Chapter 226: Demoted to a Minor Sect

“Purple Mansion True Lord?!”

Feiluo Ya was truly startled this time. Earlier, he had only heard that the Li family patriarch held a revered position within the Azure Pool Sect and had the potential to reach the Purple Mansion realm. He never imagined that a Purple Mansion True Lord would lower himself to address the Li family as brothers. The disparity between the two was immense, beyond measure, leaving him speechless for a moment.

Although Feiluo Ya had been cultivating in seclusion on Mount Wu for many years and wasn't well-versed in social niceties or the art of conversation, he was no fool. His mind quickly processed the information, and he thought to himself: "This isn't just 'potential to reach the Purple Mansion realm'; this is a damn Purple Mansion starting point, with a strong chance of reaching the Golden Core realm! For a Purple Mansion True Lord to condescend to call Li Tongya 'brother' is truly unbelievable."

Looking at Li Tongya's calm and composed expression, Feiluo Ya suddenly had an epiphany and was secretly astonished: "This isn't some generous reward! This is clearly a Purple Mansion cultivator using their authority for personal gain, leveraging the Azure Pool Sect's acquisition channels to benefit the Li family, all to curry favor with that Li Chi… Sword Immortal. Li Tongya isn't just showing goodwill; he's also giving a warning!"

This thought lingered in his mind for a while, and Feiluo Ya became increasingly certain. He couldn't help but admire his own clear, sharp, and insightful mind, secretly marveling: "The world of mortals truly holds hidden meanings in every word. We Mountain Yue people are as pure as white jade, but fortunately, I am naturally astute and can discern subtle clues."

Feiluo Ya's smile grew warmer, and he chuckled: "Your clan is truly remarkable. Feiluo Ya is impressed."

Li Tongya chuckled softly, knowing that Feiluo Ya had likely understood his hint. After a brief chat with Feiluo Ya, he smiled and said: "True Lord Xiao has achieved a breakthrough, and I must attend the ceremony. So I won't stay long. I'll trouble you again another day, brother."

"Brother Tongya, please go... don't worry about me! From now on, feel free to visit my mountain whenever you like, don't be a stranger!"

Feiluo Ya was already calling him "brother" and wouldn't dare delay a Purple Mansion cultivator's affairs. He smiled as he respectfully saw Li Tongya off, then let out a long sigh of relief, muttering: "Finally, the enmity between our families has been resolved. I feel much more relaxed!"

"Li Tongya keeps a low profile but is incredibly cunning... After that conversation, I felt like he was leading me by the nose."

Recalling the recent conversation, Feiluo Ya gnashed his teeth in annoyance and whispered: "Forget about him. Fu Daimu has already broken through to the late Foundation Establishment stage. If I were to offend the Li family further, wouldn't I be walking straight into my demise? This outcome is for the best."

Li Tongya, greatly pleased that the matter of the precious medicine was resolved, flew eastward for a while, passing through numerous forests, and landed on Lijing Mountain. Li Xuanxuan was drawing talismans in the courtyard. Seeing Li Tongya arrive, he quickly descended from the main seat and bowed, saying: "Second Uncle!"

"Mm." Li Tongya responded with a smile, stroking his beard, and replied: "The precious medicine issue has been resolved. Now, we just need to go and offer our congratulations."

Li Tongya had been bustling about for the past half-month, making inquiries everywhere, finally resolving the matter. Seeing him covered in dust from his travels, Li Xuanxuan also smiled and said: "Second Uncle's powers are truly boundless."

"Ah." Li Tongya waved his hand in acknowledgement, then said: "On the way, I also resolved the long-standing grudge with Feiluo Ya. The Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Mountain Yue cultivate alone and don't have significant demands regarding mortals or territory. Therefore, there's no deep-seated hatred or fundamental conflict of interest between our two families, so they can be a potential ally."

"Moreover, Feiluo Ya's witchcraft is strange and troublesome. This trip west not only eliminated a potential concern but also might make our enemies headache-inducing in the future, which isn't bad at all."

