Chapter 414: House Wharf Neighborhood Liaison

Qingdu Peak.

Li Yuanjiao was in seclusion, healing and cultivating. However, the Blood Sun Fruit still needed to be delivered to Li Xizhi in Wubu Market, Libu Commandery. Since the Li family was unaware of Situ Mo's whereabouts, they could only send Kong Heng to deliver it.

When Li Xijun mentioned it, Kong Heng immediately nodded in agreement, solemnly placing the treasure into his robe. Kong Heng was a man who took his promises seriously; his agreement had a sense of "achieve it even if it kills me," which made Li Xijun's eyelids twitch. He asked:

"Master... they can't trace you, right?"

Seeing Kong Heng nod, Li Xijun realized that it was Kong Heng's sect's emphasis on promises that made him so certain. Li Xijun, between laughter and tears, saw him off, watching his departing figure and sighing:

"Ancient traditions were simple and honest, but now Buddhism is cunning... they are completely different."

Thinking this, Li Xijun gave a self-deprecating smile:

"When it comes to cunning, my family also has a reputation!"

Originally intending to ride the wind back to Qingdu Mountain, Li Xijun had a change of thought:

"It's been a long time since I've seen Ximing. I'm afraid he might have been playing around and neglecting his cultivation. I should go remind him."

So he turned in the air and landed on Wutu Mountain. The vegetation was lush, and amidst the trees were grand courtyards and pavilions. Outside the Alchemy Pavilion, a woman was waiting, dressed in a white dress, wearing a veiled hat adorned with pearls and jade.

Seeing Li Xijun land, the woman quickly lowered her veil and softly said:

"An Shi greets Senior."

Li Xijun paused slightly and immediately understood. This was An Zheyang's daughter, and also Li Ximing's new wife, making her his sister-in-law. He quickly lowered his gaze and said:

"Sister-in-law, what are you saying? You're being too formal."

An Shi nodded and whispered:

"Since my brother-in-law is here to see you, I'll take my leave first."

Li Xijun nodded and then stepped into the cave dwelling in the backyard. Li Ximing was sitting inside, absorbing the flames from the furnace into his body. He looked at Li Xijun, a joyful expression on his face, and said:

"Come in, come in."

Li Xijun's spiritual sense swept across, and he immediately understood, exclaiming in surprise:

"You... broke through to Qi Condensation Layer 8?"

Li Ximing chuckled, waved his hand, and said nonchalantly:

"I'd been accumulating for a while, and it just happened during a sudden impulse."

Li Ximing spoke with ease and pride, but Li Xijun knew him well, understanding that he must have put in effort and was simply waiting for praise. Following his words, Li Xijun praised him a couple of times, making him laugh heartily before saying:

"Get another Talisman Pill, and you'll be able to break through to Qi Condensation Layer 9. Foundation Establishment will be within reach."

"Naturally, naturally."

Li Ximing let out a sigh of relief, guaranteed with a serious expression:

"Once Uncle Jiao emerges from seclusion, we can choose an island and establish ourselves overseas! The family affairs will be more than well-managed under my care!"

'I knew you were lazy and wouldn't want to go overseas.'

Li Xijun thought to himself, then reminded him:

"I saw An Shi waiting outside. Although she has a good temper, don't put on too many airs. Not only are the An family members highly talented, but An Zheyang has also contributed immensely over the years. You must not let them down."

"Yes... yes..."

Li Ximing repeatedly assented and explained:

"I treat her very well! I'm always very polite. It was just inconvenient to see anyone while I was refining pills."

Li Xijun nodded, hesitated for a moment, and finally asked:

"Meng Zhuoyun... how do you plan to handle her?"

Li Ximing paused, a hint of awkwardness appearing on his face. He whispered:

"I've tried persuading her many times. If she's unwilling to give up her hatred and stay with my family, then after some time, I'll send her away. There's no need to say more..."

