Chapter 397: Breakthrough

Li Yuanjiao waited only a moment before Li Xijun arrived, riding the wind. In recent times, Li Xijun had been consolidating his cultivation. As he frequently needed to appear in public, he was not in a hurry to break through and remained at the fifth level of Qi Condensation, focusing mainly on cultivating sword arts and spells.

“Uncle… please accept my condolences.”

Seeing Li Yuanjiao, Li Xijun bowed and offered a few words of comfort. Li Yuanjiao nodded and said gravely:

“You let Kong Heng pass!”

Li Xijun secretly inhaled and replied respectfully:

“Your nephew is confident… Kong Heng cultivates the ancient methods of Buddhist cultivation… his strength is meager. Although he is politely called a master, his actual power is only at the early stage of Qi Condensation. Furthermore, his character is upright…”

Li Yuanjiao, however, couldn’t listen anymore. A slight anger colored his face. Without drawing his Green Ruler Sword, he struck Li Xijun on the back, causing him to stumble. Li Yuanjiao immediately retorted:

“How can you gamble like this!”

Li Xijun bowed and said:

“Please, Uncle, trust me. Kong Heng is an upright person; Xijun could not be mistaken. He has been tending to the common people, healing the sick, and saving lives at the foot of the mountain for many years, awaiting this opportunity…”

Li Yuanjiao frowned, saying coldly:

“What does Kong Heng’s opportunity have to do with me? His life or death has nothing to do with my family! Why should my family members risk their lives? I don’t care how many years he’s waited for this opportunity. Buddhist cultivators are all life-devouring fanatics! You may be good friends with him and willing to help him achieve his goals, but I am not!”

Upon hearing this, Li Xijun looked up and replied:

“If Kong Heng can break through, he will become a Buddhist master, very formidable among Foundation Establishment cultivators… He would owe us a great debt… adding another formidable force to our family… Your nephew understands your hatred, Uncle. But within these lands, Buddhist cultivation accounts for six out of ten sects. Our family has already offended the Wrathful Dao lineage and cannot go north. Do we really want to provoke another orthodox sect like Liaohe Temple?”

Li Yuanjiao rebuked:

“That is your aunt breaking through to Foundation Establishment!”

Li Xijun knelt down and whispered:

“Uncle! Aunt will certainly be safe during her Foundation Establishment breakthrough! Regardless of who wants to use, devour, or influence her fate…”

He looked up and said gravely:

“One must at least reach Foundation Establishment to be eligible for such harm! If Kong Heng were not possessed by a Mahakala, how could he have escaped the eyes of the Yuan family and Senior Wushao? And if he were a Mahakala, he would still have to wait for Aunt to break through before devouring her fate. It would also certainly have been discussed and agreed upon with the various Zifu cultivators, and our family would not be able to escape! If he intended to harm her, what difference would it make if she were at Moonlake or Thunder Peak?”

Li Yuanjiao squinted at him and said coldly:

“And how do *you* know what difference it would make!”

Immediately, he seized Li Xijun, sealed his cultivation, and descended with the wind to the ancestral hall. Pushing open the creaking main doors, he threw Li Xijun into the great hall and said gravely:

“Kneel there! Wait until I bring Kong Heng back!”

Li Xijun bowed his head in assent. Li Yuanjiao turned and left, riding the wind out of the mountain. Li Ximing, realizing later, rushed out from the courtyard, intending to persuade Li Yuanjiao, but was stopped by Xiao Guiluan.

“Madam! There’s… no change on Thunder Peak, why such anger!”

Li Ximing tried to persuade her, but Xiao Guiluan shook her head helplessly and said softly:

“Go back… go back… His uncle and nephew are putting on a show for Kong Heng. Don’t get involved.”

“Ah!”

Li Ximing was momentarily stunned, then murmured in understanding. Though somewhat carefree, he wasn't foolish, and realizing the situation, he rode the wind back himself.

