Chapter 687

As soon as Li Ximing said this, Du Che felt as if he had been granted amnesty. When he kowtowed, sweat beads fell like rain. He kowtowed nine times before withdrawing. "Many thanks to the True Person for the grace of not killing me!"

Li Ximing did not care about this small pawn, but the Li family members did not have good expressions. An Siwei at the foot of the mountain did not even look at him. Du Che was also sensible, withdrawing in fear, and fled north in the night.

Li Ximing sat quietly for a moment. A middle-aged man climbed the steps, his feather robes shining, graceful and generous. Li Ximing finally had a smile, rose from the table to welcome him: "Brother Zhi!"

Li Xizhi smiled, lowered his head, and cupped his hands in salute: "I pay respects to True Person Zhaojing!"

"Brother, do not mock me."

With his own brother back, Li Ximing did not put on the airs of a Zifu cultivator. Just like before, he only pulled Li Xizhi to sit down and asked with concern: "You have worked hard in the sect all these years, Brother. You and Zhouwei have supported the family with all your strength. For ten years, you have not lost any people or land, and many have achieved Foundation Establishment. These are all your contributions."

"It is mostly Zhouwei's contribution."

Li Xizhi shook his head modestly, a look of worry on his face, and whispered: "I just returned from the ancestral hall. Uncle-Grandmaster Yuanqin is still paying respects to the late Uncle-Grandmaster... but I bumped into people from the Baiyedu Immortal Dao fleeing in a panic. Did something happen?"

"Yes..."

Li Ximing was silent. Li Xizhi said again:

"True Person 【Yehui True Person】 of the Baiyedu Immortal Dao is in the middle stage of Zifu, practicing the rare Duwei orthodoxy, which is not easy to deal with... Also, I saw that the Senior Chang Xiao Gate did not arrive at the banquet. This Immortal Gate is truly at odds with my family... Changxiaozi's divine abilities are powerful, so we must be careful."

Li Ximing nodded. After waiting for a moment, Li Zhouwei rode his light over and saluted the two. Only then did Li Ximing push out the jade box, frowning:

"This is the congratulatory gift from the Baiyedu Immortal Dao."

Both of them looked at it with their spiritual sense, looked at each other, and their expressions were not good. Li Zhouwei said in a deep voice: "Reporting to the True Person, Wen Hu is still on the river bank and has not been transferred back to the Baiyedu Mountain Gate. He handles affairs in the cave daily. Either this person knows nothing, or he has something to rely on."

Li Xizhi was silent for a moment. Seeing that Li Ximing did not speak, this brother of the Xiyue generation now spoke cautiously, his words clear:

"I heard that Situ Ku of the Tangjin Gate is still at the Qingdu Water Prefecture. Has the Tangjin Gate sent anyone over?"

"No."

Li Zhouwei responded, his expression deep: "Situ Mo is a ruthless and mean person. He will not care about Situ Ku's life. Unless the True Person brings Situ Ku to his door, he will always pretend to be stupid and pretend that this person does not exist."

Li Xizhi then said: "The Tangjin Gate affair is in the past and has not yet been concluded. The Jin Yu behind them has no intention of coming out to mediate. The Baiyedu Immortal Dao is also on the north bank of the river, colluding with the Tangjin Gate. My family has no foundation on the north bank. A strong dragon does not suppress the local snake, not to mention that True Person Yehui is not weak..."

"This is one point."

"Second, no matter what Changxiaozi's purpose is, the Senior Chang Xiao Gate and my family already have a grudge. He is far more terrifying than the Baiyedu Immortal Dao. He is silent, but who knows what kind of poisonous scheme he is carrying out? My family should not move lightly."

Li Zhouwei looked at Li Ximing. This now True Person Zhaojing nodded gently and responded: "Brother's words are very true..."

Li Ximing paused slightly and continued: "This Du Che is a smart man. He did not dare to enter the banquet. If he had made me lose face in public, his life would definitely not be guaranteed. I also specifically did not let him come up on the continent, but on Mount Zhijing... I saw him alone, also because I was afraid that the matter would be blown up and my family would be embarrassed."

"But..."

Li Ximing sighed in a deep voice: "All of this is just a delaying tactic. Changxi is about to fall soon. Yehui and Senior Chang Xiao are not in a hurry, all because they are afraid of Changxi's counterattack. Just wait for Changxi to die, and the Xuanyue Gate will immediately become a major weakness, making it very easy to deal with my family."

