Suzhu Island.
The Suzhu Island marketplace had a distinctly ancient charm, with most of its structures built in the style of pavilions. The island’s paths formed a dense network, all crafted from crimson stone that seemed neat and orderly at a glance. However, Li Qinghong, who had a discerning eye, took one careful look and surmised it was part of a formation.
"The roads resemble formation patterns, how interesting."
Li Qinghong descended onto a circular platform. She was accompanied by a cultivator from Hengzhu Dao Gate, robed in crimson with golden shamanic patterns embroidered along his sleeves. He gave her a careful look and immediately made his assessment, This person's attire is elegant and refined, yet quite archaic in style. Her dharma artifact appears to involve Profound Thunder. She’s either from a Northern Sea esteemed family or a direct descendant of an immortal sect.
He had been stationed here to receive guests for quite some time and had grown skilled at picking out Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators. He stepped forward politely but confidently to greet her, "I am Bi Qiaoyu. May I ask where Fellow Daoist hails from?"
Li Qinghong paused. She realized the man before her was a sharp-looking, elderly cultivator. When she caught sight of the shrewd look he had about him, she swallowed the words 'Eastern Sea' that had been on her lips.
"I'm from the mainland," she said.
Hearing her soft, fluid and gentle tone, yet with well-separated syllables, Bi Qiaoyu immediately made his own judgment, Jiangnan. Likely from Northern Yue or Jiangbei.
He smiled at once and replied, "Since Fellow Daoist has graced us with your presence, I’d be glad to accompany you for a stroll if you're here to sightsee. If you’ve come for serious matters, there’s no need to crowd with the others. You can just discuss matters with me directly."
Li Qinghong lowered her eyes slightly and entered the formation alongside him. She found the place to be extremely orderly. Hengzhu Dao Gate’s vetting procedures were strict, and Bi Qiaoyu had a wealth of experience. She likely wouldn’t be able to hide much from him.
After all, I cultivate thunder arts; it's the least suited for disguise. My aura is hard to conceal... Fortunately, I let the other two arrive later, one after the other. They aren’t well-known, so they shouldn’t be recognized immediately.
Since she couldn’t fully hide her identity, it wasn’t convenient to inquire directly about the Bright Yang spirit item. Instead, she spoke gently, "I may be looking for some spirit items. Does your Dao Gate happen to have any rare treasures that could broaden my horizons?"
"Please!"
Her choice of words made Bi Qiaoyu let out a hoarse laugh. Saying nothing more, he led the way toward the island's center, flying past numerous pavilions until a grand vermillion palace came into view at the heart of Suzhu Island.
A cultivator from Hengzhu Dao Gate flew up the red steps ahead of them, bowed to the two, then stepped aside to stand behind Bi Qiaoyu.
His voice was carried by a thread of mana into the old man’s ear, "It’s been confirmed. Eight or nine out of ten, she's Li Qinghong of the Li Family from Moongaze Lake, cultivator of Celestial Thunder."
Bi Qiaoyu’s expression didn’t change. He continued leading Li Qinghon through the vermillion hall, bypassing the first floor and ascending onto the second. There, dozens of formation-marked doors lined the area.
He turned back and spoke softly, "These are all treasured panaceas and Foundation Establishment Realm spirit items. May I ask which type you’re looking for? Celestial Thunder, perhaps?"
Leaving her hands behind her back, Li Qinghong replied with a faint smile, "Do you happen to have any Purple Mansion Realm spirit items? My family owes a favor to a Daoist Master, and I doubt he’d care for anything less."
"That..." Bi Qiaoyu was genuinely stunned for a moment. In his nearly century-long tenure here, he had rarely seen anyone seeking Purple Mansion Realm spirit items. But Li Qinghong’s reasoning was sound, and he felt no suspicion.
He responded courteously, "That’s beyond this old man's authority. Please allow me to report to the Island Master. She will respond directly."
This meant summoning Island Master Bi Yuzhuang in person, which played right into Li Qinghong’s plans. She had heard of a past connection between Bi Yuzhuang and Li Xuanfeng in the Green Pine Grotto Heaven. While she didn’t know how deep that relationship ran, having any link was better than none.
And besides, for matters regarding Changxiao Gate... I’ll need someone with sufficient weight to negotiate.
"Of course." She answered warmly. The man behind Bi Qiaoyu immediately withdrew, and the two began ascending the stairs.
Naturally, Li Qinghong wouldn’t let the opportunity slip by. She asked in a seemingly casual tone, "On my way here, I saw some cultivators from the Immortal Dao engaged in fierce combat. Do you happen to know what’s going on?"
Though many liked to call Hengzhu Dao Gate part of the Immortal Gates, the Bi Family had never officially claimed that status. They only referred to themselves as part of the Immortal Dao.
Li Qinghong’s repeated use of the correct term pleased Bi Qiaoyu, and he inwardly affirmed, Someone this familiar with our terminology, she’s definitely from the Li family of Moongaze Lake.
He let out a long sigh and explained, "What else could it be? Our gate has long been at odds with Changxiao Gate. Years ago, Changxiao and our Daoist Master Hengli clashed over a cultivation opportunity. That battle was so fierce it nearly tore the sky apart. It only ceased after several other Daoist Masters intervened to mediate.
"Later, Jiangnan was reclassified as the Upper Evil Spirit Storage, leading to the rise of Earth Virtue devil cultivators. Daoist Master Chengyan happened to get lucky and successfully cultivated Wu Earth. Since Earth Virtue phenomena are notoriously hard to detect, he broke through in secret under Changxiao’s protection and killed several of our core disciples. Then, he was wounded by Daoist Master Hengxing. With old grudges and new, there’s no reconciling them now."
Li Qinghong silently memorized the detail about Daoist Master Chengyan cultivating Wu Earth. She furrowed her brow slightly; the conflict between the two reef territories in the Eastern Sea didn't seem all that intense.
She asked deliberately, "I see. And since Qingzhou and Suzhu are so close, it must be tense most days."
"Isn’t that the truth..." Though Bi Qiaoyu was an elder cultivator, the reason she’d asked about the spirit item related to Yu Fuzi was too indirect. He was far from being able to piece it together from just a few of Li Qinghong’s words. He sighed. "Exactly... I’m over two hundred now, far too old to care for more conflict. Wouldn’t a little harmony be nice? But the young and hot-blooded Yu Fuzi doesn’t think that way.
"Just half a year ago, he struck again in the Eastern Sea, quietly killing several of our disciples and even wiping out a spirit boat. The Island Master sent a few rogue cultivators to question him, but he shamelessly denied everything, then arrogantly drove them off!"
Bi Qiaoyu let out a breath, his voice tinged with anger as he continued, "He's just like his master, no good at all! Always so quick to take lives... and always targeting the younger generation with hidden attacks!"
Li Qinghong felt a subtle relief rise in her heart as she thought to herself, Good... the conflict between the two sides is indeed intense. I don’t know Island Master Bi Yuzhuang well, and persuading her would’ve been difficult. This way, I’ll save myself the trouble.