Chapter 196: Gratitude and Grudge (Two-in-one)

Land of East Shanyue.

East Shanyue occupied the land of Wu-Yue, with its own customs, and the population lived scattered, with more than ten million people. This branch of the northern vein of Lishan had more than one million people, protected by Senior Duanmu Kui. Now that Senior Duanmu Kui had died, the disciples of Witch Mountain either fled or joined various sects. This place was divided by Senior Duanmu Kui's four disciples, who whipped the people and built palaces, a scene of turmoil.

Deep into the northern vein, he saw a deep cave in the forest, with a giant beast lying in the cave, its teeth ferocious, covered with pale yellow scales, and two brown eyeballs the size of human heads staring straight at the sky, already dead.

"Finally killed this beast."

Xiao Xiao Chuchou let out a long breath, took the elixir from Xiao Xiao Yuansi's hand, and swallowed it. His whole body relaxed, feeling much more comfortable. He sighed low and smiled:

"Lifespan is not much, Qi is weak, not only is cultivation slow, but fighting is also clumsy. Think of when I jumped across the Great River in the north and stepped all over the land of Jin and Zhao, how heroic I was, and in a blink of an eye, I became an old man."

Xiao Xiao Yuansi looked at him with great worry, hesitated for a moment, and finally gritted his teeth and said in a low voice:

"Ancestor... the blood sacrifice life-extension technique passed down in the sect, you... might want to try it, extend your lifespan for a few years, and make your body feel better."

Xiao Xiao Chuchou sneered and replied:

"No need. My father fought with Chi Wei back then and was blood-sacrificed by Chi Wei. I made a vow when I was young that I would not stand with the way of sacrifice in this life."

"Chi Wei... is truly a demon."

Xiao Xiao Yuansi shouted angrily. His originally gentle temperament was completely different, which made Xiao Xiao Chuchou stunned, and he hesitated and said:

"I know you hate him, but now is not the time for the Immortal-Demon War, good and evil are chaotic... Chi Wei is a villain, but he cannot be called a demon. If you really want to compare, he ate several genius disciples, but he saved several million people in the Yue Kingdom."

"What good is he!"

Xiao Xiao Yuansi shouted angrily, but Xiao Xiao Chuchou's expression was complex, and he said in a low voice:

"In the end, he has the grace of saving lives for my Xiao family and even half of the Yue Kingdom."

"What!"

Xiao Xiao Yuansi had only heard of the demon chaos more than a hundred years ago, but didn't know the details. Hearing this was like a thunderbolt, his mind was blank, surprised and annoyed, shouting:

"How is it possible?!"

Xiao Xiao Chuchou went deep into the cave with him, sighed while saying, and said in a deep voice:

Xiao Xiao Chuchou's eyes were complex, his aged face was painfully wrinkled, looking at the lost Xiao Xiao Yuansi, he said in a low voice:

"Killing is to protect one's own family and keep relatives safe. Not killing is to be unable to protect oneself, and relatives and clansmen will be slaughtered. How many people can bear it? Killing one person is killing, and killing ten thousand people is also killing. Once evil thoughts arise, they cannot be curbed. Chi Wei ate your junior brother, but he cannot be called good or evil. If you really want to compare, he ate several genius disciples, but he saved several million people in the Yue Kingdom."

"Besides, Chi Wei is dead, and the Profound Pool Sect is crumbling. Your junior brother was born into a family, as long as he shakes his butt, he can return home. Who else can rule if not him? But the Chi family is in great disaster..."

Xiao Xiao Chuchou was still talking, Xiao Xiao Yuansi finally couldn't hold back, raised his head in a lost state, and said in a deep voice:

"Ancestor, why is the world like this? If everyone is good and evil chaotic, half-human and half-ghost, where in the world is there a position to stand?"

Xiao Xiao Chuchou nodded in approval and said in a low voice:

"Under the shining of this Golden Crow, Immortals are half-human and half-ghost, where is there any purity? Since the Immortal-Demon War, the world has not judged people by good and evil, only by gratitude and grudge..."

