Chapter 220: This Man, Chi Wei (Two-in-One)

"This junior dares not forget."

Li Tongya nodded gently, and Xiao Yuansi set down his teacup and said gently:

"The two families agreed upon a marriage alliance to watch over and assist each other. Does the Li family still have any unmarried direct descendants?"

"Naturally, there are."

Li Tongya responded respectfully and used spiritual power to transmit his voice to Li Xuanxuan outside the door:

"Bring everyone of the Yuanqing generation, except for Qinghong and Yuanyun."

Li Xuanxuan hurried off to prepare. Xiao Yuansi looked at him carefully and smiled:

"If I am not mistaken, your Foundation was established using the *Jianghe One-Qi Art* exchanged from my family. It should be called: 'Vast Ocean'."

"Exactly."

Li Tongya bowed in response. Xiao Yuansi's expression turned serious:

"The matter of the Foundation is of great importance. Since you have established your Foundation, I should give you some advice."

"Please speak, Senior!"

Seeing Li Tongya respond solemnly, Xiao Yuansi sipped his tea and said in a low voice:

"'Vast Ocean' and my family's 'Old Man on the Creek' originate from the same lineage. There is a great connection between these Foundations. If you encounter Foundation Establishment cultivators of this type, you must be extremely careful!"

Li Tongya looked up, immediately making a connection, and asked:

"Are there any taboos?"

Xiao Yuansi nodded and continued:

"Foundations like 'Vast Ocean' and 'Old Man on the Creek' are known in ancient immortal paths as 'Dao-Participants', while demonic paths call them 'Co-Cores'. There is a strong connection between them, and they can complement each other. If you encounter someone with ill intentions, they will likely..."

He paused, finding it difficult to say:

"Dig out your Foundation and consume it to supplement their own..."

"Consume."

Li Tongya was silent for a moment, then asked softly:

"May I ask, Senior, are such occurrences common?"

"Not common."

Xiao Yuansi shook his head and explained:

"Firstly, this method carries risks and can easily drive one slightly mad. Furthermore, the co-participant object is not easy to find, and the consumer must have considerable attainment in alchemy. Secondly, although cultivation increases greatly after consumption and the Foundation becomes more miraculous, it causes one to stop at Foundation Establishment, making it difficult to reach the Early Zifu. Only those who have lost hope of breaking through and are at their wit's end would attempt it."

Li Tongya sighed inwardly and asked Xiao Yuansi:

"May I ask, Senior, which Foundations are the 'Dao-Participants' for this 'Vast Ocean'?"

Xiao Yuansi gathered his sleeves and replied:

"The first is 'Dark Long Clouds', the second is 'Vast Ocean', the third is 'Old Man on the Creek', the fourth is 'Within the Ridge', and the fifth is 'Hatred Flows with the Jianghe'."

Seeing Li Tongya memorize them carefully, Xiao Yuansi transmitted his voice via spiritual power:

"This Foundation is also coveted by Early Zifu cultivators. However, for a Early Zifu cultivator to plot for a Foundation, they must carefully cultivate it from the Qi Refining stage, casting spells to plant the Dao, before it can be used. We need not worry about that."

"This junior understands."

Li Tongya nodded, understanding why Chijing was harmed by the Early Zifu of the Qingchi Sect. He sighed softly and said with a mocking smile:

"Foundation Establishment cultivators seize others' Foundations to increase their cultivation, yet find it difficult to break through to the Early Zifu. I imagine Early Zifu cultivators who seize Foundations must also have unspeakable hidden dangers!"

Xiao Yuansi nodded slightly, becoming increasingly cautious as they discussed this topic, and said in a low voice:

"As long as they are fully prepared, although the divine abilities formed by a Foundation seized by a Early Zifu cultivator are not as perfect as those cultivated by oneself, it can greatly reduce the time required for cultivation. Early Zifu cultivators naturally flock to it..."

As the two were talking in low voices, Li Xuanxuan had already brought people up. Li Yuanjiao was holding Li Qingxiao's hand, and Dou Shi was behind them, carrying Li Yuanping.

Li Tongya smiled:

"These are the juniors of my Yuanqing generation. Please take a look, Senior."

The two children stared at Xiao Yuansi, slightly nervous. Li Yuanjiao stepped forward and bowed respectfully:

"This junior, Li Yuanjiao, greets you, Senior!"

Xiao Yuansi swept his gaze over them, his eyes immediately landing on Li Yuanjiao at the front. Seeing that he had reached the fifth level of Embryonic Breath at only seventeen or eighteen years old, he nodded and said:

"Li Yuanjiao, a good name indeed."

Li Tongya, beside him, replied:

"Originally, there was a direct eldest son, but he was harmed by the Yu family..."

"The Yu family."

Xiao Yuansi stroked his chin, offered his condolences, and said in a low voice:

"I have also heard of them in Li Xia County. When my clan uncle established his Foundation years ago, the Yu family also sent people to congratulate him. I heard they act tyrannically and viciously; I have seen it now."

