Chapter 531: Yuan Tuan's Aftermath

Violet Mist Blessed Land.

The Violet Mist Blessed Land was shrouded in ethereal purple mists and clouds among the peaks. Since Li Xuanfeng had been personally brought back by a True Master, the cultivators of the Violet Mist Sect treated him with great courtesy, specifically finding a cave dwelling on the main peak for his cultivation.

Although his cultivation lineage was entirely unrelated to purple qi, the spiritual veins were abundant and the spiritual energy dense, which greatly benefited his practice. If he had been able to cultivate here earlier in his life, he might have achieved breakthroughs several years sooner.

“Unfortunately, my cultivation path is gradually coming to an end,” he mused.

Li Xuanfeng's cultivation method only allowed him to reach the late Foundation Establishment stage, with no chapters for breaking through to the Violet Palace. His cultivation had slowly reached a bottleneck, much like Tang Shedu's situation, leaving him stuck in the late Foundation Establishment phase.

Even with time to practice secret techniques, he lacked the corresponding cultivation methods. Li Xuanfeng could only adjust his aura to its peak and slowly practice movement techniques and ocular arts.

After Li Xuanfeng had cultivated there for several days, True Master Yuanxiu soon arrived with others, openly breaking through the air into the blessed land. Li Xuanfeng was cultivating in the mountains. Looking over, he saw Yuanxiu holding a man, and upon closer inspection of his face, it was precisely Ning Heyuan.

To be cautious, True Master Zipei still summoned Li Xuanfeng. Upon returning to the cave dwelling where purple energy ebbed and flowed, they saw three True Masters seated in a circle, with Ning Heyuan standing dazedly in the center.

Ning Tiaoxiao’s death had an incomparable impact on Ning Heyuan compared to Li Xuanfeng. Elemental’s position in Ning Heyuan’s heart was likely as significant as Li Tongya's had been to the Li family back then. Li Xuanfeng saw him standing respectfully, yet his eyes were somewhat unfocused, appearing distracted.

As Li Xuanfeng stood still, Zipei spoke, asking:

“Li Xuanfeng, is this person Elemental’s junior, as in his kin?”

Seeing Li Xuanfeng nod in affirmation, Zipei then looked at True Master Puyu, who performed a quick calculation with his fingers. Seeing that it was roughly correct, she took out a small seal from her sleeve and softly said:

“Ning Heyuan!”

“I am here, Senior.”

Ning Heyuan respectfully nodded. Zipei placed the seal in her palm, seemingly lost in thought for a moment, as if immersed in some memories:

“Elemental never liked to dwell on the past, so perhaps he never told you. Since I preserved this item for him, I should also tell you its origin, so you know which family’s grace it came from.”

After she spoke, True Master Puyu nodded slightly, while Yuanxiu turned his face away without speaking. Li Xuanfeng secretly understood:

“I always heard that this True Master from the Violet Mist Sect didn't get along with Elemental. It seems they knew each other in earlier years but had a conflict… Yet, in the end, she still helped him preserve many things…”

Zipei softly said:

“This seal is the Xinyou Green Marsh Seal. Its main body is forged from Xinyou Profound Gold, Grand Green Luminescent Fluid, and Langya Jade, making it an ancient seal. It suppresses the Green Water Feathered Serpent.”

“This ancient seal was originally a magical artifact of a Violet Palace great demon under the Feathered Serpent. Later, it fell into the hands of a senior at the Moonlit Origin Mansion, becoming part of the Immortal Mansion’s collection and undergoing Moonlit refinement.”

“Finally, it was obtained by True Master Donghua of the Immortal Mansion, who then gifted it to Ning Tiaoxiao.”

True Master Zipei spoke plainly, without any concealment. Li Xuanfeng listened from the side, understanding inwardly.

The three sects and seven gates had always held an ambiguous attitude towards True Master Donghua, always crediting him with inheriting the Immortal Mansion’s legacy. Only numerous rumors circulated, claiming he was the Immortal Mansion’s true successor.

Now, it was explicitly confirmed by a Violet Palace True Master who had personally experienced the events, a stark contrast to the sect’s records. Ning Heyuan did not dare to say more and received the seal with both hands.

