Chapter 558: True Qi

His mind raced. Since the Li family members before him remained silent, Miao Ye had no choice but to continue the conversation, speaking in a low voice:

“I’ve come this time to clear up some misunderstandings…”

“My clan uncle… he encountered your clan’s immortal maiden in the East Sea. He was suddenly overwhelmed with excitement upon seeing an elder’s magic artifact.”

“He’s a rash character, and upon seeing that spear, he couldn’t control himself. I heard he had some dispute with your esteemed elder… I’ve come specifically for this matter…”

Although Miao Ye had a rugged appearance, his words revealed a shrewdness beneath his rough exterior. His language was tactful, but the Li family members were not easily deceived. Everyone knew whether Miao Quan’s encounter with Li Qinghong in the East Sea was merely out of sudden excitement or if he had ulterior motives. Li Ximing showed little reaction, and Li Xuanxuan and Li Chengliao’s expressions were nothing more than superficial politeness.

Miao Ye sighed softly and said in a deep voice:

“My clan uncle’s body was severed by the Shen family head, and he nearly lost his demonic embryo. He has already reaped what he sowed. If your esteemed clan can see his miserable end as having gotten your revenge, perhaps you can let go of some of the resentment…”

Li Ximing watched him intently. Only after Miao Ye finished speaking did he reply:

“You’ll need to say that to my aunt. Daoist friend, I’m sure your visit isn’t solely for an apology. Please speak plainly if you have something to say.”

Miao Ye lowered his head and said:

“To be frank, the Duoruo spear that your esteemed elder possesses originally belonged to my Thunder Island… It’s just that many years ago, our elder went out to train in the sea and formed some grievances with the Golden Feather and Azure Pond sects.”

“These grievances… were originally quite confusing. Golden Feather claimed my elder stole their cultivation techniques, while Azure Pond accused him of harboring remnants of the Lingyu Sect and helping the direct lineage of the Chen family escape…”

Miao Ye gave an awkward smile and whispered:

“Heaven help us, my Miao family has been thunder cultivators for generations. At most, we can use some lightning manipulation spells… Although we were later called a demonic sect… how many blood or shamanic arts did we really practice? Not to mention any sophisticated thievery techniques! Someone must have been stirring up trouble!”

Unsure of their attitude towards the Azure Pond and Golden Feather sects, Miao Ye adopted a very tactful tone. While his words sounded pleasant, his underlying meaning was that the Azure Pond and Golden Feather sects had slandered and persecuted them.

The man offered a placating smile, not daring to speak too harshly in front of the Li family, though he surely cursed the two sects terribly in private. He simply said:

“My purpose here this time is to inquire about the origin of this spear! I hope your esteemed clan can reveal some information… If it was obtained elsewhere… did you perhaps see the remains of my elder…”

Upon hearing this, Li Chengliao interjected softly, whispering to Li Xuanxuan:

“This matter is too ancient… does the Great Elder have any recollection?”

Miao Ye immediately tensed up, looking at the old man before him, thinking it reasonable:

“Yes, only by asking these clan elders can I obtain some information.”

Upon hearing this, Li Xuanxuan naturally did not speak first. He quietly asked:

“May I ask what kind of immortal foundation your esteemed elder possessed, and what protective treasures? I do have some impressions, and if you could reveal some details, matching them one by one, I might recall more.”

Miao Ye nodded and quickly replied:

“My elder was named Miao Dushan. He possessed extraordinary talent, merging thunder techniques with demonic arts through his own efforts, thus establishing the cultivation lineage of my Thunder Island… He should have had several precious demonic cultivation manuals on him. His mount was a Kansu Python… quite large in size and skilled at controlling water.”

“He also had a spiritual artifact called the Heavenly Yin Primordial Pearl, entirely blood-red… it should have been only palm-sized, but its records were lost many years ago, and its exact appearance is no longer remembered.”

The speaker had no intention, but the listener paid close attention. Li Xuanxuan, who was nearby, grew alert. He had been a direct witness to the events of that year and clearly remembered that the Duoruo spear was obtained from a snake demon’s cave.