Li Xizhi was horrified, his brows furrowed, and he whispered:

"I didn't expect the rumors to be true... How much lifespan does the True Person have left?"

Li Ximing exhaled: "His words were very vague. It looks like less than three to five years."

"Isn't that just a matter of days!"

Three to five years for Foundation Establishment is just a matter of closing for seclusion! Hearing this news made Li Xizhi's mood sink instantly. He replied:

"Xuanyue still wants to entrust my family... That makes it even harder! We have to guard the north bank, and we have to take care of the wilderness and Xuanyue."

Li Xizhi could not raise any objections to this. Years ago, when he accidentally entered the dragon's territory, it was Xuanyue who covered for him. He just choked and said in a deep voice: "The north bank cannot be let go... The territory of Fuyun Cave must still be controlled in my family's hands."

All three understood that once the Li family withdrew from the north bank, the next step would be for the three sects of Mifan to try to get involved in the north bank of Wangyue Lake. With Changxiaozi plus Yehui, the pressure would be shockingly great.

'The north bank must never be endangered.'

A Zifu Immortal clan that could not even guard a county's territory would inevitably become a laughingstock, and the Qingchi behind the Li family... must be very happy to see this scene. The Si family urgently hoped that the Li clan would be in distress, and would re-lower their heads to Qingchi for help. Once this happened, the matter would change completely.

The Li family was different from the Xiao family. Xiao Chuting achieved the Zifu realm through life divine abilities, and the demon disaster had to rely on him. He himself was also an extremely powerful figure, so naturally, he had no worries and completely cut off his subordination to Qingchi. Although Li Ximing broke through, he left a way out and did not completely cut it off. Li Xizhi also did not leave Qingchi, ambiguous, and nominally was still an Immortal clan of Qingchi.

Once they asked Qingchi for help, it would not be a nominal Immortal clan, but would confirm all of this, and they would truly become vassals of others.

The mountain was silent for a moment. Li Xizhi asked: "Does True Person Chuting have any instructions?"

Li Ximing organized his words and replied: "The True Person hinted that I could break with Xuanyue. It may not be his true words, perhaps it is a test, but from the situation, he will never stand on anyone's side. Now he already has the intention to stand by."

He whispered:

"Unless my family leans toward Jin Yu or Hengzhu... How much difference is there between leaning toward Jin Yu and lowering our heads to Qingchi? Hengzhu is far in the south, at most we can use them as an alliance, but Hengzhu's enemies are not few!"

Unless it was a last resort, Li Ximing would never consider leaning toward the three sects. He just poured tea and sighed:

"Once these three to five years pass, the situation will inevitably be difficult."

Li Zhouwei, who was on the side, raised his eyebrows and looked, cupping his hands and saying in a deep voice: "Reporting to the True Person... in the humble cultivator's view, Yehui and Senior Chang Xiao are waiting for True Person Changxi to fall, and have no actions, but we cannot sit and wait for death."

"Why not take advantage of True Person Changxi's presence to solve the affairs of the north bank first, and give the Tangjin Gate and the Baiyedu Immortal Dao a hard blow... and stand firm on the north bank..."

Li Ximing nodded and said:

"I understand what you mean, but it's nothing more than taking down most of the territory of the two sects of Mifan... Can it bring any substantial loss to the Baiyedu Immortal Dao? As for the Tangjin Gate, Jin Yu is behind them, so we can only demand compensation, and cannot move lightly."

"Wait until Changxi dies, how can we guard the vast land of the two sects of Mifan? Losing it will be a matter of days."

Li Xizhi was silent. Li Zhouwei's voice was clanging, and he replied:

"True Person! Take one step forward today, and you can retreat one step tomorrow! Even if the lost territory falls into the hands of the Baiyedu Immortal Dao again... it will be a clean slate, which is much better than always being in their hands..."

Li Zhouwei said in a deep voice:

"What's more, the situation is gradually deteriorating for my family. Now, the one who wants to maintain stability is the Baiyedu Immortal Dao, and the one who seeks change is my Li clan. Only with chaos can there be change. In the three to five years of contention, who knows how many variables will arise?"

"No matter how things change in the future, it is always better than doing nothing and just holding onto the Fuyun Cave territory and waiting for death!"

Li Ximing looked at his brother and nodded decisively:

"Good..."

Li Ximing then stood up and said sternly:

"The affairs of the north bank are all handed over to Minghuang! If there are any requirements, just mention them to me. I will go to see Changxi. Wen Hu's handle is in my family's hands, and there is much to be done!"