Zipei softly said:

“This treasure… back then, both I and Qiushui used it. It has twelve incantations, which I will transmit to you now. Remember them carefully.”

Sibu Xiu stood with his hands behind his back, his rigid face cold. With a wave of his sleeve, he instantly vanished into the void, disappearing from sight.

True Master Puyu also nodded in farewell. The jade seal in Ning Heyuan’s hand radiated brilliantly, and various azure waters emerged around him, with blue-gold light flowing by his sides. His eyes were tightly closed, as if communicating with the small seal.

True Master Zipei transmitted the incantations, listened for a moment, then flicked her sleeve and said:

“Since you have received the treasure, go back and cultivate diligently.”

Both felt a blur before their eyes, as if flung out of the blessed land by a single flick of her sleeve. Looking around, they found themselves in Libu Commandery, the easternmost part of the Azure Pond Sect, precisely at the border between Azure Pond and Violet Mist. Below them, human voices buzzed, and the scene was vibrant with lights and revelry.

Ning Heyuan and Li Xuanfeng both summoned their spiritual winds in the air to stabilize themselves. Ning Heyuan held the seal to his chest, still somewhat disoriented, and simply said:

“How was it so fast!”

He mumbled on, unsure if he was referring to Zipei’s methods or Elemental. Li Xuanfeng stood silently behind him, watching as Ning Heyuan said, somewhat tremulously:

“Brother-in-law, do you have any other matters to attend to…? Or will you return to the sect with me?”

Ning Heyuan’s hand tightly clutched the magical seal, his knuckles white. His eyes shone brightly in the night, fixed intently on Li Xuanfeng’s expression.

Li Xuanfeng maintained his usual demeanor, neither humble nor arrogant, and softly said:

“Please give your instructions, Patriarch.”

With Elemental having just passed away, Li Xuanfeng’s stance was of utmost importance to Ning Heyuan. This seasoned veteran didn’t need to do anything; simply standing behind him gave Ning Heyuan confidence.

He immediately sighed in relief and quickly urged:

“Brother-in-law, if you have matters to attend to, you are free to go… If not, please return to the Ning family with me.”

Li Xuanfeng nodded, and together they ascended on spiritual winds. Ning Heyuan made small talk with him for a while, and only after confirming that Li Xuanfeng’s attitude hadn’t significantly changed did he finally relax.

Ning Heyuan paused, then simply asked:

“Did the True Master leave any final words or verbal instructions?”

Li Xuanfeng quietly nodded and said in a deep voice:

“Dare not hate.”

Mushroom Forest Plain.

Clouds drifted leisurely above the Mushroom Forest Plain. Yuan Huyu quietly stood atop the mountains, watching the people below scurry like ants. His hands, hidden in his sleeves, were slightly pale.

A streak of rosy light approached from afar, glittering splendidly in the air. Yuan Huyu instinctively thought of retreating, but then saw the light clarify, revealing an elegant young man standing upon it.

“Senior Huyu.”

“Li Xizhi…”

The newcomer was indeed Li Xizhi. Upon his return to the Li family, he immediately received a letter from the sect: Yuan Tuan’s soul lamp in the sect had extinguished; she had perished in the East Sea.

Having received this news, along with Yuan Chengdun’s two Demon-Subduing short staffs being returned to the Li family, Li Xizhi flew over on rosy light, intending to find members of the Yuan family.

Unexpectedly, after circling above and using his cultivated ocular arts to scan left and right, he quickly discovered Yuan Huyu, silently hidden in the sky.

Yuan Huyu was nominally no longer part of the Yuan family, but in reality, it was merely a charade orchestrated by the two brothers, Yuan Huyu and Yuan Hudu. Seeing him, Yuan Huyu sighed inwardly. Now that both families clearly understood the situation, there was no need to hide. He cupped his hands and said:

“Greetings, Daoist.”

Li Xizhi cupped his hands and softly said:

“My master has perished.”

Yuan Huyu’s old face drooped, his eyebrows tightly furrowed. He stiffened all over upon hearing the news, simply saying:

“Oh… Tuan’er has perished.”

