Li Qinghong descended in a flash of lightning and entered the cave dwelling. Li Xizhi first cupped his hands in greeting, then shook out his tattered feathered robe, where a handprint remained on his back. Li Qinghong asked, "What happened?"
Li Xizhi responded concisely, "I was betrayed by someone from the sect and lured into a forbidden area of the Dragon Clan, where I encountered a demonic dragon of the Purple Mansion Realm.
"He had his own reservations and was unwilling to act as a blade for Azure Pond Sect, so he let me go. However, he placed a restriction on me that allows him to observe my surroundings."
Li Qinghong listened to his matter-of-fact tone, but she could well imagine the sheer terror of escaping from a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator. Upon hearing his final words, she was even more startled, realizing that certain topics could no longer be discussed freely. She hurriedly asked, "How are your injuries?"
"Dissolving the mana left within me has been relatively easy." Li Xizhi’s expression remained calm as he spoke gently, "Initially, it would have lingered in my body, hindering my recovery and damaging my mana, but I have been able to dissolve it quickly. The remaining injuries, while severe, will not obstruct my cultivation path and can be healed with time."
Li Qinghong nodded, pondered for a moment, then asked in a hushed voice, "Was it Chi Zhiyun?"
Li Xizhi shook his head and sat down with his aunt in the cave dwelling before replying, "Aunt, you may not know this, but although Chi Zhiyun has past conflicts with our family, he values his reputation. As long as his bottom line is not crossed, he conducts himself in a fair and upright manner.
"If he truly intended to harm us, how could our family have survived on the lake until now? He would have long found an excuse to wipe us out. As long as he cares about his public image, he cannot openly send people to harm me."
Li Xizhi’s speech quickened slightly as he continued in a soft voice, "This matter is either due to his carelessness, allowing someone to exploit a loophole, or it was the Ning Family attempting to completely control our household and orchestrate my downfall. If it is the latter, it is less concerning. Yuan Su’s lifespan is running out, and our granduncle’s reputation is formidable, so there is no major threat. I'm only afraid that it's the former."
Though Li Qinghong was devoted to her cultivation, she was also a perceptive woman. She frowned and said, "I'm afraid this incident will provoke Chi Zhiyun into wiping everything out in one go! I've seen his methods before. When he decides to be ruthless, he's far more terrifying than the likes of Ning Hejing and Chi Zhiyan."
Li Xizhi nodded solemnly and said in a serious tone, "Aunt, I must ask you to accompany me to Profound Peak Gate! Senior Kong was a close friend of my father. With her as a witness, we can distance ourselves from this matter. I can claim that I never went to Qunyi, that only the Han Family was involved and that no harm was actually done. This should put Chi Zhiyun at ease."
Though this was his outward reasoning, deep down, he had another concern in his heart, I don’t know what kind of person Daoist Master Suiguan is, but if he hears that I escaped from a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator, he may personally come to investigate. That would be disastrous!
Li Xizhi wasn’t particularly afraid of his internal talisman seed being discovered. After all, even Chi Buzi had failed to detect it back then. If his internal restriction was found, it wouldn’t be a huge problem. But if the talisman seed retaliated and killed this peak Purple Mansion Daoist Master, Jiangnan would be thrown into chaos.
Suiguan is no ordinary person. If he dies here, Pristine Water will likely emerge on the spot, stepping out from the grotto heaven and dragging me back home to find the Immortal Mirror.
Li Xizhi silently weighed his options, realizing that this course of action was inevitable. Li Qinghong pondered briefly before she said with a sigh, "Even after being harmed, we must pretend as if nothing happened... Such is the fate of the weak."
Li Xizhi nodded in agreement, then Li Qinghong soared into the sky on a flash of lightning. Li Xizhi concealed himself behind her, and together they departed, crossing the Shallow Sea toward Profound Peak Gate.
