Chapter 407

Li Yuanjiao had been cultivating on Qingdu Mountain for more than half a year. Although his cultivation base had improved again, the breakthrough to the middle stage of Foundation Establishment was still a long way off. After all, Foundation Establishment is different from Qi Refining; it is common to go decades between breakthroughs.

"Father still hasn't set off; he always has to be busy back and forth, arranging everything before he is willing to go."

Li Xuanxuan had been fussing for more than half a year and still hadn't set off. Li Xijun didn't urge him either, just waited patiently. After all, collecting cold water wasn't a major matter, and he feared that if he urged him too hard, the secret would be revealed.

Li Qinghong was in seclusion, and there was no one guarding the family. It was inconvenient for Li Yuanjiao to be too absorbed, so he often came out to cultivate spells and sword arts. Just as he was reading the Sword Canon, Li Wushao rode the wind and landed inside, dressed in a black robe.

Li Wushao was extremely grateful to have obtained that 【Qingyun Mi Fruit】, swallowed it, and cultivated. Beneath his black robe, two pitch-black shadows had already secretly emerged. He estimated that in another year or a year and a half, the two hooks would grow out.

Li Wushao said:

"Family Head, two people have landed in front of the mountain, saying they are from the Han family of Dongliu Island and have come to pay a visit."

Li Yuanjiao was somewhat surprised and asked in return:

"The Han family of Dongliu?"

Li Yuanjiao had heard of this Han family. The Foundation Establishment demonic creature used during his family's sacrifices was captured in the area of Dongliu Island. Li Yuanjiao had stayed in that area and knew a little about it.

The Han family of Dongliu was an old-established family, similar to the Yuan family. They had many Foundation Establishment cultivators and had built a large foundation in the East Sea. Li Yuanjiao naturally had to welcome them personally, so he immediately tidied his attire and flew out of the cave dwelling.

Two people were standing in the courtyard, both at the Foundation Establishment level. The leader was a young cultivator with an ordinary appearance and simple, ancient clothing, followed by a man with a tall stature and a broad back and thick waist.

Li Xijun was accompanying them in the courtyard, chatting lively with the young man. Both were smiling, appearing very harmonious.

Seeing that man, Li Yuanjiao already understood a few things in his heart. He cupped his hands and stepped forward, saying:

"Li Yuanjiao of Qingdu, greetings, fellow Daoist!"

The young man said "Ah," his gaze quickly sweeping across his face, and replied:

"Disrespectful, I am Han Shizhen of Dongliu, humbly serving as the Young Family Head of the Han family. Greetings, fellow Daoist!"

Li Yuanjiao nodded in return and led the two to be seated. Han Shizhen smiled very generously and said politely:

As he spoke, he pulled the big man over and explained:

"My clan brother has always had a fiery temper. At that time, it was a life-or-death moment, so his words were somewhat offensive. I hope you will forgive us..."

It turned out that this big man was the Foundation Establishment cultivator who had come to seek medicine the year before. At that time, he had been rude and unreasonable and was slightly handled by Li Qinghong. Now, he hung his head and apologized repeatedly.

Both sides were established families, so naturally, they wouldn't get angry over such a small matter. Li Yuanjiao declined the apology with a few words and said:

"It is nothing. I can understand your fellow Daoist's eagerness to seek medicine. It does not matter."

Han Shizhen insisted on handing over a jade box. Li Yuanjiao let Li Xijun accept it and asked:

"I wonder about your clan's elder..."

"Oh."

Han Shizhen shook his head slightly and replied:

"He could not hold on. Although he took many life-extending medicinal materials, the injuries he suffered were truly too heavy. In the end, his Immortal Foundation collapsed, and he turned into spiritual remains."

Seeing that the two were not wearing white, Li Yuanjiao had thought he had been saved and had offered congratulations. He hadn't expected to ask about a sore spot. It must be that the East Sea did not have the custom of wearing mourning clothes, so he could only apologize:

"My condolences..."

"It does not matter."

Han Shizhen smiled and said softly:

"Although my clan uncle died, he brought back a treasure for our family. It is much more useful than a Foundation Establishment cultivator. It can be considered a good thing!"

The uncle and nephew of the Li family paused slightly. Han Shizhen looked at their expressions and only then realized what had happened. Fearing that the two would develop ill feelings, he explained:

"Our East Sea customs are like this, somewhat different from the inland... Please do not take offense."

Li Yuanjiao just nodded. A mere apology naturally wasn't worth Han Shizhen making a trip inland. He just waited quietly for what he would say next.

Sure enough, after the brief etiquette and greetings, Han Shizhen said directly:

"How much 【Wanling Flower】 does your clan produce each year?"

'So it was for the 【Wanling Flower】!'

Li Yuanjiao immediately understood. The initiative was now in his own hands. He relaxed slightly and said in a deep voice:

"It blooms every three years, and each time it blooms, there are fourteen flowers."

"Good!"

Han Shizhen nodded with great joy and said:

"How much income does fellow Daoist get from selling this flower inland?"

Hearing this, Li Yuanjiao had already guessed his thoughts and replied:

"In recent years, the price has risen somewhat, to about two spirit stones per flower."

