Chapter 114: The Catastrophe in the Market

Li Xuanfeng rode the wind back to the Li family and reported the situation at the mine to Li Tongya. Li Tongya nodded slightly and said in a deep voice, "In a few days, I will personally go to the mine to guard it. For now, you should prepare and go to Xuanxuan to get this year's tribute. Then, take a trip to the county and pay the tribute on behalf of our Li family."

Seeing Li Xuanfeng nod, Li Tongya took a storage bag from the stone table in front of him and handed it to him, instructing, "Inside the bag, besides five years' worth of tribute, there are 115 spirit stones and a portion of 'River Pure Qi' that our family has accumulated. This is almost ten years of our family's savings. Once you arrive at the Xiao family, seek out Xiao Yongling. The Xiao family has always been on good terms with ours, and I have some friendship with him. Ask him to find a formation master to set up a mountain-protecting formation for our family."

"If there are any spirit stones left over, go to the market and find a suitable magical artifact for yourself. You can also inquire extensively about the Black Crow Mine incident. It would be even better if you could find any news about your uncle. The Xiao family is vast and influential, and Xiao Yongling is a smart man; he won't embezzle our spirit stones."

"Yes!" Seeing Li Xuanfeng obediently nod, Li Tongya hesitated for a moment, then added, "Make sure to keep a low profile. Do not get into conflicts with others. If anything happens on the way, do not be greedy for spirit stones; prioritize your own safety above all else!"

Li Xuanfeng listened carefully to Li Tongya's words, nodded firmly, then bowed out and went to the courtyard to bid farewell to Li Xuanxuan and Li Xuanling.

After leaving Lijing Mountain, Li Xuanfeng rode the wind eastward along the Ancient Li Road. As he crossed the Lu family's territory, he faintly heard a soft rumble of thunder from the west. He tilted his head, listening for a while, but heard nothing further, so he continued eastward.

No sooner had Li Xuanfeng left Lijing Mountain than thunder roared across the sky. Li Tongya heard a loud buzzing in his ears, followed by a tremendous sonic boom.

"Who?!" Li Tongya opened his eyes, his expression startled. He quickly emerged from his cave dwelling to see the sky above Moon-Gazing Lake to the north ablaze with red. Several fire clouds gathered in the air, turning the entire lake surface into a sea of fire, and faint glows of magical artifacts appeared in the sky above.

"The island in the middle of the lake… it's the direction of Moon-Gazing Lake Market…" A massive, transparent protective shield instantly rose over the small island in the center of Moon-Gazing Lake. Li Tongya channeled his true essence and looked up, seeing over a dozen scattered figures in the sky.

"Our Moon-Gazing Lake Market has been established here for over two hundred years, with the permission of the Green Pond Sect. Have you gentlemen made sure you understand the situation?" Standing in the air, Li Tongya heard an aged voice reverberate over the lake, tinged with anger. It was clearly the master of the Moon-Gazing Lake Market.

"They say the master of this Moon-Gazing Lake Market is a Foundation Establishment cultivator. It seems those attacking the market must also be at least Foundation Establishment cultivators…" Li Tongya flew closer, about a hundred *li* away, and observed the market from afar. The large island in the center of Moon-Gazing Lake, where the market was located, had originally been hidden. Now under attack, the concealed island became visible, appearing lush with aquatic plants, and scattered with pavilions and terraces, like a celestial realm.

"Chen Taoping, there's no need to pretend anymore. You've been hiding on Moon-Gazing Lake for two hundred years. If not for a fortunate coincidence, we might never have caught you!"

Another calm voice spoke. Li Tongya listened for a moment, then his spiritual sense was stirred. He turned his head, his expression somewhat strange, and saw a figure flying from the west, covered in patterns, adorned with beast bones and jade. It was none other than Mu Jiaoman.

Mu Jiaoman, also drawn by the commotion, had flown up to investigate. Caught off guard by Li Tongya's gaze, he was instantly alarmed and found himself in a dilemma. From a distance, he awkwardly transmitted a message: "Brother Tongya…"

Seeing Mu Jiaoman ready to turn and flee at any moment, Li Tongya ignored him and focused his attention on the commotion in the lake.

