Chapter 367: Slaughter under the Jun Kui Light

The Li family members quickly flew away on the wind. Li Yuanjiao’s face was slightly pale, but after taking a pill to expel cold poison and regulate his true essence, he looked much better. Li Qinghong, who had expended a great deal of energy, also took a pill to recuperate.

Despite his minor injuries, Li Yuanjiao smiled. The storage bag in his hand glowed faintly, covered in runes, clearly no ordinary item. He chuckled:

“This demonic cultivator seems extraordinary, likely a core figure on par with Zhang Huaide or Qiu Ji, unlike those lesser demonic cultivators. We should have quite a haul this time.”

As he spoke, Li Yuanjiao did not open the storage bag immediately, but instead twirled it in his hand. Li Xuanxuan said with some concern:

“Jiao'er, how are your injuries?”

“It's nothing serious. I'll just need Guiluan to tend to me for two days. After a few more months of solidifying my cultivation, I'll be able to break through to the ninth level.”

His implication was about the Talisman Pill, but he didn't voice it aloud since the old monkey was flying behind them. After flying in silence for a while, Li Yuanjiao suddenly stopped and whispered:

“Found it!”

Below them was a small village of Embryonic Breath cultivators. The demonic cultivator was in the midst of a joyful slaughter. Li Yuanjiao descended on the wind and immediately swung his sword.

After a moment, he returned, dragging an Embryonic Breath demonic cultivator whose limbs had been severed, leaving a smooth, isolated torso. Its eyes were wide with terror, pleading for mercy.

Li Yuanjiao's gaze was sharp and unwavering. He merely threw the torso onto the ground, then flung the Qi Cultivator's storage bag at its face, ordering:

“Open it with your spiritual sense.”

The demonic cultivator obediently complied. The storage bag's opening loosened slightly, spilling out its contents onto the ground. No tracking spells seemed to activate, nor did there appear to be any hidden contingencies.

Li Yuanjiao didn't bother to check if the demonic cultivator had been marked for vengeance. Amidst the pleas for mercy, he stomped its head, incinerated the remains with fire magic, and then collected the storage bag and numerous spiritual items.

The entire process took mere tens of breaths and was executed swiftly. Li Qinghong, holding her spear, continued to regulate her breath, seemingly oblivious. Li Xuanxuan, however, frowned and interjected:

“There's no need to dismember him like that… A single sword strike would have sufficed. Why go to such lengths and make a bloody mess?”

“It's simpler. No need to worry about him using talismans.”

Li Yuanjiao replied with a smile, and the group took to the wind. He sifted through the storage bag, checking the spoils. Before long, they had passed various families and reached the border of the Yu family's territory.

The Yu family's Dense Forest Commandery was already ablaze with battle, a scene of devastation. Streaks of light and spells collided, sending plumes of smoke billowing.

Li Xuanxuan paused to watch for a moment, whispering:

“From Yu Yufeng to Yu Chengyi, it's only four generations, yet they've declined to such an extent. The accumulated problems are now insurmountable!”

“Indeed,” Li Qinghong replied.

Li Qinghong, holding her spear, stared at the flickering lights of battle erupting within the commandery. She continued:

“When aristocratic families rise from obscurity, their ancestors must possess exceptional talent and shrewdness, or be open-minded and adept at using people, or be cautious, cunning, and ruthless, to truly stand out. The first generation establishes the foundation, the second preserves it, but most are far inferior to their predecessors. Later generations, indulging in pleasure or solely focusing on cultivation, unaware of the world's hardships, might still manage to suppress their clan if they reach Foundation Establishment or Purple Palace. If not, then the seeds of disaster are sown!”

Li Yuanjiao watched, his hand resting on his sword, and murmured:

“From my great-great-grandfather to the present, four generations have passed. Xiyue is already the fifth.”

He turned his head and suddenly asked:

“Are there any among our children and grandchildren who can compare to our great-great-grandfather or great-grandfather's generation?”

