Chapter 97: Heart's Desire

"Let him come up."

Li Tongya looked at the clan soldier who had come to report, musing to himself, "It's almost certainly related to the Ji family. The Tiao Cloud Lu family is to the east of the Ji family, and our Lijing Li family is to the west, effectively sandwiching them. They probably want our support."

As Li Tongya was thinking, an old man was led into the courtyard. He wore a white robe, had white hair and a youthful face, and held a jade ruyi scepter. He smiled, cupped his hands in greeting to the two, and said, "Lu Sisi of the Tiao Cloud Lu family, under the jurisdiction of Qingchi, greets you both."

"Li Tongya of the Lijing Li family."

Li Tongya also cupped his hands. A quick sweep with his spiritual sense revealed that the man was likely at the fifth or sixth level of Qi Cultivation. The jade ruyi scepter in his hand glowed brilliantly, indicating its extraordinary quality, likely far superior to the Fetal Breath realm sword at Li Tongya's waist.

"Please."

Li Tongya and Lu Sisi entered the courtyard and took their seats. Li Xuanling and the others withdrew. After accepting the tea offered by the servants, Li Tongya spoke, "May I ask the purpose of your visit, Senior?"

"Oh." Lu Sisi raised his grizzled eyebrows, a smile playing on his lips, and whispered, "I must congratulate young friend Tongya."

"Congratulate me on what?" Li Tongya frowned, unsure of the man's intentions.

"Many places have been plundered by raiders from the mountains, with dozens of families suffering losses and six even being annihilated. Yet, as I came to Lijing Mountain, aside from a few commoners looking distressed, I saw no signs of mourning clothes or lamentations. It seems your esteemed clan has suffered few losses. Is that not cause for celebration?"

Lu Sisi finished with a smile, but Li Tongya found him tiresome. He frowned and said, "Senior, please speak plainly."

Lu Sisi took a sip of tea, dispensed with further pleasantries, and nodded. "The Ji family has occupied Huaqian Mountain. My Lu family intends to reclaim it. We will take the mountain, and all its wealth, spirit stones, and other resources will be compensated to your family in full. This will eliminate a threat to both our families from two sides and also avenge my Lu family."

"Oh?" Li Tongya responded softly, but felt little inside. He countered, "What enmity does your family have with the Ji family?"

"Young friend, you may not know, but my Lu family once sent a Qi Cultivator to assist, only for him to die on Huaqian Mountain..."

Seeing Lu Sisi's embarrassed expression, Li Tongya said, "How many Qi Cultivators does the Ji family have, and what is their background? Have you investigated them, Senior?"

Lu Sisi nodded and explained, "The Ji family currently has two Qi Cultivators. The patriarch, Ji Dengqi, is in the mid-stage of Qi Cultivation, likely around the fifth or sixth level. Another Ji family disciple only recently entered Qi Cultivation in recent years. As for their background... it's rumored that a daughter of the Ji family serves a prominent figure in the Tang Jin Sect."

Li Tongya chuckled softly, shaking his head helplessly, and replied, "Since Senior Lu knows this, you must also know that the Ji family cannot be touched."

Lu Sisi let out a chuckle, set down his teacup, and smiled. "I wouldn't have come to you, young friend, if I hadn't already gathered reliable information!" Lowering his voice by several degrees, Lu Sisi whispered, "I have a brother-in-law who serves as a guest elder in the Tang Jin Sect. Three years ago, he said that the Tang Jin Sect had recalled many of its guardians along the shores of Moon Lake. If my guess is correct, there must be some unrest within the Tang Jin Sect..."

"Oh?" Li Tongya finally showed some interest and pressed on, "What does the Qingchi Sect say about this?"

"Naturally, orders have been issued." Lu Sisi produced a handwritten decree, endorsed with the characters "Qingchi." Its dozens of words essentially stated that the border between the Qingchi Sect and the Tang Jin Sect had moved thousands of miles northward, with the entire eastern shore of Moon Lake now belonging to the Qingchi Sect.

