Chapter 617: Su Zhu Reefs

Kong Tingyun was dressed in her usual Xiang-colored robes, only now the color was deeper, the texture luxurious, and the collar and cuffs were embroidered with golden mountain patterns. Two clasps made of gold and jade were woven into the fabric, shimmering with brilliant light. Two people followed behind her, a man and a woman, both at Foundation Establishment cultivation. They seemed quite young and were observing their surroundings, their gazes toward Li Qinghong filled with a hint of awe.

The group flew over the great lake. The morning breeze was strong and the weather was clear. Li Qinghong led Kong Tingyun to land in the hall. Kong Tingyun dismissed the two followers: "Just keep watch outside the mountain."

"As you command!"

The two bowed and retreated. Li Qinghong heard them clearly, and looking at Kong Tingyun's current attire, she offered congratulations: "I must also congratulate you, Sister, on taking charge of Profound Heaven and becoming the master of a sect."

Kong Tingyun gave a soft laugh. Her lineage was not considered powerful within the sect, and she had only reached this point by relying on the appreciation of Senior Changxi. It had not been easy, so she was naturally very happy. She replied with a "mutual congratulations" and they entered the hall together.

Li Xijun followed to the side. Before Li Qinghong could say much, she maintained her familiar, warm tone and simply said: "Does Qinghong know... that Yan Mountain over there was tricked into opening? They invited a demonic cultivator from the South Sea who has specialized in this Dao for generations... called Yu Jiang."

"The South Sea is full of large islands like those of Lu Fang and Song Zhou; their names are so long. He comes from Danrong Wuluo and practices Witch Talismans."

Once she said this, Li Qinghong immediately identified the person and secretly took note. Listening to Kong Tingyun chat about recent events, she said softly: "I have a matter to trouble you with, Sister. Regarding the Zifu spiritual object mentioned earlier, Yu Fuzi of the Long Xiao Gate is still overseas. This person has a complex background, and his master, Xun Yizi Zhou Han, is also said to be very formidable. He went into seclusion to break through to Zifu years ago, and the spiritual object in his hands cannot be easily obtained. Is there any other news?"

Kong Tingyun seemed to have anticipated she would ask this. She paused for a moment and replied: "When the East Fire Cave Heaven fell, Chu Yi seized most of the spiritual objects within. The rest were scattered among various cultivators. Each sect waited for the hare to hit the tree, and most were obtained by the Xian sects and gates. There is a limit to how many can be used for alchemy and artifact refining, so there should be some left. Perhaps these few sects can be traded with."

Li Qinghong did not trust the other sects, fearing that if she asked even slightly, it would spread everywhere and cause a huge commotion, making it impossible to clean up. Naturally, she shook her head.

In fact, when it came to Mingyang spiritual objects, Kong Tingyun's first thought was to seek out the descendants of Wei Li and Wei Cui for a trade. But since the people of Wei Li were right in front of her, she had to change her approach and suggested:

"True Person Junjian also went to the East Fire Cave Heaven back then. With his abilities, he might have a Mingyang spiritual object. The Tuojun Gate is waiting to be rebuilt, so it might be better to go and ask."

Li Qinghong had met Tuo Longjian after the collapse of the East Fire Cave Heaven and had already gone through his storage bag. She could only hope the True Person had had another fortuitous encounter. She let the Bai Yuan come up and looked at the old ape twice, but Li Xijun spoke first:

"Aunt... The Tuojun Gate has just been established, and I don't know how deep the waters are. I fear that all parties will be inquiring. If we cannot meet the True Person face-to-face, once it passes through others, I fear the news will leak."

Kong Tingyun had already formed an impression of this handsome young man and smiled:

"How cautious, with the air of an old friend... But this matter is not difficult. True Person Junjian is coming to my Profound Heaven to discuss the Dao with my True Person, so I can just ask on behalf of your family."

Li Qinghong still felt there was little hope and gritted her teeth to ask: "Sister once mentioned that Yu Fuzi has some grievances with your sect! I wonder if I might hear the details?"

"This matter..."

Kong Tingyun sipped her tea, the golden mountain patterns on her Xiang-colored robes shimmering under the sunlight. She said solemnly: "This matter traces back to the Green Pine Cave Heaven. Long Xiao Gate's Xun Yizi—that is, Zhou Han—competed with True Person Junjian for a 【Taiyin Moon Brilliance】 in the cave heaven before his seclusion. In the end, how could he be the True Person's match? He lost all face and didn't get the item either."

"He was furious and turned to contend for the 【Qiao Gold】."

She paused as she spoke, revealing a round golden bead in her palm, and whispered: "But I snatched it a step ahead of him. He repeatedly failed to seize it and has held a grudge ever since. You could say he hates me and Profound Heaven."

"Later, Kong Gu-sun of the sect's direct lineage passed by his base at Light Boat Island in the East Sea, had a dispute with Yu Fuzi, and parted on bad terms. Before he had even walked a hundred miles, he was actually murdered."

