Chapter 357: Settled

"Yu Xiaogui has passed away." Li Yuanjiao had already heard many rumors and experienced the death of his own family's elder. His gaze swept over the scene, and he immediately understood the situation before him.

The two families were sworn enemies, so Li Yuanjiao naturally felt no sorrow. Instead, he finally felt a sense of closure and silently breathed a sigh of relief: "Fei Wangbai died by an unknown sword cultivator, with just one strike. Yu Xiaogui died by my uncle-master, with a Huashang fruit and the Green Ruler Sword, also just one strike... The three Foundation Establishment cultivators from the lake families are all dead now."

The Azure Pond Sect would not let go of its lucrative assets just because a family's Foundation Establishment cultivator died. The offerings that were due still had to be paid, charmingly referred to as "ancestral legacy." The family would remain listed for fifty years, and once its resources were completely depleted over decades, it would be cast aside. However, if the Li family were to gain several more Foundation Establishment cultivators and expand its territory, it would likely have to pay even more in offerings. For instance, the Yuan family's offerings were several times larger than the Li family's.

The scene of Yu Xiaogui's death was quite spectacular, with jade stones scattered everywhere. Li Yuanjiao admired it for a moment, then left his cave dwelling and hovered over the Yu family's territory for a while.

The Yu family's governance was now immeasurably better than many years ago; at the very least, people could live and survive. Although Yu Mugao was cunning and ruthless, he was also decisive in his actions. He drastically reformed the Yu family's clan system and promoted several commoners from outside the family, leading to a general improvement.

With a clear understanding, he put away his magic mirror, and the stone wall of his own cave dwelling reappeared before him. Li Yuanjiao murmured, "Chi Buzi's visit has truly put our family on edge. I wonder what repercussions it will have."

The day had been startling and unsettling, leaving a knot of suppressed anxiety in Li Yuanjiao's chest. He took the Green Ruler Sword from its rack and began practicing his swordsmanship.

Li Yuanjiao drew his sword and practiced his techniques for most of the day, moving on his own. Only then did he feel much of the mountain-like pressure on him dissipate, and he vaguely sensed an improvement in his skills.

He then sat cross-legged and began cleaning his Green Edge sword. Just then, someone approached from below, dressed in a brown robe, wearing a jade crown, and with a beaming smile. He respectfully announced, "Clan brother! Clan brother! Good news, clan brother!"

This person was naturally Shamoli. He approached joyfully. Though older than Li Yuanjiao, he had learned tact and now affectionately called him "clan brother." He said with a smile, "Clan brother! Li Jing has reported that True Master Xiao Chuting appeared on Yu Mountain, killed dozens of demon cultivators hiding there, and has now returned to Xianyou Peak. The demon cultivators in the Xiao family's territory have scattered!"

'Xiao Chuting has returned!' Li Yuanjiao silently breathed a sigh of relief, and a smile couldn't help but appear on his face. 'With Xiao Chuting in charge, the Xiao family's predicament is resolved, and they won't be troubled anymore. This also makes our family a bit safer.'

Pondering this, he patted Shamoli's shoulder and replied, "That's good news. Keep an eye on things. I'm going into seclusion to cultivate."

Shamoli nodded and quietly withdrew.

The cultivators on the mountain breathed a sigh of relief. As the news spread, the people below the mountain were also overjoyed. They didn't understand the internal struggles but simply felt that the Xiao family was the Li family's backer, and the return of the True Master was naturally good news.

The clansmen of the Yuanqing generation were even more delighted. This generation, who typically held important positions in various mountains and towns, seized the opportunity of returning to Lijing for their regular reports to visit Li Yuanping's central hall and offer their congratulations.

The Yuanqing generation originally numbered over ten, with nine still living. Apart from Yuanjiao and Qinghong on the mountain, and Yuanping who managed the family, Li Xuanxuan's illegitimate children were the most numerous, totaling four sons and two daughters. The eldest was thirty, the youngest only a little over ten, and each held positions in different regions.

Among them were also two spirit aperture children, but their talent was inferior to Li Yuanping's, almost indistinguishable from mortals.