Li Xizhi, of course, knew that his younger sister had been deceived by the Yuan family. However, Yuan Hudu, the Yuan family patriarch, had also suffered an arrow in plain sight, not only losing all face but now recovering from his injuries. In the end, things had balanced out.

Li Xizhi simply asked:

“The Dragon Clan wanted my master as a key. The Yuan family must not have stumbled upon the Qingxuan lineage by chance. The Yuan ancestors were originally disciples of the Yanyang Temple Palace, were they not?”

Li Xizhi stood still for a moment. The old man nervously adjusted his sleeves, his wrists trembling slightly. He avoided looking at Li Xizhi and said tremblingly:

“Yes… yes…”

The colorful glow around Li Xizhi gradually dimmed. He asked:

“Did my master know? Was she forced out by you… or did she go willingly?”

Yuan Huyu hunched over significantly and simply said:

“I don’t know… Xizhi… I don’t know… She was so intelligent, she must have known long ago.”

Li Xizhi looked at his appearance and sighed inwardly:

‘Whether she went willingly or not makes no difference now; she was destined to go regardless.’

Li Xizhi was slightly distracted. The Yuan Huyu before him was already drenched in sweat. Li Xizhi quietly glanced at him and whispered:

“You tricked Yuan Chengdun into leaving, didn’t you?”

Yuan Huyu lowered his gaze and replied:

“Yes… He thought he was going to save Yuan Tuan, but it was actually because he also cultivated the Qingxuan path. The Dragon Clan believed that an additional Qingxuan cultivator would provide more certainty…”

“Understood.”

Li Xizhi understood, nodded in response, cupped his hands, and made to leave. Yuan Huyu, as if trying to detain him, said:

“Xizhi… Back when Yuan Tuan brought Chijing back, I personally escorted him, and he even called me Senior… Li Tongya also treated me very courteously… as did Li Yuanping and Li Yuanjiao…”

“I didn’t realize it would come to this.”

Li Xizhi merely cupped his hands in return and softly said:

“Senior, times bring both coming together and parting; private sentiments cannot obstruct the flow of events.”

He took out the two Demon-Subduing short staffs from his sleeve and continued:

“These items are returned to their original owner. Please cherish them.”

After Li Xizhi spoke, he rode the wind and departed. Yuan Huyu nervously clasped his sleeves together, still reeling, when a strong medicinal fragrance wafted past, and another figure appeared before him.

The man had a broad face, temples flecked with white, and a string of medicine pouches hanging from him. His kind face was streaked with tears, and his normally gentle eyes were slightly red as he quietly looked at Yuan Huyu.

Yuan Huyu could only bow down lamentably. He said:

“Brother Yuansi!”

Xiao Yuansi couldn’t speak, only silently waved his hand. This honest and gentle old man reflected that Yuan Tuan had been missing for years, yet no one had ever warned him.

“It must have been the work of my family’s True Master, who calculates everything perfectly,” he thought.

He glanced at Yuan Huyu. Xiao Yuansi, who never spoke harshly, gently persuaded him to return, then rode the wind back to the Xiao family alone, completely forgetting what he had originally intended to do upon passing through this area.

However, in his mind, he recalled the scenery on Qinghui Peak years ago: Li Chijing reading with his sword in his arms, and Yuan Tuan, with her hair gathered, smiling as she called him 'Senior Brother'.

“A hundred years flashed by, and I am not even worthy of protecting the junior sister who remained.”

Xiao Yuansi returned alone to Xianyou Peak.

Azure Holly Mountain.

Li Xijun sat cross-legged beneath a green pine tree, as snowflakes drifted down and settled on his white robes. After a moment, a person approached and respectfully said:

“Sir, someone from Xuanyue has arrived.”

“Let them come up.”

Li Xijun waited for a moment. An unfamiliar woman ascended; she was indeed an envoy who had come to pay respects after Li Xicheng's passing, making her the sole representative from the Three Sects and Seven Gates.

“Kong Qiuyan of Xuanyue. Greetings, fellow Daoist.”