"This decree was issued by the prefecture just a few days ago. When I saw it, I went back and calculated the days. If my guess is correct..." Lu Sisi paused, then continued, "The Tang Jin Sect's Nascent Soul cultivator in the mid-stage has reached the end of his lifespan and has likely passed away, leaving only one early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator in charge!"

Li Tongya froze, his expression showing a degree of shock. He immediately pressed, "Such a significant event as a Nascent Soul cultivator's demise must have been carefully concealed by the Tang Jin Sect. How is it that the Qingchi Sect is now so clearly aware of it?"

The reason the Three Sects and Seven Gates stand supreme is that each possesses one or several Nascent Soul legacies. The Three Sects are said to have more than three such legacies, while the Seven Gates have one or two, in addition to having Nascent Soul cultivators guarding them. Now that the Tang Jin Sect's mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator has passed away, while it may not lead to the sect's destruction, a significant reduction in their power is inevitable.

"How could we know about the internal squabbles among Nascent Soul cultivators?" Lu Sisi shook his head and then countered, "Let's stop beating around the bush. Will your Li family take this job or not?"

Li Tongya closed his eyes and pondered. The Li family currently lacked inheritances and spiritual artifacts, and this offer was indeed a huge temptation. Eliminating the Ji family would also remove a significant burden from their minds. Out of caution, Li Tongya still double-checked, "The influential figure the Ji family is rumored to be attached to is said to be the Young Master of the Tang Jin Sect. What is his relation to the deceased Nascent Soul cultivator?"

"He is the grandchild of that Nascent Soul cultivator! That branch of the family is likely struggling to maintain its own power and will undoubtedly face bloody turmoil. They won't have the spare capacity to deal with a small family like the Ji family."

"Good." Li Tongya nodded, gritting his teeth. "I have a few conditions."

"Please state them, young friend Tongya."

"Firstly, if the Ji family's cultivation techniques and secret manuals fall into our hands, my Li family must be allowed to copy them all. This will not count towards the spiritual artifacts you compensate us with."

Lu Sisi nodded without hesitation, whispering, "Agreed."

"Secondly, I will act as a rogue cultivator from Moon Lake, not as a member of my Lijing Li family. If the enemy is far beyond my capabilities, I will immediately withdraw. If I kill anyone, all spoils of war will be mine."

Lu Sisi paused, then let out a bitter chuckle, his voice tinged with envy. "Young friend, you are truly cautious. If only the younger generation of my Lu family had even sixty percent of your capability, I wouldn't have to worry about the future of my clan..."

Seeing Li Tongya chuckle quietly without speaking, Lu Sisi replied, "Agreed. The wealth on Huaqian Mountain will be split evenly. All spiritual springs and spiritual fields will be valued, and my Lu family will compensate your family with thirty percent of their value in spirit stones or treasures."

Li Tongya took a sip of tea and whispered, "I want you to swear a Xuanjing Spirit Oath!"

Lu Sisi again nodded without hesitation, stating gravely, "That is only right."

The two swore an oath using a secret technique, feeling a faint mark imprint itself upon the Xuanjing Wheel. Li Tongya then asked, "When?"

"I will come here in three days, and we will go to Huaqian Mountain together, fellow Daoist!"

Li Tongya nodded, seeing Lu Sisi off. Returning to the courtyard, he looked at Li Xuanxuan, who was deep in thought below him, and said softly, "I still have a Jade Bud Pill in my storage bag, obtained from Xiang Ping's killing. I will now go into seclusion to break through to the third level of Qi Cultivation. That will give us more confidence."

Li Xuanxuan stood up, cupped his hands, and respectfully said, "Uncle, please cultivate in peace. I will take care of everything at home."

***

Li Chijing watched the surging beast horde from down the mountain, his cultivation radiating a formidable aura. His white robes fluttered in the evening wind, and those around him cast gazes of awe and respect.

