Chapter 447: Breakthrough (Piers, Alliance Leader)

"Only this formation can make that demonic creature wary... I truly have nowhere else to go."

Observing Li Xuanfeng's expression, he subtly flattered him, then untied a storage bag from his waist and offered it with both hands, saying, "This was obtained from the demonic creature's cave. I am willing to return it all to you, Senior!"

Li Xuanfeng glanced at it, not knowing what was inside, and without opening it, waved his hand and said, "Keep it. What you obtained is yours."

Zhong Qian looked at him incredulously. Seeing his stern expression and aggressive, imposing attire, he felt he had grasped a bit of Li Xuanfeng's character and respectfully said, "As you command, Senior!"

He paused awkwardly, his voice very low: "It's just... I hope to stay on the island for a while longer. If I leave now, I fear I might be harmed by the demonic creature..."

After saying this, Zhong Qian immediately added, "I won't stay for free. I am willing to compensate for all the damages caused by this demonic creature..."

"No need," Li Xuanfeng replied simply, causing the young man's expression to falter slightly. Then he added nonchalantly, "Once I leave the island and shoot him dead, you may depart on your own."

"What?!" Zhong Qian was utterly stunned, looking at him incredulously. He observed Li Xuanfeng's formidable black-gold armor, his calm, sharp eyes, and the exaggerated longbow on his back that resembled a pair of eagle wings, muttering to himself, "This is... which murderous star from the Demonic Sect? So overbearing..."

Zongquan Island.

Over the years, Zongquan Island had undergone extensive development, constructing numerous palaces and grand formations. Several cultivators had joined, and thanks to the resources and inheritances Li Yuanjiao had left before his seclusion, Zongquan Island had finally accumulated wealth and was flourishing.

On the high mountain on the island, the stone gate remained tightly shut. Springs gurgled, and at dawn, a light cyan mist surged from the mountain, drifting down. This was a phenomenon indicating a Foundation Establishment cultivator's seclusion. The islanders gradually began to call this mountain "Morning Mist Mountain."

After all, with a Foundation Establishment cultivator presiding, the island's residents were considered true inhabitants rather than mere passing snacks. Every day at dawn, seeing the light cyan mist, men, women, and children alike felt a sense of peace.

Time seemed to cease in the mountains. Li Yuanjiao had been in seclusion for three years. The vast sea within his Qi Ocean grew denser, surging upwards and condensing into two formidable, clawed flood dragons that soared and circled within his Qi Ocean.

"Mid-stage Foundation Establishment... achieved." It was rare for him to settle down and cultivate properly. After exhaling, he felt refreshed. Given Li Yuanjiao's nature, after breaking through Foundation Establishment, he should have sought a treasured location to cultivate for ten or twenty years. However, he could not afford such leisure now.

The breakthrough process was not difficult. Li Yuanjiao was, after all, a genius who had reached Foundation Establishment at forty. The Vast Sea, or rather, the Jing Dragon King's cultivation speed in the East Sea was inherently fast, so breaking through to mid-stage Foundation Establishment was a natural progression.

"Mid-stage Foundation Establishment... My magic power has doubled again, and I can now summon two water dragons..." Li Yuanjiao experienced it for a moment and was quite satisfied. After all, the "Rivers and Qi Art" was merely a third-grade cultivation method. While it was an advantage compared to rogue cultivators during the Qi Condensation stage, after reaching Foundation Establishment, he would encounter disciples from immortal sects, making it significantly less potent by comparison.

In Jiangnan, immortal sect disciples typically practiced fourth-grade cultivation methods, while certain direct descendants and Purple Palace heirs cultivated fifth or even sixth-grade ones. Li Yuanjiao's mere third-grade cultivation method had determined at the moment of his Foundation Establishment that his immortal foundation's profundity would be slightly inferior.

Li Yuanjiao didn't mind. He rose and exited his cave-dwelling. Zong Yan and others were already waiting at the entrance. As the mountain's phenomenon had disappeared, he knew Li Yuanjiao had emerged from seclusion and stood respectfully outside.

