Chapter 219: Late Wei This Person

"I would never forget, Senior."

Li Tongya nodded slightly, watching Xiao Yuansi gently set down his teacup. Xiao Yuansi said softly, "Our two families should establish a marriage alliance to assist each other. Does the Li family still have any unmarried direct descendants?"

"Indeed, we do." Li Tongya respectfully affirmed, then transmitted a message with his spiritual power to Li Xuanxuan outside the door: "Bring up all the 'Yuanqing' generation, except for Qinghong and Yuanyun."

Li Xuanxuan hurried off to prepare. Xiao Yuansi, scrutinizing Li Tongya, chuckled, "If I'm not mistaken, your Immortal Foundation was cultivated using the 'River and Sea Qi Art' you obtained from my family. It should be called 'Vast Ocean'."

"Exactly so." Li Tongya cupped his hands in response. Xiao Yuansi's expression turned serious as he said, "The matter of an Immortal Foundation is of great importance. Since you've established yours, I should give you some advice."

"Please do, Senior!"

Seeing Li Tongya's solemn reply, Xiao Yuansi sipped his tea and whispered, "The 'Vast Ocean' and our family's 'Elder of the Stream' are both from the same lineage. There are significant connections between these Immortal Foundations. You must be extremely careful if you encounter Foundation Establishment cultivators with these types of foundations!"

Li Tongya looked up, a connection immediately forming in his mind. He asked, "Are there any specific taboos?"

Xiao Yuansi nodded and continued, "Ancient immortal sects called Immortal Foundations like 'Vast Ocean' and 'Elder of the Stream' 'Dao Complements,' while demonic and evil paths referred to them as 'Co-Pills.' These Immortal Foundations are deeply connected and can complement each other. If you encounter someone with ill intentions, they will most likely..." He paused, then spoke with some difficulty, "...excavate the Immortal Foundation and consume it to bolster their own."

"Consume it?" Li Tongya fell silent for a moment, then whispered, "May I ask, Senior, how common are such incidents?"

"Not common." Xiao Yuansi shook his head and explained, "Firstly, this method is risky; it can easily drive one slightly mad, and 'complementary' items are hard to find. The consumer also needs a significant level of alchemical cultivation. Secondly, although one's cultivation greatly increases and the Immortal Foundation becomes more mystical after consumption, it traps the cultivator at the Foundation Establishment stage, making it difficult to reach the Violet Palace realm. Only those who have lost all hope of advancement and are truly desperate would attempt it."

Li Tongya sighed inwardly, then asked Xiao Yuansi, "May I ask, Senior, what other Immortal Foundations are considered 'Dao Complements' to the 'Vast Ocean'?"

Xiao Yuansi smoothed his sleeve and replied, "The first is called 'Dark Long Clouds,' the second 'Vast Ocean,' the third 'Elder of the Stream,' the fourth 'Amidst the Mountains,' and the fifth 'Departing River of Regret'."

Seeing Li Tongya meticulously note them down, Xiao Yuansi then transmitted a message with his spiritual power: "These Immortal Foundations are also coveted by Violet Palace cultivators. However, Violet Palace cultivators must meticulously cultivate them from the Qi Condensation stage, implanting the Dao through special methods, before they can be used. So, we don't need to worry about that."

"This junior understands." Li Tongya nodded in understanding, realizing why Chijing had been harmed by a Violet Palace cultivator from the Azure Pond Sect. He sighed softly and laughed mockingly, "Foundation Establishment cultivators who seize others' Immortal Foundations gain immense power but struggle to break through to the Violet Palace realm. I imagine Violet Palace cultivators who seize Immortal Foundations also face unspoken repercussions!"

Xiao Yuansi nodded slightly, becoming more cautious as he discussed this topic. He whispered, "As long as one prepares thoroughly, the divine abilities cultivated from a seized Immortal Foundation, though not as perfect as those trained personally, can significantly reduce cultivation time. Naturally, all Violet Palace cultivators eagerly pursue them..."

