Chapter 203: Peak of Qi Refinement

Li Qinghong, with a white ribbon tied on her forehead, ascended the mountain path. Her white robes flapped in the wind, and the wooden spear she once carried had been replaced by a long spear with a flexible waxwood shaft. Its tip gleamed coldly in the moonlight, and the red tassel danced lightly in the breeze.

"Father is still in seclusion. I wonder how he's doing now. The barrier from Fetal Breath to Qi Condensation isn't difficult; the main challenge is absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. So, there's probably no need to worry..."

Li Xuanling went into seclusion to break through to Qi Condensation before the new year and hasn't emerged since. This breakthrough phase is critical, and despite numerous events at home, no one had disturbed him.

Li Qinghong planted her spear and stopped. She was thirteen this year, and her cultivation had been at the third level of Fetal Breath for some time. It would take a while longer to accumulate enough to reach the fourth level. Her high compatibility with her talisman seed and natural talent made her the fastest among the younger generation.

"Grandfather wants me to find him on the mountain. I wonder why."

Li Qinghong first visited the grave, talking to Li Yuanxiu to herself for a while. Seeing that it was almost time, she then proceeded to the cave dwelling on Meichi Peak.

Meichi Peak had become one of the peaks of Lijing Mountain. It wasn't considered a prime location; it was suitable for sustaining Li Tongya, a ninth-level Qi Condensation cultivator, and Li Xuanfeng, a fifth-level Qi Condensation cultivator. More Qi Condensation cultivators would reduce the cultivation rate. Thus, Chen Donghe was sent to Huaqian Mountain, while Li Xuanxuan cultivated on Lijing Peak.

In fact, the cultivation environment on Huaqian Mountain was better than Meichi Peak, but its formations were weak, making it vulnerable. It was safest to have Chen Donghe, an outsider, stationed there.

"If Father achieves Qi Condensation, he'll probably go to the cave dwelling in the lake to cultivate. By then, we'll see even less of him..."

Li Qinghong pondered silently. The cave dwelling in the lake was, of course, the serpent demon's lair Li Tongya had discovered years ago. It was quite spacious, and over the past decade, the Li family had excavated many new chambers within it. However, with several factions now watching, frequent comings and goings might arouse suspicion. For this reason, none of them had cultivated in that dwelling.

As she thought this, the cave dwelling's door slowly opened. Li Qinghong peeked inside curiously. The interior was simple, even somewhat crude: a stone table, stone chairs, two stone shelves, and a small prayer mat. In the center sat a person with half-white hair and beard, reading a purple jade slip. A small cup of tea, with white steam rising, rested on the table.

Li Qinghong bowed deeply and respectfully said:

"Your granddaughter, Qinghong, greets Grandfather!"

Hearing her, Li Tongya looked up, placed the jade slip on the table. His cultivation was profound and solid, having already reached perfection.

In the past two years, he had resolved his inner demons, and his cultivation had become increasingly refined. He could now be considered at the peak of Qi Condensation, just a step away from Foundation Establishment, only needing that final breakthrough to form a spiritual foundation.

"With the Suiyuan Pill Jing'er brought back, I can now attempt to break through to Foundation Establishment."

As Li Tongya pondered, Li Qinghong quietly offered her congratulations:

"Congratulations, Grandfather, on another advancement in your cultivation."

Li Qinghong naturally couldn't discern much about his cultivation state. Li Xuanxuan had simply mentioned that the Old Ancestor's cultivation had progressed further when calling her up the mountain, instructing her to say something auspicious.

"Indeed."

Li Tongya nodded slightly. Qi Condensation originally had nine levels; there was no such thing as "peak Qi Condensation" or "Qi Condensation Grand Perfection" beyond the ninth level. However, Foundation Establishment was a matter of life and death, and many cultivators were stuck at the ninth level of Qi Condensation, unable to advance further. Without the inherited secret arts of the Three Sects and Seven Gates, over seventy percent of Qi Condensation cultivators couldn't even gauge their chances of breaking through to Foundation Establishment. How could they possibly dare to attempt it?

