Chapter 135: Dense Forest County

Blood flowed for a while on the Forbidden Array. Below, the island in the lake, enveloped by the formation, was scorched earth. When the magical light finally dispersed, a cowering middle-aged man was revealed, lying with his head in his hands, eyes closed and trembling.

A large, bloody gash marred the middle-aged man's waist, dripping blood. After a long pause, he slowly opened his eyes, staring blankly around him, then raised his head in disbelief.

With an ecstatic grin, the middle-aged man hastily tended to his wound. He then rummaged through the ruins for a while, but his face grew increasingly pale from blood loss. He eventually emerged, having wrapped some talismans and magical artifacts in his clothes. The cultivators on the shore grumbled as they took the bundle, cursing:

"Damn it, these bumpkins are craftier than the last. If we weren't afraid the next lot wouldn't cooperate after entering the array, why would we even bother giving them gold?"

With that, he tossed down a bag of gold and hauled the man onto a small, empty boat meant for two or three people, shouting loudly:

"Number twenty-one, take him away!"

The small boat, carrying two or three 'lucky' individuals with broken limbs, drifted away. In the several small boats trailing the main ship, people craned their necks, eagerly awaiting orders from the large vessel.

Li Tongya was observing the varied activities on the lake island. After waiting a bit longer, a gaunt old man, holding a jade Ruyi scepter, flew towards them on the wind from the east. It was Lu Sisi.

"Brother Tongya!"

Lu Sisi cupped his hands in greeting. Standing in the air alongside Li Tongya, he said, puzzled:

"The Yu family said they wanted to meet on this lake island, but I don't see any Yu family members. I've been watching from afar for a while and only saw a few patriarchs of minor clans waiting in the sky. What does this mean?"

Li Tongya chuckled softly, glanced around, and then pointed towards the large ship in the distance, saying with a smile:

"Nothing much. They're just making an example of someone."

Lu Sisi stared at the large ship for a moment. A look of sudden understanding crossed his face, and he chuckled gleefully, replying:

"I see! This old man understands! We, too, have found these rogue cultivators quite an eyesore. However, with several Qi Condensation cultivators on that ship, none of our families wanted to cause trouble, which is why they've been allowed to roam free for so long."

As the two chatted briefly, the large ship in the distance suddenly raised its sails and went on alert. A chorus of shouts erupted from it as several figures emerged from its sides, standing in mid-air. They surrounded the ship on all four sides. Directly above stood a black-clad middle-aged man, hands clasped behind his back, exuding a powerful aura.

"Nine Qi Condensation cultivators. The Yu family's foundation is truly solid."

Lu Sisi counted them, then looked up at the black-clad man and said, somewhat disheartened:

"This must be Yu Xiaogui, the current patriarch of the Yu family. He's now a Foundation Establishment cultivator. He achieved Qi Condensation in the same year as I did. I had dealings with him back then; he's cunning and ruthless, not easy to deal with."

"Oh?"

Li Tongya flew alongside him for a while as they approached the large ship, and Lu Sisi rambled on:

"Yu Xiaogui was the leader of the Yu Family's Five Elites back then. Later, two of the Five Elites died prematurely. The remaining three all reached peak Qi Condensation and went into seclusion to attempt breakthroughs. Only he survived."

Yu Xiaogui and the others stood in the air for a moment. On the large ship below, everyone was in disarray, panic-stricken, and fearing for their lives. An elderly rogue cultivator flew up, looking distraught. He cupped his hands towards Yu Xiaogui, then slapped his own face twice, his expression full of fawning flattery as he repeatedly said:

"Ah! Junior has met Patriarch Yu. We are foolish and unaware of the rules on this lake. Our sailing has truly disturbed you all. Junior deeply apologizes and is willing to compensate you for any losses! Patriarch Yu!"

This old man was also at peak Qi Condensation cultivation. His true essence seemed relatively pure, suggesting he hadn't ingested impure qi, but his cultivation wasn't particularly refined either. He was much older than Yu Xiaogui, yet he fawningly addressed him as "senior."

Yu Xiaogui's expression was amiable. He took a step forward, and as he raised his hand, his sleeve slipped, revealing an arm as smooth as jade. With just a gentle wave, the old man's head, several yards away, instantly exploded like a watermelon. He fell straight down without even a groan, landing on the ship below and eliciting a chorus of screams.

The Yu family's Qi Condensation cultivators immediately swarmed forward. The formations carved into the ship glowed brightly, and cultivators were fighting everywhere. The lake water surged unpredictably, with residual magical energy periodically exploding on the surface. The few 'lucky' individuals who had just set off hadn't gotten far before their small boat instantly capsized in the turbulent waves. The injured and disabled individuals sank into the river without a sound, perishing instantly.