"Only by gratitude and grudge..."

The two were chatting, and finally arrived at the empty cave. It was pitch black without a trace of light. Foundation Establishment cultivators naturally wouldn't be troubled by this darkness. Xiao Xiao Yuansi took a look and saw a large yellow flower blooming in the depths, with a cluster of stamens curled up, with a drop of dew hanging on it, fragrant and pungent.

"It is a precious medicinal herb, the Nine-Stamen Stamen Lingxuan."

Xiao Xiao Chuchou was still identifying it, but Xiao Xiao Yuansi had been immersed in alchemy for many years and recognized the origin of the flower at a glance. Xiao Xiao Chuchou realized and nodded, smiling:

"Several ruins gained nothing, but getting this precious medicine is not a wasted trip."

Cultivators reached the realm of Foundation Establishment and Early Zifu, and ordinary spiritual objects no longer had any effect. Only these precious medicines that had obtained the essence of heaven and earth could have miraculous effects. So the two were still satisfied. Xiao Xiao Yuansi shook his sleeves, his Dharma power surged, but there was no Dharma light that should have been there.

"Ancestor be careful, this thing is afraid of light."

Xiao Xiao Yuansi took out a specially made magic tool medicine bag and put this thing away. Xiao Xiao Chuchou looked at the string of medicine bags he was wearing and smiled:

"You are still prepared."

Magic treasure medicine pouches and spirit-gathering bottles and the like have internal space and cannot be placed into storage bags, which is why Xiao Xiao Yuansi was currently carrying such a cumbersome string of medicine pouches. Hearing this, he gave a wry smile. After harvesting the Nine-Stamen Stamen Lingxuan, the two left the cave and set about processing the demonic beast on the ground.

Xiao Xiao Chuchou hit a few sealing techniques, and suddenly opened his mouth again:

"With the current situation of my Xiao family, the Li family can be a breakthrough on Moon Lake, guarding the west for my family... After all, Moon Lake relies on Great Lishan and is a good place. Even if Chi Wei is dead, the Profound Pool Sect will most likely not give up Moon Lake. Given the relationship between the two families, it is most appropriate to use the Li family as a barrier."

Xiao Xiao Yuansi nodded and smiled gently, replying:

"I heard that Xiao Yongling's relationship with Li Li Tongya is quite good, and Xiao Ruyu and Li Li Xuanfeng also have friendship, which is naturally good."

Xiao Xiao Yuansi had promised Li Li Chijing to take good care of the Li family. Seeing that several ancestors like Xiao Xiao Chuchou had no intention of developing westward, he felt relieved in his heart, and then heard Xiao Xiao Chuchou say in a deep voice:

"That Li family ancestor Li Li Mutian was able to become a loose cultivator from a farmer and finally cultivated to Foundation Establishment. He must be a top-notch person in every aspect of character, and the children he taught are naturally not bad."

"Li Li Tongya, although his talent is not high, his character is excellent. Li Li Chijing should have inherited his sword talent... It's just that I have never heard of this person Li Li Mutian. This person should not have become famous in the Yue Kingdom."

Xiao Xiao Chuchou was calculating this, and suddenly frowned, asking:

"Do all four sons of Li Li Mutian have spiritual orifices?"

Xiao Xiao Yuansi didn't know his thoughts, pondered for a breath, and replied:

"The eldest son died young, and the other three all have spiritual orifices."

"Oh?"

Xiao Xiao Chuchou raised his eyebrows, his old face wrinkled together, and then said:

"How is the Brother Xuan generation."

Xiao Xiao Yuansi recalled for a while, and said somewhat uncertainly:

"There are three sons and one daughter, all three sons have spiritual orifices."

Xiao Xiao Chuchou then nodded, feeling it was normal, waved his hand, and said solemnly:

"Li Li Mutian is definitely not simple. This person most likely swallowed some special genius treasure. The bloodline of this Li family doesn't look like it was left by a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Early Zifu cultivators are just like this!"

