Chapter 246: Questioning

Li Xuanfeng provoked verbally while secretly remaining vigilant. He produced five talismans, gathered his energy as if drawing a bow, and exhaled with a shout. A dazzling golden light shot towards Yu Xiaogui's palm, while he himself executed the Turbulent River Crossing Step, abruptly increasing the distance between them.

The disparity between Foundation Establishment and Qi Refinement was simply too vast. Yu Xiaogui shattered the golden light with a single palm strike. Despite Li Xuanfeng being at Qi Refinement Level 7, fully prepared, and boosted by a third-grade movement technique, he barely managed to evade the attack. He was still swept by the fierce palm wind, his face turning pale. This was even with the added protection of talismanic energy; an ordinary Qi Refinement cultivator would surely have vomited blood and been sent flying backward from such a blow.

After dodging the strike, Li Xuanfeng subtly regulated his breathing. He felt a hint of regret, having hoped to test the opponent's Immortal Foundation for Li Tongya. He hadn't anticipated Yu Xiaogui to be so cautious, still holding back even when enraged.

Yu Xiaogui had thoroughly lost face, having been dodged by a mere Qi Refinement cultivator. Seeing that Li Xuanfeng was only in his thirties but already at Qi Refinement Level 7, murderous intent flickered within him. He flipped his hand and struck another palm, white magical light surging forth as he shouted:

"I'll discipline you, young one, on behalf of Li Tongya!"

Yu Xiaogui's palms appeared out of nowhere, like white jade. Li Xuanfeng, however, showed no fear, standing unperturbed. Yu Xiaogui, neither surprised nor angered, instead grew cautious. Sure enough, he saw a wisp of sword qi lightly rising from below. It was bright and dazzling white, as large as a ship's sail, heading straight for his palms.

"Li Chijing is indeed here!"

Instantly, alarm bells rang loudly in Yu Xiaogui's mind; his hairs stood on end, and he was greatly terrified. He immediately retracted his palms to defend, pulling out two talismans. He conjured two thick layers of white light shields, as magical energy flowed powerfully through his body, and numerous mysterious patterns appeared—it was clear he had already activated his Immortal Foundation. He also shouted:

"Li Chijing! Think this through!"

The sword qi came with fierce momentum, striking the light shield with a clanging explosion. It merely caused the outermost light shield to flicker on and off, almost disappearing, before transforming into a stream of clear water that fell into the forest. Yu Xiaogui's eyes were bloodshot with fright. Seeing this, he quickly touched his neck, only exhaling deeply after confirming it was intact. He was still lingering with fear.

The world fell silent for a brief moment, and those below all trembled with fear. Only then did a grey-robed figure appear in the air. With broad shoulders, gaunt cheeks, and eyes quietly fixed on Yu Xiaogui before him, he lightly waved his sleeve, placed his left hand on his sword, and smiled:

"This child's father died young, and I raised him. He's a bit mischievous, but..."

He lightly raised his left hand, and the magic sword at his waist automatically unsheathed an inch. It was pristine white and dazzling, with magical light flowing around it. Li Tongya softly said:

"It's not for you, fellow cultivator, to discipline him!"

Yu Xiaogui stood dumbfounded for a few breaths, then spoke in disbelief:

"It's not Li Chijing... How is that possible! Li Tongya... you've reached Foundation Establishment!"

Li Tongya's aura burst forth. The armored guards and cultivators below immediately cheered; they had already suspected it when Li Tongya broke the formation with a single sword strike, and this now fully confirmed it. Each one was deeply shaken and whispered praises.

"Just luck."

Li Tongya responded coldly. Yu Xiaogui's expression was grim, and he said sharply:

"Three years... less than three years! What spirit elixirs or precious medicines did Li Chijing give you... or what miraculous methods or divine abilities?!"

As things stood, the two families had completely fallen out, with no more pretense of politeness. Both men confronted each other sharply. Li Tongya smiled indifferently, while Yu Xiaogui held back his aggression. They remained locked in a stalemate in the air for a while, the atmosphere growing increasingly tense, until a hearty laugh rang out.

