Chapter 686

Gao Xuanzi's tone made Li Ximing feel a strange sense of familiarity; he could tell that this person was offering his congratulations with genuine sincerity, and his expression of joy was far more earnest than that of the other families. Presumably, because Tu Longjian considered himself a junior to Li Yuanjiao, the cultivators of the Tujun Sect were naturally very pleasantly surprised by his achievement of the Zifu realm.

Gao Xuanzi then picked up a jade box from the table. Li Minggong, who was standing to the side, hurriedly stepped forward to receive it from his hands. Gao Xuanzi then said respectfully: "My Master has prepared this 'Art of Myotuo Technique Transformation' as a congratulatory gift for the True Person."

This magic technique did not sound particularly miraculous, but as long as the sentiment behind the congratulatory gift was conveyed, that was enough; it was not about seeking any great benefit. Li Ximing replied:

"Please thank Senior Junjian on my behalf. Zhaojing keeps the grace of the Mingfang Heavenly Stone from years past in his heart. If not for the Senior's helping hand, Zhaojing would not be here today."

Gao Xuanzi returned the courtesy and quickly withdrew, unwilling to say another word in front of the crowd.

Li Ximing took a step forward, and a person walked over holding a cup. His eyes were bright, a spear was slung across his back, his brows were clear and his eyes bright, and his attire was capable. He smiled and said: "Zhong Qian, on behalf of the Chengyun Sect, congratulates the True Person! I present a pair of 【White Shadow Golden Buckles】!"

This person was none other than Zhong Qian, whom Li Xuanfeng had become acquainted with years ago. Li Ximing naturally recognized him; this man was no simple character either, so he waved his hand and said:

"So it is Sect Master Zhong."

"I dare not!"

Zhong Qian had grown older, appearing increasingly steady and profound. He returned the salute and said: "This humble cultivator was in seclusion for the past few years, and the cultivators under my command were ignorant. Fortunately, they knew the gravity of the situation and did not do anything out of line. I have come this time to apologize to the True Person."

The Fanyun Cave might have harbored ill intentions, but after all, they had not acted out of line. Zhong Qian was a Sect Master, could be considered an acquaintance, and had come personally to apologize, so Li Ximing naturally did not say much more. He only let Li Minggong accept the items and then said: "My late Uncle-Grandmaster once mentioned you, saying you had natural talent that surpassed ordinary people, and that the Zifu realm would be within your reach in the future."

Zhong Qian responded repeatedly. At the banquet, Li Zhouwei heard An Siwei's voice in his ear: "Family Head, Gao Xuanzi is taking his leave."

It was the same situation where the True Person had not arrived, and he was leaving the banquet early. Gao Xuanzi himself, or rather the performance of the Tujun Sect, could not be considered disrespectful. The Tujun Sect was located at the intersection of the Wu State, the Southern Frontier, and the Yue State, and was not originally a sect of the Yue State. There was no need for them to come to offer congratulations at all; it was entirely out of regard for Tu Longjian's personal friendship.

The various sects of the Wu State all looked toward Changhuai Mountain, and Changhuai Mountain's hegemony in the Wu State was several times that of the Jin Yu Sect in the Yue State. The sects of the Wu State had always had little contact with the various sects of the Yue State. The Tujun Sect was situated in the middle, cold and aloof, and never leaned toward anyone.

Therefore, Gao Xuanzi's arrival was already giving a great deal of face. Li Zhouwei specifically rose from the banquet and accompanied him all the way out of the courtyard. Gao Xuanzi straightened his robes and asked him a few questions with a smile.

Li Zhouwei observed Gao Xuanzi slightly before leaving Milin Mountain and arriving at the Changxi Gate. The heat of the wine and the banquet dissipated, and the cold air hit his face. The young man immediately spoke:

"I have troubled the Family Head to see me off. My Master does not wish to cause more trouble, so please stop here. Seeing me to the Changxi Gate is enough."

Li Zhouwei heard this, and his heart became clearer: 'True Person Junjian does not want to be entangled in my family's karma, or rather... he does not want his own karma to affect my family too much...'

He looked deeply at Gao Xuanzi, nodded, and replied: "If the True Person is not here, and the Tujun Immortal Sect encounters any distress, please come to the Yue State to inform us. My family will spare no effort."

