Chapter 387: Li Wushao

Feiluo Ya then departed, carried by the wind. Li Yuanjiao waited a few moments, and from a distant valley, a man flew over, also borne by the wind. He had two staffs on his back; it was indeed Yuan Chengdun. He landed beside Li Yuanjiao, who cupped his hands and said, "Many thanks, fellow Daoist!"

Yuan Chengdun laughed heartily and replied, "I haven't received the elixir yet, so I couldn't go far. If that fellow had harbored ill intentions and something had happened, I would have been completely unable to explain myself."

Li Yuanjiao understood. He took out the Suiyuan Elixir and handed it to Yuan Chengdun, who then unsealed two jade slips and gently said, "These are secret techniques of my family. Please use them only within your esteemed clan and do not spread them casually."

"Of course," Li Yuanjiao nodded and replied. "My sister will be coming to Mushroom Forest Plain in a few days, and she will also be imposing upon your esteemed clan."

This person's formidable strength had left a deep impression on Li Yuanjiao. Feiluo Ya's words replayed in his mind. Li Yuanjiao smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist's strength is truly astonishing. I, Yuanjiao, deeply admire it. In the future, if I encounter any difficulties, might I be able to ask for your assistance?"

Yuan Chengdun nodded steadily and replied, "Your son is apprenticed to my aunt. The Yuan and Li families have been allies for many years, so fellow Daoist, there's no need for politeness. Just call upon Chengdun; it's a good way to get some exercise, and sharing the spoils afterward is also a rare good fortune."

"Excellent! Many thanks, fellow Daoist!" Li Yuanjiao perceived him as a generous and bold man, a rare talent of the Yuan family. He eagerly exchanged a few words to forge a connection. Both left with a good impression of the other, cupped their hands, and departed.

'This person has a majestic bearing, a true man. It's truly impressive to break through to Foundation Establishment at thirty-seven,' Li Yuanjiao thought, nodding secretly. Remembering the stream of complaints Yuan Huyuan had poured out, he sighed, "Unfortunate timing. If this person had been born five hundred years earlier, the Yuan family would surely have had a place among the Three Sects and Seven Gates. What a pity he was born five hundred years later; he can only offer temporary protection."

As Li Yuanjiao flew, riding the wind, he meticulously read the "Six Weirs Fate-Matching Unique Method" from beginning to end. Seeing that it was appended by True Person Xuanyang at the end, a layer of his doubt was dispelled.

'After all, my current situation is aided by Yuan Su and Xiao Chuting, and perhaps even Mount Dali... Various factions are in balance, so as long as the immortal foundation is well-maintained, Zi Fu has no intention of persecution,' he mused. 'On the other hand, the Buddhist cultivators manipulate destiny, making them difficult to guard against...'

On this chessboard between Zi Fu and Maha, Zi Fu's moves are clearly visible and can be anticipated. However, Maha's intent to kill is direct; once a fate is sealed, death is certain, making it exceedingly difficult to defend against.

'Ultimately, it's merely a concealment spell; it can't overturn the heavens.'

He then took out the pig demon's storage bag, flipped through it, and sighed, "It's just a poor pig..."

The pig demon's storage bag contained mostly various spiritual items, with a pitifully small number of spirit stones. A formidable Foundation Establishment pig demon only had thirty-two, leaving Li Yuanjiao utterly speechless.

"After all, our family is not one of the Three Sects and Seven Gates. The items in the pig demon's cave have already been promised to the fox demon for managing the demon cave, compensating for any deficiencies..."

Li Yuanjiao dragged the Foundation Establishment demon pig back to the mountain. As usual, he sealed the creature and handed it over to the clan's cultivators for safekeeping. He then rode the wind down the mountain, his spiritual sense sweeping the riverbank until he located the Hook Serpent.

This Hook Serpent had a massive iron yoke, forged from green-black metal, around its neck. Iron chains were nailed to its body, and its originally deep black scales were caked in mud, forming a blackish-brown mass. It lay dormant in the mud, resembling a fallen giant tree.

Nearby, An Zheyun sat cross-legged in mid-air. The Jade Court Guards, all elites of the Jade Capital Wheel, stood silently, each holding an iron chain.

