Chapter 216: Two Families Find Out

Chen Donghe arrived by wind at the foot of Guan Yun Peak. A cold wind rustled through the pines and cypresses. A few steps forward, he saw a middle-aged man in a grey robe sweeping the stone path, his broom gently brushing the ground. Chen Donghe stepped forward and politely said, "Please inform Elder Xiao Yongling that Chen Donghe from the Li family has come to visit."

The man straightened up with a smile, carefully scrutinized Chen Donghe, and then replied, "Esteemed guest, please wait a moment. I will report your arrival immediately."

Soon after, a small opening appeared in the array. Chen Donghe quickly entered, ascended the stone steps, and reached a small courtyard. Two pots of dwarf pines stood by the door. The middle-aged man bowed and retreated. Chen Donghe gently pushed open the door and saw Xiao Yongling. He was dressed in a snow-white, straight-collared long robe, cinched at the waist with a crescent-moon patterned belt. Both subtly revealed a luxurious glow of spiritual power. A long sword gleamed at his waist. He looked travel-worn, as if he had just returned from elsewhere.

Chen Donghe was stunned speechless by Xiao Yongling's attire. In the past, Xiao Yongling had never worn his spiritual robes and was always courteous, not revealing the Xiao family's opulence. Now, dressed in such grandeur, Chen Donghe felt a touch of envy. He respectfully said, "Greetings, Elder!"

"Ah, Young Friend Donghe," Xiao Yongling nodded slightly and politely replied, "Is there anything the Li family needs my help with?"

"Not at all," Chen Donghe replied respectfully with a smile. "My family elder has achieved Foundation Establishment, and I was sent to deliver the good news!"

"What?! Tongya?" Xiao Yongling's expression changed, showing great shock. His hand on the sword hilt tightened abruptly, and his face shifted through various emotions for a dozen breaths before he finally sighed, "Brother Tongya has surpassed me after all!"

Years ago, when Xiao Yuansi returned home, he told the Qi Refining Stage Seven Xiao Yongling that Li Tongya had already reached Qi Refining Stage Eight. Xiao Yongling had marveled that Li Tongya was even faster than him and had thought about competing to see who would reach Foundation Establishment first. Now, three years had passed. Xiao Yongling had consumed spiritual medicine and achieved Qi Refining Stage Nine cultivation, still needing time to accumulate power before a breakthrough to Foundation Establishment. However, Li Tongya had already reached Foundation Establishment ahead of him, leaving Xiao Yongling filled with emotion. The trace of unwillingness in his heart finally dissipated, turning into deep admiration.

"Everyone says Li Chijing is a heaven-gifted talent, but they overlook Brother Tongya," Xiao Yongling sighed. "Silent and steady, he says little, yet he is equally an extraordinary individual!" Xiao Yongling was unaware that Li Tongya had the blessings of talismans and elixir. He simply assumed Li Tongya had cultivated alone in the wild mountains and remote areas, progressing even faster than he had after consuming spiritual medicine at Guan Yun Peak. Having let go of his competitive spirit, his demeanor became much more profound.

Chen Donghe waited quietly by the side for Xiao Yongling to compose himself. Then he saw Xiao Yongling smile and say, "Please convey my congratulations to Brother Tongya!"

Chen Donghe nodded with a smile, placed the gifts he held on the table, and explained them clearly. Xiao Yongling immediately became serious and replied, "Please stay for a few days, Young Friend. Firstly, I need to discuss the marriage alliance between our two families with the Old Ancestor. Secondly, we must observe proper etiquette. Brother Tongya's breakthrough to Foundation Establishment is a great joyous occasion, and my Xiao family must certainly present a token of our regard!"

"You're too kind, Elder!" Chen Donghe replied. Xiao Yongling chatted with him about the Li family's recent situation, then waved for the middle-aged man to come up and lead Chen Donghe to a guest room to rest.

After Chen Donghe left, Xiao Yongling stroked his beard, nodded, and smiled, "Chen Donghe... he's not bad at all."

The Xiao family traditionally received guests at Guan Yun Peak, but their main peak was over a hundred miles to the east, deep within Lixia Commandery. There, a majestic mountain, gently sloping and imposing, was called Xian You Peak.

Xian You Peak was divided into southeastern and northern peaks, with a river flowing between them called Yue River. The river was turbulent, and boatmen often descended from upstream, their songs echoing beautifully among the peaks.

Xiao Yongling rode the wind for half an hour, landing among the peaks. He saw a deep pool on the peak, shrouded in cold mist. Two old men sat opposite each other on the cliff, each holding a fishing rod, casting their lines into the pool.

Xiao Yongling stepped forward, climbed the stone steps, and approached one of the old men, whispering, "Old Ancestor, Li Tongya has achieved Foundation Establishment."

"Oh?" The old man raised an eyebrow, his fishing rod trembling slightly. He softly said, "That was rather quick. The boy must have had some fortuitous encounter."

Xiao Yongling nodded gently and respectfully asked, "So, regarding this marriage alliance..."