"Darn!"

Han Shizhen had just picked up his jade cup, but hearing this, he set it down heavily. The tea inside didn't move at all. He said regretfully:

"Fellow Daoist! This price is too cheap! This is a life-saving, worry-forgetting object!"

He advised:

"Your inland is peaceful and prosperous, and there has never been any major catastrophe. The loose cultivators below are one thing, but you and I, as established families, know very well that the so-called demonic disaster is just a farce!"

"It is nothing more than the sects of our East Sea raising the price of blood energy, a strategy of the Three Sects and Seven Gates to drain the pond to catch the fish! How can this Wanling Flower sell for anything in such a bright and peaceful place?"

'Bright and peaceful...'

Li Yuanjiao's mouth twitched as he listened, but his attention was drawn by his words. He said thoughtfully:

"Drain the pond to catch the fish..."

"Exactly!"

Han Shizhen sighed:

"The demonic tribes overseas have been demanding food more urgently in recent years, causing the prices of blood energy, resentment, soul essence, and spirit water to soar. The cultivators of the East Sea don't even have enough for themselves, so how can they import them inland?"

"Thus, the Three Sects and Seven Gates relaxed the control of the sea ports, allowing overseas loose cultivators to enter, and then directed and acted out the demonic disaster themselves. By using their own high-grade demonic cultivators to kill mortals and loose cultivators, they can both eliminate dissidents and dominate the situation, while also getting their fill."

Han Shizhen spoke eloquently, silently observing the changes in Li Yuanjiao's expression. Li Yuanjiao just sipped his tea and nodded in agreement.

"In this way, the sects eat the meat, the established families drink the soup, and they can also occupy the moral high ground—I heard that this item is very useful inland."

Han Shizhen teased and laughed:

"In these years of demonic cultivators, your clan must have eaten quite a few, right? I heard that each one is rich as oil, and even those in the Fetal Breath stage have a dozen spirit stones. We are all very envious!"

Li Yuanjiao smiled somberly and replied:

"We have killed some demonic cultivators."

Han Shizhen looked sideways at Li Xijun, but saw that this youth was also smiling and nodding, even more natural than Li Yuanjiao. He finally confirmed a few things in his heart:

'The Li family really has some background in Qingchi. Li Yuanjiao's thoughts are deep and cannot be seen, but Li Xijun is too young; it is obvious he has known for a long time.'

His smile became even more enthusiastic, and he continued:

"So I said, the spiritual energy inland is all in those few immortal mountains. In other places, there are many mortals and few cultivators. How many Foundation Establishment cultivators can there be? And how many can be fighting to the death? This 【Wanling Flower】 should be sold in the East Sea!"

Li Yuanjiao nodded and, following his words, said harmoniously:

"I wonder how you plan to split the profits, fellow Daoist?"

"Straightforward!"

Han Shizhen laughed:

"Ten spirit stones per flower, I take seven and you take three!"

The uncle and nephew of the Li family both paused, shocked by his move of turning around and selling it for five times the high price. Li Yuanjiao pondered without speaking, and Li Xijun immediately said:

"Can only ask Jun brother!"

Han Shizhen shook his head and said with great certainty:

"Your clan can also try selling it yourself. I fear that if you release the news today, your stronghold will be attacked and destroyed tomorrow! The East Sea doesn't talk to you about any principles!"

"My family helping to sell this spiritual object is taking all the covetous eyes from before and after onto ourselves! If it weren't for the fact that my family has some weight in the East Sea, I definitely wouldn't dare to do it!"

Li Yuanjiao had been to the East Sea and had his own calculations. He replied:

"A five-five split."

"Six-four at most."

Han Shizhen was very firm:

"I won't speak in riddles. I don't like to haggle. What I say is what it is."

"Good, but I have one requirement."

Li Yuanjiao nodded, and Han Shizhen looked at him sternly:

"Please speak, fellow Daoist."

Li Yuanjiao's voice was calm:

"I want forty percent of the proceeds from selling the 【Wanling Flower】. Fellow Daoist, do not buy it from me for these four spirit stones and then hoard it to sell at a high price."

Han Shizhen was startled, as if his thoughts had been guessed. He laughed in a muffled voice to cover his embarrassment and laughed:

"Good, good, good! Fellow Daoist is not like the inland cultivators; this way of thinking is just like us people of the East Sea!"

The two discussed for a while and set the quantity for next year. Li Yuanjiao instructed:

"Remember that this flower cannot hear the sound of crying, or it will wither. It cannot be touched by gold or jade..."

Han Shizhen nodded to show he had remembered. After saying a few polite words, he said very abruptly:

"I wonder if your younger sister, Li Qinghong, is married?"

Li Yuanjiao was used to his style and said directly:

"My younger sister's cultivation technique is special and she cannot engage in marriage. I hope you will forgive me."

"It was my rudeness."

Han Shizhen's expression didn't change, and he nodded slightly. Li Yuanjiao sipped his tea and asked in a low voice:

"Fellow Daoist Han... I wonder if there are any inland established families of ours that have gained a foothold in the East Sea and opened a branch family?"