And that snake demon’s cave was right beneath their feet, connected to Qingdu Mountain, now known as Qingdu Cave Abode!

“At that time, several items were obtained: two books, a spear, and a bead… The Blood Demon Scripture was reclaimed by Zhang Yun of the Golden Feather Sect, and the Great Rivers Mausoleum Sutra remains unreadable in our treasury.”

“As for that blood bead… it was found on the snake demon’s remains. Zhang Yun said it was a demonic core… So, each person took two items and left.”

Li Xuanxuan’s pupils slightly dilated, and his mind reeled:

“Not a demonic core! How could it be a demonic core?!”

His heart was tumultuous. The truth he had suddenly discovered left him feeling profoundly uneasy. He had heard Li Tongya describe this event personally, even knowing the exact conversation between the two.

“Zhang Yun and my paternal uncle each chose an item. He had a slight advantage over my uncle and chose the demonic core first…”

At that time, the Li family barely possessed any magic artifacts, and Li Tongya was merely a qi-refining cultivator whose own artifacts were tattered. How could he possibly recognize the value of a Foundation Establishment artifact?

“A demonic core from a Foundation Establishment demon… how could it compare to this Duoruo spear!”

Later, the family gradually acquired Foundation Establishment artifacts and had seen Li Wushao’s demonic core, which was merely a treasure that emitted cold air and couldn’t compare to a Foundation Establishment artifact at all. The Li family members often explained this by saying the demon had failed to break through to the Purple Palace realm, and perhaps its demonic core possessed some divine properties. Now, after hearing Miao Ye’s words, how could Li Xuanxuan not understand!

“Goodness… No wonder Zhang Yun was so composed… He actually quietly took away a Purple Palace spiritual artifact! These items in the cave were not obtained by a snake demon at all, but rather, the Kansu Python was guarding Miao Dushan’s remains after his meditation and passing!”

“Moreover… Zhang Yun even claimed to be reclaiming the Blood Demon Scripture, but the Blood Demon Scripture is very likely not an item of the Golden Feather Sect! It’s probably a scripture of Miao Dushan of the Miao family!”

“He took the valuable items but left behind the Duoruo spear, which revealed its owner’s identity… The Miao family, searching all this time, would naturally come to our family asking for their belongings…”

“If Qinghong hadn’t been so strong and met Miao Quan at just the right time, she might have been forcefully robbed by him, her life endangered. Once the enmity was formed… who would still care about the initial rights and wrongs?”

“As for encountering a Miao family Purple Palace realm cultivator… there would have been no chance to even speak…”

His thoughts flashed for a moment, and he couldn’t help but feel a deep melancholy:

“Zhang Yun wasn’t even the foremost among the younger generation of the Golden Feather Sect back then, nor one of the cultivators closest to the Purple Palace realm now, yet his methods were evident… he was a cut above Chi Zhiyun.”

Li Xuanxuan’s thoughts circled in his mind. Miao Ye was still staring blankly at him. Li Xuanxuan paused, then asked:

“Has your esteemed clan come for the Duoruo spear?”

Miao Ye hesitated for a moment before replying:

“Not exactly… My family has been searching for our elder for hundreds of years. Firstly, we hope to return his remains and spiritual transformation to the island. Secondly, we most desire the whereabouts of the Heavenly Yin Primordial Pearl… As for the demonic cultivation methods and artifacts, we merely feel a bit of regret about them.”

‘After all, it’s a Purple Palace spiritual artifact; no family would be willing to part with it…’

Li Xuanxuan remained silent for a moment, unsure how to answer him, and could only say in a low voice:

“Daoist friend, I cannot speak of this.”

Miao Ye didn’t seem surprised. His eyes were fixed intently on the old man as he said in a low voice:

“I understand your meaning, elder, but I don’t know how to convey it. Without a complete account of the cause and effect, I won’t be able to explain it to my family, and it will still lead them to suspect your esteemed clan.”

