Chapter 382: Visiting Return

Li Yuanjiao flew into Dali Mountain on the wind, but a beam of spiritual light approached from the south and intercepted him before he reached Qingdu Mountain, forcing him to stop.

An Zheyang, who had been patrolling for a long time, forced the person to stop by the lake and shouted:"Who are you?"

An Zheyang, with an eighth-layer Qi Condensation cultivation, was typically more than capable of handling ordinary rogue cultivators. However, the newcomer's high cultivation made him extremely cautious.

The person, of ordinary appearance and at the peak of Qi Condensation, looked to be just over thirty years old. His clothes, however, were quite valuable. He cupped his hands, activated his spiritual energy, and said respectfully:"Liu Changdie from Lixia is here to pay a visit, I ask that you—"

Before he could finish, a clear and rather pleasant voice suddenly echoed in his ear:"Daoist Changdie?"

Liu Changdie turned his head and suddenly glimpsed a heroic face with bright, almond-shaped eyes, adorned in jade armor and wielding a silver spear. He paused for a breath, then quickly cupped his hands:"So it's Daoist Qinghong!"

Liu Changdie lowered his head, marveling inwardly:'What a peerless beauty... In my previous life, I never had the chance to meet her, only hearing that she ended her life on Yuting Mountain. With such a magnificent demeanor and appearance, it's no wonder the monks of Lotus Temple desired her.'

Li Qinghong had long heard from her elders that this person was unusual. Seeing his complex expression, she wasn't surprised and said with a smile:"Daoist friend, please follow me into the mountain!"

Only then did An Zheyang let him pass. He cupped his hands and quietly withdrew.

Liu Changdie deferentially followed her into the mountain. Inside the main hall, two figures were seated: one was an aged, withered, and decaying old man, while the other was middle-aged but remarkably pale.

Li Yuanping was discussing clan matters with his father, Li Xuanxuan. Upon greeting Liu Changdie, Liu Changdie quickly cupped his hands in return, thinking joyfully:'Li Qinghong and Li Yuanping are still alive! Yuanjiao won't be a solitary figure as he was in my previous life, left to sit alone on Wutu Mountain, often drinking by himself!'

Li Xuanxuan smiled, beckoned him closer, and after some intimate conversation, quietly inquired:"How much do you know about the Donghuo Cave Heaven, Daoist friend?"

Liu Changdie sighed repeatedly and replied:"It's hardly a good place... After this, another group of rogue cultivators from the East Sea will be allowed in. They'll compete and fight, but it will only serve as free labor for the Three Sects and Seven Gates!"

Having lived two lives, Liu Changdie had only seen the true nature of the Three Sects and Seven Gates shortly before his death in his previous life. Naturally, he was unwilling to venture into the Donghuo Cave Heaven.

"You see clearly, Daoist friend!" Li Xuanxuan complimented him, then asked:"I wonder if any of the Daoist scriptures from the Donghuo Cave Heaven have been leaked?"

This was Li Xuanxuan's foremost concern. His family's "Golden Hall Blazing Origin Art" was intrinsically linked to the ancient Wei Kingdom, and the Dongli Sect was a direct descendant of that lineage, so he had naturally rushed to inquire.

Liu Changdie had not actually acquired any relevant information; he merely relied on his memories from his previous life and stated in a deep voice:"The crucial Dongli Daoist scriptures were taken by Chu Yi, so there's nothing of real value left. Only some second and third-grade outer sect cultivation methods of the Dongli Sect were scattered about, all from the Jinyang lineage, which was a boon for rogue cultivators."

Li Xuanxuan felt a surge of delight, nodding as he said:"Excellent, excellent!"

He had been concerned about explaining the origin of their own "Golden Hall Blazing Origin Art." Now, with various cultivation methods from the Jinyang lineage scattered about, it would further obscure the true nature of their Blazing Origin Barrier, making it much safer.

Since the Three Sects didn't acquire the Daoist scriptures, they likely didn't obtain any Purple Mansion-level cultivation methods. This meant there would be no direct lineage cultivating them, let alone posing a threat to his own Foundation Establishment.'Furthermore, in the future, I can collect more cultivation methods from this lineage, cross-referencing them to further enhance my cultivation.'

