Chapter 302: Famed Across Yue Country

When Li Tongya regained consciousness, the world was bathed in a dim, yellowish light. He had fallen beside a small river in Bianyan Mountain, half his body submerged in the water. Several green river crabs scuttled sideways, lingering at his feet due to the vastness of his immortal foundation.

"Cough, cough..."

Li Tongya slowly stood up. Orange-red clouds floated in the sky. The colorful lights and golden statues on Bianyan Mountain had all vanished, with only a few carrion crows cawing from the shattered ruins.

"It's over..."

Resentment, guilt, and powerlessness all surged into his heart. Li Tongya stood barefoot by the river, staring blankly at the clouds on the horizon before slowly closing his eyes.

The watery membrane around his lower abdomen slowly vanished. Li Tongya's flesh began to wriggle on its own, covering the terrifying large hole and making it appear less alarming.

Only Li Tongya himself knew that none of his internal organs were intact. He was alive solely because of his Foundation Establishment immortal foundation, and from now on, he likely wouldn't be able to make any further progress; even maintaining his cultivation would be problematic.

Immortal cultivators are different from Buddhist cultivators. Buddhist cultivators believe the body is a vessel in the sea of suffering. Once they become Dharma Masters, their internal organs transform into white mud, and at higher realms, they can even change their bodies at will.

Immortal cultivators, however, seek self-transcendence. At least until they achieve the Golden Nature, their body is the foundation of their cultivation. Yu Yufeng's cultivation stagnated after taking a sword strike from Yu Yuxie back then, so what more for someone whose internal organs are all damaged?

The pain surging in Li Tongya's heart had not yet subsided when he felt a weight at his waist. Realizing it belatedly, he untied the long robe at his waist, and a round head immediately tumbled out.

"Ling'er."

Li Xuanling's nose was broken, perhaps even before leaving the monastery. It lay askew on his peaceful, upright face. Li Tongya reached out to straighten it, but it softly flopped back. He straightened it again, repeating this several times, as blood trickled profusely, dripping down the shattered cheek.

"Ling'er."

Li Tongya had not wept when he saw Li Xuanling die before him, nor had he wept when tortured and spellbound by Mahā. Yet now, a broken nose easily brought this old man, who had carried family and clan hatred for sixty years, to wailing tears. A stream of tears slid down his cheeks, dropping onto Li Xuanling's lifeless eyes.

"I'm sorry, to you and your mother..."

Li Tongya choked out a couple of sentences. The old man trembled, filled with shame and helplessness, and roared as if in defense:

"My family... my family... rose from humble farmers, born into this chaotic era of great struggle. Killing demons... vanquishing devils, maneuvering strategically..."

"Your father never rested for a moment, never slackened... Your father did his best, your father did his best! Ling'er..."

His originally white undergarment was caked with mud and water, a dull yellowish-gray. Holding Li Xuanling's head, he sometimes murmured to himself, sometimes wept loudly. Cloaked in the brilliant evening glow, he stumbled forward.

"The Purple Mansion Mahā, scheming for centuries... How could one family, one generation, accomplish this? Human effort has its limits! Human effort has its limits..."

Li Tongya, draped in a thin white robe with disheveled hair, had gray eyes brimming with tears, shimmering brightly in the reflection of the setting sun.

"Xuanling... Xuanling... One day—"

Li Tongya's lips trembled as he gradually walked deeper into the dark forest. The black tree shadows slowly covered his robe. As his figure was swallowed by the darkness, his voice slowly faded into the chirping of insects and birds.

Lijing Town.

"Congratulations! Congratulations, Patriarch!"

Li Yuanping sat elevated at the head of the table, dressed in white, his face pale. His brush continuously sketched on the desk. Without even glancing at the person below him, he merely said faintly:

"What is there to be happy about?"

Li Tongya had not returned for several days. Those sent to inquire only learned that there had been earth-shaking movements and roaring golden giants in the southern part of Xu State, with nothing else to be found. Li Yuanping had contacted multiple parties and was anxious about the matter, having not slept for several days.

The middle-aged cultivator below, his face full of fawning smiles, repeatedly cupped his hands and replied:

"I am a rogue cultivator under the jurisdiction of the Tangjin Sect. A few days ago, I traveled south to this lake and unexpectedly encountered the legendary Li family of Lijing. So I hurried here to offer my congratulations."

He then knelt with a thud, presenting a wooden box with both hands, and said respectfully:

"This is a congratulatory gift, a Cloud Blossom Fruit, a specialty of Xu State. It's a spirit item for embryonic breathing, gentle in its medicinal properties, capable of stabilizing cultivation and enhancing magical power..."

The Li family was an established clan and often received such rogue cultivators who would present medicinal recipes, spiritual herbs, or magical artifacts, all seeking a place to reside. Li Yuanping had seen plenty of this. Seeing that the man was still building suspense, he said gently:

"Please set the gift aside for now. Friend, please tell us about this happy news. If the news is significant, we will not be stingy."

The cultivator nodded repeatedly and said respectfully:

"Your esteemed ancestor, at Zhenhui Temple, slew Dharma Master Fahhui, the reincarnation of Mahā of Duanchen Temple! His blue-white sword light shook heaven and earth, astonishing Xu State. Now, the Three Sects and Seven Gates all praise his name, calling him the 'Moon Rift Sword'!"

"What?!"

Li Yuanping was stunned, his face flushing crimson. He quickly dropped his brush and hurriedly stepped down in two strides, his face filled with surprise and disbelief. He grabbed the cultivator's hand and asked eagerly:

"Which ancestor? Which ancestor?!"

Seeing Li Yuanping's strong reaction, the cultivator was also delighted. Not daring to directly call Li Tongya by name, he said respectfully:

"The ancestor, of the 'Tong' generation, name 'Ya', is skilled in swordsmanship and travels on a flood dragon..."

"That's right!"

This person did not know the Li family's generation names and thought Li Tongya was of the 'Tong' generation. But Li Yuanping immediately understood. His face flushed crimson, and he burst into laughter, looking up at the sky. His surging vital energy made him cough twice, so he had to pound the table and suppress his laughter, bowing his head.

"Hahahahaha!"

Dou Yi, who was nearby, seized the opportunity. He happily stepped forward and asked:

"My lord, should we go to Wutu Mountain to deliver the news?"

Li Yuanping coughed twice upon hearing this. He suddenly straightened up, frightening the two people beside him, who quickly lowered their heads. Li Yuanping looked at the cultivator and smiled:

"May I ask where friend obtained this news?"

The cultivator quickly cupped his hands and began to chatter.

It turned out this person was a junior attendant in the Tangjin Sect's market. He had overheard two Tangjin Sect disciples talking and also learned that the Li family was inquiring about Bianyan Mountain. Immediately, his heart stirred, feeling he had sniffed out an opportunity.

So he decisively quit his job in the market, spent all his savings to buy spirit fruits, and hurried overnight to Wangyue Lake to take a chance. When he arrived at Wangyue Lake, he indeed found that the Li family was still unaware of the matter, so he noisily came forward to deliver the news.

"It does have some credibility..."

After listening carefully, Li Yuanping secretly nodded. He patted the cultivator's shoulder and said kindly:

"Thank you, friend. Please wait a moment. Once I confirm the truth of this news, there will certainly be a generous reward."

The cultivator repeatedly nodded in thanks and scurried off. Only then did Li Yuanping wave his hand, signaling Dou Yi, who eagerly approached. He whispered:

"Go invite Brother Jiao to return for a visit."