"Ancestor!" An Zheyun, seeing Li Yuanjiao approach, immediately stood up. Li Yuanjiao nodded slightly and asked, "You've reached the ninth level of Qi Condensation. Do you plan to undergo Foundation Establishment?"

Since the demise of the An family, An Zheyun had cultivated even more diligently, following his wife Li Feiruo's guidance in everything. He had thrived within the Li family, and after twenty-four years, he had attained the ninth level of Qi Condensation. Hearing Li Yuanjiao's question, he sighed and replied, "Your subordinate is already one hundred and nine years old. Although I've made great progress in these past ten years, I know my own limits. How can there be any hope of Foundation Establishment? I don't wish to risk my life; I only seek to live out my later years peacefully."

"Hmm." Li Yuanjiao's gaze shifted from An Zheyun to the Hook Serpent. The snake demon opened its black eyes, each the size of a human head, and obsequiously moved its head closer. The green-black chains clanged noisily as it fawned, "Immortal! The Immortal has arrived! This humble demon has been waiting for a long time. What are your commands?"

Li Yuanjiao asked, "Your Dao foundation is attuned to the cold rain. What kind of Metal Virtue does it possess?"

The Hook Serpent paused slightly, then startled in alarm, and replied, "It is... it is... of the Fushui lineage."

'Fushui?' Li Yuanjiao's heart stirred. The Hook Serpent, however, cried out pitifully, "Immortal, spare my life! There are at least eight hundred, if not a thousand, small snakes like me in the East Sea. This humble demon's Dao foundation is truly impure and not pleasant to consume... it won't fetch much!"

Seeing its reaction, Li Yuanjiao suddenly recalled Xiao Yuansi's words from back then: 'Dao foundations of the same lineage can also be mutually consumed, but doing so will sever the path to ascending to Zi Fu... yet it's much more wondrous than ordinary Foundation Establishment. No wonder this Hook Serpent is so terrified; it's afraid my family will sell it to immortal cultivators of the Fushui lineage.'

'This snake comes from overseas and is a demon. Unlike the Three Sects and Seven Gates within the realm, who layer-by-layer block information to control their cultivators, there's a wealth of information to be extracted from its words!'

His heart stirred greatly, and he quickly asked, "How many Water Virtues are there in total? What are they called? And how many of them are incomplete?"

The Hook Serpent offered a fawning smile and replied, "According to the Dragon Palace... these Golden Core fruit positions are collectively known as Water Virtues. There are five of them, currently called the Five Waters: Kan, Pin, Lu, He, and Fu. At present, only Kan Water and Fu Water have not yet returned to their places. Your Immortal's Flood Dragon is of the Kan Water lineage... it would not be good for it to consume me."

"So that's how it is!" Li Yuanjiao suddenly understood, thinking, 'Kan Water... that's the Metal Virtue Xiao Chuting requested!' He continued to ask, "If that's the case, where are the Pin, Lu, and He Waters located?"

The Hook Serpent quickly replied, "Lu Water... was long ago attained by a True Monarch of the Azure Pond Demonic Sect. He Water has always been an item of the Dragon Palace. As for where Pin Water is, this humble demon truly doesn't know; I only know that someone holds that position..."

"Good," Li Yuanjiao said. He felt very refreshed upon hearing such secret information, and immediately followed up, "Do you know the full names of the Metal Virtues?"

"This humble demon has no background. All this information is merely hearsay. How could I know so much? I only know the names of the five Water Virtue fruit positions, and there are also five Fire Virtue fruit positions..."

The Hook Serpent stammered, "This humble demon heard rumors that there are three Metal Virtues within the realm, and they have already fully attained the fruit positions of the Metal and Stone lineage. Thus, Metal and Stone flourished greatly within the realm. Azure-Black Copper Essence and Quake Iron Cold Gold were everywhere. Their sharpness could harm people, and even mortals could use iron weapons and armor..."

Hearing this, a white-clad figure suddenly appeared in Li Yuanjiao's mind, and he secretly exclaimed in surprise, "That Wang Xun from back then... he really was a scion of a Golden Core Immortal!"

