Chapter 419: Zongquan Island

Although Situ Mo was only injured, and fortunately that monk could no longer stir up trouble, Li Yuanjiao politely declined Kong Tingyun's invitation. The group did not stay on Yuezhou Island but headed straight north towards Zhulu Sea.

Kong Tingyun escorted them out of her territory. She floated back on a cloud, humming a little tune and feeling very pleased. Seeing her subordinates respectfully approach, she quickly composed herself and thought to herself: "Moutuo truly couldn't predict Brother Jiao's fate! The Li family certainly has some tricks up their sleeves... Was Xiao Chuting secretly helping, or was there a Purple Mansion expert behind them? Li Yuanjiao's destiny isn't clear; he can't possibly be as uncalculable as Liu Changdie or Tu Longjian, can he?"

In any case, Kong Tingyun had played her hand well. She had suppressed her enemies and strengthened her relationship with the Li family, killing two birds with one stone. Feeling very content, she rode the wind back to Yuezhou Island, looking forward to a good night's sleep.

As the Li family members flew onwards, Li Qinghong remained relatively relaxed and at ease. However, once Li Yuanjiao left the Kong family's territory, his expression turned slightly grim, his brows furrowing in suspicion. Li Qinghong noticed his change and whispered: "Brother, what's wrong?"

Li Yuanjiao gripped his sword and said in a deep voice:

Li Qinghong pondered for a moment, then nodded and said: "I was just thinking about the effect of that talisman. It's clear she wasn't bothered by using it, so it's not a rare item to her. Her identity might not be simple."

Li Yuanjiao rubbed his Qingfeng sword and murmured: "Precisely, I was thinking... True Immortal Changxi intends to show goodwill, and Kong Tingyun might be his descendant. She was very generous in lending the formation array for the Hook Snake incident, and then she procrastinated for two years before coming to retrieve it... At the time, I thought it was a coincidence, but now, looking back, it finally makes sense."

"In the end, it's not a bad thing."

Whether True Immortal Changxi was showing goodwill to Xiao Chuting or to them, there was no malice for now. The Li family members could only silently accept it. Li Yuanjiao thought to himself: 'One thing has been confirmed: as long as one possesses an Immortal Tally, not only can they defy fate, but they can also avoid divine abilities and evade detection. This indicates an unfathomably high status.'

Looking at his sister, Li Qinghong was also pensive, clearly having realized the same thing. Only Kong Heng remained silent, with an air of deep contemplation.

After flying over the sea for a while, Li Yuanjiao took out a sea map to examine.

The largest island in the Eastern Sea, Yin Continent, located in the east, was as vast as the State of Yue. That place was home to powerful demonic beasts and numerous sects, but the Li family did not intend to go there. Instead, they planned to head south, seeking a remote, secluded island to settle on.

Li Yuanjiao observed for a while. He used his Immortal Foundation to summon a Fetal Breath Demonic Fish, and after listening to it burble and blow bubbles for a while, he turned back and said: "There's a southbound water current not far from here; we can ride it for a bit."

Li Yuanjiao looked up and saw the main gate of the Great Xiukui Monastery to the west, where the weather was changing dramatically. It was shrouded in black rain, and faint, thunder-like rumblings could be heard. "Either someone has broken through to the Purple Mansion realm, or a Purple Mansion expert has fallen!"

Li Qinghong said: "Jun'er is at home. If someone truly breaks through to the Purple Mansion realm, he will send someone to deliver gifts, so there's no need to worry."

It was the first time any of them had witnessed such a vast celestial phenomenon, visible even from the Eastern Sea. Li Yuanjiao only observed it for a moment or two, then paid it no further mind. He began to read the sea map in his hand, and after a long while, he said: "Let's settle around this area. It's far from the contentious waters, located in a corner of Zhulu Sea. It's a bit far, but its advantage is that it's rarely visited and very safe."

After discussing for a while, they split up to search for suitable islands to settle on. Li Yuanjiao went straight south, observing as he went, and found several small islands. The largest was only about the size of a town, and the smallest was only ten li in circumference.

Although they could hire someone to activate the earth veins and slowly expand the island, they weren't the Xuanyue Sect, and hiring people was very troublesome. Li Yuanjiao wasn't very keen on the idea.

After flying for quite a distance, a small island appeared in the distance. It looked relatively flat and was enveloped by a small formation array, though its power was only that of the Mid-Qi Condensation stage.

Li Yuanjiao estimated with a glance that it was about half the size of the Li family's current territory. He gently descended and tentatively knocked.

Zong Yan patrolled the island once. He rode the wind and landed in the hall, where his subordinate had already brought up a boy and respectfully said: "Island Lord, this is the boy born on the Kuiyin night, as recorded on the island."

Zong Yan lifted the boy's clothes, confirmed that the child indeed had a navel, and only then took out two bottles of vital energy from his storage pouch. He said amiably:

The boy obediently nodded. Zong Yan motioned for him to leave, and he seemed to relax and smiled, saying: "It's a good thing I registered them one by one years ago; otherwise, trying to find one at short notice would take forever."

