Chapter 424: Qingsong Temple

The muscular young man sat upright in the courtyard, performing hand seals. Streams of black flames surged from his palms, flowing outwards, while several dark runes transformed into various streaks of light, swirling around him.

Li Xijun quickly glanced at him, then averted his gaze, only observing him with his peripheral vision, fearing the young man might sense something.

'Cheng Liao hasn't been influenced by him. This person is not as capable as Chu Yi, and there shouldn't be a Purple Mansion cultivator manipulating things from behind the scenes this time. Perhaps he has some special destiny, stumbled upon a hidden inheritance, or received guidance from a master.'

Li Xijun did not act rashly. He first summoned Chen Mufeng:

"The patrolling Jade Court Guards are too concentrated; it's easy for people to notice something amiss. Disperse them along the border. His sweetheart is still on the mountain; I've had Senior Wushao personally keep an eye on Xu Xiao."

Chen Mufeng's mouth was bitter. His only thought was to make amends for his mistakes, hoping not to be demoted too severely.

At the time, he had only sent trusted subordinates. The complicit Commander Chen, a member of his clan, had already been quietly dispatched to Shanyue, isolating him from the town's affairs. He would be dealt with only after the current situation concluded.

As he thought this, he responded and hurried away.

Li Chengliao had granted Liu Lingzhen permission to cultivate on the mountain, originally to sow discord and win her over. Now, however, the woman had fallen into the Li family's hands. Li Xijun arranged for two people to question Liu Lingzhen for information, and then spoke to Li Wushao:

"Senior, do you know of any force or cultivation method known for black flames? Preferably one that can bewitch minds and threaten lives."

Li Xijun was very familiar with the powers in Wu-Yue, and had never encountered any black flames that could bewitch minds and toy with lives. He began to consider overseas possibilities.

Li Wushao thought for a moment, then said in a hoarse voice:

"There are countless Daoist lineages at sea, and even more submerged beneath the ocean. As for black flames... there is one very famous group."

He paused, then said gravely:

"Red Reef Island, a major power at sea. Their direct lineage cultivates 'Merging Fire' within the Fire Virtue element. They mostly unleash black flames and are adept at mind-bewitching incantations."

"Red Reef Island..."

Li Xijun's only concern was that this person might be a pawn of a Purple Mansion cultivator. However, there was no news from Li Xizhi. Given the Li family's current influence, if a Purple Mansion cultivator were involved, they could simply notify the Li family instead of causing trouble.

Since his family had received no prior notification and Xu Xiao's methods seemed limited, Li Xijun felt a surge of murderous intent. He suspected someone was backing Xu Xiao, secretly causing trouble for his family. Yet, his family had no connection to Red Reef Island. Undecided, he summoned another person and instructed:

"Find a clever female cultivator to discreetly gather information about the outside world from Liu Lingzhen, befriending and subtly provoking her. See what her attitude is towards immortal sects and schools."

The person nodded hesitantly. Several capable assistants had already left, and this person clearly couldn't grasp his intent, so Li Xijun had to elaborate:

"Just send a female cultivator. Have her mention some news about overseas immortal sects, deliberately leaving a few inaccuracies. Make her sound absolutely certain and slightly annoying. See if Liu Lingzhen can spot the errors and what her attitude is towards these immortal sects."

Having arranged these matters, Li Xijun did not act immediately. He intended to investigate further and stall for time, preferably until the elders returned.

"If he can leave, that would be for the best... I only fear he harbors resentment, in which case we cannot let him go."

Li Xijun lingered in the sky for a while, uneasy. He was the only one in his family with pupil techniques that could see through illusions. He found a vantage point on Lijing Peak, from which he could overlook the large town.

Just after nightfall, a person approached by wind, respectfully saying:

"Reporting, sir, according to your instructions, we sent people over, and Liu Lingzhen revealed some information."

Following Li Xijun's orders, his subordinate had a female cultivator arrogantly go and boast a few words, then mysteriously introduce some overseas matters. Liu Lingzhen, simple-minded, couldn't tolerate her haughty display and retorted a few times.

"This woman pointed out the errors of the two people we sent, boasted ostentatiously, and once she started talking, she couldn't stop. She spoke very highly of immortal sects and described several magical artifacts in great detail."

'Xu Xiao is quite cautious, but his sweetheart is useless... she left too many clues.'

These few sentences from Liu Lingzhen were immediately reported to Li Xijun. The word "overseas" spun in his mind. Li Xijun lowered his gaze:

"A woman who has never even left the town she was born in actually knows about overseas immortal sect magical artifacts."

This investigation quickly eliminated many possibilities. Xu Xiao either had a special destiny, obtained an inheritance from Red Reef Island, and his mind was bewitched, causing his personality to drastically change, or he was originally from Red Reef Island and had taken over this body.