Back then, when Wang Xun visited the Li family, he had claimed that his family's ancestor was the foremost of the 'Three Metal Virtues within the realm'. Li Yuanjiao had been half-skeptical, assuming there were only three Golden Cores left within the realm.

Now, upon reflection, these 'Three Metal Virtues' were not three Golden Cores at all, but three Metal and Stone fruit positions! The Azure Pond Sect had a Golden Core guarding it, and counting Wuyue, the number of Golden Cores within the realm was likely a double handful.

"Good, good," Li Yuanjiao said, nodding slowly. He pondered for a moment, then suddenly leaned closer to the Hook Serpent and whispered, "Oh? Since you say that the fruit positions of the Metal and Stone lineage have been fully attained, why are there five Water Virtue fruit positions, but only three Metal and Stone ones?"

The Hook Serpent was stunned. It had never carefully considered this before and was suddenly stumped. It murmured, "That's right... why is this... five Waters, five Fires, but only three Metal Virtues..."

It then replied, "This humble demon truly does not know! Immortal, please understand!"

After pressing and questioning it several times, the Hook Serpent had no more useful information to offer. Li Yuanjiao then silently observed it, staring at the Hook Serpent for a few breaths until the demon's scales bristled in terror.

The Hook Serpent knew this was a moment of life and death. It flicked its tongue and spoke submissively, "This humble demon cultivated painstakingly for a hundred years to gain sentience. Entering the realm was merely to pursue spiritual water; I harbor no intention of harming others. The spiritual water, my twin hooks, and my snake pearl have all been taken by the Immortal. Now I only beg for my life..."

Li Yuanjiao lowered his brows, calculating in his mind, 'The matter of the Hook Serpent was entrusted by Kong Tingyun, with Xuanyue backing her. They've shown goodwill towards my family multiple times, so the issue shouldn't be too problematic...'

He lifted the Hook Serpent and whispered, "I can spare your life, but you must obey my family for the rest of your days. I have already acquired a secret technique that requires your cooperation to surrender your vital spirit. Are you willing?"

The Hook Serpent let out a long sigh of relief. Seeing a way to live, it joyfully exclaimed, "Willing! Willing!"

Li Yuanjiao adjusted his sleeves. Li Xicheng had already arrived with a group of Jade Court Guards. He stepped forward and respectfully said, "Second Uncle."

Li Yuanjiao asked, "How many spirit stones are left in the clan?"

Li Xicheng quickly replied, "The family's spirit stones are always first set aside for offerings. Fifty were remaining. The Azure Ox River Array used one hundred and fifteen. Mount Yu sent eighty, which filled the deficit, leaving an excess of fifteen."

Li Yuanjiao was speechless. The six spiritual items required to subdue this demon were worth roughly ninety-odd spirit stones. His family already possessed three types, but the remaining ones still needed to be purchased from various families. He immediately took out fifty spirit stones and instructed, "These are my own savings, combined with what I gained from subduing the demon. Gathering sixty-five should be enough. Gather the rest and send them here in the next few days."

"Your aunt is going to Mushroom Forest Plain for secluded cultivation to attempt a breakthrough. Send a few people to accompany her."

Li Qinghong herself was still a bit anxious, but Li Yuanjiao was full of confidence in her.

Snow fell regularly over Moon-Gazing Lake. Qingdu Peak stood on the lake's surface, surrounded by several small hills that had already risen. The black-brown stone peak stood quietly as the blue grand array activated, separating the inside from the outside.

The Hook Serpent, with its deep black body, coiled upon the small stone peak. It raised its head and gazed upwards, as puffs of white mist erupted from its mouth, surging out and flying towards the mountain.

Li Yuanjiao gave it several instructions, explaining that if the spell was interrupted, it would suffer heavy damage, and the Li family had no extra spiritual medicine for fate-matching. The Hook Serpent was naturally very nervous, and white mist surged from its mouth.

Before long, a white light rose from the mountain peak, breaking through the air to imprint itself on the Hook Serpent's head, which was as large as a carriage. A white mark lit up, and a sliver of its vital spirit peeled away, flying towards Li Yuanjiao's hand on the mountain.

