Chapter 510: Integration

Since the Jiang family's division, Lake Wangyue fragmented into numerous smaller families, becoming a territory where the Xiao family secretly profited. Although they didn't collect direct tributes, all the mineral veins, spiritual springs, and treasure sites belonging to the various families on the east bank had been under the Xiao family's control for over two hundred years.

In essence, the families around the lake had long viewed the Li family as nothing more than a puppet supported by the Xiao family, established on the south bank beyond the buffer zone. The Li family, following orders, had even dismantled the Yu family's market, gradually bringing about the Yu family's decline.

From a broader strategic perspective, Xiao Chuting's seemingly casual move, requiring minimal effort, allowed him to bypass Qingchi's ban on crossing domains and annexing counties, leading to the collapse of the Yu family, which was then at its peak. It was a masterful calculation.

Now that the Li family has rapidly expanded, becoming the overlord of the lake and gradually aspiring to annex the entire region, it inevitably impinges on the Xiao family's interests. Thus, the Xiao family's perspective has become particularly significant.

Seeing Xiao Yuansi ask so directly, Li Xijun nodded slightly and replied softly:

"The time is approaching. This junior intends to take possession of the Yu family's territory."

He only mentioned the Yu family's territory, signaling that he had no intention of encroaching upon the lands of other families on the east bank. Xiao Yuansi listened, said nothing further, but spoke softly:

"A few days ago, our family's True Master hosted a guest in the mountains: True Master Puyu of the Quhai Sect from Hetianghai. He mentioned that True Master Yuanwu had traveled to the East Sea seeking medicine, but was politely refused by True Master Puyu. Yuanwu was quite displeased and left abruptly."

As soon as Xiao Yuansi said this, Li Xijun immediately understood. Xiao Yuansi continued:

"The divine ability cultivated by True Master Puyu can heal yin and yang, and illuminate life and death... The True Master implied that Yuanwu's six senses are deteriorating internally, his essence is dissipating externally, and his entire being is dimming. His dark aura shows signs of sudden death; he likely already has one foot in the netherworld."

Hearing this news, Li Ximing's face showed a hint of a smile. Ju Wu, terrified by the discussion about a True Master's life and death, kept his head bowed low. Then he heard Li Ximing ask:

"Was True Master Yuanwu seeking a longevity elixir? He seems to be only at the mid-Purple Mansion stage... Surely he wasn't attempting to break through to Golden Core, was he?"

Xiao Yuansi replied softly:

"He was seeking a Purple Mansion-level Qu Shui Mian Yuan to perform a soul-seizing ritual. However, his divine ability is completely unrelated to such a practice, making it a sure path to death. True Master Puyu is an expert in this field; how could he not recognize this? He wouldn't permit such misuse."

After discussing this matter, he then replied:

"I must also take Ju Wu with me to question him further. As for Guiluan... did she fail her breakthrough and pass away?"

Li Xijun nodded silently. Xiao Yuansi, who had personally brought the girl when she married years ago, couldn't help but sigh softly and replied:

"Guitu was deeply saddened to hear this news, but he has sealed his mountain and cannot travel. He asked me to convey his condolences and express his grief."

"Although Mount Wu is a place for shamanic cultivation, its spiritual energy is quite exceptional and can be put to great use. Once your esteemed clan pacifies the dense forest, send us a letter, and our clan will certainly come to offer congratulations."

Xiao Yuansi said no more, gave a slight bow, and seized Ju Wu, who was crying out and begging for mercy. The two brothers escorted Ju Wu out of the territory, then returned by wind. Li Ximing said:

"Master's meaning is that the Xiao family supports our family in annexing this land."

"The momentum is already established."

Li Xijun responded softly, saying:

"Whether they support us or not, our family intends to take Lake Wangyue anyway. Given the friendship between our two families, it's better to offer this small gain as a favor."

Li Ximing nodded, looked around at the surrounding scenery, and sighed:

"The spiritual energy here is abundant; no other mountain in our clan can compare. We could certainly move here for cultivation."

