Chapter 539: Preceding Evening (Part 2)

Li Xizhi rested for a moment. The cloud ship under his feet had already begun to move. A person approached from outside the door. He was at the late Qi Condensation stage, with a pale, beardless face, white hair, and a graceful demeanor. One of his sleeves was empty, and he stopped beside Li Xizhi.

He cupped his hands and said in a low voice:

“My name is Fei Yihe; I greet you, Young Master.”

Li Xizhi found his name somewhat familiar. He must be one of the Fei family members who came with them years ago. Over the past few years, he had been under Li Xuanfeng’s care, and despite being covered in scars, he had managed to preserve his life.

Li Xizhi returned the bow and said softly:

“Xizhi greets you, Senior.”

He then recalled his younger uncle, Li Yuanqin, who was in Southern Jiang. He should be slightly younger than himself, and Li Xizhi wondered what he looked like now. He then asked:

“Has my younger uncle arrived? I still need to meet him…”

Fei Yihe shook his head and replied:

“Young Master Li Yuanqin was sent to the sect to cultivate alongside the disciples of the Chi family.”

As soon as he said this, Li Xizhi’s mind became as clear as a mirror. He sighed inwardly. Fei Yihe, however, looked somewhat anxious. He sat down beside him and asked:

“I have lived in Southern Jiang for many years. Recently, I have been in seclusion frequently, and the General has gone to the East Sea for battle. I’ve only heard scattered remarks about the Fei family. May I ask, Peak Master… what has become of my clan? What are Tongyu and Tongxiao’s cultivation levels?”

Li Xizhi nodded gently and replied:

“Currently, Young Master Tongyu is managing the family, and they have lost contact with my family. I don't know much either. I only heard that Young Master Tongxiao failed his breakthrough, perished, and left no heirs.”

This news seemed to be very close to what the old man had anticipated. No shock appeared on his face. Only when he heard “perished,” his fingers resting on his knees twitched. He said, somewhat flustered:

“Oh dear, I knew that young man.”

Li Xizhi then recounted all the information he knew. Fei Yihe nodded repeatedly in thanks. He could say nothing more. He sat upright in his seat, silently clutching his sleeves for most of the journey.

The Rosy Cloud Ship was incredibly fast. After a while, it gradually showed signs of stopping. Fei Yihe then shook out his sleeve, revealing his knuckles, white from clenching. He took out a small letter he had already written and said:

“If there is an opportunity, please, Peak Master, send a letter to the Fei family on my behalf…”

Over the years, whenever Li Xuanfeng returned home, Fei Yihe would ask him to take a letter. There were at least three or five such letters by now. What changes could there be in the Fei family? This old man still prattled on, writing them meticulously. Although they had never been opened, outsiders could clearly see the deep concern behind them.

Li Xizhi saw this clearly, sighed inwardly, put it away, and replied:

“If there’s an opportunity, I will certainly deliver it for you, Senior.”

Fei Yihe nodded. Watching the cloud ship gradually descend, he finally couldn't hold back and whispered:

“If one day… the Fei family falls… if it is possible, please preserve a bloodline…”

Li Xizhi dared not agree directly, so he tactfully replied:

“With Daoist Friend Qingyi cultivating in Yuanwu, your esteemed clan will surely overcome danger, and the elders will also provide much assistance. Please rest assured, Senior…”

Fei Yihe nodded, saying nothing more. After a long time, Li Xuanfeng walked in. His golden armor had already been removed. He said softly:

“Xizhi has arrived.”

Li Xuanfeng nodded slightly:

“We will first stop in Xu State and meet the people from Jinyu Sect.”

Li Xizhi went out with him to the bow of the ship. A faint north wind stirred all around. They had already crossed the great river that divided north and south. Waves rolled, and the waterway was vast.

As soon as they crossed the great river, the spiritual aura became completely different. The surroundings were a dull yellow. The earth was dry and cracked. White bones were scattered everywhere. Bloodlust and resentment echoed all around.