Gao Xuanzi shook his head with a smile:

"I am also a sword cultivator. If your clan has any outstanding junior sword cultivators, you are welcome to send them to my Tujun to have a look. Although Gao Xuan cannot be considered a Sword Immortal, I do have some attainments..."

Li Zhouwei was slightly surprised. Everyone knew that the Li clan was a family of Sword Immortals. That Gao Xuanzi could say this showed that he was quite confident in his own sword cultivation attainments.

"Many thanks, Senior!"

Li Zhouwei thanked him. Gao Xuanzi returned the salute and began to observe the Changxi Gate. He saw that the foundation stones on both sides of the gate were built with Mingfang stones, ancient and grand, solid and thick, painted with patterns of lakes and seas. The beams were painted with flying snow, green pines, long clouds, and rainbows, and the seventy-two ridges were dyed with the Mingyang light and flame divine ability, appearing exceptionally bright and beautiful.

He smiled and said: "This Changxi Gate is not bad."

After speaking, he rode the frost and snow into the air, heading southwest. Li Zhouwei watched him go, lost in thought. It was a long time before he rode his light back, landing in the courtyard. The banquet for the various families had ended, and most had the intention to leave.

Only a group of rogue cultivators, rarely encountering such resources and spiritual opportunities, were reluctant to leave. They lowered their heads silently in the courtyard, drinking wine and eating fruit, wanting to fill their stomachs before they were willing to leave.

There were even some who had already borrowed the rich spiritual energy to practice Qi. Several old rogue cultivators did not dare to be too ostentatious, only secretly pinching seals under the table with their fingers, eyes open, mouths not stopping, just like nothing had happened, and it was unknown how much efficiency they had.

Rogue cultivators were inherently miserable, and those who did not eat blood food were even worse off. It was a rare grand banquet, so the Li family naturally would not be stingy. Li Zhouwei only called Li Minggong over and whispered instructions: "For those at the lower tables who are unwilling to leave, serve each person a pot of spiritual tea. Do not let them sit there awkwardly."

Li Minggong responded and went down. Immediately, attendants brought tea up. It came in wisps, with jade plates holding spiritual pots, which were sent up one by one. The lower courtyard was suddenly filled with sounds of gratitude.

Li Zhouwei had been paying attention, his pupil technique powerful. From afar, he saw those few old cultivators hurriedly pouring out the tea, wrapping the tea leaves in paper to collect them for slow use later, and then getting up to ask for spiritual water with empty pots.

"Family Head Li!"

Just as Li Zhouwei was watching, a clear and resonant voice sounded in his ear. He saw a long-bearded man bringing people forward. Seeing his attire, it was indeed the Xiao family.

Li Zhouwei looked at his face and found it quite familiar. This middle-aged man was already smiling and speaking:

"I am Xiao Muyun. Does the Family Head recognize me?"

Li Zhouwei reacted immediately. This person was the son of Li Qingxiao and the head of the Yushan branch of the Xiao family. He could be considered his own elder, but since he was a member of the Xiao family and Li Zhouwei was the Family Head, naturally, they would not address each other by seniority. He only rose and saluted:

"So it is the Master of Yushan... Has the Elder come?"

Xiao Muyun said in a gentle voice:

"Mother is with Uncle-Grandmaster Xuanxuan. She is also very happy! Hearing that True Person Zhaojing has achieved the Zifu realm, she was overjoyed. Early this morning, she packed her luggage and hurriedly returned to her maiden home."

Before Li Zhouwei could ask more, Xiao Muyun continued: "I must inform the Family Head that I am now the manager of the thirteen outer branches of the Xiao clan, in charge of all the outer surnames of Xianyou. Now that my Xiao family has come, we have also prepared a modest gift."

"Oh?"

Li Zhouwei had some expectations in his heart and asked politely. Xiao Muyun took a sheepskin scroll from his sleeve and smiled: "From the east bank of Wangyue Lake to the boundary of Li Xia County... there are a total of one hundred and twenty-seven clans and sects. Now, the territory twenty miles west of Guanyun Peak, totaling seventy-nine, is all gifted to your clan!"