If this person truly had deep connections with Red Reef Island, it could imply a special reincarnation or death-evading technique, making him an even greater threat and more difficult to kill.

Li Xijun pondered for a moment, then ruled out this possibility first:

"If it truly were a reincarnation or death-evading technique, then they could simply state it openly... and give us a heads-up. My family would naturally ensure his safe return to the island... unless he is a traitor to his sect..."

Li Xijun's mind was sharp. In the short time since receiving the information, his thoughts had twisted and turned countless times. The more he thought, the harder it became to make a judgment. He silently exhaled, then considered the concept of "innate confusion."

"In any case, it must be related to Red Reef Island."

Setting these thoughts aside, Li Xijun flipped through the scrolls handed to him by his subordinates. That night, he carefully reviewed Xu Xiao's activities over the past few years. He had to admit that, given Xu Xiao's disposition and temperament, it was highly likely he had long resented and coveted the Li family's possessions.

Li Xijun could not tolerate a person of special destiny harboring hatred against his family while still at large. This was more terrifying than a Foundation Establishment cultivator eyeing them covetously. If it truly came to that, even if it meant offending Red Reef Island, he would definitely kill this person.

"Just because he has a special destiny, does that mean he can't be killed?"

Li Xijun caressed his treasured sword, and a murderous intent slowly rose in his heart. Suppressing it, he silently thought:

"To deal with such a person, one must either endure without acting, or strike to kill, leaving no chance for escape."

He stood up and calculated the time his elders had been away. Their return was still uncertain, and they were flying overseas with erratic whereabouts. Xu Xiao was growing stronger every day; he probably couldn't wait any longer.

As he pondered, another person suddenly entered and reported:

"Reporting, sir, that demonic disciple has taken a large barrel of medicinal ingredients. We don't know what spell he intends to cast!"

The Li family's high regard for Xu Xiao was clear to a few direct descendants, but most of the subordinates were very confused. Li Xijun had already given instructions to internally label Xu Xiao as a demonic cultivator who had seized a body. Coupled with Old Man Liu's bizarre and tragic death, everyone felt both fear and hatred.

Upon hearing this, Li Xijun immediately stood up and rode the wind out. Wushao came forward, hissing:

"This person just left the courtyard gate."

Li Xijun looked intently. Xu Xiao was sitting cross-legged in the courtyard, immersed in reddish medicinal water, seemingly preparing for a breakthrough. Li Xijun thought, "This is bad":

'No, I can't wait any longer. If this continues for another three to five years, the Eastern Sea is vast, and the elders still won't be back. This person might even be able to attempt Foundation Establishment! Moreover, he might sneak away at any time. Who knows what other methods he'll have as his strength grows! Rather than waiting until then to act, it's better to strike first!'

Li Xijun decisively waved his hand:

"Everyone, come here!"

He narrowed his eyes, activating his pupil technique and talismanic energy to their utmost. He secretly observed the flow of spiritual energy within the medicinal bath, waiting for Xu Xiao to fully enter his meditative state.

"Once this person reaches the critical moment of breakthrough, I ask that a few of you strike together."

Li Xijun murmured, his hand already resting on the Qingfeng sword at his waist. Behind him, Li Wushao's robes billowed, and Baihou, Chen Mufeng, and others stood ready for battle.

Li Xijun sighed inwardly:

'Oh, dear... this!'

'Since the family produced Foundation Establishment cultivators and became the overlords of the lake, it has been years since we've had to prepare for battle like this... and now it's for a mere Qi Refining cultivator!'

Watching the man gradually settle down, his aura becoming unsteady, and the medicinal liquid in the basin spinning rapidly and slowly fading, Li Xijun, mindful of the precedents set by Chu Yi and the Kong family, dared not be careless. Even more, he feared his guest elders would be negligent, so he repeatedly reminded them:

"This person is likely a reincarnated devil. Who knows how many secret treasures and techniques he possesses? You must not be careless. Any slight relaxation will most likely lead to disaster!"

Xu Xiao's aura surged. Li Xijun held his breath, concentrating, waiting for him to make his breakthrough attempt.

Eastern Sea.

Li Yuanjiao escorted Li Qinghong back to Xian Lake. After confirming his sister had entered Xiuyue Sect's river channel, he turned back and flew east again.

Being cautious, he did not return by the same path. Instead, he took Kong Heng along a different route back to Zongquan Island, a slight detour that caused no harm.

The two flew in silence for a while. Passing a long, narrow island covered in green pines, they saw distant bursts of clashing magical light in the sky, creating a considerable commotion.

Li Yuanjiao calculated their position. This place should be the Green Pine Temple ruins, which had been a source of much contention in recent years. Sword Sect, Pure Unity Dao, and Red Reef Island had been vying for it for many years, but its whereabouts remained unknown.

