Chapter 217: Two Families Informed

Chen Donghe rode the wind and landed at the foot of Guanyun Peak. He saw the cold wind blowing and the pines and cypresses rustling. After taking a few steps forward, he saw a middle-aged man in a grey robe sweeping the stone path. The broom moved lightly across the ground. He stepped forward and said politely:

"Please report that Chen Donghe of the Li family has come to visit and wishes to see Senior Xiao Xiao Yongling!"

The man before him smiled, straightened up, and took a careful look at Chen Donghe before replying:

"Please wait a moment, honored guest. I will go and report this now."

Before long, a small opening appeared in the formation. Chen Donghe quickly entered, stepped onto the stone stairs, and arrived before the small courtyard. Two pots of dwarf pines were planted in front of the door. The middle-aged man bowed and withdrew. He gently pushed open the door and saw Xiao Xiao Yongling wearing a snow-white straight-collared robe, with a crescent-patterned belt around his waist, all of which subtly revealed the luxurious radiance of magic power. The long sword at his waist shimmered with light. Covered in the dust of travel, he looked as if he had just returned from elsewhere.

Chen Donghe was so stunned by his attire that he was speechless. In the past, Xiao Xiao Yongling had never worn magic robes and was always courteous, failing to reflect the luxury of the Xiao family. Now, in his magnificent attire, he felt a bit envious and said respectfully:

"Greetings, Senior!"

"So it is little friend Donghe."

Xiao Xiao Yongling nodded slightly and replied politely:

"Does the Li family have any matter that requires my assistance?"

"Not at all."

Chen Donghe answered respectfully, then said with a smile:

"My elder has broken through to Foundation Establishment, so I have come to bring the good news!"

"What?! Li Tongya?"

Xiao Xiao Yongling's expression changed, greatly shocked. His hand gripping the sword hilt tightened abruptly. His complexion shifted for a long while before he sighed after a dozen breaths:

"Brother Li Tongya has surpassed me after all!"

Years ago, when Xiao Xiao Yuansi returned home and told Xiao Xiao Yongling, who was at the seventh level of Qi Refining, that Li Li Tongya was already at the eighth level, Xiao Xiao Yongling had sighed that Li Li Tongya was faster than him, and he had even thought of competing to see who would reach Foundation Establishment first.

Now, three years later, Xiao Xiao Yongling had consumed spiritual medicine and reached the ninth level of Qi Refining, still needing time to accumulate for a breakthrough. Yet, Li Li Tongya had already reached Foundation Establishment first, leaving him filled with emotion. The lingering unwillingness in his heart finally dissipated, replaced by deep admiration.

"The world says Li Li Chijing is a heaven-sent talent, yet they overlook Brother Li Tongya. Silent and steady, saying nothing, yet he is also a dragon among men!"

Xiao Xiao Yongling sighed. He did not know that Li Li Tongya had the support of talisman energy and talisman pills, assuming instead that Li Li Tongya had cultivated alone in those wild mountains, progressing even faster than he had after consuming spiritual medicine on Guanyun Peak. Having let go of his competitive heart, his bearing became much more profound.

Chen Donghe waited quietly on the side for Xiao Xiao Yongling to recover his senses, only then seeing Xiao Xiao Yongling smile:

"Convey my congratulations to Brother Li Tongya!"

Chen Donghe nodded with a smile and placed the gifts he was holding on the table, explaining them clearly. Xiao Xiao Yongling immediately became serious and replied:

"Please stay for a few days, little friend. Firstly, I need to discuss the marriage between our two families with our ancestor, and secondly, I must observe proper etiquette. Brother Li Tongya's breakthrough to Foundation Establishment is a great joyous event, and my Xiao family must certainly offer our heartfelt respects!"

"You are too kind, Senior!"

Chen Donghe responded. Xiao Xiao Yongling chatted with him about the recent situation of the Li family, then waved for the middle-aged man to come up and lead him to the guest room to rest.

After Chen Donghe left, Xiao Xiao Yongling stroked his beard, nodded, and smiled:

"Chen Donghe... not bad at all."

————

The Xiao family usually receives guests at Guanyun Peak, but the main peak lies over a hundred miles to the east, deep within Li Xia Prefecture. There stands a majestic mountain with gentle and heavy slopes, known as Xiao Xianyou Peak.

Xiao Xianyou Peak is divided into southeast peaks, with a river flowing between them called the Yue River. The river is turbulent, and boatmen often travel from upstream, their songs echoing between the peaks, which is quite moving.

Xiao Xiao Yongling rode the wind for half an hour and landed on the peak. He saw a deep pool on the mountain, wreathed in cold mist, with two old men sitting opposite each other on the cliff, each holding a fishing rod, dangling them into the pool.

Xiao Xiao Yongling stepped forward, climbed the stone stairs, walked to the side of one of the old men, and said in a low voice:

"Ancestor, Li Li Tongya has reached Foundation Establishment."

"Oh?"

The old man raised his eyebrows, the fishing rod in his hand trembling slightly, and said softly:

"A bit fast. This child must have had some fortuitous encounter."

Xiao Xiao Yongling nodded gently and said respectfully:

"Then, regarding this marriage..."

The other old man by the pool also raised his head upon hearing this and smiled:

"Xiao Chuting, I have met Li Li Tongya. This person is indeed not bad. In my view, we should marry one over and bring one back; both families will benefit."

