Chapter 567: One Side

“Reporting, True Master… after the incident at Qingsong Temple, Yuan Wu died suddenly. That fiend was preoccupied with his own troubles and had no opportunity to bother our family…” Li Chengliao answered respectfully. Tulong Jian nodded slightly, resting a hand on the table, and said, “Yuan Wu was impetuous and malicious; he must have suffered greatly before his death. Yuan Wu Peak is in chaos. Given his temperament, even his own family feared him.” Li Chengliao noticed Tulong Jian’s unexpectedly deep familiarity with Yuan Wu, and even the Tang and Yu families, and his heart stirred slightly. Tulong Jian, however, fell into thought: “Back then, Guo E, Yu Xiuxian, Zhang Lingshu, Cheng Mianfu, and Zhang Cuotian… several of them entered the Illusion Mirror Heaven together. A dispute arose midway, killing most of them, and only a few escaped…”

“Guo E claimed he was forced by Yuan Wu to remain in hiding, and being gravely injured and on the verge of death, he had no choice but to refine himself into the Six Ding Combined Fire Token… falling into slumber, and was brought out by Zhang Lingshu… But how did Zhang Lingshu die?”

“He said that before he came to the Heavy Yang Hall, there was a cushion on the side of the steps outside the hall, also holding a jade box, which Zhang Cuotian took. It is now lost.”

“And where did the jade stone Zhang Lingshu took truly end up? After Cheng Mianfu’s death, who took his spirit sword at that time?” Though he was extremely gentle with his friends, he was not without guard and vigilance. His mind stirred like lightning, but outwardly he merely sipped his tea, his gaze lingering on the white ape before his train of thought abruptly broke off.

“This is…” Tulong Jian’s pupils briefly flashed red. Activating his Purple Mansion divine ability, fragments of memories were instantly brought forth. He abruptly stood up: “Have you ever been to this mountain, sir?” The white ape was neither servile nor arrogant, merely bowing and saying, “This old ape was fortunate enough to grind medicine here for over ten years and has indeed seen the True Master.”

“Indeed!” The white ape’s current appearance was completely different from before, though its aura bore some resemblance. Tulong Jian used his divine ability to compare, and his heart trembled slightly. He spoke with a complex tone, “You’ve certainly had another encounter… and now you’ve reached Foundation Establishment, even True Qi cultivation… why don’t you tell me about it?” The white ape bowed and said solemnly, “Reporting, True Master, after the mountain gate was shattered, this white ape was captured by the Yu family. I was chained by the neck with cold iron, beaten with iron whips, and encountered a demonic calamity in the market. Fortunately, I was saved by my master and have been indebted to his kindness ever since.”

Tulong Jian lowered his eyebrows, his voice a little hoarse, and asked, “When the demonic cultivators attacked the mountain gate, the Sect Master sent me out through a secret passage, then he turned back again.”

“I originally wanted to go back and check, but I was discovered and pursued by demonic cultivators. I fled for a thousand miles and fortunately killed that demonic cultivator… I wonder what happened within the sect afterward?” The white ape’s voice was deep as he replied, “The Sect Master fought three enemies alone and his body was refined alive. The Junior Martial Uncle was beheaded at the foot of the mountain… Demonic smoke billowed, and the demonic cultivators even used his head to eat the Senior Martial Brother. All the cultivators quickly perished.”

“I protected the Second Miss and fled for a few miles, but my magic power was exhausted, and we fell from the sky. This old servant’s body was half-shattered, and the Second Miss also died.”

“This old servant lay on that muddy ground for a long time. Fortunately, the demonic cultivators ran rampant, and other monsters scattered, so no beasts came to eat me. This old servant crawled out with his hands, drank a few mouthfuls of muddy water, dug a cave dwelling, and thus miraculously survived.” Tulong Jian remained silent for a full ten seconds, then his voice choked as he asked, “What about my father?” When the white ape spoke of this, his tone could no longer remain calm, revealing a hint of hoarseness: “The Protector’s body was exceptionally strong, which the demonic cultivators quite liked. The demonic cultivators carried him as they flew over the mountains. This old ape, barely alive below, listened as the demons played drinking games, dividing his flesh and blood, until their sounds faded into the distance.”

Tulong Jian closed his eyes. Li Chengliao felt his heart pound wildly, his feet grew hot, and all the blood rushed to his head. A dim light flickered twice in the True Master’s palm and then extinguished. As if sensing his discomfort, these strange sensations immediately vanished. After a full fifteen minutes, Tulong Jian opened his eyes and said softly, “I understand. You will come with me to the mountains and point out these locations one by one. I will use my divine ability to search and see if I can find any remains.” The white ape looked at Li Chengliao, and seeing him nod, he left with Tulong Jian. The young True Master merely left a message: “Chengliao, wait here; someone will soon invite you up the mountain for a banquet.”