"Just as always! Just as always! This is Yu Xiaogui's style."

Lu Sisi shook his head with a sigh. Seeing Yu Xiaogui standing with his hands clasped behind his back, still appearing like a middle-aged man, while he himself was already full of white hair and had little time left, he suddenly found himself speechless.

Li Tongya, meanwhile, stroked his chin and observed the figures. He noted that when they appeared, they were only a few yards from the ship's cabin, having long since entered the cultivators' spiritual perception range. He mused to himself:

"The Yu family probably possesses some magical artifact for concealing their presence. Its range must be quite large, allowing them to remain hidden until they were close to the ship, thus preventing these rogue cultivators from escaping in fright."

As they spoke, the ship was already a scene of carnage. All the small boats trailing behind had capsized. Hundreds of mortals clung to the hull of the large ship, while many more had no choice but to swim towards the lake island. However, they knew nothing of formations and didn't know where to land safely, which naturally made the scene even more bloody and unbearable to witness.

Before long, the rogue cultivators' large ship rumbled and capsized. A larger, more luxurious ship slowly approached from behind Yu Xiaogui and the others. Yu family cultivators, some still bearing bloodstains, landed on the new ship. Only then did Yu Xiaogui look up, smile, and channel his spiritual power, his voice echoing across the lake:

"Esteemed Patriarchs, please come aboard the ship for a discussion!"

A full dozen breaths passed before people began landing on the ship, approaching from afar. They appeared to be the Yu family's supporters, chatting and smiling.

Lu Sisi and Li Tongya landed on the ship. Their spiritual senses swept across the deck, revealing everything clearly: two rows of stone tables were already set up, and Yu Xiaogui sat at the head, sipping wine from a cup.

Young Master Yu Mugao came forward early to greet them. He cupped his hands towards Li Tongya, completely ignoring Lu Sisi beside him, and said with a smile:

"Senior Tongya, you arrived early, but we kept you waiting!"

"Not at all, not at all," Li Tongya replied politely. "Rather, it allowed me to truly witness the esteemed demeanor of your family's patriarch!"

Li Tongya responded politely. Yu Xiaogui, at the head table, immediately looked up, put down his wine cup, and narrowed his eyes, staring at him, his thoughts unreadable.

After they exchanged a few pleasantries, all the families had arrived. On the lake, only two families possessed Foundation Establishment cultivators: the Yu family from the East Shore and the Fei family from the North Shore. The Li family's seat was arranged beside Yu Xiaogui, directly opposite the Fei family—a rather prominent position. Li Tongya frowned, and seeing Yu Xiaogui staring at him, he had no choice but to take his seat.

The Fei family patriarch opposite him was also a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Dressed in brocade robes, he appeared refined and elegant, looking much younger than Yu Xiaogui. He offered Li Tongya a slight smile. Li Tongya merely met his gaze, and seeing the hopeful expression on his face, he nodded slightly. Both men understood each other implicitly.

Seeing that everyone below him was present, Yu Xiaogui nodded, stood up with a smile, and announced loudly:

"Your timely arrival is a show of respect to my Yu family. Xiaogui thanks you all."

The families below quickly rose, humbly saying they wouldn't dare take such credit. Yu Xiaogui waved his hand, cutting off their words, and continued on his own:

"Since the Immortal Manor secluded itself from the world, Moonlit Lake has been divided between the Azure Pond Sect and the Golden Hammer Gate. Their constant friction has never allowed a single day of peace on the lake. Major and minor families have risen and fallen over the past three hundred years. Surely, you've all had enough of these chaotic days."

Lu Sisi, seated below, was momentarily stunned. He cursed inwardly:

"Everyone else is living comfortably; who wants the Yu family to lord over them? Though he certainly puts it nicely."

Aloud, however, he respectfully replied:

"Patriarch Yu speaks wisely!"

"Indeed."

Yu Xiaogui nodded. He glanced at Li Tongya, who remained silent beside him, then turned to look at the brocade-clad middle-aged man who was staring at his wine cup as if trying to find patterns in it, and smiled:

"Fortunately, the Golden Hammer Gate has retreated, and the Azure Pond Sect has advanced north. The entire Moonlit Lake finally has a unified allegiance. These troubled days are finally over."

"My son has become a disciple of Yuanwu Peak, and he pleaded with the peak master to report to the main sect, requesting that the entire Moonlit Lake be designated as a single jurisdiction, separate from Lixia Commandery. My Yu family's twelve towns will be established as a commandery, named Misty Forest Commandery. From now on, fellow cultivators will no longer need to travel to Lixia Commandery to pay tribute; you can simply pay it here in my Misty Forest Commandery!"