After speaking, he shook his head, brought the topic back, and smiled:

"It is just that your clan has no women of suitable age, so I find it hard to speak. My family has a direct daughter who is unmarried. How about matching her with Yuanjiao, Brother Tongya?"

"How can this be!"

Li Tongya had not expected Xiao Yuansi to propose a marriage alliance in this way. He was startled and said in a deep voice:

"A marriage between our families is already my family climbing high. How can this be..."

"Eh."

Xiao Yuansi was all smiles and continued:

"I see Qingxiao is only three or five years old and has not yet blossomed. It will not be too late in a few years. There is no rush for these few years."

Li Tongya dismissed the juniors, bowed deeply, and said urgently:

"A direct daughter matching my Yuanjiao is truly impossible! Please, Senior, withdraw your order!"

"Brother Tongya, rest assured! The ancestor thinks highly of your clan. I will take charge of this matter; there will be absolutely no problem on the Xiao family's side."

Xiao Yuansi still wished to persuade him, but Li Tongya remained bowed, saying solemnly:

"Tongya understands Senior's good intentions, but my Li family cannot bear it. Please, Senior, withdraw your order!"

Xiao Yuansi was stunned. After pondering for a moment, he seemed to understand something and said in a low voice:

"It was my lack of consideration. Brother Tongya, please forgive me."

"Senior is too polite!"

Xiao Yuansi stroked his beard and continued:

"How about this: my family has a daughter born of a concubine from a direct branch, named Xiao Guiluan. Her character and appearance are both top-tier. She would be a perfect match for Yuanjiao."

"Thank you for your understanding, Senior!"

Li Tongya replied, paused, and suddenly remembered something, asking:

"I heard from Donghe that your clan's main peak is called Xianyou Peak, and there is a river within it called the Yue Jianghe... Is this true?"

"Correct."

Xiao Yuansi nodded and looked up, slightly puzzled, but Li Tongya asked:

"Does Senior know Xiao Xianyou?"

Xiao Yuansi's expression turned solemn. He flipped his hand, and the courtyard door closed tightly, spiritual light swirling upon it to isolate the inside from the outside. Only then did he say:

"Where did you hear this name, Brother Tongya! Xiao Xianyou is indeed of my lineage; he is the ancestor's uncle!"

Li Tongya paused and recounted:

"Tongya once obtained a sword with a secret art upon it. Driven by river true essence, I obtained a movement technique called the *Yue Jianghe Turbulent Step*, created by Ancestor Xianyou..."

"Is this true?"

Xiao Yuansi was overjoyed. Li Tongya took out the magic sword; the Lingyu Sect's mark upon it had already turned into an ordinary engraving. Xiao Yuansi took it, looked at it, and shook his head in disappointment:

"It is merely a standard magic sword. There is nothing miraculous to be seen."

Li Tongya nodded, flipped his hand, took out a jade slip, and said in a low voice:

"Since it is an object of your clan's ancestor, I return it to you, Senior."

"This..."

Movement techniques were precious. Li Tongya offered it as soon as he spoke, which stunned Xiao Yuansi, who was hesitant. He wanted to refuse but found it hard to speak. The *Yue Jianghe Turbulent Step* had a significance to the Xiao family far beyond an ordinary third-grade movement technique. Xiao Yuansi sighed softly and replied:

"Brother Tongya, your righteousness is high. I do not know what to use to compensate you. What does your clan lack now?"

————

The evening wind passed through the mountains, wandering through the forest of Qingchi Peak until it rushed toward Chi Wei's face on the summit. His white hair fluttered in the wind, and his wrinkled eyes narrowed. Chi Wei reached out to touch his own face. He could have appeared with his youthful face, but having lived for hundreds of years, Chi Wei no longer had any obsession with beauty or ugliness, so he let it be.

Scattered figures already stood in the clouds. Chi Wei's reputation was not as great as Duanmu Kui's; only some Early Zifu cultivators from the three countries of Yue, Wu, and Xu had come, all watching him from the clouds.

Beside him, Chi Zhiyun stood behind, his face full of sorrow and reluctance, watching Chi Wei's moon-white patterned robe fluttering in the wind. Chi Zhiyun said in a low voice:

"Ancestor, the matters in the sect have been handled cleanly..."

Chi Wei seemed not to hear, standing on the summit, facing the evening wind, carefully recalling, and said with a smile:

"Zhiyun, what do you think of this man, Chi Wei?"

Chi Zhiyun did not understand, bowed respectfully, and replied:

"Ancestor is the pillar of my Qingchi Sect, powerful and strong, suppressing the world for a generation, learned in heaven and man, with thoughts as deep as an abyss, and an extraordinary bearing..."

Chi Wei laughed and waved his hand, shaking his head:

"What suppressing the world for a generation? I am not even comparable to Duanmu Kui and Li Jiangqun, only inviting ridicule. Being learned in heaven and man is even more of a nonsense. I am not even as good as that old dragon, let alone Xiao Xianyou and Tang Yuanwu."

He paused, his expression filled with emotion, his eyes sharp, and smiled:

"As for thoughts as deep as an abyss, how can I compare to Xiao Chuting."

"Xiao Chuting?!"

