Chapter 544: Edge Swallow Immortal Bow

Li Qinghong descended into her cave abode, guided by lightning. She formed hand seals and cast a spell to conceal the bloodstains on her back. With 60% of her spiritual power remaining, she took several pills to suppress her wounds.

The 'Long Sky Perilous Sparrow' within her was still quietly operating, and her injuries, though present, were suppressed and not dangerous. While demonic energy that had infiltrated her wounds would typically require an ordinary cultivator to enter immediate seclusion for suppression, her lightning spiritual power dissipated it within the time it takes to brew a cup of tea.

As two more pills entered her system, Li Qinghong's complexion regained a faint hint of color.

Helian Changguang was likely a direct descendant of an inner sect of a demonic cultivation sect. His demonic cultivation techniques and spells were much more sophisticated, and he possessed numerous magical artifacts. Li Qinghong's cultivation, being a level higher than both opponents and as a lightning cultivator, allowed her to suppress them.

She instantly assessed the approximate strength of the two and took note of several of their magical artifacts. However, demonic cultivators' escape spells were difficult to counter. Although Li Qinghong could easily overpower them in combat, with Helian Changguang present, who would retreat at the first sign of trouble, it would likely be difficult to eliminate them entirely.

Li Qinghong was also astute. From the start of the fight with the couple, she never used her true strength, secretly holding back 20% of her power to cause them to lower their guard. Then, she suddenly unleashed her full power, instantly obliterating Liu Qiao. Turning back to face Helian Changguang, she nearly killed the demonic sect's direct descendant as well.

"It's just that Helian Changguang did have some tricks up his sleeve, and he still managed to injure me..."

She frowned slightly and massaged her forehead. Her spiritual power within her was still surging restlessly. Purple light faintly pulsed on her cheeks and shoulders, emitting faint crackling sounds.

In the past, Li Yuanjiao usually oversaw matters at home, and Li Qinghong rarely got injured; this was almost the first time to this extent in decades. With the 'Long Sky Perilous Sparrow' operating, her combat power increased by 20%.

Therefore, in her final confrontation with Helian Changguang, she went all out. Coupled with the 'Long Sky Perilous Sparrow' enhancement, she wielded her spear with immense power, striking Helian Changguang speechless within a few moves. He made an immediate decision to flee; had he not, he too would have met his end there.

As she was pondering, Li Minggong quickly approached, bowing respectfully and saying:

"Congratulations..."

Li Qinghong simply waved her hand to cut him off, lowering her voice: "Listen carefully." She took a purple jade pendant from her robes and handed it to Li Minggong. "Although the demonic cultivators here have been repelled, I don't know the situation at the other locations, and I must go and check. This jade pendant is effective for three days. If any demonic cultivators attack, crush it, and I will rush here."

Li Qinghong, still not at ease, instructed him: "Just tell those below that I am healing in the cave abode. Do not disclose this matter, lest morale be shaken and news leaks."

"Minggong understands," Li Minggong replied. He nodded in agreement, then said with some difficulty: "But Grand Aunt's injuries have not yet been treated, and you're going to reinforce other places..."

"It's nothing serious," Li Qinghong replied. She used the pills to suppress her injuries, feeling only a slight constriction in her chest, and smiled: "I am at the late Foundation Establishment stage. Of the two, one was at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage and the other at the early Foundation Establishment stage. What can they do to me? Li Wushao is somewhat weaker; I don't know if he can hold his ground. I must go and see. We cannot afford a defeat there, losing him, Li Wen, and An Siming's lives."

Li Minggong was speechless for a moment, then respectfully and tactfully said: "Minggong's cultivation is shallow, and I cannot clearly discern the situation. I only hope Grand Aunt prioritizes her own safety."

"Don't worry," she assured him. She instructed Li Minggong to watch carefully. Then she rode the lightning out of the formation. In the distant northern sky, countless radiant lights ascended. Dazzling golden light and crimson flames surged forth, sweeping towards them.

The black clouds in the sky were forcefully severed for six breaths before slowly closing again. Li Qinghong looked closely and saw that in the direction of Bianyan Mountain, water and fire descended simultaneously, and golden wood soared. It was likely that several Foundation Establishment cultivators had perished at the same time.

