The Azure Pond Sect.
Li Xizhi and Yang Ruizao exited Changtian Peak together. Fei Qingyi was already waiting outside the formation. She wore a simple white robe, her long hair flowing behind her as she stood respectfully.
It had to be said that the Fei family was blessed with good looks. Fei Qingyi had bright eyes and pearly teeth. She carried herself with a natural grace that drew glances despite her simple white robe.
"Junior Qingyi greets the honored seniors!" Recognizing Li Xizhi at once, she quickly stepped forward to offer her greetings with proper courtesy.
Li Xizhi nodded in return and replied, "Congratulations, fellow Daoist! If Senior Tongyu knew, he would surely be overjoyed."
Fei Qingyi responded politely, "Our two families have shared good relations for generations. I’ve only just barely completed the cultivation of Ni Water Cold, and came right away to pay my respects. Thankfully I arrived in time, or my father would have scolded me for being negligent."
The Yang Family’s spirit boat was already docked at the green hills. She displayed utmost humility, smiling warmly from the beginning. The three of them interacted harmoniously, yet unbeknownst to them, the woman in white was inwardly full of relief:
Thank goodness I didn’t hesitate... I was barely half a quarter-hour away from missing them!
Fei Qingyi had rushed over at top speed the moment she had completed her breakthrough. She had just happened to catch Li Xizhi before he left. If she had delayed for a single round of meditation, she would have missed him, and would have been stuck in the sect alone!
If the main hall chose that moment to settle old scores with Tang Ni, and Li Xizhi wasn't around, with no word from Moongaze Lake, then she would have had no escape in heaven or on earth.
Just as the elegant and dignified man stepped onto the boat and Fei Qingyi’s sense of relief had yet to fade, Li Xizhi turned to her and said warmly, "The situation is complicated right now, and your identity is sensitive. It’s safer for you to leave the sect and come with me. We happen to be returning to the lake."
Fei Qingyi froze for a moment. So it wasn’t just good fortune and coincidence; this man had made arrangements to bring her out. Her emotions grew complicated, and she softly expressed her thanks.
Watching how he turned the situation around so smoothly with just one sentence, Yang Ruizao sighed inwardly and thought, To carry both the Qi and Xiao bloodlines alongside the Li Family... neither of those families are simple. And he’s clearly inherited the best of both their upbringings. Yuan Tuan really wasn’t exaggerating back then; he’s impressive.
As he thought further, Yang Ruizao suddenly realized just how extraordinary Li Xizhi’s background truly was. The Li Family side was obvious; not only was he from the Sword Immortal line, he was also the direct son of Li Yuanjiao.
The Xiao Family head, Xiao Guitu, was his maternal uncle. Xiao Yongling and Xiao Yuansi were also closely related to him by blood. Once he added his own Yang Family, Li Xizhi’s background was truly among the most distinguished.
Since Li Xizhi was one of their own, Yang Ruizao had no intention of exposing any of this. He simply tilted his head to look outside the boat and listened as Fei Qingyi replied softly, "Your esteemed family has prospered greatly these past few years. Our families were once very close, but my father has always been too proud to bow his head. He didn’t want your family to think the Fei Family were opportunists, so we never made a special effort to draw near. But we have always remembered your kindness, and waited for a chance to repay it in your time of need.
"I never expected it would be the Li Family once again who would come to our rescue... I, Qingyi, truly don’t know what to say..."
The Li Family exchanged letters frequently, so Li Xizhi naturally knew what kind of person Fei Tongyu was. He might have believed that Fei Tongxiao had once admired his aunt, but it was certainly not the case with Fei Tongyu.
He said gently, "My family understands. There’s no need for formal thanks."
Seeing how sensible Fei Qingyi was, Li Xizhi naturally asked, "How is Yuanwu Peak doing now?"
Fei Qingyi immediately answered, "The Yu Family fared a bit better, they were only fined some wealth. The Tang Family, however, was locked down within the peak and unable to leave. I happened to be in a cold spring in the mountains breaking through, so I wasn’t involved.
"As for those who were once close with the Yu Family, some still held resentment in past years. But now that Yuanwu Peak has been found guilty of major offenses, all of them have completely distanced themselves."
She understood what Li Xizhi wanted to hear and said softly, "Though many were once close to Yu Muxian over the years, only two truly acted out of vengeance. One died by the riverbank, and the other..."
Fei Qingyi smiled gently and continued, "He was a close friend of Yu Muxian, clearly understood the enmity, and was full of hatred. But when he nearly died guarding the river, Senior Qinghong saved him in a flash of lightning. She didn’t recognize such a minor figure and left immediately after, but he was deeply grateful and sought out her name.
"After returning to the sect, he reportedly grew quiet and no longer mentioned revenge."
Li Xizhi and Yang Ruizao exchanged a glance. Yang Ruizao chuckled and said, "Quite the character, that one."
But Li Xizhi was reminded of Quan Yi, who had once fought alongside him against Tuoba Chongyuan. He had brought Quan Yi’s mother into the mountain peak, an elderly woman in poor health who was bedridden all day.
If I get the chance, I’ll take in a youth of the Quan Family as my disciple, so they won’t have to rely on me forever , thought Li Xizhi.
After a bit more conversation, they arrived in the skies above Moongaze Lake. Li Qinghong and others came on lightning to greet them. Introductions were made, and Fei Qingyi’s eyes lit up when she looked at Li Qinghong, showing a clear desire to be close to her.
After all, female cultivators were rare in Jiangnan, and Li Qinghong was famous along the riverbank after saving many members of the Fei Family. She was straightforward, generous, and dashing—clearly someone easy to get along with, so Fei Qingyi naturally felt drawn to her.
Since Li Xizhi was racing against time on this trip, he didn’t linger. He sent Fei Qingyi home and led the others riding the wind toward the western shore.