As the woman spoke to this point, she seemed to lower her brows, yet her eyes were quietly observing the movements of the two. Seeing Li Xijun listening naturally and lost in quiet thought, and Li Qinghong nodding without the slightest hint of unnaturalness, Kong Tingyun withdrew her gaze, turned, and said candidly in a low voice:

"The relationship between Gu-sun's lineage and mine is not very good, but he was always respectful to me and listened to me in everything. There is some sentiment there, so being able to add some trouble for Yu Fuzi is also good."

Li Qinghong understood her meaning. The Li family must obtain the Mingyang spiritual object, but Kong Tingyun's revenge did not have to be carried out. Since the two families had made it clear in advance, it wouldn't be too awkward later, so she replied:

"Qinghong understands."

Kong Tingyun chatted with her for a while and soon took her leave: "True Person Junjian's immortal carriage will arrive soon, so I cannot stay long. Please forgive me."

Li Qinghong naturally saw her off all the way. Returning to the hall, Li Ximing had already been invited up. She looked at her two nephews and said softly:

"The meaning of Profound Heaven Gate is very clear. Profound Heaven indeed has a bad relationship with Long Xiao, but it hasn't reached the point of murdering such an important figure. Disclosing his news to our family and helping out at a critical moment is already enough to disgust Long Xiao."

Kong Tingyun had indeed mentioned the matter of Kong Gu-sun, but Kong Gu-sun could not be considered a core figure of Profound Heaven, and even the Kong Yu behind him was quite down-and-out; it was not comparable to the status of Yu Fuzi and his master in the Long Xiao Gate.

Li Qinghong sighed lightly and replied:

"He is one of the most outstanding people in the Long Xiao Gate and has a reputation even among the Zifu of the Long Xiao True Persons. Another, True Person Chengyan, has left many traces. Killing him is not an option."

Li Ximing listened carefully from the side and said softly: "Aunt, the current plan is nothing more than a trade."

"He may not be willing to trade."

Li Xijun pressed his hand on his sword and replied: "Even if we trade, we cannot use our family's name. In short, the hope is slim... Fortunately, the dispute between the Long Xiao Gate and the Hengzhu Dao Gate has not yet ceased."

"Brother is right. The current plan is nothing more than a trade."

He said softly:

"Either trade from Yu Fuzi's hands, or trade from the Hengzhu Dao hands... Let's set off first and go overseas to take a look."

"Not bad."

Li Qinghong nodded and said softly: "Let the Bai Yuan watch the house, and we shall ride the wind together."

The East Sea surged. Three streams of light broke through the air, covered by several magic clouds. Neither thunder nor frost was revealed; they simply rode the wind and headed south.

The East Sea is generally divided into three parts: from north to south, they are the He Tian, Fen Kuai, and Zhu Lu seas. The most fertile land is in the Fen Kuai island sea area bordering the estuary of the Saline Lake, which should have been called the Fen Kuai Sea.

It was just that this area was where the six most densely populated counties of Jiangnan sank back then; the seawater is relatively shallow and close to the land, so it is also called the Near Sea.

Crossing the Near Sea and heading north, to the east of the three seas is the sparsely populated Far Sea. The Li family group made a turn, flew south, and flew all the way to the junction of the Zhu Lu Sea and the Near Sea.

"Light Boat Reefs!"

The Long Xiao Gate's Light Boat Reefs and the large island of Light Boat Island were located here. The large island presented a boat shape, narrow and long with many peaks, surrounded by small reefs like stars in the sky. Cultivators came and went, spirit boats sank and floated, and various types of demon beasts roamed the brilliant blue-red sea surface, which was quite lively.

Li Ximing watched for a while and saw a large boat sailing on the sea. The sound was like a boiling cauldron, and there was a faint sound of bamboo and silk drifting about. Several shrimp and crab people stood upright in robes, drinking and making merry.

Overseas, there was no such thing as "demons and monsters should be killed by everyone." It could even be said that the three seas were the territory of demon-kind, and above them were the Dragon-kin. The demon creatures on the boat wore robes and bowed, and the female demons played the pipa and sang, no different from humans.

"Rare..."

Li Ximing sighed. Li Xijun, who was to the side, said softly:

"Five thousand miles south of here is the Tuojun Gate's Golden Pocket Island and the Profound Heaven Gate's Yuezhoudao, and less than a thousand miles east of here is the Hengzhu Dao's Su Zhu Reefs."

Hearing the four words "Su Zhu Reefs," Li Ximing frowned, as if he had suddenly remembered something, appearing somewhat distracted.

Li Qinghong led the group to travel across the sea, her gaze sweeping over the reefs like stars beneath her feet. Calculating the area, it was truly not small.

"Just the island area... I fear it is half a county in size, not to mention the sea surface attached to the reefs... it is even more vast and boundless!"

Li Ximing sighed. He hadn't been to the East Sea many times before and was even less aware of the many forces on the sea. Now he realized he had underestimated the importance of the East Sea and South Sea to the three sects and seven gates. Seeing the magic light of fighting on the sea from afar, he said softly: "It really is a different landscape. I've seen quite a few cultivators fighting along the way."