Seeing Li Xijun frown, Li Ximing quickly explained:

"I haven't treated her unfairly! All the resources that should be given, and all the alchemy techniques that should be taught, I've provided completely. When the time comes, it will be considered a mutual offset, severing our connection."

Li Xijun clicked his tongue and shook his head:

"You! You're truly heartless... I don't think she's after your possessions now..."

"This..."

Li Ximing's romantic entanglement being exposed in front of his brother finally caused some ripple, making him slightly agitated. He pleaded:

"How could that be... What kind of person is she...? Oh... it's a mere transactional relationship."

Li Xijun glanced at him and softly reminded him:

"If you're going to send her away, make sure she doesn't take anything that bears your family's mark, to prevent trouble in the future."

"That makes sense."

Li Ximing replied absentmindedly. Li Xijun, resigned, left. Only then did Li Ximing straighten up. Several paintings were scattered in the courtyard. He casually pulled them over, examined them closely for a moment, and then put them away.

As he exhaled a stream of primal flame, Meng Zhuoyun only stirred a small ripple in his heart, which he quickly dismissed and forgot completely.

Libu Commandery, Wubu Market.

In just three months, Li Xizhi had thoroughly organized the rules and regulations of the market, won over several shopkeepers from rogue cultivator backgrounds, and provided conveniences to the shops of the Xiao, Yuan, and Yang families. The entire market had fallen under his control.

"With Qingchi's backing, these matters were naturally effortless... no one dared to defy him."

If he hadn't had the backing of Qingchi and three aristocratic families, it would have taken him more than ten times the time to win over and balance forces. Now, it only took a few commands, and Li Xizhi already had time to cultivate.

According to the unspoken rules within the sect, he could now take over many peripheral profits, though the amount was not large. Fearing that it might be used against him, Li Xizhi did not touch them.

This was why few people had come to this market. Wubu Market was not a major market; peak disciples found it unsettling, and direct disciples looked down on it. Only Li Xizhi, who cared deeply for his family, found joy in it.

"The spiritual energy here is far inferior to Qingchi, but it's ultimately superior in its ease and freedom; there's no need to constantly worry."

As he pondered, a man from below came forward, cupped his fists, and respectfully said:

"Reporting, sir, the sect records of Tangjin Gate are here."

Li Xizhi took it and flipped through, indeed finding the person Situ Mo. Officially, he was from Tangjin's current main lineage, likely an orphan of the lineage that was annihilated back then.

Tangjin Gate was initially managed by Situ Li, the eldest son's lineage, who had formed a marital alliance with Xuanyue Gate. Later, after the founding patriarch Situ Tang died, the second son, Situ Nu, supported by Jinyu Sect, killed his elder brother to usurp power and achieve Purple Mansion realm.

After Situ Nu's death, Tangjin Gate split into several factions, eventually pledging allegiance to Qingchi Sect. The senior lineage was restored, and Situ Nu's lineage had to be completely slaughtered, with only Situ Mo surviving. This was the origin of his background.

"What a mess."

Li Xizhi generally read through it, clearly seeing traces of Qingchi and Jinyu's conflict. The repeated massacres and struggles within Tangjin Gate were merely manifestations of the two sects' rivalry.

"These were all acts of last resort; otherwise, they wouldn't have secretly protected Situ Mo."

Li Xizhi was secretly startled as he read, and asked the person below:

"Where is Situ Mo now? Has he taken on any missions?"

The man below respectfully said:

"Reporting, sir, he reportedly took a mission to the East Sea and might not return for several years."

"Continue."

Li Xizhi prompted him, and the man explained:

"According to the cultivators from the Han, Fu, and He families who came to the market, the Kong family of Xuanyue sent two Foundation Establishment cultivators to a market overseas. They occupied two additional islands, blocking the sea route, which caused Tangjin Gate's market to lose more than half its population."

