Chapter 401: Path Clearing

Li Yuanjiao soared through the northern foothills of Mount Dali on the wind, mountains and clouds rushing beneath his feet. Profound Mist surged from the Profound Patterned Bottle as he rode the mist, hands clasped behind his back, his expression serene.

"Xi Jun should be able to make the arrangements," he thought. "The old man is stubborn, but he's old and his spirit isn't what it used to be. A little gentle persuasion should be enough to get him out."

Li Yuanjiao's face was grim; he had always been somewhat displeased by Li Xuanxuan's disregard for his own well-being.

"He just has to keep dragging it out..."

Li Yuanjiao suddenly recalled a memory from his childhood: his mother, Mu Lu, sat alone with him in the courtyard. Young at the time, with her beautiful hair cascading down, she had said softly:

"Your father… he's very uninteresting. In his entire life, he only ever loved one thing: this Li family. Later, he reluctantly accepted the addition of a child."

"He didn't even care much for himself. Li Xuanxuan seemed to hate his own inadequacy, never valuing himself, seeing himself as worthless, less even than a few spirit stones."

Li Yuanjiao hadn't understood her words then, but now, seeing his father Li Xuanxuan in this state, he finally comprehended.

"Among everyone in the Li family, he only ever belittled himself. Since the Old Ancestor's death, he had lost all interest in living."

"His relentless talisman drawing, day and night, indicated a death wish, yet he lacked the courage to act on it."

Li Yuanjiao understood clearly, yet he couldn't voice it. His mother, Mu Lu, hadn't glanced at Li Xuanxuan before she died, and Li Xuanxuan hadn't shed a single tear. Caught between them, Li Yuanjiao felt a mix of sorrow and anger.

"Enough," he murmured.

Li Yuanjiao pushed those thoughts aside, not wanting to dwell on them. After traveling through the mountains for a while, he saw two brown demon deer flying up towards him. Their fur was smooth and fine. They positioned themselves, one on his left and one on his right, and spoke in unison with a simple, earnest tone:

"Little demons greet the Immortal!"

Both demon deer were in the late Qi Condensation stage. Their heads were practically buried in the clouds; they dared not look at him directly, only casting terrified glances at his Azure Ruler Sword.

Li Yuanjiao nodded slightly, and the demon deer on the left quickly added:

"We are humble demons under the esteemed Demon General. The General has specially prepared a banquet and respectfully invites the Immortal to attend!"

Li Yuanjiao noted its politeness but grew suspicious. He subtly rested his hand on his sword. Though White Banyan Fox had vouched for them, he had no idea of this deer demon's true strength, and if it harbored ill intent, things would hardly end well.

He hadn't brought his Dharma Mirror on this trip, but fortunately, sword intent was still sealed within his Azure Ruler Sword, so dispatching a single deer demon would be no issue.

*Since White Banyan Fox introduced them, they shouldn't be setting an ambush to harm me,* he thought. *If they were so unwise, I would simply have to resort to my sword intent.*

He simply rode the wind over. To his surprise, both sides were lined with bowing, head-lowering demons, respectfully arrayed to welcome him. They were mostly musk deer, roe deer, and red deer, their fur colors similar on both sides, creating a perfectly symmetrical display. They had evidently mastered human customs.

Li Yuanjiao felt a little odd as he flew towards them. Beneath a colossal white banyan tree, three tables were arranged. At the head table, White Banyan Fox lay comfortably, feet propped up, a spirit peach dangling from his mouth.

Standing beside him was a middle-aged man with brown hair and dark eyes, his long hair flowing freely. A large shield was strapped to his back. He was a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator and was likely the deer demon.

Spirit peaches, spirit apricots, fruit wine, and fresh flowers were neatly arranged on the tables. The moment Li Yuanjiao landed, the middle-aged man, the transformed deer demon, immediately stepped forward and greeted him politely:

"I am Lu Ken from Mount Dali. It is a pleasure to meet you, fellow Daoist."

The middle-aged man had a small face and round eyes. His hair was a rare brownish-yellow, likely a residual trait from his transformation. His eyes were clear, devoid of any bloodthirsty or cruel glint.

