:
"You two need only hold Funan; there is no need to worry about the Wilderness. I shall first go speak with Ye Gui and inquire into the details of the matter."
The two hurried to offer their thanks. When they rose from their bow, the Real Person before them had already vanished. Li Chengkun felt an uneasy restlessness; he had hesitated twice, but the question he wished to ask had remained unsaid.
Li Minggong's worries deepened. Pacing in hesitation within the hall, she remarked, "Real Person Sumian usually pays no mind to anything, yet in times of crisis, he actually shows..."
Her words broke off abruptly. Li Chengkun also looked up thoughtfully, noticing an inexplicable floral fragrance drifting through the air. A gentle breeze swept in from outside the courtyard, lingering unpredictably, before coalescing into another figure before the hall.
The woman was dressed in an autumn-fragrance yellow satin gown patterned with butterflies. Her features were delicate and lovely, her eyebrows slender, and two touches of cyan graced the corners of her eyes. The moment she appeared, she raised a hand to halt their movements and asked with a furrowed brow:
"Chengkun... Minggong... It's the two of you, right?"
The two understood that just as the previous Real Person had left, another had arrived in the hall. They had no choice but to step aside and bow respectfully:
"Greetings, Real Person."
The female Real Person frowned, her voice melodious and gentle:
"Rise... I am Real Person Tinglan of Ziyan Blessed Land... I have only come to ask you a question or two; there is no need for such formality."
She cast a brief glance over the furnishings in the hall and asked, "Has a Real Person with willow-leaf eyes, carrying a bright lantern, come looking for you?"
She paused for a brief moment, then amended, "Never mind... has *any* Real Person sought you out?"
Li Minggong answered respectfully, "Real Person Sumian was here just now..."
She recounted what had transpired earlier. The female Real Person before them took a step across the hall, sat upon the high seat, and remained silent.
This Real Person was exquisitely adorned. Sitting quietly upon the high seat, she looked as delicate and immaculate as a divine idol. Under the morning light, faint rings of multicolored radiance emanated from behind her head. Yet Tinglan's expression was far from pleasant; her eyes were even rather somber.
The Real Person in satin robes narrowed her eyes slightly, saying each word with measured emphasis:
"I have just come from Xuanmiao Temple. Old Real Person Qi remains in the temple and has not moved an inch."
Chapter 763