Chapter 234: Meeting the True Person

Tian Youdao merely looked at him expressionlessly after hearing this. Tian Zhongqing was stunned for a moment, then understood immediately. His hands stopped trembling, and his tears stopped flowing. He slowly prostrated himself, saying quietly and despondently, "This nephew understands."

Unexpectedly, Tian Youdao snorted coldly and replied, "It's not that bad yet."

Tian Zhongqing had just closed his eyes, preparing to say his last words. Hearing this, his eyes suddenly widened. Amidst the emotional roller coaster, he coughed twice, saying hoarsely, "Zhongqing is not someone who fears death!"

A faint smile finally appeared on Tian Youdao's face, but it quickly faded. He said with a stern expression, "Who told Rong'er to be a good-for-nothing..."

Tian Zhongqing knew that the Tian Rong Tian Youdao spoke of was Tian Youdao's eldest son and his only offspring. Unfortunately, he had not inherited his father's talent. He was a dissolute scion who only knew how to indulge in cockfighting, dog racing, feasting, and pleasure-seeking. This was Tian Youdao's lifelong regret.

"Looking at the various disciples of the Tian clan, it's bad enough that their talent is mediocre, but they also don't know how to restrain themselves. I truly wish I could beat every single one of them. Tian Rong is the most useless of the useless. Only you possess spiritual aptitude and can preserve the family's legacy."

Tian Youdao waved his hand, his expression somewhat somber. He changed the subject and said in a deep voice, "This is not the time to talk about that. As things stand, we can only seek help from one person."

"Who?" Tian Zhongqing quickly looked up and saw Tian Youdao ponder slightly before speaking, "Li Jingting."

"Come to Xianyou Peak."

These words, as calm as still water and aged in tone, exploded like a thunderclap in Li Tongya's ears. In an instant, he recognized Xiao Chuting's voice. Both delighted and apprehensive, he paused his jade chopsticks slightly, then quickly put them down.

He respectfully acknowledged. Looking at the unaware expressions of those around him, he noted that the spiritual gathering was almost at its end. The immortal sect disciples at the higher positions had all left, and few Foundation Establishment families remained. Li Tongya rose and flew out of the formation, heading up the mountain.

Gazing at the rapid Yue River below and the scattered pines and cypresses in the mountains, Li Tongya's suspicious nature made him hesitate. Though he showed no reaction outwardly, his heart was like a tempestuous sea.

"Xiao Chuting's 'Old Man on the Stream' and my 'Vast Sea' are precisely Dao complements... and he has shown me great kindness. All these coincidences force one to be suspicious."

However, the Xiao family's kindness towards the Li family was as immense as a mountain, causing Li Tongya to feel a pang of guilt even for harboring doubts. There was no turning back now, so he could only suppress his suspicions and silently traverse the mountains for a while, finally arriving at the highest and most prominent peak.

The formation on the peak was independent, with an opening specifically at the mid-mountain for Li Tongya to enter. It did not require him to climb from the foot of the mountain, showing a perfect sense of propriety. This preserved Li Tongya's dignity without lowering their own status too much.

Li Tongya nodded slightly and landed halfway up the mountain. He saw a landscape of weathered, cold grasses and rustling forest winds. A winding brown wooden staircase led upwards. Xiao Yuansi was already waiting there. Seeing Li Tongya, he chuckled softly and cupped his hands slightly, saying, "Please come in, fellow Daoist—"

As it was a formal occasion, Xiao Yuansi addressed him as "fellow Daoist" instead of the usual intimate "Brother Tongya." Li Tongya also nodded in response, cupping his hands and saying, "Thank you for the trouble, fellow Daoist."

The two ascended together, almost floating along the ground. After a full stick of incense had burned, they finally reached the summit of Xianyou Peak.

At the peak, there was the sound of trickling water. Between two broken peaks lay a deep pool, shrouded in cold mist. Hardy plants and flowers grew along its edges, creating an immortal landscape. On the cliff sat an old man in white robes, looking remarkably vibrant, smiling as he watched the two.

