Chapter 52: Cang Li Jia Shou

The warm and gentle March sunlight filtered through the tender green leaves of the poplars, casting dappled patterns of light and shadow on the ground.

Li Weiyi sat down on a stone stool opposite Li Songlin. Not daring to presume, he humbly asked, "Senior, aren't the spots at the Nine Li Daoist Academy already full?"

Li Songlin smiled and explained unhurriedly, "The Nine Li Daoist Academy is the highest martial arts sanctuary of the Nine Li Tribe. It only recruits the most talented young individuals from each division. The maximum age for entry can be extended to twenty years old. The older one is, the higher the entry threshold."

"Although Gao Huan is over the age limit, he is small in stature and has just undergone the Pure Immortal Body metamorphosis, shedding dead skin and removing all traces of the old. No one can tell, so Cang Li reported his age as sixteen."

"In previous years, each division had twenty spots, totaling one hundred eighty people. More than half were selected early from the tribal academies of the nine major tribes."

"This year is the Great Mang Mountain Sacrifice, held every four years. Each tribe received an additional ten spots. In other words, the Cang Li Tribe has thirty spots this year, and all the major families are scrambling for them."

He narrowed his eyes, which held a contained brilliance, and looked at Li Weiyi. "I can help you secure a chance to challenge. As long as you are strong enough, what's wrong with seizing a spot? Everyone will have to accept it."

"Single-handedly dealing with two Seven Springs martial cultivators and an insect master, I don't think you'll have much trouble getting into the Nine Li Daoist Academy."

"To be honest with you, I came here for two reasons. First, to express my gratitude. Second, your strength is considerable, enough to attract the attention of the Cang Li Tribe. How many springs have you opened?"

"Seven springs," Li Weiyi replied, feeling that since Li Songlin had asked, he wouldn't attempt to investigate further.

With his current cultivation of five springs, he indeed possessed combat power comparable to a Seven Springs martial cultivator, even without using magical artifacts.

Li Songlin's expression slightly hardened, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes. "It seems last night was extremely dangerous. Luckily, you had magical artifacts. A nineteen-year-old Seven Springs and a fifty-year-old Seven Springs are two completely different concepts. Considering your age and current cultivation, your talent has a chance to rank in the middle among this year's thirty entrants."

"Enter the academy to cultivate. Only there will you have hope of reaching the Eighth Spring, Fengfu. And it will be easier to attempt the Five Seas Realm in the future."

"You should know that in Nine Li City, the suburban area, the city area, and the daoist area are three different cultivation environments. The Nine Li Daoist Academy is located in the core of the daoist area. Anyone who can cultivate within the academy will surely become an important figure in the tribe in the future."

Li Weiyi could feel Li Songlin's sincerity, but he had too many secrets. Once he entered the Nine Li Daoist Academy, he would be completely exposed, and whether that would be a blessing or a curse was unknown.

After all, the Nine Li Daoist Academy belonged to the nine major tribes, not just the Cang Li Tribe.

He decided to discuss it with Senior Coffin first.

"Thank you for the recommendation, Senior Jia Shou," Li Weiyi said, "but I'd like to think about it a bit more."

Li Songlin, knowing the young man in front of him was cautious by nature, didn't press the matter. He said, "No hurry. Whenever you've made up your mind, you can find me... find the Fourth Girl, she can reach me. Focus on your cultivation, and if you break through to the Five Seas Realm within five years, I'll talk to my second brother about you and her. I have no concept of family status, and besides, I still owe you a great life-saving favor."

Given Li Songlin's status and position, he would never make a promise lightly. Once he made a promise, it was as good as set in stone.

Li Weiyi chuckled awkwardly, "What exactly did she tell you, Senior?"

"Don't call me Senior anymore. Just call me Fourth Uncle," Li Songlin said.

There was no way to continue the conversation!

Li Songlin withdrew the spiritual energy cloud into his body, rose, and continued, "Regarding the Evergreen Gang, you don't need to worry. I will personally go there shortly. However, the Yang clan and the Cang Li Tribe have been on good terms for generations, and Yang Qingxi has already come to apologize. It wouldn't be appropriate for me to be too harsh, so I will only give them a warning or two."

"Thank you, Fourth Uncle."

Li Weiyi accepted this favor. After all, the Evergreen Gang suffered such a huge loss last night and would certainly not let it go, which was like a sword constantly hanging over his head.

If Li Songlin personally went there, even if he said nothing harsh, the Evergreen Gang would at least openly dare not cause trouble again in the future.

"How come you're calling him Fourth Uncle now too?" Li Ling chuckled.

Li Weiyi didn't bother to respond to her.

Li Songlin thought of something and asked, "By the way, are you planning to continue living here, or move to the city area? Although the spiritual energy is denser in the city area, the Cang Li Tribe has many internal families, a vast enterprise, and a lot of troublesome affairs."

"Additionally, there are some external adversaries... In the past decade or so, due to external wars, too many powerful individuals have flooded into Lizhou. Nine Li City is no longer just the Nine Li Tribe's Nine Li City. Moving into the city without entering the academy means considerable risks. Weigh the pros and cons yourselves!"

"Fourth Girl, I'll leave this matter to you. Arrange everything for them."

"I'll go to the Evergreen Gang first!"

Li Songlin walked out of the courtyard gate, waved his hand at the arriving coachman, and slowly walked away alone, as if idly strolling.