Fearing that Li Ximing, seated at the head, might flare up, he intentionally emphasized his voice, speaking quickly and urgently:

“A Purple Palace spiritual artifact! Our True Master values it immensely. If not for the conflict between North and South, the vigilance of various clans, and the inopportune timing, he would have already come to visit!”

Li Ximing narrowed his eyes. Li Xuanxuan quickly interjected, saying in a hoarse voice:

“Daoist friend, do you know of my clan’s Moon Gateway Sword?”

Miao Ye nodded:

“I’ve heard a little about it.”

“The Duoruo was obtained by our elder through a wager during his Qi Refinement stage… As for the other items, they were not something my family dared to touch.”

Li Xuanxuan stroked his beard and said in a deep voice:

“If you don’t believe me, this old man has no other way to prove it… Duoruo is currently with Qinghong, who is in the north on a mission to eliminate demons… Naturally, she cannot hand it over to your esteemed clan.”

Miao Ye was silent for a moment, then said softly:

“I understand, junior. I cannot answer my clan regarding this matter right now. Let me investigate first. After some time, I will certainly bring a heavy gift to exchange for the Duoruo.”

The Li family members responded with polite detachment. Miao Ye, his expression somber, retreated to the front of the hall and suddenly asked:

“This matter concerns a deep-seated blood feud, and my family has been suspicious for a century. Miao Ye sincerely asks, after leaving Moon Gazing Lake, should one cross West Screen Mountain and head west, or follow the Mushroom Forest south?”

Li Xuanxuan was silent for a breath, then finally sighed:

“The scenery in the western desert is quite good.”

Miao Ye thanked him twice, then flew into the sky on the wind. Li Ximing leaned back, his posture rigid. The others seemed somewhat somber. Li Xuanxuan explained in a low voice:

“If this matter isn’t handled carefully, we’ll offend Thunder Island again… Once the Duoruo was in our hands, the feud was already formed.”

Li Chengliao was silent. Just as he was about to speak, he looked up as if sensing something. Li Ximing’s eyes lit up even more:

“This!”

Outside the hall, a beam of green light surged, echoing continuously. It formed several snake-dragon-like threads in the air, mixed with golden-blue pure qi rising, intertwining in the sky, appearing dazzling.

After waiting for two breaths, everyone exited the hall. In the sky, scattered crystal-clear pure qi drifted down, spinning as it fell. Upon reaching the water’s surface, it would leap three feet high with a white tail flame, then fall again. For a moment, large areas of the water were filled with leaping pure qi.

“Someone has reached Foundation Establishment…”

Li Ximing looked at the celestial phenomenon in astonishment, unable to identify what kind of immortal foundation it was at first. After some discernment, he mused:

“Neither the Five Virtues nor Yin-Yang, nor the Ancient Synthesis. It seems to be the Twelve Qi.”

As Li Ximing’s voice fell, a clear light rose from the lake. The lake water surged, and an ape leaped out.

This ape had white fur and grey eyes, its gaze ancient and spirited. Crystalline pure qi flowed around its agile body, which was as large as the main hall. Its fists were the size of tabletops, its back and belly covered in stark white fur, and two streams of white qi encircled its wrists, making it look awe-inspiring.

As soon as it emerged from the water, it quickly transformed, donning a white armored vest and changing into a nine-foot-tall elderly man. He landed before the group, his voice like grinding rocks, hoarse and heavy:

“This old ape greets you, sirs.”

“White Ape!”

Li Xuanxuan took two breaths to react. The old man before him had an honest face, with deep-set, ancient eyes and tightly pursed lips. His stature was tall, even a head taller than the already tall Li Ximing.

“He’s achieved an immortal foundation!”

Li Xuanxuan was truly surprised. To be frank, the White Ape was just a spirit beast of a minor sect. In its early years, it had been displaced and was covered in injuries. When Li Xuanxuan rescued it during the demonic catastrophe, it was riddled with fire poison, and not a single patch of its fur was intact.

