Chapter 378: Waiting for the Rabbit

Yang Xiao’er smiled, subtly moved a step closer, and replied, "My ancestor also praised him once, saying he was exceptionally charismatic and kind-hearted...achieving Foundation Establishment in just thirty years, and all four sons he taught were talented individuals..."

Yang Xiao’er's tone was respectful, perhaps influenced by her beloved, developing a good impression of the Li family's elders. Li Xizhi, however, was stunned, thinking to himself: "How is this possible?! This... it's been nearly a hundred years already, and my ancestor was clearly a mortal! How could Yang Tianya remember... What does this mean!"

Li Xizhi had also read the family annals, and it was crystal clear to him: 'Furthermore, saying that my great-grandfather was exceptionally charismatic might not be an exaggeration... but where did "kind-hearted" come from?! "Cunning and decisive" would be more of a compliment. There aren't many kind-hearted individuals in my family, from top to bottom... Yang Tianya... Yang Tianya!'

With countless thoughts swirling in his mind, Li Xizhi simply chuckled: "Of course, he's not as impressive as Ancestor Tianya... With Ancestor's recent breakthrough, he must have reached the peak of Foundation Establishment upon emerging from seclusion, with the Violet Palace realm in sight!"

"It's not that easy," Yang Xiao’er mumbled, gazing into the distance and softly saying, "The Li Xia Immortal Clan has arrived."

Li Xizhi followed his gaze and indeed saw a large gray boat in the sky. At the very front stood a middle-aged man with slightly narrow, elongated eyes, draped in a snow-white fox fur coat, standing still in the wind.

"Elder Yushan, Xiao Yongling!" Xiao Yongling's aura was subdued, appearing unremarkable, yet he commanded everyone's admiration and respect. In Yuyuan Market, he single-handedly fought three Foundation Establishment demonic cultivators, securing the most prosperous hub for the Xiao family and earning renown throughout Yue Country.

During that battle, Xiao Yongling was severely wounded. Fortunately, the Xiao family had Xiao Yuansi, who, with numerous precious herbs and elixirs, not only saved him but also allowed him to gain significant strength, turning misfortune into a blessing.

At this moment, he stood quietly at the front of the boat, and as if sensing something, he looked back and nodded with a faint smile towards Li Xizhi.

Li Xizhi quickly returned the bow, while Yang Xiao’er also clasped his hands in greeting, thinking to himself: "Rumor has it that Elder Yushan and the Moon Deficient Sword were acquainted in their humble beginnings and shared an unbreakable bond. It truly seems so!"

After they waited for a while, cultivators from the Three Sects and Seven Gates all arrived. Elemental True Lord and Autumn Water True Lord stepped out from the Great Void, and the multicolored light of their divine abilities slowly rose. Gaping fissures abruptly appeared in the sky above Mount Dongli. As everyone looked inside, they could vaguely discern collapsed pavilions and mountain peaks.

Disciples from the Three Sects and Seven Gates filed in, disappearing into the sky. Dense spiritual energy surged forth, invigorating the entire Mount Dongli. Streams of spiritual energy descended from the Great Void; spiritual water churned, and spiritual fires raged. Various rogue cultivators and demonic cultivators, who had long been dormant, began fighting fiercely within the mountain.

A full half-hour later, earth, stones, and sand rained down from the sky, mixed with numerous pavilions and towers, creating utter chaos on the ground below. The rogue cultivators erupted into cheers.

"The Eastern Fire Grotto-Heaven has fallen into the sea!"

Mount Qingdu.

Li Yuanjiao emerged, riding the wind. A light rain began to fall over Moonview Lake due to his breakthrough, and the lake was misty. As he glided through on the wind, he felt utterly free and unbound.

Foundation Establishment cultivators held noble status, and anyone who broke through would be overjoyed. Li Yuanjiao had not felt this triumphant in many years. He flew over the Fei family's territory on the wind, gazing at the bright stars in the sky. He had already left Yue Country and entered Xu Country.

This area was within the territory of the Xiuyue Sect and was very safe. Beyond this point, the vast wilderness and hills would be much more dangerous. Ordinary cultivators rarely took this path, but the Mount Dongli area was too perilous, so Li Yuanjiao preferred to take a longer detour.

The night was deep, and he did not conceal the radiance of his magical power, secretly hoping to encounter some demonic cultivators or rogue cultivators engaged in robbery, to fill his depleted storage bag.