Li Qinghong hadn't expected the topic to suddenly become so serious. She quickly smiled and said:

“Brother, you jest. Each generation has its own circumstances; there's no need to compare.”

Li Xuanxuan had listened to the siblings' discussion without a word throughout the journey. Upon entering Lijing Town, he went directly to the peak to draw talismans. Li Yuanjiao and Li Qinghong descended together to the central hall and divided the numerous spoils of war with Li Yuanping.

There were ten storage bags from the Embryonic Breath cultivators. The spiritual items and magical artifacts were placed into the treasury, leaving only forty-odd spirit stones, which were added to the clan treasury. This finally filled the void left by the spirit stones given to Li Qingxiao's branch in Yushan.

Next, they emptied the Qi Cultivator's accumulated possessions. There were as many as twenty spirit stones alone. Li Yuanjiao was about to hand them over to Yuanping when he saw Yuanping frown and say:

“Brother and sister, you should always take some! If you always give everything to the clan, where will you get the resources for your own cultivation? Brother, you're about to establish your foundation; think more about yourself.”

Li Yuanjiao and his sister exchanged glances, then split the stones in half. Each took a few bottles of usable pills. Most of the remaining items were demonic cultivation methods. Li Yuanjiao meticulously sifted through them, his eyes lighting up as he chuckled:

“There's a fourth-grade spell.”

Most widely circulated spells in Wu and Yue were first or second-grade, or even unranked. Third and fourth-grade spells were typically secret treasures of aristocratic families, while anything higher belonged solely to immortal sects. Upon hearing this, everyone immediately gathered around. Li Yuanjiao read it carefully and replied:

“How unusual! It's a fourth-grade spell from Tujun Sect, a small sect in the State of Wu, called 'Tujun Sunflower Radiance.' It requires cultivating with different cold energies and cold waters. To get started, you need nine streams of cold energy or three streams of cold water. To master it, you need eighty-one streams! Normally, you refine these cold energies and waters into your left index finger. In battle, you form a hand seal to release the Tujun Sunflower Radiance, which can impede the enemy's magical power circulation. If mastered, even a Qi cultivator will be turned into ice water upon contact.”

After Li Yuanjiao finished speaking, Li Qinghong took the spell and read it carefully, sighing regretfully as she softly said:

“I can't use it. My lightning element belongs to fire, which excels at breaking through yin and cold. Let alone refining it into my index finger.”

Li Yuanjiao nodded. His own cultivation of the 'Rivers and Qi Art' and the 'Cold Pine Dew Snow Art,' along with several other inheritances, were quite compatible with this spell. The 'Cold Pine Snow Qi' collected through the 'Cold Pine Dew Snow Art' could even serve as one of the cold energies for refining this technique. *'The family still possesses a stream of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Water, the Earth Fiend Cold Spring, which could be used.'*

“Tujun Sect…” Li Yuanjiao found the name familiar and said with a puzzled expression:

“It seems the old monkey once cultivated in this sect; it was mentioned in 'The White Monkey's Travels.' This sect's cultivation methods are yin and cold. Its ancestors were once prominent and had several secret arts, but it was later destroyed by demonic cultivators. Now, it has somehow come into our possession.”

This spell requires many different types of cold energies and cold waters, with nine types needed just for entry. It would be somewhat difficult to cultivate. Li Yuanjiao temporarily put it aside, planning to inquire which families possessed cold energies so he could slowly practice it.

Li Yuanjiao entered seclusion for about half a year to stabilize his cultivation. After taking the family's Talisman Pill, he effortlessly broke through to the ninth level of Qi Cultivation, with Foundation Establishment finally within reach.

Now that he had emerged from seclusion, he inquired and found that most of the family's cultivators had gone into secluded cultivation. The family had become much more prosperous after this demonic disaster. Many overdue clan stipends had been distributed, and everyone had either made progress during life-or-death situations or accumulated enough to purchase pills, leading to individual breakthroughs. Li Qinghong's cultivation had also greatly advanced after the recent battles against the demonic disaster. However, the later stages of Qi Cultivation emphasized accumulation, so she had not yet broken through to the eighth level.