She was closer to Bianyan Mountain from her current location. She vaguely saw a hazy expanse of blood mist in the western mountains and forests, as if drops of crimson rain were falling gently.

"Bianyan Mountain is also under attack... Uncle and Xizhi might both be there..."

She anxiously gazed around, confirming that there was no dazzling golden rain in this phenomenon. She reassured herself a few times, then flew eastward for another quarter of an hour. At the pass, rumbling sounds echoed, and a giant snake weaved through the air. Surprisingly, five figures were battling together.

Two of them were Qingchi cultivators, each locked in combat with a demonic cultivator. Li Wushao had transformed into his true form, a giant dark black snake. Two hooks at his tail whistled through the air, continuously resisting the golden light emitted by the Buddhist cultivator before him.

"There's also a Buddhist cultivator!"

Li Qinghong arrived a bit late; the battle had reached a critical point. Their side was gradually being pushed back, almost retreating into their formation. Li Wushao was covered in golden imprints, hissing in pain repeatedly.

She brushed her black hair behind her ear, holding her spear as she approached. She unhesitatingly chose to reinforce her own cultivators, but after flying only a few miles forward, she suddenly frowned.

"Kong Heng is also here..."

Li Qinghong immediately had a different idea. She concealed her presence and disappeared from sight.

Li Wushao's situation was indeed miserable. He was being relentlessly battered by the Buddhist cultivator. His body was covered in golden palm prints, hissing and emitting black smoke. For every point of spiritual power the opponent used, he needed two to neutralize it.

This kindly-looking old man was a master of the Great Desire school. When he arrived, he spoke gently, introducing himself as Master Yuxin. Upon seeing Li Wushao for the first time, he even praised his physique.

Li Wushao dared not believe a word he said. He felt that, apart from Kong Heng, all masters were deranged individuals whom he normally wished to avoid at all costs. But currently, there was no other option; he had to face him head-on.

Yuxin fought bare-handed, his face beaming with smiles, yet his attacks were anything but weak. Throughout the fight, his golden palm nearly took half of Li Wushao's life! Li Wushao's sinister snake eyes were already filled with hatred.

"If not for undergoing the 'Six Weirs Life-Matching Special Method' twice," Li Wushao thought, "and the exceptionally powerful spiritual items Xijun used that allowed me to refine my body... I would probably have long ago perished at the hands of this old man..."

Before Li Wushao could even feel relieved, the kindly-looking old man smiled, looked at him, and his lips moved, beginning to hum.

"You!"

Li Wushao instantly felt his mind shattering like mountain rocks. Thoughts stirred in his heart, and various illusions appeared before him. He quickly flicked his tongue and thought to himself: "Kong Henger was right back then. These guys know something called 'Honored Cultivator's Subduing Incantation'; they truly like to stir my demon heart. I must thank him when I get back!"

He also flicked his tongue, reciting a series of incantations to slowly steady his mind. Yuxin's kindly-looking expression, which had remained unchanged throughout, finally shifted, and he said in alarm: "The Northern World Venerable Path?! Little snake, who taught you this!"

Seeing his expression change, Li Wushao felt immense satisfaction. He hissed, flicking his tongue, and cursed: "Your father taught your grandfather!"

After he finished cursing, Yuxin's expression subtly changed. He said softly: "Rebellious beast... disrespectful tongue! Wait till I capture you..."

Yuxin seemed truly enraged, golden light spreading over his body. He pushed a palm forward, which transformed into a large golden seal, descending upon Li Wushao. Li Wushao's scales bristled in fright, and only then did he realize the monk hadn't used his true abilities before.

"Damn it..."

Li Wushao wanted to curse him even more, but after finishing his curse, he hurriedly dodged backward. His body rapidly shrank, drilling nimbly downwards. To his surprise, the seal also shrank, following him like a shadow and pressing down.

"Clang..."

A crisp clang echoed in the air. Li Wushao cursed loudly, but felt no pain. He quickly turned to look, only to see a monk with narrow eyes, holding a bronze staff, calmly blocking the attack.

