Chapter 533: Peak Lord

After Li Qinghong finished speaking, suspicion arose in Cui Changfu's heart, and he softly asked, "Fellow Daoist... what kind of spiritual treasure do you need?"

Li Qinghong gently replied, "These items are very difficult to find in our realm. They are spiritual treasures of the Bright Yang Purple Mansion level, such as Brightlight Sky Stone, Kylin Raven Spirit Shedding, White Du Blood... You don't need any specific one; any one of them will suffice."

Upon hearing this, Cui Changfu's expression softened slightly, and he chuckled, "Purple Mansion spiritual treasures? We once had a Bright Formula Profound Origin... but it's gone now!"

Li Qinghong was diligently searching for these items to help a junior in her family break through to the Purple Mansion realm, and she took it very seriously. However, Purple Mansion spiritual treasures were incredibly rare, so she hadn't held much hope. Yet, she had indeed heard a piece of news, which immediately invigorated her. She asked, "To which family was it traded? Please, could you give me some information?"

Cui Changfu finally believed that the woman before him was indeed there for a spiritual treasure. He seemed to sigh in relief, his guard dropping considerably. He spoke softly, "My branch of the family... was once dispatched by Emperor Gong of Wei to travel overseas in search of Penglai. Emperor Gong was magnanimous and refined, and his reign was prosperous. He was very generous, so our treasure ship carried many items."

"Later, there was turmoil in the seas, the Great Void shattered, and contact was gradually lost. By the time King Qi replaced Wei, there was no news at all. The remaining spiritual treasures were used up one by one, until only two portions of Bright Formula Profound Origin remained."

Li Qinghong listened carefully as he continued, "One portion was given to the Dragon Kin long ago. Dongfang You consumed it and gave birth to a dragon son. The other portion was sent to Changhuai Mountain, where a True Person used it to gain an heir. I heard that heir was named Qing Jifang, precisely in recognition of this Bright Formula Profound Origin's contribution."

Li Qinghong listened for a moment, realizing that both portions had already been used. She was instantly crestfallen. Cui Changfu observed her reaction and whispered, "Fellow Daoist, you needn't be disheartened. When the East Fire Grotto-Heaven fell back then, I heard it was managed by the True Persons Yuan Su and Qiushui. There must have been Purple Mansion spiritual treasures within that Grotto-Heaven. Even if Chu Yi emptied it, the True Persons certainly would have acquired some during their visit."

As Cui Changfu spoke of Chu Yi, he seemed a bit awkward, his lips trembling slightly as he lowered his gaze. Yet, his words were a revelation. Li Qinghong's heart immediately understood, and she thought with delight, "That's it!"

She hadn't known before that Yuan Su had handled the East Fire Grotto-Heaven. Now, she realized he must possess Purple Mansion spiritual treasures. Moreover, her second uncle worked under Yuan Su, so requesting it might even be easier.

At that moment, she bowed and thanked him, smiling, "Thank you very much, senior!"

Cui Changfu looked at her carefully, stroking his beard and nodding. Li Qinghong hesitated for a moment, then spoke, "Qinghong has one more matter. My family also practices the Bright Yang lineage, and we are hoping to gather five Immortal Foundations to make our family's path smoother..."

Her request, after all, was somewhat improper, so she adopted a very humble attitude. She said gently, "If it's convenient, we would hope to borrow your esteemed family's lineage scrolls... We can exchange cultivation methods for them... or use magical artifacts and spiritual treasures. You only need to name your terms."

"If you are unwilling, we absolutely have no intention of prying into your lineage secrets..."

Li Qinghong added a few more apologetic words. Cui Wanqing's expression remained mild, even showing some inclination. However, the elderly Cui family member's face was not pleased. Cui Changfu said in a hoarse voice, "The lineage of our ancestors cannot, I regret, be lent out."

He flatly refused. Li Qinghong apologized, then took out a spiritual flower from her storage pouch and handed it to the two of them. She said softly, "Thank you, seniors, for the information. This is a Wanling Flower; it can prolong life and alleviate worries. Please accept it as a token of my gratitude."

