Chapter 489: Luan Arrives

Li Xizhi flew all the way to the East Sea. After riding the ocean currents for a while, he soon arrived at Qingsong Island. He saw that the surrounding seawater was boiling incessantly, geological veins were exposed, and fire veins erupted, forming various types of spiritual energy.

A large portion of the pine trees on Qingsong Island had already collapsed. The island was divided into more than a dozen areas, each guarded by disciples from immortal sects. These areas were adapted to their local conditions and transformed into various environments for collecting spiritual energy.

He landed on the peak. A disciple in a green robe below him was sitting cross-legged on the mountain, seemingly having waited for a long time. Seeing him descend with the wind, the disciple let out a sigh of relief and anxiously came forward, saying:

"Daoist priest, you're finally back! The sect sent a message. They need you to take a group of people to Fenkuai Island and bring a few people back. I've been looking for you everywhere!"

"Oh?"

Li Xizhi was already prepared. He had only been gone for a few months and usually wouldn't miss any mission deadlines, so he wasn't worried. He just asked:

"What's the deadline? Where are those people?"

The disciple cupped his hands and replied: "There are still several months left. Now that you're back, I'll go prepare immediately!"

He hurried away, but Li Xizhi shook his head, feeling a little confused. He thought to himself, 'The quotas were clearly arranged long ago. Why change them now? That's strange; there must be something fishy going on.'

Li Xizhi waited silently for a while. Soon, a cloud boat floated up from the island. He rose into the air and looked around. The people were mostly older Qi Cultivation cultivators, with a few Foundation Establishment guest elders mixed in.

"Greetings, Daoist priest!"

Everyone spoke. He waved his hand casually, not wanting to delay. He first piloted the cloud boat into the air, and only after flying out over the sea did he begin to observe carefully. He noticed that these people, despite being transferred from this blessed land, showed little resentment on their faces.

He said casually, as if by chance: "I wonder what's so urgent that they need to transfer you there?"

The person behind him paused for a moment and quickly replied: "Reporting to you, Daoist priest, I heard there have been changes in the earth veins within Fenkuai Market. Perhaps an earth dragon will overturn. Therefore, Market Master Hewuan has transferred us there."

Li Xizhi nodded and said: "So that's what it is. You'll just go and come back... I was thinking he was going to do something so heartless, transferring you there to guard. If it's like this, it's better; at least you won't miss out on cultivation opportunities."

"Thank you for your concern, Daoist priest!"

The person behind him was a Foundation Establishment guest elder. He thanked Li Xizhi several times and soon struck up a conversation, talking about earth veins. Li Xizhi responded casually, and a word or two from him gave the elder considerable insight. Li Xizhi thought to himself, "It seems Ning Hewuan of the Ning family is very likely looking for me, so he went to great lengths to set up this whole charade. He's truly meticulous."

He understood the situation and quickly lost interest. The elder, sensing this, wisely fell silent. Day and night passed, and soon they arrived at Fenkuai Island.

Fenkuai Island was a famous large island near the coast, drawing gasps from the few people behind him. It was Li Xizhi's first time there as well. He followed the guidance and dived into the water, finding the grand formation on the seabed.

Just as they stopped, they saw a middle-aged man standing above the market. He was at the late Foundation Establishment stage. Watching the cloud boat approach, he took two steps closer and stopped in front of Li Xizhi, saying in a deep voice:

"Is that Daoist Li ahead? I am Ning Hewuan."

Seeing him come to greet them personally, Li Xizhi became even more certain. He replied softly: "It is indeed Li Xizhi. Greetings, Senior!"

"You've worked hard, Daoist priest."

A smile instantly appeared on Ning Hewuan's face. He subtly gestured to his subordinates beside him. Soon, someone came to guide the cultivators from the boat away. Ning Hewuan then extended his hand:

"Please!"

Ning Hewuan led him down. The man's demeanor was now much calmer. The changes brought about by these ten short years were greater than those from decades of guarding the sea, and his presence had also become more magnanimous.

Ning Hewuan had gradually understood why Yuan Su had entrusted the Ning family to him, despite the Ning family having so many Foundation Establishment cultivators and several elder brothers being superior to him. The reason was exactly the same as why he had been exiled to the sea for over a decade: he was the most amicable with the Chi family and even held the considerable trust of Sect Master Chi Zhiyun.

'Breaking through to the Purple Manor stage takes at least five or six years, or even decades at most,' he thought. 'Once the True Master falls, who knows how long Aunt will take, not to mention whether she'll succeed... Before that, only I managing the family is the safest.'

Ning Hewuan understood that his aunt's breakthrough was likely to fail. Once True Master Yuan Su fell, what the Ning family should fear most was not retaliation from Purple Manor cultivators, but the Chi family, which Yuan Su had ignored for many years.