'Kong Heng!'

Li Wushao was stunned for a moment. He realized that Kong Heng had dealt with the demonic cultivators stationed at his location and had rushed over to provide assistance. He immediately shouted: "Yuxin! Your dad's here!"

Kong Heng glanced at him, a faint smile on his face. He offered a word of apology. Yuxin's expression, facing him, gradually became serious, and he said solemnly: "So it is a fellow daoist of ancient cultivation... Yuxin greets Elder."

"I am not worthy of being called an Elder. I am Kong Heng, and I greet the Great Desire Cultivator."

Yuxin, a master of the Great Desire school, his eyes shining brightly, said: "Our meeting is by fate. Yuxin only hopes to thoroughly debate scriptures with the Elder to complete my Buddhist teachings..."

Kong Heng said gently: "This humble monk is not good at debating scriptures, so let us cease." Kong Heng had also encountered masters of the Great Desire school before. These cultivators practice based on a single thought in their hearts, "My desire is me." He genuinely wasn't confident he could win a debate against this old monk. Not daring to converse further with him, he picked up his staff and swung it down forcefully.

The two immediately engaged in a fierce battle in the air, golden lights flashing dazzlingly. Li Wushao understood the situation and went to assist the two Qingchi cultivators.

Demonic cultivators were all cautious and self-serving. As soon as they saw the situation, they feigned a show of intimidation, then immediately transformed into black smoke. Demonic cultivators' life-saving abilities were far superior to immortal cultivators'. Even when surrounded by three opponents, they still transformed into black smoke and flew away. The spot was left empty, not even a single magical artifact remained.

Li Wushao looked back. Kong Heng and Yuxin were each performing spells, reciting scriptures, filling the sky with golden flowers that rained down, emitting various fragrant aromas.

His snake eyes narrowed slightly. He could also see yellow smoke billowing from the sandy ground beneath his feet. Several jackals were quietly squatting on the ground, having even discarded their carrion, simply listening intently.

The two cultivators and one demon exchanged glances and simultaneously rode the wind to surround him. Yuxin was not foolish; he had already been paying attention and bid farewell: "A pleasure to meet you today. If there is time, I will seek out the Elder again..."

His voice echoed hollowly above the yellow sand. The spell he had long been secretly preparing was unleashed. His body transformed into falling golden petals, instantly appearing several miles away, poised to leave.

They had fought for a full hour, and Li Wushao and the others were almost all injured. They hadn't even obtained a single Foundation Establishment cultivator's storage bag, so how could they give up? They all rode the wind in pursuit.

Yuxin, however, shifted his form, flying faster and faster. He secretly nodded: "Good, Kong Heng. If I could converse with him, my cultivation should improve. As for this group of fools... if they continue to pursue, they'll lose their lives!"

He raised his long white eyebrows, feeling smug, but his expression slowly faded. Yuxin's spiritual sense stirred, and he grit his teeth, saying: "Which fellow daoist!"

Before him appeared a figure in white robes, accompanied by purple lightning. She forcefully blocked his path, her long spear pointing directly at him. The female cultivator said coldly: "Where is the Master going?"

Yuxin glanced at her eyes and brows. His heart stirred, and he looked at her twice more, saying: "A lightning cultivator..."

Before he could react, Li Qinghong, standing before him, showed him no courtesy whatsoever. Though she had asked a question, her lightning spear was already thrusting straight at him. Yuxin waved his palm to receive it, seemingly unimpressed: "My Great Desire school is different from demonic cultivation; I do not fear your lightning..."

To his surprise, a thunderous roar echoed. A large burst of bright white sparks erupted from Yuxin's palm, and he cried out in pain. He withdrew his hand like lightning, and upon closer inspection, his palm was completely charred.

He immediately became serious, and golden light flared around his body again. His expression was grave, as the Qingchi cultivators and Kong Heng behind him had already drawn near.

"This is bad."

Over Moon-Gazing Lake, the starlight was bright. Li Zhouwei landed on Qingdu Peak.

The family residence was much emptier now, and Qingdu Peak seemed even more deserted. He took a few steps forward; only the elder Li Xuanxuan was seated in the hall.