Fearing that her prolonged presence might cause discomfort, she ascended on lightning, bid farewell, and departed. Cui Wanqing seemed to have a good impression of her, accompanying her part of the way and softly saying, "Senior, travel safely."

Cui Wanqing saw Li Qinghong off and returned to the island, only to find Cui Changfu still sitting in his spot, anxiously tapping the table with his fingers. His old eyes were filled with unease.

Cui Wanqing was slightly curious. She sat down beside the old man and whispered, "Grandfather... this Senior Qinghong... she seems like a straightforward person. Our family's Bright Yang lineage isn't small, and not all of it is unique. We could just give her some... for mutual benefit..."

"Sigh..."

Cui Changfu stroked his beard and didn't immediately answer her. He said softly, "I'm afraid she truly is a descendant of the Wei Li imperial family..."

He took out a jade slip from his storage pouch and examined it carefully. Then he took out a map and studied it closely. He said softly, "Moon-Gazing Marsh is in Jiangnan. Emperor Wu passed through there during his southern campaign and even met immortals in the marsh. Could there truly be a surviving lineage?"

Cui Wanqing was a little moved. She whispered, "Since they are descendants of the former imperial family, Grandfather, why not help them fulfill their wish? It's merely exchanging a cultivation method... and we could get some things back in return..."

Cui Changfu shook his head and said softly, "I wouldn't dare..."

The expression on his face suddenly became vivid, and his eyes grew sharp: "Hasn't it been painful enough? When Eastern Qi replaced Wei, Li Xunquan led an uprising. Our ancestors crossed vast oceans, bringing precious pearls to assist him, and as a result, their heads hung above Dinyang City for nine years, never taken down."

"When Li Xuan sought to restore the nation, our great-great-grandfather rushed to join him, taking two of our most intelligent and brave great-uncles. As a result, the nation was destroyed, they were massacred, three magical artifacts were lost, and even our treasure ship was lost in the State of Xu."

"When the Dongli Sect was established, my grandfather, not yet at the Purple Mansion realm, rode the winds to join them, entrusting the entire Chongzhou Island to the Dongli Sect. But the Dongli True Person suddenly died, the sect was destroyed, and my grandfather fell in battle. If Dongfang You hadn't happened to come for a spiritual treasure, we would have long since..."

He sighed, and softly said, "As things stand, we simply cannot afford any more turmoil!"

Cui Changfu's expression was grim. He continued, "Moon-Gazing Marsh is located in a place of four turmoils. To its west are Taiyuan and Taiyi, to the south and east is Taiqing, and to the north is Sevenfold Release. How could that be a good situation? Li Xunquan had the help of a True Monarch and Purple Mansion followers, yet he still suffered defeat and death..."

"This family is quite clever; they weren't driven by greed to claim the Wei Li name. But it stops here... If we associate too closely with them, I'm afraid we'll bring disaster upon ourselves!"

Cui Wanqing sighed and nodded. Cui Changfu then said, "We must preserve our surviving lineage; only then will there be a chance for restoration in the future. If we just follow every Wei Li remnant that comes along, that would truly be dim and lifeless!"

The words of the two from the Chongzhou Cui family naturally did not reach Li Qinghong's ears. As she rode the wind back, she felt a sense of regret.

The reason she had raised the topic was her hope in the friendship between the Li and Cui families, thinking it might be of some use, even if only to hear some conditions.

However, Cui Changfu clearly showed no desire to incur karma, and his tone was unyielding. Li Qinghong understood this well and naturally did not press further, quickly taking her leave.

"After all, so many years have passed, and the Cui family has suffered many repercussions. They wouldn't trust so easily..."

Indeed, since the Battle of Pingmingjin in the last conflict between immortals and demons, followed by Eastern Qi replacing Wei, Liang destroying Eastern Qi, and then being annihilated by Emperor Zhao's father Qi Yan and King Yan Murong Dechang—more than 1,600 years have passed. Before the changes in the world, even True Monarchs would have outlived one and a half lifetimes. Perhaps their friendship was no longer as strong as it once was.