Li Chengliao saw them out, and only then did the sweat flowing down his face begin to subside slightly. He looked down at the ground again, and the bluestone was intermittently emitting a red glow. “Male Fire Female Water… it is exceedingly rare now… and its power is difficult to gauge, especially at the Purple Mansion realm.” He wished to stay in the cave dwelling, but it was exceptionally hot, and even his magic power was heated and dissipated, making it truly unbearable. He had no choice but to step out of the cave and wait patiently by the stone door.

Li Chengliao paused for a moment, and indeed, a person descended by wind, speaking respectfully: “The banquet on the mountain has been prepared. Please take your seat first, fellow Daoist.” Li Chengliao naturally understood that at such grand events, Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining cultivators were expected to take their seats early and wait, often for three or four hours before a Purple Mansion cultivator appeared. “The current situation is unusual; there should be fewer Purple Mansion cultivators attending.” As he was pondering this, he saw a group of people descend ahead, arriving by wind. Each wore bright green robes, adorned with white jade and radiant Daoist crowns, and carried unusual artifacts. “Qingchi Immortaries… presenting precious medicines and spirit artifacts… to congratulate the True Master…” Li Chengliao listened as the person at the front announced them, then he understood they were Qingchi cultivators. Each exuded youthful vigor, conversing freely. The leader was handsome and seemed to be from the Chi family.

He did not immediately take his seat but quietly observed from the side. He saw the leader take his seat, eagerly pulling the young man beside him into conversation, and his gaze was immediately drawn to the young man to the left of the Chi family member. This young man had an unrestrained and unruly demeanor, with one hand resting on the table and the other foot propped on a cushion at a nearby table. The expression in his brows was quite dismissive, yet his eyebrows were sharp and long, and his eyes were slightly narrow and elongated; if he were to become serious, he would appear quite fierce. He felt the young man’s face was familiar and harbored some suspicions. Feigning a search for a seat, he walked past the group’s table and overheard the Chi family member laugh and say, “Yuan Qin! Your cultivation has advanced so much these past few days! You truly are the legitimate son of that Immortal Bow!” This remark, whispered very lightly, reached Li Chengliao’s ears. He immediately reacted, feeling both joy and surprise: “It’s him…”

The disdainful young man’s gaze swept across the seats, as if searching for something, and he casually remarked, “What’s the use if the old man refuses to teach me real skills? Brother Fu Bo, why not talk about something else… Chi Fujun went to the northern cave dwelling ruins, and we’re stuck here eating and drinking…” These words made Li Chengliao’s heart sink. Chi Fu Bo’s expression instantly darkened as he set down his jade cup, his voice gradually lowering: “Yuan Qin is right… But the Thirty-Six Peaks still have nine peaks in the main branch… It won’t be easy to defeat him… I’ve tried the method we discussed, and Uncle does have some suspicions about him…” Li Chengliao, fearing discovery by this group, quickly moved away. White mist slowly rose among the tables, completely obscuring their conversation. He walked to the end and then carefully turned to look back.

Through a gap in the cloud-like mist, which was slowly enveloping the area, he happened to meet that disdainful yet malicious gaze. The disdainful young man held a pair of jade chopsticks, idly turning over a few spiritual fruits. Li Chengliao’s heart thumped. Fortunately, the young man did not seem to have noticed him, merely lost in thought. His lips slightly parted and closed, forming words decisively and quickly, then his gaze shifted away. As the mist fully enveloped the area, Li Chengliao stepped to the side of the seats, that gaze still vivid in his mind, feeling a mix of emotions that he could not quite describe.

…………

Yan Mountain.

Li Xuanfeng had just emerged from seclusion, slowly stepping out of his cave dwelling. He was drinking a cup of tea in front of the main hall when Ning Heyuan rushed forward. As Ning Heyuan approached, he was startled by the middle-aged man before him. Upon closer inspection, he recognized Li Xuanfeng, noting his sharp eyebrows, fierce demeanor, and the faint platinum glow emanating from his body. He quickly congratulated him: “Congratulations, brother-in-law, on your great increase in strength and regaining your youth!” Li Xuanfeng was still somewhat unaccustomed to his current appearance, his brows lowered slightly. Even without any particular expression, this face radiated vigor and courage. He replied, “No need to be polite… How long has it been since I went into seclusion? Have there been any incidents?”

“Less than half a year!” Ning Heyuan quickly lowered his voice. “In the past six months, first Tang Shendu took advantage of Tuoba Chongyuan’s death to raid Baixiang Valley, reclaiming most of the lost territory, even expanding a few miles northward in some places. Subsequently, there were life-and-death battles, with losses on both the northern and southern sides, but no major changes thereafter.”

“However, in recent months, demonic cultivators have suffered repeated setbacks and lost many cultivators… Many cave dwelling ruins have also fallen from the sky, two of them quite large, covering a hundred miles. Many people have gone there to contend for opportunities.” Li Xuanfeng listened, nodding lightly. He had already seen Ning Heyuan’s hurried manner and surmised there was most likely something important to discuss, so he waited for him to speak. Indeed, after just two seconds, Ning Heyuan said solemnly, “Brother-in-law, on the demonic cultivators’ side, two new individuals from the Murong family have arrived… said to be quite powerful. It’s estimated that the demonic cultivators will move south again in the next two months. Chi Ziyan has asked me about you several times in a row; perhaps he has some ideas.” Li Xuanfeng was not in a hurry; he changed the subject and asked, “How is the spiritual armor reforging coming along?”

