Chapter 290: Jinxiao Cave

Xiao Xian waited in the hall, his heart filled with trepidation. He nervously shifted the jade cup on the table and constantly changed his posture in his seat, appearing restless and anxious.

After a long while, a flurry of footsteps finally echoed from outside the courtyard. Xiao Xian, who had been leaning dejectedly in his seat, immediately perked up. He hastily straightened his back and composed himself, only to hear a fawning voice from below say:

"Young Master Guitu, my master is currently on the mountain discussing important matters with his clan brother... Please wait a moment, please wait a moment..."

"It's fine."

The voice was steady, mature, and unreserved, yet it struck Xiao Xian's heart like a bolt of lightning. His mind went blank, leaving only one thought echoing:

"Xiao Guitu... What is he doing here?!"

In the blink of an eye, a young man entered from outside the courtyard. Broad-shouldered and imposing, he exuded a powerful presence. His armor was intricately patterned with runes, spiritual light flowing over it, clearly marking him as a prominent figure from an immortal clan.

Xiao Xian dared not be negligent. He hastily lifted his robes and descended, performing a deep bow as he said respectfully:

"Xiao Xian of the Yushan lineage pays his respects to the First Young Master!"

This person was indeed Xiao Guitu, currently at the third level of Qi Refinement. He was Xiao Guilan's elder brother and the most outstanding figure of his generation in the Xiao family, the head of the main lineage. Naturally, Xiao Xian dared not slight him, offering him full respect by immediately coming down to greet him.

"Xiao Xian of Yushan..."

Xiao Guitu glanced at him, looking quite interested, and smiled:

"I've heard your name. The Yushan lineage has been doing quite well these past few years, and I hear you have quite a connection with the Second Miss of the Li family."

Xiao Xian offered a dry, apologetic smile, unable to grasp Xiao Guitu's intentions. He could only brace himself and step forward to invite him in. Xiao Guitu strode forward with a grand bearing and took his seat, staring at him as he said:

"Good."

Xiao Xian secretly breathed a sigh of relief, then saw Xiao Guitu continue:

"I have important matters to inform the Li family about this time. You may listen from the side."

As soon as his words fell, several people had already entered from below. The leader, dressed in black with a sword at his waist, was Li Yuanjiao. He stepped forward and smiled:

"I am Li Yuanjiao. Greetings, Young Master Xiao."

Xiao Guitu looked up. The two gazed at each other for a moment, both secretly impressed. Xiao Guitu gave a hearty laugh and replied:

"So it's my brother-in-law. I am Xiao Guitu. It's an honor to finally meet you."

Li Yuanjiao nodded and stepped forward, taking a seat at the highest position. With Xiao Guitu already seated, Xiao Xian naturally lost his place to sit. He stood bowing beside Xiao Guitu, only nodding when Li Yuanping entered from behind.

All those in the lower seats withdrew, and the courtyard gate was carefully closed. The formation separating inside from outside began to activate. Xiao Guitu took a sip of his tea, then got straight to the point, saying in a deep voice:

"I have come this time for two matters."

"Firstly, Clan Uncle Xiao Yongling has successfully broken through to Foundation Establishment and forged his Dao Foundation at Dongyushan. He will now take the place of an elder to guard the northern region and will not return to Guanyun Peak for several decades."

"Congratulations to the Ancestor. It's only a pity that our Old Ancestor is in secluded cultivation; otherwise, he would surely see him off in person."

Li Yuanjiao replied. As Xiao Yongling was of the same generation as Li Tongya, he naturally spoke with respect, addressing him as "Old Ancestor." Xiao Guitu thanked Li Yuanjiao on Xiao Yongling's behalf and continued:

"Secondly, according to news from the Yuan family, Yu Muxian has emerged from seclusion, broken through to Foundation Establishment, and achieved the Immortal Foundation of Jinxiao Cave. This particular Immortal Foundation has not been cultivated successfully for over a hundred years, and its completion has even alarmed the True Person."

After he finished speaking, everyone present fell silent. Li Yuanjiao twirled his jade cup, his expression somewhat gloomy, and replied:

"Many thanks, Young Master!"

Xiao Guitu paused, giving him some time to think, and then continued:

"Jinxiao Cave is adept at artifact refining, yet it is exceedingly difficult to cultivate. Firstly, one requires exceptional talent, and secondly, during cultivation, one must constantly endure the pain of their skin shedding. A disciple from Yuanwu Peak once attempted this path, howling day and night, and eventually abandoned his cultivation. For Yu Muxian to successfully cultivate this means he is a person of great perseverance and should not be underestimated."