Just as Li Yuanjiao emerged from seclusion, a servant brought him a letter. It was from Guyan Temple, stating that Chen Donghe had finally gathered a portion of Golden Sun Blazing Essence. Li Yuanjiao was overjoyed. He instructed Li Qinghong to stay and guard the home, then headed west himself.

He set out filled with joy. But as he crossed Xiping Mountain and a swirling golden sandstorm swept towards him, Li Yuanjiao landed before Guyan Temple, his expression instantly darkening. The ancient city wall, which had previously stretched for a thousand li, had now collapsed in several places, divided into three or four sections. The remaining walls were also battered and covered in cracks.

Chen Donghe's face was still pale, looking as if old wounds hadn't healed before new ones appeared. He flew up to Li Yuanjiao and said:

“Young Master!”

Li Yuanjiao pointed at the city wall, frowning silently. Chen Donghe replied:

“It's the demonic cultivators. This year, demonic cultivators have frequently crossed the border. Most just flew past, but some, driven by greed, attacked Guyan Temple. During these battles, the ancient city wall was constantly affected, leading to its current state.”

Chen Donghe sighed and continued:

“The reason this portion of Golden Sun Blazing Essence was delayed by more than half a year is precisely this. With the collapse of the city wall, the energy-gathering point, which could originally support three people, can now only accommodate two…”

Li Yuanjiao felt a headache coming on. This wasn't something that could be fixed with a simple repair. Golden Sun Blazing Essence required an ancient pass. If the family were to undertake the repairs themselves, they might inadvertently destroy the energy-gathering spot. *'Could it be that we'll have to send people to protect it now?!'* Yet, the family's direct lineage had limited combat power. Stationing them here for protection would not only delay their cultivation but also put them in great danger.

“This place is too damaged, and the energy-gathering efficiency is extremely low. It seems we'll have to send others out to search for another source…” He took the jade box from Chen Donghe, gently opened it, and seeing the golden light swirling within, a reddish-gold mass, he nodded and said:

“Does Aunt know about your uncle's matter? After all, he was her brother. She could return to the clan for a visit… to pay respects.”

Chen Donghe understood the underlying meaning: 'she could return to the clan for a visit' implied that the Golden Sun Blazing Essence still needed to be collected. Being a perceptive person, Chen Donghe immediately said gently:

“Please, Young Master, send her back for a trip. This energy point is becoming increasingly difficult to gather from, and I, Donghe, need to seize the time, so I won't accompany you.”

Li Yuanjiao nodded silently and sent someone to invite Li Jingian. Before long, the servant returned with a report: Li Jingian refused to return home, choosing only to offer distant respects and change into white mourning clothes, thus fulfilling her filial duties.

Chen Donghe sighed slightly and bowed to Li Yuanjiao as if apologizing. Li Yuanjiao understood the implication and could only leave behind some pills and resources. He then rose into the long smoke of the setting sun, disappearing alone into the yellow haze.

Only after Li Yuanjiao vanished into the horizon did Chen Donghe straighten up. He sat against the city wall, watching the slowly descending sun, suddenly feeling a profound sense of loneliness. He was also an old man in his sixties. With Tian Youdao's death, there was one fewer person with whom he could sit and reminisce about the past. He murmured:

“The setting sun is blood-red, and the earth veins are churning. It seems another fire vein has erupted.”

The vast desert had numerous fire veins and was not a good place for mortals to reside. Li Jingian's health was deteriorating day by day, and her personality had become somewhat stubborn. If she were younger, she wouldn't have done something that made Li Yuanjiao so awkward. *'Xiao'er… an orphan with her mother, I wonder how they are doing now…'* The 'Rivers and Qi Art' favored water and lakes. Years of desert life had significantly slowed Chen Donghe's cultivation progress, but he was completely unconcerned. He simply sat silently on the grayish-white city wall, humming a line or two of a folk song from his homeland.

