Chapter 259: Returning Phoenix

Liu Changdie was feeling pleased. He watched as the grand formation was about to take shape, its upper and lower parts subtly connecting with spiritual energy. He thought to himself, "This formation is almost ready. With the Li family's help, once I cultivate that spiritual eye, I can ride the wind north to take a look. Xu State is in utter chaos right now, so going there at this time might allow me to fish in troubled waters and gain some opportunities."

As he was pondering this, Liu Changdie saw a person descend, a golden bow on their back and a jade slip in hand. The person smiled and said, "Brother Changdie, I've brought you *The Spiritual Eye and Clear Sight*!"

Liu Changdie was overjoyed and thanked him profusely. Taking a step forward, he noticed Li Xuanfeng's expression held a touch of regret. Li Xuanfeng continued, "It's just a pity that the Old Ancestor's whereabouts are uncertain. I couldn't find him. Our family has never had guest elders before, and I, Xuanfeng, cannot make decisions on my own, so I can't finalize anything."

"Is that so..." Foundation Establishment cultivators' closed-door training typically lasted for years, something Liu Changdie understood. However, he couldn't grasp why Li Xuanfeng had still brought *The Spiritual Eye and Clear Sight*. A wave of disappointment and regret washed over him. He stared blankly at the jade slip in Li Xuanfeng's hand and asked, "Fellow Daoist, what is this...?"

"Oh," Li Xuanfeng said, raising his head as if suddenly realizing something. He replied, "Who knows when the Old Ancestor will return once he leaves? We can't wait until then. So I brought *The Spiritual Eye and Clear Sight* for you to cultivate first."

"How can this be!" Liu Changdie was both touched and uneasy as he responded. Unexpectedly, Li Xuanfeng pulled his hand, forcefully placing the jade slip into it. With a hearty laugh, he continued, "Brother Changdie has toiled day and night for our family's formation, making it perfect. How could I possibly owe you anything, brother! It's settled then; go and cultivate!"

Li Xuanfeng's words were firm, and he forcefully pressed the item into Liu Changdie's hand. Liu Changdie, ever cautious, instinctively wanted to pull back, but he found Li Xuanfeng's hand like an unmoving iron vice. He couldn't budge it at all. It was only when Li Xuanfeng belatedly released his grip that Liu Changdie felt a great shock, marveling inwardly, "I unconsciously used my spiritual power, yet I couldn't break free. No wonder everyone in the city feared Li Xuanfeng in my previous life. This strength is simply inhuman, truly terrifying." He continued to muse, "In my past life, Li Yuanjiao once said: Li Xuanfeng liked to kill demons with arrows. A demon general, believing he was poor at close combat, transformed and approached him. But when Li Xuanfeng got excited in battle, he grabbed the demon with his bare hands, laughing uncontrollably, and with just two palm strikes, killed it... It seems it was true after all."

Li Xuanfeng noticed Liu Changdie's fear, apologized, and laughed, "I, Xuanfeng, have been able to lift cauldrons since I was a child. I'm truly sorry if I startled you, brother!"

Li Xuanfeng's monstrous vitality was bestowed by talismanic energy; his words were merely a casual excuse to Liu Changdie. Seeing Liu Changdie repeatedly say, "No matter, no matter," Li Xuanfeng smiled and said, "Brother, once you take the Profound Scenery Spiritual Oath, you can begin cultivating."

"Of course, thank you."

Watching Liu Changdie take the Profound Scenery Spiritual Oath, Li Xuanfeng handed over the jade slip and continued, "This eye technique is not easy to cultivate. No one in my family has ever mastered it. Brother Changdie, you must be very careful."

Liu Changdie, full of joy, took it and repeatedly said, "No problem, no problem at all."

Li Xuanfeng had also attempted to cultivate this eye technique, but it was incredibly difficult to master without a specific heavenly treasure called the Pure Essence Spiritual Water. Seeing Liu Changdie's confident demeanor, his heart stirred, and he mused, "The Old Ancestor once said this person has a mysterious background and many secrets. It's possible he knows the origin of the Pure Essence Spiritual Water. I must keep an eye on him."

