Chapter 173: Preparation for the Sacrifice

Li Xuanling set down his jade chopsticks, a trace of despondency on his face. After a long pause, he said, "What else can be done? Yuanyun is in the same predicament as Sister Jing Tain. If he wants to stay on the mountain and study, let him. Could we possibly make him go down the mountain? That would only hurt the child even more."

Lu Wanrong sighed softly and gently said, "It's best if Sister is willing to teach him. I had originally thought of letting him go down the mountain to find some mundane tasks to manage. Distracting himself would prevent him from feeling depressed, and over time, his heart would settle."

Having seen many clan relatives without spiritual apertures during her childhood in the Lu family, Lu Wanrong was experienced in how such individuals found their way. She had come with this very suggestion, but since being with Li Jing Tain was naturally better than going down the mountain, she said no more on that subject. Changing the topic, she said, "Qinghong is fond of spear techniques, but we don't have any spear masters in the family. Now that she has broken through to the second layer of Fetal Breath, those ordinary spear dancers down the mountain are no match for her. Husband, could you think of a way to find a good teacher for her?"

"I've noted that. I'll ask Father when I have a chance." Li Xuanling nodded in agreement. As the couple shared a tender moment, the stone door beside them hummed softly, emitting a harsh grinding sound and shedding some stone fragments. A young man carrying a golden longbow emerged, stepping out sideways. Seeing them, he raised an eyebrow and greeted, "Brother Ling, Sister-in-law."

"Greetings, Elder Brother." Both rose and acknowledged him. Li Xuanfeng nodded, his expression appearing quite relaxed as he replied, "I have already broken through to the fourth layer of Qi Condensation. With the day of the sacrifice approaching, I decided to come out for some fresh air."

Li Xuanling, seeing him, breathed a sigh of relief and said with a sense of relief, "We still haven't secured the demonic beasts for the sacrifice. Father is in seclusion for his breakthrough, so we can't disturb him. It's perfect timing that you've come out, Elder Brother. Yuanxiu has been looking for me several times; he was about to knock on your door."

Li Xuanfeng placed his Golden Geng longbow down, immediately stirring up a gust of air on the ground. He sat beside the table with Li Xuanling, listening as he recounted all the events of the past few years. Only then did he reply, "Fortunately, all is well. Once Shamo Li cultivates to Qi Condensation, there will be no need to trouble Second Uncle. With just me and my bow, none of the Qi Condensation cultivators from the Shanyue will escape."

Li Xuanling smiled and nodded, then reminded him, "We still haven't obtained the miscellaneous Qi for Shamo Li. I've already asked Donghe to keep an eye out for it. Since I haven't broken through to Qi Condensation, I don't know if it will be enough time."

"No worries," Li Xuanfeng nodded and replied. "Now that I'm out of seclusion, I can collect the Qi when there's a thunderstorm with dark clouds. After all, it's just miscellaneous Qi; it won't take much effort."

After he spoke, Lu Wanrong, who was standing by, had already prepared tea and set out jade cups for them. Li Xuanfeng took a sip and smiled, asking, "How is Yuanxiu managing the household?"

Li Xuanling set down his jade cup, his face filled with satisfaction. He whispered, "His methods are brilliant. He moves all the clans around effortlessly, and even the elders who troubled Brother Xuanxuan have personally come to me, speaking highly of him. He uses both gentle and firm approaches, cares for the clan, fostering closer ties between major and minor branches. He sows discord and fuels competition, causing the long-standing subtle understanding among various outside cultivators to collapse overnight, making them compete with each other... This child manages the household exceptionally well, even surpassing us!"

Li Xuanfeng had not expected Li Xuanling to praise Li Yuanxiu so highly. He paused for a moment in surprise, then slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "Really? That child was so quiet when he was young! I never imagined he had such abilities!"

Li Xuanling also smiled broadly when speaking of Li Yuanxiu. He chuckled and said, "Xiu'er possesses hidden talents; at first glance, one might not see his extraordinary qualities, leading people to be careless, only to suddenly find themselves caught in his schemes. Jiao'er, on the other hand, is clearly a brave and decisive person. Neither of these brothers should be underestimated!"