Xiao Yuansi lightly cupped his hands, gesturing for Li Tongya to ascend the broken cliff, while he himself remained to wait. Li Tongya lightly tapped the stone a few times, then floated down in front of Xiao Chuting. He bowed with cupped hands and said respectfully, "This junior, Tongya, greets the True Man! Congratulations, True Man, on achieving the Violet Manor and establishing an immortal clan!"

Xiao Chuting nodded gently. Li Tongya patted his waist, produced a jade box, and held it up with both hands, saying respectfully, "This junior congratulates the True Man and presents a Golden Bamboo Fruit!"

The jade box had, of course, been replaced. The one found in the ruins of Wangyue Lake market was too mysterious. Li Tongya was not so extravagant as to give it away as a mere accompanying gift to Xiao Chuting. He had naturally swapped it for another jade box later; the original one had long been put away.

"Oh?" Xiao Chuting raised an eyebrow slightly, took the jade box from Li Tongya's hand, and gently opened it. Immediately, a golden-yellow spiritual item, glowing with iridescent light, was revealed. Its skin was delicate, and a halo of light shimmered around it.

The fruit, which had previously seemed arrogant, was now trembling and unable to speak, only mouthing what looked like curses. Xiao Chuting picked it up to examine it, and the fruit immediately stopped even its silent mouthing. Xiao Chuting nodded and said, "It is indeed a Golden Bamboo Fruit, though its age is not great, just over a hundred years. You are very thoughtful."

Having received Xiao Chuting's praise, Li Tongya's expression grew even more respectful. Xiao Chuting then said again, "Please rise. There's no need for such excessive formality. Come, sit down and talk with me."

"Yes!" Although Xiao Chuting's words were gentle, Li Tongya dared not presume. He still maintained the posture of a junior disciple, waiting respectfully, merely raising his head slightly to listen.

Xiao Chuting nodded slightly and said softly, "And I must congratulate you as well. To break through to Foundation Establishment so early, your future is boundless."

Li Tongya quickly expressed his gratitude. Xiao Chuting waved his hand to interrupt him and chuckled, "You don't need to worry. I wouldn't go so far as to 'eat' you; otherwise, Yuansi would surely get angry with me."

This small joke eased Li Tongya's mind, making the atmosphere much more lighthearted. Xiao Chuting, without observing Li Tongya's reaction, continued speaking to himself, "Li Mutian truly knew how to raise his sons. Seeing Yuansi describe the two of you brothers, your father's appearance and expression seem to float before my eyes. It's a pity he passed away so early. I was busy breaking through to the Violet Manor at the time and never had the chance to meet him."

These words were pure formality. At that time, the Li family was merely a small Breath-Nourishing clan. When Xiao Chuting was laying out his plans, he bothered little to speak with Li Tongya, let alone take the time to visit Lijing Mountain and sit down to converse with Li Mutian. Helping Li Tongya was merely an incidental move in his greater scheme. It wasn't until Li Chijing's talent became apparent that Xiao Chuting began to attach greater importance to the Li family.

Li Tongya nodded in agreement, feigning a look of regret. Then Xiao Chuting chuckled softly, changed the subject, and said, "I have also heard of the Yu family of the dense forest. When I was young, I once crossed paths with Yu Yufeng. His palm techniques were truly excellent, and he was once well-known in Lixia Commandery. Later, he was defeated by the junior Yu Yuxie, becoming a stepping stone for Yu Yuxie's rise to fame. Greatly ashamed, he gradually faded from the public eye."

Seeing Li Tongya listening intently, Xiao Chuting continued, "Later, he returned to the Yu family as an elder ancestor, and I heard no more news of him. I didn't expect the Yu family to produce another Foundation Establishment cultivator. I have heard about their great disturbances on Wangyue Lake in recent years."

He rubbed the fishing rod in his hand and said softly, "To suppress the Yu family, simply eliminate Yu Yufeng, 'White Jade Hand'."