Li Xijun only glanced twice and said softly:

"In the lands of the Shan Yue, only Huoluo'e has not surrendered. Let's make one concerted effort to bring him under our family's governance."

The two ascended into the wind. Li Xijun turned to Kong Heng, who had remained silent, and asked:

"Master, who exactly is this True Master Puyu?"

Kong Heng clasped his hands slightly and replied:

"The lands beyond the sea are vast, and the underwater regions are even more expansive than the inland territories. Various sects are either hidden or openly active. I've only heard that the Quhai Sect resides on Penglai, a blessed land that appears and disappears."

The group chatted briefly and soon arrived at Huoluo'e's territory. This southernmost region, very close to Mount Dali, was sparsely populated and appeared empty.

Huoluo'e had little presence among the Shan Yue tribes. He was said to be a taciturn individual who focused solely on cultivation, rarely interacting with others. Even his cultivation spot was an openly visible immortal mountain with weak formations.

He widely opened his mountain gate, allowing any Shan Yue under his command with spiritual aptitude to enter for cultivation, learning as much or as little as they wished. This openness fully exposed the immortal mountain's location, allowing many individuals from various factions to infiltrate, including some from the Li family. Thus, the three traveled south and soon arrived at this location.

Li Xijun had inquired about him and knew of this person. Intending to recruit him, he decided to first show courtesy before resorting to force, announcing loudly:

"Li Xijun of the Qingdu Li clan has come to visit. Elder, please open your formation!"

After two breaths, a person rose into the wind. He was only at the Qi Condensation stage, with the appearance of a youth. His expression was calm and respectful, his demeanor quite steady, and he spoke deferentially:

"I am Duan Du'an. My master departed on a distant journey several months ago, leaving instructions for me to relay on his behalf."

He bowed his head extremely low, speaking with utmost reverence:

"Huoluo'e has illicitly occupied this treasure land for cultivation, causing much offense. Today, he has gone with the flow eastward, to the East Sea, never to return. All the spiritual treasures and talented individuals acquired over forty years have been left in Mount Huoluo, for you to take as you wish."

'Huoluo'e fled!'

The two brothers exchanged glances, showing no great surprise. Huoluo'e either did not wish to join their faction or did not trust them; for him, not meeting them was the best option.

They then descended into the mountain. All the disciples opened the mountain gate and surrendered, kneeling neatly. There were only a handful of Qi Condensation cultivators and dozens at the Fetal Breath stage. They appeared to have carefully studied Eastern customs, dressed in Eastern attire, bowed their heads in homage, and showed none of the crude habits of the Shan Yue.

Li Xijun stepped inside, traversing the snow, and found Huoluo'e's cave abode. He looked around twice; everything was commonplace. Although this Shan Yue spoke grandly, he actually left nothing of value.

The two departed by wind. The disciples were still kneeling on the ground. Their cultivation techniques were only first or second-grade, not suitable for major use, but as the territory had just been expanded, these people could still be utilized. Li Xijun told the cultivators to rise and said softly:

"Since you have joined our family, you must correct your mindset. First, return with us to Lijing."

The cultivators agreed and ascended with the two by wind. Those at the Fetal Breath stage could not fly, relying entirely on the two Foundation Establishment cultivators to carry them. Li Xijun looked back at the Shan Yue territories below his feet, pondering to himself:

"All the Shan Yue of the Northern Foothills have fallen into our family's hands. The entire south bank of Lake Wangyue... now bears the surname Li."

Several months later, at the Northern Shan Yue Royal Court.

Blood dripped down the steps. The silver royal throne gleamed, and overturned lampstands lay submerged in the blood on the ground. Two rows of clan soldiers stood silently.

After the decisive victory at Guanxia over Xiandu, Chen Yang and Di Liyoujie split their forces into two armies. They swept through the entire Northern Shan Yue like a whirlwind, swiftly reaching the royal court.

The bright Huangyuan Pass shone in the sky, its radiance visible simply by looking up from the Northern Shan Yue territory. With the forces of Dongshan Yue and the Li family attacking simultaneously, the already collapsing Northern Shan Yue swiftly fell completely.

