Chapter 399: Cry

The burly man in front of her paused, then remembered the urgent matter. Seeing Li Qinghong's unyielding demeanor, he could only whisper: "I was rude and presumptuous earlier. I only seek one Wanling Flower! Please, fellow Daoist, grant my request!"

Seeing him yield, Li Qinghong flipped her hand and produced a jade box from her storage pouch. She said amiably: "Saving a life is paramount. Fellow Daoist, please take it and use it first."

The burly man was instantly overjoyed. Without time for thanks or discussing compensation, he nodded vigorously, took the flower, and sped away like the wind.

Only then did Li Qinghong retract her spear and descend, purple lightning still flickering around her. Below, Li Xicheng beamed with joy and chuckled: "Congratulations, Aunt!"

She chuckled softly, patted Li Xicheng's head, and said gently: "When I went into seclusion on the mountain back then, you were just a little child scared by thunder, dropping your spear. Now, in the blink of an eye, you're thirty years old; I almost didn't recognize you."

Li Xicheng just grinned, unable to hide his delight: "It's good that Aunt's breakthrough was successful, truly good."

"Where's Brother Jiao?" Li Qinghong tightened her grip on her spear and asked: "It's rare to achieve Foundation Establishment; I must have a good fight with him!"

"Hahahaha..."

Laughter was heard, drawing closer, as a man in black robes arrived on the wind, looking very pleased: "Qinghong truly succeeded!"

"Greetings, Old Ancestor!"

It turned out that Li Xicheng had sent someone earlier to summon Li Yuanjiao from seclusion, and he had already rushed over. A group of cultivators quickly bowed. Li Yuanjiao, rarely showing such overt joy, burst into laughter: "Excellent! Excellent!"

He waved his hand, dismissing all the cultivators not of their clan. Then, he looked her up and down, admiring Li Qinghong's gentle smile. He praised: "The 'Purple Thunder Profound Origin Art' lives up to its name as an ancient technique. Your ability to summon lightning and control electricity, with purple light circulating, gives you an aura far superior to mine."

Li Qinghong chuckled: "I have formed the Immortal Foundation Profound Thunder Pool. My Qi Sea has transformed into a thunder pool, with purple and silver qi surging. Thunder pulsates with every movement; it's quite remarkable."

She brushed her hair back, her expression one of great satisfaction: "I've looked through several of the family's magical arts. The Profound Thunder Pool technique is ancient and grand, likely written during the early days of the Purple Mansion Golden Core Dao. Its profound aspects differ somewhat from contemporary Immortal Foundations."

She extended her hand, palm upwards, and purple lightning surged forth, slowly transforming into an arcane, deep purple talisman, enveloped in violet light, bobbing in her palm.

Forming this lightning talisman seemed to consume a lot of her energy, as her face was slightly pale. She explained: "This is the Profound Origin Profound Thunder, most adept at slaying demons and eradicating evil. It can already draw upon the lightning of heaven and earth for assistance. Furthermore, when augmented with the Purple Talisman Origin Light Secret Art from the 'Purple Thunder Profound Origin Art,' its power would likely be astonishing."

"This Profound Thunder is difficult to preserve. Only one can be stored within my Qi Sea's Thunder Pool through the Purple Talisman Origin Light Secret Art. When unleashed during combat, it will catch opponents off guard and pose an extreme threat."

The Profound Thunder exuded an intensely dangerous aura, causing Li Wushao to swallow silently. He thought to himself: "Just now, when the immortal emerged from seclusion, I was repeatedly pushed back by the lightning in her hand. I only thought her lightning techniques were astonishingly powerful, never imagining she had un-used Profound Thunder... If it were a life-or-death battle, I might be struck dead by two blows, caught completely off guard."

Li Yuanjiao's eyelids twitched as well, his eyes showing delight: "The 'Purple Thunder Profound Origin Art' is indeed challenging, but the gains are substantial. This secret art complements it perfectly, forcefully elevating one's combat power by several levels."