Li Yuanjiao glanced at it, and suddenly a thought struck him. He asked:

"Master, are there any records of this ancient Daoist sect, Green Pine Temple, within the Liao River Daoist lineage?"

Kong Heng clasped his hands together and softly replied:

"Of course. This immortal temple was established even before the Moonfall Prime Palace. It produced two True Monarchs. Records for the first are unclear, only stating that he was of the Fire Virtue lineage. The second attained the Dui Metal karmic position and died at the hands of the Shaoyang Demonic Lord..."

Li Yuanjiao still remembered the Shaoyang Demonic Lord, as Fenkui Island was named after him. He nodded, immediately realizing:

"So, inside this Green Pine Temple are the Dui Metal and Fire Virtue inheritances?"

"That's right."

As soon as Kong Heng responded, Li Yuanjiao immediately grew suspicious again and asked:

"Since it produced two True Monarchs, why are only these few Purple Mansion immortal sects contending for it? Are the other Golden Cores not interested? It seems there's even a Dui Metal True Monarch within the sea, isn't there?"

Kong Heng clasped his hands and answered:

"After Green Pine Temple was destroyed, it was divided and plundered by multiple forces, becoming a complete mess. There's nothing truly valuable left there. It's now referred to as the Green Pine Temple ruins."

"However, even if there are no treasures, the cultivation methods are still recorded within its grotto-heaven, and there are also many spiritual medicines that have grown over thousands of years, which are quite important to immortal sects."

Li Yuanjiao nodded while looking at the mountain. Kong Heng followed his gaze and gently said:

"Sword Sect possesses the Dui Metal Dao, and Red Reef Island cultivates Merging Fire, so they are both very covetous. As for Pure Unity Dao... they merely claim to be descendants of Green Pine Temple and want everything."

"Green Pine Temple's grand formation remains tightly sealed and hasn't been broken for many years. It is still waiting for its destined person."

"Destined person."

Li Yuanjiao and Kong Heng did not wish to linger and attract trouble, so they bypassed the mountain directly. Li Yuanjiao murmured, and Kong Heng said:

"It's also called destiny... profound and mysterious. Without that one person, unless a Golden Core cultivator acts, the three sects could try as hard as they want, but they won't get in."

Kong Heng paused slightly, then explained:

"Some formations require a specific person to pass through them to naturally break open. Some magical artifacts have lain buried for thousands of years, waiting for that one person to pick them up. Some individuals endure countless hardships, are prescient, and simply cannot be killed; all these are due to a special destiny."

"Is destiny so miraculous? Wouldn't that make them invincible?"

Li Yuanjiao listened attentively, taking it to heart. Kong Heng, however, said:

"Destiny is not akin to Golden Essence, and even Golden Essence has its limits. Success or failure can all be attributed to destiny. There's a saying in the scriptures: 'What cannot be achieved by force is fate,' and that's precisely it."

The Buddhist cultivator's words were always vague. Li Yuanjiao pondered for a moment, then whispered:

"To me, destiny and Golden Essence are very similar. Both are things that render one powerless upon encounter, often transcending strategy and bewildering minds."

Li Yuanjiao thought of his elder, Li Tongya. Kong Heng, meanwhile, clasped his hands together and chanted:

"It wasn't like this before. It's just that cultivators, demons, and Buddhists all sought ultimate freedom, and now that they have it, this is how things are."

Ripples spread across the reddish-blue water. Li Yuanjiao did not respond to him again. They continued flying together and soon arrived at Zongquan Island. The islanders, who had been eagerly awaiting their return, erupted in cheers upon seeing them.

The two landed. Zong Yan respectfully stepped forward to greet them. Kong Heng muttered and withdrew, while Li Yuanjiao whispered to Zong Yan:

"Send a few people out to gather information for me in the major markets. Choose loyal individuals and keep it discreet."

Zong Yan bowed:

"Rest assured, sir. All the brothers on the island have faced demonic beasts and are loyal and reliable."

Li Yuanjiao said gravely:

"There is an immortal foundation called the Golden Annihilation Cave, which can sense magical artifacts, forge weapons, and conceal sharpness. Find out which of the three Golden Essences it belongs to and what its associated practices are. Report back to me."

Zong Yan acknowledged and left. Li Yuanjiao now had a plan:

'The Golden Annihilation Cave has no associated practices within the Qingchi Sect. Yu Muxian is arrogant; how could he tolerate his cultivation path being cut off? As long as I can find out about related cultivation methods and link them to the Green Pine Temple ruins, I can surely lure Yu Muxian out...'

He arranged these matters, then found a secret chamber and activated its formation. Thinking it still wasn't completely safe, he took out a formation disk and set up another one himself before finally feeling at ease to enter seclusion.

"Time to prepare for breakthrough to the middle stage of Foundation Establishment!"