In that state, it would have been difficult for it to even live to the natural end of a common demon’s lifespan, let alone aspire to Foundation Establishment. In previous years, when the White Ape entered seclusion for its breakthrough, the chances of success were far lower than Li Xicheng’s had been back then. Li Xuanxuan had truly prepared himself for a parting of life and death.

Now, seeing the old ape’s silent, transformed appearance, Li Xuanxuan was filled with emotion. The elder simply took his hand and asked:

“Old Ape, it’s good that you’re alive… Foundation Establishment demons live even longer…”

The White Ape, as always, preferred not to speak. He simply bowed to the three, saying hoarsely:

“This old servant, following his bloodline, has cultivated the Immortal Foundation of Stone Embrace Sleep, belonging to the True Qi of the Twelve Qi.”

His voice was low and hoarse, carrying an air of steadfastness. He quickly fell silent. Li Ximing then asked again:

“This is the first time I’ve seen such a thing. What are the effects of this immortal foundation?”

“Stone Embrace Sleep cultivates prolonged vitality, restores muscle and bone to their true state, and merges the body with True Qi. It breaks through illusions and understands human hearts. The longer one lives, the more powerful the immortal foundation becomes.”

Li Ximing was somewhat interested and couldn’t help but ask:

“How old are you now? And how much lifespan do you have left?”

“As a mortal, 211 years. In embryonic breathing state, 65 years. In Qi Refinement, 177 years. I am now 453 years old.”

The old ape’s voice was ancient, like a stone falling in an empty valley:

“My clan inherently has a long lifespan, and now that I’ve cultivated such an immortal foundation, a rough estimate suggests I have over 400 more years of life.”

Li Ximing showed a hint of envy, glancing at the two people beside him, and sighed:

“That’s equivalent to three times our lifespan…”

However, his expression quickly brightened. He promptly took a jade pendant from his bosom and handed it to the old ape, saying joyfully:

“Since you’ve achieved Foundation Establishment, the duty of patrolling the lake falls to you! If anything happens, immediately crush this jade pendant, and I will come out of seclusion to help.”

Li Ximing seemed relieved. Li Xuanxuan smiled at the sight, pulled the old ape closer, scrutinized him with satisfaction for a moment, and chuckled in a hoarse voice:

“Old friend… you truly have profound good fortune!”

The old ape noticed his somewhat heavy expression and used the pure qi from his own body to nourish Li Xuanxuan’s aged frame. He said gently:

“This old servant spent three hundred years pounding herbs, witnessing numerous calamities, often unable to save those in need. Now that I have achieved my Dao, whether it brings fortune or misfortune is yet unknown.”

Bianyan Mountain.

Compared to the bright and joyful atmosphere in the main hall of Qingdu Mountain, Bianyan Mountain appeared gloomier. Several heavy clouds drifted through the mountains, and cultivators moved up and down within the somber peaks.

Yet, the main hall, slightly to the left of the center, was silent. Two rows of cultivators stood in the spacious Dharma Hall, while the white floor tiles in the very center remained empty. The entire group kept their heads bowed and brows lowered, daring not to speak.

The oppressive atmosphere lasted for a long time. Ning Heyuan’s forehead showed a slight sheen of sweat. He glanced at his brother-in-law, Li Xuanfeng, who had just been called out of seclusion and stood across from him. The elder’s expression was calm; from his appearance, it was impossible to tell if he still had injuries. Yet, simply by standing there, he exuded a sense of pressure:

‘I don’t know if he knows, damn it… How did Tuoba Chongyuan personally come out! It’s clearly not time yet… What are the Purple Palace cultivators thinking…’

Chi Zhiyan, at the head of the hall, remained silent. Ning Heyuan finally couldn’t hold back and whispered:

“Reporting, my lord… Tuoba Chongyuan, the second son of the Tuoba family… personally led an assault on Baixiang Valley…”

As he finished speaking, he indeed saw the old man across from him slowly raise his head. Although his expression wasn’t fierce, his eyes, as they surveyed, seemed like two profound arrows piercing through, silencing the entire hall.