Li Qinghong clasped her hands together, retracting the lightning talisman back into her Qi Sea's Thunder Pool. She then continued: "The Profound Thunder Pool technique also includes a ritual for establishing an altar, allowing one to communicate with heaven and earth to summon night lightning."

Her willow-like brows furrowed slightly, and she said with some hesitation: "It's just that I've heard heaven and earth are different now compared to ancient times. I don't know if this spell can still be used..."

As they were chatting, Kongheng arrived on the wind, a slight smile on his fair face, his eyes downcast: "Kongheng greets the benefactor and congratulates the benefactor on establishing their Immortal Foundation!"

Li Yuanjiao nodded somewhat politely. Li Qinghong paused only slightly before replying: "Master, your cultivation has also made great progress. The joy is shared."

"Yes... yes..." Kongheng meekly assented, then descended on the wind, his eyes still lowered. He diligently mumbled scriptures to himself, offered an apology, and landed on his own accord.

Li Yuanjiao, seeing Li Qinghong's puzzled expression, explained the preceding events to her one by one. Li Qinghong then nodded thoughtfully and replied: "This cultivation art of mine comes from Thunder Cloud Temple, and it seems Liaohe Temple has some connection... but there's one doubt that always remains in my mind."

Li Yuanjiao tilted his head, and Li Qinghong said: "This Thunder Cloud Temple is clearly for ancient Buddhist cultivators, so how is it that the 'Purple Thunder Profound Origin Art' is explicitly a Purple Mansion Golden Core Dao technique! It's like striking a wooden fish while chanting Daoist scriptures—it makes no sense."

Li Yuanjiao was also puzzled. After pondering for a while and finding no answers, he simply made a note of it: "I'll find a day to ask Kongheng."

Li Qinghong lightly nodded her head and, following her brother, landed on the mountain. She asked: "I've been in seclusion for a while. Why is there a new Demon General in the family?"

Li Wushao, who had been keeping his head down behind them for a long time, finally seized the opportunity and said respectfully: "This humble demon, Li Wushao, originally born in the East Sea, mistakenly entered Salty Lake. Fortunately, I received my master's favor and joined Qingdu..."

"Hey!" Li Yuanjiao's mouth twitched, and he interrupted: "You've certainly learned to speak in flowery language, but don't be so overly sentimental. The Xuanyue Kong Clan invited me to intervene and originally intended to kill this demon. Our family was short on Foundation Establishment combat power, so I acquired a spell to subdue him."

"I see." Li Wushao grinned. Li Qinghong looked him up and down and commented: "When you transformed, you didn't even pick a better form to put people at ease. You don't look like a good person; one has to be wary when meeting you."

Both Li Yuanjiao and Li Wushao froze. Li Yuanjiao looked at his sister, who was smiling teasingly, and shook his head helplessly: "You just have to tease me!"

Li Qinghong, however, pulled him closer and said excitedly: "Come, come, let's have a fight, brother and sister!"

Li Yuanjiao nodded, and the two ascended on the wind. Li Qinghong created some distance, not rushing to draw her spear. Purple spiritual thunder appeared in her palm, and with a flick of her wrist, a streak of purple light shot forth.

The cyan-gray flood dragon emerged from Li Yuanjiao's body. He had made progress in recent years; the flood dragon was lifelike, baring its fangs and brandishing its claws, its whiskers fluttering, vividly real, as it roared and leaped.

"Boom!"

The purple lightning struck the flood dragon, causing it to roar in pain. Deep cyan water splashes rained down, filling the air with water. Li Yuanjiao, protected by his Immortal Foundation, approached with his sword.

The Jing Dragon King technique was very special. Aside from abundant True Essence, its water manipulation ability could either coalesce into an aquatic flood dragon or disperse into snakes, shrimp, crabs, turtles, or even blades, swords, axes, and halberds. Li Yuanjiao didn't need to directly face the lightning; he merely leaped forward.