Di Liyoujie knelt silently at the foot of the steps, looking up at Li Zhouwei, who stood facing the throne. He pondered to himself:

"I wonder which prince will be supported for this throne... or if the Northern Shan Yue will be eliminated and handed over to Li Jiman... that would be too unwieldy..."

As he was pondering, he heard Li Zhouwei say softly:

"Di Liyoujie, come forward."

The Shan Yue man quickly stood up and took several steps up the stairs. A strong premonition suddenly surged within him, and his blood rushed to his head. He saw Li Zhouwei point his halberd at the silver throne and say softly:

"Sit on it."

Di Liyoujie sat down blankly. His mind exploded like lightning, and various thoughts raced through his mind. Suddenly, he hallucinated several spearheads at his neck. He looked up and saw a brilliant light:

"Di Liyoujie, the letter states that you are young and promising. I'm bestowing upon you immense fortune; make sure to seize it!"

In just two months, Di Liyoujie had gone from being a poor clan member outside the Great Jue Court to the position of Lord of the Northern Shan Yue. No matter how strange his fantasies, they wouldn't have reached this far; he had only assumed 'immense fortune' was for the nobility.

Li Zhouwei said nothing, watching him silently. Di Liyoujie wiped away his tears, fell to his knees with a thud, and said in a deep voice:

"The Di Li family will never betray the clan! The Di Li family will forever be the loyal hounds of Dahe Mingfang...!"

He mumbled a few words, but Li Zhouwei, who didn't much believe in vows, merely held his halberd, listening silently. Then he heard footsteps from the courtyard, and several people entered. Some were burly men holding golden hammers, others were white-haired elders. The leader was a young man clad in a wolf-skin cloak, and all of them possessed powerful auras.

Li Zhouwei put away his weapon, glanced at him, and commanded:

"Step down."

Di Liyoujie stared blankly, then hastily stepped down. He saw Li Zhouwei put away his weapon, quickly descend from the high platform, and cup his hands in greeting:

"Minghuang greets Father."

Li Chengliao nodded. Before anyone else could speak, a messenger from below reported:

"General Chen has arrived!"

Chen Yang's sword still dripped with blood as he strode forward. His demeanor had changed through his journey of killing. He saw a youth standing pensively at the highest point in the hall.

"Peak Fetal Breath."

Chen Yang had broken through to the fifth layer of Fetal Breath, and with the birth of his spiritual consciousness, he could finally perceive others' cultivation levels. Looking at Li Zhouwei now, who was ready to enter secluded cultivation for Qi Condensation at any time, his heart suddenly seized.

He paused for a moment and soon noticed another person standing in the hall, clad in a wolf-skin cloak, standing with hands behind his back, appearing quite broad-minded. He was a Qi Condensation cultivator.

"Chen Yang greets the Family Head!"

Chen Yang, of course, recognized Li Chengliao before him. He quickly bowed and replied respectfully. Di Liyoujie, standing behind, was startled for a moment, then also bowed his head in homage. Li Chengliao's eyebrows relaxed, and he smiled:

"Well done."

Li Zhouwei stood to the side. After this experience leading the army, he appeared much more lively. No longer having that lifeless, puppet-like appearance, he finally looked like a youth, with a hint of a smile.

Li Chengliao glanced at them, then sat down in the main seat and said softly:

"Over the past few months, the various Shan Yue territories have been mostly pacified, so I will be brief."

He had just entered and had already seen Di Liyoujie sitting on the royal throne. Understanding that his eldest son intended for Di Liyoujie to be the Lord of the Northern Shan Yue, he immediately said:

"Establish Di Liyoujie as the Lord of the Northern Shan Yue. The borders of the realm will remain unchanged. Our clan's cultivators will enter to survey spiritual fields and investigate spiritual energy. All systems will follow the old precedents of the Eastern Shan Yue."