Ning Heyuan suddenly remembered and replied, “It’s ready, of course! I’ll have someone bring it to you right away, brother-in-law!” He gave the order, then turned and said, “Brother-in-law, two more True Masters have appeared in Jiangnan in the past six months…” Ning Heyuan introduced them one by one. Tulong Jian, of course, needed no introduction. The other was an Immortal Cultivator from the State of Wu who had achieved the Purple Mansion realm. He was from the Ni family in Wu State, located on the western edge of Da Xiyuan, so there hadn’t been much commotion concerning him.

“Tulong Jian’s breakthrough… someone is truly restless even in their sleep!” A hint of a smile appeared on Li Xuanfeng’s grim face. After all, this was rare good news for the Li family. The addition of a Purple Mansion cultivator close to their family could potentially save several lives and alleviate much hardship. “Reporting, Daoist, our master summons!” Just as he was introducing them, the Chi family members arrived without delay. Before his words had even finished echoing, two people came up to the hall, together carrying a suit of gleaming platinum armor, dazzling and bright, radiating a faint white glow. This armor had not yet been named, but Li Xuanfeng had specifically ordered many “Bright Yang” treasures to be added during its creation, most of which he had exchanged for and contributed himself, spending more than half of his storage bag. Li Xuanfeng had no time to examine the armor closely; he casually put it away, then strode out. Ning Heyuan followed closely behind him, and both rose by wind, landing in front of the main hall.

Chi Ziyan was observing a map. Seeing the two enter, he casually waved his hand, and Ning Heyuan immediately wisely withdrew. Chi Ziyan enthusiastically approached and asked, “What kind of Immortal Foundation has Daoist obtained?” Li Xuanfeng nodded slightly, but his heart had already grasped the situation: 'Either Chi Ziyan knows exactly what kind of pill the Gengjin Three Qi Pill is, or there’s a tacit understanding and consensus among the true core direct line of Qingchi regarding this matter…' “It is the Heavenly Gold Armor.” Upon hearing this, Chi Ziyan nodded with satisfaction and delight. “True Master truly has foresight! The Heavenly Gold Armor is extraordinary to begin with; combined with Senior Xuanfeng’s archery, it will surely ensure these demonic cultivators never return!”

Li Xuanfeng clasped his hands in a gesture of courtesy. Chi Ziyan pulled him forward, lightly drawing a circle on the map, encompassing a stretch of mountain forest. He said solemnly, “This place is Chengshuiling, once the royal mausoleum of the Ning Kingdom. The terrain is flat, but the spiritual energy is very profound, making it highly suitable for setting up formations. Hence, the Murong family’s demonic cultivators are stationed there.”

“New demonic cultivators from the Murong family have come down this time. Only Senior Xuanfeng can break through them. Senior, take the forces I’ve assigned and advance up the river. I’ve already ordered Tang Shendu to attack from the other side, and Yu Su to cut them off from the south…” His gaze was eager, his voice deep: “Previously, Tuoba Chongyuan made us suffer such a great loss; now it’s time to strike back!” Li Xuanfeng heard this and knew it was not an easy task. He sighed inwardly and asked, “May I know which capable forces I should lead?” Chi Ziyan smiled and replied, “We will deploy from Yan Mountain Pass! The cultivators here have won repeated victories these days, truly achieving significant merits, and they are also the contingent with the fewest injuries. Li Qinghong, Lin Gulan Ying, and others are all outstanding among Foundation Establishment cultivators…”

Li Xuanfeng’s heart chilled as he heard this, thinking, ‘This means all the Foundation Establishment cultivators of my entire clan will be sent into battle… Well, it’s better under my command than under Tang Shendu or Yu Su… At least I can look after them.’ ‘Moreover, if I agree to this, I won’t have to leave seclusion to fight again for at least a year or two…’ He carefully examined the map. The three forces would perfectly intercept this group of demonic cultivators. Even if the demonic cultivators scattered, they would only run into Yu Su’s forces, and thus would not pose a direct threat to Yan Mountain Pass, where all the Foundation Establishment cultivators would be deployed. ‘At least Chi Ziyan is unwilling to lose combat power without reason… That’s why he’s putting the Li family’s Foundation Establishment cultivators under my command.’ As for Li Xizhi, who was under Tang Shendu, it was the old tactic of forcing mutual support. Li Xuanfeng checked the list and, as expected, found many Tang and Yu family members among his subordinates. Chi Ziyan discussed for a while with him. Li Xuanfeng nodded in agreement, accepted a token, and flew out. Ning Heyuan had been waiting for a long time outside the hall. Li Xuanfeng merely threw out the roster and said solemnly, “Order all cultivators from Yan Mountain Pass to come see me in the mountains within three days!”