Chapter 228: Golden Foil Fruit

Li Tongya brushed his sleeves, a hint of melancholy in his expression. The north wind rustled through the woods, and the words still echoed. The Qi Cultivator bowed slightly and replied, "What a pity."

Li Tongya nodded and asked, "May I ask your name?"

The man bowed gently and smiled, "Xiao Jiuqing."

As they were talking, a gust of wind rapidly descended in front of them. The newcomer had long, narrow eyes, was clad in a snow-white fox fur, and had a magical sword at his waist. Though in his early forties, he still possessed a certain handsome middle-aged charm. Releasing his spell, he cupped his hands and said, "Long time no see, Brother Tongya, your grace remains undiminished!"

Li Tongya laughed heartily, cupped his hands in return, and replied, "The same goes for you, Brother Yongling!"

The newcomer was indeed Xiao Yongling, a ninth-level Qi Cultivator. He seemed to have refined his cultivation for a long time, and he said with a beaming smile:

"Brother Tongya, your progress is remarkably swift. I am truly ashamed of my own inferiority."

Waving his hand towards Xiao Jiuqing, who stood waiting respectfully nearby, Xiao Yongling said, "Jiuqing, Brother Tongya and I haven't seen each other for years, and we need to catch up properly. Please go and see off the others. I will personally host Brother Tongya."

Xiao Jiuqing promptly retreated. Li Tongya and Xiao Yongling ascended on the wind, chuckling. "This Xiao Jiuqing is quite a talent, too."

Li Tongya then recounted the previous events one by one. Xiao Yongling listened with a soft laugh, clearly amused, and teased, "It seems what I said that day has come true."

Li Tongya chuckled and shook his head. Xiao Yongling, with a half-smile, continued, "It's just that Brother Tongya is so modest. You didn't even send invitations or hold a ceremony for your Foundation Establishment. Yongling was still thinking of sending a gift or two, but it seems there's no opportunity!"

The two exchanged a smile. Li Tongya chatted with him for a few more moments, and they landed together on a small peak within the mountain range. A middle-aged man sat by a jade table, meticulously reading a book of alchemical formulas. As Xiao Yongling landed, he smiled, "Clan Uncle, look who this is."

The middle-aged man looked up in surprise. Seeing the two, he quickly put away his alchemical book and cupped his hands, saying, "So it's Daoist Friend Tongya."

"Greetings, Senior!"

This person was indeed Xiao Yuansi, Li Chijing's senior martial brother. The two sat down and received tea. Li Tongya immediately had a plan in mind. After a few pleasantries, he said seriously, "There is something I must trouble Senior with. For the True Person's Dharma Assembly, Tongya went to great lengths to find a precious medicinal item. I intend to present it to the True Person, but I'm unsure of its quality and spiritual roots, fearing it might cause a misunderstanding. I humbly ask Daoist Friend to examine it."

"Please."

Xiao Yuansi responded. Xiao Yongling also looked on with interest. Li Tongya took out a jade box from his storage pouch and, using his spiritual energy, retrieved the precious medicinal item. It was a golden-yellow spiritual object, emanating a colorful light. Its skin was delicate, seemingly breakable with a mere touch, and an alluring halo flowed over its surface.

Xiao Yuansi carefully observed it for a while, then took out several jade slips to confirm his findings multiple times before replying, "In my opinion, this item should be a Golden Bamboo Shoot Fruit. It has the effect of enhancing cultivation and solidifying vital essence. Among Foundation Establishment-grade items, it's considered top-tier. It's susceptible to strong sunlight or flames and is rare in the Yue Kingdom; this is my first time seeing one."

As he spoke, he held the fruit in his left hand, and with a flick of his right, he conjured a burst of flame. When the flame was barely a foot away, the fruit began to twitch, splitting open like a mouth and emitting a harsh, noisy wailing cry.

Xiao Yuansi nodded gently, extinguished the flame, and replied, "It is indeed a Golden Bamboo Shoot Fruit, no doubt."

"The alchemical texts state: if fire approaches it, it will cry incessantly and immediately begin to curse, revealing its origin. If its age is slightly greater, it will sprout feet and flee. If consumed at this point, it is beneficial even for Purple Mansion cultivators."