After persuading Li Ximing to return, Xiao Guiluan descended back to the peak, picked up Li Yuexiang who had come to greet her, and pondered to herself:

“My husband still dislikes Buddhist cultivation…”

In the main hall of Lijing Town.

Below the steps of the main hall knelt an old man with white hair and beard, at the ninth level of Qi Condensation. His expression was solemn as he bowed respectfully and said gravely:

“Reporting to the family head, thank you for the convenience you have provided my daughter and me over the years. The Meng family is deeply grateful. Now that I am old and infirm, I fear I can no longer craft magic artifacts for your esteemed family, and I am willing to offer my inheritance!”

“Offer your inheritance?”

Li Yuanping looked at the old man before him and frowned, saying:

“Elder Meng, you jest. My family has no intention of coveting your inheritance.”

Meng Taizhi lowered his gaze submissively and replied:

“I believe I don’t have many years left to live. I plan to enter seclusion to attempt a breakthrough to Foundation Establishment, which is a desperate measure, a final gamble before death. I only ask to find a path for my daughter to survive… I am willing to exchange my inheritance for protection.”

Li Yuanping couldn't fathom his background and shook his head slightly, but Meng Taizhi spoke up:

“The inheritance I obtained comes from the Jiao Casting Gate of the East Sea. It is by no means ordinary. Family head, please listen to me first…”

The old man knelt on the ground and said respectfully:

“The inheritance I received is from the Jiao Casting Gate, a lineage that has been severed for a thousand years. All their grievances and enmities have dissipated, leaving it clean and free of karma. The family head can rest assured in adopting it. Furthermore, this path contains the Nine Refinements and Six Casts, which are by no means ordinary forging techniques. As long as one possesses talent in this path and cultivates diligently, their achievements will certainly not be low. Not to mention forging Foundation Establishment artifacts, one can at least reach Qi Condensation.”

“Oh?”

Li Yuanping quietly looked at him and asked:

“What does the elder wish for? Is it to marry off your daughter?”

Meng Taizhi bowed again and whispered:

“I wouldn't presume… My daughter originally had a marriage contract and was married to a prominent figure from the East Sea. He was later killed, and my daughter was also injured by a magical light, rendering her unable to bear children…”

Li Yuanping nodded, his expression relaxing slightly. Meng Taizhi continued:

“I only ask for two things. First, I hope my daughter can learn some alchemy skills from your young master so that she can earn a living and not be bullied. Second, after my death, that your esteemed family can provide some protection for my orphaned daughter for a few years. Once she gains strength, she will not trouble your family and will go out to venture on her own, not staying long.”

Li Yuanping fixed his gaze on him and asked:

“Elder, you came from the East Sea. Did you perhaps get into some trouble?”

Meng Taizhi shook his head, saying very honestly:

“I might as well be frank with the family head. My family was merely a group of rogue cultivators in the East Sea, later defeated by demonic cultivators. It's just that my ancestors had some connections with the Xiao family, so we sought refuge with them… Along the way, only my daughter and I survived; even my son-in-law died on the journey…”

“I see.”

Li Yuanping replied indifferently and asked:

“However, I specifically checked, and there are no artifact-forging families named Meng in the East Sea recently, nor have I seen many artifact masters leaving the East Sea.”

Meng Taizhi shook his head with a bitter smile and replied:

“My family was originally guest elders of the small sect Yuantiing Island. After it was destroyed by demonic cultivators, we began to wander. The family head can certainly investigate; the Xiao family is also aware of this.”

Li Yuanping nodded and asked again:

“Then why didn't you give this artifact forging inheritance to the Xiao family? Wouldn't the protection of an Immortal Clan of Zifu be better? My family is merely a noble clan; how can we compare?”

Meng Taizhi shook his head, appearing helpless, and forced a smile:

“Of course, it has already been given. That's how I got the opportunity to come to the lake. Otherwise, what could a small connection from hundreds of years ago amount to? One couldn't even cross the threshold of an Immortal Clan.”

