Chapter 702: The Change of Spiritual Aura

"Father!"Li Zhouluo had just looked up from his desk when he saw the man at the door. Surprised and delighted, he quickly rose from the main seat to greet him, exclaiming ecstatically: "Father! You've emerged from seclusion!"

Li Chenghuai smiled and nodded. Li Zhouluo's joy was evident on his face as he led Li Chenghuai to the main seat. His complexion was slightly flushed as he said, "Congratulations, Father! My warmest congratulations!"

With a double blessing, Li Zhouluo completely forgot his worries. He simply said, "Father has achieved the immortal foundation! This is a fourth-grade achievement... And with the Dharma robe left by Grandfather, you are sure to soar like a great roc, straight to the clouds!"

Li Zhouluo was well aware of the complicated relationship between his father and grandfather. However, this time, after meeting Li Xizhi, he was captivated by his grandfather's demeanor. He not only felt proud but secretly took him as a role model, quickly interjecting a good word.

Li Chenghuai, however, was not vague. Seizing on what he had just said, he asked, "Clan brother? Which clan brother?"

Li Zhouluo could only bow and reply, "It's about Que Wan... Someone in the continent has accused her, saying her brother exploited their influence for profit..."

"Let me see it." Li Chenghuai took the letter from his hand. After just two glances, seeing that both parties were operating ships, and then glancing through the various materials Li Zhouluo had prepared, he was so angry he laughed out loud, then slammed the documents onto the desk with a "thud": "This is utter nonsense! This is exploiting influence for profit... that's exploiting influence for profit. Are we to imprison all cultivators' families in the arrays and turn them into two-legged pigs?"

Li Zhouluo rarely saw him so furious. He quickly responded, "Father... there's more to this... If I simply suppress this matter, it will become evidence against her and harm Que Wan..."

"Of course, I know there's more to it!" Li Chenghuai sneered: "What are they saying behind her back? They say Que Wan gained favor merely because a great person happened to pass by the continent and she stumbled upon great fortune. Those who envy her could form a line across the lake and back! Instead of cultivating properly, they cause so much trouble!"

Li Zhouluo dared not say more. Li Chenghuai simply said, "Have him come up."

Li Zhouluo could only summon someone to invite the accusing cultivator. From a distance, a sound was heard. A middle-aged man stepped in, dressed in brocade robes. Upon seeing Li Zhouluo, he bowed and smiled, "Greetings, Master!"

With his father still sitting silently behind him, Li Zhouluo felt a tightening in his back at the man's familiar tone. He quickly stepped aside, remaining silent.

The middle-aged man was momentarily stunned. He then realized that the person sitting in the main seat was Li Chenghuai. How could he not recognize him? A flash of alarm crossed his mind: 'He's established his foundation?'

"Li Dongdi greets... Master!""So it's you..." Li Chenghuai narrowed his eyes, recognized the man, who was a close collateral relative, and casually said: "I hear that Li Que Wan's brothers are using their influence to bully others. Is this true?"

Although Li Zhouluo was intelligent, he was still young. He was not as seasoned as Li Chenghuai. However, at this point, there was no reason to back down...

Li Dongdi understood that if he insisted on his claim, he would at most be punished. Showing fear now would be a death sentence. So he wailed, "Yes, it is!"

Li Zhouluo watched from the side. He saw his father dip his index finger in ink, and swiftly draw a talisman on a piece of paper with an almost imperceptible speed.

No sooner had Li Dongdi's words fallen, than a dull thud was heard. The paper lit up with a brilliant flame and burned.

Li Chenghuai said coldly, "How audacious!"

He closed the distance in one step, and slapped the middle-aged man across the face. The blow made his head snap back, spewing a spray of blood and teeth across the floor. Then, he backhanded him on the other side, sending him flying a great distance.

Li Zhouluo was horrified. Fearing his father would beat him to death, he repeatedly cried out, "Father... Father... you'll hurt your hand!"