Xiao Muyun spoke at length, but everyone present understood his meaning. Li Zhouwei had not yet spoken, but Li Minggong had already let out a slight breath, feeling moved in his heart, with a look of being touched: "Finally, it has been taken back!"

Although the Li family had occupied Wangyue Lake more than ten years ago, Wangyue Lake had never been complete, mainly regarding the south bank and the east bank.

The south bank was covered in dense forests, especially the land of Shanyue, involving the Great Lishan which could not be farmed. However, the Li family had a relationship with the demon caves, and this land could produce a large amount of spiritual objects, so there was no need to develop spiritual fields, which could be considered worthwhile.

As for the east bank, during the Jiang family period, there were more than ninety families. When the Jiang family split, the Xiao clan took advantage of the chaos to attach themselves to various families. By the time the Yu family ruled the east bank, outside of Milin County, there were thirty-nine families on the east bank. Furthermore, going east, almost all of it was going to be divided into Li Xia County.

Since then, whether it was the Yu family or the Li family, neither had the qualifications to take back these seventy-nine families. The Xiao family even forbade Wangyue Lake from establishing a market, almost losing more than eighty percent of their commercial income.

Now that the seventy-nine outer families were returned, totaling one hundred and eighteen, which was even more than the original ninety-plus of the Jiang family, the map of the entire Wangyue Lake was suddenly complete. It not only meant taking back thirteen spiritual mines but also represented that the Li family's power radiated further, having the ability to intervene in the wilderness of the river bank.

'The Xiao family is giving too much; I'm afraid there is a problem.'

Li Zhouwei looked at the sheepskin scroll he had spread out. Calculating this, he soon had his thoughts:

"This is paving the way for the Xuanyue affair."

Between the Li clan and Xuanyue lay the wild mountains and temples of the river bank, also commonly known as the wilderness, filled with small temples. It was estimated that most of them were vassals of the Kong family. The Xiao family had originally blocked the way, and by taking this step back, the Li clan would be bordering the back of Xuanyue.

Li Zhouwei raised his eyebrows to look at the upper seats, but Li Ximing's figure was already nowhere to be found. The golden-eyed young man sipped his tea. For more than ten years, he had been managing the family and putting out fires everywhere. Just looking at this map, he had his calculations and thought to himself: "It seems Uncle-Grandmaster has already agreed to Xuanyue. The Xiao family does not intend to intervene, so my family must go all out on this matter."

He then folded the scroll and smiled:

"Such a generous gift... my family is ashamed to accept it!"

Xiao Muyun smiled, exchanged a few polite words, and then withdrew. The banquet was still filled with music, but Li Zhouwei's mind was no longer here. He rose from the banquet, pointed for Li Jiangqian to come over, and transmitted his voice via secret technique: "Go and investigate. Recently, has there been any territorial compromise between the Xiao family and Xuanyue?"

Li Jiangqian's eyes had the same expression as his father's. The young man immediately realized his family's decision. The music was still playing in the courtyard, and his brows lowered: 'The True Person has decided to take over this mess at Xuanyue... It seems Changxi has a backup plan and is offering heavy benefits; it cannot be refused.'

He responded respectfully and left the banquet as if nothing had happened. Deciding to take over Xuanyue overnight, he immediately stopped thinking about what a rotten mess it was, but secretly pondered:

"Kong Yu's mouth is unreliable, and he is weak-willed. He is easy to manipulate, so I will start with him."

The night was quiet and secluded. The gardenias on Mount Zhijing scattered their faint fragrance in the night breeze, and one by one, sparks fell faintly. The fire veins at the foot of the mountain surged endlessly, spitting out a few mouthfuls of purple smoke.

The sky light flickered on the top of the mountain. Li Ximing reappeared on Mount Zhijing, his expression slightly dark.

By this hour, those who should have come had come, and those who should have sent gifts had sent them. The Zifu Dharma Assembly could already be declared over. The rogue cultivators remaining in the courtyard were estimated to be waiting until tomorrow morning.

Li Ximing sat down at the stone table, sipped his tea in silence, and waited for a moment. Then he saw An Siwei land on the mountain with some unease, cupping his hands and bowing, saying respectfully:

"True Person... people from the 【Baiyedu Immortal Dao】 have come..."

