Chapter 601: Disaster (Part 2)

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The Li family.

Continuous rain fell on Qingdu Mountain, the drops trickling among the treetops. Inside the main hall, it felt a little gloomy. The elder paced several times, clutching a letter in his hand. He called someone over, his heart heavy, and said, "Go, invite the Heir Apparent here."

The letter contained Li Ximing and Li Xizhi's conjectures about the northern and southern situation. Upon receiving it, Li Xuanxuan had only read a few lines when a sense of foreboding washed over him.

"The demonic cultivators in the north have lost control and are swarming south. How can the defenses along the riverbanks possibly hold them back?"

Li Xuanxuan read the letter twice, his heart still unsettled. Li Ximing's advice to send the Heir Apparent to the Eastern Sea essentially revealed his belief that the riverbanks would not be defensible.

The letter also urged Li Xuanxuan and a few others to evacuate to the Eastern Sea, which made the elder frown deeply and sigh heavily.

"How can we abandon the lake and flee? I have lived long enough. If the north falls and the demonic cultivators advance south, reaching Moon-Gazing Lake, I will surely defend until the very last moment...""Should anything happen to our disciples, there must be an explanation. I should lead them to meet our ancestors in the underworld. If our family is destroyed, blood must be shed."

He sat down and pondered for a couple of breaths, feeling much calmer. After a moment, Li Zhouwei arrived, clad in armor. Now eighteen years old, he had reached the seventh layer of Qi Condensation, his spiritual light quite robust, progressing at almost a layer per year.

Although breakthroughs in the later stages of Qi Condensation were particularly difficult, normally requiring several times the effort, if he relied solely on his own cultivation speed, he would likely reach Foundation Establishment around twenty-two or twenty-three years old.

However, the later layers of Qi Condensation were completely different for the Li family. They possessed the Three-Perfection Breakthrough Pill and the Talisman Pill. After a period of accumulation, one could first take the Three-Perfection Breakthrough Pill to break through, then stabilize their foundation before taking the Talisman Pill.

The effects of the Talisman Pill were incomparable to ordinary elixirs. The cultivation boost it provided was as substantial as self-cultivation, perhaps even slightly more perfect, allowing one to immediately attempt Foundation Establishment.

Without waiting for a greeting, Li Xuanxuan waved his hand, pulling him into the hall and handing him the letter. Li Zhouwei glanced at it, frowning. After a moment, Li Xuanxuan saw his golden eyes shift and Li Zhouwei replied, "According to your description, Uncle, the riverbanks likely won't hold."

Li Xuanxuan considered sending him to the Eastern Sea but also worried that his confidence might lead him to insist on staying home to defend. Hesitant for a moment, he simply asked, "What do you think, Minghuang?"

Li Zhouwei read the letter thoroughly and replied, "Looking at this layout, if the riverbanks are breached and demonic cultivators pour into Jiangnan, they will surely take one of two paths: one down along Moon-Gazing Lake, and the other through the wilderness, squeezing between Shanjia County and Lixia County.""That path is sandwiched between two Zifu-level powers and is not easy to traverse. They will likely still target our home."

Li Xuanxuan hadn't expected him to bring this up. Just as he was about to ask further, Li Zhouwei spoke softly, "After I go to the Eastern Sea, you should divide the clan into two groups: one to borrow passage through Lixia, and the other to guide the common folk into the Dali Mountains. Senior Bairong and Lu Ken have a deep friendship with our family, so we can temporarily reside in his territory."

Li Zhouwei explained the arrangements in detail. Li Xuanxuan listened, feeling a slight easing in his heart, and asked, "I'm afraid not many people can be saved in the mountains."

Li Zhouwei nodded. "Demonic cultivators can fly here in less than a quarter of an hour. The nearly million people along the lake will not even be able to gather in a quarter of an hour, let alone all squeeze into the mountains..."

Li Xuanxuan fell silent. Li Zhouwei could only say, "It's also an unpredictable situation. The riverbanks might not necessarily fall. With so many Zifu cultivators in Jiangnan, there's no telling which ones might intervene. We are merely making necessary preparations."

Li Xuanxuan nodded and said in a hoarse voice, "Without further delay, take a group of people, select some young talents from various clans, and bring the elixirs. Let Kongheng escort you there immediately."

Li Zhouwei considered for a moment, then spoke softly, "It's also fortunate that Lady An is about to give birth. The High Monk believes Jiangnan is a den of malevolent spirits, so it would be good to take her along to the Eastern Sea. Perhaps it will lead to a different outcome."

He was a decisive person. The matter was settled swiftly. Bidding farewell, he immediately flew out of the main hall and descended. In less than a quarter of an hour, Kongheng arrived on the mountain with a few people.

This monk was consistently peaceful. Years of cultivation had made him appear increasingly unfathomable. However, there were no clear distinctions among High Monks, making it difficult to gauge his true strength.