Li Yuanjiao had a slight advantage thanks to his Immortal Foundation, but his heart felt heavy, as if facing a formidable foe. Others might not know his sister, assuming they could force a lightning cultivator to defend rather than cast spells by getting close. Li Yuanjiao didn't think so. Li Qinghong's spear techniques hadn't been seen in years; he had no idea what level they had reached now.

Sure enough, Li Qinghong merely smiled as she drew her Ruo Flower Spear. A faint purple lightning shadow emerged, swift as lightning, striking fiercely. The spear shadows transformed into bird-like shapes, coming in quick succession.

"Clang!"

Li Yuanjiao drew his dazzling cyan-white sword light. Li Qinghong, however, didn't engage him head-on. Instead, she shifted to a flick, pulling back to dissipate force, her spear shadow whirling and striking heavily to the side.

"Drat! Little sister has studied our family's sword techniques; she's very familiar with the Moon Gate Sword Arc!"

Li Qinghong's talent with weapons was higher than Li Yuanjiao's. With one thrust, one flick, and one smash, the purple thunder dissipated. Li Qinghong retreated several zhang, her faint purple spear shadow reverberating and pressing closer.

After years of cultivation, Li Qinghong was no longer confined to the "Folding Feather Spear Art" or "Roaming Dragon Returning Shadow." Her spear techniques and stances flowed effortlessly, forming a unique style. She understood that Li Yuanjiao's astounding display was but one sword strike, and immediately closed in.

Li Yuanjiao's weaknesses were laid bare, and he struggled greatly, only able to parry with sword qi. Li Qinghong's spear momentum accumulated, each strike heavier than the last, forcing him to retreat repeatedly.

Li Yuanjiao's face was ashen. The sword light in his hand flowed out like water, splitting into three pure white streams of light, radiating a sharp aura and moving with agile grace.

"Three-Point Moon Streamer!"

These three sword qi streams were solid and profound, moving spontaneously in the air as if possessing their own sentience, pure white and radiant, each trailing light as they came. How could Li Qinghong not recognize them? She pulled back her spear, her face showing delight: "Brother, you've mastered it!"

Li Yuanjiao did not reply. Seizing the opportunity, he retracted his sword, then drew it out again, adding another Moon Gate Sword Arc. Li Qinghong wielded her spear to parry, but the three streams of light agilely danced and shifted, flying towards her forehead and lower abdomen.

Li Qinghong's eyes suddenly shimmered with purple light. Her long spear erupted with interwoven silver-white and deep purple lightning. A violent roar echoed in the air as Li Qinghong swept her spear horizontally, forcefully shattering the sword light in front of her.

Two pure white sword lights leaped out from the surging lightning, flickered on her wrist, and then abruptly dissipated.

"Any more fighting and someone will bleed!"

Li Yuanjiao smiled. Li Qinghong retracted her spear and sighed, saying with a hint of regret: "I underestimated the 'Moon Gate Sword Canon' too much! This is a fifth-grade sword art; it's not something that can be resolved by simply overcoming skill with brute force!"

"Qinghong, don't be modest. You might not have been unable to block those two sword lights either."

Li Yuanjiao shook his head: "I've only just mastered it, and my strength has increased considerably. If you had returned a month earlier, I probably wouldn't have even been able to injure you."

"This time, I had the advantage. If you had immediately unleashed that Profound Thunder, or used the Purple Talisman Origin Light Secret Art as I approached, I would have suffered a huge loss, getting injured before the fight even properly began. There's no way I could have beaten you."

Li Qinghong retracted her spear, bowed, and said gently: "In the past, Qinghong could practice secret arts and spear techniques with peace of mind because Brother and Brother Ping were bearing the family's burdens. Now that Qinghong has achieved Foundation Establishment, I can also help Brother!"

"It's good that you have this intention, but there's no rush in the next few years." Li Yuanjiao looked at her kindly and replied: "On one hand, investigate the Blood Sun Fruit. On the other... spend more time with Brother Ping."

Li Qinghong lowered her head silently and hummed in acknowledgment. Both understood the unspoken meaning. Just then, someone below came up and said respectfully: "Reporting to Old Ancestor, news has arrived from the great desert to the west!"