Once the Ning family lost Yuan Su, it would be no different from other noble families. It was imperative to gain the Chi family's trust. And having him, a loyal follower of Chi Zhiyun and a Ning family member who had been severely punished due to his involvement with the Chi family, manage the family, was Yuan Su's wise choice.

Ning Hewuan had only made one trip to the Southern Border and was soon sent back to the sea. He thought about it for a long time after returning to the sea, and only then understood the True Master's profound intentions. Only then did he understand why he had already been secretly chosen to manage the family, and why he had always had to stay in this difficult place:

'So it was to make Chi Zhiyun feel guilty... to make him feel indebted to me... to make him feel that I am on the Chi family's side!'

Ning Hewuan had been with Sect Master Chi Zhiyun since childhood. After careful consideration, he had to admit that, given Chi Zhiyun's personality, True Master Yuan Su's plan was truly a stroke of genius.

He suddenly realized, and while cold sweat ran down his back, he no longer harbored resentment about staying in this desolate place. Only admiration remained. His mental state appeared significantly different.

The two men sat down inside the cave dwelling. Ning Hewuan poured tea. Seeing Li Xizhi rise, hesitant to accept, he quickly pressed down gently with one hand and said:

"It wasn't easy for me to get you to come here using this excuse, Fellow Daoist. There's no need for so many formalities between us. Let's just treat each other as equals."

Without waiting for Li Xizhi to say more, he quickly changed the subject, saying solemnly: "The reason I invited you here this time is for the matter of Wangyue Lake!"

Li Xizhi understood and inclined his ear to listen. Ning Hewuan said softly: "Firstly, Yuan Wu must fall, and Yuanwu Peak must change its station. We must work together within the sect. Six of the thirty-six peaks will be chosen to manage the station. If we can bring Wangyue Lake under Qingsui's governance, this matter will be mostly settled!"

"However, relying solely on my Ning family might still be difficult. Does your clan have any other assistance?"

Li Xizhi nodded slightly, understanding the relationship between this person and Li Xuanfeng. He whispered: "If the Ning, Yang, and Fuchen Li Encheng families work together, can we handle this matter?"

Li Xizhi had also considered this matter. The earliest plan included the Yuan family, but unforeseen circumstances arise. The Yuan family was now in chaos, and his master had disappeared. It was unclear what the final situation would be, so they could only exclude them for now.

"Li Encheng!"

Ning Hewuan lowered his eyebrows slightly, pondered for a moment, and suddenly had a look of realization. He said softly: "You've been quite subtle! However, this matter is not simple. Li Encheng once offended someone; asking Li Encheng to act might backfire."

Li Xizhi nodded, feeling a slight shiver of fear. Ning Hewuan continued: "Actually, this matter isn't difficult. Regarding Chi Zhiyun... my brother-in-law is already prepared. We'll handle it. The Chi family has no objections. True Master Yuan Xiu is busy extending his lifespan and can't manage so many things. It's just... afterwards, you'll need to meet with Chi Zhiyun."

He showed some hesitation and sighed: "These are all matters for after success... It will probably take seven or eight years."

Ning Hewuan discussed some details with him meticulously. They discussed for a good half hour, and he said solemnly: "Fellow Daoist, you should know, all of this depends on there being no news about my aunt's breakthrough. If my aunt's breakthrough fails, then there will be infinite variables, and both our families will be in a very difficult position."

Li Xizhi nodded, indicating that he understood. Ning Hewuan took his hand and led him outside the cave dwelling entrance, saying softly: "Our two families are now tied to the same rope. My brother-in-law has done a lot. Don't let him down."

Li Xizhi didn't understand the full weight of the phrase "done a lot." He just nodded in agreement and soon bid farewell and departed.

Ning Hewuan saw him off, then turned back, feeling a little worried in his heart. He murmured: "We'll take it one step at a time..."

***

On Qingdu Mountain.

Li Xuanxuan and Liu Changdie had been busy setting up formations for a long time. They had built several formation altars, carved intricate formation patterns, and refined spiritual water into them little by little.

Naturally, Li Xuanxuan didn't need to do these tasks himself. Liu Changdie guided several formation masters from the clan in their work. Being able to participate in the arrangement of such a grand formation, and with Liu Changdie's guidance, these few people were incredibly eager, almost willing to pay to work.

Li Xuanxuan waited for a while. He noticed that the plants on the mountain looked a bit withered. He realized that the weather had been getting warmer day by day, and rainfall was gradually decreasing. He felt a little curious.

Just as he was about to ask, he saw the dark clouds in the sky, as if swept by a fierce wind, scattered completely in an instant. Dazzling morning light rose from the horizon, and an endless golden-red hue quickly spread.

"Whoosh, whoosh..."

A whistling sound of wind slowly began to resound between heaven and earth, from far to near. A wave of warmth swept over them, and the trees rustled. Not just Liu Changdie, even the few low-cultivation formation masters noticed something amiss, and stared blankly northward.

