The Li Family's troops moved through the mountains, while Li Xijun, clad in flowing white robes with a sword at his waist, stood atop a peak overseeing the formation. Not far away, Kongheng drifted on the wind with his eyes closed. He was murmuring incantations as if performing rites for the dead.
Li Xijun took a careful glance, confirming that Li Wushao was staying close to Li Zhouwei, then withdrew his gaze. As he stepped through the snow-laden winds, his ears twitched slightly, and he suddenly turned his head to the side.
A glint of cold light flickered beneath Li Xijun sword-like brows as wisps of white mist drifted from his eyes. He stared intently at an empty patch of space not far away. After a few breaths, he furrowed his brows and spoke in a cold voice, "Which Daoist friend lingers here in hiding? I am Li Xijun of the Li Family. Please reveal yourself!"
His voice, sharp and commanding, carried far, reaching the ears of Kongheng in the distance. The narrow-eyed monk abruptly opened his eyes and retrieved an ancient green-colored buddhist monk’s staff from his sleeve, swiftly riding the wind toward them.
After speaking, Li Xijun felt a chill of astonishment in his heart, What an extraordinary stealth technique!
Since childhood, he had trained in the perception arts, and the talisman qi of Radiant Snow Pine Ridge enhanced his vision, allowing him to pierce through illusions and see through even complex formations.
Yet, despite observing for several seconds, he could not fully discern the figure. He could only sense a vague presence in that spot. A chill ran through him and he instinctively prepared to flee.
Just then, a streak of white light flickered in the air, revealing the corner of a cloud-white robe. A figure gradually materialized. It was a youth, smiling from ear to ear.
The young man had slightly narrow brows and lively gray eyes. His skin was smooth and delicate and his black hair was braided into two sections on either side of his face, each tied with silver-white bells that accentuated his spirited demeanor.
He was barefoot, dressed in a long-sleeved robe of deep blue and green, curiously fastened with a left lapel. It was an uncommon style. His collar was small, while his sleeves were wide. A string of silver beads adorned his neck, ending with a gleaming quartz pendant.
Li Xijun paused slightly and stepped back cautiously. The young man’s face was full of mirth, even carrying a hint of playful teasing as he asked, "Which junior are you? Where is Li Yuanjiao? Bring him out at once!"
Hearing this, Li Xijun’s wariness eased slightly, but he remained vigilant as he cupped his hands in response, "I do not know which senior you may be. But to answer you, my granduncle passed away many years ago."
"Ah!"
The youth’s smile vanished instantly, his expression shifting to one of frustration, as if he were about to stomp his feet. Li Xijun took the opportunity to observe him carefully. There was something inexplicably familiar about this person. The same gray eyes, the long brows and an aura of nimbleness.
Looking closer, he finally noticed the sharp white fangs, the glimmering purple mist surrounding him. This was no ordinary man, but a demonic creature.
The youth hesitated for a moment, seeming suddenly disheartened. He waved his hand dismissively and the lively aura he had carried vanished in an instant. Lowering his gaze, he said, "Just so you know, I am White Banyan, a cultivator from the demon den of Mount Dali. I once mistakenly took up residence on the outskirts of Mount Dali, peacefully cultivating beneath the trees…
"Who would have thought that someone would come to my doorstep and beat me up? That person was your ancestor, Li Tongya. The lifespan of your human race is short, it’s been countless generations now… Does your family still remember?"
Li Xijun froze in place, murmuring, "Senior White Banyan Fox?!"
Hearing him recognize the name, White Banyan’s expression lit up with amusement. He called out, "That’s me!"
Li Xijun stood motionless in the air, struggling to find words. Just as he was about to step forward, his eyes narrowed and doubt crept into his heart. He placed his hand on his sword but did not draw it, speaking in a low voice, "Senior, that is quite the name you claim… But according to my family's records, Senior White Banyan Fox was a red fox. I can see clearly, how is it that you are a white fox?"
White Banyan was momentarily stunned, then suddenly burst into laughter, as if he had just heard something incredibly amusing. He laughed heartily for several breaths before stopping to ask, "Are you telling me… that your family recorded my details so meticulously? How wonderful, how wonderful… Li Tongya truly was a fine man."
Seeing that White Banyan did not appear to be lying, Li Xijun gave a slight nod, cupping his hands in respect as he responded, "I ask Senior for an explanation."
"Ah!" White Banyan perked up at this question, his white fluffy tail rising beneath his blue-green robes. He chuckled and said, "My background wasn’t high to begin with. I spent all these years building my Foundation Establishment Realm precisely to temper my bloodline in the demon den’s demon pool, seeking true essence. Now, my efforts have borne fruit, I shed my red fur and mortal fangs and have transformed into a spirit fox!"
This explanation was certainly novel. Li Xijun pondered for a moment before asking, "Does Senior know which sword Ancestor Tongya wielded?"
White Banyan idly stepped in the air, answering without hesitation, "First, it was the Dragon Coiling Pillar; later, it was the Qingche Sword."
Li Xijun proceeded to ask several hidden questions. Seeing White Banyan answer fluently and without any inconsistencies, he finally cupped his hands, bowed, and respectfully said, "I am Li Xijun, great-grandson of our ancestor. I pay my respects to Ancestor White Banyan and congratulate you on your great achievement!"
White Banyan chuckled, letting out a long sigh before speaking, "You take after your great-grandfather. So cautious, just like that serpent dragon of his. Always lurking, always calculating, never making a move without careful consideration."
Draped in his blue-green robes, he looked far younger than Li Xijun. He cast a playful glance at him and said with a smile, "You have a handsome look about you, quite like Li Tongya in his later years."
Li Tongya held an exalted status in the minds of younger generations like Li Xijun. Hearing such words, he couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation and replied humbly, "Senior’s divine bearing is beyond compare. I dare not claim even a fraction of it."
White Banyan turned his head, listening to the distant shouts of battle below. He took a deep breath, savoring the air and his lips grew noticeably redder. Li Xijun observed this carefully and said softly, "It is rather unfortunate timing, as I am currently engaged in family affairs. I ask senior to wait for a while. Once this matter is settled, I shall invite you into the mountains for tea."
White Banyan chuckled lightly and said with a sly grin, "No harm, no harm. In fact, I should consider myself lucky. Just as I break through my seclusion, I happen upon such a dense surge of blood qi. I should be thanking you."
Li Xijun felt somewhat embarrassed but found himself at a loss for words. He swallowed his thoughts in silence. White Banyan, meanwhile, cast a casual glance below and murmured absentmindedly, "So, Li Yuanping is dead too… I had told him long ago to gather enough blood sacrifice and come find me but he refused to listen. You Li Family members… all as stubborn as ever."
He muttered to himself as the white quartz pendant, strung with silver beads around his neck, swayed gently. Li Xijun had no idea why such an ordinary piece of quartz held significance for him but simply responded, "Senior speaks the truth."
White Banyan’s blue-green robes slowly billowed as the blood qi below surged. He smiled as if coming to a realization, thinking to himself, Sigh… Li Tongya never approved of this path and his descendants seem to have followed his example. While absorbing blood qi here isn’t quite the same as consuming human flesh, since it carries little resentment, it is still something most people frown upon.
He flicked his sleeves, took two deep breaths of the blood-rich air, then finally turned back. A trace of reluctance lingered in his heart as he spoke in a low voice, "I won’t stay here much longer. I’ll wait for you in Lijing Mountain."