"Li Yuanjiao of Qingdu."

Li Yuanjiao scrutinized him, noticing the clear spiritual energy swirling between his brows, a stark contrast to the pig demon. This created a favorable impression. He first bowed respectfully to White Banyan Fox and said:

"Yuanjiao greets Senior."

Li Yuanjiao had already witnessed White Banyan Fox's capabilities within the cave, but even without that, the fox's relationship with Li Tongya alone was enough to earn his respect. He remained courteous, not asserting himself despite his own Foundation Establishment cultivation.

The fox nodded at him, then flipped over and scampered behind the table, replying:

"The matter with that pig demon last time has been settled. The pig demon's assets weren't quite enough, so I added a few spirit stones to make up the difference and invited this fellow Daoist here."

White Banyan Fox pointed to the deer demon and introduced:

"This is Lu Ken, a good friend from my cave. He's a benevolent demon, and from now on, your family is welcome to operate freely in this surrounding area."

Li Yuanjiao thanked him and promptly took ten spirit stones from his storage bag, offering them to White Banyan Fox. The fox took six, put them away, and holding a spirit peach, said while munching:

"You two chat; I have important matters to attend to."

With that, he rode the wind and flew off into the distance. Only then did Lu Ken, the deer demon, turn back and speak:

"This humble demon used to cultivate in the southern foothills and had long heard of your esteemed family's renown. Now that I have met you, it is truly extraordinary."

Li Yuanjiao merely nodded. Lu Ken then gestured for him to take a seat, after which he retrieved a jade box, held it out, and smiled:

"This is a Dry Rock Bright Fruit, a precious medicine. Consider it a small gift from this humble demon upon our meeting. As I will be cultivating in the northern foothills from now on, I would greatly appreciate your esteemed family's guidance..."

Li Yuanjiao opened the jade box to reveal an orange-red stone bead with no scent and a faint glow. Lu Ken quickly added:

"Fellow Daoist, do not underestimate it. This fruit is greatly beneficial to cultivators of the earth and stone path. It can aid cultivation, assist in breakthroughs, and holds many marvels when used in crafting magical artifacts. Taken orally, it can also staunch bleeding, suppress injuries, and preserve life."

Li Yuanjiao shook his head slightly and replied:

"Fellow Daoist, since you've cultivated to Foundation Establishment, you must be of considerable age. In Yue Kingdom, there are few earth and stone cultivators, with only the Xuanyue Sect specializing in it. This precious medicine… my family also possesses the Wanning Flower, which is quite renowned now. It too can sustain life, but it's not particularly useful to us."

Lu Ken lowered his head slightly, a hint of disappointment on his face. He fumbled in his sleeve for a moment and produced two enormous deer antlers, resembling small trees, saying gently:

"I was inconsiderate. These two antlers were shed when I attained Foundation Establishment. They are quite substantial and can be disassembled to craft weapons, forming dozens of Qi Condensation artifacts..."

Lu Ken had originally intended to forge these antlers into his own magical artifacts and had kept them carefully. Now, as he presented them, he looked somewhat reluctant. Li Yuanjiao, however, had no intention of troubling him. White Banyan Fox had made it clear that this demon was one of his own, and deference was due. So he simply asked:

"Fellow Daoist, are you familiar with the Blood Sun Fruit?"

"Blood Sun Fruit? That name sounds quite unfamiliar."

Hearing that Li Yuanjiao had a request, Lu Ken immediately relaxed significantly and said happily:

"Although I've never heard the name of that precious medicine, fellow Daoist, you've certainly come to the right person. I am older and hold some standing among the demons. It would be no problem at all for me to inquire among them on your behalf!"

Li Yuanjiao nodded, then described the appearance and characteristics of the Blood Sun Fruit, just as they were detailed in the letter Li Xizhi had sent. After ensuring Lu Ken had noted everything, he then asked:

"Fellow Daoist, how old are you?"

Having received his instruction, Lu Ken felt a great weight lift from his heart. Much more at ease, he replied:

"I am over five hundred years old now. If counting from when I gained sentience, it's also over four hundred."

"That's truly impressive!"