"Later, when the Dongli Sect was destroyed, many Cui family members also died. To still show a pleasant face to a Li family member whose authenticity is unknown... that's already quite good."

As Li Qinghong thought this, she also felt the Cui family's reaction was reasonable. She glanced slightly to the west, where she saw several clouds of radiant light-boats tearing through the air, emitting a vast expanse of shimmering light.

These cloud-boats were enormous, radiating various colors of light. Li Qinghong, having paid tributes before, recognized them as Radiant Light Cloud-Boats at a glance. Her heart was immediately seized with alarm.

"Something has happened in the realm!"

***

**Azure Pond Sect.**

Normally, the Azure Pond Sect was shrouded in clear clouds and mist. Perhaps due to the recent string of failed Foundation Establishment breakthroughs and deaths over the past few months, which caused unusual phenomena to pierce the sky, the clouds now appeared much thinner.

From the clouds not far away, a streak of radiant light swiftly approached, trailing a six-colored exhaust. The man atop it, noble and elegant, was Li Xizhi.

Li Xizhi, riding the radiant light, rushed back from outside. As soon as he stepped into the sect, he saw people coming and going. He landed on Qinghui Peak, where his junior brother, Yuan Chengzhao, hurried to greet him.

He had not yet broken through to Foundation Establishment; he was at the peak of Qi Condensation. He clutched a magical artifact in his hand and appeared somewhat flustered.

In the Yuan family's current generation, only Yuan Chengdun possessed unparalleled strength, a rare cultivator capable of rivaling direct descendants of Immortal Sects. Sadly, he had fallen in the East Sea. Among the remaining numerous juniors, only Yuan Chengzhao had a chance at breakthrough.

Yuan Tuan, who could have been considered a pillar of the family, also perished in the East Sea. Although the Yuan family's overall standing was maintained, with these two major powers gone, there truly wasn't a single presentable Foundation Establishment cultivator left.

Although they now had the support of the Chi family, the pressure was immense. Yuan Chengzhao, who remained within the sect, felt even more awkward, sitting dazedly on the peak, unsure how to face anyone.

Now, seeing his senior brother Li Xizhi, he was even more speechless and appeared helpless: "Senior Brother... I truly know nothing of the family's affairs!"

"This is certainly not your fault."

Li Xizhi frowned slightly, keenly noticing that Yuan Chengzhao's clothes were thin. Although they were pure white, their quality was slightly superior, unlike the attire of ordinary sect disciples.

He smiled and said gently, "What's this? You've got new clothes."

Yuan Chengzhao then reacted, momentarily speechless, and whispered, "I... this... Senior Brother! Follow me up the mountain!"

Li Xizhi's smile gradually faded. He quietly followed behind Yuan Chengzhao until they reached the pavilion atop the mountain. There, the lights were dim, and an item of clothing lay draped haphazardly on the table.

Li Xizhi was intimately familiar with this small room. He instantly noticed that the Azure Edge sword, which was usually hung on the wall, had been taken down and was nowhere to be seen.

Sweat beaded on Yuan Chengzhao's forehead. He led Li Xizhi inside, and upon reaching the table, he fell to his knees with a thud, bowing his head without a word.

Li Xizhi seemed to have already anticipated this. His expression was calm, and his gaze swept over the robe draped on the table.

This robe was a light azure color, seamlessly crafted, emanating a faint multi-colored glow. The silver pendant at the waist hung awkwardly from the corner of the garment, which was somewhat disarrayed.

Li Xizhi, of course, understood what this garment was—the Peak Lord's attire.

Then he looked at Yuan Chengzhao's inner garments, which flowed in snowy white, clearly part of the same set as the robe on the table. It seemed that Li Xizhi's sudden return had forced Yuan Chengzhao to hastily remove the outer robe and rush to meet him, forgetting about the inner one.

"Senior Brother..."