Still, Li Ximing and others who achieved breakthroughs later than him had all reached the late stage of Foundation Establishment. This monk was certainly no less capable. The Eastern Sea was in chaos, making it difficult for White Ape to establish himself there, but Kongheng felt much more at ease.

Kongheng greeted Li Xuanxuan very amiably, saying softly, "Do not worry, Sir. Your noble clan has accumulated abundant good deeds and will surely overcome this danger."

Li Xuanxuan, however, dreaded hearing about good and evil deeds. He forced a smile as he saw them off past the lake, then rode the wind back, landing and sitting in the empty hall, once again alone.

The elder pondered deeply, unable to determine whether it was accumulated good or bad karma. He stopped thinking about it and quietly watched the gloomy rain outside the window. White frost had already crept onto the panes. After a moment, a brawny man, nine feet tall, entered from outside the hall. Clad in white armor, he silently stood to the side, below the dais.

"White Ape!" Li Xuanxuan called out. The old ape raised its head, its voice like stones grinding, its throat hoarse. "Greetings, Master... This old servant has just returned from patrolling the lake."

The man and the ape had escaped the raging flames of the market together decades ago, and their unspoken understanding was profound. Seeing Li Xuanxuan's unease, White Ape walked over and stood quietly beside him before saying, "In recent days, this old servant's Stone-Clutching Sleep has shown great spiritual vitality and smooth operation. Perhaps a Zifu breakthrough in True Qi has occurred, or some spiritual artifact has appeared."

Li Xuanxuan nodded silently, not sensing anything in particular. Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly felt a cold, desolate wind wafting in through the door.

Li Xuanxuan looked up, seemingly enlightened. As he was about to stand, he suddenly saw a knock at the hall door, and a handsome man in white entered.

He had sharp, star-like eyes and a refined, handsome appearance. He carried a slightly slender, cold sword in his arms, his brows furrowed as he looked over with a hint of concern.

"Xijun!" Li Xuanxuan was immediately overjoyed. He stepped forward, holding the letter in his hand, and asked, "Are your injuries fully healed?"

"Greetings, Uncle." This person was, of course, Li Xijun. He first bowed, coughed twice, and smiled, "They're not fully healed yet, but I was worried about the family, so I came out of seclusion early."

Yu Mujian's sword strike was indeed formidable; had it not been for the Earth-Gazing Bloodstone, Li Xijun would likely have perished on the spot. After several years of recovery, he was concerned about the family's situation and emerged from seclusion early, his strength only barely 60% restored.

Li Xuanxuan was immediately delighted. He quickly pulled Li Xijun to a seat. White Ape silently served tea. Li Xijun glanced at him and said softly, "So it's you... Truly, your fortune is profound. Congratulations!"

White Ape bowed and withdrew. Li Xuanxuan recounted the events of recent years one by one. As Li Xijun listened, his brows furrowed tighter and tighter. He exhaled heavily and replied, "Indeed... I knew Qingchi wouldn't arrange anything good for our family... and so it is."

He lowered his gaze, his eyes gradually reddening, and whispered, "It was my misjudgment; I shouldn't have trusted Zhao Tinggui... He died, but he gravely harmed our family...""Qinghong has already gone to find him by thunder."

Li Xuanxuan didn't know how to respond to him. The elder waited for a moment before saying, "It's just that your injuries aren't fully healed, so you can't intervene. You should continue to cultivate in seclusion."

Li Xijun closed his eyes and exhaled, still somewhat grief-stricken. The Clear Frost Pine Ridge talisman on his body circulated on its own, expelling all emotions from his mind. His tone became calm as he said softly, "Not necessarily... Although I am injured, intervening once or twice would not be a problem."

He shook his head slightly, placing one hand flat. In his palm, a brilliant light, formed of frost and snow, appeared—snow-white and crystal-clear, resting quietly. A casual glance revealed a chilling, sharp aura assaulting the senses.

This object resembled neither a spell nor a spiritual artifact; it was like a mass of qi condensed to its extreme. With a thought from Li Xijun, the light shimmered and darted like a fish, circling in the air. Its fine scales were clearly visible. It flicked its tail and then settled back into his palm.

"This is..." Li Xuanxuan had never seen such a thing before and momentarily couldn't discern its nature. The elder paused, then saw Li Xijun raise an eyebrow and say softly, "Sword Essence."

Xian Lake.

Li Qinghong rode the wind for a hundred miles. The black smoke ahead gradually thinned, but the sky remained gloomy, with gray clouds rolling. The skies to the north and south shared the same dull gray, hazy and sunless.

After flying for a while, she somehow recalled those two individuals, secretly calculating: "It seems that Red Reef Island has at least been offended. The east and west reefs of Red Reef Island have been greatly at odds in recent years. I don't know if Guo Hongjian's lineage belongs to the east or west, nor if there's any room for maneuver.""As for Yu Jiang, judging by Guo Hongjian's attitude, he must also be a powerful figure from the South Sea..."