Chi Zhiyun searched his mind over and over again before finding the name. He was stunned for a moment, murmuring:

"Xiao Chuting... Xiao Chuting... The Li Xia Xiao family."

Chi Zhiyun was not stupid. He suddenly looked up and shouted:

"Xiao Chuting has broken through to the Early Zifu?!"

"Mm..."

Chi Wei responded with a smile, nodding toward a certain place in the clouds. Chi Zhiyun still couldn't believe it, murmuring:

"How is it possible! How is it possible! Where did he get the Early Zifu technique, where did he get the divine ability secrets, where did he get the courage!"

"Where did he get the courage..."

Chi Wei laughed hoarsely and smiled:

"Do not treat the Qingchi Sect as some supreme sect, thinking all living beings are pawns to be taken and sought. The geniuses of this world are like crucian carp crossing the river, breaking their heads to climb up. My Qingchi Sect is in this position..."

Chi Wei paused and sighed:

"Like sitting on a hot pot, roasted on charcoal!"

Seeing Chi Zhiyun unable to speak, Chi Wei continued:

"You juniors grew up listening to my name, really thinking I am a hero who suppressed the world for a generation..."

"Isn't it so?!"

Chi Zhiyun was indignant and said in a deep voice:

"Breaking demon disasters, driving away demon heads, sweeping the southern border, eliminating evil monsters, how many millions of people has the ancestor saved? For the sake of cultivation, even if hundreds of thousands of people were sacrificed, what is it worth? These people don't think about it; if it weren't for our protection, where would these people come from..."

"Eh!"

Chi Wei interrupted him with a sneer, shaking his head:

"I, Chi Wei, am a villain. From the time I stole Li Jiangqun's brocade pouch at seventeen, to the time I am now three hundred and seventy-seven years old and my vitality is exhausted, consuming human pills, all are the actions of a villain, unbearable to look at."

"I borrowed Li Jiangqun's power, united the sects to surround and kill, took advantage of the situation to eliminate two sects, destroyed Lingyu, eliminated Xiao Xianyou, harvested families year after year, refined and consumed the disciples of the Moon-Flower Foundation. All the Early Zifu cultivators saw it."

Chi Wei looked up and smiled, shouting toward the dark night sky:

"All of you in the sky hear clearly, can I, Chi Wei, not be called a villain?"

The Early Zifu cultivators above looked at each other, their expressions different. Some sighed in a low voice, some sneered in disdain, and some snorted coldly. It was a long time before a cold female voice said:

"If you are not a villain, who else can be called a villain!"

"You!"

Chi Zhiyun was annoyed, but didn't dare to speak because of the Early Zifu cultivation of the person above. Chi Wei nodded with a smile. The morning sun had already risen in the sky. Chi Wei didn't move, just stood quietly. The group of Early Zifu cultivators also watched him quietly. These Early Zifu cultivators had lived for at least a hundred years; they were not in a hurry, at least not as anxious as Chi Wei.

Chi Wei stepped forward, his eyes clear, and two blurred figures appeared in the clouds. Chi Wei laughed and shouted:

"The two of you have come to collect my corpse!"

The two people above were used to all kinds of scenes of Early Zifu breakthroughs and were not annoyed by his mockery. One of them laughed shrilly and shouted:

"Chi Wei, oh Chi Wei, the day has finally come for you!"

Chi Wei waved his hand indifferently. His appearance became younger and younger, looking handsome, but there was some gloom between his brows. Four other divine abilities flew out from his body, hooking the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, flying and jumping to the side.

The five divine abilities had already merged into a colored light in the air, dancing in turns, transforming into five-colored light, each becoming one color, divided into metal, wood, water, fire, and earth, intersecting and rising in the air. Someone above said in a low voice:

"It is the Five Elements Seeking Gold Method."

Chi Wei flicked his finger, and a pill appeared in his hand. For a time, the light shone, the fragrance overflowed, releasing the colored light and glow all around. Everyone above stretched their heads to look, and there were questions one after another.

"Oh?"

The two blurred figures also noticed, and one of them said shrilly:

"Which pill?"

The other looked closely and said in a thin voice:

"Looking at this appearance, it should be 'Lake Moon Autumn'."

"Correct."

The person who spoke first heard this, looked at Chi Wei's other Foundations, and smiled:

"It is also a way!"

Chi Wei put a pill into his mouth and waited for a few breaths, but there was only a weak movement. He was terrified, his expression changed several times, and for the first time, he had a look of shock and anger, shouting:

"Old Dragon! How dare you deceive me with a fake pill!"

The five-colored light triggered by the divine ability did not wait for him, still burning, and had already vaguely condensed a bright point of light. The two blurred figures above sneered and said in unison:

"Chi Wei! You have also been deceived!"

Five colored lights slowly emerged above the spiritual light, bright and light, drooping down. The spiritual light became brighter, but the colored light was fleeting and disappeared.

"Sure enough, not as good as Duanmu Kui..."

The people above communicated with spiritual sense, and the two blurred figures in the air had already pinched the magic formula, waiting for the metal nature to fly out.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 221 =====