These individuals could only refine their cultivation day after day, trapped at the ninth level of Qi Condensation, waiting to die. Subordinates, to curry favor, would refer to them as "peak Qi Condensation." In major sects like the Green Pool Sect or Golden Feather Sect, only Foundation Establishment Peak and Purple Mansion Peak existed; Qi Condensation was merely a phase of refinement and accumulation, and there was never a concept of "peak Qi Condensation."

Li Tongya looked at the young girl, noting her well-proportioned features, bright and spirited eyes, and agile movements. Her tight grip on the long spear indicated frequent practice. He nodded gently and sighed:

"I never expected that among the Yuanqing generation, you, a girl, would be the fastest in cultivation progress. Jing Tian became pregnant last month; I wonder what her child's talent will be. As for Yuanping, whom Xuan'er brought up, I examined him and found his fetal qi insufficient, indicating a congenital deficiency. Cultivation will likely be difficult for him in the future. You will have to shoulder the responsibility here, teaching them diligently."

"Don't worry, Grandfather! That goes without saying!"

Li Qinghong replied crisply. Li Tongya hummed in acknowledgment and continued:

"I approved of your learning spear arts all those years ago. I have a high-grade magical artifact here, but its power is immense, and no one has been able to wield it. Once you reach Qi Condensation, you can take it and try it out. Since you're skilled in spear arts, it might be different for you."

"Thank you, Grandfather!"

Li Qinghong's eyes immediately lit up, wondering how magnificent a long spear that Li Tongya would call a high-grade magical artifact must be. She then lowered her gaze and hesitantly said:

"It's just that no one in our family knows this spear art, and I have nowhere to learn it. My spear skills have been stagnant for years, relying entirely on my own insights, which has been quite challenging..."

Li Tongya gently patted the girl's head and said warmly:

"Your father mentioned this to me. The Fei family by the lake is most skilled in spear arts. My purpose in calling you here is to secretly send you to the Fei family to find you a good master. Go and pack your bags."

"Ah!"

Li Qinghong was startled, feeling both joy and apprehension. Her mind raced with thoughts of the many changes this would entail. If she went to the Fei family, she would see less of her parents and family, which made her reluctant. Moreover, living under someone else's roof might lead to more trouble. She bit her lower lip and replied:

"Thank you, Grandfather. I leave everything to your arrangement."

Li Tongya nodded slightly, watching Li Qinghong descend the path. About half an hour later, she stood outside the cave dwelling with a wooden box on her back. Li Tongya stepped out of the dwelling, took her into the air, and, employing a concealment art, headed towards the north shore.

"Once at the Fei family, do not tell anyone you are a Li, except for Fei Wangbai."

Li Qinghong was excitedly observing Lijing Town below her, relishing the sensation of flying. Beside her, Li Tongya, deep in thought, spoke gravely:

"I will have you stay with the Fei family as a rogue cultivator. I've already discussed this with Fei Wangbai some days ago. Yu Mugao is vicious; if your identity is exposed, it will only lead to more trouble."

Li Qinghong nodded hesitantly, whispering:

"If it's too much trouble, you don't have to go through all this. I could just cultivate at home..."

Li Tongya shook his head and replied:

"The Fei family is far on the north shore, and Fei Wangbai manages his household strictly, so you'll actually be safer there than at the Li family. Yu Mugao, however, cannot be judged by conventional reasoning, so this measure is just an extra layer of security.

"Furthermore, the Fei family's spear arts are orthodox, and the spiritual energy on their mountain is far more abundant than at our home, which will greatly benefit you. Fei Wangbai intends to forge a connection with our family, so this action will benefit both families and solidify our friendship."

Li Qinghong nodded in realization, tightening her grip on her spear, and asked:

"When can I return, then?"

"Once you reach the peak of Fetal Breath."

Li Tongya calculated the time and said gently:

"When you return home and break through to Qi Condensation, our family will gain another combatant."