Chapter 351: Who Owns the Purple Mansion

Xiao Guiluan asked in detail, while Li Yuanjiao, above, listened silently, formulating his own thoughts. Xiao Guiluan breathed a sigh of relief upon learning that the Xiao family had found no trace of the demon cultivators and had simply drawn a blank.

Li Yuanjiao raised an eyebrow and said gravely, "Are you afraid Xiao Gaitu intentionally orchestrated this?"It was no wonder the couple harbored suspicions. Li Yuanjiao's brother-in-law was highly cunning and ambitious, always having intended to further subordinate himself to the Li family.However, perhaps due to Xiao Chuting's orders, Xiao Gaitu had somehow abandoned this idea, and gradually there had been no further movement, causing Li Yuanjiao to relax.Now, it seemed Xiao Gaitu's intentions might have resurfaced, hence the question. At his words, everyone's expression changed.

Beside them, Li Xijun, looking thoughtful, his sword-like brows unfurrowed, bowed and said, "I also believe this is Xiao Gaitu's scheme to lure our family into acting, thereby giving him a pretext. By setting this precedent, the Xiao family could intervene in our affairs should any future unrest arise."His explanation laid bare their suspicions, leaving both Xiao Guiluan and Li Qingxiao stunned.

"My brother wouldn't go that far," Xiao Guiluan said, shaking her head. After a few moments of careful thought, she explained, "My brother is proud and always prefers the honorable path. Even if he wanted to strengthen his control over our family, he wouldn't resort to such methods. Moreover..."She paused, then continued, "If it were a deliberate scheme, he would surely have laid an ambush in Yushan. He would have waited for the demon cultivators to massacre Yushan, then feigned a delayed arrival to eradicate them, killing two birds with one stone. He wouldn't have risked internal discord and public disapproval."

Li Yuanjiao, who had only been suspicious, realized something was amiss after careful consideration. He merely said, "Exactly. The Xiao family has just suffered a loss and urgently needs to demonstrate its strength to deter other factions. This is definitely not the time to conspire against our family. Xiao Gaitu wouldn't do such a thing."Li Xijun nodded gently, his expression unchanged, and replied, "I was overly concerned."

His impassive demeanor made Li Xuanxuan glance sideways, wondering if Li Xijun had deliberately revealed his thoughts. Beside them, Xiao Guiluan had already spoken, "No need to worry. Since it wasn't my brother's deliberate act, there is much we can achieve in this matter."

She took Li Qingxiao's hand and said gently, "My father holds a high position in the clan and wields some influence. His eldest son manages the household, so his words carry weight, but he is greedy and narrow-minded.""Take some spirit stones, send someone to Mount Xianyou, and flatter him nicely. Bribe him with a substantial sum to secure the position of Yushan's master on the peak."Beside them, Li Yuanping had already taken out his storage bag, counting seventy-odd spirit stones, and said warmly, "Sister, the family savings are here; please take them for your use."Tears welled in Li Qingxiao's eyes as she tremblingly accepted the stones, unable to speak. Xiao Guiluan continued, "Even if my brother didn't intend this, we cannot set such a precedent. I have two close confidantes in the clan who have some influence in the Xiazhong and Dongshan branches. I will write a letter and ask them to lend you a few Xiao family cultivators to bolster your appearance.""Alright... alright..." Li Qingxiao collected the spirit stones as Xiao Guiluan took out brush and ink to write. Li Yuanjiao stepped forward and said gravely, "I also have a Foundation Establishment Talisman here. Use it for protection; it can deter minor troublemakers."As her elder brother, he didn't say much to express his feelings, simply pressing the talisman into her hand and cautioning her on its use. Li Qingxiao nodded, watching as Xiao Guiluan handed her the letter. Li Yuanjiao then added, "The family will dispatch a trade caravan to Yushan. If the situation changes, consult with us often.""Thank you... thank you, Brother. Qingxiao doesn't know how to repay you..." Li Qingxiao, touched, accepted them obediently. She bowed her head, expressing her gratitude as a member of the Yushan lineage, "The Yushan lineage accepts the family's kindness and will repay it all once Yushan is stable."With no one to oversee Yushan, every moment she spent away from it increased the danger. Thus, without further ado, she left, piloting her flying shuttle.