"Uncle?"

Chen Donghe rarely sent news. Li Yuanjiao calculated the time, realizing it wasn't yet enough for a share of Golden Sun Radiant Essence. His heart immediately sank, and a premonition of ill fortune arose.

Indeed, the person bowed and replied: "It's an obituary..."

***

Valley Smoke Temple.

The weather in the great desert was always dry. Chen Donghe had grown accustomed to it over the past decade. Early in the morning, he habitually called out softly twice, but there was no response.

His eyesight, enhanced by his Qi Cultivation, was exceptionally keen. Even in the dim light, he could see the elderly woman's emaciated body, like a pile of kindling on the bed, utterly lifeless.

The man froze, silent for two breaths.

"That's right, it's time to go home."

He put the items from the table and beside the wall into his storage pouch, then picked up Li Jingting from the bed. Step by step, he walked out of the courtyard. The sand was scalding hot underfoot, and Li Jingting had always wanted him to carry her.

"The sun is rather subdued today. Such good weather is rare in the desert; it's a pity." Chen Donghe carried her on his back, pondering how Li Jingting had wanted to wait for this weather to go north and see things, wanting to die in a place with more rain. Who would have thought she would suddenly stop breathing overnight, dying in the yellow sand instead?

"Fellow Daoist Donghe!" Bai Yinzi, the abbot of Valley Smoke Temple, personally saw him off, tears in his eyes. He only whispered: "My condolences... my condolences..."

Chen Donghe's expression remained as usual. Bidding farewell to everyone, the cultivators of Valley Smoke Temple were filled with regret, even looking at him with pity. Chen Donghe responded politely as always, carrying his wife as he traversed through the wind.

Crossing the great desert would take several days. Midway, Chen Donghe had to stop to wipe the dew from his wife's face. Her skin was stiff to the touch, hard like ox hide, and even frosted over; it was not a pleasant sight.

Li Jingting had been dead for a long time, and no one had realized. Chen Donghe had gone out at night to wait for the sunset and gather qi, missing the moment. When he rushed back, she was gripping the edge of the bedsheet, her face unsettled, and she had already stopped breathing.

"Tian'er..."

Lost in thought, Chen Donghe had already arrived at West Screen Mountain. The ley lines on this mountain were sparse, and spiritual energy was cut off. Although clouds and mist swirled above, with white fog enveloping it and countless beautiful scenes of glowing light, it was merely a mortal mountain.

Being a mortal mountain, naturally no one wished to stay. Even if West Screen Mountain was tall and perilous, and single-handedly blocked the southeastern water veins, shaping the Valley Smoke Desert, it remained unrecorded by anyone.

But Li Jingting loved it very much.

Chen Donghe, familiar with the path, landed on the mountain, pushing aside sparse trees. On the mountain peak, two small black stone platforms were carved, appearing exceptionally ethereal amidst the wispy, damp mountain mist. A slight turn of the head revealed endless clouds and mist below.

Looking east from here, one could not only see the entirety of Moon Gazing Lake but also several famous immortal mountains. Even Lijing and Qingdu Mountains were faintly visible in the distance.

This was Li Jingting's favorite place to visit, though the journey took several days, and Chen Donghe wasn't always free. Each visit made her happy for a long time, as if it were a festival.

Chen Donghe placed her on the stone platform, gently exhaled, and leaned against the stone wall, utterly exhausted. He rested her head on his shoulder, gazing silently into the distance.

The mountain wind howled, lonely and cold. Chen Donghe was very calm, just as he had been when she was alive: if she didn't speak, he wouldn't speak.

In the distance, the boundless white clouds gradually transformed into a golden-red and crimson ocean under the morning glow, rolling and surging, taking on various shapes.

The clouds drifted closer from afar. The dark mountain cliffs gradually disappeared amidst the white clouds, and a pale, stiff corpse and an old man were engulfed in the damp mist.

"Woo..."

A cry emerged from within the vast, boundless white mist.

The ugly sound of an old man's stumbling, choking, unending sobs.