"Your wisdom is profound, sir."

His subordinate cupped his hands and replied: "After dealing with that Azure Fish, the rest will be much easier to handle."

Zong Yan nodded repeatedly, but then he saw someone scrambling up from below, their eyes red, choking out: "My lord! My lord! Another Foundation Establishment cultivator has arrived outside! He looks menacing! This spells trouble!"

Zong Yan's face instantly went pale. He stumbled backward, and after a moment of suffocation, he stepped forward, murmuring: "Why has another opportunist come... This is bad... Who knows how many people this one will demand."

His face deathly pale, he hurried out to meet them. He dispelled the grand formation, looked up, and saw a person in the air.

This person indeed had a somber appearance. His brows were set close, and his grey eyes were narrowed, resembling a serpent-dragon. A black robe fluttered in the wind around him, and a sword was fastened to his waist, tightly wrapped, its form indiscernible.

Zong Yan steeled himself and stepped forward. He bent his waist as low as possible and humbly said: "This humble cultivator, Zong Yan, greets you, honored sir. Your esteemed presence on our humble island fills us with utmost trepidation..."

Li Yuanjiao merely glanced at him. The man was only at Qi Condensation Level Seven, not worth mentioning. However, the mortals on the island, numbering over five thousand by his estimation, looked up one by one, which pleased him greatly.

'Relocating mortals here would be too troublesome. There are few places to settle in this vast sea. Having five thousand people here is already ideal.'

Zong Yan breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Li Yuanjiao's pure aura. But Li Yuanjiao then observed the mortals, which made Zong Yan's heart pound. He thought to himself: "He should be a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and he doesn't have any injuries. He's not here specifically to demand people, so he shouldn't ask for too many, right...?"

He then led Li Yuanjiao to the island's mountaintop. All the mortals on the island stopped what they were doing and looked up anxiously. Zong Yan tentatively began: "Reporting, honored sir, this is Zongquan Island. We serve the Dingyuan Dragon Prince under the Water Palace's jurisdiction."

He had heard that all islands, big and small, in the Eastern Sea had to offer tribute to demonic beings. He said quite casually: "How much tribute does this Dragon Prince demand each time?"

Zong Yan felt perplexed, but he obediently replied: "Three hundred mortals, or three 'medicine people'."

Li Yuanjiao frowned and murmured: "Only people?"

Zong Yan was stunned for a moment, then his heart suddenly stirred. He thought to himself: 'Could this person be from the inner lands? It seems he's only traveled overseas a few times and doesn't know the detailed situation...'

Thinking this, Zong Yan's eyes slowly brightened with eagerness, and he quickly replied: "Senior, you may not know, but this island has no mineral deposits or spiritual plants. Everything below the sea surface belongs to the demon race, and we are not allowed to touch it. The only tribute we can offer is people..."

"Let alone this small island of mine, even islands guarded by Foundation Establishment cultivators and Purple Mansion grand experts must all pay tribute of people and treasures to the Dragon Kind; it's just a matter of more or less..."

Li Yuanjiao had come to this remote place not expecting to find any mineral veins or treasures. He merely nodded, feeling troubled, and remained silent. Zong Yan thought he had said something wrong, and his heart leaped in alarm. He thought in dread: 'In the inner lands, there seems to be a distinction between immortals and demons! Could he be an ancient cultivator, someone like Xiuyue or Wanyu...?'

Combined with the pure aura on Li Yuanjiao's face, he instantly lost his composure, bowed down in terror, and pleaded mournfully: "Immortal, please spare our lives! We are forced to do this; we absolutely did not intend such actions!"

Li Yuanjiao merely glanced at him. This man was no disciple of an immortal sect; the turbidity on his face was impossible to hide. However, Li Yuanjiao had never held high expectations for overseas cultivators, so he naturally said in a deep voice: "You say paying tribute of people to the Dragon Kind is out of helplessness, but I see your true essence circulating vigorously and powerfully. You've clearly consumed blood qi and resentment qi. What more is there to say?"

Zong Yan was stunned for two full breaths. Only then did he prostrate himself, touching his head to the ground, and humbly said: "My elders also came from the righteous path... How could I, Yan, not know... but!"

"But..." He paused, then looked up at the masses of people behind Li Yuanjiao and said with a forlorn expression: "If this humble one consumes vital energy, I will forever deviate from the righteous path, but if I abandon consuming it, I cannot protect them. There are many demonic creatures in the sea, and Yan has done his best."

Li Yuanjiao looked at him deeply and said softly: "There is no 'righteous path' anymore in this era. Rise."

Zong Yan respectfully acknowledged, then stood to the side. Li Yuanjiao looked out and saw all the common people kneeling on the ground. One or two children secretly raised their heads, their eyes filled with fear.

