Tongmo Prefecture.
Li Chengliao stood atop drifting clouds, his feet treading on shimmering currents of air. The white ape, now transformed into an old man, silently rode the cloud beside him.
When news of Tu Longjian breaking through to the Purple Mansion Realm reached them, the Li Family had deliberated carefully. Given the current instability of the area, Li Ximing was not suited to make an appearance, and Li Zhouwei had yet to reach the Foundation Establishment Realm. It seemed more proper for the family head, Li Chengliao, to go instead.
Moreover, Li Chengliao had grown up within the family and had never seen the outside world. He had spent his days in secluded cultivation. Now, since there was nothing urgent at hand, he was quite pleased to venture out. He was looking forward to the experience.
The Yuyang’s Chen Family of Tongmo Prefecture was below his feet. It had many mortals, and was vibrant with life. Having governed his own household for many years, Li Chengliao nodded in approval at the orderly buildings and well-kept courtyards.
The Chen Family was also a renowned great family. Setting aside the Yuyang’s Chen Family, Lingyu Gate had once borne the same surname. However, the two had different origins. The Yuyang branch had lived here for generations, while the founder of Lingyu Gate had seemingly migrated from Ning State.
It was the same with the Li Family. Rumor had it there was another Li Family in Wu State that had lived there for generations, while the Moongaze Li Family was thought to be a remnant lineage from the North.
However, the Chen Family’s position was far better than that of the Li Family. As long-established locals, they had kin in nearly every sect. Though they had only one Purple Mansion Realm cultivator, they maintained good relations with all major factions.
Seeing Li Chengliao lost in thought, the white ape who rarely spoke, said a few words, “Patriarch, the Chen Family from Lijing within our household has excellent blood. They must be related to these two Chen branches.”
Li Chengliao naturally understood. He had been deeply impressed by Chen Yang’s innate talent and simply replied, “We can look into it when the chance arises. But I’ve heard those secret techniques are linked to the Purple Mansion Realm, so it is not likely to be easy to uncover.”
The two soon crossed out of Yue State as they conversed. The mountains grew treacherous and were now often shrouded in miasma. The forests became tall and shadowy, with demonic qi rising skyward from time to time, accompanied by roars and howls.
Kuijun Mountain lay on the southern border. Though neither the man nor the beast had visited before, they recognized it at a glance.
It was unmistakable. Kuijun Mountain glowed crimson amid the encircling green miasma, sending red light soaring skyward. The phenomenon from a Purple Mansion Realm breakthrough had yet to fully dissipate. Deep in the night, the mountaintop was clear of clouds, but it was surrounded by a distant haze of crimson mist, with cultivators flying in and out in great numbers. It was an exceptionally lively scene.
The two cultivators halted at the foot of the mountain, where a proper gate had already been erected. They stood before it in a disciplined manner, and were promptly invited to ascend.
As they walked up the path, everything was orderly and clearly organized by function. Though the cave dwellings were somewhat crude, the effort put into them was evident. Li Chengliao was slightly surprised and thought to himself, Remarkable.
Though Tu Longjian was a solitary figure, it was clear that he had formed deep bonds and gathered many trusted subordinates. He clearly had enough people to support the structure of an entire gate.
While Li Chengliao observed the organization of the Slaughter Jun Gate cultivators, the white ape looked on with a far more complex expression. He silently watched the cultivators rush about amid this illusion of order.
Li Chengliao handed the jade box in his hand to the approaching cultivator and said softly, “The Qingdu Li Family presents the Tai Fire Longfruit to congratulate the Daoist Master on attaining the Purple Mansion Realm!”
As he spoke, he gently brushed the surface of the jade box. Its pristine white surface slowly grew transparent, revealing the item within. A slender fruit was wreathed in flickering flame, glowing with a hazy brilliance. Intense fire energy danced within the box; it was indeed a rare and treasured panacea.
This item had been obtained years ago from the Yu Family treasury. The Purple Lian Bodhi had already been given to Kongheng, the wide-eyed monk who had gratefully accepted it. The Tai Fire Longfruit was a treasure of Fire Virtue, most likely even born of Molten Fire, which made it the perfect gift.
Such a valuable and well-chosen gift earned approving glances from Tu Longjian’s welcoming subordinates. They took careful note of it before respectfully withdrawing.
The white ape opened the cave dwelling’s door and announced in a gravelly voice, “Family head, make ready. Once your name is reported, the Daoist Master will certainly come to meet you.”
Li Chengliao nodded and took a seat, but inwardly he was still conflicted, It’s said the Daoist Master was close to uncle, but we already requested his help at Green Pine Temple. It cost us a great deal of goodwill. That elder is now gone... and the Daoist Master has no ties to the others in our family.
Hatred lasts a century, but favors are thin as paper... Our ancestor has passed on. Though some ties may remain, if we seek this Daoist Master’s help again, even the last remnants of connection may fade.
Li Tongya’s death had severely damaged the ties between the Li and Xiao Families. Everyone in the Li Family had seen this clearly. After Xiao Guiluan’s fall, things had only worsened by the day. How could Li Chengliao not weigh this in his heart?
After waiting for about fifteen minutes, there came two gentle knocks at the door of the cave dwelling, followed by hearty laughter. A man in black appeared.
“Is this a visit from the Li Family?”
A black-robed youth with a hearty smile and a crisp, well-fitted outfit emerged before Li Chengliao. Deep crimson patterns adorned his cuffs as he strode confidently into the cave dwelling.
“Junior greets the Daoist Master!”
Tu Longjian had a youthful appearance, with a plain and ordinary look. Only a faint haze at the center of his brows hinted at something unusual about him. He was cordial and easygoing, perhaps due to his newly acquired divine ability, without the aloofness typical of most Purple Mansion cultivators.
But in the end, he was a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator. The moment he stepped into the cave, a stifling heat and subtle suffocation swept through the space. His oppressive pressure instantly filled the room.
Li Chengliao stepped forward to bow, but before he could complete the motion, Tu Longjian helped him up. Feeling slightly reassured, he saw the young man smile and say, “Your family truly went to great lengths. The Tai Fire Longfruit is quite rare these days. This gift is far too generous.”
Tu Longjian knew something about the Li Family’s situation. Though it had improved from years past, offering up such a treasured panacea was no easy matter. His tone carried a faint sigh as he continued, “A small token would have sufficed...”
With no gesture from him, the cave door closed. The young cultivator took a seat and said softly, “Since our parting at Green Pine, I’ve been fleeing west and hiding east, entering seclusion everywhere to seek a breakthrough. I haven’t yet visited your family to pay respects to the elder. That was my failing...”
No matter how courteous Tu Longjian was, Li Chengliao did not dare sit. He simply poured tea for his senior.
Seeing this, Tu Longjian didn’t insist, and instead spoke in a low voice, “Regarding Yu Muxian of Green Pine Temple, did Azure Pond Sect give your family any trouble?”
He lifted his gaze slightly, seemingly lost in thought, as a chill crept into his expression. He asked, “It can’t be that Tang Shedu is still stirring up trouble behind the scenes and holding a grudge against your family, can it?”