When Li Yuanjiao went to the East Sea, he had also specifically looked for them, but these established families were after all under the Three Sects and Seven Gates, so they couldn't gain a foothold overseas on the surface. I fear they weren't using their own names.

Now that this local snake Han Shizhen was here, Li Yuanjiao naturally had to ask carefully.

"Naturally, there are."

Han Shizhen shrugged and replied:

"There aren't many. Most are Early Zifu immortal clans. Ordinary established families, even if they have enough Foundation Establishment cultivators, rarely gain a foothold overseas... They just have a place in the market."

"The East Sea is not like inland. Islands cannot grow spiritual rice, and they are full of crises. Markets are set by the Three Sects and Seven Gates and are not allowed to be opened. Once a force is established overseas, it is no longer an affiliate of the Three Sects and Seven Gates. Who would let you come back? Each Immortal Foundation is counted, and the Three Sects and Seven Gates are not stupid."

Han Shizhen looked at his expression and shook his head gently:

"Although there is room for operation in this, and the Three Sects and Seven Gates don't manage it strictly, the profit is not great after all. Many established families have left a retreat overseas, but there are few who really manage it with heart."

Li Yuanjiao nodded secretly. He inquired about some news, which Han Shizhen answered one by one, before taking his people and leaving.

Li Yuanjiao saw them out of the territory and returned to the mountain, only then having a smile on his face. Li Xijun congratulated him:

"With this, there are more than ten extra spirit stones. The family can have a surplus of twenty spirit stones each year, which makes doing anything much more convenient."

"Not bad!"

Li Yuanjiao nodded secretly and said in a deep voice:

"This person's mention of the demonic disaster... is also quite interesting. It should be the view of the major overseas established families on the demonic disaster, which can be used for reference."

"Exactly."

Li Xijun said:

"Although the inland Early Zifu families are in collusion, they are not completely of one mind. The demonic disaster is led by Qingchi, and with all parties wrestling, perhaps there are calculations in other aspects."

The uncle and nephew talked for a while, and Li Xijun said:

"Great Uncle's talismans are almost finished."

Li Yuanjiao instructed:

"Regarding Great Uncle's matter, I will have to trouble you to go with him. You should go into seclusion to break through, and then set off."

"Yes, Uncle."

Li Xijun responded and turned to go into seclusion in the Qingdu cave dwelling.

Li Yuanjiao sat alone in the courtyard sipping tea, pondering in his heart:

"Qinghong will also be coming out of seclusion soon... Kongheng is at the Foundation Establishment level, and the two of them going and coming will only take half a year, so nothing should happen..."

He sat in his seat for a few breaths, set the jade cup down gently, and finally made up his mind:

"It's only half a year, I'll still ride the Profound Pattern Spirit Mist and follow along. There are no outstanding people in the Chengming generation, and Xijun is the person who connects the past and the future, so nothing must happen to him."

He immediately summoned Li Wushao, gave him a few instructions to help look after the house, and took out the Sword Canon to read, just waiting for Li Xijun and the others to set off.

After leaving Qingdu Mountain, Han Shizhen and the other man traveled north. The man behind him said:

"Young Master, the Li family seems to have the intention of gaining a foothold overseas."

Han Shizhen nodded and said softly:

"It's not strange. His family has a background in Qingchi and can easily enter and exit the East Sea. It is normal to want to find a retreat. How many forces in the East Sea have retreated from inland?"

"What's more, the Sword Sect, the Pure One Path, and Red Reef Island are fighting fiercely over the 【Qingsong Temple Ruins】, and it's a mess. It's a good time to enter the sea. If I were Li Yuanjiao, I would also have this idea."

The burly man nodded in agreement and said with some worry:

"I just hope his family can be sensible and not stupidly gain a foothold around my family... The two families have just established some friendship, so don't hurt our feelings because of this."

Han Shizhen shook his head and said very decisively:

"Definitely not... I see that Li Yuanjiao is a cautious and low-key person. If his family wants to gain a foothold, they will find a desolate island where no one goes. They would rather suffer and be tired than expose themselves in front of others."

The man sighed and said with emotion:

"In this poor and broken place, I don't know when my family will be able to gain a foothold inland."

"Wait for the ancestor to reach the Early Zifu!"

Han Shizhen responded and laughed:

"It's not that there is no chance. Inland is peaceful and prosperous, and there are Three Sects maintaining order. Who isn't envious? Aren't Tang Yuanwu and Zhang Xiaozhi from overseas? At that time, the Seven Gates can add a Dongliu Sect, or at the very least, an immortal Han family."

"As for the Li family."

Han Shizhen said:

"After all, they are local snakes. Making friends with them has benefits. If my family has a chance to go ashore, we will need these established families to help. If the ancestor's breakthrough fails, we can also invite a few Foundation Establishment cultivators to guard the island."

"Yes!"

The man responded very respectfully and said in a low voice:

"Young Master's considerations are comprehensive."

Han Shizhen didn't pay attention to his flattery and was just somewhat hesitant:

(End of chapter)