Li Yuanjiao commented. Although Lu Ken was over five hundred years old, he still appeared to be in his prime, clearly possessing a lifespan of up to a millennium, which was truly enviable. Lu Ken sighed:

"You are right, fellow Daoist. Although our demon lifespan is long, few of us actually live to old age. Those without backing are quickly captured, killed, and consumed. Even those of us with some background are merely goods with a clear price tag."

Li Yuanjiao secretly nodded, musing:

*It seems most of these demon generals understand their situation quite well… they are simply powerless.*

Lu Ken smiled and said politely:

"Before I gained sentience, I cultivated with the deer herd on Mushan Plain. At that time, the Qingchi Sect had just been established, and the Yuan clan had only been rooted on Mushan Plain for a few decades... Later, when the Mushan demon cave was breached by the Yuan clan, I came to Mount Dali."

"There was once a close friend of mine in the Dali Demon Cave, so for hundreds of years, I relied on his protection. Later, he failed in his attempt to break through to the Purple Mansion realm and perished. That's when I was appointed as a demon general, a position I've held for several decades now."

Although this deer demon had lived a long time, he had mostly cultivated in the forest and didn't seem to possess much cunning. He was quite talkative. Li Yuanjiao cupped his hands and replied:

"So, fellow Daoist, you had connections within the cave."

"Not at all!"

Lu Ken shook his head and continued:

"Fellow Daoist… if I may speak frankly, your esteemed family's Sword Immortal once served Qingchi. Can you still claim Qingchi's protection now? It's the same in the cave, but far more brutal. Had I not voluntarily left, I would likely have been devoured sooner or later."

Li Yuanjiao nodded. Hearing that Lu Ken was a full five hundred years old, his mind stirred, and he quickly asked:

"Fellow Daoist, are you also aware of… the great battle from four hundred years ago?"

"Given such a tremendous upheaval, of course I know. My old friends withered away one by one, and now, few remember the details of that event."

Lu Ken nodded, meeting Li Yuanjiao's expectant gaze, and replied:

"The Golden Feather Sect and the Qingchi Demon Sect besieged and killed Li Jiangqun. The battle was so fierce it eclipsed the sun and moon; Foundation Establishment cultivators surrounded him tightly, forming arrays to seal off the void. The Qingchi Demon Sect, established for five hundred years, exerted its full strength only in that battle, shaking its very foundation."

Li Yuanjiao frowned and asked:

"Wasn't it three sects and seven gates?"

"Three sects and seven gates?"

Lu Ken paused, then said:

"How could that be? Of course not… Xiuyue and Xueji likely didn't participate. Xuanyue and Changxiao were established much later. Aside from the Lingyu Sect, which sided with Li Jiangqun, it was only the Golden Feather Sect and the Qingchi Demon Sect, allied with the Hongxue, Lizhi, and Wuzhu Sects."

"Fellow Daoist, please elaborate!"

Li Yuanjiao quickly pressed for more details. Lu Ken nodded and said:

"At that time, the battle was so fierce it obscured the sun and moon. The Golden Feather Sect and the Demon Sect fared somewhat better, but the True Persons of the Hongxue, Lizhi, and Wuzhu Sects were nearly wiped out by True Person Donghua. The True Person of the Wuzhu Sect fled ten thousand li, escaping to the East Sea, but he too vomited blood and died suddenly, inadvertently benefiting the cultivators there."

"The surviving True Person of the Hongxue Sect obtained True Person Donghua's immortal sword, but he too died halfway through his journey. The immortal sword has been missing ever since, which once led cultivators from both north and south of the Yangtze River to search far and wide, filled with wild imaginings."

Lu Ken, with lingering fear in his voice, whispered:

"Though True Person Donghua died, he caused the extinction of three sect lineages, and both Qingchi and Golden Feather lived in fear for a century. He truly was a peerless prodigy."

Li Yuanjiao processed this information and murmured:

"But… why did they kill Li Jiangqun?"

"Who could possibly know?"