So he cupped his hands and said, "Brother Changdie, if in your future cultivation you discover any key insights into this eye technique, please share them with my family. We will certainly reward you generously!"

"Easy to say! Easy to say!" Liu Changdie replied, agreeing readily, though it was unclear if he had truly paid close attention. Li Xuanfeng could only cup his hands in farewell and ride the wind away.

Just a month later, the grand formation on Mount Huaqian was complete. Liu Changdie had restored about seventy percent of the power of the Earth-Locking Huaqian Array, originally laid by Wan Huaqian. This was more than enough to defend against late-stage Qi Cultivation cultivators. It could also draw upon the spiritual spring within the Mount Huaqian cave dwelling, ensuring an endless, circulating supply of energy. This made it highly resilient against prolonged sieges by lower-level Qi Cultivation cultivators, and it could even hold out for the duration of an incense stick against a Foundation Establishment cultivator, much to Li Xuanfeng's satisfaction.

With that matter settled, Liu Changdie eagerly trotted off to Mount Huazhong to modify the formation plate. Li Yuanjiao, having seen off the formation master, let out a wry smile and felt immensely relieved.

"This person is simply too enthusiastic," he thought. "He keeps pulling me into endless conversations every day. Although he intends to build a relationship, it makes me quite uncomfortable."

Dressed in black, Li Yuanjiao sat casually cross-legged on the high seat at the head of the room. He picked up a cup of spiritual wine, took a sip, and exhaled a warm breath. Beside him, Li Qinghong blinked playfully, her voice light and pleasant as she teased, "It's rare for me to visit Mount Huaqian, yet Brother Jiao makes me listen to such disheartening words. Perhaps it's not this person who's making you uncomfortable? The day is drawing nearer and nearer, and it's rare to see you so restless!"

Li Yuanjiao gave an awkward smile, not expecting Li Qinghong to see through him so easily. He stammered, "I wonder what kind of woman she will be..."

Li Qinghong chuckled, holding her wine cup and touching it to her crimson lips without drinking. Mimicking a middle-aged man's booming voice, she declared, "Our family has a daughter, Xiao Guiluan, from a direct lineage but born of a concubine. Both her character and appearance are of the highest caliber, making her perfectly suitable for Yuanjiao."

Li Yuanjiao shot her a stern glance. Watching her giggle to herself, he said grumpily, "You're having fun! You don't know the torment I'm going through right now."

Li Qinghong sobered her expression, then chuckled softly. "I heard that Xiao Guiluan also has a fourth-level Embryonic Breath cultivation, indicating excellent talent. Since it's been said her character and appearance are both top-tier, what more do you have to worry about, Brother Jiao? When seeking a wife in the mortal world, what else is there to consider besides these three qualities?"

Li Yuanjiao sighed deeply and replied, "Which cultivator's appearance would be too poor? Moreover, after a hundred or eighty years, white hair will appear, and even the most beautiful face will wither. In my opinion, appearance is the cheapest thing and not worth mentioning."

Li Yuanjiao took another sip of wine, speaking from his heart. He held up a finger and continued, "As for talent, if it's too good or too bad, it creates a chasm between immortals and mortals. For you and me to be equally matched, that is best."

He lowered his finger, a trace of doubt flickering across his face. He replied, "What I worry about most is character. Senior Xiao Yuansi is an honest and upright person, so he says her character is excellent, but who knows what she's truly like..."

Li Qinghong nodded thoughtfully and asked, "Are you afraid Xiao Guiluan is too kind-hearted? Or perhaps too weak?"

Li Yuanjiao scoffed. "Whether she's kind or vicious, if she can't read people's expressions, discern the situation, or understand human nature—even one of these three—then it's a path to disaster!"

Li Qinghong fell silent for a moment, then finally nodded. "Brother Jiao has a point... but I still have a question."

