Chapter 220: Unnaturally Growing White Hair

Chi Wei’s divine power, manifested as a radiant light, burned out in the sky like fire. That crystal-clear point of light still flickered like a breath, emitting a cry like a newborn infant. Chi Wei’s handsome, youthful face was filled with helplessness and relief as he murmured to himself:“It ends here.”

*Poof.*

Before his words had faded, his body disintegrated like smoke and dust, turning into several wisps of sand and dust, some white, some grey, falling down. They trailed several smoke paths in the air like long dragons. The Purple Mansion cultivators above whispered among themselves. One Purple Mansion True Man said:“Chi Wei didn’t even manage to condense his golden essence?”

Another Purple Mansion True Man looked up at the two blurry figures. Indeed, he saw one of the figures let out a sharp laugh and exclaim:“I knew you were like heavy turbidity all along; what’s left to pretend!”

The envoy clapped his hands. He pulled out a grey, hazy net from his hand and laughed:“I borrowed the Nine Luo Attainment Cloth from the Celestial Immortal, just waiting for a beast like you.”

He then grabbed one corner, threw the net, and pulled it taut with effort. His arms stretched out like long, thin noodles as he made pulling motions in the air, cackling:“Where do you think you’re going!”

The net tightened progressively. A constantly twisting spherical shape suddenly appeared in the air. The other figure laughed heartily, reaching out to join in the pulling. The golden essence emitted a sharp cry and was slowly restrained.

The Purple Mansion cultivators watched in silence, feeling a sense of shared sorrow. Chi Zhiyün, who was below, was already in tears. The two figures took Chi Wei’s golden essence. Only then did they smile at the gathered Purple Mansion cultivators:“Fellow Daoists, we are returning to report our mission.”

With these words, the two figures blurred and vanished into the air. The other Purple Mansion cultivators also dispersed, with only two or three remaining standing in the air.

“Now that the Green Pool Sect has lost its Grand Cultivator at the peak of the Purple Mansion realm, they’ll have to pay dearly!”

A clear, cold female voice came from above. As soon as her voice faded, an elegant, noble boy’s voice replied:“Indeed, indeed!”

All the Purple Mansion cultivators looked strange upon hearing this. A deep, resonant voice said:“Fox, what troubled waters are you stirring? Is the Great Li Mountain Demonic Cave also trying to get involved?”

The boy’s voice chuckled, and he said playfully:“I was just listening in; Fellow Daoists are overreacting... Although my ears can hear the mumblings of minor cultivators, it’s ultimately not as comfortable as listening in person.”

Chi Zhiyün below listened silently. The other four Purple Mansion cultivators from the sect had slowly risen into the air. Then the deep, resonant voice was heard again:“Fellow Daoists, let’s settle this with our capabilities.”

“How could I dare ask for any reward!”

Li Tongya responded with a light chuckle. Seeing this, Xiao Yuansi shook his head repeatedly and explained:“The esteemed elder of my lineage was originally named Xiao Jinzhou. Xianyou is the elder’s alias, which he adopted to avoid implicating the family while traveling north and south, calling himself Xiao Xianyou of Lingnan. This is an elder from my lineage, and this is also a third-grade movement technique; naturally, it cannot be simply dismissed like this.”

Li Tongya could only nod and replied:“I also have a daughter named Li Qinghong, who particularly excels in spear techniques. However, her cultivation method is unique and unsuitable for marriage, so I haven’t brought her to meet you, Senior.”

Li Tongya shifted the conversation to Li Qinghong, skillfully providing a stepping stone to ease past the previous topic. Only then did he follow the thread of conversation and continue:“However, my Li family’s foundation is shallow, and we don’t have any presentable spear techniques. If your esteemed family possesses any spear techniques, could my daughter be permitted to examine them?”

Xiao Yuansi nodded. The Xiao family also knew of Li Qinghong. But because Li Qinghong had hidden in the Fei family for several years and had not been seen before, they thought she had died young. After pondering for a few breaths, he replied:“There is indeed a spear technique called ‘Broken Feather Spear,’ which is a third-grade spear technique... But this movement technique is rare, and exchanging it for a spear technique alone would be too unfair to you.”

“How about this?” Xiao Yuansi shook his head and said:“Besides this spear technique, my Xiao family will owe your esteemed family a favor. That way, it would be fair.”

Li Tongya cupped his hands, feeling quite moved in his heart. He said respectfully:“Senior, your generosity is profound!”

Xiao Yuansi laughed heartily. Li Tongya chatted with him for a couple of sentences, then asked again:“Senior, do you know of a person named Yu Muxian?”