Li Xuanxuan even mused secretly to himself:"Perhaps the Dharma Mirror will bestow subsequent Purple Mansion-level cultivation methods in the future. Once our family has a Purple Mansion expert, these same-lineage cultivation methods will prove even more useful!"

Li Xuanxuan's thoughts stretched far into the future, leaving him feeling quite pleased.

Li Yuanjiao flew on the wind into the territory of Dali Mountain. Traversing layer after layer of mountains, he saw a radiant white banyan tree appear beneath his feet. He landed among its branches and put away his Profound Pattern Bottle.

All around him stretched a vast expanse of soft grassland, devoid of any demonic shadows. Golden sunlight filtered through the tree canopy, casting a remarkably warm glow.

His narrow eyes slightly squinted as he scanned the pristine slope, devoid of even a single fallen leaf. Knowing the fox was hiding, he gently cupped his hands and said aloud:"Li Clan disciple Yuanjiao is here to pay his respects, I humbly ask the senior to reveal yourself!"

Li Yuanjiao waited in place for a while. Finally, a gust of faint red demonic wind stirred, and a fox, half the height of a human, appeared not far away, gazing at Li Yuanjiao with vigilance.

The fox was now much smaller in stature, and its cultivation had reached the ninth layer of Qi Condensation. Its two dark eyes stared intently at Li Yuanjiao.

Li Yuanjiao again cupped his hands and said respectfully:"Congratulations, Senior, on your significant cultivation advancement."

The fox lowered its head and replied from a distance:"Naturally, I'm not as formidable as you. To achieve Foundation Establishment in just a few decades... you must be extraordinary even among humans."

Li Yuanjiao offered a few humble words, sensing the fox's high vigilance. He first set down a bag of spirit rice, then lowered his voice:"I have come today to ask the senior about something. I have captured a Hooked Serpent. Firstly, I'm unsure if I can control this demon for my family's use. Secondly, I've heard that Hooked Serpents are sea demons, and I wonder if they have any powerful backing?"

The fox scrutinized him for a moment, then replied:"The art of controlling spiritual beings is a secret transmission of the Demon Cave, requiring you to take it there and have the Demon King personally intervene. You should abandon that idea... As for the Hooked Serpent, this species has an ancient lineage. If we talk about its background, it stretches back to the primordial era and was quite renowned, but now it's merely a story. In ancient times, this species had a demon palace in the East Sea, practicing the Feathered Serpent method independently and refusing to obey the commands of flood dragons. Later, it was annihilated by the Heishui True Chi. Its remnants scattered across the sea, naturally leaving them with no powerful backing."

Li Yuanjiao listened attentively. The fox appeared much more relaxed and chirped:"In that battle, the Lùshui Feathered Serpent was devoured by the True Chi. Seven years later, it bore nine sons, who then devoured the True Chi, dissolving the Heishui. From then on, the Lùshui and Heishui factions were entangled in endless conflict. Now, with Lùshui residing inland and Heishui overseas, things have finally quieted down somewhat."

Li Yuanjiao wanted to hear more, but the fox stopped, simply saying:"In short... Hooked Serpents are easy to deal with, and there are plenty of them in the sea."

Li Yuanjiao tried to press with a few more questions but, sensing the fox's unwillingness to elaborate, he simply sighed and said in a low voice:"Senior, the Foundation Establishment pig demon in the mountain... can it be dealt with?"

The pig demon in the mountains had resided beside the Li family for a century, and Li Yuanjiao had always kept it in mind. Now, with the formation disk in hand, a thought suddenly sparked in his mind, and he began to strategize.

"That large oaf..." The fox demon seemed to hesitate, then said in a low voice:"Killing it is possible, as long as you lure it out of Dali Mountain; its death outside won't cause any trouble. If you bring some spirit items and spirit stones, I can make some arrangements for you within the cave, and there will be no issues. My only concern is its mid-Foundation Establishment cultivation. If you don't kill it and it manages to flee back to its cave to summon allies, your family might suffer misfortune instead."

Li Yuanjiao nodded slightly, now having a clearer idea. After asking a few more questions and seeing the fox demon's waning interest, he cupped his hands and bid farewell.