While the two were conversing in low voices, Li Xuanxuan arrived with the children. Li Yuanjiao held Li Qingxiao's hand, and behind them, Madam Dou carried Li Yuanping.

Li Tongya smiled, "These are the youngsters of our Yuanqing generation. Please take a look, Senior."

The two children stared at Xiao Yuansi with slight nervousness. Li Yuanjiao stepped forward and said respectfully, "This junior, Li Yuanjiao, greets Senior!"

Xiao Yuansi's gaze swept over them, immediately settling on Li Yuanjiao at the front. Seeing that he already possessed fifth-layer Embryonic Breathing cultivation at only seventeen or eighteen, he nodded and said, "Li Yuanjiao, that's a good name."

Li Tongya, standing nearby, responded, "Originally, we had another eldest direct descendant, but he was harmed by the Yu family..."

"The Yu family." Xiao Yuansi stroked his chin, offered his condolences, and whispered, "I've heard of them in Lixia County too. When my clan uncle established his foundation, the Yu family sent people to congratulate him. I heard they were tyrannical and vicious. Now I see it firsthand." He shook his head, pulling the conversation back, and chuckled, "It's just that your esteemed family doesn't have a suitable young woman of age, so I wasn't sure how to suggest it. My family has a direct daughter who is still unmarried. How would you feel about her being betrothed to Yuanjiao, Brother Tongya?"

"How can this be!" Li Tongya hadn't expected Xiao Yuansi to propose a betrothal this way. He was startled and said gravely, "Our family is already rising above our station by forming this alliance. How can this be..."

"Ah." Xiao Yuansi, smiling brightly, continued, "I see Qingxiao is only three or five years old, still very young. It's not too late to wait a few more years; there's no rush for a few years."

Li Tongya, however, waved the youngsters away, bowed deeply, and said urgently, "A direct daughter marrying my Yuanjiao is truly unacceptable! Please reconsider, Senior!"

"Don't worry, Brother Tongya! The Old Ancestor favors your esteemed family. I will personally handle this, and there will be no issues with the Xiao family."

Xiao Yuansi still wanted to persuade him, but Li Tongya remained bowed and said solemnly, "Tongya understands Senior's good intentions, but my Li family cannot accept this. Please, Senior, reconsider your decree!"

Xiao Yuansi paused, then, after a moment of thought, seemed to understand something. He whispered, "It was my oversight, Brother Tongya. Please forgive me."

"Senior is too kind!"

Xiao Yuansi stroked his beard and continued, "How about this: my family has a daughter from a direct lineage, though born to a concubine, named Xiao Guiluan. Her character and appearance are both exceptional. She would be perfectly suitable for Yuanjiao."

"Thank you for your understanding, Senior!"

Li Tongya acknowledged this, then paused, suddenly remembering something. He asked, "I heard from Donghe that your esteemed family's main peak is called Xianyou Peak, and there's a river within it called Yue River... Is this true?"

"That's correct." Xiao Yuansi nodded, then looked up with a hint of confusion, only to hear Li Tongya ask, "Senior, do you know Xiao Xianyou?"

Xiao Yuansi's expression turned grave. With a flip of his hand, the courtyard gate swiftly closed, spiritual light flowing over it, isolating the interior from the outside. Only then did he speak, "Brother Tongya, where did you hear that name? Xiao Xianyou is indeed from my lineage, he is the Old Ancestor's paternal uncle!"

Li Tongya paused, then recounted the story in detail: "Tongya once obtained a sword that contained a secret technique. When activated with river and sea true essence, it produced a movement technique called 'Yue River Torrential Step,' created by Old Ancestor Xianyou..."

"Is this truly so?" Xiao Yuansi was instantly overjoyed. Li Tongya produced the magical sword, its Lingyu Sect emblem now just an ordinary engraving. Xiao Yuansi took it and examined it, then shook his head in disappointment, saying, "It's merely a standard magical sword. I don't see anything miraculous about it."

Li Tongya nodded, then with a flip of his hand, produced a jade slip and whispered, "Since it belongs to your esteemed ancestor, I shall return it to Senior."