"Is that the Azure Spike Sword, Li Chijing?"

"Indeed. Look at his aura; he seems to be just a step away from Foundation Establishment."

Li Chijing, however, knew his own situation best. He was more than just a step away; he had to constantly suppress the True Essence within his body to prevent it from spontaneously liquefying. The moment he willed it, the six cycles formed by his Fetal Breath realm cultivation would instantly liquefy, converging his entire cultivation to form the Dao Foundation in his Qi Sea acupoint, leading to an immediate breakthrough to Foundation Establishment.

"I can't put it off any longer... The sect has sent people to urge me three times already." Li Chijing muttered to himself. The handsome, white-robed man beside him patted his shoulder and said softly, "Junior Brother, you're at the peak of Qi Cultivation now, aren't you?"

Li Chijing sighed softly inwardly, then turned his head with a calm expression to the white-robed man beside him and replied, "That's right. Senior Brother Chi, have you come to persuade me to undergo Foundation Establishment?"

The white-robed man, addressed as Senior Brother Chi, was slightly taken aback, then nodded. "The sect has expressed this desire. The pill for breaking through has already been prepared for you, Junior Brother. You can go into seclusion and break through at any time."

Li Chijing nodded, replying with a smile, "The sect is truly considerate. Chijing is immensely grateful!"

Senior Brother Chi's expression shifted slightly, and he replied somewhat awkwardly, "Naturally. It's just... I wonder how confident Junior Brother is?"

Li Chijing put on a troubled expression and whispered, "Perhaps less than eighty percent."

"Eighty percent?!" Senior Brother Chi frowned. This probability was frighteningly high compared to others, but he knew how many rare treasures Li Chijing had been given. Only eighty percent now made him puzzled, and he thought to himself, "It seems I can't spare this Suiyuan Pill..."

Senior Brother Chi sighed softly, took out a jade bottle from his brocade pouch, and smiled. "I also have a Suiyuan Pill here. Take it and use it."

Li Chijing nodded with an expression of gratitude, took the jade bottle, and said loudly, "Thank you, Senior Brother!"

Senior Brother Chi suppressed the pang of pain in his heart, maintained the smile on his face, and said gently, "When you are ready, go into seclusion and break through!"

Li Chijing then nodded firmly and slowly walked down the mountain. As he brushed past Senior Brother Chi, a cold voice drifted into his ear. "Li Chijing, Foundation Establishment must succeed. Failure is not an option. You wouldn't want to know the consequences."

Li Chijing's steps paused slightly. He looked up at the gentle smile on Senior Brother Chi's face, then chuckled and shook his head as he continued down the mountain.

Senior Brother Chi watched Li Chijing's departing figure coldly, muttering to himself, "What are a few pills? He's a dying man anyway. I gave them, but the Ancestor's Infant Essence Pill must not, under any circumstances, be lost."

***

Li Chijing descended the mountain, pondered for a few breaths, then entered a small pavilion at the foot of the mountain. He slowly ascended the yellowish pear-wood stairs, where a young man lay sprawled, drunk, on a reddish-brown square table, came into view.

"Deng Qiuzhi!" Li Chijing lifted him with one hand. The Autumn Moon Essence in his other hand quickly gathered, forming a handful of clear lake water, which he poured directly onto Deng Qiuzhi's face. The water made Deng Qiuzhi disoriented, flowing down his hair and evaporating into spiritual energy upon touching the ground. This effortless display of magic clearly showed the caster's high cultivation.

Deng Qiuzhi startled awake. He looked up at Li Chijing, shook his head with sleepy eyes, and chuckled foolishly, "Brother Jing! You came early today?"

Li Chijing sat down gently. He rummaged through the wine pot on the table, finally managed to pour a full cup of wine, brought it to his lips for a sip, and said gravely, "I will break through to Foundation Establishment tomorrow."