Li Yuanjiao nodded, his expression unchanged, and said sincerely:

"My family has also made inquiries. This Yu Muxian has made many connections within the sect and is both astute and eloquent. Yuanjiao still has one question... Is this Jinxiao Cave... related to a Purple Mansion Daoist?"

This question was too sensitive. Xiao Xian, standing nearby, lowered his head upon hearing it. Xiao Guitu paused, his eyes gleaming, and replied:

"I have also considered this. Before leaving home, I specifically asked the Old Ancestor, and there is no 'metal attribute' in Jiangnan that corresponds to Jinxiao Cave."

The two exchanged a look, both realizing the implications. Li Yuanjiao lowered his voice and sneered:

"Chi Zhiyun must truly favor him!"

Xiao Guitu drank his tea and replied unhurriedly:

"Chi Zhiyun wants to support the Yu family on Moon Lake to curb our family. Yu Muxian is merely the lucky one, but precisely because this lucky one employs ruthless methods, he becomes troublesome."

Li Yuanjiao looked up, carefully observing Xiao Guitu's expression, and whispered:

"Young Master, are you implying..."

Xiao Guitu silently shook his head and replied:

"This matter is too difficult. The divine abilities of Purple Mansion cultivators are astonishing; the higher their cultivation, the more divine abilities they possess, becoming increasingly superhuman. It is absolutely impossible for anyone below the Purple Mansion realm to interfere. The True Person personally receiving Yu Muxian makes the meaning already very clear."

Li Yuanjiao had no choice but to drop the matter. Xiao Guitu cupped his hands and continued:

"After Yu Muxian emerged from seclusion, there were rumors within the sect of the Sword Immortal being displeased. Your esteemed family should still be careful."

He paused, then explained:

"Sword Immortals in the world are few and far between. The Green Sprout Sword Immortal drew his sword and achieved renown even at Foundation Establishment cultivation, his name known throughout Jiangnan and Jiangbei. Now, after not appearing for decades, people have grown suspicious, and rumors are rife."

Li Yuanjiao silently sighed. He had only recently learned the truth—that his nominal great-father had already perished in the Southern Border. Judging by Xiao Guitu's words, it seemed most of the Xiao family already knew.

He nodded in agreement and chatted with Xiao Guitu about Xiao Guilan. He then had Li Xizhi brought up, and the child obediently called Xiao Guitu "Uncle." Xiao Guitu's face finally showed a genuine smile, and he laughed:

"Seeing this nephew always reminds me of Guilan when she was young; her laughter and playful antics are vivid in my memory. Guilan has visited in the past two years, and I hear you and your wife are living in harmony, which is also good."

Li Yuanjiao chuckled. Xiao Guitu was affectionate with Li Xizhi for a while, then had someone take the child away, and cupped his hands in farewell.

Xiao Xian followed behind, only managing a quick hand-cup gesture towards Li Yuanping, and said hastily:

"If there's any news, please inform me."

He then quickly followed Xiao Guitu out. Li Yuanjiao courteously saw them to the boundary, then rode the wind back into the courtyard. The sky had already grown dim.

Li Yuanjiao returned to his seat at the head. Li Yuanping had been waiting for a long time. The two brothers exchanged a glance, and Li Yuanping pondered, then inquired:

"Elder Brother, how much of Xiao Guitu's words can be believed?"

Li Yuanjiao simply frowned, setting the jade cup down on the table with a thud. Somewhat irritated, he replied:

"It's hard to say. Xiao Guitu is no ordinary talent. His demeanor was sincere in his words, his actions measured, making it impossible to discern his true intentions. The Xiao family truly produces many talents: Xiao Chuting, Xiao Yongling... and now Xiao Guitu. None of them are easy to deal with."

"The Old Ancestor once said that on the surface, the Xiao family and Qingchi Sect appear to be in discord, but secretly they are in perfect agreement. I don't know what schemes these Purple Mansion cultivators harbor. The Xiao family has shown kindness to our family, and there's no need to deceive us on this matter. However, if our family blindly trusts and obeys in every matter, we will sooner or later become resources for others' cultivation."

Li Yuanping nodded silently, his pale face showing some unease, and replied:

"Yu Muxian's emergence from seclusion this time, coupled with the prestige of his successful Foundation Establishment, means he will surely intervene in the matters of the lake."

Li Yuanjiao pondered for a moment in his seat, then slapped the armrest, making up his mind, and replied:

"Open the Meichi Peak cave dwelling and inform the Old Ancestor!"