Chapter 796: Xiaoyuan Liuli

Si Xunhui finished speaking. Quan Yudan immediately stepped forward and whispered, "Our master sent us here for two reasons: first, there's a sect mission for me to bring Junior Brother over; and second... there are some extremely important matters to convey."

Li Zhouluo immediately understood and raised his chin. Di Liguang led the guards away, and the hall instantly became empty. Quan Yudan whispered, "While guarding the South Sea, our master transformed the 200-year-old blood essence resentment system of the Chi and Lingu clans. He also eradicated the demonic cultivators throughout the controlled Shishang Island system, using the Five Peaks disciples he leads as a barrier, and converting the islands under his governance into prosperous territories for minor sects and small island communities."

"From then on, they established themselves with the islands as their foundation. Several major and minor demonic sects from the surrounding areas subsequently attempted raids. Whenever they attacked, their high-ranking members were almost entirely slaughtered by our master alone. Consequently, the entire Shishang Island system became peaceful, and the markets flourished. South Sea cultivators now prefer to travel for days and nights to reach the Shishang markets."

"Currently, all commerce in the North South Sea flows towards Shishang. This, however, has offended Listening Thunder Island. Fortunately, True Immortal Yuanxiu's prestige is currently at its peak, so our master is safe. He only instructed his family to be cautious, fearing retaliation."

Li Xuanxuan nodded silently, his heart growing heavy. Li Zhouwei had spoken to him about the South Sea. In truth, most demonic cultivators were nurtured by Listening Thunder Island; it was likely more complex than simply seizing market profits. The elder mused, 'True Immortal Yuanxiu probably intended this... specifically moving Zhi'er to the chaotic South Sea, then making him manage the markets. With the Si family having taken all the profits, Zhi'er would have no choice but to be tied more closely to him...'

As he pondered, Quan Yudan took out a small pagoda made of colorful glazed glass from his sleeve. It was exquisitely small, only about the size of a finger. He held the pagoda in his palm and whispered, "This artifact, called the Roaming Barrier Glazed Pagoda, was specifically brought back by me at our master's request. It was originally an artifact of an ancient South Sea sect and reappeared a few years ago. Our master went to great lengths to acquire it."

Li Wushao picked up the item and handed it to Li Xuanxuan. Despite its thumb-size, the elder felt it sink heavily in his hand, almost dropping it. Quan Yudan continued, "Young Master, this Roaming Barrier Glazed Pagoda is a unique and marvelous artifact designed to temper disciples. It has twenty-four layers, with a door every six layers. When opened, these doors release water, fire, wind, and lightning, corresponding from bottom to top to Grand Blazing Fire, Crop-Searing Wind, Autumn Demise Water, and North Palace Thunder."

"The remaining twenty layers, which do not have doors, each have considerable capacity and can be used to store spirit items, keeping them locked within. Connecting the pagoda to a spiritual ley line allows it to nourish these spirit items, making it extremely useful."

This appeared to be an artifact meant for guarding a sect's main gate, akin to a foundational treasure. If it were a spiritual artifact, even within a major lineage like Green Pond Golden Feather, it would be a treasure capable of suppressing destiny.

He shook his red robe and explained, "Our master has thoroughly researched it. It seems that an ancient lineage once created a pagoda to train disciples to evade the Three Disasters and Nine Calamities. This particular one is a replica from a later lineage, but even that later lineage is an extremely ancient past for us... Now that there's no longer a need to evade the Three Disasters, the effectiveness of this ancient artifact is greatly diminished. However, it remains a rare treasure, combining both punishment and tempering."

His eyes were filled with admiration, and he spoke effusively, explaining, "Grand Blazing Fire refines true essence; within its door are three potent, purified, and neutralized combined fires. Crop-Searing Wind dispels distracting thoughts; within its door are six types of spiritual winds, all possessing the ability to clarify the mind. Autumn Demise Water washes away superficiality; within its door are twelve types of spiritual waters from the 'Lu,' 'He,' and 'Kan' paths..."

It was indeed a remarkably profound artifact. Li Zhouluo recognized it as an ancient artifact the moment he heard about it. Only ancient cultivators could afford such extravagance. The sheer number of spirit items contained within, if extracted, would amount to nearly half the accumulated wealth of a long-established Foundation Establishment clan.

However, Quan Yudan stopped abruptly at this point. Li Zhouluo couldn't help but ask, "Isn't there still the North Palace Thunder at the very top?"

Quan Yudan hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said, "North Palace Thunder... well... it can also kill... and be used in combat. This door contains twenty-four types of thunder... In contrast to the previous ones, these twenty-four are all Profound Thunder, specifically capable of manifesting the four divine abilities of Profound Thunder... It's quite effective at killing; a strike to the body can reduce a person to ashes."

"This..." Li Zhouluo exchanged a glance with Li Xuanxuan, and the elder nodded, saying, "So, the topmost door is actually for defensive and offensive purposes. Truly profound."