"The Yushan lineage has never been known for any powerful cultivators. With these few measures, it should be enough to deal with ordinary people," Xiao Guiluan said as she watched Li Qingxiao depart. She spoke no further, only adding softly with subtle meaning, "I shall return to the Xiao family. Firstly, the family is in trouble, and I cannot stand idly by. Secondly, I wish to gauge my brother's attitude towards Yushan.""You're truly working hard!" Li Yuanjiao, grateful to have such a wife, naturally agreed. Xiao Guiluan smiled gently and departed, riding the wind.

After everyone watched her leave, Li Yuanping shook his head regretfully and said, "Xiao Xian and Xiao Jiuqing were both good, what a pity."He had a brief, albeit superficial, acquaintance with Xiao Xian back then, but Xiao Xian had always seemed very reliable.Li Yuanjiao, however, had other thoughts. He whispered, "I fear True Person Chuting is still missing!"Li Qinghong, who had been listening the whole time and thinking about this very issue, spoke up, "Brother is right. If Xiao Chuting were on Mount Xianyou, how could demon cultivators so brazenly rampage through Yushan? What Xiao Gaitu said about the True Person having returned is merely to calm people's minds."Li Yuanjiao sighed, worrying about the Xiao family's predicament for a moment, then shifted his thoughts. "How can we intervene in the high-level power struggles of the Purple Mansion realm? I'm afraid these demon cultivators are troublesome. If they come towards Moon Reflection Lake, our family might face chaos."He looked around; those remaining were core direct descendants and within their own formation, so he spoke boldly: "The clan's Immortal Mirror has the ability to perceive heaven and earth, and its Lunar Splendor power is immense. However, the Immortal Mirror holds a high status, and using it constantly for mere investigation might be disrespectful. We still need to be more vigilant ourselves.""The demon cultivators from Mushroom Forest are scattering in all directions. During normal times, practice cultivation diligently and rarely leave the grand formation."

Li Qinghong nodded, her spear resting against her back. With a sweep of her spiritual sense, she said softly, "Brother, you've reached the seventh level of Qi Condensation!"Li Qinghong's natural talent was initially higher than Li Yuanjiao's, but Li Yuanjiao had acquired the Qi-Devouring cultivation method, which doubled his cultivation speed, causing him to surpass Li Qinghong.Li Qinghong was currently only at the fifth level of Qi Condensation, while Li Yuanjiao was already at the seventh. He had received his ordination at twenty and was now in his late thirties, progressing almost one level every two years—an astonishing speed."Indeed," Li Yuanjiao replied, noticing Li Qinghong's envious expression. "Don't be like that. If we truly fought, I might not be your match. The 'Purple Thunder Secret Origin Art' is incredibly fierce, ancient, and mysterious. When wielded with Du Ruo, it truly dispels demons and calamities."

Li Qinghong already harbored doubts, and her expression was slightly strange. She first waved away the younger disciples, then pulled Li Yuanjiao closer and said gravely, "Brother! The more I've cultivated this art over the years, the more extraordinary I find it. Its accompanying techniques, a thunder talisman and a thunder incantation, are both exceptional, despite their unknown grade."She put her spear away, sat down, and whispered, "Back then, Ning Heyuan of Qingchi fought me. He was a direct descendant of Qingchi, and the Siyuan Qiang Light, a secret Qingchi technique in his hands, could barely hold my thunder talisman in check.""Although my cultivation was a step higher and I had an advantage, it still shows the power of this thunder talisman. It's just a pity that it's integral to the 'Purple Thunder Secret Origin Art' and cannot be cultivated independently."Li Qinghong's eyes were filled with doubt as she continued, "Grandfather always said that nine out of ten good things in the world lead to misfortune, which makes me secretly afraid."

