Chapter 395: 释空衡

Kong Tingyun stood in the air. The bustling townsfolk at the foot of the mountain looked up at her, not seeming particularly frightened. She surveyed the area and asked, "Your territory isn't large, but your population is thriving, and you have many cultivators of internal breath and miscellaneous Qi."

Li Xijun nodded and responded. Kong Tingyun reminded him, "More people and cultivators aren't always better; you still need to manage them." Kong Tingyun's advice was well-intentioned and tactful. Li Xijun nodded and replied gently, "Thank you for the senior's reminder. Our family is already screening those with spiritual apertures; individuals with ordinary talent rarely gain entry into our family."

As the two conversed, the middle-aged man from the Xuan Yue Sect returned, riding the wind, his tone calm. "Reporting, Peak Master, the fire vein here is moderately auspicious. It can be drawn from the earth's ley lines to yield a mediocre Earth Fiend Fire, suitable for refining artifacts and concocting pills. However, absorbing Qi will be slower."

"Considering it's by the lake, this is quite good."

The middle-aged man stepped back. Kong Tingyun praised him and asked, "If there are no issues, then draw out this fire vein."

"As the senior arranges."

Li Xijun bowed. Kong Tingyun subtly nodded in permission. The middle-aged man received the order and went down, where activities began. His elder brother, Li Xicheng, stepped forward, asked a few questions, bowed to Kong Tingyun, and then left to liaise with the middle-aged man.

Li Xijun couldn't let Kong Tingyun wait idly. He courteously led her to Mount Qingdu. As soon as Kong Tingyun sat down, she asked, "I heard your esteemed family has a lightning cultivator, a female cultivator at that. I wonder if I might have the good fortune to meet her."

"Reporting, Senior, Aunt Qinghong has entered seclusion to break through to Foundation Establishment."

Kong Tingyun spoke softly, "What a pity. Several lightning arts have appeared in recent years. The Yu family also has a lightning cultivator, and my Xuan Yue Sect has heard about it too." She paused and chuckled, "My fellow disciples and I made a bet that the Li family's lightning cultivator would be the first to achieve Foundation Establishment. It seems to be a sure thing now."

Li Xijun paid close attention, not daring to say much to her, listening in silence. Kong Tingyun, however, was in a talkative mood. "That Bu Zi from Qingchi must have had a sudden inspiration, or perhaps his destiny arrived. He's been wandering around the East Sea for the past few years, rarely returning. The Golden Feather Sect has taken over the operations of the East Fire Grotto-heaven. The Qingchi Grotto-heaven must have found it unbearable. It's said that a late-stage Purple Mansion cultivator, named True Man Sui Guan, will descend to stabilize the sect."

Li Xijun listened and nodded, slightly startled internally but maintaining a composed expression. He asked, "Late-stage Purple Mansion... The Upper Sect truly possesses profound heritage."

"Of course, it's profound." Kong Tingyun pouted and whispered, "Every ten years, two or three cultivators from Qingchi's thirty-six peaks successfully achieve Foundation Establishment. In the past five hundred years, four Purple Mansion cultivators not surnamed Chi have emerged. Although the Qingchi Grotto-heaven is mostly the size of a single prefecture, it benefits even more from the creation of heaven and earth. How many Purple Mansion cultivators do you think are inside?"

"That is indeed remarkable." Li Xijun offered an impartial compliment and lowered his head, remaining silent. Kong Tingyun leaned back and began playing with a golden bead. After a moment, Mount Wutu began to shake. Only then did Kong Tingyun speak, "The fire vein has begun to be drawn. My senior martial brother will remain with your esteemed family for a year or two to manage the ley lines and oversee them for three years. Li Yuanjiao appears unlikely to emerge from seclusion anytime soon, so I won't wait any longer."

She extended her jade-like hand and said, "Now, can I have my Emerald Array back?"

Only then did Li Xijun learn the name of the array disc. He took it out and reluctantly handed it to Kong Tingyun, respectfully asking, "Senior, may I rent this array disc?"

Seeing the hopeful glint in his eyes, Kong Tingyun chuckled softly and replied, "That would be difficult. The sect has given me orders to travel to the East Sea, and my whereabouts will be uncertain... Moreover, once I'm on the island, I'll need this array for self-preservation and defense against enemies, so I cannot lend it out."

Kong Tingyun put away the array disc. Li Xijun apologized and escorted her out of the Li family territory before returning on the cold wind.

At the summit of Mount Wutu, a large clearing had appeared. Numerous faint red patterns were carved into the smooth ground, and from a large opening in the center, thick smoke billowed out. Beside it, Li Ximing held a jade gourd. As soon as the black smoke rose, it was entirely drawn into the gourd. The middle-aged man stood beside the large pit, forming hand seals to control the array.

The Xuan Yue Sect member had a grim expression, absorbed in watching the fire in his hands. Only when Li Xijun landed did his expression shift slightly, and he spoke hoarsely, "I am Kong Gujun of Xuan Yue. Greetings, fellow Daoist."

"Li Xijun of Qingdu."