"Let him come up."

The envoy from the 【Baiyedu Immortal Dao】 had never dared to enter the banquet, and had been waiting for him on Mount Zhijing, so he had not been found at the banquet. Li Ximing did not want to form grudges with others just after achieving the Zifu realm, so there was no anger in his voice.

An Siwei hurried to withdraw. Soon, a red-clothed cultivator walked to the front with his head lowered, his legs trembling. With a thud, he knelt before him, kowtowing repeatedly, his voice panicked and urgent:

"Baiyedu Immortal Dao... this humble cultivator Du Che... pays respects to the True Person."

Li Ximing's expression gradually turned cold. He immediately understood why the envoy from the Baiyedu Immortal Dao did not dare to enter the banquet, and even did not dare to see him... to the point that when he arrived in front of him, he became a kowtowing worm! Three months ago, Daoist Wen Hu came to apologize, but he claimed that Daoist Chi Du from the Baiyedu Immortal Dao would come personally to apologize!

After all, the three sects of the Mifan Sect of Mount Xiaoshi had been blatant and open enemies with the Li family! Even someone like Zhong Qian today, the Fanyun Cave had not done anything out of line, but he still came personally as the Sect Master. Changing to the other families, except for Xuanyue who had requests, who had sent their Sect Master?

Seeing that Chi Du was not there, Li Ximing only said coldly:

"Where is Chi Du?"

Du Che hesitated for a moment, the look of panic almost overflowing. He said in a trembling voice:

"Master Chi Du heard that the True Person had achieved divine abilities, and his heart was filled with extreme panic and fear. He hurriedly rushed over from the East Sea, but did not expect to be ambushed by demon cultivators halfway, almost falling. He was truly seriously injured and unable to travel, so he fell on an island to maintain his injuries... so... so he let me come."

After he finished speaking, he did not dare to look at the True Person's expression, and continued to beg and apologize, clutching the jade box that served as a congratulatory gift tightly, his expression panicked.

Even if Du Che begged and apologized a thousand times, it did not mean that the Baiyedu Immortal Dao's attitude was sincere. Ninety-nine percent of it was fear that Li Ximing would kill him with one palm, his head covered in sweat, trembling.

'Whether the matter is true or false depends entirely on his own words...'

Li Ximing was not angry, only saying:

"Oh? Put the things down."

Du Che could only offer the jade box in his hands with both hands. Li Ximing did not need to look much; just looking at his appearance, not even daring to read it out loud, how could there be any good things in the jade box?

"Creak."

The jade box opened suddenly. The jade slip in the center was dim and lusterless. Li Ximing glanced at it. The box contained an unknown magic technique, "Sweeping Light Formula," which was a Mingyang orthodoxy. The grade was not marked, but it was very brief.

Du Che's lips trembled: "My Dao does not lead to Mingyang. Master searched through boxes and cabinets to find this magic technique. Although it is not profound, it has quite an ancient feel, so... I sent it to congratulate the True Person..."

Chi Du's affair could be someone else's framing, but the congratulatory gift sent was truly the intention of the Baiyedu Immortal Dao, exactly the same as the Senior Chang Xiao Gate! Both were inferior Mingyang magic techniques without grades! For Zifu congratulations, unless they had completely torn off their faces, they would all make a trip, it was just a matter of the closeness of the relationship. These two families gave some inferior magic techniques, but specifically chose Mingyang magic techniques, and they had no grades, only one 【quite an ancient feel】...

'It is just mocking me openly and secretly... not caring about my opinion at all, just going through the motions, making it hard for me to flare up... no grade and no name... naturally, I cannot find a reason.'

'The True Person of the Baiyedu Immortal Dao is in the middle stage of Zifu... I don't know what his background is!'

Combined with this congratulatory gift, the malice of the Baiyedu Immortal Dao was revealed, and the so-called serious injury of Chi Du was just a lie... perhaps it was even made up by this person in front of him to save his life! "Bang."

Li Ximing just threw the jade box on the table casually, making a dull thud, scaring Du Che out of his wits. Instead, he had no cold expression, only smiling:

"Withdraw!"