The aged voice paused for a moment before replying: "Chen Taoping? Who is Chen Taoping? I am Zhang Cuotian. Fellow Daoists, do not be misled by others and offend an Immortal Sect for no reason."

Another voice let out a soft laugh and said coldly: "Stop stalling. The Green Pond Sect has already granted us permission. Today marks the death of you, the remnant of Lingyu Sect! We have borrowed the Thunder Breaking Formation Wedge; this formation won't protect you!" As he spoke, thunder roared in the sky, and fire rain and lightning rained down, causing the grand formation to flicker on and off, illuminating the entire lake surface, alternately white and fiery red. Many rogue cultivators had already gathered nearby, all gazing up in astonishment.

Li Tongya calculated the time; within the span of an incense stick burning, the grand formation collapsed with a thunderous crash. Various radiant lights filled the sky as the figures above clashed repeatedly, their sonic and energy waves causing turbulent surges in the lake.

"What a display of power! These individuals are likely all at the peak of Foundation Establishment, not far from the Purple Palace realm." As Li Tongya listened, he saw over a dozen figures, ignoring the aftermath of the battle, plunge headfirst into the shattered market without looking back, clearly harboring ill intentions.

"How tempting…" Li Tongya squinted, observing. Mu Jiaoman, at the other end, was already eager to act, his eyes filled with greed. He furtively glanced at Li Tongya, then gasped in shock: "Fifth level of Qi Condensation?! How is that possible!"

Mu Jiaoman remembered clearly that when he had fought Li Tongya a few years ago, Li Tongya was only at the third level of Qi Condensation. How could he have reached the fifth level in just two years?!

Hearing this, Li Tongya smiled and glanced at Mu Jiaoman, startling him so much that all the hair on his body stood on end. With a strange cry, he turned and fled without looking back, darting several hundred meters away in a flash, faint bloody light flickering around him, clearly having used a witchcraft spell.

Li Tongya withdrew his gaze and looked down at the vibrant interplay of lights from the clashing magical artifacts on the large island in the lake. He stroked his chin and murmured, "Entering personally is too dangerous. It's better to wait here for these people to deliver themselves to me." With that, he flew for a while, adjusted his position, and intently focused on the colorful lights within the market, waiting for those who had acquired treasures to flee.

"Chen Taoping! Where is the 'River Great Tomb Scripture'?!" The battle in the air grew fiercer. An elder in white robes, wielding a long spear, fought one against three, being repeatedly forced back by the individuals pressing him from the sides. Hearing the question, he gritted his teeth and replied, "This old man doesn't understand what you're talking about!"

"Still stubborn, even on the verge of death." One of the three Foundation Establishment cultivators responded with a cold laugh, and the magical artifact in his hand flared brightly, causing Chen Taoping to react slightly slower, almost losing an arm.

"The Lingyu Sect was destroyed, but its legacy cannot be allowed to spread! Once we capture you, we'll thoroughly investigate the whereabouts of the 'River Great Tomb Scripture'!" "Pah!" Chen Taoping spat vehemently, continuously parrying with his long spear, seething with rage as he cursed, "I don't want to avenge any sect's destruction! I only wish to spend the rest of my days on this lake, yet you won't even grant me that, insisting on wiping me out completely!"

The Foundation Establishment cultivator holding the magical artifact frowned and said in a deep voice, "When the Lingyu Sect was destroyed, the 'River Great Tomb Scripture' was lost among the sixty-one jade slips. This is a major matter! We've been pursuing it for over a hundred years, yet we haven't found a single clue. If not for that, we wouldn't want to press you so hard…"

"You… certainly plan well." Chen Taoping's face was filled with sorrow, having been driven to a dead end. His expression turned fierce as he roared, "If I had the 'River Great Tomb Scripture' in my hands, how could you possibly see Chen Taoping at the peak of Foundation Establishment? If I had cultivated to the Purple Palace realm, I could go anywhere in this world!"

The Foundation Establishment cultivator holding the magical artifact paused upon hearing this, but continued to rapidly activate his artifact. The golden light it emitted grew more intense and swiftly enveloped Chen Taoping, slowing his movements further. He replied, "We are simply following orders! We'll know once we capture and search you!"