Xiao Xiao Chuting nodded, lifted his fishing rod, and the water of the cold pool below exploded with a bang. The snow-white pool water surged up, climbing along the fishing line, crawling more than halfway up the cliff, only to be pressed back down by an invisible force, emitting a sound like thunder.

"Boom!"

Xiao Xiao Chuting retrieved his fishing rod, pulling back a silver-shimmering dagger. He raised his snow-white eyebrows and smiled:

"A good harvest."

Xiao Xiao Yongling on the side was already stunned, but Xiao Xiao Chuting waved his hand and said in a low voice:

"Leave this matter to Xiao Yuansi to handle!"

————

The Fei family, Mount Hanyun Peak.

The cold moonlight spilled down. Li Li Qinghong sat on a tree branch, her two feet swinging, the pale white moonlight enveloping her, making her fair face appear delicate enough to be broken by a touch.

"Sister Li Qinghong!"

Fei Fei Tongxiao leaped twice through the forest, climbed onto the branch, stepped on the treetop with a smile, and said excitedly:

"Sister Li Qinghong is in such a good mood today, actually enjoying the moon!"

"Junior Brother."

Li Li Qinghong responded politely, nodded, and said:

"Are you looking for me to practice the spear?"

Fei Fei Tongxiao choked slightly and replied:

"No spear practice, no spear practice! Just enjoying the moon... enjoying the moon..."

Li Li Qinghong looked at his appearance and couldn't help but chuckle, which left Fei Fei Tongxiao slightly stunned. His breathing quickened, his face flushed, and he said in a low voice:

"Sister Li Qinghong, I..."

"Junior Brother."

Li Li Qinghong stood up from the tree, shook her head, and smiled:

"This isn't right. Life is fleeting; how much time is there to enjoy the moon? You and I should spar instead. I have made progress this month; I fear you are still not my match."

Fei Fei Tongxiao was interrupted, his face turning pale, his expression somewhat dejected and complex. He hesitated, gritting his teeth as if wanting to speak, but Li Li Qinghong had already jumped off the branch, her clear voice echoing in the forest.

"Junior Brother, let's go to the mountain to spar!"

Fei Fei Tongxiao watched her disappear into the forest, gritting his teeth in frustration. He jumped down and landed on the ground, only to see a group of Fei family disciples gathered below. One of them poked his head out and said with a sour tone:

"This daughter of a rogue cultivator, Ye Li Qinghong, is truly heroic and beautiful, with a great figure, and her cultivation is at the fifth level of Fetal Breath. Brother Xiao has a good eye!"

Fei Fei Tongxiao glanced at them with shame and anger, waving his fist as a warning. The group of youths scattered instantly, leaving only a young man in white leaning against a tree, looking down at him. Fei Fei Tongxiao said in a low voice:

"Brother Yu."

Fei Fei Tongyu stood with his arms crossed, smiled softly, and replied:

"That kid Fei Fei Tongcai is ill-intentioned, bringing a group of people to watch you make a fool of yourself. Li Li Qinghong gave you face; don't go bothering her in the future."

Fei Fei Tongxiao raised his head indignantly and argued:

"I haven't even said it yet!"

Fei Fei Tongyu shook his head, his eyes bright. He spoke of Li Li Qinghong with some appreciation, explaining:

"Some things are asked without being said, and other things are answered without being spoken. Li Li Qinghong is only sixteen; on one hand, she is bright and generous, laughing and chatting, but on the other, she is measured and gentle. No wonder you are obsessed."

Fei Fei Tongxiao was both sad and angry, his hands twisting together. Fei Fei Tongyu glanced at him and smiled:

"Li Li Qinghong is a stubborn and independent person. You can't even beat Li Li Qinghong; how can you expect her to value you? Cultivate well. We Fei family members are all dashing; in a few years, when you've grown up, what female cultivator won't love you?"

Fei Fei Tongxiao was stunned, feeling a sudden sense of enlightenment. His face lit up with joy, and he nodded with a smile:

"I understand!"

Having said that, he rushed toward the mountain, leaping through the forest to chase after Li Li Qinghong. Fei Fei Tongyu watched him disappear from view, then shook his head with a laugh. Who knew that a middle-aged man would emerge from behind the tree, waving a folding fan with a dashing air? It was their father, Fei Fei Yihe.

"You still have a way!"

Fei Fei Yihe praised, but after a long time, he heard no reply. He turned his head to look, and Fei Fei Tongyu was bowing his head, deep in thought. Seeing his father looking over, he raised his head as if suddenly enlightened and asked:

"What is it, Father?"

Fei Fei Yihe felt a bit uneasy in his heart. Seeing his eldest son's thoughtful expression, he thought he had missed something and quickly said in a low voice:

"What are you so engrossed in thinking about? Has something happened?"

Fei Fei Tongyu laughed, shook his head, and said:

"Li Li Qinghong is indeed not bad, and she is a direct descendant of the Li family..."

Fei Fei Yihe gritted his teeth, held his forehead, and sighed. He kicked Fei Fei Tongyu on the calf, causing him to cry out in pain, then said angrily:

"Extinguish these thoughts for me, all of you!"

More than three solid chapters; it exhausted me.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 222 =====