Several streaks of escape light flashed across the sky. Seeing the Rosy Cloud Ship appear, they all turned back. These people seemed very experienced. After flying for a while, they immediately plunged into the ground, disappearing into the grey smoke.

Li Xizhi watched for a while, then asked aloud:

“Uncle, do you know… how these various aristocratic families will be conscripted and arranged?”

Li Xuanfeng’s armor had actually lost its spiritual light when True Monarch Lushui and True Monarch Taiyuan made their move. It was little more than a few pieces of metal, and repairing it would be quite troublesome.

He had only returned for a short time. Therefore, it had not been repaired and he had already put it away. Hearing Li Xizhi’s words, he replied:

“Naturally, it won't be under our direct management. When the time comes, cloud ships should arrive at various locations to conscript cultivators. According to what the sect said…”

Li Xuanfeng paused, then answered:

“Four to five tenths of the cultivators from aristocratic families should be drafted and sent to Bianyan Mountain, purely as a precautionary measure. If the battle intensifies, more will be drafted…”

Li Xizhi listened in silence, then said softly:

“If four or five tenths of the clan cultivators are taken, it will truly break our bones… I was wondering how many clan cultivators would be dispatched, but now it seems we can't escape it.”

“Indeed.”

Li Xuanfeng stood quietly for a long time before saying:

“In the mountains, swords and spears have no eyes, but for smaller clans, it presents endless opportunities. Resources and magic artifacts that are usually unobtainable can be found by searching two corpses today. Great chaos is also a good opportunity.”

After they chatted for a while, several people approached. Li Xizhi took a closer look and saw that the leader, whose magic robe shimmered with light, was none other than his brother-in-law, Yang Ruizao.

Yang Ruizao had just found a few friendly Daoist companions on the ship. Several Foundation Establishment cultivators followed behind him. He respectfully said to Li Xuanfeng:

“We greet you, Senior!”

Li Xuanfeng nodded in acknowledgment and asked for their names one by one. Yang Ruizao came closer, and the three of them stood together at the bow. This signified that the discussions on the ship would be unified, with Li Xuanfeng as the leader.

Yang Ruizao winked at Li Xizhi and spoke in a low, somewhat helpless tone:

“Xizhi, you’ve met those younger generations from my family, haven’t you? What do you think?”

Li Xizhi smiled, nodded, and replied:

“They were very polite and composed.”

Yang Ruizao understood whether it was praise or sarcasm. He sighed and said:

“I only hope they can change.”

As they spoke, Bianyan Mountain slowly appeared before their eyes. This mountain was centrally located among the twenty-three cities in the southern part of Xu State. It was convenient for providing aid to all sides. White mist permeated the area, carrying a faint, ethereal scent.

The younger generations chatted, but Li Xuanfeng was somewhat lost in thought. He still clearly remembered this mountain range and the Zhenhui Temple on it. Years ago, he had come here with his second uncle to capture wolf demons. Now, it should have turned into ruins…

“Xuanling…”

His younger brother's name echoed in his mind, his face expressionless. Only Li Xizhi, standing behind him, seemed to sense something and cast a low glance.

Qingdu Mountain.

While Li Xuanfeng and the others reached the north, another Rosy Cloud Ship landed at Wangyue Lake. Still adorned with the same shimmering rosy light, it had now settled on Milin Mountain. All the families around the lake quickly dispatched people.

A group of cultivators was bustling on Milin Mountain. Li Xijun stood on the jade platform atop the mountain. He looked at the Rosy Cloud Ship quietly descending before him, a slightly complex expression on his face.

“Truth be told… this is the first time our family has hosted a cloud ship. Although it’s sudden… it also signifies that we are representatives who can speak for this region.”

