Chapter 561: 拓跋故事

Li Xizhi had spent several months on Fu Chenfeng’s territory, and the injuries within his body had finally stabilized. His ‘Cai Che Yun Qu’ technique was skilled at dissolving foreign magical energy in his system, which greatly aided his recovery.

Upon closer inspection, the most severe consequence was merely the loss of a dozen years of his lifespan. The elixirs from the Azure Pool Sect were remarkably potent. His father, Li Yuanjiao, used to rely solely on his own magical power for healing, often requiring several years of secluded cultivation for a single injury. In contrast, Li Xizhi saw initial results within a few months after taking the medicine.

He intended to continue his secluded recovery, but soon someone came looking for him. Li Quantao had sent someone to convey greetings, and it turned out Yu Yuwei had found them.

Li Xizhi was slightly surprised. However, having just escaped a life-or-death crisis with this person, there might be important news. He quickly emerged from seclusion to meet him.

Li Quantao was waiting at the formation's edge. This brother, similar in age to him, often had a smile on his face. Li Xizhi felt grateful towards him and thanked him again, softly saying, “Quantao, we are both of the Li clan. You can consider me your own brother from now on!”

Li Quantao, with his strong arms and a touch of boldness, replied, "That's wonderful! Brother Zhi, there's no need to be polite!"

The two left the cave dwelling together. After a moment's thought, Li Xizhi first asked, "Quanyi from Lenghe Peak was killed by Tuoba Chongyuan, leaving his mother behind in the sect. He entrusted us with her care. Quantao, do you know anything about Lenghe Peak's affairs?"

Li Quantao was surprised and praised him, saying, "That Fellow Daoist Quan was truly filial. When I return to the sect, I will..."

Li Xizhi didn't want to trouble him and quickly waved his hand. "I'm just inquiring about news. I received a favor, so I should return to the sect and visit her personally."

He refused very decisively regarding that matter, secretly keeping something in mind: "I should still ask someone to check on Madam Quan first. People are often snobbish, and I fear that by the time I return to the sect in a few years, the elderly woman might have already suffered much bullying. That would be my failing."

They finished their conversation and had already arrived at the front courtyard. Yu Yuwei was in the courtyard, coughing into his sleeve.

The old man's face was still somewhat pale, but his expression was invigorated, and his aura was even quite intact, indicating he had clearly recovered considerably. Li Xizhi noted that old cultivators, especially those long famous, were indeed resilient, observing that the recent battle seemed not to have fundamentally harmed him.

Li Xizhi respectfully greeted him in a low voice and said, "Senior's power is immense; you saved my life. Xizhi is deeply grateful!"

"I should thank you!" Yu Yuwei, having lost two disciples, showed more dejection in his expression than physical injury. Speaking of this, a somber cloud hung over his brows, and he sighed, "If he hadn't gone after you... I might not have truly escaped with my life. But you, managing to escape his pursuit all the way, that is truly impressive!"

He paused, no longer wasting time on mutual deference, and whispered, "Young friend! Tuoba Chongyuan is dead!"

Li Xizhi had heard some rumors over the past few months. How keen was his perception? Hearing that he was killed by a "dragon kin," he immediately understood. "So Dongfang Heyun finally caught his fish!"

Li Xizhi had a premonition when he heard Tuoba Chongyuan claim to be from the time Emperor Liangwu killed the dragon to establish his nation. He feared that Dongfang Heyun's immediate action would implicate him. However, that fellow was very clever; he was probably waiting near the halberd or the imperial carriage.

He understood in his heart but dared not show it, merely nodding and replying, "Good riddance."

Yu Yuwei chuckled twice, shaking his head. "I was worried Tuoba Chongyuan would return for revenge. Now it's settled; he's simply dead. By the time he reincarnates in a few decades, any animosity will have faded considerably."

Although Li Xizhi had been pursued by this man, he could still discern his character. He said softly, "He doesn't seem like the type to secretly seek revenge."