Xiao Yuansi gently raised an eyebrow and said thoughtfully:“This person is a disciple of Yuanwu Peak. If I recall correctly, their cultivation should be between the sixth and seventh layers of Qi Condensation, and their talent in artifact crafting is quite good...”

He looked at Li Tongya and asked in a low voice:“Do you have some intentions concerning the Yu family? Given Yu Muxian’s current standing, if the Green Pool Sect were to fall into turmoil, it would be difficult to find someone to protect the Yu family.”

Li Tongya nodded and asked again:“What about Yu Yufeng?”

Xiao Yuansi paused and said in a deep voice:“Grand Ancestor Chuchou once fought against this person. Their strength is formidable and should not be underestimated.”

Li Tongya fell silent for a moment, then, having made up his mind, said in a deep voice:“In Senior’s opinion, if I wish to kill this person, would it be possible to request your esteemed family’s intervention?”

“Killing Yu Yufeng...” Xiao Yuansi sighed softly and replied:“If my family were to act, it wouldn’t be an issue. However, at this crucial juncture, it’s not advisable for my Xiao family to make any unusual moves. Moreover, how difficult would it be to silently kill Yu Yufeng? Any action by a Foundation Establishment cultivator, no matter how careful, would cause a stir. At that point, it would be a slap in the face to Yuanwu Peak and would offend many people...”

Xiao Yuansi’s hesitation was evident. Li Tongya naturally couldn’t let him be troubled by this. He quickly cupped his hands and said:“I understand, Senior! Since this path is unfeasible, my Li family has other options. Senior, please don’t take it to heart.”

Xiao Yuansi, however, gritted his teeth and waved his hand, saying in a deep voice:“It’s not entirely unfeasible!”

He pondered for a few breaths and continued:“I will offer this ‘Turbulent River Crossing Steps’ to persuade the Grand Ancestor. Then, perhaps we can take advantage of Chi Wei’s death and the Green Pool Sect’s preoccupation to quietly eliminate him.”

“That would be excellent!” Li Tongya’s eyes brightened instantly. He cupped his hands and bowed, saying earnestly:“Then I will trouble you, Senior. Please proceed as you see fit. It’s acceptable even if it doesn’t succeed; there’s no need to force it.”

“I understand.” Xiao Yuansi nodded, then set the wedding date for Li Yuanjiao and Xiao Guilan with Li Tongya. Only then did he put away the jade slip of ‘Turbulent River Crossing Steps’ and depart on the wind.

Li Tongya saw him off outside the formation, then returned to the courtyard. Li Xuanxuan approached him with a worried expression. He had been listening from the side below and heard about Xiao Yuansi’s intention to marry off a direct daughter of the Xiao family. He said with deep concern:“Uncle... Does the Xiao family intend to absorb and annex our family as a vassal? If so, marrying such a legitimate daughter would make one uneasy!”

“No, I don’t believe so.” Li Tongya shook his head slightly and replied:“Senior Xiao Yuansi has been refining pills in the peak for many years and lacks experience in managing a household. Thus, his good intentions led to a blunder. The friendship between the Xiao family and my Li family is long-standing; there’s no need to worry about this within three generations.”

He raised his head and said in a low voice:“I’m more concerned about Xiao Guilan, who is marrying in from the Xiao family. Xiao Yuansi said she’s an astute woman, but I wonder what her temperament is like. Yuanjiao is already the leader of the Yuan generation; if he marries a woman with a powerful family background, I fear there might be trouble for the Xiyue generation and those below.”

Li Xuanxuan was stunned, not having expected Li Tongya to think so far ahead. He then realized that Li Yuanjiao had already been adopted by fourth uncle Li Chijin and was not from the main lineage. Recalling Li Yuanxiu again, a wave of sadness washed over him, and he said in a low voice:“I can’t think that far ahead right now. With you, Uncle, here, any issues that arise can be suppressed.”

Li Tongya shook his head, sighed, and said in a deep voice:“What use is suppression? If brothers are secretly at odds, the harm will only become apparent after the elders pass away. Having seen these things often, I grow increasingly fearful.”

“It just depends on Xiao Guilan’s temperament.” Li Tongya raised his head, silently gazing in the direction of the Xiao family in Lixia Commandery. He was already over sixty years old. Although successfully establishing his foundation had made him considerably younger, his temples were still streaked with grey, showing signs of age.

Moonlight streamed like water, and the evening breeze stirred his slightly grey long hair. An image of the busy, humble old man from years past suddenly appeared in Li Tongya’s mind. He murmured:“Too much thought has only given me white hair.”