"Hahahaha."

From below, a fair-faced man flew up, carried by the wind. He was thin, with robes fluttering, holding a fan in his hand, and he cupped his hands in greeting towards Yu Xiaogui and Li Tongya, saying:

"I am Wu Shaoyun of the Wu family from Junnan Commandery. I greet you both!"

This Wu Shaoyun was also at the early Foundation Establishment stage. He cupped his hands in a bow, and both Li Tongya and Yu Xiaogui softened their expressions, nodding in return. Then Wu Shaoyun grandly declared:

"I've taken the liberty of coming today because there's something I wish to ask Brother Tongya."

As soon as these words were spoken, Li Tongya knew the man's intentions were not good. His expression remained unchanged as he replied:

"Brother Shaoyun, please speak!"

Wu Shaoyun gave a cold laugh and replied:

"My family's Old Ancestor has a fifth-generation granddaughter—my own daughter—who once traveled around Moon-Gazing Lake. More than ten years ago, she disappeared, never to return. At that time, I was merely a Qi Refinement cultivator, filled with anxious impatience. I made many trips to the lake but never found any news of her."

He paused slightly, his expression turning sharp as he continued:

"Later, after I broke through to Foundation Establishment, I gained a spiritual perception. Through multiple attempts to trace back, I learned that she died on your Li family's territory. Brother Tongya, do you know anything about it?"

Li Tongya only needed a moment to recall. He remembered that this person was the greedy female cultivator who had killed others for treasures in the market back then and had been stopped by him. Li Tongya had kindly advised her, but she insisted on resisting to the end. Although Li Tongya's strength was greater, it was difficult to suppress her, so he had to kill her.

Although Li Tongya knew it was that woman, he still narrowed his eyes and said in a low voice:

"I don't know, but does Brother Shaoyun know the exact date?"

Wu Shaoyun, relying on the effect of his special Immortal Foundation and using a specially made talisman, knew that the person who killed the Wu family's female cultivator was likely at Qi Refinement Level 4 or 5 and surnamed Wan. It was impossible for someone to reach Foundation Establishment in just over ten years, so he had already concluded in his heart that it wasn't Li Tongya. However, he secretly deliberated:

"I've already promised Xiaogui to come and help, but I can't give up too easily. However, the Li family has a Sword Immortal. Although Xiaogui and I are friends, I cannot get involved in the conflict between the Li and Yu families in such a manner, or I'll end up harming my own family."

Wu Shaoyun was greatly hesitant, caught between two difficult choices, and could only reply:

"It was when the Moon-Gazing Lake market was destroyed."

Hearing this, Li Tongya shook his head and replied:

"Since you know it was when the Moon-Gazing Lake market was destroyed, chaos reigned everywhere that day. People slaughtered each other on the island in the lake, and blood flowed everywhere. It's only normal for one to die in such circumstances. Perhaps your noble clan member coveted treasures and refused to let go, thus losing her life!"

Wu Shaoyun immediately became agitated and exclaimed:

"Impossible! My daughter was delicate and lovely; she wouldn't even step on an ant normally. How could she possibly get involved in such a mess, killing people for treasures!"

Li Tongya was speechless for a moment. Others might have been fooled, but he had obtained that female cultivator's storage bag, which contained numerous blood-stained magical artifacts. The magic robes stripped from others were still dripping blood, and the pill furnace was covered in blood. How could she be a benevolent person? What's more, that female cultivator's moves were skilled and each one lethal; she had clearly killed many people. She certainly wasn't the benevolent person Wu Shaoyun described.

As he was about to respond, Yu Xiaogui, who was beside them, suddenly interjected coolly:

"Brother Tongya speaks with such certainty, as if he witnessed it himself, or perhaps Brother Tongya was personally involved!"

Wu Shaoyun had not yet spoken when Li Tongya turned his head to look at Yu Xiaogui, his expression slightly cold, and said in a deep voice:

"Fellow cultivator, our two families have been entangled for many years—both openly and secretly, you and I know it. Now the time is right; why don't we settle this with a proper bout?"