"Greetings, Family Head!" As this group gathered in the hall, nearly half of the Li family's secular power was held within this central hall. Li Yuanping, smiling, greeted them and helped all his brothers and sisters to their feet.

Compared to the rebellious and unruly brothers during Li Yuanxiu's time as family head, these individuals now smiled warmly, their hearts devoted to the family. This was not because Li Yuanping's methods were superior to Li Yuanxiu's, but because all the brothers had married and started families.

After all, there was a vast difference between spirit aperture children and mortals. Even if these individuals couldn't produce spirit aperture children themselves, they would strive to do so, and the children they did have were no less talented than their father, Li Xuanxuan.

According to the Li family's rules, these children from the collateral branches of the main clan could go to the mountain to cultivate if their spirit apertures were detected at six years old. With their precious children cultivating on the mountain, what earthly riches could compare? Naturally, they changed their allegiance and became loyal supporters of the main branch.

Li Yuanping was well aware of this dynamic. He now boldly placed trust in them, promoting several to important positions, which greatly eased his own burden. In recent years, his interactions with his brothers had been enthusiastic, and their camaraderie had rapidly deepened. He now chuckled and said:

"This is good news, but there's no need for all of you, my brothers, to go to such trouble to come here so formally."

Several of them offered apologies, then pushed forward the eldest man, whose face was slightly broad and round. He was the eldest among Li Xuanxuan's illegitimate sons. After some meandering talk, he smiled and said:

"It's just that there are still talented individuals in the family who haven't been given important roles by the clan. We've come to recommend them to the Family Head!"

"Oh?" Li Yuanping looked up with interest. The man then said, "These two brothers are the sons of Guest Elder An, and they also carry our Li family's bloodline."

He gestured, and two boys, appearing to be thirteen or fourteen years old, came forward from below. Their hair was tied up, and they wore cloaks, with gold rings on their hands. They had round faces and dark eyes, and seemed quite reserved. They bowed and said, "An Siwei / An Siming greet the Family Head."

An Zheyen and Li Feiruo had these two sons, full brothers. Not only did both possess spirit apertures, but they had also cultivated to the fourth layer of Embryonic Breath at just thirteen or fourteen years old!

Although both boys' auras were fluctuating, suggesting recent breakthroughs, it was still astounding. Li Yuanping scrutinized them carefully and said in surprise, "This... are you cultivating the 'Koutingsuwei Art'?"

Seeing both brothers nod, Li Yuanping secretly breathed a sigh of relief. 'No wonder they're so fast. The "Koutingsuwei Art" is indeed a quick-success cultivation method that accelerates Embryonic Breath cultivation while slowing Qi Condensation. Still, this is quite impressive.'

'It still can't compare to An Jingming's speed of reaching Qi Condensation at fourteen... but it far surpasses all the collateral families in our clan. Not to mention the Chen clan, even our own members who received talisman seeds only achieve this speed!'

He then shook his head and said in a deep voice, "Given your current cultivation progress, there's no need for any important assignments for now."

As soon as he said this, the An brothers were greatly embarrassed, and the other brothers also paused. But then Li Yuanping replied, "I will write a letter right away to find a cave dwelling for both of you on Huazhong Mountain, so you can focus on cultivation and quickly break through to Qi Condensation. The clan has important tasks to entrust to you!"

"Yes!" The two brothers were instantly overjoyed. Once Li Yuanping had written the letter, they accepted it and respectfully withdrew.

The Xiao family. Xiao Chuting broke through the void and gently landed on the summit of Xianyou Peak. The water in the cold pond was as clear and icy as ever. He slowly sat down, gazing absently at the rock on the opposite shore.

Exhausted from his battles of wits and strength, Xiao Chuting sat on the rock, and suddenly remembered that his elder brother, Xiao Chuchou, was dead.

His elder brother, with whom he used to sit by the pond every year discussing current events and changes, had been consumed by Xiao Chuting and transformed into half of his own divine ability.

Xiao Chuting knew in his heart that even if he hadn't consumed Xiao Chuchou, his brother was too old to live much longer. Xiao Xianyou had arranged everything so perfectly, making the best use of everything.