With these observations, everything became clear. Yuan Chengzhao's head was bowed very low, and he was covered in sweat. Li Xizhi, however, did not seem angry. His voice was slightly cool as he asked, "Where is the sword?"

It seemed that, compared to the position of Peak Lord, the treasured sword that used to hang on the wall, once wielded by Li Chijing, was of greater concern to him.

Yuan Tuan's whereabouts were uncertain. For many years, Yuan Chengzhao had actually been under the supervision of his senior brother, Li Xizhi. Yuan Chengzhao held a sense of awe for this senior brother, and at this moment, he was incoherent.

"I... I..."

Although his senior brother was elegant and magnanimous, Li Xizhi had truly chastised him with a ruler in a cold voice when he was mischievous in the past. Now, with slightly reddened eyes, Yuan Chengzhao stammered tremblingly, "Senior Brother! The Chi family is coming... I was afraid they would recognize Uncle's sword... so I hid it beforehand!"

He quickly took out the sword from his storage pouch and offered it with both hands. Back then, before Li Chijing had forged his spirit sword, he had used this very sword to practice the 'Profound Water Sword Art'. The sword was simple, without any superfluous patterns.

Li Xizhi took the sword with both hands, then took out a jade box from his storage pouch, carefully put the sword inside, and then softly asked, "The Chi family personally nominated you?"

Yuan Chengzhao nodded repeatedly, steeling himself, "Yes... yes! They threatened me with their family, saying they absolutely wanted me to take this Peak Lord position..."

"Hm."

Li Xizhi's expression seemed largely unchanged. He nodded gently, lifted Yuan Chengzhao with one hand, and with the other, picked up the azure robe from the table, draped it over him, and smiled, "You still lack a bit in cultivation. Establish your Foundation earlier, and you'll be able to hold your own."

Yuan Chengzhao was drenched in sweat, drops rolling down his face, as he murmured, "Senior Brother! This was originally yours... I know Master also thought so... it was always yours. I... I... was powerless to refuse..."

"What's 'mine' or 'yours'!"

Li Xizhi chuckled, patted his shoulder, and said gently, "I've returned from completing my mission here and still need to report to the main hall. Peak Lord Yuan, please wait here for now. After I've made my report, you and I can have a good drink."

Yuan Chengzhao, at a loss, nodded. It wasn't until Li Xizhi flew away on the radiant light that he hastily removed the outer robe, tossing it back onto the table, as if in a dream: "Senior Brother isn't angry with me... that's wonderful..."

He sat there in a daze for a while, looking at the silver pendant on the table that symbolized the Peak Lord's position. His hands and feet felt warm, and he couldn't resist touching it twice.

Meanwhile, Li Xizhi rode the wind away, ascending on radiant light into the moonlight. His expression was gentle, his gaze slightly cold. One hand was clasped behind his back, his posture dignified.

'Trying to manipulate me? Was this another oversight by Chi Zhiyun? I doubt it!'

'A clever scheme... Chengzhao is simple-minded and vain, so he naturally fell into their trap with no room to maneuver. Qinghui still belongs to the Yuan family... Most likely, it's a reward for the Yuan family, but ultimately it's still a blow against me...'

He was elegant and gentle, wearing a perfectly calibrated expression of slight displeasure on his face, but inwardly he felt no anger, only a cold smile.

'My Li family has seven Foundation Establishment cultivators, the Profound Thunder Golden Bow, and Bright Yang Radiant Clouds. We are connected to the Xiao family in the east. Should anything happen, we can even force the Xiao, Ning, and Yang families to act. The several peaks around Moon-Gazing Lake, with their many cultivators, are like found treasures, a heaven-sent good shield. How many can they truly afford to discard?'

At this moment, the gentle and dignified demeanor Li Xizhi had cultivated since his youth remained as graceful as ever. Yet, in his heart, he was calculating meticulously. After all, he was Li Yuanjiao's son; though his face was amiable, underneath, he had already seen through everything with cold clarity.

'At such a critical juncture, it's nothing more than a carrot and stick approach. I'll just wait and see what kind of play these esteemed elders put on!'