Li Tongya settled into the main seat, recounted the matters he had been pondering, and then asked: "How have things been recently?"

Li Xuanxuan beamed with joy upon hearing this, nodding repeatedly. He whispered: "Reporting, Second Uncle, Xuanfeng entered the mountains and hunted demons several times, gaining an an opportunity to break through to the seventh level of Qi Refining. He said that low-level demon beasts in the mountains are becoming scarcer, so he's gone into seclusion for his breakthrough."

"Yuanyun has reached a suitable age, and Xuanling has chosen a spirit-aperture girl for him and set an auspicious date. He has returned to the mountains for seclusion. Family affairs are still managed by me, but..."

Li Xuanxuan paused, then continued: "Lijing Mountain is not a renowned spiritual mountain to begin with, and its spiritual energy is insufficient. With too many Qi Refining cultivators on the mountain, the spiritual energy density keeps decreasing, which is truly detrimental to cultivation. This is already the case when you, Second Uncle, are not cultivating on the mountain. If we add another Foundation Establishment cultivator, I'm afraid no one will be able to cultivate anymore."

Li Tongya slightly furrowed his brows and asked in a low voice: "What about Huaqian Mountain?"

"Donghe and An Zheyuan are cultivating on Huaqian Mountain, and Uncle Qiuyang is also in seclusion there, attempting a breakthrough. Huaqian Mountain has a spiritual spring and can still accommodate two or three more cultivators. However, its defensive formations are incomplete, so we haven't sent any direct descendants there yet."

Li Xuanxuan respectfully answered. Li Tongya sighed softly and murmured: "Our family's strength has greatly increased, but our territory hasn't kept pace. The Yu family is powerful, and their influence spans too wide, restricting our movements. Yuanjiao and Qinghong are almost at the Qi Refining stage. If we don't suppress the Yu family and weaken them soon, our future will be even more difficult."

Li Xuanxuan also nodded. Although the Li family had subjugated the Eastern Mountain Yue a few years ago, they hadn't fully assimilated the territory yet. To truly absorb it, they needed to establish foundations and station Qi Refining cultivators there.

However, with the Yu family watching aggressively, and the Li family having just suffered a setback, they didn't even dare to send direct descendants to guard Huaqian Mountain, let alone overtly establish new foundations now. Li Xuanxuan calculated carefully and replied: "The Eastern Mountain Yue is more than sufficient to support three to five stationed cultivators, and Huaqian Mountain can support two more. If it weren't for the Yu family's suppression, our family could easily support twice the number of cultivators we currently have."

Li Tongya nodded and waved his hand, saying: "I understand. When I go to the Xiao family, I will request an audience with the True Lord and inquire about this matter."

Li Xuanxuan respectfully assented, then suddenly remembered something and smiled: "Second Uncle, my concubine-born sons have all settled down and started families. They have collectively produced three sons and four daughters. These are the first batch of disciples of the Xiyue generation, but they are all under seven years old, so their spiritual apertures cannot yet be discerned."

"Oh?" Li Tongya nodded slightly and instructed: "If this batch of children lacks spiritual apertures, they will be the first to descend from the main clan to the branch families. We must handle this carefully to avoid any resentment."

According to the rules Li Tongya established back then, even if Li Xuanxuan's concubine-born sons lacked spiritual apertures, they were still considered part of the main clan, referred to as direct lineage offspring. However, if their own children lacked spiritual apertures, they would be relegated to a branch family. The difference between the two was vast, a world apart in terms of treatment and clan law. Not to mention crucial details like children of branch families not being allowed to share the generational name characters of the main clan.

"Yes!" Li Xuanxuan replied. Then he heard Li Tongya say gently: "Once these children turn seven and their spiritual apertures are identified, send them all to the mountain. They are not to be privately raised below. You will handle the specific arrangements."

"Yes!"

Dismissing Li Xuanxuan, Li Tongya didn't contend with the younger generation for spiritual energy for cultivation. Instead, he took out a jade slip and read it carefully.