Deng Qiuzhi suddenly froze, then looked up, tears welling in his eyes. He choked out, "Brother Jing! Have you thought this through?"

Li Chijing nodded, smiling, "Isn't it just about being eaten?"

Deng Qiuzhi froze, then silently raised his cup, only to find it empty. He could only murmur, "You're still so open-minded."

Li Chijing chuckled softly and replied, "We've studied it thoroughly these past few years. I'm the main ingredient, and you're the auxiliary material. Who knows what kind of divine medicine we'll make."

Drinking the last of the wine, Li Chijing turned and left the pavilion, leaving behind the dazed Deng Qiuzhi and a phrase hanging in the air. "This wine isn't strong enough."

***

Leaving the small pavilion, Li Chijing headed straight for a cave dwelling in the mountains. He gently knocked on the stone door, and before long, someone came to open it.

"Jing'er..." The person who appeared was indeed his Senior Brother Xiao Yuansi, still holding a few herbs. Seeing Li Chijing, a look of guilt flashed across his face, and he called out softly.

"Senior Brother, why aren't you inviting me in?" Li Chijing spoke with a playful smile. Xiao Yuansi quickly stepped aside to let him in, offered tea at the stone table, and stared blankly at Li Chijing.

"Senior Brother, your cultivation has also reached the peak of Qi Cultivation. How confident are you about Foundation Establishment?"

Xiao Yuansi shook his head at the question and replied, "I'm not as good as you. I only have about thirty or forty percent confidence now. I still need to accumulate more for a few more years."

Li Chijing nodded, exchanged a few more pleasantries, and finally got to the main point. "I came here today to entrust Senior Brother with a few matters."

"Tell me, Jing'er..."

Li Chijing took out the jade bottle and explained, "This is the Suiyuan Pill that Chi Jiuyun gave me. Please take it back home for me, Senior Brother."

Xiao Yuansi nodded, then hesitated before speaking, "Then you..."

"I won't be needing this." Li Chijing shook his head, smiled confidently, and then took out several more items from his storage bag, explaining each one. "Over the years, I've accumulated some merit points. I exchanged some for an alchemy inheritance. Hearing that Xuanfeng is good with bows and arrows, and Brother also uses archery, I exchanged more for this secret archery technique. The rest I converted into spirit stones, just over a hundred. I've also drawn some talismans over the years. Please take all these back with you, Senior Brother."

Xiao Yuansi naturally understood Li Chijing's intention. His eyes were already glistening, and he said sorrowfully, "Jing'er, my Azure Spike Peak has wronged you!"

Li Chijing paused, then shook his head with a smile, "Senior Brother, why say such things? All my cultivation was bestowed by Azure Spike Peak. Now, returning it to the sect, what is wrong with that? Senior Brother, don't give others cause for gossip. Regardless of the sect's actions, the Xiao family and Azure Spike Peak have done much for me and the Li family. Chijing and the Lijing Li family will always remember it!"

With that, Li Chijing stood up, respectfully bowed three times and kowtowed nine times towards Sima Yuanbai, who was imprisoned in the Prison Pagoda to the north. Then, he respectfully bowed to Xiao Yuansi. Tears finally welled in his eyes as he said earnestly, "Senior Brother, from now on, I entrust my family to you!"

Xiao Yuansi stood up solemnly and replied earnestly, "Jing'er, as long as I, Xiao Yuansi, live, the Li family's inheritance will never be broken!"

Li Chijing wiped the corner of his eye, then smiled and embraced Xiao Yuansi. He heard his Senior Brother lower his head slightly and say softly, "Do you have any other wishes?"

Li Chijing let out a hearty laugh, then said coldly, "My wishes for this life are fulfilled. If there truly is one more wish, it would be for that Nascent Soul Ancestor who uses us for alchemy to fail in his breakthrough to Golden Core, for his lifespan to run out, and for him to die and disappear from the Dao!"