"Originally, Xuanyue and Tangjin had a very good relationship and no conflicts. However, it has worsened in recent years, leading to this situation, so Tangjin Gate sent Situ Mo."

Li Xizhi made a mental note, pulled out a small message token, wrote to his family, and sent it. Then the old man reported again that a monk wished to see him.

"A monk."

Li Xizhi was very cautious. He carefully asked about his appearance, confirmed it was Kong Heng, held a talisman in his hand, and only then went out to meet him.

The monk had fair skin, narrow eyes, a long face, and round ears; it was indeed Kong Heng. He said solemnly:

"Greetings, fellow Daoist. I was entrusted by your esteemed clan to deliver a precious medicine."

Upon hearing "precious medicine," Li Xizhi already had an idea. However, Kong Heng did not produce it, merely fixed his gaze on him and softly said:

"Please show your jade pendant, fellow Daoist."

'He's quite stubborn.'

Li Xizhi smiled. Although the two had just met, both were very cautious. Li Xizhi displayed the jade pendant, which symbolized the Li family's direct lineage. Only then did Kong Heng apologize and hand the jade box to him.

Li Xizhi's spiritual sense swept over it, confirming it was indeed the Blood Sun Fruit. He softly said:

"Please stay for a little while longer, Master. That sword is almost forged. I would be grateful if you could take it back."

Kong Heng nodded and withdrew. Li Xizhi let out a long breath, a sense of relief washing over him:

'Li Encheng's matter is finally resolved... I'll go to Xuanyuan Market and establish a connection with Li Encheng first.'

Since Situ Mo had gone to the East Sea, Li Xizhi felt much more at ease. He entrusted the matters to the two elders and flew along the path to Xuanyuan Market.

Xuanyuan Market was located near Dongli Mountain, very close to Libu Commandery. Li Xizhi took the precious medicine, let mist rise to conceal his face, and landed outside the market. A Prenatal Breath cultivator came to greet him, asking:

"Senior, are you...?"

Li Xizhi simply said:

"I am a rogue cultivator from Xianlin Plains, currently traveling afar to this place."

Since Li Xizhi was here privately, he naturally couldn't use his Qingchi identity, so he simply made something up. The Prenatal Breath cultivator was not surprised. He took out a circular magic artifact and respectfully said:

"Please infuse a trace of True Essence, Senior."

The demonic calamity had been raging for a long time, and major markets had set up defenses, prohibiting demonic cultivators from entering to prevent internal and external attacks from breaking the market.

Li Xizhi slowly nodded and infused his True Essence. The magic artifact immediately emitted a white light, and the cultivator exclaimed in surprise:

"A righteous cultivator..."

Li Xizhi nodded, ignored the flattering expression on the man's face, took the jade token offered to him, and strode inside. After searching for a while in the bustling market, he quickly found the Enshui Alchemy Pavilion.

Stepping inside, a servant came forward to greet him. Li Xizhi waved his hand and said:

"Please summon your shopkeeper."

Although he had put away his feather robe and concealed his appearance, making his identity unrecognizable, his tone was calm and his demeanor extraordinary. The servant dared not delay, rushed up, and before long, a tall, slender man came down, wearing a short jacket, smiling as he cupped his hands:

"I am Li Enxi. Greetings, fellow Daoist."

Li Enxi was at the early Foundation Establishment stage, yet he was very polite to Li Xizhi. Naturally, Li Xizhi dared not act superior. He followed him into a secret chamber, and with a sweep of his hand over his face, revealed his true appearance.

Li Enxi nodded in realization, seeming to recognize him, and replied:

"So it's young friend Xizhi. My elder brother instructed me, and I have been waiting for a long time."

Li Xizhi took out the jade box and softly said:

"A small welcome gift, please accept it."

Li Enxi took it, and with a sweep of his spiritual sense, understood what was inside. He softly said:

"Young friend's Li... is it the Wei Li?"

