Chapter 444: Encounter (Small Finger Hook Leader)

Upon arriving at Fenkuai Island, Li Qinghong did not make her presence known. Instead, she spent some time searching the Qingchi Sect’s market, eventually finding an inn where she could gather information. Upon careful inquiry, she learned that the Qingchi cultivator stationed as the market's supervisor was none other than Ning Heyuan.

"It's him!"

Li Qinghong vaguely remembered him. Years ago, when she was cultivating on Jade Court Mountain, he had passed through, feigning to be a rogue cultivator, and they had exchanged blows. His spells were formidable, and his personality was casual yet arrogant, characteristic of a direct descendant of the Ning family.

Further inquiries about the cosmic phenomenon confirmed her suspicions: there were no rumors of a sword cleaving the heavens. When speaking of the gloomy anomaly near the sea, the East Sea cultivators merely had vague guesses about a major event, not even knowing the source of the phenomenon.

"It seems that, for now, this news is mostly known only to Nascent Soul cultivators and their trusted confidants... It will take another year or so for the information to spread."

Li Qinghong circled the market, gathering enough information to understand the situation. She thought to herself:'The one who acted must be a True Monarch from the Xiuyue Sect... I wonder if this True Monarch holds an immortal fruit. Such power... The Xiuyue Sect is said to be the foremost of the three sects, so this True Monarch must be extraordinary.''If not for the protection of the *fuzhong*, I would likely have forgotten that scene... Cultivators below the Nascent Soul realm aren't even qualified to know! No wonder it's so rare to hear of Golden Core cultivators taking action over the years... It turns out that even if they do, any low-level cultivator who witnesses it will forget completely.'

She walked around, noting the unique East Sea goods, which were quite interesting. As she strolled leisurely, she overheard two cultivators in green robes discussing in low voices:

"I heard the Market Master is returning to the Immortal Sect for a report. Who has the sect sent to take his place?"

"I heard it's Jin Geng Qiang... He's from the Southern Border, a fierce individual known for wrestling tigers and wolves."

The other person, picking through items in a counter, softly added:

"A newcomer has arrived at my array point, sent by the sect. He rode here on that Daoist's jade ship... Those fellows are lucky; they even heard some secrets from the Daoist."

The first man instantly grew impatient and eagerly asked, "What secrets?"

"How would I know!" The green-robed cultivator rolled his eyes impatiently and whispered, "I only heard that the Daoist is a capable subordinate of True Master Yuansu, and even the Market Master treats him with great respect..."

Li Qinghong heard these few sentences and immediately realized they were speaking of her own elder. Her lips curled into a smile as she thought, "Second Uncle truly commands great prestige now... Even Ning Heyuan has to be respectful towards him..."

Ning Heyuan had caused a disturbance on Jade Court Mountain once, and Li Qinghong remembered it clearly. Now assured that her elder was indeed in this market, she stepped out of the pavilion and found the market's central manager.

This manager, a Qingchi sect member, had managed the market for many years and was well-versed in human affairs. Seeing Li Qinghong's Foundation Establishment cultivation, her jade armor, and her gleaming spear, he instantly knew she was no ordinary person and welcomed her with a smile.

He showed no arrogance. Upon hearing she was looking for Li Xuanfeng, his attitude became noticeably more respectful. He gently said, "The Daoist is busy with affairs, and ordinary people cannot easily meet him. Does Immortal Maiden have any credentials that I might use when reporting?"

His words were polite. Li Qinghong simply smiled gently and said, "I am Li Qinghong of the Qingdu Li family, the Daoist's own niece."

Upon hearing this, the manager immediately understood and smiled, "It was my oversight... To think it's a direct descendant of an aristocratic family. This is better than any credential. Please wait a moment, Immortal Maiden."

Li Qinghong nodded. The manager left for a moment, and then a young man rode in on the wind, looking very familiar. He laughed and said, "So, it's Qinghong! You could have just come straight to me; there's no need to be so polite."