After Li Ling watched Li Songlin leave, she said, "My Fourth Uncle is just like that; he finds everything bothersome except martial cultivation. Actually, living in the city is quite good. Even if you can't get into the Nine Li Daoist Academy, you can still enter the Cang Li Tribal Academy. Uncle Qi, where's the gift I prepared for Senior Brother?"

Li Qi carried a huge wooden box with both hands and walked into the courtyard.

Behind him followed two middle-aged servants, a man and a woman, holding measuring tapes.

The wooden box was opened, revealing folded, gigantic robes.

Li Ling enthusiastically arranged, "Knowing Senior Brother's physique is unusual and he hasn't had suitable clothes, I had these made overnight in the past two days, so they certainly won't fit perfectly. But I've brought the tailors as well. Let them take proper measurements, and we'll make a few more sets later, all charged to my account."

Zhao Meng looked at Li Weiyi.

Li Weiyi felt a headache coming on; here it was again, and the key was that he couldn't refuse.

He was afraid of Li Ling's inexplicable enthusiasm, her being too kind to him and those around him without reason. Some details he hadn't even had time to consider, Li Ling remembered.

"Fourth Miss's kindness is immense; we brothers are infinitely grateful," Li Weiyi said.

Li Ling chuckled happily, "Finally, you've said something heartwarming. I'll make two sets for you too."

Cai Yutong recalled the first time she met Li Ling in the Misty Realm of Departing Spirits. Back then, she was a mysterious and cold guide of the underworld lamp. How could she have such a warm and vibrant girlish disposition now?

Cai Yutong asked, "How did you and Fourth Miss establish such a deep friendship?"

"It's a long story."

Li Weiyi gave a wry smile, unsure where to begin. He asked, "Qi Shanshan... what exactly is that bone demon busy with?"

"Hard to say!"

Cai Yutong said, "I feel she's very interested in that young tribal leader. She probably wants to become the young tribal leader's wife."

Li Weiyi was stunned, thinking he had misheard. That was Zen Sea Viewing Mist, the strongest being on this land a thousand years ago. Had she actually fallen for a young man? And seemingly even making active advances.

He admitted that Cang Li was outstanding, with noble birth, the appearance of a Pure Immortal Body, once-in-a-millennium talent, and a generous and chivalrous personality. He was almost without flaw.

It was not uncommon for any woman in the world to be moved by him.

But that was Zen Sea Viewing Mist...

Cai Yutong said, "Qi Shanshan shouldn't be possessed. I've probed, and she has her own independent consciousness. At the current stage, the bone demon seems unable to leave her body and has fallen into a deep sleep. The one currently controlling that body is Qi Shanshan herself."

"That makes much more sense!"

A thought stirred in Li Weiyi's mind: Since Zen Sea Viewing Mist was asleep, could he take this opportunity to eliminate her and prevent future trouble?

He always felt that Zen Sea Viewing Mist would come looking for him again.

His blood and soul should have some special effect on her.

At the same time, he really wanted to clarify the mystery of his own origins from Zen Sea Viewing Mist. Li Weiyi had asked the three senior remnant souls about this, but they had never heard of the ancient clan Zen Sea Viewing Mist mentioned, nor of the concept of a "Dao Protector Wife."

Li Ling walked over with a smile. "What are you two whispering about? Li Weiyi, I was just about to talk to you about Yutong."

"She has a Pure Immortal Body, so logically, she can enter the Nine Li Daoist Academy to cultivate. But Gao Huan is already in, and pushing another Pure Immortal Body who hasn't cultivated yet would surely prompt the other eight major tribes to dig into the secrets behind it, which might not be a good thing."

"I've talked to her and suggested she enter the Cang Li Tribal Academy, but she seems to prefer staying with you all. Why don't you try to persuade her?"

Li Weiyi chuckled, "Of course, I respect her wishes."

Li Ling said, "Are you sure you can protect a Pure Immortal Body woman? You've also witnessed the dangers and cruelty of Nine Li City. With her by your side, how many people will covet her? Possessing a Pure Immortal Body is a good thing, but without powerful strength, it's a great disaster."

Li Weiyi looked at Cai Yutong's peerless beauty, which, even veiled, was still captivating. He thought seriously and said, "Senior Sister, I think what Li Ling said makes sense. Have you encountered any trouble, or do you have any concerns?"

Cai Yutong always spoke directly, like a stubborn old scholar: "I don't trust strangers; I only trust you."

This simple truth possessed unparalleled power for any man.

Upon hearing this, Li Ling immediately cast a sidelong glance. Her gaze at Cai Yutong instantly lost its previous closeness, as if saying, "So you two have that kind of relationship?"

Li Weiyi recalled Cai Yutong feeding him fish soup while he lay sick in the bronze battleship. A surge of inexplicable warmth rushed to his head, and he said, "Alright, Senior Sister, stay. No matter what circumstances we face, I will do everything I can to protect you."

His words resonated clearly, each one conveying unwavering determination.

The reason Li Weiyi decided to let Cai Yutong stay was, of course, not just a surge of emotion.

He knew very well that wherever there were people, there would be trouble. Li Songlin had already made it very clear that the Cang Li Tribe also had a complex internal power structure. Was it truly safe for Senior Sister Cai, without any cultivation foundation, to enter the Cang Li Tribal Academy alone?

A Pure Immortal Body would be valued, but also attract covetousness and jealousy.

Li Ling's fingers fidgeted in her sleeve. "How about you two enter the Cang Li Tribal Academy together?"

If he were to enter an academy, it would be the Nine Li Daoist Academy. Li Weiyi had little interest in a mere tribal academy.