Chapter 359: Settled

"Yu Xiaogui has passed away."

Li Yuanjiao had already heard many rumors and had also experienced the passing of his own family's ancestor; a single glance was enough for him to understand the situation before him.

The two families were sworn enemies, so Li Yuanjiao naturally felt no sorrow; instead, he felt a sense of finality, silently letting out a breath of relief:

"Fei Wangbai died at the hands of an unknown sword cultivator, with just one strike. Yu Xiaogui died at the hands of my grand-uncle, with a single Huashang Fruit and the Green Ruler Sword, also just one strike... The three Foundation Establishment cultivators of the lake are now all dead."

The Qingchi Sect would not let go of the fat sheep under their control just because a family's Foundation Establishment cultivator had fallen. The tribute that had to be paid still had to be paid, under the pretext of "the legacy of predecessors," and they would remain listed as a family for another fifty years. Once they had been picked clean over the next few decades, they would be kicked aside once more.

In fact, if the Li family were to gain several more Foundation Establishment cultivators and expand their territory one day, the tribute would likely increase by several fold. For instance, the tribute paid by the Yuan family was several times greater than that of the Li family.

The scene of Yu Xiaogui's death was quite magnificent, with jade stones rolling all over the ground. Li Yuanjiao admired it for a moment before exiting the cave dwelling and circling the Yu family's territory for a while.

Having assessed the situation, he put away his magic mirror. As the stone walls of his own cave dwelling reappeared before him, Li Yuanjiao whispered:

"This trip by Chi Buzi has truly left our family restless. I wonder what future troubles this might bring."

The day had been heart-stopping, and with a stifled breath of frustration trapped in his chest, Li Yuanjiao took the 【Green Ruler Sword】 from the rack and began practicing his sword techniques.

Only then did he sit cross-legged and begin to wipe the green blade. He saw someone coming up from below, dressed in brown robes with a jade crown on his head, his face full of smiles as he said respectfully:

"Clan Brother! Clan Brother! Good news, Clan Brother!"

This person was naturally Sha Moli, who approached with a jubilant expression. He was older than Li Yuanjiao, but having learned the ways of the world, he called him "Clan Brother" at every turn, acting very close as he laughed:

"Clan Brother! Word has come from Lijing that True Person Chuting has appeared at Mount Yu, killing dozens of demon cultivators hiding there. He has already returned to Xianyou Peak, and the demon cultivators in the Xiao family's territory have scattered and fled!"

'Senior Xiao Chuting has returned!'

Li Yuanjiao silently let out a breath of relief, and a smile could not help but appear on his face:

'With Senior Xiao Chuting sitting in command, the Xiao family's predicament is resolved, and there is no need to be troubled. With this, our family is also a bit safer.'

Thinking this, he patted Sha Moli on the shoulder and replied:

"That is good news. You keep watch; I am going into seclusion to cultivate."

Sha Moli nodded and silently withdrew.

The cultivators on the mountain breathed a sigh of relief. As the news spread, the people at the foot of the mountain were also jubilant. They did not understand the struggles involved; they only felt that the Xiao family was the Li family's backer, and now that the True Person had returned, it was naturally a good thing.

The clan members of the Yuanqing generation were even more delighted. These people held key positions in various mountains and towns, and happening upon the opportunity to report back to Lijing, they came to the central hall to congratulate Li Yuanping.

There were more than ten people in the Yuanqing generation, and nine remained alive. Excluding Yuanjiao and Qinghong on the mountain, and Yuanping who managed the household, Li Xuansuan's concubine-born children were the most numerous, totaling four sons and two daughters. The eldest was thirty, and the youngest was only ten-plus years old, each serving in different places.

Among them were two with spiritual apertures, though their talent was not even as good as Li Yuanping's, almost indistinguishable from mortals.

"Greetings, Clan Head!"

As this group gathered in the hall, nearly half of the Li family's secular power was held within this central hall. Li Yuanping welcomed them with a beaming smile, helping all his brothers and sisters up.