As Li Yuanjiao flew away on the wind, the fox demon finally relaxed. It lazily lay back under the tree, secretly musing:"This child possesses extraordinary talent, is cautious and suspicious. He has less of Tongya's magnanimity but more ruthlessness. Tongya entrusting the clan to him should be safe."

The fox demon retrieved a shimmering white quartz from beneath its fur and said softly:"Li Yuanjiao has achieved Foundation Establishment!"

As Li Yuanjiao flew out of Dali Mountain, he weighed things in his mind, thinking:'This senior fox demon has been on good terms with my family for generations and should not deceive me. However, knowing so much, it's certainly no ordinary fox demon!'

When Li Yuanjiao had previously descended on the wind, he had activated his Profound Pattern Bottle, which typically rendered him undetectable even to Foundation Establishment cultivators unless they were within three feet. Yet, this fox had detected him early, and his presence remained invisible even beneath the tree.'A mere Qi Condensation-level fox demon was able to detect me early, and even moved without leaving a trace—I couldn't detect its presence at all... What is this? It's too obvious; could it be a warning?'

He stroked his chin, reaching a conclusion:"It seems it's the Dali Mountain Demon Cave!"'I just don't know how my ancestors became acquainted with this demon fox... Xiao Chuting was so certain my family had Purple Mansion cultivators; perhaps it was also due to Dali Mountain's stance...'

Li Yuanjiao pondered extensively but found no clear answers. Instead, his thoughts lingered on the pig demon. He landed back on the peak, where Li Qinghong was chatting with a cultivator. Upon seeing Li Yuanjiao descend, the cultivator immediately stood up and said with a smile:"Brother Yuanjiao! Long time no see!"

Li Yuanjiao paused for a moment, then a smile appeared on his face as he replied:"So it's Brother Changdie!"

Liu Changdie, now at the ninth layer of Qi Condensation, was beaming with smiles and appeared very warm and friendly. He laughed:"It's been years since we last met, brother! I never expected you to achieve Foundation Establishment so quickly!"

Yet, secretly, he felt a pang of disappointment, musing:'I never imagined Yuanjiao's cultivation would be even faster in this life... Even after being reborn, I can't keep up with him. The disparity between people can truly be this immense!'

Li Yuanjiao offered a few modest remarks, his mind already turning to the great formation on Qingdu Peak. He also pondered:'The great formation on Qingdu Peak has long been delayed. With Liu Changdie here, there's finally hope for Qingdu's formation! Uncle Xuanfeng hasn't returned for years; it's a good opportunity to inquire about him...'

The two happily took their seats, and Li Yuanjiao said with a smile:"I heard you traveled to Yishan City, Daoist friend. I wonder if you managed to get any news about my clan uncle, Li Xuanfeng?"

"Of course!" Liu Changdie cupped his hands and replied:"Congratulations, brother! Your senior has married both Miss Ning and Daoist Mian. He is now greatly favored by the True Immortal, and his reputation in the city is flourishing!"

At these words, Li Yuanjiao was startled, and Li Qinghong froze. Li Xuanxuan, seated nearby, furrowed his aged brows even deeper. However, mindful of Liu Changdie's presence, no one spoke. Li Qinghong quickly interjected, smiling:"This is truly wonderful news! Many thanks for informing us, Daoist friend!"

Liu Changdie repeatedly demurred, saying he wouldn't dare. Having lived two lives, he eventually sensed something was amiss. He offered an awkward smile, said nothing, then silently pulled out a storage bag and a small letter from his robe, explaining:"This is what the senior entrusted me to bring back..."

Li Yuanjiao thanked him and took the items. He first set them down, then asked:"I wonder if, with your current formation cultivation, brother, you could arrange a Foundation Establishment-level grand formation?"

The Li family now possessed inheritances in formations, talismans, and alchemy. However, their mastery of the Formation Dao only reached the Embryonic Breath stage. While they had numerous blueprints for Qi Condensation-level grand formations, their execution was far from the effortless ease with which Liu Changdie could arrange them, let alone handling Foundation Establishment-level formations.