Seeing Li Yuanjiao raise an eyebrow, a hint of sadness appeared in Li Qinghong's expression as she asked, "But Big Brother... he was clearly excellent in every way, so how did he end up like this...?"

Li Yuanjiao closed his eyes, exhaled a long, pent-up breath, and replied, "Being outstanding in every aspect is merely enough to crawl onto the chessboard, to become an ant in this era of great struggle, a plaything for powerful Purple Mansion cultivators."

Li Qinghong stiffened. She harbored dreams of pursuing the immortal path and eternal life, yet she also loathed the ways of Purple Mansion Golden Core cultivators. She remained silently, watching Li Yuanjiao take a drink, then chuckle again, "That's what I say, but in the future, it still depends on you and me."

Li Qinghong nodded, a bright smile on her face. "Alright, just so Brother Jiao knows, I'm about to condense my last cycle."

Li Yuanjiao froze, slamming his wine cup down forcefully. He exclaimed indignantly, "Damn it! Why are we still drinking... go cultivate!"

Li Qinghong let out two crisp laughs, bowed, and left the courtyard. Taking a few steps in the crisp wind, she observed the bustling scene below the mountain. Her slender hand tightened around the long spear she held, and she thought to herself, "Among all my siblings, my talent is the best. In the future, I must be a shield for the family, and I absolutely cannot be negligent."

The Xiao Family.

The Xiao family was now a Purple Mansion immortal clan. The Azure Pool Sect had given them nearly half of Lixia Commandery, and the Bore-Gold Gate to the north had also granted them six towns. Their territory was not small, but due to the Azure Pool Sect's past overexploitation, the population had dwindled significantly. Nevertheless, it was still sufficient to support the Xiao family's mortal disciples.

Mount Xianyin had gentle slopes and abundant spiritual energy. Ever since Xiao Chuting broke through to the Purple Mansion realm, the highest peak, Xianyin Peak, had been reserved for his use. The various Foundation Establishment cultivators had moved to other peaks. The mountain range's spiritual veins were so rich that they more than sufficiently supported all the cultivators in the area.

Amidst the undulating mountain range, a small, unremarkable peak came into view. Moonlight had just begun to fall, illuminating the courtyard in a clear glow. The surroundings were exquisitely decorated, with twinkling lights that made it seem especially splendid. In the main courtyard sat a woman in green robes. Unadorned by cosmetics, her eyebrows were like willow leaves, and her phoenix-like eyes sparkled with every glance. Her slender, fair hand held an ink brush, lightly sketching on the silk cloth before her. She spoke softly, "The gifts for everyone in the husband's family are all prepared... Is there any remaining from the portion given by the family?"

"Replying to Miss," a nearby attendant bowed and replied, "Aside from the nine crates of dowry, there are just over ten spirit stones remaining. I'm not sure if that will be enough."

The woman in green tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and mused, "The Li family places great importance on those with different surnames... Tian, Liu, Ren, Xu, Chen, and even the matriarch, Madam Dou—all these minor families need to be properly attended to, lest people gossip. These dozen or so spirit stones are indeed a bit too few."

The dowry prepared by the Xiao family was actually quite generous, but after all the arrangements for the wedding, things always ended up being tight. Her beautiful brows furrowed, and she gently asked, "Have you asked Father... if he truly isn't willing to contribute anything at all?"

The maid hesitated, then nodded, shaking her head indignantly. Lowering her voice, she replied, "No, not at all. The people sent down the mountain couldn't even get past the family's gate several times."

"I don't blame him," said the woman in green, who was, of course, Xiao Guiluan, destined to marry west. She shook her head and quietly stated, "A daughter who marries out is like spilled water; it's natural for him to be displeased."

"But... the Li family is a prominent clan after all, not bad at all. Master's actions... are rather embarrassing."

The maid acknowledged her words, and Xiao Guiluan chuckled softly as she explained, "If I were to obediently listen and find a cultivator to marry into the family, I would have brought him several major advantages for free. But now that I'm marrying into a prominent clan from outside, I gain prestige. He and I have no affection for each other, and he simply feels he's lost a lot for nothing, so naturally, he's displeased."