Li Yuanjiao slowly descended. The "Six Weirs Fate-Matching Unique Method" successfully operated without a hitch. The Hook Serpent not only showed no signs of weakness but also had its aura greatly boosted, exhaling cold qi, clearly having gained benefits.

"It seems it truly is a Zi Fu level spiritual item..."

The six corners of the Six Weirs Fate-Matching Grand Array naturally corresponded to the six spiritual items recorded. For the central fate-matching item, Li Yuanjiao placed a Lunar Osmanthus flower. The Lunar Moonlight energy was packed full, with much of it wasted and dissipated.

With a flick of his hand, the Hook Serpent's Cold Jade Snake Pearl immediately shot out, entering its gaping maw. The Hook Serpent's aura became magnificent for a moment, the color of its scales deepened, and it gained the aura of a demon general.

The Hook Serpent exhaled and inhaled for half an hour, then opened its enormous snake eyes. White cold light flashed within them for a full three breaths before it finally calmed down. Its body, coiled around the mountain peak, twisted, making crackling sounds of falling rocks.

It rose, carried by the wind, casting a gloomy shadow over the ground. It landed and transformed, becoming a black-clad youth with a sinister face, narrow eyes, and a tight, capable robe. He cupped his hands and said, "Your subordinate greets Master!"

Li Yuanjiao noticed that when the demon snake had just revealed its true form, its two long tails were still bare. He asked, "Can the hooks on your tails grow back?"

The Hook Serpent's venom was renowned. Even Kong Tingyun had to borrow an artifact to restrain the Hook Serpent's tail back then. If it lacked these two venomous hooks, its strength would be significantly inferior.

The black-clad youth shook his head repeatedly and replied, "Reporting to Master, if I don't consume some precious medicine or spiritual water, it will take several more decades for the twin hooks on my tail to grow back..."

Li Yuanjiao frowned and said, "I'll keep an eye out for you. Have you ever transformed into human form before?"

"Never. The East Sea doesn't follow this practice." The black-clad youth answered submissively, "It's only been about ten years since your subordinate broke through to Foundation Establishment. In the years prior, I had been in secluded cultivation in Salted Lake..."

Li Yuanjiao squinted at him. Seeing his sinister, fierce, and malicious face, as if he were ready to devour someone at any moment, he said, "Why do you look like me? Not like a good person."

He had not expected Li Yuanjiao to say this. He was stunned for a moment, then awkwardly said, "My vital spirit is in your hands, Master... so it's natural for there to be some resemblance."

Li Yuanjiao nodded. With an additional Foundation Establishment combatant, his mood immediately improved. He smiled and said, "Since you've transformed into human form, I should give you a name, so I don't have to call you 'Hook Serpent' all day."

The sinister youth bowed his head in acknowledgment. Li Yuanjiao pondered for a moment, then spoke, "I see your form resembles a Black Whip Snake. Since you're joining my Li clan, I'll name you Li Wushao."

Li Wushao cupped his hands and respectfully said, "Wushao obeys!"

Li Yuanjiao laughed heartily, thinking, 'Names copied from predecessors are still better sounding. It saves Qinghong from grumbling and secretly laughing at me.'

With an additional Foundation Establishment demon cultivator in the family, many tasks became much easier. Li Yuanjiao felt much more relaxed, and he said to Li Wushao, "Go down and meet Xicheng. Have him introduce you to our family members, so there's no unintentional conflict later on."

"Yes!" Li Wushao responded grimly and flew down. Li Yuanjiao turned and entered the courtyard, picked up a brush and ink, intending to write a letter to Qinghui Peak.

"Ask Zhier if this Fudaimu has any background... If this plan succeeds, then I will ask Yuan Chengdun or Senior Yuansi to act once. Five of us will surround and kill this fellow."

"That fellow has stayed in that area for so long; he must have collected many good things: precious medicines, witchcraft, and he even possesses a Foundation Establishment artifact. Eliminating him would be profitable, and it would also win over Feiluo Ya..."

A rare, genuine smile appeared on his face. He secretly thought, "Zhier... has also been engaged to the Yang family girl for several years. I wonder if they have any children now. I should ask properly."