Li Qinghong had spent a long time overseas and understood this well, so she was not surprised and said softly:

"The sea is, after all, the territory of the True Lords, and the counties of each sect are their own clansmen. The spiritual veins and spiritual energy are extremely important and cannot withstand fighting. If it weren't for the point of tearing faces and destroying sects, they wouldn't enter the counties to attack mountains... The game of the three sects and seven gates on most of their territory is still overseas."

Li Ximing suddenly realized. With both hands behind his back, he replied: "No wonder the Long Xiao Gate and Hengzhu Dao have been fighting for so long, and I haven't heard any news from the sea. So it was an attack on the sea."

Li Xijun nodded, his white robes fluttering in the sea breeze. He held the blue-white long sword 【Cold Granary】, which looked like frost, in his arms and said softly: "The Long Xiao Gate has risen rapidly in recent years, with a new landscape every day, while the Hengzhu Dao Gate has a long history and deep foundation. Both families' territories are these reefs like stars in the sky... occupying good places."

There are also high and low levels among the various immortal gates, which was vividly reflected at this moment. Compared with the Tuojun Gate's Golden Pocket Island and the Profound Heaven Gate's Yuezhoudao, the scenery was much worse. Not only was the area inferior, but all kinds of resources were far inferior. To put it bluntly, it was just a market.

The group first crossed the Light Boat Reefs and landed in the Su Zhu Reefs. Compared to the Light Boat Reefs, the islands of the Su Zhu Reefs were more sparse, but the island area was much larger, and the stone color was red, as if it had the taste of Xuanyang Xuanyang Lihuo.

The Su Zhu Island in the center presented a disc shape, and the market was in full swing. It was not the popular array method of today; from time to time, several red talismans jumped up, echoing with the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.

Li Qinghong pinched the magic formula, and the 【Chongming Cave Profound Screen】 in her sleeve operated. The Profound Screen unfolded, emitting several pale golden phantom colors. 【Absolute Observation】 could only cover three zhang around her body. She turned to the side and said: "It is too conspicuous for three Foundation Establishment cultivators to land together. You two explore the surroundings and check the 【Light Boat Reefs】 and 【Su Zhu Reefs】 respectively, and come one after another in a few days."

Both responded. Li Qinghong deliberately dispersed the thunder light and rode the wind down. The Hengzhu Dao's great array reacted, and a red talisman fell back to the island. Immediately, Hengzhu Dao cultivators came to greet her, presumably having noticed that she was a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Li Qinghong exchanged a few words with them and then went into the array. Li Ximing seemed somewhat restless, staring blankly.

Li Xijun looked at him carefully and called out. Only then did Li Ximing explain:

"Brother Jun's actions are thoughtful. It would be better to go to the Light Boat Reefs, and I will take a look around."

"Good."

Li Xijun nodded lightly, riding the frost and snow to fly north, leaving the man holding his Daoist robe standing there in a daze. He hesitated for a long time before heading south along the way.

On the road, the flowing clouds were elegant and the seawater was blue-red. He frowned and gritted his teeth. Looking at the sky, he headed south for a hundred miles and soon saw a salt reef exposed on the sea surface.

His heart was pounding. He headed south for another thirty miles. Seeing more and more white salt reefs, Li Ximing pursed his lips and thought to himself: "Back then she said the family's Xuanyang Xuanyang Lihuo was prosperous and the earth veins were very fierce, so seawater often evaporated in the depressions of the reefs, forming layers of salt frost... It shouldn't be wrong."

Li Ximing silently landed on the largest salt reef. His spiritual sense swept over it, and he immediately discovered a clue under a large stone. There was a square gap. Ordinary cultivators really couldn't see anything, but he was now at Foundation Establishment cultivation; how could this little trick deceive him?

He hurriedly fumbled on his body and took out a jade box from his storage bag. It was exquisite and good-looking, gilded with golden silk threads. The man lifted the lid, and the sea breeze blew, almost blowing out the little bit of white paper inside.

Li Ximing immediately used his magic power to protect it and unfolded the stack of white paper. One by one, they were actually portraits of him when he was young, mostly with a cold expression, standing alone in the courtyard. Occasionally, there were a few sitting, with a woman sitting on his lap, wearing a light blue orchid on her hair.

He didn't look at them, just took out the jade pendant wrapped in the center, immediately put away the jade box, and held the jade pendant against the reef. Sure enough, it fit the depression perfectly.

Li Ximing was about to urge his magic power when he suddenly reacted belatedly. He reached out and touched his chin, finding that he already had a beard, a full two fingers long, which he hadn't noticed before.

"Thirty years have passed!"

He looked at the sea surface silently, finding that the person reflected on the sea surface was very strange. Clearly, he was in the appearance of a young man, but his eyes were old, and his Daoist robe was worn on his body without a sense of elegance.

Li Ximing hurriedly shaved his beard, changed his clothes, and looked again, feeling even more incongruous. It would have been better not to change. He immediately felt regret: "Too deliberate!"

He sighed, his magic power surged in his hands, and the reef in front of him slowly broke open. Li Ximing raised his head to look. The most conspicuous thing inside the array was a red plaque, with the brush strokes dancing like dragons and phoenixes, inscribed with two words: "Meng Mansion." ===== CHAPTER 618 =====