He waited on the platform for a moment. Beside him, Chen Donghe and An Zheyan were both at the late Qi Condensation stage. On the other side, An Siming and An Siwei had also surprisingly reached the late Qi Condensation stage. The two brothers had just returned from the desert, looking travel-worn.

Li Xijun's calculations back then were accurate. Currently, there were only seven late Qi Condensation cultivators in the main Li clan and its branches, and three of them were from the An family. This year, descendants of these two brothers had even broken through to Qi Condensation… It was common knowledge that the An family possessed an exceptional bloodline.

However, they had not yet reached Foundation Establishment. The two brothers were definitely loyal; they were always resolute and never complained, so Li Xijun was still quite at ease.

The Chen and An families were the strongest. Following them, in order, were the Tian, Dou, and Xu families. Further back, Dili Youjie of the Northern Shan Yue and Li Jiman, Shamoli of the Eastern Shan Yue stood on the fringes. As for the surrendered and noble clans settled in Shan Yue, they didn't even qualify to be on the platform.

Shamoli was also an elder of the clan. He was the first King of Eastern Shan Yue to ascend to power after defecting to the Li family back then. He cultivated lightning arts and had even met Li Tongya.

Lightning arts shortened lifespans. This old Shan Yue cultivated something other than orthodox Qi, so he aged particularly quickly. He stood at the back, his eyes half-closed, saying nothing.

Besides the Li and Fei families, only a group of smaller clans from the east and north shores of the lake remained. All respectfully bowed to the Li family first. The Fei family members were also nearby, appearing hesitant and awkward.

Everyone waited for a while. A man in white robes descended from the Rosy Cloud Ship. Dressed in splendid robes and a magnificent crown, he stepped off the ship, smiled slightly, and presented a jade seal.

He parted his lips slightly and spoke:

“By order of the Immortal Command within the sect, the governing period of Yuanwu Peak has concluded. Wangyue Lake and the various clans of Lixia, including those on Wangyue's East Shore, are now placed under the jurisdiction of my Yuehu Peak!”

Everyone bowed in unison, saying in chorus:

“Greetings, Envoy of the Immortal Sect!”

‘Good! As expected, it’s Yuehu Peak!’

Li Xijun, as the leader, acknowledged this, but he understood much more from the words. Since the Xiao family gained independence and took away more than half of Lixia Commandery, this area of Lixia had become incomplete. Now, listening to this person, it meant that these territories, once separated, would all become subordinate to Wangyue Lake.

This matter was neither big nor small. Although Wangyue Lake had expanded, it wasn't particularly good news. After all, the Xiao family was nearby, and these things naturally belonged to them; they couldn't be touched.

As Li Xijun was thinking, he did not expect the white-robed cultivator to descend from the cloud. He came to support him with a gentle smile, only saying:

“My master is in seclusion for a breakthrough and cannot come personally. I am Zhao Tinggui, the chief disciple of Yuehu Peak, here on my master’s behalf… Xijun, please don’t be so formal!”

This Yuehu Peak Master in seclusion naturally referred to Ning Wan. The two families were indeed close. Zhao Tinggui adopted a very humble attitude and smiled, telling him to rise.

Li Xijun, however, dared not be careless and returned the bow. Only then did Zhao Tinggui return to the cloud, saying softly:

“I have come this time in response to the sect’s command to conscript cultivators.”

He gradually stopped smiling, his demeanor still very polite. He looked at the surrounding smaller clans and said softly:

“This time, the troops I’m conscripting are for several locations assigned by Yuehu Peak, which I am guarding. This concerns my merits, my stipend, and the lives of my fellow disciples in the peak. Please, do not try to appease me with just any low-level cultivators.”

He paused, then said softly:

“If I note down any clan whose disciples are too incompetent, when I return to conscript in a few months, there will be killings.”

Zhao Tinggui maintained the appearance of a refined young master, but his tone was far from calm. The clan leaders around him exchanged terrified glances, trembling and not daring to speak. Zhao Tinggui continued:

“If any clan’s disciples excel and achieve merits, I will likewise not be stingy with rewards. Moreover, there are many opportunities on the battlefield, so you all should bring forth your most capable disciples.”