Si Xunhui chuckled. After all, the person before him was his master's grandfather, so he maintained great respect and bowed, "To report, sir, according to the True Immortal, the creator of this artifact was quite dissatisfied with the Thunder Palace. While the first three doors inflict pain, they all offer a sliver of hope for survival and even confer various benefits. However, the topmost door unleashes Profound Thunder to its fullest extent, offering no benefits whatsoever, and will not cease until the person is struck dead. The True Immortal said the twenty-four channels are of extremely high specifications... and suggested that this person... must have been terribly struck when they broke through to the Violet Palace realm..."

"Oh... haha..." "Oh... haha..." It was, after all, a joke from a Violet Palace True Immortal; even if it wasn't funny, the two in the hall had to laugh. Li Xuanxuan chuckled, then delightfully examined the thumb-sized pagoda in his hand, thinking, 'This would be an excellent artifact to suppress the Green Dù... In the past, when the family punished cultivators, it was usually by deducting merits or, at most, sending them to outlying areas... actually killing them was too extreme... and there wasn't anything truly intimidating. With this artifact, there would be benefits for many parties.'

The Li family's Dense Forest Mountain already possessed an ancient artifact for suppression. Named 'False Incense,' it was an incense burner capable of regulating earth veins and storing spiritual energy. For the past decade or so, spiritual energy had been flowing in and out of the Dense Forest.

Quan Yudan smiled and said, "Senior, don't worry, I have more here."

He took a storage bag from his sleeve and said, "Inside are four precious medicinal herbs: Green Reverence Flower, Meridian Vine, Profound Pattern Yellow Viper Fruit, and No-Trace Grass. Also, there are three types of Foundation Establishment spiritual materials, and over one hundred and fifty spirit stones to supplement the family's expenses."

Li Zhouluo carefully put away the heavy storage bag. Quan Yudan then took out a letter from his sleeve and solemnly stated, "This is... something our master entrusted me to bring. He instructed me to personally deliver it to Chenghuai and bring back a reply. I wonder..."

Li Xuanxuan frowned and hesitated. "Chenghuai is currently in seclusion. Since this is so important... I will send someone to inquire."

Hearing this, Quan Yudan quickly waved his hand and replied, "The matter is important, but not urgent. If he is in seclusion, we can certainly wait. Once I finish my current tasks, I'll still pass by the lake, so it won't be too late to visit Young Master then. There's another crucial matter at hand: when True Immortal Zhaojing visited the Chengyun Sect years ago, it was already decided that the Small Chamber Mountain Daoist Scripture would include a copy for Wangyue. I wonder if any cultivators from your esteemed clan have achieved Foundation Establishment? The time is approaching, and I am also here to escort Junior Brother there."

He nodded slightly and turned to the side, clearly indicating it wasn't his place to speak next. Even though he was the senior disciple of the Heaven's End Pavilion, he couldn't speak on behalf of the Si family. Then Si Xunhui stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Since cultivators from your esteemed clan will also be going, I would kindly ask you to guide my junior."

'Small Chamber Mountain Daoist Scripture?' Li Zhouluo was thoughtful and looked up. Li Xuanxuan stopped him. Li Zhouluo was unfamiliar with these matters, but the elder knew much more, and he said in a husky voice, "On the lake, there is a Foundation Establishment sword cultivator whom True Immortal Zhaojing elevated from obscurity. He possesses the Immortal Foundation Floating Cloud Body, which is precisely from the Small Chamber Mountain lineage."

"He has already reached Foundation Establishment!" Si Xunhui was instantly surprised. Neither his Si family nor the Li family were the primary Violet Palace forces aware of this, and their involvement was much slower. After all, it was difficult to find suitable embryo breathing, and even if one did, it was hard to achieve significant cultivation in a short time. He secretly pondered, 'He's an outsider, which is good. If it were truly one of our master's clansmen, or some elder of the uncle's generation, and a dispute arose, it would be awkward for both sides... an outsider is better... True Immortal Zhaojing is not greedy after all.'

So the Si family's direct descendant replied, "Indeed, it is the Floating Cloud Body. With an esteemed member of your clan overseeing things here, I am at ease."

Li Zhouluo immediately went to personally summon Wang Quwan. Li Xuanxuan stroked his beard and asked, "I saw a message from the clan saying that the Chengyun Sect captured two cultivators and claimed a new underground palace appeared beneath the marsh. Is this true? According to the message, the underground palace is a relic of the ancient Wanling Upper Sect..."

Si Xunhui silently shook his head. Quan Yudan, being more spirited and direct, replied, "Naturally, these are all rumors spread by the Chengyun Sect themselves! It's true that cultivators were captured, but it was merely the cultivators from Small Chamber Mountain being drawn out by that True Immortal, thus fulfilling the conditions to open the Daoist Scripture. As for any underground palace, I've never heard of it! What kind of lineage was the Wanling Upper Sect? If they truly built such an underground palace, everyone who enters would simply be seeking death. I think... it's something the Chengyun Sect built themselves!"