Both of them traveled at an astonishing speed. After half a month, they landed on the shores of Lake Xian, where Li Qinghong rode her lightning toward the gates of Profound Peak Gate in Shanji Prefecture. The sect shimmered with pale-white radiance, and its cultivators bustled about, appearing quite busy.
She had one of the sect members report to Kong Tingyun and deliberately said, "I heard that my nephew Xizhi is at your esteemed family’s senior’s residence. Please inform Kong Tingyun."
Before long, a streak of golden light shot out from the mountain. Kong Tingyun, dressed in her usual deep indigo robes, approached with evident delight.
"Qinghong, my dear sister!" said Kong Tingyun.
Although Daoist Master Changxi was not particularly renowned in the Purple Mansion Realm, Kong Tingyun was still a descendant of a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator. She had taken numerous treasured panaceas over the years, giving her an appearance even younger than Li Qinghong’s. She looked no older than her early twenties. With great enthusiasm, she greeted her, "It’s been so many years! What brings you here to visit me?"
Li Qinghong, now carrying an even more refined aura, had her long hair tied as usual. She replied gently, "I heard that Xizhi was here with you, and I was worried. So, I came to check on him."
Kong Tingyun’s ears twitched slightly as she listened to a private mana transmission, then smiled and said, "Please, come into the mountain first."
She activated the formation, and Li Qinghong waited for a brief moment before entering. She landed on Kong Tingyun’s immortal peak, and Li Xizhi revealed himself, bowing respectfully, "Many thanks, Senior."
Kong Tingyun smiled slightly, glanced at him twice, and thought to herself, He carries himself with more noble grace than his father. He must take after that Xiao Family woman.
Though their families were close, she dared not act too familiarly, lest she invite unforeseen trouble. She first said, "Don't rush to thank me. Speak of your business first."
Moongaze Lake.
Li Xijun patrolled the lake for a full round before gracefully landing in the town. Just then, a swirl of gray wind surged toward him and transformed into a human form before him. Li Wushao clasped his hands and spoke softly, "My lord, the heir has emerged from seclusion."
Li Xijun gave a slight nod and stepped forward to the hall's entrance. At the highest seat sat Li Chengliao who wore long garments. He gazed downward at Li Zhouwei, who stood holding a halberd. The boy had broken through after just half a year, achieving the Qi Cultivation Realm.
Li Xijun glanced at him, mentally calculating his age. Li Zhouwei was only thirteen, achieving the Qi Cultivation Realm even earlier than An Jingming had back in the day.
Minghuang had the boost of a Talisman pill, adding an entire level effortlessly. The medicinal power and spiritual energy he received were incomparable to what An Jingming had...
But An Jingming’s cultivation method, especially during the Embryonic Breathing Realm, allowed for rapid advancement. Comparing the two, it's hard to tell how vast the difference truly is.
After some thought, he stepped into the hall. Li Chengliao and his son turned their gaze toward him, but Li Xijun simply waved his hand and said, "No need for formalities."
He did not say much, only speaking in a low tone, "Xizhi is not on Green Pine Island. I've received other news. The golden rain was indeed caused by the fall of Yuanwu."
At these words, a faint smile appeared on Li Chengliao's face. He smoothed his robe and replied with a clasped hand, "I will make the necessary arrangements at once."
Li Xijun nodded, his thoughts drifting. His hand rested on the hilt of Han Lin, the slender sword gleaming faintly. He gazed at the morning light outside the hall, an unease settling in his heart.
This is a critical moment... yet Xizhi is not in the sect... He only said he went to visit the Han Family... but at a time like this, could something have gone wrong?
Li Xijun silently weighed his options, even hesitating about deploying forces to the eastern shore. However, this opportunity was too rare to pass up. His family had worked hard to secure the right connections, delaying further might cause unforeseen complications.
Standing at the foot of the steps, he observed the quiet mobilization of troops within the town. After calculating the timing, he finally took flight and soared toward the eastern shore.
I can't wait any longer... Granduncle’s letter mentioned that Shangyuan’s breakthrough is imminent and instability in Jiangnan is growing. I must act swiftly...