The other old man by the pool also looked up upon hearing this, and chuckled, "Chuting, I've met Li Tongya. He is indeed excellent. In my opinion, we should marry one of ours into their family and bring one of theirs into ours. Both families would benefit."

Xiao Chuting nodded. With a lift of his fishing rod, the cold water of the pool below exploded with a bang. The snow-white water surged upwards, rising along the taut fishing line, climbing more than halfway up the cliff before being pressed down by an invisible force, emitting a thunderous roar.

"Boom!" Xiao Chuting reeled in his fishing rod, pulling up a gleaming silver dagger. He raised his snow-white eyebrows and chuckled, "A good catch."

Xiao Yongling on the side was already dumbfounded. Xiao Chuting, however, waved his hand and whispered, "Leave this matter to Yuansi!"

***

Fei Family, Hanyun Peak.

Cool moonlight streamed down. Li Qinghong sat on a treetop, her two feet swinging gently. The pale moonlight enveloped her, making her fair face appear impeccably delicate.

"Sister Qinghong!" Fei Tongxiao leaped twice through the forest, climbed onto a branch, and excitedly bounced on the treetop with a smile, saying, "Sister Qinghong is in such good spirits today, even admiring the moon!"

"Junior Brother," Li Qinghong politely acknowledged him, nodding. "Are you looking for me to practice spear techniques?"

Fei Tongxiao choked slightly and replied, "No, not for spear practice, no! To admire the moon... admire the moon..."

Li Qinghong chuckled at his expression, which made Fei Tongxiao freeze slightly, his breathing quickening, and his face flushing. He whispered, "Sister Qinghong, I..."

"Junior Brother," Li Qinghong stood up from the tree, shook her head, and smiled, "That's not right. Life is short; how much time do we have for moon gazing? Let's have a match instead. I've made progress this month, and I'm afraid you're still no match for me."

Fei Tongxiao's words were cut short, his face paled, and he looked somewhat dejected. His expression was complicated, as if he wanted to speak but hesitated, gritting his teeth to try and say something. However, Li Qinghong had already jumped down from the treetop, her clear voice echoing through the forest. "Junior Brother, let's go to the mountain for a spar!"

Fei Tongxiao watched her disappear into the forest, then, gritting his teeth somewhat dejectedly, he leaped down to the ground. He saw a group of Fei family disciples sitting below. One of them poked his head out and said with a hint of sarcasm, "That rogue cultivator's daughter, Li Qinghong, is truly dashingly beautiful and has a great figure. And her cultivation is at Embryonic Breathing Stage Five! Brother Xiao has good taste!"

Fei Tongxiao cast an annoyed glance, then gestured with a fist. The group of youths immediately scattered and left, leaving only a young man in white leaning against a tree, looking down at him. Fei Tongxiao whispered, "Brother Yu."

Fei Tongyu stood with his arms crossed, chuckled softly, and replied, "Fei Tongcai, that kid, had ill intentions, bringing a group to make fun of you. Li Qinghong was merciful to you. Don't bother her again in the future."

Fei Tongxiao looked up somewhat indignantly and argued, "I haven't even said anything yet!"

Fei Tongyu shook his head, his eyes bright. He spoke of Li Qinghong with a hint of admiration, explaining, "Some things are asked without words, and some are answered without speaking. Li Qinghong is only sixteen; on one hand, she's bright and generous, always smiling and cheerful, yet on the other, she knows how to advance and retreat with grace, subtle and gentle. No wonder you can't get enough of her."

Fei Tongxiao was both sad and annoyed, wringing his hands. Fei Tongyu glanced at him and chuckled, "Li Qinghong has a stubborn and independent nature. If you can't even defeat Li Qinghong, how can you expect her to value you? Cultivate diligently. All of us in the Fei family are graceful and charming; in a few years, when you've matured, which female cultivator wouldn't fall for you?"

Fei Tongxiao paused, then a moment of realization dawned on him. His face immediately lit up with joy, and he nodded with a smile, "I understand!"

With that, he rushed up the mountain, leaping through the forest a few times, chasing after Li Qinghong. Fei Tongyu watched him disappear from sight, then shook his head with a wry smile. Unexpectedly, a middle-aged man emerged from behind a tree, fanning himself with a folding fan, elegant and refined. It was their father, Fei Yihe.

"You always have a way!" Fei Yihe praised, but received no reply for a long time. He turned his head and saw Fei Tongyu deep in thought, head bowed. Noticing his father looking at him, he seemed to come to a realization and looked up, asking, "What is it, Father?"

Fei Yihe felt a little uneasy. Seeing his eldest son's thoughtful expression, he thought he might have missed something. He quickly whispered, "What are you so engrossed in thinking about? Has something happened?"

Fei Tongyu laughed heartily, shaking his head. "Li Qinghong is indeed excellent, and she's the direct daughter of the Li family..."

Fei Yihe gritted his teeth, sighed deeply, rubbing his forehead. He then kicked Fei Tongyu in the shin, making him cry out in pain, and angrily exclaimed, "Erase all such thoughts from your mind!"