Lu Ken shook his head, his face etched with confusion, and replied:

"Li Jiangqun was clearly just cultivating peacefully on the lake. The Golden Feather Sect and the Demon Sect even sought his help from time to time, and True Person Donghua always assisted them very politely. It was a commendable tale for a while, but then, overnight, they turned on him! They absolutely demanded his death!"

The deer demon sighed and replied:

"Who can truly understand the minds of Purple Mansion and Golden Core cultivators? Just look at this demonic disaster… a host of Purple Mansion cultivators in Jiangnan simply stood by and watched. Who knows what their true intentions were?"

Li Yuanjiao secretly nodded, saying nonchalantly:

"What magical artifact did True Person Donghua use?"

"What else could it be?"

Lu Ken smiled:

"A sword, of course..."

"Only one sword?"

"Just that one sword."

Lu Ken nodded and replied:

"With a single sword, a Purple Mansion cultivator died suddenly, their divine abilities vanished, and Mount Dali's leaves fell like rain, while Wangyue Lake's water rose three feet."

"I was only at Qi Condensation then, but the impression was profound."

Lu Ken paused, a look of indelible memory on his face:

"True Person Donghua was already at the peak of the Purple Mansion realm. When he died in a single night, the moon was hidden for three nights across the seas, and the sky turned as black as ink. I was unable to cultivate for three whole nights, hiding in my cave, consumed only by terror."

*No bright moon…*

Li Yuanjiao's heart lightened, and he said regretfully:

"Such a celestial phenomenon suggests he was likely not far from reaching the Golden Core realm."

While verbally agreeing with Lu Ken, doubt filled his mind:

*Just that one sword… The Immortal Mirror truly isn't True Person Donghua, Li Jiangqun's artifact! If it was a treasure of the Moonlight Yuan Mansion… besides Li Jiangqun… could there be someone else?*

After a few more absent-minded words with Lu Ken, Li Yuanjiao instructed:

"Fellow Daoist, please help me search for that Blood Sun Fruit. Should you find even one, my family will surely reward you generously!"

"Don't worry… don't worry…"

Lu Ken readily agreed. Li Yuanjiao nodded and said:

"Fellow Daoist, please do your best to search. My family needs more than just one, so there's no need to worry about that."

Lu Ken naturally understood his meaning, nodding repeatedly. Only then did Li Yuanjiao ride the wind and depart.

As Li Yuanjiao soared away on the clouds and mist, Lu Ken exhaled in relief. He settled back into his seat, looked at his subordinates who were exchanging bewildered glances, and waved his hand, saying:

"You may all disperse!"

The small demons bowed and departed. Lu Ken looked at the untouched fruit wine, poured it into his own jade cup, and sipped it for a while. Then, the fox arrived, riding a demonic wind from the distance and stopping before him.

"Greetings, Young Master!"

Lu Ken quickly bowed, but White Banyan Fox shook his head dismissively and replied:

"What's this talk of 'Young Master'? With foster father dead, neither you nor I have any backing left. We're merely clinging to existence in this place…"

Lu Ken whispered in reply:

"Once Young Master breaks through to Foundation Establishment, you can regain the Bai surname of the fox clan and return to the demon cave. Please do not underestimate yourself…"

White Banyan Fox didn't pursue the topic. He lay down under the tree, his legs propped on the table, and changed the subject:

"What do you make of that Li Yuanjiao?"

Lu Ken pondered for a moment before replying:

"I've encountered many demons, but rarely interact with humans. I simply feel that this person is akin to a flood dragon or a snake – not someone to offend lightly. To be targeted by him would be even more dreadful. It is best to remain on good terms with him."

White Banyan Fox flicked his tail and replied:

"Fortunately, you don't eat humans, and with my influence, he won't harm you. When I enter seclusion, you must take care of yourself and cooperate fully."

Lu Ken nodded. White Banyan Fox yawned and murmured:

"My cultivation has progressed rapidly over the past decade or so. I can already choose a date for seclusion. If I succeed in breaking through, that would be ideal. If I fail, and your spirit remains intact, then pledge yourself to the Li family…"

No sooner had he spoken than he drifted into a sleepy haze. Lu Ken returned to the table, sipped his fruit wine, and pondered for a long time, lost in thought.