'But... there's no turning back...'

Demon cultivators ran rampant. Xiao Chuting ensured that the Qi Condensation and Embryonic Breath demon cultivators who remained on Yu Mountain died particularly miserably and disgracefully. However, he still couldn't pursue and retaliate against the demon cultivators who had fled towards the Purple Smoke Sect, only able to vent his anger by killing a few henchmen.

The land in Jiangnan was most nourishing, with deep spiritual veins. If a few seedlings were planted, there would be a bountiful harvest the next year. Tens of thousands had died on Yu Mountain, but within a few generations, it would recover like crops. The Xiao family's losses were actually not significant.

Yet, the old man's face remained grim. He had made countless small-to-large gambits in his life, but his original intentions were never fully realized. He simply picked up his white jade fishing rod and began to fish in silence.

After a good while, someone finally came up to deliver a message, saying that the Family Head, Xiao Guitu, had come to pay respects to the Ancestor.

Xiao Chuting slowly responded. Xiao Guitu, dressed in casual clothes and with a face full of joy, hurried up the mountain path and respectfully said, "Your junior, Guitu, greets the True Master!"

"Hmm." Xiao Chuting glanced at him and said gently, "Chi Buzi sought you out."

Xiao Guitu bowed and replied, "With the magical artifact left by the Ancestor for protection, Guitu didn't collapse before True Master Azure Pond. However... I was still affected by his divine ability and asked about the Li family's Purple Mansion from Guilu."

Xiao Chuting shook his head and said softly, "It's fine. Chi Buzi has been to Moon-Gazing Lake and has honestly returned to the Azure Pond Sect. I don't know if he was injured, but he was likely warned by the Purple Mansion behind the Li family and quickly retreated."

Xiao Guitu nodded thoughtfully, then asked, "Was it the Demon Cave of Mount Dali?"

Xiao Chuting was silent for a moment, then finally did not speak. Changing the subject, he replied, "Send someone to the South Sea to bring Xiao Yuansi back. That way, Guilan won't have to wait."

"Understood!" Xiao Guitu comprehended the unspoken meaning and withdrew.

Below Xianyou Peak. Xiao Guilan stayed with the Xiao family for half a month, asking former acquaintances about the matters on Yu Mountain.

Her father, upon hearing it was about the Xiao-Li clan, firmly refused to see Li Qingxiao. However, when a few dozen spirit stones were presented, the door immediately opened, and he eagerly called her "little sister."

Xiao Guilan was not surprised; her father was inherently greedy and stingy. With her brother Xiao Guitu working in concert, the door opened not just because the gifts were valuable, but also because Xiao Guitu had silently approved.

After bribing the connections within the peak, and with Xiao Guitu's tacit support, the Yu Mountain matters were naturally settled. Xianyou Peak even dispatched several guest elders to stabilize the situation.

Good news also arrived one after another. Xiao Yuansi had not been on Xianyou Peak, and Xiao Guilan had been wondering when he would return, but suddenly heard news of his return.

Perhaps with Xiao Chuting's return, Xianyou Peak's personnel could be deployed, and Xiao Yuansi was recalled from the South Sea.

Xiao Guilan immediately sought an audience, and Xiao Yuansi readily agreed. So, Xiao Guilan handed her alchemy furnace to Li Ximing, instructing him to stay with the Xiao family, and then departed to return home.

Upon returning to the Li family, she saw that Li Yuanjiao and Li Qinghong, the two mainstays, were both in seclusion. Realizing that the family must have stabilized and there were no major issues, she immediately let out a long sigh of relief.

Two years swiftly passed. Li Yuanjiao waited for two years, hearing no news from the Azure Pond Sect, nor any Purple Mansion cultivator from the sect arriving through the void. He had waited day and night, and it seemed the immortal official had indeed hidden the matter from the Azure Pond Sect, allowing him to finally feel a little at ease.

The demonic plague no longer manifested as collective migrations that ravaged several commanderies. Instead, scattered demon cultivators spread their demonic arts throughout the entire Yue Kingdom and even to Wuxu, becoming a more frequent, continuous minor disaster.