Li Yuanjiao, however, became lost in thought: 'On this island, paying tribute of people to the Dragon Prince... it seems unavoidable. As long as we establish ourselves in the Eastern Sea, we must first satisfy the Dragon Kind... But... what should be done?!'

Not only were the Li family's own clan laws strict on this matter, but the Immortal Tally in his embrace was also subtly radiating coolness, chilling his heart. The Taiyin Profound Light had never failed him, and to transgress against the Taiyin was not something to be taken lightly.

"Call Qinghong over first."

Li Yuanjiao tossed a talisman, which flew high into the sky and emitted a faint glow. Zong Yan watched, trembling with fear. Li Yuanjiao turned back and said: "Do you have any family or children?"

Zong Yan had already guessed a lot. He had often heard of cultivators from the inner lands coming to settle overseas, but it was rare to encounter them in such a remote place. Seeing that Li Yuanjiao was not as fierce as he appeared, and even had some principles, he was secretly delighted and quickly replied: "Replying, honored sir, this humble one is an earth-nurtured child and cannot procreate."

"Earth-nurtured child?"

Li Yuanjiao frowned. Zong Yan became even more certain of his judgment and respectfully said: "Continuously eastward from Zhulu Sea, past the Qunyi Long Gorge, there is an island named World Navel. On it is a country called Earth Nurture, and its springs are called Good Nurture Springs. As long as spiritual objects are thrown into them, infants will spurt forth."

Zong Yan lifted the hem of his robe. His abdomen was completely smooth; he had no navel: "These children are earth-nurtured children. They are born without navels and also lack the ability to procreate. Their flesh is bland as water, tasteless. However, as long as the spiritual objects thrown in are precious enough, there's a high probability they will possess spiritual apertures."

He smiled and said: "Cultivation is difficult, often leading to barrenness. Many cultivators who cannot produce offspring go there to continue their lineage. My father was also one of them; he passed away many years ago, and I have managed this island ever since."

Li Yuanjiao was truly enlightened. He silently assessed Zong Yan. Zong Yan lowered his head and said: "It's just that people like me are not destined for profound mysteries. We stop at Qi Condensation. Those who cultivate the Dao cannot achieve Foundation Establishment; those who cultivate Buddhism cannot attain enlightenment; those who cultivate demonic arts cannot form their demonic domain; and those who cultivate techniques cannot form talismans..."

Only then did Li Yuanjiao find it much more reasonable, though he remained endlessly amazed: "The vastness of heaven and earth truly holds great wonders."

Qingdu Mountain.

Li Xijun, clad in white robes, sat in the courtyard. Hanlin rested on his lap, its blade emitting a faint cold light. In his hand, Li Xijun held a piece of white silk, carefully wiping the sword.

He was slightly distracted, somewhat absent-minded. He repeatedly wiped the sword until it gleamed brightly. On the table before him lay a jade bottle, containing a Suiyuan Pill.

Li Ximing reluctantly handed him this pill before soon going into seclusion to regulate his breath and cultivate, preparing for Foundation Establishment. He left Li Xijun to look after the family, and with several Foundation Establishment cultivators away, Li Xijun's status was the highest.

As Li Xijun absentmindedly wiped his sword, an old man in plain clothes, at Qi Condensation Level Nine, approached. He slightly bowed and cupped his hands, about to prostrate himself, but Li Xijun quickly bade him rise and said courteously: "Elder, what are you doing...? This junior cannot accept such deference."

The person before him was Chen Donghe, now one of the most senior members by generation. As Li Xijun helped him up, he reluctantly complied and said softly: "Today, we received news that True Person Houfu of the Great Xiukui Monastery has broken through to the Purple Mansion realm, achieving divine abilities. The family head intends to send me to deliver a gift and asked this old man to come up the mountain to retrieve it."

Li Xijun was indeed worried about this matter. Logically, the Great Xiukui Monastery had no previous dealings with their family, so they wouldn't need to send anything particularly valuable. However, he had heard that True Person Houfu had no particular hobbies but valued his reputation above all else. He was also afraid that sending the wrong gift would offend him, leaving him undecided.

Seeing Chen Donghe approach, he simply asked: "Elder, what kind of gift do you think we should prepare?"

Chen Donghe pondered for a moment, then said in an aged voice: "Our family presented True Person Chuting with a precious medicine. So this time, the gift cannot be better than that medicine. In my humble opinion, a spiritual artifact for a peak Qi Condensation cultivator would suffice."

"True Person Houfu is not lacking in what our family can offer. It's just that he's young and rumored to be very fond of fame. So, let the most senior family head make an appearance, bring six Qi Condensation cultivators, and show utmost reverence to make a grand display. What is actually sent is secondary."

Li Xijun deliberated for a moment, then replied: "This matter has spread too widely. It's as if someone is promoting it, or it's required for True Person Houfu's divine ability. In that case, our family will give the True Person ample face, but we must be careful about safety."

He mused: "First, go to the Xiao family. The Xiao family is also going to offer congratulations. Going together, there will be no need to worry."