Li Xijun watched the scene before him. It appeared that Zhao Tinggui was warning the various families, but how could it not also be directed at Li Xijun? Although the two families were close, matters concerning wealth, status, and lives were not to be easily trifled with.

As he finished his thoughts, a group of green-robed disciples descended from the cloud ship. Zhao Tinggui waved his hand and said softly:

“Each of you, bring your assigned people.”

Only then did he look at Li Xijun. He approached very courteously, extending a hand as white as jade, he smiled and said:

“Xijun… let’s discuss this in detail.”

The two descended into the peak together. They took their seats in the grand hall built of white jade. After exchanging a few polite greetings, Zhao Tinggui said, as if casually:

“May I ask how many Foundation Establishment cultivators your esteemed clan has available?”

Li Xijun sighed and said softly:

“Tinggui, you must know… my elders and brothers have likely already departed for the North…”

Zhao Tinggui couldn’t let him freely deflect. He thought to himself: ‘Li Xuanfeng and Li Xizhi are indeed contributing, but they are not guarding for my Yuehu Peak! If I could have those two, I wouldn’t need to worry at all; I could just comfortably stay in the sect… why would I need to make this special trip…’

He quickly waved his hand, his expression serious as he said gravely:

“Xijun, you are a smart person, and the relationship between our two families is evident. I won’t beat around the bush with you.”

Zhao Tinggui gently set down his teacup:

“Senior Qinghong must take action… I don’t know about others, but she is likely comparable to a direct disciple of my peak, and with her lightning Daoist lineage, she is perfectly suited for guarding.”

Li Xijun pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly. Zhao Tinggui was silent for a breath, then said softly:

“We also need one mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator and one early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator to establish a foothold first.”

Zhao Tinggui had already made his calculations. Li Ximing of the Li family was most likely a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator and a rare alchemist. If he could be brought to the North, it could significantly reduce casualties…

Li Xijun deliberated for a moment and replied:

“Reporting to the Envoy, my family has a guest elder named Gu Shi, who is a spellcaster. He is more than sufficient to substitute for a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator. We also have a mid-stage Foundation Establishment demon cultivator… although he lacks a proper background and spells, he can at least stand in for an early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.”

Zhao Tinggui was surprised for a moment, then frowned and said:

“I wonder about Daoist Friend Ximing…”

“He has already entered seclusion for a breakthrough and cannot emerge in a short time…”

Li Xijun gave an evasive answer. Zhao Tinggui sighed upon hearing this and could only say:

“Well, there’s no rush for now. Let’s proceed as you, my virtuous brother, suggest. However, if the front lines become strained, Daoist Friend Ximing might still be needed. If it truly comes to a critical juncture, we might even have to trouble Xijun himself…”

‘He has agreed.’

Li Xijun nodded and politely said:

“Naturally.”

Zhao Tinggui acknowledged with a nod, then hesitated and said:

“As for cultivators at the Qi Condensation and Embryonic Breath stages, the Ning family’s contingent has already been assigned elsewhere. The main force will still depend on your esteemed clan…”

Although Li Xijun had a premonition, a sense of unease still arose in his heart, and he thought to himself: ‘The Chi family truly makes the most of everything…’

The Li family definitely had a large number of low-level cultivators among the aristocratic families, especially since they were quite generous to those with different surnames, making cultivation methods available. Li Xijun thought that even Chi Zhiyún would be moved by this, so he only asked:

“How many cultivators are needed?”

Zhao Tinggui awkwardly said:

“Five late-stage Qi Condensation cultivators, seven mid-stage Qi Condensation cultivators, twenty-seven early-stage Qi Condensation cultivators, and one hundred Embryonic Breath cultivators… all must cultivate orthodox Qi…”

“What?!”