Compared to the unruly nature of the brothers during Li Yuanxiu's time managing the household, these people were now all smiling warmly, their hearts set on the family.

This was not because Li Yuanping's methods were superior to Li Yuanxiu's, but because these brothers had all married and had children, having families of their own.

After all, the difference between those with spiritual apertures and mortals was like heaven and earth. Even if these people could not produce children with spiritual apertures, they were determined to try, and the children they had were no less talented than their father, Li Xuansuan.

According to the Li family's rules, children of these concubine branches could go up the mountain to cultivate once they measured a spiritual aperture at age six. Since their precious children were still cultivating on the mountain, what did some worldly wealth matter! Naturally, they changed their allegiance, becoming loyal supporters of the main branch.

Li Yuanping was well aware of this crux, and he now boldly promoted them to key positions, making things much easier for himself. Over the past few years, his interactions with his brothers had been warm, and their bonds had rapidly deepened. He laughed:

"This is good news, but there was no need to trouble you all to make such a grand trip."

The group offered apologies, and pushed forward the eldest man, whose face was slightly broad and round. He was the eldest of Li Xuansuan's concubine-born sons. After chatting about this and that, he laughed:

"It is just that there is still good talent in the family that has long gone unused by the clan, so we have come to recommend them to the Clan Head!"

"Oh?"

Li Yuanping raised his head with interest, and heard him say:

"These two brothers are the sons of Guest Elder An, and they are also of the Li family's bloodline."

He beckoned, and two youths of thirteen or fourteen years of age were invited up. They were dressed in robes with their hair tied, wearing gold rings on their hands. With round faces and dark eyes, they looked quite restrained, bowing as they said:

"An Siwei/An Siming greets the Clan Head."

An Jiyan and Li Feiruo had only these two sons. They were twin brothers who not only possessed spiritual apertures but had also cultivated to the fourth layer of Fetal Breath at thirteen or fourteen!

Although both had fluctuating auras, appearing to have just broken through, it still dropped everyone's jaws. Li Yuanping stared at them carefully, saying in surprise:

"This... are you all cultivating the 'Kouting Suwei Art'?!"

Seeing both brothers nod, Li Yuanping silently let out a breath of relief:

'No wonder it is so fast. This 'Kouting Suwei Art' is inherently a fast-success technique where Fetal Breath is quick and Qi Refining is slow, but it still shows they are not ordinary.'

'And it still cannot compare to An Jingming's speed of reaching Qi Refining at fourteen... but it is far superior to the outsiders in our family. Not to mention the Chen clan, even those in our family who received the talisman seeds did not reach this speed!'

He shook his head and said in a deep voice:

"Regarding your current cultivation progress, there is no need for any important assignments for now."

As soon as these words were spoken, not only were the An brothers greatly embarrassed, but the group of brothers also felt stifled. However, Li Yuanping replied:

"I will write a letter now to find a cave dwelling for you two on Mount Hua to cultivate with focus. Break through to Qi Refining quickly; the clan has important tasks to entrust to you!"

"Yes!"

The two brothers were overjoyed. Once Li Yuanping had written the letter, they took it and respectfully withdrew.

The Xiao family.

Senior Xiao Chuting broke through the Grand Void and landed lightly on the summit of Xianyou Peak. The water of the cold pool was as clear and icy as ever. He sat down slowly, staring blankly at the mountain rocks on the opposite bank.

After all the scheming and fighting, he was exhausted. Sitting on the rocks, Senior Xiao Chuting suddenly remembered that his elder brother, Xiao Chuchou, was already dead.

The elder brother with whom he had sat by the pool year after year, discussing current events and the changing situation, had already been consumed by Senior Xiao Chuting, transformed into a half-formed divine ability of his own.

Senior Xiao Chuting understood in his heart that even if he had not eaten Xiao Chuchou, the latter was too old to live for many more days. Xiao Xianyou had arranged everything so well, making the best use of everything.

'It is just... there is no way back...'