Li Xizhi nodded in affirmation, and Li Enxi immediately beamed, whispering:

"Indeed, you are from our main branch. My brothers and I had already guessed. Only our surviving lineage of Wei Li could produce such talents."

His eyes became much more fervent, and he politely said:

"Considering seniority, my brothers and I are at least from the generation of Old Ancestor Mutian... Never mind, never mind, I won't go into these details with you, lest you find it awkward to speak."

Li Xizhi nodded very humbly. The two were relatives from a thousand years ago; there was no real way to connect them, but it was a means to bridge the distance.

Ultimately, Li Encheng needed a reliable aristocratic family, and the Li family needed an experienced Foundation Establishment Peak alchemist. Li Xizhi understood this clearly in his heart, while maintaining politeness in his words.

Li Enxi whispered:

"My elder brother doesn't have much lifespan left. The only path now is to break through to the Purple Mansion realm. In the future, we will need much more support from our main branch."

Seeing him present the condition, Li Xizhi politely nodded and gently said:

"Naturally. However, my family is rather weak and might not be able to offer much help... For some matters, we will still need much care from both seniors."

"Indeed."

The two exchanged glances, confirming an unwritten agreement. Li Xizhi said:

"When the time comes, the sect will need Senior Encheng's assistance..."

"Mhm."

Li Enxi paused, took out a pill from his robe, and smiled:

"Take a look."

Li Xizhi's spiritual sense swept over it. The pill inside was indeed snow-white and crystalline, a Suijin Pill. He was instantly delighted, wondering if Li Encheng had secretly refined it himself, hence not using up vital blood, or if he had specifically inquired about the Li family's preferences and prepared it so thoroughly.

He repeatedly thanked him. Li Enxi chuckled a couple of times, then his expression suddenly changed, and he said fiercely:

"Matters of resentment... are unavoidable after all. For a full millennium... those few orthodoxies still refuse to let us go..."

These words carried a hint of sincerity, causing Li Xizhi to be taken aback. Then Li Enxi said:

"My elder brother was also killed by a monk! This hatred is shared by the Wei Li. As long as our Li clan has a breath left, we will never forget the blood feud of our shattered nation and the massacre. When my elder brother heard about the Maha incident, he guessed it was our Wei Li lineage and has been waiting to meet you, young friend..."

Only then did Li Xizhi understand this additional reason for the smoothness of things. He nodded solemnly. The Qingdu Li family's hatred with Maha was still unresolved, and he kept it in mind. At that moment, his heart stirred, and he whispered:

"Speaking of which, recently our whereabouts were exposed, and we were ambushed by enemies. Zhao Shi's shadow was also present."

Li Enxi frowned, saying with some hesitation:

"If... you are troubled by monks, you can seek my help... I see you are a clever child, and you know how to handle these matters. I don't need to say more..."

Li Xizhi naturally nodded. Since his relationship with Li Enxi was still shallow, he dared not mention Situ Mo's matter, fearing it might scare Li Enxi away. He only replied:

"If there are any traces of Buddhist cultivators, I will certainly inform Senior."

The two conversed for a while, establishing the rules for future meetings. Only then did Li Xizhi turn and depart, riding the wind away, stroking his sword hilt, and musing:

"Qingchi... overseas... Wangyue..."

"Father is already preparing to establish ourselves overseas. Our family's strength is growing, and both Seventh and Eighth Brothers have the potential for Foundation Establishment. We are just waiting for an opportunity..."

He had lived discreetly, avoiding attention and being obsequious in Qingchi for twenty years. For the first time, his expression and demeanor became ambitious, openly displaying his raw ambition:

"As long as we have the support of Li Encheng, the Yuan family, the Xiao family, and the Ning family, unifying Wangyue Lake will be legitimate..."

"Yu Muxian... Yu Muxian! As long as this person is removed, within a short period, we can swallow the entire Wangyue Lake whole."

(End of chapter)