"This..." Movement techniques were inherently valuable, and Li Tongya offered it up without hesitation, startling the hesitant Xiao Yuansi. He wanted to refuse but found himself unable to speak. The 'Yue River Torrential Step' held far more significance for the Xiao family than an ordinary third-grade movement technique. Xiao Yuansi sighed softly and replied, "Brother Tongya, your integrity is commendable. I don't know what I could offer in exchange. Is there anything your esteemed family currently lacks?"

***

The evening wind swept through the mountains, wandering through the forests of Azure Pond Peak, until it reached Chi Wei's face at the mountaintop. His white hair fluttered in the breeze, and the corners of his wrinkled eyes squinted. Chi Wei reached up and touched his face. He could have presented a youthful appearance, but having lived for several hundred years, Chi Wei no longer held any obsession with beauty or ugliness, so he let it be.

Scattered figures already stood in the clouds. Chi Wei's reputation was not as great as Duanmu Kui's, so only a few Violet Palace cultivators from the Yue, Wu, and Xu kingdoms had come, watching him from above.

Chi Zhiyun stood behind him, his face filled with sorrow and reluctance, watching Chi Wei's moon-white patterned robes flutter in the wind. Chi Zhiyun whispered, "Old Ancestor, everything in the sect has been taken care of..."

Chi Wei seemed not to hear, standing atop the peak, reminiscing thoughtfully in the evening breeze. He said with a smile, "Zhiyun, what do you think of me, Chi Wei?"

Chi Zhiyun, not understanding the question, respectfully cupped his hands and replied, "Old Ancestor is the pillar of our Azure Pond Sect, immensely powerful, dominating an era, learned in the ways of heaven and man, with profound thoughts and extraordinary bearing..."

Chi Wei laughed heartily, waved his hand, and shook his head, "Dominating an era? I'm not even comparable to Duanmu Kui or Li Jiangqun; it's a joke. 'Learned in the ways of heaven and man' is nonsense. It's bad enough I can't compare to that Old Flood Dragon, but I can't even match Xiao Xianyou or Tang Yuanwu." He paused, his expression growing somewhat wistful, his eyes sharp. He chuckled, "As for profound thoughts, how could I compare to Xiao Chuting?"

"Xiao Chuting?!" Chi Zhiyun searched his mind repeatedly, finally retrieving the name. He was stunned for a moment, muttering, "Xiao Chuting... Xiao Chuting... The Xiao family of Lixia." Chi Zhiyun wasn't stupid. He suddenly looked up and exclaimed, "Xiao Chuting broke through to the Violet Palace realm?!"

"Indeed..." Chi Wei replied with a smile, nodding towards a certain spot in the clouds. Chi Zhiyun still found it hard to believe, muttering, "How is that possible! How is that possible! Where did he get a Violet Palace cultivation method, where did he get profound divine abilities, where did he get the courage?!"

"Where did he get the courage..." Chi Wei chuckled with a hoarse voice, "Don't think of the Azure Pond Sect as some supreme sect, as if all living beings are mere pawns for us to manipulate. Geniuses across the world are as numerous as fish in a river, scrambling to ascend. Our Azure Pond Sect, in its current position..." Chi Wei paused, then sighed, "...is like sitting on a hot pot, roasting over charcoal!"

Seeing Chi Zhiyun speechless and muttering, Chi Wei continued, "You youngsters grew up hearing my name, truly believing I was a hero dominating an era..."

"Aren't you?!" Chi Zhiyun said indignantly and gravely, "You vanquished demon calamities, expelled devil lords, swept through the Southern Marches, eliminated evil creatures. The people Old Ancestor saved number more than a million! Even if tens of thousands sacrificed themselves for cultivation, what does it matter? These people don't consider, if not for us protecting this region, where would these people even come from..."

"Ah!" Chi Wei scoffed, interrupting him, and shook his head, "I, Chi Wei, am a villain. From the age of seventeen when I stole Li Jiangqun's brocade pouch, to this very day, at three hundred seventy-seven years old, as my life force wanes and I consume human elixirs – all my actions have been villainous and repulsive."