"Oh?!"

Xiao Xiao Yuansi had never thought about it from this angle, and was very surprised for a while. This ancestor of his was knowledgeable. When the Xiao family was declining, he was at the peak of Qi Refining and gave the family's precious medicine and Suiyuan Pill to Xiao Xiao Chuting. Xiao Xiao Chuchou went out to find opportunities himself, so he knew a lot. Xiao Xiao Yuansi recalled the behavior of Li Li Tongya and Li Li Xiangping brothers back then, and nodded thoughtfully, replying:

"It is indeed not simple."

The two flew up on the wind and flew toward the Li family. Xiao Xiao Chuchou smiled abruptly and said in a low voice:

"I have an idea. Since the Li family's bloodline is extraordinary, my Xiao family can try to marry into it. On one hand, it will make the relationship between the two families more solid, and on the other hand, maybe it can produce a genius. If the Li family can unify Moon Lake, my family will not only use it as a barrier, but can also ally with it, lips and teeth dependent."

Xiao Xiao Yuansi nodded and smiled gently, replying:

"Ancestor means like the Ning family and Chi family of the Profound Pool Sect back then, the two families' techniques complement each other, leaning on each other, controlling Profound Pool..."

"It doesn't have to be that close."

Xiao Xiao Chuchou shook his head and replied:

"It is a good thing for the two families to associate. If the marriage is too close, there is a danger of usurping each other. Relying on each other in terms of interests, and binding the two families with a master-disciple relationship is already good enough."

"Yes, the subordinate understands."

The two chatted, and Mount Lijing Mountain appeared on the horizon. The lively fireworks smoke rose at the foot of the mountain, and the pale golden array shone slightly in the morning light, like an Immortal realm.

————

Li Li Tongya picked up the jade boxes on the table, looked at each one carefully, piled them together one by one, and shook his head with some regret.

"These spiritual objects obtained from East Shanyue are effective for Qi Refining level, but there is no pill recipe or pill, and swallowing them directly not only greatly reduces the effect, but also has harmful effects, making future breakthroughs more difficult."

Spiritual objects not only have various effects, but also have impurities and negative effects themselves. Alchemy is to use multiple spiritual objects to reconcile and refine pills, trying to reduce the impact and improve the effect.

Li Li Tongya handed the jade boxes in his hand to Li Li Xuanxuan and suddenly remembered something, asking:

"Ye Qiuyang still hasn't grasped the breakthrough?"

Li Li Xuanxuan nodded, also a bit puzzled, and replied:

"I asked Ye Qiuyang, it is indeed still a bit short. It really shouldn't be... Reasonably speaking, Ye Qiuyang's talent back then was not worse than Donghe's, but it shouldn't have fallen to this point."

Li Li Tongya pondered for a long time and finally remembered something from his long-dusty memories, and suddenly realized, saying softly:

"Do you still remember that Snake Dragon Treasure Tree in the family?"

"Naturally I remember."

Li Li Xuanxuan nodded. The Snake Dragon Treasure Tree could be said to be the most precious thing in the Li family besides the Dharma Mirror and the Profound Ruler Sword. It could bear a Snake Dragon Fruit every five years, which was entrusted to Xiao Xiao Yuansi to refine into pills. Several people in the family borrowed the power of the Snake Origin Pill to break through to Qi Refining.

Li Li Tongya shook his head and told the old story, saying warmly:

"Back then, discovering this treasure tree was Ye Qiuyang's merit. This child had good fortune. When he was young, he entered the mountain quietly and accidentally ate this Snake Dragon Fruit. Fortunately, the Snake Dragon Fruit was gentle in nature. He was in a coma for several days, and later his cultivation was twice the result with half the effort, and he condensed the Xuanjing Wheel in just one year."