Li Xijun responded amicably. Kong Gujun nodded and continued to control the fire vein. Li Ximing, who also possessed fire control abilities, watched with itching hands but restrained himself from acting, not wanting to expose his skill. Li Xijun observed for a while, finding nothing remarkable. His elder brother, Li Xicheng, had already arrived on the wind.

He had well-defined features, a tall stature, a full head taller than his younger brother, and always maintained a serious and upright demeanor. He whispered, "Jun'er, that monk is leaving!" He was more than a decade older than his brothers, nearing the age of a father. Since Li Yuanyun often neglected the family, he had largely raised his younger siblings, which is why he used their given names.

After all, Li Qinghong had acted on the monk's suggestion. No sooner had she gone to Heaven Thunder Peak than Li Xijun dispatched people to keep a close watch on the monk. Hearing this news now, he hastily said, "Did you stop him?"

Li Xicheng said helplessly, "We stopped him, but the monk is unwilling to comply."

Li Xijun pulled his brother and rode the wind out. Sure enough, he saw a golden light floating on the lake, surrounded by several cultivators of the Li family.

Xu Gongming was at the forefront, holding a pair of short halberds. He wore a half-mask to conceal the spiritual injuries he sustained during the demon disaster. In these years, he had turned misfortune into fortune, advancing rapidly, and had already reached the fifth level of Qi Condensation. Behind him were two rising talents—An Siming and An Siwei. One carried a spear, the other a sword. Both were at the Qi Condensation stage and guarded the flanks. An Zheyin wasn't particularly accomplished, but he had good sons. Although these two brothers weren't as talented as An Jingming had been back then, they were both Qi Condensation cultivators in their mid-twenties, very sensible, and always kept a low profile.

Monk Kong Heng was surrounded by everyone. With his narrow eyes squinted, his fair hands clasped his staff, he spoke softly. Li Xijun, possessing excellent eyesight, could discern what he was saying: "Why do you gentlemen block this humble monk?"

Li Xijun sighed inwardly and thought, "His appearance is a bit too early. He hasn't moved much for several years before this, so it'll be hard to explain." With a thought, he tugged his brother's sleeve and whispered, "Brother, please have them disperse and bring Kong Heng to Mount Qingdu."

Li Xicheng was stunned for a moment, only then realizing that Li Xijun by his side had already reached the fifth level of Qi Condensation. Both surprised and pleased, he followed the order. Li Xijun then rode the wind back to the mountain. On Mount Qingdu, he found a small grove, casually arranged a few stone stools and a stone table, and quietly began brewing tea.

The Li family had long understood Kong Heng's temperament over the years. Li Xijun wasn't afraid he wouldn't come. After a moment, Kong Heng indeed followed, riding the wind down onto the mountain. The monk paused for a moment, looked at him with disbelief, recited two long, unknown honorifics, and then spoke, "Young friend, your cultivation has advanced remarkably fast."

"Just good luck." Li Xijun responded. Kong Heng had only met him a few times many years ago, so this was within a comprehensible range. Kong Heng quickly shifted the topic back, politely saying, "This humble monk must leave for a journey. Please allow me to depart, fellow Daoist."

Li Xijun, having already grasped his character, stared directly into his eyes and said solemnly, "Master, you cultivate the orthodox Dharma of the Buddhist Sect. I only ask you one question: are you going to Heaven Thunder Peak?"

Kong Heng froze for two breaths, then nodded with a bitter smile. Li Xijun then said amicably, "My family elder is currently breaking through to Foundation Establishment there, and it was your suggestion, Master. If you were to go there unannounced and abruptly now, and if you cannot provide a reason, I'm afraid I cannot let you go."

Kong Heng sighed softly and could only say, "This humble monk cultivates an ancient method, and the opportunity for my breakthrough lies there. I hope fellow Daoist will grant my request. Since you trust my character, please allow me to leave. I will only cultivate in a hermitage at the foot of Heaven Thunder Peak."

Li Xijun looked at Kong Heng's sincere eyes and said through gritted teeth, "It's not that I don't wish to grant Master's request, but this excuse is difficult to verify. Xijun cannot gamble on it." After speaking, he placed his hand on his sword and added, "Must Master go?"

Kong Heng stared at him with his narrow eyes and nodded, "Indeed."

As soon as he finished speaking, the Azure Ox River-Hugging Array on Mount Qingdu suddenly activated, nine rays of blue light rising and intertwining. Li Xijun also drew his sword, its light pointing directly at Kong Heng, and said in a low voice, "Master, abandon this thought and desist!"

Golden light also rose from Kong Heng's body, his staff jingled in his hand, and his face was grim as he parried Li Xijun's sword light, responding, "If this humble monk utters a single lie, may my cultivation be utterly destroyed!"

Li Xijun swung his sword, unleashing several sword-Qi attacks as white as frost, all of which Kong Heng blocked with his staff. Behind Kong Heng, a gigantic patterned azure ox had materialized, its two hooves suspended in mid-air, about to stomp on his back. Trapped within the formation, Kong Heng couldn't even ride the wind to leave. He could only withdraw his staff, turn to defend, and was forced back several steps, losing a move and becoming even more passive.