As she flew south, she also realized that returning to Bianyan Mountain was no longer possible. A sigh of relief escaped her. "That's fine, I don't have to obey their orders... I'll just go back to the riverbanks and defend the lakeside for our family..."

Demonic cultivators had already reached the riverbanks. How could she now have the mind to deal with that group of people on Bianyan Mountain? Like Li Xizhi, she merely wanted to get as far away as possible.

Turning at Xian Lake, she caught sight of the shimmering radiance of Xuanyue Gate's Shanjia County, with flowing light in all directions. As she approached, she could vaguely discern a majestic mysterious mountain suspended above Shanjia County.

The mountain, indistinct amidst the clouds, emitted a faint colorful glow. As soon as she neared Shanjia County, her body felt heavier. She looked up and pondered, "It must be a Zifu divine ability."

Such power could only belong to True Person Changxi of Xuanyue Gate. Only then did she understand why the demonic smoke halted at Xian Lake, and why the demonic cultivators did not cross Xian Lake into Jiangnan.

"The threat hangs high in the air... Who would dare cross the boundary by a single step?"

She quickly flew past, disappearing into the wilderness along the river. Not far behind, a golden light pursued her, stopping brightly before her eyes to reveal a woman dressed in Xiang-colored robes.

"Sister Qinghong!" This woman, consistently dressed in Xiang-colored robes, had a round face and almond eyes, and held a small golden mountain in her hand. It was Kong Tingyun of Xuanyue. With a worried expression, she took a few steps closer and quietly asked a question.

Li Qinghong had assumed she was in Daning Palace and had not expected to encounter her here. She nodded in surprise. Kong Tingyun softly said, "It's been a long time. Why don't you come and sit at my sect?"

'Hmm?' The moment these words were spoken, Li Qinghong immediately felt something was off. Kong Tingyun had previously returned from the northern ruins, arriving at Yanshan Pass. The two had met at Yanshan Pass just a few days ago, so "long time no see" was indeed a bit strange...

The former could be considered Kong Tingyun's polite remark, but this was a critical moment in the confrontation between Qingchi's north and south, not a leisurely time. The timing was utterly wrong.

Being an intelligent woman, she didn't immediately refuse or agree, but merely asked, "I should have actively paid a visit when passing through Shanjia County. I was just observing the unusual situation in the north..."

Kong Tingyun replied in a low voice, "Something has happened at Daning Palace!"

She stepped closer and transmitted her voice using a secret technique: "Sister, do you find the confrontation between north and south strange? It's precisely because all the Zifu Maha from both sides have entered Daning Palace! Now, the northern demonic horde is out of control, and the southern cultivators have no protection to speak of!"

Li Qinghong's pupils widened slightly. Kong Tingyun continued, "My True Person has had a falling out with some of the newly arrived demonic leaders, so he hasn't gone. I don't know what exactly happened, but now Anhuaitian has appeared in the Great Void, and all the Zifu cultivators have entered it."

Li Qinghong's voice was slightly hoarse as she asked, "The north is already powerful. My second uncle is still in Daning Palace, and the current defenses along the river are hastily built... How can they possibly resist the northern demonic horde?""They certainly cannot..."

Kong Tingyun nodded very firmly. After a moment's hesitation, she softly asked, "Sister, do you know where the demonic cultivators will go when they advance south?"

Having traveled extensively north and south in recent years, Li Qinghong naturally knew. She replied, "After crossing Xu State, they will either enter Wu by following the riverbanks west of Xiping Mountain upstream, or they can go anywhere along the entire riverbank downstream to enter Yue State..."

Kong Tingyun nodded, a solemn expression on her round face, and softly said, "Currently, Qingchi only has True Person Yuanxiu remaining, and he has also entered Daning Palace. Golden Feather Sect, on the other hand, has four True Persons, with two still presiding. If it were the demonic cultivators, where would they head south?""Qingchi, naturally..."

At this point, Kong Tingyun stopped holding back and spoke as if considering Li Qinghong one of her own, her voice very gentle: "Qingchi has repeatedly seen Zifu cultivators fall, and high-level cultivators are not appearing. It has reached its lowest point in five hundred years. Yuanxiu is trapped in Anhuaitian, with no news, yet Chi Zhiyan and other direct Qingchi descendants are still at Bianyan Mountain!"

"Now that the northern demons are out of control, do the various Immortal Sects not have ways to influence them? From the moment the Anhuaitian incident occurred and the entire situation abruptly shifted, a new chessboard has emerged, with the strategy of simply letting things run their course and seizing the opportunity, specifically targeting the Qingchi Sect!"

"Isn't this current situation a perfectly opportune, heaven-sent blade? The Immortal Sects are taking advantage of Qingchi's weakness to uproot the Demonic Gate! The remaining demonic cultivators and high-level Buddhist cultivators in the north are also pleased to see this scenario, deliberately staying hidden..."

Her voice deepened slightly, her expression solemn: "Currently, Qingchi faces a great catastrophe, and the various sects are merely watching from the sidelines! Sister, it might be unwise for you to return."

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