The woman appeared poised and generous, with a prominent nose bridge and delicate skin. After bowing, she softly said:

“I have long heard that the Li family possesses the splendor of bright frost and pine snow. Now that I have met you, fellow Daoist, I realize the rumors were no exaggeration.”

Li Xijun politely responded, praised her a few times, and inquired about the recent conditions of the Xuanyue Sect. Kong Qiuyan responded graciously and appropriately, prompting him to nod slightly.

In recent years, he had broken through to Foundation Establishment, gradually taking charge of Azure Holly, and made many public appearances. Numerous surrounding families had heard of his reputation. Yet, what spread first was not his methods, but rather his elegant bearing. Ultimately, major powers from several commanderies who had visited all knew that the Li family possessed a graceful young man who cultivated wind and snow.

The woman also gazed at him for a couple of seconds before offering her polite remarks and slowly withdrawing. Li Xijun didn't take it to heart and asked:

“Has Ximing emerged from seclusion and descended the mountain yet?”

Seeing the person nod, he rose on the wind and descended the mountain.

Li Xicheng’s funeral arrangements had lasted several months. White mourning cloth adorned the clan, and Li family members from various towns had rushed back, creating a grand turnout. The central hall saw a significant increase in people entering and exiting, mostly capable clan members.

Firstly, Li Xicheng had assisted many clan members, earning him great popularity within the family. Secondly, the Zhong branch was currently powerful, and Li Xicheng was the father of the current family patriarch, so everyone wanted to come and pay their respects.

White cloth also hung in the central hall, slowly fluttering in the air. Li Xijun, treading on wind and snow, descended before the hall, coincidentally encountering Li Zhouwei, who was holding a long halberd and slowly walking along the steps.

“Eighth Uncle!”

Li Zhouwei nodded and cupped his hands. Li Xijun helped him up, nodded slightly, and followed him inside. Several people had already been waiting silently in the hall for a long time.

Li Xuanfeng and Li Qinghong were absent, and Li Xuanxuan refused to take the main seat. Li Xizhi had rarely returned. With Li Xijun now present, everyone looked at Li Xizhi. To their surprise, he surveyed the room, shook his head, and softly said:

“I cultivate in Azure Pond, so it’s not appropriate for me to preside. Eighth Brother, please take charge!”

Li Xijun had no choice but to nod and take his seat. Renowned for his handsomeness, with snow-like radiance fluttering around him, he was flanked by Li Xizhi on one side and Li Ximing on the other. One was elegant and grand, radiating rosy light and rainbows; the other stood with folded arms, enveloped in dan-fire.

Li Ximing had just emerged from seclusion, his cultivation already at the late Foundation Establishment stage. His cultivation speed was remarkably fast, and he had already begun to delve into secret arts and alchemy, having conspicuously become one of the highest-cultivated members of the family.

Aside from Li Xuanfeng, Li Qinghong and Li Ximing were both in the late Foundation Establishment stage. Following them were Li Xizhi and Li Wushao in the middle Foundation Establishment stage, and Li Xijun in the early Foundation Establishment stage.

Including Kong Heng, the Li family's current Foundation Establishment combat power could be said to be quite impressive.

Li Ximing had just received the news of his elder brother's demise. Each time he emerged from seclusion, there had been significant changes, and he still felt somewhat disoriented. Li Xizhi had already softly said:

“According to the information I’ve received, Shangyuan successfully broke through and most likely attained the Jade True Fruit position. He was besieged by Green Water, Taiyuan, and Taiyi—two early Golden Core cultivators and one late Golden Core cultivator…”

He paused, then softly said:

“However, once one attains the fruit position, it's not simply a matter of perishing. Years ago, even Yingze had to split himself into three to kill the Shaoyang Demonic Monarch, let alone his descendants…”

After Li Xizhi finished speaking, he took a letter from his robe and softly said:

“My master… her soul lamp in the sect has extinguished. Perhaps in a few days, I will have to return to the sect to assume the position of Qinghui Peak Master. I cannot stay long.”

Thanks to Little Pinky Hook, another Silver Grand Elder.Benbenfenfen Zhi Zheheli MaJust call me Justin.Nelson_NameFromLoughshinny, another Alliance Leader.Thank you!(End of Chapter)