Li Yuanjiao nodded silently and replied, "This art was given as repayment when Uncle-Grandfather saved a cultivator from the Purple Smoke Sect... It doesn't necessarily mean there's a problem with it.""That cultivator claimed to have obtained it from an ancient sect and hadn't even practiced it himself. He was an unreliable person, perhaps not even knowing the true value of this art.""Regardless, I'll write back to Xizhi and have him inquire about it within the sect."After discussing for a while, the two dispersed.

Meanwhile, Xiao Guiluan departed by riding the wind, flying for two full days in the air.Given the current proliferation of demon cultivators, the direct routes were unsafe. She took a detour through Mushroom Forest, dutifully passing over the Yuan family's dozen or so immortal mountains, before finally circling around to Mount Xianyou, taking a very long route.

Mount Xianyou was draped in white mourning cloths, a sight that saddened Xiao Guiluan. She visited various familiar acquaintances and childhood playmates, many of whom were now minor peak masters and no longer close to her.After all, the Xiao family was vast, entangled in numerous power struggles and factions. Some old friends who had joined different factions dared not speak much with her, fearing implication.Xiao Gaitu was now the cultivator managing the Xiao family, and Xiao Guiluan's status had consequently become more esteemed. Whereas before she would have waited a long time for an announcement, now merely stating her name was enough to ascend the main peak.

Xiao Gaitu, clad in golden armor and idly toying with a pair of jade rings, sat at the head of the main hall. Xiao Guiluan stepped onto the jade tiles and bowed deeply, only then daring to observe her brother.Xiao Gaitu appeared much grimmer, his cultivation having reached the sixth level of Qi Condensation. His usually smiling face was now placid, but upon seeing his sister whom he hadn't met in years, a faint smile still appeared. He said softly, "It's rare to see you back."These words left Xiao Guiluan speechless. Xiao Gaitu walked down two steps and sat by a slanted stone on the steps. Only then did Xiao Guiluan notice that his golden armor was riddled with tiny holes, seemingly beyond use.Xiao Gaitu unbuckled his armor, speaking to himself in a low voice, "What a coincidence, True Person Bu Zi just left as you arrived.""Qingchi Sect? True Person Bu Zi?" Xiao Guiluan was instantly startled. She watched as Xiao Gaitu tossed a piece of armor from his elbow, which clanged loudly on the ground. He replied, "Precisely."With the Old Ancestor not having returned, he naturally acted brazenly."Xiao Guiluan stared at him blankly, her mind racing, unable to comprehend why Xiao Gaitu was suddenly acting so out of character, why he was telling her this so directly. Xiao Gaitu, however, ignored her expression and continued, "The Li family must have realized it too. The fact that something like this could happen in Yushan proves that the Old Ancestor is not on the peak at all. With a Purple Mansion cultivator presiding, how would they dare use the Yushan route?""Now, the Yuan family, the Chen family, and the twenty-eight families affiliated with my Xiao family are all in turmoil. They've all sent people to inquire, claiming to ask about casualties and offer condolences, but everyone knows what they're really thinking."Xiao Guiluan listened, bowing her head. Xiao Gaitu looked weary and said gravely, "The True Person is merely trapped somewhere in the East Sea. Zhang Tianyuan cannot kill him."He stared blankly at Xiao Guiluan, as if having made a decision, then slowly walked down, his expression sincere. "My Xiao family believes we've helped your family quite a bit over the years. The True Person elevated your noble clan from obscurity, and Old Ancestor Yuansi personally attended to every matter. Regardless of whether the Li family has the Great Li Mountain demon race or some Purple Mansion True Person behind them, please go to the East Sea and offer some assistance."'The Li family has a Purple Mansion cultivator behind them?!' Xiao Guiluan was startled. She recalled how the Li family members had worried about Xiao Gaitu taking advantage of the situation, which didn't at all suggest they had a Purple Mansion backing. She assumed Xiao Gaitu was mistaken and quickly said, "Brother! The Li family is utterly destitute; even reaching Foundation Establishment is a struggle. How could they have the protection of a Purple Mansion cultivator... this... this..."Xiao Gaitu shook his head and said in a low voice, "Just relay my words to Li Yuanjiao."Xiao Guiluan choked, then clenched her teeth and agreed. Only then did Xiao Gaitu say, "I'm aware of the Yushan situation. Don't worry, nothing will happen."Xiao Guiluan felt her brother might have misunderstood something, but seeing him so amenable, she simply breathed a sigh of relief and respectfully withdrew.Xiao Gaitu watched her retreating back, sitting silently on the jade steps, lost in thought.