The warm wind blew in their faces, making Li Xuanxuan momentarily stunned. Liu Changdie also stopped speaking. The two exchanged glances and both looked up at the scene in the sky.

"This is..."

The dark clouds that had covered them for many years finally dispersed. A pair of deep red scarlet wings stretched across the sky, rising into the sky with the morning glow, dyeing the heavens and earth crimson.

A gigantic feathered beast was approaching from the north. Its size was astonishing. Looking up from the mountain, they saw a color that covered the sky and obscured the sun. Its two wings extended far into the distance, disappearing into the undulating sea of clouds.

The feathered beast's belly covered most of Wangyue Lake, yet it didn't obscure the morning glow. Red light flowed, illuminating the entire Wangyue Lake like a deep red jewel, sparkling in the world.

The feathered beast was vividly colored, in shades of scarlet, red, gold, and yellow. Its flight feathers were very long, trailing eight tails in the air, with intricate patterns like eight chains, extending deep into the north.

Liu Changdie's voice was dry, not daring to look directly at the colors in the sky. He just whispered: "Senior! This is Fenghuo, corresponding to Lushui... I wonder what kind of divine beast it is..."

The feathered beast was very fast, leaping across the sky. The rain was swept away, and it quickly vanished. What followed was scorching sunlight, shining golden on the damp soil.

This sunlight was completely different from ordinary sunlight, as if flames were descending, making sizzling sounds as it landed on trees and soil. The world was bathed in golden-yellow light, the blazing sun was dazzling, as if gold flowed everywhere. The already white ground was so bright it almost hurt one's eyes. Heat waves washed over them, making them sweat profusely.

Li Xuanxuan reluctantly raised his head. He felt that the ground beneath his feet, illuminated by this light, was rising with heat from inside out. Rainwater continuously evaporated, causing humidity to spread everywhere.

'Xiuyue Sect's... counterattack has arrived!'

The entire Qingdu Mountain and Wangyue Lake were filled with mist and steam, ethereal and swirling, like a fairyland on earth. Li Xuanxuan looked around in the white mist and murmured: "What level of spiritual beast is this?"

Liu Changdie squinted, looking at the receding red light, seemingly calculating something. He replied: "It's either a Golden Core cultivator's mount or some ancient demon, a great demon king... invited by Xiuyue! Since it's Fenghuo, it must be some kind of Luan bird with a powerful background, indebted to Xiuyue, flying from north to south with its divine abilities."

Li Xuanxuan shook his sleeves, using his magic power to dispel the moisture from his cuffs. He vaguely heard cheers from the town. The common people below only saw the clouds clear and the rain stop, thinking that the rain of so many years had finally ceased, but he smiled bitterly:

"I don't think this is necessarily a good thing!"

Li Xuanxuan picked up a handful of mountain soil, feeling it warm in his hand. He murmured: "I wonder how long this will last. If it lasts more than three days, it won't just be impossible to plant crops! Even the trees won't be able to grow; they'll all wither away completely."

Liu Changdie looked at the old man and whispered: "There's nothing we can do about it... A battle between two sects is rare in a hundred years."

He sighed and descended the mountain, still pondering in his heart: "Fenghuo can eliminate dampness and rain, and transform cold into heat. But what can resolve the wails of these millions of people? Compared to Qingchi Sect, Xiuyue's methods are still too weak."

***

The Li family, Central Hall.

The glazed tiles on the hall were a fiery red. A white ape was prostrating itself on the ground, bowing towards the receding feathered beast. A boy stood beside it. His white and gold robe shimmered in the light.

He stared intently at the departing feathered beast, as if moved. Several thin cicadas that had flown down crawled around his feet, some on their backs, struggling and spinning in the water, or climbing up his pant leg.

Li Zhouwei was completely oblivious. The white ape soon stood up, picked up a few cicadas from the ground, and put them into its mouth. Li Zhouwei said in a childish voice:

"What a big bird."

As he looked down, a person walked up the steps, dressed in a magnificent robe, followed by a retinue of attendants. The woman waved them away and slowly walked in, looking at the child with a somewhat complex expression.

Li Zhouwei nodded at her, bowed slightly, and said:

"Mother."

This person was indeed Madam Hu, Li Chengliao's wife. She had been pregnant for eleven months before giving birth to Li Zhouwei and had been greatly tormented by this child. Facing his dark golden eyes, she felt a slight fear in her heart.

This child had never shown her any affection and had almost taken her life. But her maternal instincts rose, still able to resist these fears. She softly asked about his well-being. Li Zhouwei answered, and only then did she say:

"In a few days, your father will choose a weapon for you. Have you thought about what you'd like?"

Li Zhouwei tilted his head and whispered: "Your child has no particular preferences. Whatever father teaches, your child will practice."