Li Xizhi rested briefly as the cloud ship beneath his feet began to move. A man at the late stage of the Qi Cultivation Realm approached from outside the door. He had a pale face without a beard, hair white as snow, bearing a dignified air. Only one sleeve hung empty, and he stopped beside Li Xizhi.
He cupped his hands in greeting and said softly, "I am Fei Yihe. Greetings, young master."
Li Xizhi found the name vaguely familiar, likely one of the Fei Family members who had accompanied them back then. In recent years, under the care of Li Xuanfeng, he had survived despite being covered in wounds.
Li Xizhi returned the courtesy and replied gently, "Xizhi greets the senior."
He then recalled his uncle Li Yuanqin, who had been stationed in the southern border. He was likely younger than himself, though what he looked like now was anyone’s guess. He asked, "I wonder if my uncle has come... I must see him at least once..."
Fei Yihe shook his head and replied, "The master was sent into the sect to cultivate alongside disciples of the Chi Family."
Upon hearing this, Li Xizhi’s heart became clear as a mirror. He sighed inwardly, while Fei Yihe appeared somewhat anxious, taking a seat beside him and asking, "I've spent many years in the southern border, often in seclusion. The general has marched to the Eastern Sea once again. I've only heard scattered words about the Fei Family. May I ask, Peak Master... How is my family doing? What realms have Tongyu and Tongxiao reached?"
Li Xizhi nodded slightly and answered, "At present, Young Master Tongyu manages the household. We've lost contact with them, so I know little. I’ve only heard that Young Master Tongxiao failed to make a breakthrough and perished, his Dao and lineage ended."
The news seemed to match the old man's expectations. He showed no visible shock, but at the words ‘perished, Dao ended,’ his fingers trembled on his knee, and he said somewhat at a loss, "Ah... I knew that boy."
Li Xizhi then recounted all the information he knew. Fei Yihe nodded in thanks repeatedly but could say nothing more. He sat upright in his seat, sleeves gathered, remaining silent for most of the journey.
The Heavenly Glow Dawn Cloudliner was incredibly fast. In just a short while, it began to show signs of stopping. Only then did Fei Yihe shake out his sleeve, revealing a hand gone pale from gripping tightly. He pulled out a small letter he had written long ago and said, "If there’s a chance, may I trouble Peak Master to deliver this letter... to the Fei Family on my behalf?"
Over the years, every time Li Xuanfeng returned home, Fei Yihe would ask him to bring a letter. By now, there were at least three, if not five. Had anything changed in the Fei Family? Likely not. Yet this old man remained incessant, faithfully writing every time. Though he never opened the letters, even an outsider could see the sincerity in his heart.
Li Xizhi could see it clearly and sighed inwardly. He put the letter away and replied, "If the chance comes, I will certainly deliver it for you, senior."
Fei Yihe nodded. As he watched the cloudliner gradually descend, he finally couldn’t hold back and said quietly, "If one day... the Fei Family collapses... if it's within your power, I beg you to preserve at least one bloodline..."
Li Xizhi did not dare to promise, so he could only respond gently, "With Daoist Friend Qingyi cultivating in Yuanwu, your esteemed family will surely overcome adversity. The elders will also look after things. Please rest assured, senior..."
Fei Yihe nodded and said no more. After some time, Li Xuanfeng stepped inside, with his golden armor already removed. He spoke softly, "So, Xizhi, you’ve arrived."
Li Xuanfeng gave a slight nod and continued, "We’ll make our first stop in Xu State to meet the people of the Golden Feather Sect."
Li Xizhi followed him to the bow of the ship. A cold northern wind stirred gently. They had already crossed the great river that divided north and south. Waves churned, and the water current surged mightily.
Only after crossing the great river did the spiritual atmosphere completely change. The surroundings turned a dusky yellow-gray. The ground was dry and cracked, scattered with white bones. The air was filled with the lingering presence of blood and resentment.
Several escape lights streaked across the sky. When they saw the Heavenly Glow Dawn Cloudliner emerge, they all turned back. These people seemed experienced, after flying a short distance, they dived straight into the earth and vanished into the gray smoke.
Li Xizhi watched for a moment, then asked aloud, "Uncle, do you know how the conscription of the various families will be arranged?"
Li Xuanfeng’s armor had actually lost its spiritual glow back when the two True Monarchs, Pristine Water and Taiyuan, had taken action. Now it was little more than a few pieces of hanging metal and would require significant effort to repair.
Since his return was brief, he had yet to repair it and had already stored it away. Upon hearing Li Xizhi’s question, he answered, "Naturally, it won't be for us to handle. When the time comes, Dawn Cloudliner will arrive at various places to conscript cultivators. According to the sect’s directives..."
Li Xuanfeng paused, then continued, "As an initial precaution, forty-five percent of each family’s cultivators will be drafted to Mount Bianyan. If the fighting intensifies, more will be summoned..."
Li Xizhi listened in silence and softly said, "If forty-five percent of a family's cultivators are taken, it’s like breaking their bones... I had wondered how many of our family’s cultivators would be sent. Now it seems there’s no escaping it."
"Indeed." Li Xuanfeng stood quietly, then spoke after a while, "In the mountains, blades and spears spare no one, yet for small families, opportunities abound. Resources and dharma artifacts they normally couldn’t dream of, today, they can find them just by scavenging two corpses. Great chaos brings great opportunity."
The two chatted for a while, then a few people approached. Li Xizhi took a closer look. The leader wore a flowing dharma robe that shimmered with light. It was his brother-in-law, Yang Ruizao.
Just earlier on the ship, Yang Ruizao had gathered a few close Daoist friends. Several of them were at the Foundation Establishment Realm and now followed behind him, bowing respectfully toward Li Xuanfeng and saying, "Greetings, senior!"
Li Xuanfeng nodded in acknowledgment, asking each of their names in turn. Yang Ruizao stepped closer, and the three of them stood together at the bow of the ship, signaling unity in leadership aboard, with Li Xuanfeng at the head.
Yang Ruizao gave Li Xizhi a look and spoke softly, his tone tinged with helplessness, "You’ve met those younger ones from my family, right, Xizhi? What did you think?"
Li Xizhi smiled and nodded, replying, "Very polite and composed."
Though the words were praise, Yang Ruizao understood the subtext. He sighed and said, "Let’s hope they improve."
As they conversed, Mount Bianyan gradually came into view. The mountain lay at the center of Xu State's twenty-three southern cities. It was an ideal position for dispatching reinforcements in all directions. It was shrouded in white mist, giving off a faintly eerie atmosphere.
While the younger ones chatted, Li Xuanfeng grew absent-minded. He still vividly remembered these mountains and the Zhenhui Temple atop them. He had once come here with his uncle to capture a wolf demonic beast. By now, the place had likely fallen to ruin...
Xuanling... The name of his younger brother echoed in his heart, though his expression remained blank. Only Li Xizhi, behind him, seemed to notice something and glanced at him quietly.