As for the Talisman Dao, it was supported by the elder Li Xuanxuan. Unfortunately, the few apprentices and clan members he trained were not very capable, only able to draw Embryonic Breath talismans, which often left Li Xuanxuan fuming. After all, the hundred arts of immortal cultivation heavily relied on innate talent. The main branch of the Li family had only ever produced two talents: Li Xuanxuan and Li Ximing.

Upon hearing this, Liu Changdie nodded slightly, a hint of embarrassment on his face, and said in a low voice:"In recent years, I've gained considerable experience repairing formations in Yishan City. If there are formation blueprints, I, Changdie, can certainly attempt it. However, my abilities are limited, and I'm afraid the cost would be substantial..."

Foundation Establishment-level formations were rare. For a formation master of Liu Changdie's intermediate skill level, being able to arrange one even once was an invaluable experience. Seeing that the Li family intended to set up such a formation, Liu Changdie was quite hopeful, stating eagerly:"If your esteemed clan could grant me this opportunity to set up the formation, I, Changdie, would even be willing to provide some materials myself. It would only amount to four or five hundred spirit stones."

'That's ten years' worth of my own tribute...'

Everyone was stunned by the price, momentarily speechless. The Li family, operating at full capacity, generated an annual profit of only forty spirit stones, barely enough to pay their tribute. Their savings could only accumulate through the Qingwu ore vein and the Wanling flowers, adding a mere thirteen or fourteen spirit stones per year.'Although killing the demonic cultivator brought in a significant income, and our family has a reserve of fifty or sixty spirit stones aside from the tribute, it's still far from enough.'

A silence fell over everyone. Liu Changdie drew back, no longer speaking. Li Yuanjiao remained silent for a moment, then replied:"The cost is too substantial; my family still cannot afford it. Perhaps it would be better to stick with Qi Condensation formations for now."

Liu Changdie quickly nodded and replied:"I'll go down immediately to investigate the terrain, earth veins, and the distribution of spiritual energy in the mountain. I'll have the grand formation constructed in a few days."

Li Yuanjiao nodded and exchanged a few casual words with him before Liu Changdie withdrew.

"Jiao'er!" As Liu Changdie withdrew, Li Xuanxuan's expression turned uneasy, and he immediately said:"What scheme does True Immortal Elemental have against our family...?"

There was no such thing as a free lunch in this world. True Immortal Elemental's abrupt promotion of Li Xuanfeng and the marriage of his own clan members made Li Xuanxuan understandably fearful. The old man mumbled worriedly for a while, then asked:"Xuanfeng, what was he thinking?!"

Li Yuanjiao then took out the letter Liu Changdie had brought back, opened it with his family's secret method, and read it carefully. Suddenly, a doubt arose in his mind:"The Wei Li lineage?"

He handed the letter over. Li Yuanjiao pondered as Li Xuanfeng had mentioned Elemental's attitude towards their family in the letter, and also offered speculative explanations for fragmented conversations he had overheard, spanning over ten pages.

Everyone read it carefully. Li Qinghong vaguely felt it was good news and whispered:"Since Elemental mistakenly believes our family is the main Wei Li lineage, the matter of the spiritual orifices appearing in every generation can be concealed. However, Elemental likely intends to do something with his own bloodline."

Elemental had initially promoted him casually, but after discovering the Wei Li bloodline, he developed the idea of marrying off his clansmen. As soon as the four of them considered this, their suspicions turned to the bloodline itself.

Li Yuanjiao pondered deeply, but ultimately, there was too little information to draw any conclusions. He picked up the storage bag and examined it. Li Xuanfeng had entrusted Liu Changdie to return thirty spirit stones and a Suiyuan Pill.

Li Yuanjiao took out a jade bottle and poured out a dull grey pill, covered entirely in intricate patterns. He sighed inwardly:"As expected, it's a blood-essence condensed pill."

Although Li Qinghong was preparing to achieve Foundation Establishment, this blood pill couldn't be used. Li Yuanjiao examined it for a while, and a plan began to form in his mind."This medicine cannot be directly used, but it's incredibly valuable. If sold well, the proceeds could be just as beneficial as consuming it for cultivation advancement."