"Hahahahaha!" Li Xuanling and Li Xuanfeng, not having seen each other for many years, chatted enthusiastically for a while. After a few moments of thought, Li Xuanfeng picked up his longbow and said with a smile, "I'll go and resolve the matter of the sacrificial offerings. Catching some demonic beasts earlier means we won't be too rushed."

With that, he bid them farewell and rode the wind out of the cave dwelling, flying towards the mountains. Lu Wanrong watched Li Xuanfeng disappear into the distance and whispered, "Elder Brother is almost thirty now and still hasn't married or had an heir. That is quite a concern."

Lu Wanrong had only met Li Xuanfeng a few times and exchanged a few words with him. She didn't feel particularly close to her husband's elder brother and, deep down, didn't really consider his marital status a pressing matter. In fact, she was vaguely relieved, as more children in the family would mean less attention for Qinghong. However, as his sister-in-law, it was only proper to voice such a concern.

"Indeed," Li Xuanling, who had a good relationship with Li Xuanfeng, nodded solemnly, taking the matter to heart. "It's just that incident was a great blow to Elder Brother; he likely has no mind for such things. We can't persuade him; Father will have to speak with him."

Li Xuanfeng ascended on the wind, following the route Li Tongya had taken him years ago when ambushing the two from Changxiao Sect. He flew for the time it takes an incense stick to burn, then landed beneath a large banyan tree with white leaves.

A large fox was busily digging at the tree roots, making a clinking sound. All around, foxes of various colors hopped and bounced. They weren't afraid of Li Xuanfeng and wagged their tails, sniffing around his feet.

"Junior Li Xuanfeng greets Senior." Li Xuanfeng cupped his hands. The fox, seeing this, paused, then quickly said, "Where's Li Tongya? Why are you here? He hasn't died outside, has he...?"

"My elder is in seclusion for a breakthrough, which is why I've come," Li Xuanfeng replied. The fox stood on its hind legs and squeaked, "But a breakthrough to Foundation Establishment is still a near-death experience..."

"Second Uncle is currently at the eighth layer of Qi Condensation; his seclusion is not for a Foundation Establishment breakthrough," Li Xuanfeng clarified. Hearing this, the fox finally calmed down and exclaimed, "Human cultivation is truly fast! Breaking through a layer in just two or three years. You'll far surpass me now."

Glancing at Li Xuanfeng, the fox said mysteriously, "I heard from a great demon in my clan that the old one in the Western Shanyue is nearing the end of his lifespan. Do you know about this? Your family lives next to the Shanyue, so you should prepare yourselves!"

Li Xuanfeng saw how concerned the fox was for Li Tongya earlier, and now its hurried warning to the Li family immediately garnered much goodwill from him. He mused, "It's rather amusing; the demonic beasts in this world seem far more sincere than humans..."

Pondering this, Li Xuanfeng replied, "Thank you for the warning, Senior. My family already knows."

"Good that you know!" The fox snorted angrily, as if its desire to share had not been fully satisfied by Li Xuanfeng's lack of great surprise. It flopped onto the ground and asked, "What did you come here for?"

"Xuanfeng wishes to capture two demonic beasts. Could Senior please provide some information?"

"Oh." The fox took the spirit rice Li Xuanfeng offered, grinned, and informed him of the locations of several demonic beasts. It watched him ride away on the wind, wagging its tail, then shoved a handful of spirit rice into its mouth and squeaked, "What a fine golden bow."

Li Xuanfeng flew on the wind for half an hour. Before him appeared a small, cloud-shrouded hill, covered with continuous fruit orchards. Herds of deer and horned horses moved among them. Li Xuanfeng observed for a while but saw no demonic beasts.

"That fox said there was a pack of hyenas here, including two at the Qi Condensation level, but I haven't seen any, not even a trace of demonic Qi. They're truly well hidden." Li Xuanfeng observed for a while and finally spotted a gray hyena on a large bluestone. It was at the third layer of Fetal Breath cultivation, with thick hind legs and short, weak front legs. It sat on the stone like a child, watching the deer herd below, its shoulders high and its hindquarters low. At first glance, one might have thought it was a child wearing a gray sweater. "Is it... herding?"