This place was remote, and Li Yuanjiao also possessed the Dharma Mirror, so such encounters were naturally highly desirable.

Unfortunately, most of the cultivators in the mountains were at the Qi Condensation or Embryonic Breathing stages, and they were not foolish enough to provoke a Foundation Establishment cultivator without reason. Li Yuanjiao flew for several days, quite bored, until he finally reached the territory of the Xuanyue Sect.

The Xuanyue Sect's mountain gate, vast as a slumbering giant bear in the dawn, inspired awe. Just thinking of True Lord Changxi moving mountains all the way from Xu Country, Li Yuanjiao couldn't help but feel a surge of hope for the Violet Palace realm: 'How many more years must my family remain hidden before we can have someone like him?'

As he prepared to fly around the mountain, a sharp-witted Xuanyue Sect female cultivator, clad in a light yellow robe, had already risen on the wind and stopped before Li Yuanjiao. She cupped her hands and softly said: "Kong Tingyun of Xuanyue Sect greets Fellow Daoist. May I ask which sect or peak you are the master of?"

This woman possessed exceptional eyesight, immediately discerning the unusual nature of the Azure Ruler Sword behind Li Yuanjiao. Furthermore, Li Yuanjiao, having mastered the Qi Circulation and Spirit Devouring technique, displayed a mystical ability to soar through clouds and fog under its augmentation, leading her to believe he was a cultivator from one of the Three Sects and Seven Gates.

Li Yuanjiao slightly cupped his hands and gravely said: "I am Li Yuanjiao of the Li family from Lijing. It's a pleasure to meet you, Fellow Daoist!"

"So it's a Sword Immortal family," Kong Tingyun praised, then softly continued, "May I ask Fellow Daoist why you have come to our sect's territory... and if there's anything I can assist with, Tingyun will not decline."

His own calculations were difficult to explain, so Li Yuanjiao simply replied: "I need to go to the mouth of the great river... I wonder if Xuanyue can provide some convenience..."

Kong Tingyun chuckled upon hearing his words, her eyes subtly shifting as she reminded him: "If Brother Jiao has come for the treasures of Dongli, I'm afraid you might be making a wasted trip!"

"Oh?" His own plans were revealed with a single phrase, yet Li Yuanjiao's expression remained unchanged. He smiled and asked, "How so?"

Kong Tingyun replied: "Brother Jiao is a clever person to think of our Xuanyue's four routes to the sea. However, each family's territory has already set up traps; any rogue cultivator who lands in a particular area becomes that sect's property." She added, "Not just our Xuanyue's four routes, but even the Sword Sect, Red Reef, and Xueji lineages have all laid ambushes. Not a single rogue cultivator will be allowed to escape."

Kong Tingyun finished speaking in a gentle voice, then emphasized: "The Dongli Sect left many things behind, including True Lord Dongli Cui Mu's magic treasures and lineage. Even if they rot, they must rot within our Yue Country's borders; they absolutely cannot flow into the East Sea!" She continued, "Already, two groups of people have come, and both were persuaded to leave by our Xuanyue Sect..."

Li Yuanjiao listened to all this information, then gave a self-deprecating smile and replied: "There are too many clever people in the world; my petty schemes seem rather laughable."

Seeing that he was neither ashamed nor annoyed, Kong Tingyun felt a growing liking for him. She smiled slightly and consoled him: "The matter is secretive, and Tingyun cannot say much, but the Eastern Fire Grotto-Heaven is being watched by major figures, so everything is naturally flawless. Brother Jiao might not know..." She explained, "Qingchi long ago set up the 'Secret Revelation and Profound Clarity Array' in Dongli. Don't be fooled by how lively the rogue cultivators and demonic cultivators appear; anything they touch, anyone they meet, and their tracks within three days of leaving Dongli are all perfectly clear... Ordinary items won't be monitored, but not even a trace of anything Violet Palace-level will be allowed to leak out..."

Li Yuanjiao immediately felt a chill in his heart and nodded slightly. Kong Tingyun, however, thought he already knew this, and suddenly realized: "I forgot about the bond between Xiao and Li, and I was trying to be clever!"

Li Yuanjiao quickly offered reassurance. Kong Tingyun glanced at him, especially at his Foundation Establishment artifact, and hesitated: "Actually, Tingyun has a small matter here that might trouble Brother Jiao..."