During this time, demonic arts also spread to the Li family, but under the Li family's governance, household registration was complete and thoroughly scrutinized. Demon cultivators were often discovered and easily slain after consuming only one or two people; Embryonic Breath demon cultivators were not powerful and were quite easy to deal with.

Meanwhile, the Li family's quinquennial sacrifice was approaching again. With Chi Buzi's blood pearls, preparations for this sacrifice were exceptionally grand. However, Mount Dali could not be entered or exited freely. Li Qinghong emerged from seclusion, having broken through to the sixth layer of Qi Condensation, and began preparing for the sacrifice.

The Li family did not lack Qi Condensation cultivators, but the sacrifice was a secret matter. If they sought help, they would have to come up with many excuses, so they decided to handle it themselves, searching in Moon-Gazing Lake.

At the bottom of Moon-Gazing Lake. The lakebed shimmered with water waves. Dark currents surged, bringing up murky gray flows. Two figures stood in the water, their magical light deliberately dimmed, waiting patiently.

Li Qinghong's jade armor was a family heirloom from the An clan, coming with its own water-repelling enchantment, making her quite comfortable in the water. Li Yuanjiao, cultivating the "Rivers and Qi Art," was even more at ease, like a fish in water.

Moon-Gazing Lake was very deep and not without Foundation Establishment level demonic beasts. The two cautiously searched for two months before finally finding a catfish demon with no notable background.

"Gurgle, gurgle..." Water currents surged towards them from a distance. Li Yuanjiao and Li Qinghong exchanged a glance and nodded slightly.

Then, a beast, as large as a house, rapidly swam through the dark depths. Its long whiskers swayed back and forth, and its large mouth sucked and spat in the water. It swallowed a few times, then spat out several bone fragments.

'Large, flat forehead, low-slung, slimy and difficult to control—it truly is a catfish demon.'

This catfish demon was only at the fourth layer of Qi Condensation, with poor bloodline, lacking significant heritage or intelligence. However, it was skilled at water manipulation and incredibly fast in movement. If startled, it would instantly flee, and the two cultivators naturally couldn't catch it in the water.

Moreover, this demonic beast had low intelligence and swam about erratically. The bottom of Moon-Gazing Lake also contained Foundation Establishment demonic beasts; if it wandered into the territory of some demon general, the two cultivators would be in trouble.

Because of this, Li Yuanjiao had been troubled for a while. He went to the Yuan family and rented a mid-grade Qi Condensation water-element array disc, the Murky Water Talisman Flow Array. While the catfish demon was out foraging, he set up the array in its cave, just waiting for the creature.

As the catfish demon foolishly swam forward, Li Yuanjiao clenched his hand. A ripple of blue light spread out, and instantly, a blue-green barrier rose from the lakebed, blending seamlessly with the water, isolating the inside from the outside.

The catfish, startled, sprang up, deftly turned, and shot away like an arrow. With a thud, it crashed into the Murky Water Talisman Flow Array, causing the entire grand array to shake slightly.

The catfish demon, being thick-skinned and tough, showed no ill effects. After a brief stunned moment, it changed direction, preparing to flee again.

"It's done!" This demonic beast clearly had no experience fighting cultivators and didn't even recognize an array formation. Li Yuanjiao's only concern had been its water manipulation abilities. He let out a soft exclamation and immediately drew his sword, advancing.

"Buzzing..." The lake water was parted by the bright white sword energy, leaving two long, wavy trails. The catfish demon spat, and water waves condensed, forming layers of large shields.

This spell was very crude, clearly belonging to a rogue demonic beast that possessed immense magical power but little technique. The Moon Scar Sword Arc arrived with overwhelming force, piercing through layers of water shields and creating a small hole in the catfish demon's body.

The catfish demon was massive, with hard scales and a protective layer of slimy magical power. Yet, the sword arc still wounded the demon's scaly bones, causing it to writhe in pain. Li Yuanjiao raised his sword again, but Li Qinghong, unable to hold back, spoke loudly, "Brother, your sword energy is too potent; you might slay this demon. My lightning magic is good at subduing and capturing. Why don't I try?"