Was there a Purple Mansion cultivator backing the Li family?For Xiao Gaitu, it was a certainty. The Li family absolutely had at least one Purple Mansion cultivator behind them, and not just an ordinary one!Back then, Xiao Gaitu had always felt it was unwise to keep the Li family, like a ravenous wolf, so close. Watching them conquer the Shanyue and merge two mountains, and witnessing Li Tongya's astonishing swordplay, he would toss and turn, constantly unsettled.But after the events involving Wrathful Mahakala, Xiao Chuting had used Li Tongya's immunity to divine powers to intimidate the other Purple Mansion cultivators. Upon returning home, he himself grew suspicious. This, coupled with the Great Li Mountain demon race fiercely protecting the families at the northern foot, quickly led to a theory.Xiao Gaitu had been planning to make the Li family a vassal, using the pretext of a marriage alliance. Before he could make any significant moves, Xiao Chuting summoned him to the mountain. It was only after Xiao Chuting revealed his conjectures that Xiao Gaitu truly understood:"No wonder... no wonder the Li family could rise so rapidly within decades, calmly prevailing amidst the struggles of various clans. No wonder Li Tongya and Li Chijing, starting from humble beginnings, could both achieve Foundation Establishment!"So, the Li family was a hidden move by a certain Purple Mansion cultivator! The Li family's series of rises was clearly orchestrated by some profound and subtle fate-related divine ability. Perhaps the Li family were even rare descendants of a Purple Mansion cultivator, hidden among the common folk, which explained why they were all geniuses!Li Mutian was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, yet there was no record of him in the entire Wu-Yue Jiangnan region, which was clearly the work of a Purple Mansion cultivator. Xiao Gaitu thought further, and there were only two families that had caused the Li family trouble.Wushan killing Li Xiangping, and Qingchi killing Li Chijing.Both incidents pointed to two True Persons at the peak of the Purple Mansion realm, on the verge of breaking through to the Golden Core stage! It was clearly Purple Mansion True Persons playing a chess game, interfering with each other!By this reckoning, the Purple Mansion cultivator behind the Li family took on a clear profile: skilled in divination, hidden behind a certain sect, harboring enmity with the Qingchi Sect, and at least at the late Purple Mansion stage.The Purple Mansion cultivator behind the Li family was unwilling to reveal traces, and the Xiao family dared not publicize or expose them. They merely facilitated matters for the Li family in the market, quietly supporting them from behind.Now that Xiao Chuting was trapped, Xiao Gaitu had no one to turn to for help. He recalled Xiao Chuting and the Li family's Purple Mansion cultivator had often cooperated silently, one using their prestige, the other hiding their tracks. He had no choice but to take a desperate gamble and seek aid from the Li family."I just hope I haven't angered that True Person... Guiluan is usually straightforward; there shouldn't be any issues, right?"Xiao Gaitu was truly uneasy. Xiao Chuting had been gone for over two years. He had only just learned from Bu Zi that Xiao Chuting was trapped by Zhang Tianyuan. That green-robed True Person had seemed gleeful, so Xiao Chuting's situation was likely not good."Our family's survival, now that we've broken away from Qingchi, rests entirely upon you!"