Li Yuanping stared at him for a moment, then nodded and said:

“Elder, once you deliver the inheritance, send your daughter up the mountain. I will contact the Xiao family myself.”

“Many thanks! Thank you, family head!”

Meng Taizhi immediately breathed a sigh of relief, thanked him with a smile, and quickly withdrew. Li Yuanping motioned to Li Xicheng who was nearby and instructed:

“Have Ximing write a letter to Senior Yuansi to inquire if this matter is true. If it is, then take this inheritance.”

Li Xicheng looked at his expression, hesitated somewhat, and cautioned:

“But Ximing… he is easily swayed by beauty… if he develops feelings for this Meng woman… what if she is concealing some enmity, and someone comes looking for trouble later…”

“It's fine. First, confirm it with Senior Yuansi.”

Li Yuanping explained:

“As long as this person's explanation is truthful, they will leave in a few years, so no harm will come of it.”

“Meng Zhuoyun is certainly not the problem.”

Li Xicheng hesitated:

“I only fear that by then Ximing won't want to part with her and will insist on keeping her…”

Li Yuanping scoffed coldly and said directly:

“What kind of feelings could that rascal possibly have? He is utterly heartless. He's fooled around with several girls in the Xiao family, perhaps even sired children, but have you ever seen him inquire about them? He has many concubines, yet have you ever seen him speak a single word on behalf of any of them?”

He seemed somewhat dispirited, shaking his head:

“The most important thing in that child's heart is still his own Great Dao. Women are merely a temporary diversion; everything else must step aside in the face of his Dao… After raising him for so many years, I've seen through him completely.”

Li Yuanping coughed twice, bending over somewhat painfully. Li Xicheng quickly went to support him, transferring some true essence into him. After resting for a while, Li Yuanping slowly recovered.

He said faintly:

“Let him be. Anyway, the Meng family cannot have heirs. Whether they grow close or merely have a fling, let him amuse himself. When the time comes, the Meng woman can simply leave.”

Li Yuanping's expression was calm, and he said with the certain tone of a father:

“He is more heartless than anyone; he won't try to keep her.”

Li Yuanjiao was always cautious when riding the wind, using Profound Pattern Spirit Mist for concealment, and with the enhancement of Qi-Traveling Spirit Devouring, his speed was extremely fast.

The greatest benefit of Qi-Traveling Spirit Devouring for Li Yuanjiao was still the increase in his cultivation speed. From a young age, his cultivation speed couldn't compare to Li Qinghong's, but under this Daoist talisman energy, he had continuously surpassed her, reaching his current level.

‘Xijun… really trusts this monk!’

Li Yuanjiao traveled through the mist, while simultaneously pondering deeply.

He had thoroughly inquired with the Xiao family about Kong Heng and had also privately discussed it with several fellow Daoists. Ancient Buddhist cultivation indeed had a concept of transcending tribulations. If a few Mahakalas from the north were to manifest as avatars, they wouldn't be able to deceive the Immortal Mirror.

That being said, even though Li Yuanjiao was putting on an act just now, he had secretly felt a flicker of anger, not directed at Kong Heng, but at Li Xijun's protectiveness towards Kong Heng in his words:

“Your grandfather died because of Buddhist cultivators, and your great-grandfather also died because of Buddhist cultivators. Yet, in the end, you are so protective of one!”

Li Yuanjiao also knew Kong Heng's character but found it hard to accept. He sighed, then floated down, riding the wind, to Mushroom Forest Plain.

Mushroom Forest Plain was fertile land, with lush green forests. Beyond this forest, dark, imposing peaks rose, covered in holes of various sizes and completely sealed off.

All the ores on these mountains were purplish-black, faintly shimmering with lightning. Occasionally, bolts of thunder struck, producing violent roars. A formation shielded the mountain, indicating that Li Qinghong was likely inside.

As Li Yuanjiao landed at the foot of the mountain, a person quickly approached, riding the wind. He was only at the Qi Condensation level and said respectfully:

“Senior, this is our Yuan family's territory. How may I help you?”