Li Xijun, on his end, had already begun forming hand seals to cast spells. A cold light emanated from his hand, accompanied by several thread-like white magical lines that coiled towards Kong Heng. He then spoke again, "Does Master have any other intentions?! My family also does not wish to provoke the Buddhist Sect. If you can explain, I will not kill Master, but allow you to go north!"

He uttered these words, bright white specks of light appearing in his eyes, blurring slightly. He carefully watched Kong Heng's expression change, seeing his face turn pale from the cold, and the azure ox already charging before him, yet he still gritted his teeth and said, "Kong Heng is utterly sincere and never deceives!"

"Boom!"

As soon as his words fell, the spells, the azure ox, and the sword-Qi before him all vanished. Kong Heng stumbled, and Li Xijun quickly helped him up, whispering, "Xijun dared not trust lightly. I hope Master can understand... Our family suffered terribly at the hands of Fēn Nù Mó Hē, and we truly cannot afford a second time..."

Kong Heng hadn't reacted yet, staring blankly at him for a moment. Li Xijun said, "Please wait outside the formation, Master. I'll ask Senior Wushao to escort you there!"

Kong Heng was instantly overjoyed. Under the repeated emotional impact, he couldn't even maintain his expression for a moment, repeatedly saying, "Thank you, fellow Daoist, for granting my request! Thank you, fellow Daoist, for granting my request!" The opportunity for breakthrough, lost and then regained, the moment of life and death suddenly transforming into an imminent breakthrough – even if the monk had cultivated his mind for many years, he couldn't control himself for a moment. He said earnestly, "Henceforth, if your esteemed family has any requests, Kong Heng will personally attend to them! If Brother Xijun has a request, Kong Heng will not hesitate even unto death!" Kong Heng was very perceptive; he truly owed Li Xijun a great favor this time. Leaving behind a "Rest assured!" he happily rode the wind away.

After he disappeared, the young man in black slowly emerged from the shadows. Li Xijun whispered, "Senior, please make this trip and keep a close eye on him... If there's any unusual movement, the Yuan family also has people watching, so coordinate with them first."

"Alright." Li Wushao glanced at him with some lingering trepidation, then also rode the wind away, leaving Li Xijun alone. His expression changed several times. He threw the sword in his hand onto a branch, his face falling.

"Thunk!"

The sword was stuck in the pine wood, still humming and vibrating. Li Xijun rubbed his brow, "If anything goes wrong... I wouldn't be able to atone for it even with ten thousand deaths!" Li Xijun had always been a keen judge of character, which was why among the Li family members, he was the one who trusted Kong Heng the most and had the best impression of him. He went through all this trouble simply to satisfy his own sense of caution. The monk was perceptive, and his eyes were filled with gratitude before he left. Li Xijun, wanting to earn goodwill, handled the situation gently and let him go decisively. "If Kong Heng truly aligns his words with his actions, I can trust him a bit more in the future..."

While he said this, now that Kong Heng had truly departed, the pressure remained on Li Xijun. He was confident, yet sweat beaded on his cheeks because the stakes were too high. He called someone over and said wearily, "Has the Old Ancestor still not emerged from seclusion?" Li Yuanjiao's current seclusion was genuinely for healing, not ordinary cultivation. Otherwise, he would have been called out when Kong Tingyun arrived, instead of the current situation where they dared not disturb him and felt constrained. Watching his confidant shake his head, Li Xijun let out a long breath and thought to himself, "If... if I harmed Aunt, even if Jun were to take his own life, it would be difficult to atone for this sin." He dared not think about it, just sat blankly on the stone stool in the grove. After several more breaths, Li Ximing hurried over on the wind and hastily asked, "What happened! Why was the grand formation activated!" Li Xijun opened his mouth but ultimately said nothing. Li Ximing was even more indecisive; telling him about this would only add another person to worry and disrupt their composure. So he simply sighed, "It's nothing... nothing... You focus on your cultivation; leave the rest to me."

Mountlean City was experiencing a rare heavy snowfall. Flurries of snow filled the sky. Li Xuanfeng, clad in golden armor and holding a longbow, stood silently on the city wall. He had spent decades cultivating his Clear-Eyed Spiritual Pupils. Magical light flowed in his eyes as they swept through the heavy snow. He merely stood quietly on the city wall, and the demonic beasts outside the city retreated a considerable distance, trembling. Li Xuanfeng's reputation was not widely known in Yue Kingdom, but in this Southern Border, it was legendary. When his Golden Geng Stellar String Bow fired an arrow, it meant death or severe injury. He had already slain a number of demon generals that could be counted on both hands. Li Xuanfeng gazed blankly, without moving. Time had left few marks on his face but had ravaged his mind and thoughts. Now, outwardly, he no longer displayed his wild demeanor. After Li Xuanfeng stood for a moment, a clear light arrived from the north and landed beside him. It was a woman, dressed in a black-patterned feather robe, her waist slender like a wisp, tied with white gauze. Her eyes held a hint of melancholy, and she whispered, "Husband..."