As the demonic cultivators ran rampant, Senior Xiao Chuting made this group of Qi Refining and Embryonic Breath demonic cultivators staying at Yushan die in an exceptionally miserable and humiliating manner. Yet, he still could not pursue the demonic cultivators fleeing toward the Ziyan Sect for revenge, and could only beat a few underlings to death as if to vent his anger.

The land of Jiangnan is the most nourishing; the earth veins are deep, and one only needs to plant a few seedlings in the ground to have a bountiful harvest the following year. Tens of thousands died at Yushan, but it would not take many generations before it could grow well again just like crops; the Xiao family's losses were actually not significant.

But the old man's expression remained gloomy. In his life, he had devised countless schemes to win big with small stakes, yet he could never satisfy his inner heart. He merely lifted his white jade fishing rod and began to fish without saying a word.

A full half-day passed before someone came up from below to deliver a message, saying that the family head, Xiao Guitu, had come to pay respects to the ancestor.

Senior Xiao Chuting responded slowly. Xiao Guitu, dressed in plain clothes and with a face full of joy, hurried up the mountain path and said respectfully:

"Junior Guitu pays respects to the True Person!"

"Hmm."

Senior Xiao Chuting glanced at him and said in a gentle voice:

"Chi Buzi has indeed looked for you."

Xiao Guitu bowed and replied:

"With the magic treasure left by the ancestor for protection, Guitu did not collapse before the Qingchi True Person, but... I was still affected by his divine ability and asked about the Zifu of the Li family of Guiluan."

Senior Xiao Chuting shook his head and said softly:

"No matter. Chi Buzi has been to Wangyue Lake and returned honestly to the Qingchi Sect. I do not know if he was injured, but he must have been warned by the Zifu behind the Li family and retreated in a hurry."

Xiao Guitu nodded thoughtfully and asked with doubt:

"Could it be the demon cave of Great Dali Mountain?"

Senior Xiao Chuting remained silent for a while, ultimately not opening his mouth. He changed the subject and replied:

"Send someone to the South Sea to replace Xiao Yuansi, so Guiluan does not have to wait."

"Yes!"

Xiao Guitu understood the implication and withdrew in response.

Below Xianyou Peak.

Xiao Guiluan had stayed in the Xiao family for half a month, asking old acquaintances to inquire about the situation at Yushan.

She heard that her father was Xiao Lishi, who adamantly refused to see Li Qingxiao, but once a few dozen spirit stones were laid out, he immediately opened the door, calling her "sister" with every breath, quite enthusiastically.

Xiao Guiluan was not surprised; her father was inherently a greedy and mean person, singing in harmony with his elder brother Xiao Guitu. That this door could be opened was not just because the gift was valuable, but also because Xiao Guitu had tacitly allowed it.

Having bribed the connections within the peak and with Xiao Guitu secretly supporting, the Yushan affair was arranged as a matter of course, and Xianyou Peak even dispatched a few guest ministers to stabilize the situation.

Good news also arrived one after another. Xiao Yuansi had not been at Xianyou Peak, and Xiao Guiluan was still wondering how long she would have to wait when she suddenly heard the news of Xiao Yuansi's return.

Perhaps it was because Senior Xiao Chuting had returned and the manpower of Xianyou Peak could be mobilized, so Xiao Yuansi was also transferred back from the South Sea.

Xiao Guiluan hurriedly went to request an audience, and Xiao Yuansi naturally agreed readily. Thus, Xiao Guiluan handed the pill furnace to Li Ximing, let him stay in the Xiao family, and then took her leave.

Upon returning to the Li family, she saw that the two pillars, Li Yuanjiao and Li Qinghong, were both in seclusion. Realizing that the family should have stabilized and there were no major issues, she let out a long sigh of relief.

————

The chaos of the demon disaster no longer had the appearance of collective rampaging and festering across several commanderies as before. The scattered demonic cultivators spread demonic arts to the entire Yue State and even Wu and Xu, becoming a more frequent, continuous small disaster.