Beside them stood a monk with narrow eyes and a long face, dressed in simple, unadorned robes. His slightly pale lips parted, "Congratulations, Senior!"

Li Yuanjiao nodded slightly. Seeing that Kong Heng also seemed to have made progress, he offered congratulations and rode the wind out. Outside, everything was vibrant and bustling.

Li Yuanjiao's gaze swept around, but he found no temples or stone statues. He looked at Kong Heng beside him, his expression slightly puzzled, and softly remarked, "It truly looks like a scene from an immortal's abode."

He had neglected this island for several years, and with Master Kong Heng presiding, he had fully expected to emerge from seclusion to find temples everywhere. This unexpected absence prompted Zong Yan, who caught his subtle cue, to whisper, "Master Kong Heng doesn't build temples... We've tried to persuade him... even just to cast a golden statue for worship..."

Over the years, Kong Heng had earned great respect on the island by healing the sick and saving lives. The islanders eagerly vied to cast a golden statue and erect a temple for him, but he refused them all. Seeing the master and servant discussing it, he softly intoned, "Casting colossal golden lacquered statues is to intimidate the populace with a grand and fearsome appearance. Erecting vast temples is to bewilder the common folk with incense and delusive thoughts. This is not the way of my Liaohe tradition."

Li Yuanjiao pondered this, then glanced at him and asked, "If that is the case, Master, how do you pass on your spiritual tradition?"

Kong Heng's eyes narrowed slightly. His practice of good deeds and cultivation on the island over the years seemed to have further advanced his spiritual power. With hands clasped together, he softly said, "The Venerable Dharma requires no transmission, no form, and no scriptures. By observing me with wisdom, one gains the Liaohe spiritual tradition. My Liaohe does not worship others; we cultivate our own nature."

Zong Yan, listening nearby, stroked his beard and mused, then whispered, "Master... no wonder the Liaohe spiritual tradition is gradually losing appeal... In today's world... everyone seeks miraculous methods to advance their cultivation daily. The Liaohe tradition... alas!"

Zong Yan offered a bitter smile. He had an adopted son who admired Kong Heng and wished to become his disciple, so he had inquired about it with Kong Heng several times. Now he shook his head and said, "The Liaohe spiritual tradition is truly too difficult... I heard that cultivators of the Sevenfold Manifestations only need to chant the Maha mantra once to gain a portion of cultivation. Yet, for Liaohe, one must study all facets of the world to barely even enter the path. How can they compare..."

Kong Heng remained silent, merely lowering his gaze and smiling. Li Yuanjiao recalled the Wang family's Sword Immortals from the north, whose spiritual tradition was also reportedly difficult. Setting that aside, he asked, "Has something happened? Why is the sky so gloomy... stretching for ten thousand *li*?"

Li Yuanjiao looked out, seeing endless dark clouds. Zong Yan merely shook his head and replied, "How would we be qualified to know such things? Zongquan Island is remote, and we rarely visit market towns, so we can't possibly know any news."

Li Yuanjiao released his spiritual sense, and two green water dragons circled beneath his feet. As he meticulously sensed, he felt that the operation of his immortal foundation was not as smooth or rapid as it had been years ago. 'Previously, cultivation in the East Sea was more than half a percentage faster than in Jiangnan. Now, it's less than half a percentage...'

He rode the wind upwards, observing the lightning in the clouds. Zong Yan continued, "That Zao Zhong Hui Hui Yao came by about half a year ago, saying he wanted to inquire about news. We told him that you, honored sir, were in seclusion and sent him away."

"A cultivator also came a few days ago... claiming to be from within the sea... and delivered a letter." He took a letter from his sleeve. Li Yuanjiao nodded and accepted it. This demonic creature had received his benefits and threats, and was still keen on wandering about. He immediately used a secret technique to open the letter and read it carefully.