Li Li Xuanxuan listened carefully to these old events. Li Li Tongya sighed and continued:

"At that time, we all thought it was the child's good fortune, but we didn't expect that fortune and misfortune depend on each other. Ye Qiuyang's cultivation was fast, but he left hidden dangers for himself by swallowing the spiritual fruit so rashly without cultivation, which led to his current delay at the peak of Tai Xi and difficulty in making progress."

Li Li Xuanxuan suddenly realized and nodded. Li Li Tongya picked up the tea bowl on the table and said in a low voice:

"Among the mountains in my family, the spiritual energy of the spiritual spring on Wan Huaqian Mountain is the most intense. You go down and tell him the cause and effect, and then send him to Wan Huaqian Mountain to practice."

"Yes!"

Li Li Xuanxuan responded respectfully, but suddenly raised his head, only to see the array vibrate, and an old voice was transmitted through the array.

"Xiao Xiao Chuchou of the Xiao family has come to visit, please open the array, little friend Li Tongya."

Li Li Tongya hurriedly opened the array, flew up, and saw Xiao Xiao Chuchou and Xiao Xiao Yuansi entering with smiles, landing on the top of the mountain. Li Li Tongya cupped his hands and said respectfully:

"I have seen the two seniors!"

"Little friend Li Tongya is still as polite as ever."

Xiao Xiao Chuchou laughed and followed him into the courtyard, sat down with Xiao Xiao Yuansi, took the tea served, chatted about two or three major events recently, and said softly:

"I have traveled north and south and have a good understanding of the array. Your family's array is cleverly conceived and has some things."

"It was built by Master Liu Changdie."

Li Li Tongya replied. Xiao Xiao Yuansi raised his eyebrows when he heard the name and said gently:

"I have also seen this Liu Changdie. He is interesting. His array is skilled, and he talks like an old scholar of nearly a hundred years old, and his connections are wide."

Xiao Xiao Chuchou was not interested in this, changed the topic, looked at Li Li Tongya, and said in a low voice:

"How many chances does little friend Li Tongya have to break through to Foundation Establishment?"

"Cultivation is not yet complete, I don't know yet."

Li Li Tongya hadn't felt the palpitation of casting an Immortal Foundation, so he had to answer respectfully. Xiao Xiao Chuchou nodded and instructed him on some keys to Foundation Establishment. Li Li Tongya had practiced for most of his life by himself, so he was overjoyed to have such an opportunity, and carefully recorded Xiao Xiao Chuchou's words like a treasure. Xiao Xiao Yuansi listened together on the side and added a few sentences from time to time.

Li Li Tongya thanked him repeatedly after listening. Xiao Xiao Chuchou waved his hand with a smile, his eyes deep, staring straight at Li Li Tongya, and smiled:

"Little friend Li Tongya also knows something about my family!"

I'm packing up to go back to Guangzhou today, and the work for the new year is about to start^

Next is a small climax of the plot, and I don't know if I can write it well in the car~ Let's use a chapter to buffer first, hoping to try my best to achieve the desired effect tomorrow. ===== CHAPTER 197 =====

Li Li Tongya did not have the palpitations of one who had forged an Immortal Foundation, so he could only respectfully respond. Xiao Xiao Chuchou nodded and instructed him on some of the essentials of Foundation Establishment. Li Li Tongya had relied mostly on himself for his cultivation his whole life, so having such an opportunity was naturally a great joy. He carefully recorded Xiao Xiao Chuchou's words as if they were a priceless treasure, while Xiao Xiao Yuansi listened along from the side, adding a few words from time to time.

Li Li Tongya thanked him repeatedly after listening. Xiao Xiao Chuchou smiled and waved his hand, his gaze profound as he stared straight at Li Li Tongya and smiled:

"Little Friend Li Tongya also has some understanding of my family's affairs, I presume!"

Packing up today to return to Guangzhou; the work for the new year is about to begin again^

Next is a small climax of the plot. I don't know if I can write it well while on the car~ I'll use one chapter to buffer it first, hoping to do my best to achieve the desired effect tomorrow.