Azure Pond Sect.
Azure Pond Sect was usually shrouded in mist and clear clouds. But perhaps due to the repeated failures and deaths during the breakthrough attempts to the Foundation Establishment Realm in recent months, the clouds now seemed much thinner.
From within the distant clouds, a streak of Heavenly Glow sped forth with six-colored trails. The man atop it was elegant and noble, it was none other than Li Xizhi.
Li Xizhi, riding the Heavenly Glow, rushed back from outside. As he entered the sect, he saw people bustling around. Landing atop Qingsui Peak, he was quickly greeted by his junior brother Yuan Chengzhao.
Yuan Chengzhao had not yet broken through to the Foundation Establishment Realm, he was at the peak of Qi Cultivation Realm. Holding a dharma artifact in hand, he looked a bit flustered.
Among this generation of the Yuan Family, only Yuan Chengdun had unmatched strength. He was one of the rare cultivators capable of contending with direct disciples of the great sects. Unfortunately, he had perished in the Eastern Sea. Of the remaining younger ones, only Yuan Chengzhao had any chance of a breakthrough.
The Yuan Family’s former pillar, Yuan Tuan, had also fallen in the Eastern Sea. Though the family's numbers remained intact, with these two core figures gone, they had no strong Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators left to speak of.
Though they now had the Chi Family’s support, pressure still loomed large. Yuan Chengzhao, staying in the sect, felt especially awkward. He sat blankly atop the peak and was unsure of how to face anyone.
Now, seeing his senior brother Li Xizhi, he was at even more of a loss, fumbling as he spoke, “Senior brother... I truly don’t know anything about the family’s affairs!”
“None of this is your fault, of course.” Li Xizhi frowned slightly, noticing with sharp eyes that Yuan Chengzhao’s clothes were thin yet immaculately white. It was subtly of higher quality than the average sect disciple’s garb.
He smiled gently and said, “What’s this? You’ve got new clothes now, I see.”
Yuan Chengzhao finally realized what was happening and was momentarily speechless. He then said in a low voice, “I... this... senior brother! Come with me up the mountain!”
Li Xizhi’s smile gradually faded. He followed quietly behind until they reached the small pavilion at the mountaintop, where the lights were dim and a piece of clothing lay draped messily over the desk.
Li Xizhi knew this little room like the back of his hand. With just one glance, he noticed that the sharp green-bladed sword that once hung on the wall had been taken down, it was nowhere to be seen.
Sweat formed on Yuan Chengzhao’s brow. He led Li Xizhi inside and, upon reaching the desk, dropped to his knees with a thud. He bowed in silence.
Li Xizhi seemed to have expected this. His expression was calm as his gaze swept over the robe draped on the desk.
The robe was a pale bluish-green, seamless in its make and glowed faintly with multicolored light. A silver ornament dangled awkwardly from the waist, haphazardly tossed on the corner of the desk.
Of course, Li Xizhi knew exactly what this garment was, it was the robe of the peak master.
Looking again at Yuan Chengzhao’s inner garments that were pure white and flowing, it was clear they were part of the same set as the robe on the desk. But with Li Xizhi’s sudden return, Yuan Chengzhao had only managed to remove the outer robe in a hurry, forgetting about the underlayer before rushing to meet him.
“Senior brother...”
The contrast made everything obvious. Yuan Chengzhao kept his head very low, sweating profusely. Yet Li Xizhi didn’t seem angry. His voice was cool as he asked, “The sword?”
Compared to the peak master’s position, it seemed he cared more about the sword that used to hang on the wall, the one once wielded by Li Chejing.
With Yuan Tuan’s whereabouts uncertain, Yuan Chengzhao had long lived under the discipline of his senior brother Li Xizhi, and had a deep sense of awe toward him. Now he was stumbling over his words.
“I... I...”
Although this senior brother was graceful and refined, back when he’d misbehaved, Li Xizhi had truly scolded him coldly and disciplined him with a ruler. Now, with red-rimmed eyes, he trembled as he said, “Senior brother! The Chi Family is coming... I was afraid they’d recognize uncle’s sword... so I hid it ahead of time!”
He hurriedly retrieved the sword from his storage pouch and offered it with both hands. Before Li Chejing had forged his spirit sword, he had used this very one to cultivate the Profound Water Sword Technique. The blade was simple, without any ornate designs.
Li Xizhi received it with both hands, then took out a jade box from his own storage pouch and carefully stored the sword away before speaking gently, “The Chi Family personally appointed you?”
Yuan Chengzhao nodded repeatedly, forcing himself to respond, “Yes... yes! They used the family as leverage, saying I absolutely had to take the peak master’s position...”
“Mm.” Li Xizhi’s expression didn’t change much. He nodded lightly, used one hand to help him up, and with the other, lifted the green robe from the desk and draped it over him, smiling as he said, “You, your cultivation is still a bit lacking. Once you reach the Foundation Establishment Realm, you’ll be able to hold the stage properly.”
Yuan Chengzhao began sweating even more, beads falling down as he muttered, “Senior brother! This was meant to be yours... I know the Master thought the same... it’s always been yours. I... I... had no power to resist...”
“What’s mine or yours!” Li Xizhi chuckled softly, patted his shoulder, and said gently, “I’ve returned after completing my task and still need to report to the main hall. Peak Master Yuan, you wait here first. Once I’m back, you and I shall have a proper drink.”
Yuan Chengzhao was at a complete loss and simply nodded. It wasn’t until Li Xizhi rode off on the Heavenly Glow light that he hastily pulled off the outer robe and tossed it back onto the desk, feeling as if he were in a dream, “Senior brother’s not angry at me... thank the heavens...”
He sat there dazed for a while, staring at the silver pendant that symbolized the position of peak master. His hands grew hot with excitement, and he couldn’t help but touch it twice.
Meanwhile, Li Xizhi rose on the wind, stepping through the moonlight and glow. His expression was gentle, but his eyes were cold. One hand was clasped behind his back, posture poised as he thought, Trying to manipulate me? You think this was Chi Zhiyun’s oversight? Unlikely!
What a clever ploy... Chengzhao’s not cunning, and he craves status, it’s only natural he’d fall into this trap. Qingsui Peak is still in the hands of the Yuan Family... nine out of ten, this was a reward for them. And in the end, they still get to strike a blow at me...
He looked refined and calm, wearing just the right trace of displeasure on his face, but inside there was no anger but only a cold smirk.
My Li Family has seven Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators, the Profound Thunder Golden Bow, Bright Yang Rainbow Mist, and ties to the Xiao family in the east. Should anything arise, we could even force the Xiao, Ning, or Yang Families to intervene. We have so many cultivators across the peaks of Moongaze Lake. They’re a gift from the heavens, the perfect shield. Who among them would willingly give that up?
At this moment, the calm elegance Li Xizhi had cultivated since youth remained flawless, but inwardly his mind was calculating with precision. He was, after all, the son of Li Yuanjiao. On the surface, he seemed gentle but underneath, he had already seen everything with piercing clarity, At such a desperate moment, what else could this be but one hand wielding the stick, the other offering the sweet date? Very well... let’s see what kind of performance the esteemed masters put on next!