Li Yuanjiao waved his sleeve and said gravely:

“Li Yuanjiao of Qingdu.”

The Qi Condensation cultivator of the Yuan family immediately understood and cupped his hands, saying:

“Senior, please ascend the mountain. Senior Wushao is in the courtyard.”

Li Yuanjiao nodded and flew up, concealed by the Profound Pattern Spirit Mist. From a distance, he heard a roar:

“You stinking monk, what scripture are you chanting again!”

Li Yuanjiao's mouth twitched slightly. Li Wushao usually maintained a fierce and sinister demeanor, rarely showing such a loss of composure. Looking over, he saw the black-clothed youth standing by the courtyard wall, his face filled with irritation.

“Fellow Daoist Wushao… this is called the 'Revered Cultivation and Subjugation Sutra.' The Seven Northern Paths are most skilled at using this sutra to subdue demons… You should listen more, so you can be prepared in the future.”

Kong Heng in the courtyard was bare-chested, his smile very peaceful, golden light emanating from his hands. Li Yuanjiao was slightly startled; in less than three years, this person had actually become a master!

Li Wushao gnashed his teeth, looking at him as if he had a headache. Kong Heng said softly:

“Fellow Daoist, remember: calm your mind, compose your spirit, and guard your heart. I will teach you a few incantations that can resist this path.”

“Go to hell.”

Li Wushao cursed under his breath, but made no move, listening obediently. Kong Heng then recited hundreds of flowing words, which Li Wushao diligently memorized, asking curiously:

“Monk, I've heard that Northern Buddhist cultivators most enjoy capturing demonic beasts, controlling and taming them, and befuddling their minds. Is this true?”

“Naturally, it is.”

Kong Heng frowned and said gravely:

“Once controlled by this magic, it's not comparable to merely yielding one's spirit… one becomes completely lost in it, changing entirely in body and mind, becoming what is known as a 'spirit beast'.”

Li Wushao shook his head with lingering fear and asked:

“Then won't you also capture demonic beasts?”

“Not so.”

Kong Heng shook his head:

“Spells are for self-salvation, not for saving others. To befuddle minds with spells is the path of evil, and such actions cannot be seen by the World Honored One.”

Li Wushao glanced at him, nodded, and chuckled:

“You truly are an ancient cultivator. No wonder you say Liaohe Temple is getting worse by the day… It's simply too difficult to break through in cultivation; if you have spells but cannot cast them, you naturally can't compete.”

“Indeed.”

Kong Heng nodded, seemingly not very concerned about his own lineage. He then sat down cross-legged, looking a little troubled:

“I wonder if Xijun will be implicated because of me…”

Li Wushao sat beside him and advised:

“If you ask me, now that you've become a master, you might as well return early… save yourself from causing more trouble here. You've just broken through; I've already sent the news back.”

Kong Heng whispered:

“I'll stay here and keep watch. If anything happens, I can provide assistance. After all, I am a master now, capable of fighting against Foundation Establishment cultivators.”

After listening for a few moments, Li Yuanjiao descended, revealing himself. Kong Heng and Li Wushao were startled, jumping up on the spot. Li Wushao was so terrified he nearly reverted to his original form, meekly saying:

“Wushao greets Master!”

He stealthily glanced at Li Yuanjiao, saw his expression was normal, and secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Kong Heng, quite unsettled, cast a quick glance at him with narrow eyes and replied:

“This humble monk greets fellow Daoist.”

“Master, you are too polite.”

Li Yuanjiao said very calmly:

“Since the Master has successfully broken through, why not return with me?”

“Yes.”

Kong Heng responded, saying respectfully:

“However, my temple's secret technique requires drawing upon the Grand Void Yin Thunder. This humble monk used the profound thunder that formed a pool when fellow Daoist Qinghong condensed her immortal foundation for cultivation. Since I have already broken through, I presume fellow Daoist Qinghong will also be close to completion.”