He exited the grand formation and arrived at the foot of the mountain, where he suddenly saw An Siwei descending rapidly on the wind.
The middle-aged man spoke gravely, “Reporting to Your Highness, a man has arrived outside the formation. He claims to be from the Miao Family of Thunder Island in the Southern Sea. He wishes to visit Qingdu...”
“A member of the Miao Family?” Li Zhouwei’s expression darkened slightly as he said coldly, “Our elders are still patrolling the lake. Send up a signal flame. As for the Miao Family representative, let him wait at the pavilion below the mountain.”
The matter of Li Qinghong had long been discussed within the family. There was a high chance the Miao Family had come with ill intent. Their timing was precise, striking just as the Li Family’s presence had thinned and Li Xijun was gravely wounded. It was a truly perilous situation...
“I wonder if it’s Miao Quan... I’ve heard the man is quite formidable. If he were to suddenly act out, it could indeed become troublesome.” Li Zhouwei folded his arms and asked, “Was he willing to enter the formation and speak in detail?”
“I asked... Although he looked uncomfortable, he eventually nodded in agreement,” replied An Siwei.
When he heard that the man was willing to enter the formation, Li Zhouwei had a clear idea in mind, Either he doesn’t harbor much ill will... or he has no real grasp of our strength. He’s just relying on the backing of a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator. But once inside the Foundation Establishment Realm formation, with a late-stage Establishment Realm cultivator operating it, he’ll be walking straight into danger...
Since the Miao Family had shown a willingness to talk, the Li Family naturally preferred fewer enemies over more.
Li Zhouwei responded with a touch of courtesy and instructed, “Serve him tea.”
He immediately started to calculate deeply. His father, Li Chengliao, arrived within the formation as well.
When he heard how polite the Miao Family representative was, he frowned, and Li Zhouwei said gravely, “It’s probably because the reputation of Bianyan’s Immortal Bow frightened them. The incident where Murong Wu was killed within fifteen minutes.”
The father and son discussed the matter in detail and soon devised a response. Li Zhouwei spoke softly, “Father, please take your position and stand guard. I’ll wait for uncle.”
Li Chengliao nodded calmly and left. Lights flickered outside the formation, indicating that Li Ximing had not been far away. He soon arrived, riding the wind.
Li Ximing, clad in a golden Daoist robe, had searched around the lake but found nothing of note. He had only slain a few devil cultivators. Most of the day had passed, and he was feeling rather frustrated.
He grumbled, “What a bothersome task... I have to keep checking for any traces of Foundation Establishment Realm activity. Eighth Brother really has patience, to spend half a year on something like this.”
Li Xijun was seriously injured, so Li Ximing would have to take charge himself for the moment. He didn’t mind, but as he counted the days, the secret techniques he was waiting on still seemed far off. This was giving him a headache.
“The Purple Mansion Realm... how incredibly difficult it is to attain!”
When he returned to the mountain and saw Li Zhouwei, he was momentarily stunned by the youth’s fifth stage Qi Cultivation Realm strength. Li Zhouwei spoke first, giving a brief summary of the situation.
“Let him come up, then...” said Li Ximing.
When he heard that the visitor was from the Miao Family, Li Ximing’s head only ached even more. Still, he had no choice but to shoulder the responsibility. So he maintained his calm composure.
Li Zhouwei understood his uncle’s temperament. He summoned Li Chengliao and Li Xuanxuan on his behalf, preserving the elder’s dignity as he gently added, “Father has already received the news and is waiting in the hall. Uncle only needs to be present; there’s no need to say much.”
Li Ximing blinked at him in surprise, then understood and grinned. “Good!”
Li Zhouwei infused mana into the Da Sheng Halberd, causing the dharma artifact to shine brilliantly. The central arc glowed with a dazzling radiance.
He handed the artifact over and said in a grave tone, “The Miao Family hails from the Southern Sea, where devil cultivators are most numerous. Such people often fear power but not virtue. The renown of the Immortal Bow of Mount Bianyan carries great deterrence, so surely, there’s some hesitation in their hearts. Uncle, place the halberd by your side and observe coldly.”
Li Ximing’s eyes lit up and he nodded. “That, I can certainly manage.”
He rode the wind upward and descended into the main hall, taking his seat at the head. The Miao Family representative entered the hall shortly after.
This Miao Family member had a square face, thick brows, a burly frame, and wore strange clothes. It was neither truly Daoist nor monk-like. Two large bronze bowls were tied at his waist. However, his manner was polite.
“I am Miao Ye of Thunder Island! Greetings, fellow Daoist!”
Miao Ye, too, cultivated the Thunder Dao, so his voice boomed like rolling thunder. Li Ximing leaned slightly in his golden robe. The crescent-shaped Da Sheng Halberd stood tall beside him.
He looked down and said, “I am Li Ximing. Greetings, fellow Daoist.”
Whatever else one could say, Li Ximing had a commanding presence. His cultivation was deep, and one hand rested on the armrest as the teachings of his father, Li Yuanping, seemed to come alive from memory. His bearing had become vividly refined.
Miao Ye’s eyes landed on the Da Sheng Halberd, and its familiar form nearly made him leap up. His heart dropped, thundering like a storm, and he thought to himself, So it was him! It was Li Xuanfeng in the Grotto Heaven! He killed Yu Muxian... and seized this halberd from Tang Shedu!
Miao Ye had once entered the Green Pine Grotto Heaven and chanced upon this very halberd. He had fought bitterly with Situ Chen of the Golden Tang Gate for it, only to run into Tang Shedu.
He had nearly lost his life fleeing in panic from Tang Shedu. He had only survived because a group arrived and inadvertently saved him.
They said Li Xuanfeng had joined the Ning Family... but this weapon is clearly in the hands of the Li Family! Of course, it’s still Li. Hard to draw the line between them!
Miao Ye had long wondered which family Li Xuanfeng truly belonged to. Now, clarity dawned. He looked at Li Ximing with new eyes. He could see streams of radiant light flowing from the man. His Immortal Foundation was no ordinary one. His aura was dense and powerful. This was clearly a veteran at the late stage of the Foundation Establishment Realm.
Though he had never heard of Li Ximing before, the man’s strength was clearly formidable. Weighing the situation, Miao Ye lowered his voice and smiled. “I’ve long heard of your renown, Daoist. I once met Senior Xuanfeng in the secret realm and he saved my life. I’ve always felt immense gratitude toward your esteemed family... It is truly an honor to meet you today.”
“Oh?” Li Ximing’s face showed a flicker of interest as he asked, “I’d like to hear the details.”
Miao Ye recounted the story carefully, beginning with his encounter with Situ Chen. He mentioned the Golden Tang Gate twice, only for the expression of the elderly man nearby to instantly darken. He was clearly displeased by the name.
Li Xuanxuan had personally endured a Golden Tang Gate ambush and had never forgotten it. Li Ximing knew this well and coldly added, “So it was the Golden Tang Gate... Worry not, fellow Daoist. Situ Chen is dead, he perished in the Eastern Sea.”
At first, Miao Ye didn’t think much of it. But when he repeated the story a few more times, a chill suddenly crept through his heart, The Li Family and the Golden Tang Gate are clearly hostile towards each other. There’s been no word of Situ Chen ever since the grotto heaven incident... Fallen in the Eastern Sea... Could it be... he was killed by Li Xuanfeng too?