"I leveraged Li Jiangqun's influence, united various sects to encircle and kill, used the opportunity to eliminate two sects – destroying Lingyu and eliminating Xiao Xianyou. Year after year, I harvested aristocratic families and refined and consumed the foundations of disciples who absorbed moon essence. All the Violet Palace cultivators have seen this." Chi Wei looked up, smiled, and called out to the dark night sky, "All of you up in the heavens hear clearly: Am I not worthy of being called a villain?"

The Violet Palace cultivators above exchanged glances, their expressions varied. Some sighed softly, some scoffed dismissively, and others coldly snorted. After a long moment, a clear, cold female voice spoke: "If you're not a villain, then who is!"

"You!" Chi Zhiyun's expression turned vexed, but due to the superior's Violet Palace cultivation, he dared not speak. Chi Wei, however, nodded with a smile. The morning sun had already risen on the horizon. Chi Wei stood motionless, silently. The group of Violet Palace cultivators also watched him in silence. The youngest among these cultivators had lived for over a hundred years; they were not in a hurry, at least not as hurried as Chi Wei.

The sun rose slowly. Pure qi ascended while turbid qi descended, and the essence of the sun and moon blended into a harmonious whole—it was the perfect time for a breakthrough. A colorful divine light ascended from Chi Wei's body. His expression was utterly calm.

The essence of the sun and moon in the world gradually reached its peak. Chi Wei's spiritual consciousness stirred, and a faint light flew out from his Ascending Yang Palace. It was his innate divine ability, driven by a heavy turbidity.

Chi Wei took a step forward, the world in his eyes becoming clear. Two blurry figures appeared in the clouds. Chi Wei laughed heartily and proclaimed, "You two have come to collect my corpse!"

The two figures above, accustomed to various Violet Palace breakthrough scenes, were not offended by his jest. One of them let out a shrill laugh and exclaimed, "Chi Wei, oh Chi Wei, your day has finally come!"

Chi Wei waved his hand indifferently, his appearance becoming increasingly youthful and handsome, though there was a hint of grimness between his brows. Four other divine abilities flew out from his body, drawing upon the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, hovering and darting beside him.

The five divine abilities converged into a single colorful light in the air, dancing in turn, transforming into five hues—each distinct, representing metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. They converged and soared in the sky. Someone above whispered, "It's the Five Elements Gold-Seeking Art."

Chi Wei flicked a finger, and an elixir appeared in his hand. Immediately, a radiant glow burst forth, accompanied by a fragrant aroma, casting colorful light in all directions. Everyone above craned their necks to look, and murmurs of question arose.

"Oh?" The two blurry figures also took notice. One of them said in a sharp voice, "Which elixir is that?" The other person peered closely and whispered, "Judging by its appearance, it should be a 'Lake Moon Autumn' elixir."

"Indeed." The first speaker, hearing this, glanced at Chi Wei's other Immortal Foundations and chuckled, "That's certainly a method!"

Chi Wei dropped the elixir into his mouth. After waiting a few breaths, there was only a faint stir. His heart instantly seized with alarm, his expression shifting repeatedly, showing shock and fury for the first time. He roared, "Old Flood Dragon! How dare you trick me with a fake elixir!"

The five-colored light invoked by his divine abilities, however, did not wait for him. It continued to burn, faintly coalescing into a brilliant point of light. The two blurry figures above scoffed in unison, "Chi Wei! You too have been deceived!"

All the Violet Palace cultivators stared wide-eyed, pointing at the spiritual light. Chi Wei swiftly adjusted his mindset, closed his eyes with a sigh, and pushed out a palm. The essence of the sun and moon surged forth, crashing towards the spiritual light.

Above the spiritual light, five streaks of colorful light slowly emerged, shimmering brightly and drifting lightly, then drooping downwards. The spiritual light grew even brighter, but the colorful light was fleeting and quickly vanished.

"As expected, he's not as good as Duanmu Kui..." The cultivators above communicated with their spiritual senses. The two blurry figures in the air had already formed their hand seals, waiting for the golden attribute to leap forth.