During this period, demonic arts also spread to the Li family, but the Li family had complete household registration and investigated strictly and meticulously. Demonic cultivators were often discovered after eating only one or two people and were easily beheaded. Embryonic Breath demonic cultivators were not strong and were very easy to deal with.

The Li family's once-every-five-years sacrifice arrived again. With Chi Buzi's blood beads, this sacrifice was prepared with extra solemnity. However, Great Dali Mountain could not be entered or exited at will. Li Qinghong came out of seclusion having broken through to the sixth level of Qi Refining and began preparing for this sacrifice.

The Li family did not lack Qi Refining cultivators now, but the sacrifice was a secret matter. If they sought help from others, they would have to make up many excuses, so they had to do it themselves and search in Wangyue Lake.

At the bottom of Wangyue Lake.

The bottom of the lake was rippling, and dark water currents surged, bringing up streams of gray, turbid water. The two stood in the water, the magic light on their bodies deliberately dimmed, waiting patiently.

Li Qinghong's jade armor was an heirloom treasure of the An family from back then, carrying its own water-avoidance incantations, making her quite comfortable in the water. Li Yuanjiao, who practiced the "River One Qi Art," was even more like a fish in water.

Wangyue Lake was very deep, and there was no lack of demon creatures that had reached Foundation Establishment. The two searched carefully for two months before finding a catfish demon with no background.

"Gurgle, gurgle..."

The water current from afar rushed toward them. Li Yuanjiao and Li Qinghong looked at each other and nodded gently.

They saw a beast swimming rapidly in the dark lake bottom, as large as a house, its long fish whiskers whipping back and forth. Its large mouth swallowed and spat in the water, and after swallowing a few times, it spat out a few broken bones.

'Large forehead, flat and low, saliva sticky and slippery, hard to control; it really is a catfish demon.'

This catfish demon was only at the fourth level of Qi Refining, its bloodline was too poor, and it had no inheritance or intelligence. However, it was good at controlling water and swam at lightning speed. Once startled, it would immediately flee far away, and the two naturally could not catch up in the water.

Moreover, this creature had low intelligence and swam around randomly. There were Foundation Establishment demon creatures at the bottom of Wangyue Lake, and if they entered the territory of some demon general, the two would be the ones in trouble instead.

For this reason, Li Yuanjiao was troubled for a while. He went to the Yuan family to rent a mid-grade Qi Refining water-element array disk, the 【Turbid Water Talisman Flow Array】, and while the catfish demon was out foraging, he set it up in the cave, just waiting for this creature.

Watching the catfish demon swimming forward foolishly, Li Yuanjiao pinched his hand, and a touch of blue light rippled open. A cyan-blue light shield rose instantly at the bottom of the lake, blending perfectly with the lake water and isolating the inside from the outside.

The catfish jumped up as if startled, turned nimbly, and flew away like an arrow, crashing into the 【Turbid Water Talisman Flow Array】 with a bang, causing the entire array to sway gently.

The catfish demon had thick skin and flesh, so it didn't react much. After being stunned for a moment, it changed direction and tried to flee again.

"It's done!"

This demon creature clearly had no experience fighting cultivators and didn't even understand array formations. Li Yuanjiao had only been troubled by its water-controlling technique. Now, he let out a soft cry and immediately drew his sword to step forward.

"Hum, hum..."

The lake water was broken open by the bright white sword Qi, leaving two long wave patterns. The catfish demon spat out, and the water waves condensed, turning into layers of large shields.

This spell was crude, clearly a wild demon creature. It had magic power but no technique. The Yueque sword arc arrived overwhelmingly, breaking through the layers of water shields and striking a small hole in the catfish demon's body.

This catfish demon was huge, its scales were hard, and it had mucus magic power for protection. However, the sword arc still injured the creature's scales and bones, causing it to roll on the ground in pain. Li Yuanjiao swung his sword again, and Li Qinghong, who was on the side, could not hold back and said loudly:

"Brother's sword Qi is piercing, I'm afraid you'll kill this creature. My thunder method is good at defeating and capturing alive, why not let me do it?"

Time skip! Speed up the progress.