The two listened intently, both showing surprise. Xiao Yuansi smiled, "This fruit only cries now. If it reaches an age where it can walk and move, even Purple Mansion cultivators would be greatly tempted."

As Xiao Yuansi spoke, he had already extinguished the flame, but the Golden Bamboo Shoot Fruit remained defiant, jabbering noisily. Xiao Yuansi's expression turned strange as he whispered, "Shut up!"

The Golden Bamboo Shoot Fruit ignored him, continuing to jabber on. Xiao Yuansi couldn't help but laugh, "My Immortal Foundation is a Cinnabar Salvia, allowing me to hear the language of plants."

With a chuckle, he formed a hand seal. Li Tongya's ears suddenly cleared, and he heard the fruit say, "Damn it all! This grandpa was perfectly fine on the vine, but that barbarian just *had* to pick me..."

Li Tongya was greatly astonished. After listening for a while, he realized the fruit was just repeating those two phrases. He had no choice but to take out the jade box, force the struggling Golden Bamboo Shoot Fruit back inside, and close the lid. A loud "Damn your grandma's leg!" could be heard, and then silence. Both the Xiao family uncle and nephew burst into laughter. Li Tongya shook his head helplessly. Xiao Yuansi said, "This item can speak a few moments after being picked, and then dies a few moments later. Although it can speak afterward, it only repeats two or three phrases, which is quite peculiar."

Li Tongya nodded slightly and quietly asked the question he was most concerned about, "How much do you think it's worth?"

Xiao Yuansi paused briefly before answering, "Ordinary precious medicinal items are usually priced between two hundred and three hundred spirit stones. This item can be considered mid to high-grade, likely around two hundred and fifty spirit stones. If you encounter someone who urgently needs it, you might even get an extra ten or so."

After speaking, he looked at Li Tongya and whispered, "If Brother Tongya presents this as a congratulatory gift, although it might not be considered exceptionally precious to the True Person, it certainly shows your sincere intention."

Li Tongya nodded, a weight finally lifted from his mind. He quietly asked, "Senior, have you made any progress regarding the Yu family matter?"

Xiao Yuansi nodded gently and replied, "I have already presented 'Torrential River Steps of Yue', and the Old Ancestor was greatly pleased. However, he is still deliberating on the matter of taking action against the Yu family. He should summon you for an inquiry around the time of the Dharma Assembly. Tongya, please wait patiently."

Li Tongya quickly expressed his thanks. Xiao Yuansi moved his seat to avoid the gesture, then retrieved another jade slip. Spiritual light flowed over it, revealing it to be "Feather-Folding Spear". Li Tongya carefully accepted it. The three of them chatted while waiting, until finally, they saw the spiritual energy above the Xiao family manor connect with the earth's ley lines, causing clouds to surge and form the shape of a lotus. Xiao Yuansi smiled, "Brother Tongya, please come with me."

Following the jade steps upwards, the Xiao family had set up a formation at the peak, shrouding it in clouds and mist, making it resemble a celestial realm. The main hall at the very top was crafted from gold and jade, adorned with exquisite tables. There were a total of seventeen high seats, which made Li Tongya slightly frown. He mused inwardly, "Three Sects, Seven Gates... and seven other families. I wonder if they are rogue cultivators or cultivators from other nations."

Those seventeen high seats were still empty. The Purple Mansion powers truly had an imposing presence. On the tables were spirit wines and spirit fruits. The jade bottles and bowls emanated spiritual light, clearly not ordinary items.

Below the high platform were circular arrangements of tables, where white jade-colored artifacts rested. Li Tongya observed carefully for a while. Xiao Yongling had already arrived, stepping through the mist, and smiled, "The Foundation Establishment cultivators are at the very top, meaning they are distinguished guests."

Li Tongya's temperament certainly couldn't accept this. He quickly waved his hand and whispered, "Absolutely not!"

He sighed softly and cupped his hands, saying, "Brother Yongling, you're putting me on the spot here. Please, let's not. Remove that seat; I'll just find a spot at the very bottom."