Li Dongdi tumbled several times, finally landing on the ground, and it took him a while to recover. Prostrate on the ground, he mumbled indistinctly, "Master... Ma... Master, what is the meaning of such enforcement..."

"What is the meaning?" Li Chenghuai flicked his sleeve and casually said, "Stop pretending. My immortal foundation can discern truth from falsehood..." He paused, then sneered, "You... and that group of hidden creatures behind you, wait for disaster to befall you."

Azure Pond Sect.

The highest cave dwelling on Azure Pond Mountain faced east, gathering the essence of the sun and moon. White clouds drifted ethereally. It was the most spiritual energy-rich spot in the entire mountain range, where white mist seemed ready to condense into spiritual water, forming dewdrops on the vegetation.

Li Ximing waited for a few breaths on the Immortal Peak. Then he heard laughter. An elderly man in green robes appeared before the mountain gate, looking hale and hearty, holding a golden talisman in his hand. He laughed, "I was wondering which distinguished guest had arrived. It's Zhaojing!"

The fact that Li Ximing came to see him first, rather than Xiao Chuting, undoubtedly brought honor to Yuan Xiu and made him feel pleased. Noticing from afar that Li Ximing was waiting for him at the mountain gate with the courtesy of a junior, he lifted his chin, his laughter unusually hearty.

Li Ximing echoed a smile. Once he was closer, where others couldn't hear their conversation, he cupped his hands and said, "This junior greets True Immortal! Zhaojing was able to break through with peace of mind, largely thanks to Fellow Daoist Si Yuanli's order to block the demonic cultivators and protect the northern part of Yue... I am extremely grateful!"

Yuan Xiu quickly waved his hand to stop him, and chuckled in a rich voice, "What are you saying, Fellow Daoist? Li'er is your junior cultivator, there's no need to be so polite. The matter on the river was also saved by Li Xuanfeng's powerful intervention... Yuanli merely performed his duty."

After all, Yuan Xiu was an old fox. Li Ximing was glad he had come closer and lowered his voice. The elder then said, "Please!"

The two Purple Palace cultivators then proceeded into the cave dwelling. They found that spiritual energy condensed into dew inside, and there was a large pool of emerald water, shimmering like a gemstone. A thick wave of emerald water magical power washed over them, making Ding Weizheng, who was behind them, quite uncomfortable.

Above this emerald pool, six magnificent jade seats were carved from green jade. The dense spiritual essence, mixed with magical light, almost solidified into tangible, vibrant hues, illuminating the entire cave dwelling with dazzling brilliance.

It was unknown how many Emerald Water Purple Palace cultivators had achieved breakthroughs here. Si Boxiu made a "please" gesture, but did not sit in the main seat, opting instead for the highest spot on the side.

Li Ximing used his divine ability to shield Ding Weizheng from the emerald water's radiance. He then took his seat on a lower jade throne. Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly paused slightly, his expression freezing. Yuan Xiu, in the main seat, also stiffened. He immediately sneered, "Qingtang from Changhuai Mountain has fallen! That old miser was stingy to the very end! He didn't even want to invite people to witness his Golden Core breakthrough... The old devil!"

Li Ximing immediately understood. The celestial light between his brows flickered slightly. He said in surprise, "The spiritual aura has changed! It's much too early... It should be the peak time for the Upper Evil Spirit Cache..."

The smile on Yuan Xiu's face quickly faded. He returned to his serious demeanor, and shook his head: "It's no longer early. Have you noticed, Zhaojing? The Upper Evil Spirit Cache is unusually weak. Forget about demonic cultivators... Not even some special spiritual objects or spiritual lands have been born..."

'I've been in seclusion every day... never leaving my doors, how would I know anything...' Li Ximing grumbled inwardly. A faint smile on his face, he nodded slightly. The celestial light between his brows flickered: "Indeed..."