Li Yuanjiao returned home in silence and sat on the bluestone for an hour before his mental energy began to recover and his expression brightened. A servant then came to report that Li Xijun had arrived.

“Let him come up.”

Li Yuanjiao waited for a moment. Li Xijun quickly ascended, draped in a brocade robe. The magical artifact, Evening Red Glaze, which had been bestowed upon him, was carefully set into a jade ring, dangling gracefully at his waist, looking quite attractive.

“Xijun greets Second Uncle.”

Li Xijun clasped his hands in greeting, appearing quite relaxed. Li Yuanjiao's spiritual sense swept over him, and he immediately understood, saying softly:

“Embryonic Breath Fifth Level, Jade Capital Wheel. You've worked hard.”

Li Xijun was sixteen, just reaching his prime. His aptitude was slightly lower than Li Ximing's, who, presumably, was also close to condensing his Jade Capital in the Xiao family.

Li Xijun spoke a few humble words. Li Yuanjiao knew he had come to ask for a Talisman Pill, so he took a jade bottle from his storage bag and handed it over. Once Li Xijun and Li Ximing took this pill, they would both be cultivators at the peak of Embryonic Breath. However, there was only one portion of Golden Sun Blazing Essence. Li Yuanjiao carefully formulated his words and said gently:

“Jun'er, the family only acquired one portion of Golden Sun Blazing Essence, and the energy source in the desert has encountered some problems. The next portion will likely take more than a decade to acquire…”

Li Xijun nodded slightly, appearing somewhat surprised. His elder brother Li Xicheng's predicament from years ago now fell upon him. However, his personality was entirely different from his birth brother Li Xicheng's. He respectfully said:

“Xijun will follow the elders' instructions completely!”

He offered no easy way out for Li Yuanjiao, who fell silent for a moment. Li Xijun's sword-like brows drooped. After two breaths, unable to bear the sight of his elder's guilt-stricken expression, he smiled and said:

“Xijun actually prefers the 'Cold Pine Dew Snow Art.' It's elegant and refined, with a chilling aura, suitable for those who carry swords. The 'Golden Palace Blazing Essence Art' sounds like something for a suddenly rich landlord; it doesn't seem interesting to cultivate.”

Li Xijun made a joke, but Li Yuanjiao couldn't bring himself to smile. The 'Cold Pine Dew Snow Art' was merely a third-grade cultivation method, whereas the 'Golden Palace Blazing Essence Art' was a fourth-grade ancient technique. Consuming this specific Heaven and Earth spiritual energy would determine one's path for the next hundred years. Showing favoritism was difficult when both sides were equally important. It wasn't something that could be dismissed with a joke. Although Li Yuanjiao felt a myriad of emotions, he was not good at expressing them. He could only sigh:

“After you break through and stabilize your cultivation, go down the mountain to collect the Cold Pine Snow Qi and prepare for your breakthrough.”

He retrieved 'Tujun Sunflower Radiance' from his storage bag and handed it to Li Xijun as if making amends, saying with rare gentleness:

“This is a newly acquired fourth-grade spell for the family. Read it carefully first, and cultivate it slowly. Come find me when you are able to absorb cold energies and cold waters.”

The family's bottle of Earth Fiend Cold Spring, unlike the reproducible Cold Pine Snow Qi, was not a renewable Heaven and Earth spiritual energy. Li Yuanjiao had not initially intended to use it. However, after carefully reading the spell and seeing that it did not require a large quantity, he became willing to use it.

“Thank you for bestowing this spell, Second Uncle!”

Li Xijun nodded calmly, took the spell, read it carefully, and then swore a Profound Scenery spiritual oath before clasping his hands and withdrawing. Only then did Li Yuanjiao recover his thoughts. He bent over his desk, wrote a letter, handed it to a servant, and said gravely:

“Go to Xianyou Peak and inquire about Young Master Ming's cultivation. If he has already broken through to Jade Capital, tell him to return quickly.”

“No.” He took back the small letter, made some alterations, and then instructed:

“Have him write back. I will personally go to pick him up.”