Yu Yuwei looked at him with a smile, nodded slightly, then took a large purple cauldron from his sleeve. He set it down in the center of the hall with a thud, and immediately a wave of heat washed over them.

The large cauldron had two handles and three legs, with intricate patterns. Purple flames encircled its rim. Yu Yuwei patted it tenderly, his heart aching, and softly said, "That's what I thought, but take a look, fellow Daoist."

Li Xizhi followed his gaze and looked closely. He saw a faint, uneven imprint on the cauldron, seemingly depicting four characters. They were written in a flowing, vigorous script, quite sharp: "Sheng Le Tuoba."

Yu Yuwei shook his head helplessly and sighed, "I used this cauldron to block his natal imprint at the time. It took a severe blow, and this mark was left on it." He continued, "It's probably inherent to his family's magical artifacts. As long as they take a solid hit, an indelible mark is left, indicating that the person encountered was once an enemy of the Tuoba family."

He looked quite troubled, saying in a deep voice, "I've tried all sorts of methods, but I haven't been able to erase this mark... And this cauldron is particularly important, passed down from my ancestors. Most of my cultivation over the years has been invested in it; how could I abandon it?"

Li Xizhi, however, was much more relaxed. Firstly, he had not directly clashed with that large imprint; his injuries were mostly from Tuoba Chongyuan's magical techniques. Secondly, he didn't even possess any proper magical artifacts; the sword he carried was still at the Qi Condensation level, so there was no need for him to worry at all.

Li Xizhi, understanding the implication, nodded as if enlightened. He stared closely at the characters for a moment, and that sense of familiarity surged in his mind again. He thought to himself: "How strange... I felt a sense of familiarity the very first time I saw these characters..."

Seeing him frown in confusion, Yu Yuwei asked a few questions. Li Xizhi replied, "I just find this mark of his familiar..."

"Oh?" Yu Yuwei stroked his beard and asked, "It seems your esteemed clan has records of that Imperial Seal?"

"I'd be glad to hear more." Li Xizhi responded. Yu Yuwei seemed quite patient with him, setting aside his own concerns for a moment and smiling as he said, "Emperor Liangwu, Tuoba Xuantan, possessed an Imperial Seal. It was also the only remaining magical treasure after Shengletian offered two pearls and gained the protection of a True Monarch... The Tuoba family members all enjoy carving seals, and I heard they all use the Imperial Seal as a template."

Li Xizhi frowned as he looked, finally recalling the source of this familiar feeling, a bit stunned. Years ago, when he returned home and met his father, he had seen the name "Li Qianyuan of Wei" on a mysterious pattern vase. Those characters were also in a flowing, vigorous, and sharp style, resembling the imprint on the cauldron by at least seventy percent!

He remained silent for a moment, then asked, "Fellow Daoist, do you know the origin of this Imperial Seal?"

"That's a magical treasure!" Yu Yuwei smiled. Seeing Li Xizhi's serious expression, he recalled for a moment, then hesitated, "I have heard some scattered rumors... that this seal wasn't crafted by Tuoba Xuantan himself, but was an emblem of a vassal state carved much earlier when the Tuoba tribe first settled in Dai Commandery..."

As he spoke, he himself seemed to doubt the reliability of the information, only chuckling, "Who knows? There are also rumors that Tuoba Xuantan was at odds with Mount Luoxia and was actually harmed by someone from there... And some say the rise of the Tuoba family was merely a scheme targeting the dragon kin..."

He sighed, shaking his head, and replied, "Rumors from recent antiquity are a hundred times more numerous than official historical accounts. Although my family's lineage is long-standing, second only to the Yuan family, records from that time are also quite vague..."

Yu Yuwei's smile was somewhat sarcastic as he replied, "All this guessing, but Tuoba Xuantan is dead anyway. There's nothing left to guess."