The Li family had dispatched numerous personnel. Li Xuanxuan emerged from his cave abode and only realized the house was mostly empty. He rushed to ask Li Xijun, but only when the elder arrived in the hall did he learn that Li Xijun had already gone out to patrol the lake.

At this moment, he held the roster in his hand, frowning as he read. His aged hand extended a finger, tracing over names one by one, calculating which lineage each belonged to and who their ancestors were.

Li Zhouwei entered the hall. Upon seeing his precious young master, the wrinkles on his face relaxed. His spiritual sense checked: "Fourth level of Qi Condensation... good..."

He pointed a finger at the roster and said: "This... this was decided by your father? Why wasn't I informed of such a major matter? Why was Yuexiang sent out!"

"It was Qingdu's command," Li Zhouwei replied. Li Zhouwei, with his broad shoulders, sat heavily in a seat and acknowledged. Li Xuanxuan then just said: "Xijun, that child..."

Li Zhouwei understood that involving Li Xuanxuan in this matter would likely only add more trouble. But the elder said: "Both of you, neither of you show pity for your own siblings..."

Li Zhouwei listened quietly as he rambled for a while. Li Xuanxuan suddenly remembered and said: "With the East Sea in such chaos, why not have Uncle Cheng come back?"

Li Zhouwei agreed with a single word, then remained silent. Li Xuanxuan held his breath for a moment, then sighed and asked: "Why is that Ning family drawing so many of our family's personnel? I heard Qingchi Sect only asked for 50%, but he seems to just take as much as he wants... If I were there, I'd give him a piece of my mind!"

Li Zhouwei cupped his hands in response, merely saying: "Qingchi cannot be trusted. I only heard that Grand-uncle Xijun received the Bright Frost Pine Ridge, and his cultivation is growing ever higher. From now on, he will no longer be easily angered, focusing only on clear benefits."

Li Xuanxuan was stunned for a moment, took a sip of tea, and sighed repeatedly. Then he saw a middle-aged man hastily approaching from below, with a benevolent appearance, carrying a long spear on his back, and at the eighth level of Qi Condensation.

This person was An Siwei, son of An Zheyuan. His younger brother An Siming had gone north, while he remained by Li Xijun's side. At this moment, he hastily bowed, his usually calm face filled with excitement: "My Lord! There's news from Xu State!"

Li Xuanxuan immediately rose from his seat, his aged face filled with trepidation. Forgetting to put his teacup back on the table, he hurriedly said: "Speak! Wait... where's Xijun!"

"He caught several demonic cultivators heading south and is currently interrogating them on the lake. He sent me back to report first! Both Demonic and Buddhist paths have descended south simultaneously. The Great Desire, Compassionate, and Empty Void Paths have all been mobilized. The Tuoba and Murong great demonic clans, as well as the Helian and Xiangli families from Tiefu Kingdom... all the minor clans have also been dispatched. Demonic energy rolls, golden light fills the sky..."

An Siwei said in a deep voice: "The Murong family and the Great Desire Foundation Establishment cultivators were ambushed midway, intercepted by Golden Feather Sect cultivators. Li Xuanfeng of Qingchi led his forces out of the pass, simultaneously intercepting reinforcements and utterly defeating the northern cultivators..."

"My Lord, wielding his bow, in a quarter of an hour, shot and killed Murong Wu of the Murong family's Desert Xuanjia and Buddhist Elder Yu Gan... Murong Wu's spirit and form were utterly destroyed, while Yu Gan reincarnated... After killing the two, My Lord spat out golden blood, and his immortal bowstring snapped. A Great Desire spiritual beast seized the opportunity to lunge forward. My Lord scoffed, held it firmly, and then tore it apart... turning it into a sky full of blood rain... terrifying twenty-one high-level Buddhist and Demonic cultivators into holding their breath... It is said they paused for a full six breaths... and no one dared to speak until the blood rain had completely stopped falling..."

An Siwei finished speaking in one breath, saying with a mix of joy and alarm: "Now... now the entire Xu State knows of the Immortal Bow of Bianyan Mountain!"