Just as he finished speaking, a whistling wind arose from within the den. A middle-aged man draped in robes, with black hair and brown eyes, strode out. His long hair was loose and he had a great shield strapped to his back.
He said in a resonant voice, "This humble demon greets the great king!"
After speaking, he bowed deeply in respect. Li Zhouwei frowned and helped him up. Luken had always addressed the elders of the Li Family as fellow Daoists, but this formal bow was a breach of seniority.
Li Zhouwei asked in surprise, "Why are you doing this, senior?"
Luken rose with a smile and replied, "This is another matter. When one sees the White Qilin, one must first offer proper courtesy—thus the bow."
Though he smiled warmly, the reverence in his gaze didn’t fade. Clearly, like the Dragon Son Dingjiao, he regarded Li Zhouwei as the White Qilin. The deer demon didn’t elaborate further and led him inside the den. It was impressively spacious, with walls white as mutton-fat jade and clean-lined in texture. Lesser demonic creatures knelt respectfully to the side, while beastskin mats, mostly from wolves and tigers, lined the floor.
With a deer demon as the den lord... it’s no wonder wolves and tigers are vanishing from the northern range...
After they were seated at the head of the table, Luken’s brown eyes glanced at the white ape, and he quickly offered his apologies, saying, "I spent the past few years visiting friends in the Helin Mountain Range and then wandered to the southern border. By the time I returned, several years had passed. I truly delayed things."
Li Zhouwei didn’t believe a word, but responded casually, quickly turning to the real reason for his visit, "Our family has received many messages recently and I’m sure senior has seen them. I’d like to meet with Senior White Banyan, do you still have news of the demon den? Please help us get in touch."
"It’s already arranged!" Luken laughed heartily, rose with cupped fists, and said gently, "Rest easy, Fellow Daoist. I reported to the demon den as soon as I returned. The message has already been received and they’ve been awaiting your arrival. I’ll send for him now."
He added softly, "My master has gained great favor among the mighty demonic creatures these past few years. His status within the den has steadily risen. After building a solid foundation, he broke through to the Foundation Establishment Realm, and his talents have now fully revealed themselves. Many demon generals have submitted to him and he is now a true lord."
Luken had clearly reaped benefits from White Banyan’s rise in rank over the years. His face radiated pride and delight as he called to the other demonic creatures to prepare a great feast, while dispatching a runner to summon White Banyan from the demon den.
The white ape observed quietly. Though they were all deer demons, the table was laden with meat and wine, prompting him to remark softly, "Den Lord, this feast is quite bountiful... and rather heavy on the meat."
Though Luken didn’t recognize the white ape, he quickly deduced that the old ape had to be quite ancient. He asked, "May I ask your age, Fellow Daoist?"
"Over four hundred and sixty..." The white ape’s reply truly startled Luken.
He praised in awe, "Just so you know, though we are deer demons, eating meat suits us better than grass. Even ordinary deer occasionally eat birds or snakes and bugs... It’s all in our nature, and besides..."
Luken didn’t finish saying 'most demons eat humans too,' but Li Zhouwei had already caught the implication. He clasped his hands behind his back in silence. It was clear that Luken had mistaken him for a fellow demon. Otherwise, he would never have choked back those words at the last moment.
"Luken!"
As the white ape and Luken conversed merrily, a loud shout rang out from outside the cave. A streak of purple fire stepped across the sky and landed in the cavern, revealing a youth dressed in a long, blue-green robe with wide sleeves. A string of gleaming silver beads hung from his neck and shoulders.
His brows were slightly narrow as he called out, "I’m here!"
Luken hurriedly moved to bow. The youth strode forward, smile fading slightly as he glanced at Li Zhouwei, a trace of puzzlement in his eyes as he asked, "You’re that White Qilin... Right, I heard Li Xijun has died..."
"Li Xijun is my grand-uncle," replied Li Zhouwei.
"Oh!" With that reply, White Banyan sorted out their generational relationship and said, "Tch... I went into seclusion and decades passed in a blink. Your family’s cultivators have changed batch after batch... Though humans have short lifespans, I think calamity causes more death than age ever could.
"Your family truly carries the Bright Yang lineage. My lord in the den mentioned you and said you were a White Qilin. Now that I see you, I agree."
White Banyan warmed up quickly and grew casual. He glanced at the eagerly staring deer demons below, and said with slight irritation, "You’ve really picked up bad habits from those people to throw a banquet just because I showed up? They’re all dying to eat. Go on, drive them out and let them feast on their own."
Luken respectfully acknowledged the order, understanding immediately. He rushed to shoo and kick the lesser demonic creatures out, then thoughtfully shut the stone gate and stationed himself attentively outside.
Once White Banyan saw Luken retreat and the stone door slam shut, activating the protective formation, he finally smiled and said, "There aren’t many from your Li Family I still recognize. I recall a little old man... one of Tongya’s nephews. Last time I went to the lake, he was the only one I could talk to. Is he still alive? If not, I won’t bother going again."
"He’s still in good health," replied Li Zhouwei. He knew that the fox was referring to Li Xuanxuan. Relations between the families had grown distant since Li Tongya’s death years ago. Yet White Banyan still remembered, that was already quite rare.
Li Zhouwei didn’t delay and got straight to the point. "While cultivating in the Eastern Sea, I accepted a request from the Dragon Son Dingjiao to seek you out. It concerns requesting access to the Abyss on behalf of the Dragon Clan."
White Banyan chuckled and said, "I figured. Those dragons really did go out of their way to have you deliver the message."
Then his tone turned serious, "My great-grandmother and Dongfang You never got along. They're not quite enemies, but certainly couldn’t see eye to eye. If Dongfang You weren’t already dead, even with my lord’s good standing with the Dragon Clan, Dingjiao wouldn’t have dared ask."
Li Zhouwei didn’t interrupt, listening silently as White Banyan mused, "He probably didn’t tell you much, but I can guess. He wants to go to the Southern Sea, right?"
"Our fox tribe shouldn’t set foot in the sea. But if the Dragon Son insists... then it’s not too troublesome. I can make the trip on my lord’s behalf."
Li Zhouwei finally relaxed and let go of his worries. He hadn’t been greedy for the spirit artifact in Dingjiao’s possession and he hadn’t even truly intended to accept it. Forming a solid bond with the Dragon Clan was far more valuable.
While Li Zhouwei was still mulling over the matter, White Banyan let out a chuckle and said, "Then it’s settled. White Qilin, you’ll come with me to the Southern Sea."
"Hm?" Li Zhouwei had always been a neutral intermediary between the Dragon Clan and the fox tribe. He always maintained a courteous, impartial stance and never took sides. Yet now, through one twist and turn after another, the matter was now somehow personally tied to him...
"My cultivation is shallow, and I know little of ancient matters. I fear I’ll only hinder your journey if I accompany you," replied Li Zhouwei.
He lifted his brows and saw White Banyan smiling at him. Though this youth had taken human form, he still carried an unmistakable fox-like aura, and his voice had a slightly delicate lilt as he said, "White Qilin, Dingjiao doesn’t just want to visit the Abyss. He wants to forge ties with both you and me. If you don’t go... the whole thing falls apart. And besides..."
He sighed, then grew serious, speaking in an unhurried tone, "Now that Li Qinghong’s gone, things won’t stay peaceful for you around the lake either. Traveling with me and Dingjiao will be easier on you... At the very least, no one will dare plot anything while you’re beside us."