The maid quickly closed her mouth, daring not to say more. She watched as Xiao Guiluan put down her brush and ink, then slipped off a jade bracelet from her wrist that shimmered with spiritual light. She instructed, "I've used this jade bracelet since I cultivated the Profound Scenery Wheel. It can calm the mind and absorb spiritual energy, so it's quite a good treasure. Take it down the mountain and have a trusted person pawn it. That way, you can save some more spirit stones and make up for this shortfall."

The maid was visibly uneasy. "Miss, is it absolutely necessary...?" she asked. "They are just a few people from other surnames. They should be the ones flattering you, so there's no need to be so concerned..."

Xiao Guiluan placed the jade bracelet in her hand and explained, "The Li family has four branches, but only one position for the family head. This is a long-term strategy; you don't need to be so suspicious."

After speaking, she paused, glanced at the silk cloth on the table, and then added, "Absolutely do not let the family know about this! The dowry given by the family should have rightfully included a portion from Father, which is why there's this shortfall. If he doesn't want to contribute, then so be it. But if the family finds out, he'll be reprimanded, and it will cause trouble and unnecessary complications."

She squeezed the maid's hand and whispered, "The opportunity to marry into a prominent clan from outside is hard to come by. We're at a critical juncture now, so don't cause any trouble and embarrass me."

Although Xiao Guiluan was from the direct lineage, she was born of a concubine. If she were to choose an outside cultivator from within the clan to marry, at best, he would only be a Qi Cultivation cultivator, and most likely someone over fifty years old. Xiao Guiluan was only seventeen or eighteen; how could she be willing? She had also seen a portrait of Li Yuanjiao; he was handsome, and at a young age, he had already reached the fifth level of Embryonic Breath, the Jade Capital Wheel, with the potential to break through to Foundation Establishment. Furthermore, Xiao Guiluan was marrying into the Li family as a daughter of the Xiao clan, so everyone in the Li family would treat her with courtesy. The difference between them was like heaven and earth, so Xiao Guiluan naturally cherished this opportunity greatly.

"Yes..." the maid whispered in response. Xiao Guiluan nodded, picked up her brush and ink, intending to record this sum of spirit stones as coming from her father. Unexpectedly, a knocking sound came from the courtyard gate. Xiao Guiluan frowned and called out clearly, "Who is it?"

"This humble one is here on orders from Lord Xiao Jiuqing, to deliver gifts on behalf of the Yushan branch!"

"Xiao Jiuqing..." Xiao Guiluan gave a signal, and the maid quickly went to open the gate. She saw a young servant kneeling outside the courtyard, not daring to enter, holding his hand high. In his palm was a small brocade pouch, and he respectfully announced, "Bringing congratulatory gifts for Miss!"

The maid took the pouch and brought it over. Xiao Guiluan accepted the small brocade pouch, weighed it in her hand, finding it contained about five or six spirit stones. A slight joy arose in her heart. She replied, "Go back and tell your master that Guiluan has noted this generous gift. The contribution is substantial, and I am extremely grateful."

The young servant repeatedly affirmed, not daring to look up at Xiao Guiluan, and retreated two steps. The maid stepped forward to close the gate and asked curiously, "Miss, we have never had any contact with Xiao Jiuqing of the Yushan branch. How could he suddenly be so kind-hearted...?"

Xiao Guiluan covered her mouth with a soft laugh, drew a circle on the silk cloth, and replied, "He's trying to curry favor! He's optimistic about the Li family... or rather... about Li Yuanjiao."

Although Xiao Guiluan was intelligent and clever, she was still, at the end of the day, just a seventeen or eighteen-year-old woman. Seeing her future husband being so highly regarded pleased her slightly. Her slender hand picked up the brush, and she wrote the character 'Jiao' on the silk cloth, murmuring, "Whether he is kind or fierce, just let him not be a fool."