"Please speak," Li Yuanjiao responded. Kong Tingyun said, "Some years ago, Tingyun was guarding one of the sea entrances and discovered a Foundation Establishment demonic beast in the salty lake near the sea. Due to insufficient strength... I was unable to eliminate it... My branch is Cloud Summit, and I am the only Foundation Establishment cultivator here. Would it be possible to hire Brother Jiao to help?"

Li Yuanjiao immediately grew suspicious and chuckled: "Your esteemed sect also has many Foundation Establishment cultivators. Why not..."

Kong Tingyun pursed her lips and replied: "There are numerous factions within the sect, and Tingyun finds it difficult to explain... but your noble family is probably not entirely harmonious either... Tingyun has always remained neutral and does not wish to become a supporter of any particular peak..."

Li Yuanjiao's suspicions eased somewhat. Still, armed with the Dharma Mirror, his confidence remained strong, and given the Xuanyue Sect's consistently good reputation, he asked: "What kind of demonic beast is it?"

Kong Tingyun replied: "It's at the bottom of the Salty Lake, a Hooked Serpent. It was defeated in a fight by the Azure Water Dragon of Billowing Waves Island in the sea and stealthily slipped into the lake... Tingyun wishes to obtain the twin hooks on its tail."

Li Yuanjiao nodded, then smiled and said: "I do have time to assist, but I first need to visit an old friend on the road, so it will have to be postponed a bit."

Kong Tingyun nodded slightly and softly said: "As you wish. Tingyun will await Fellow Daoist at Xuanyue."

Li Yuanjiao chatted casually with her for a few moments, then departed on the wind. Kong Tingyun saw him off from the Xuanyue territory, watched him disappear into the horizon, and then paused in the clouds, chuckling: "What a suspicious character."

After leaving the Xuanyue Sect's Shanjie Commandery, Li Yuanjiao found a remote, desolate mountain in the wilderness and landed there. Unwilling to use the Azure Ruler Sword, he activated his magical power to hastily carve out a cave dwelling, set up a minor Embryonic Breathing array, and cultivated in silence.

He had no old friends in Northern Yue; this was merely a way to let Kong Tingyun know someone was aware of his whereabouts, so that his death wouldn't be untraceable. Sitting in his cave dwelling, he secretly thought: 'The Xuanyue Sect has occupied the river mouth, but does that mean I can't intercept them halfway? Even if it's not as busy as the river mouth, getting one or two would still be good.'

"I'll cultivate for a while on this desolate mountain path. If I encounter one or two fleeing cultivators... I'll kill demonic cultivators with a single palm strike, but for rogue cultivators, I'll assess the situation."

After waiting a day, spiritual energy surged and coalesced in the distance, indicating the fall of the Grotto-Heaven. He then estimated the travel time from Mount Dongli to his location, cultivated with his eyes closed for more than another day, and only then took out his Immortal Mirror to activate its World Roaming ability.

The Immortal Mirror's current scrying range was vast enough to cover an entire commandery, not only thoroughly covering the large area from Yufu Commandery to Shanjie Commandery but also clearly showing the border town of Yufu Commandery and a significant portion of Shanjie Commandery.

With just a glance from Li Yuanjiao, three streaks of magical light and seven streaks of bloody light stealthily moving through the chaotic mountains of the wilderness had already appeared. He immediately broke out of seclusion and flew towards the nearest demonic cultivator.

Just as he crossed a mountain, two demonic cultivators were carefully flying close to the ground. Though they had concealed their forms and restrained their aura, they were completely exposed before the Immortal Mirror.

'One late Qi Condensation, one early Qi Condensation.' Li Yuanjiao wasted no time, swiftly approaching while concealing his aura. With sword in hand, once he was within the other party's spiritual sense range, he immediately erupted, employing the Rushing River Torrent Steps to charge forward.

The demonic cultivator only had time to gasp, "Who?!" before Li Yuanjiao was already upon him. The cultivator, appearing as a middle-aged man holding a skull artifact, exclaimed in alarm: "A Foundation Establishment cultivator?!"

A long, greenish-gray flood dragon leaped from Li Yuanjiao, ferociously pouncing towards the early Qi Condensation female cultivator. The Azure Ruler Sword in his hand had already sprung forth, unleashing a blue-white sword light that left the man utterly disoriented.