'Is this Ning Heyuan?!' Li Qinghong was slightly startled. It was the same face, a little more mature, but his entire demeanor was completely different. The arrogant, casual young master from back then was now a warm, smiling host—like two different people.

"Qinghong greets Daoist Ning!" Li Qinghong responded courteously. A flash of surprise appeared in Ning Heyuan's eyes as he smiled and said, "Many years have passed, yet Daoist Li's presence remains unchanged!"

Seeing Li Qinghong in her jade armor, her face appearing no older than twenty-five or twenty-six, Ning Heyuan knew her Foundation Establishment progress had been rapid, making her look very young. After complimenting her, he replied, "Brother-in-law is out on orders; it will likely be a few more days before he returns. Please come with me into the hall and rest for a while, Daoist Li."

'Brother-in-law...' Li Qinghong chuckled inwardly at the difference in address. She naturally agreed, and they chatted about their past encounter on Jade Court Mountain, both expressing nostalgia. Ning Heyuan then apologized, "I was too young back then, naive and childish, and offended your noble family. Please forgive me, Qinghong."

"Not at all... If not for Daoist Ning's intervention... Qinghong might not have known there were heavens beyond the sky..."

The two exchanged polite pleasantries, smoothly glossing over that awkward past incident. After a few more exchanges, Ning Heyuan's face lit up with joy. He smiled and exclaimed, "Brother-in-law is back! Qinghong, please wait here; I'll go greet him!"

Li Qinghong had originally expected to wait ten days to half a month for Li Xuanfeng, but she had unexpectedly arrived at just the right time. A smile appeared on her face, and she nodded, "Alright!"

Ning Heyuan left on the wind and soon returned, ushering in a middle-aged man.

This middle-aged man was clad in armor and a cloak. His dark golden spiritual armor radiated a subdued glow. His brows and eyes were sharp, and he wore a short beard. A golden bow was slung behind him, and his dark boots, tinged with gold, clanged metallically with each step as he entered the hall.

The familiar face, unseen for many years, finally appeared before her. Li Qinghong stood up, her voice slightly choked, "Second Uncle!"

Li Xuanfeng's heart ached at his niece's slightly aggrieved call. He hurried forward, his voice deep, "Good... Qinghong has reached Foundation Establishment!"

"Mm!" Li Qinghong's eyes were slightly red as she softly affirmed.

After Li Xuanfeng left home, her father Li Xuanling and grandfather Li Tongya passed away one after another. Her eldest uncle, Li Xuanxuan, was easily swayed, making it difficult for him to step up and bear the family's burden. The responsibility naturally fell upon their generation.

Her eldest brother, Li Yuanxiu, died young, and her second brother, Li Yuanjiao, to uphold the motto "A *jiao* dares not forget," toiled day and night, walking on thin ice, thinking every word through three times before speaking. Li Qinghong, too, had been constantly cautious, daring not to relax for a single moment.

Now, with her talented and decisive second uncle, as she remembered him, standing before her, a flood of words welled up inside her, yet for a moment, she couldn't speak them.

The Ning family members had already discreetly retreated. Li Xuanfeng took her hand and rode the wind to his cave dwelling. He closed the stone door of the dwelling, looked gently at Li Qinghong, and chuckled, his man's voice slightly hoarse: "Qinghong has grown up too!"

Li Xuanfeng's face bore a strong resemblance to Li Xuanling's, though it was sharper and fiercer, whereas Li Xuanling had appeared gentler and more composed. Now, her second uncle's soft expression was so much like her father's that the tears Li Qinghong had suppressed for so long finally streamed down her face. She whispered, "Second Uncle... Father... Grandfather... they were all harmed by Mohe!"

Li Xuanfeng knew this news, yet hearing it now still stung his ears, and his eyes filled with a hatred so profound it seemed about to drip blood. He said in a deep, somber voice, "I know... Rest assured, Hong'er... Your second uncle knows!"