"The former territories of Huoluo'e and Fenluoya will all be annexed by the Eastern Shan Yue. As for the eight easternmost towns of the Eastern Shan Yue, which are mostly inhabited by Eastern people, they will be newly designated as a prefecture, serving as our homeland, and placed under the governance of Wutu Peak."

These matters had been discussed and agreed upon before the expedition, but they were reiterated for Li Zhouwei's benefit. Seeing that he had no new proposals, Li Zhouwei waved his hand, instructing everyone to lead their people to survey the spiritual fields:

"You may all withdraw."

Di Liyoujie, who was prostrate below, looked carefully for a while and did not see Li Jiman's figure. He immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

Di Liyoujie felt much more comfortable and secretly gloated, seeing that this future colleague, with whom he would have friction and interaction, was about to lose the most fertile lands and didn't even have the qualification to participate in the clan meeting:

"What era do you, Li Jiman, belong to? Now it is the Zhong... vein managing the family, and Dahe Mingfang himself appointed me king. The only thing that surpasses me is cultivation..."

Having just taken that position, his mindset had already completely changed. He patted his robes and left the great hall, secretly beginning his calculations.

After everyone left, only Li Chengliao and his son remained in the hall. A trace of worry then appeared on Li Chengliao's face, and he said softly:

"There are two matters I must inform you of... First, Elder White Ape has entered secluded cultivation to prepare for breaking through to Foundation Establishment."

"Hmm?"

Li Zhouwei was slightly taken aback. White Ape had protected him as he grew up, and he had strong feelings for him. Hearing the news now, he asked:

"Presumably, there's no Suiyuan Pill, right?"

"Naturally not."

Li Chengliao sighed and replied:

"This elixir has long been controlled by Qingchi. Even a powerful family like the Xiao family has to rely on connections to exchange for it from within the sect... Your grand-uncle might not even have had the assistance of this elixir when he broke through..."

Li Zhouwei slightly lowered his brows, but then saw Li Chengliao organize his thoughts and reveal even bigger news:

"Your grandfather... has entered secluded cultivation to break through to Foundation Establishment. Several uncles have gone back to observe..."

Although Li Xicheng's talent was not as high as his brothers', he was, after all, more than ten years older. After so many years of cultivation, he had long reached the peak of Qi Condensation. It now seemed he had decided to enter seclusion for a breakthrough.

Hearing this, Li Zhouwei finally showed some concern on his face. He shook his head slightly and asked:

"What did Grand-uncle Seven say?"

Li Chengliao gave a wry smile and replied:

"Without a Suiyuan Pill, it will likely be difficult."

Although Li Chengliao said this, he was clear in his own mind that it was only to prevent Li Zhouwei from being distracted. His father's breakthrough wasn't just "somewhat difficult"; he only sighed silently.

Li Chengliao actually understood his father's thoughts.

Li Xicheng's situation had become increasingly awkward. With more and more Foundation Establishment cultivators in the Li family, Qi Condensation cultivation was also depreciating in value. Furthermore, Li Chengliao had already taken over the family's affairs, and Li Xicheng knew none of the various cultivation arts. He could only refine his cultivation day by day.

Seeing Li Xijun and Li Ximing's cultivation levels grow higher and higher, making Qi Condensation cultivators seem like mere foot soldiers, Li Xicheng was old and could only watch his younger brothers busy themselves.

Perhaps after refining his cultivation for these past few days, he suddenly encountered a surge of relevant spiritual energy and found an opportunity for a breakthrough. How could he possibly remain idle? No wonder he wanted to try for Foundation Establishment.

Li Chengliao found it difficult to speak about these matters and was unsure of the exact situation on the mountain. So he changed the subject, took out a jade box from his embrace, and gestured for Li Zhouwei to come forward.

Li Zhouwei took it with both hands. His spiritual consciousness swiftly probed inside, and he immediately realized:

"Golden Sun Imperial Essence!"

Li Chengliao nodded and said softly:

"An Siwei has returned from the Great Desert; someone else has taken his place. This is the second Golden Sun Imperial Essence stored by our family. Use it and prepare to break through to Qi Condensation!"