Si Xunhui's information was clearly more comprehensive; he said softly, "It's highly probable that the Chengyun Sect built it themselves, first, to provide a training ground for their disciples. Second, it's inconvenient to collect vital energy everywhere, and if the subordinate families are suppressed for too long, they will inevitably harbor resentment. This underground palace is much more convenient. Furthermore, by selling talismans and pills on the side, the sect's legitimate businesses will also prosper... After all, their products are crude and can't compete with Jiangnan's, but this method allows them to continuously generate profits locally."

Li Xuanxuan understood and nodded. Li Zhouluo had already re-entered the hall with Wang Quwan. The middle-aged man still wore his sword, his expression grave. Li Zhouluo smiled and said, "Protector Wang, this is Quan Yudan, the senior disciple of Heaven's End Pavilion... and this is Si Xunhui, young master of the Green Pond Si family."

To the current Li family, these two names weren't particularly fearsome. However, in Wang Quwan's eyes, they were top-tier young masters. The Si family was now the lord of Green Pond. He quickly bowed, but heard Si Xunhui say, "Greetings, Senior. This time... we will trouble you."

Li Xuanxuan nodded slightly and spoke, "These two immortal sect disciples are on their way to that underground palace and are passing through here. Since you have also received a fortune, you should go with them."

"How can this be?... Such a great fortune should be for a direct descendant of Wangyue..." Wang Quwan's first reaction was one of dismay. He supported himself, about to bow further. Quan Yudan, understanding the situation, exchanged a glance and interrupted with a smile, "Wangyue Lake has beautiful scenery. Our junior and I will take a stroll by the lake and return later."

He led Si Xunhui away. Li Xuanxuan waved his hand, and Li Zhouluo also withdrew. Only two people remained in the hall. Wang Quwan remained firmly kneeling. Li Xuanxuan helped him up and gently said, "Quwan, rest assured, you won't be used as a pawn. Although Si Xunhui is a young master of the Green Pond Sect, this time you are not meant to protect him... If protection were truly needed, Green Pond wouldn't lack two Peak Lords, would it?"

Wang Quwan was startled by these words and quickly raised his eyebrows. The elder before him was smiling and nodding as he spoke. "This time, you will represent the Wangyue Li clan. Although I am not clear about the situation inside the underground palace, few families should trouble you now. Foundation Establishment cultivators have their own opponents. Protect yourself, and see how much fortune you can gain. As for Si Xunhui, don't be too afraid of him. Take everything that is rightfully yours. Unless there's a Violet Palace-level spirit item, in which case you must let him have it if you wish to live..."

Wang Quwan finally nodded and respectfully said, "Elder, your instructions are deeply etched in my heart. I will do my best..."

Li Xuanxuan continued, "When you go, find Zhouluo and get the Hundred Stone Spirit Shield and the Red Jade Orb from Xuanyue's possession. After all, the underground palace will be full of direct descendants from various Violet Palace clans. I don't expect you to display immense power; with these two life-preserving items, you won't be easily suppressed by a single artifact."

These were two complete Foundation Establishment artifacts. The Hundred Stone Spirit Shield was of ordinary quality, but the Red Jade Orb was a rare and valuable item. Wang Quwan nodded heavily and finally said, "I will remember the clan's kindness, Quwan. This trip to the north, I will surely bring back both artifacts intact."

Only then did Li Xuanxuan see him out, instructing Li Zhouluo to equip him with the artifacts. Wang Quwan, however, put the items down and solemnly stated, "This matter is of great importance. Please allow your subordinate to go home once, arrange affairs for his descendants, and then return to collect the two artifacts."

He rode the wind and headed towards the north bank of the river. Si Xunhui and his companion had said they would stroll around the lake, but after a round of flying, Li Wushao returned early.

The old demon still appeared middle-aged, with a sword at his waist. He bowed upon seeing Li Xuanxuan, his voice deep and hoarse, "Wushao greets the Elder!"

Li Wushao's appearance bore a striking resemblance to Li Yuanjiao. Li Xuanxuan's eyes blurred as he hastily helped him up, tears welling in his eyes. "It's been a long time since we last met..."

Li Wushao saw this and bowed, saying, "Elder! I've been quite happy in Green Pond. In that 'stinky' place, everyone calls me Lord Li. But turn around and go to the East Sea, if they don't recognize me, they might even try to capture me for alchemy... haha..."

The elder couldn't help but chuckle and shook his head, saying, "You still speak so crudely, even in an immortal sect... you can't shake off those East Sea habits. People will talk about you..."

"Can't learn it! Can't learn it!" Li Wushao simply said, "They'll also say I'm unrestrained and uninhibited, which to me is all nonsense... Now that I've looked around here, I can report back to the Pavilion Master. Young Master hasn't married yet, has he?"