"Clang!" The Moon Deficient Sword Canon, when unleashed, was a killing blow. Combined with a formidable Foundation Establishment cultivator's ambush, the man couldn't even cast a single spell, and perhaps his artifact was still in his storage bag and not drawn. In an instant, his head flew off, and his body exploded.

In a shower of blood, Li Yuanjiao snatched his storage bag, then stepped forward and kicked his head to explode it. With a casual flick, he conjured a fire spell. The man, who hadn't even used a life-saving spell, was instantly reduced to ashes.

Looking back, the early Qi Condensation female demonic cultivator had already been mostly swallowed, her face ashen and lifeless. Li Yuanjiao frowned, urged the flood dragon to spit her out using his immortal foundation, retrieved the storage bag from her body, and then used a spell to destroy the corpse without a trace.

'These two looked similar; they must have been father and daughter.' The demonic cultivator's skull artifact was severed by his sword, continuously spewing out resentment and blood energy. Li Yuanjiao casually put it away and then rushed non-stop towards the next bloody light.

When he landed beside another bloody light, the area was empty, devoid of anyone. Yet, the Dharma Mirror had clearly detected a demonic cultivator, and he immediately rejoiced: "A concealment artifact?!"

This demonic cultivator was indeed quick-witted. No sooner had Li Yuanjiao's words faded than he immediately rose on the wind, throwing a mystical-patterned jade bottle forcefully towards the distant ground. With a flick of his other sleeve, he cast out a blood-colored talisman.

Li Yuanjiao sneered. The greenish-gray flood dragon on his body leaped out, coiled around the mystical-patterned jade bottle on the ground, and with a wave of his sleeve, he shattered the blood-colored talisman in front of him, then rode the wind to give chase.

The demonic cultivator, utterly terrified, pulled out another jade bottle and shouted: "Senior! This is Profound Yang Departing Fire!" Immediately, he struck the jade bottle with his palm, sending it plummeting towards the ground. At the same time, he threw out his storage bag with his other hand, not daring to delay further and let Li Yuanjiao draw his sword. He brought his hands together and formed a spell seal.

'Profound Yang Departing Fire!' Li Yuanjiao snatched the jade bottle with one hand and drew his sword with the other. Yet, the demonic cultivator had already unleashed a secret technique; his entire body below the neck, including his facial features, had turned into blood. Surging blood flames enveloped his white, spherical head, which then shot away at a speed far exceeding that of a Qi Condensation cultivator.

"Clang!" However, the blue-white arc of the Moon Deficient Sword had already howled forth, shattering the head. The scattered blood flames, before even touching the ground, ignited into black smoke, crackling and hissing with noise.

'Ruthless enough... If it were any other early Foundation Establishment cultivator, you might have actually escaped!' Li Yuanjiao couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret for the cultivator's series of decisive actions. Had his own sword not been at its peak the moment it struck, he truly might have let him get away by a hair's breadth.

"Sigh!" Due to this delay, under the Immortal Mirror's illumination, the remaining demonic cultivators and rogue cultivators had long since vanished. Li Yuanjiao had no choice but to land, retrieve the storage bag, and pocket it for now.

Daring not to delay, he immediately rose on the wind and searched for a while along the estimated route of the original cultivators. Indeed, he spotted a rogue cultivator cautiously flying on the wind.

"Good," Li Yuanjiao thought with delight. His face immediately became veiled and obscured by mist. Landing in front of the person, he demanded unceremoniously: "Your storage bag!"

The rogue cultivator, like a startled bird, sprang up from the ground with a thud. After a quick scan with his spiritual sense, his legs turned to jelly, and he collapsed onto the ground. Untying the storage bag from his waist, he pleaded wretchedly: "Senior, spare my life! Senior, spare my life! Everything I have is right here!"

Li Yuanjiao noticed his weak tone, yet his hand, resting on the ground, remained steady. He sneered, took the storage bag, glanced inside, and chuckled hoarsely: "What kind of mediocre person could possibly escape from Mount Dongli? Stop pretending... You're just afraid I'll kill you."

The rogue cultivator's heart sank, and he could only repeatedly kowtow. Li Yuanjiao looked into the storage bag and saw that the man had only taken a 'Leap Year Sun Method,' a spell from the Dongli Sect, and a wisp of fiendish fire energy. There was nothing else, just a few scattered miscellaneous items of a rogue cultivator.