He shook his sleeves gently, and a piece of jade boxes, stone boxes, and various spiritual objects suddenly appeared on the table. Li Ximing only said: "The congratulatory gifts from the various families are all here. There are several magic tools. Minghuang, take them down first and distribute them with Cheng and the others."

Li Zhouwei thanked him respectfully and put the things away. Just as he was about to withdraw, Li Xizhi also took out two jade boxes and whispered: "Qingchi's congratulatory gift is the 【Suiyuan Pill Formula】, which is with the True Person. These two magic tools are my own collection, which cannot be considered very precious. Add them to the family's use first."

Li Zhouwei thanked him respectfully and rode his light away. Li Xizhi sighed regretfully: "It's a pity that I am a Peak Master of Qingchi after all... Qingchi cannot allow me to take action at will."

Li Ximing waved his hand: "I have wronged you, Brother... We still have to settle the Si family's heart. Moreover... once we break away from Qingchi, if Chi Buzi pursues it in the future, the Si and Ninggu will definitely push everything onto my family's head, and they can destroy my family without any scruples. We still have to hang a name."

After he finished speaking, his expression suddenly became solemn, and he said in a deep voice: "I have one thing to tell you, Brother. This matter is of great importance!"

Li Xizhi also became solemn, and then listened to Li Ximing say:

"Yang Tianya broke through to the Zifu realm long ago! He has been hiding for decades!"

Li Xizhi was truly stunned and raised his head in disbelief. Li Ximing immediately told the story of the people of the Yin Division, listening to Li Xizhi's contemplation. After a long time, he said: "The Yang clan's plans are very big."

Li Xizhi only heard that Yang Tianya had broken through to the Zifu realm long ago, and everything in his heart was understood.

From the feather robes Yang Xiaoer gave him that saved him one after another, to the talismans Yang Ruizao gave him that made Tuoba Zhongyuan hesitate for a moment, and even from the discussion of marriage between Yuan Tuan and the Yang family, and the sudden change in the situation of the Chi family, all had some shadows, whether they existed or not.

"I understand."

Seeing that Li Xizhi had a plan in mind, Li Ximing did not say much more. Li Xizhi quickly brushed it aside and asked: "Which True Persons does the True Person intend to visit?"

This was a troublesome matter. Li Ximing already had some preparations in his heart and replied:

"The first is naturally True Person Yuanxiu, the second... I still have to go to see Senior Xiao... This third... I am in a dilemma."

Li Xizhi was slightly surprised and asked:

"Senior Tu Long..."

Li Ximing shook his head: "True Person Chuting said that he does not want to be involved, and even if I go, I won't be able to see him."

Li Xizhi immediately understood and counted: "Xuanyue doesn't need to go; Changxi no longer cares about these. As for Xueji, Senior Chang Xiao, and Ziyan, they don't need to be considered. The rest are the Jianmen, Jin Yu, Hengzhu, and Xiukui."

Jin Yu and Hengzhu were a difficult matter. No matter how you go, it would be a great offense. Going to Jin Yu would offend Hengli, and going to Hengzhu would offend Tian Que. It just so happened that both families were quite good to the Li family on the surface.

"Tian Que and Hengli are not easy to fool. Going to the other two families will inevitably make people dissatisfied..."

Li Ximing said:

"Actually, I can also go to the Jianmen. My family's senior's sword intent is recorded in the Sword Book. In the name of visiting the senior's sword intent, it is not perfunctory."

Li Xizhi did not know much about these things and did not say much, only reminding:

"Uncle-Grandmaster Yuanqin has come, you and I still have to meet."

Pingya Continent.

The main hall was shining brightly, and it was bright all around. Li Xuanxuan was wearing a set of blue-gray robes, sitting in the hall. Two people were just entering outside the hall.

The leader was a woman, with Foundation Establishment cultivation, looking to be in her forties, still charming, wearing white magic robes, wearing green jade, and her face could show the pretty appearance of her youth, but she did not use magic power to maintain it, deliberately showing signs of old age.

The black-clothed man behind her was heroic, also with Foundation Establishment cultivation. His magic power was not very brilliant, but his brows and eyes were very sharp.

The woman bowed softly and said respectfully:

"Hemian pays respects to Brother!"

Li Xuanxuan hurriedly helped her up, looking at the two with some excitement, nodding: "Sister-in-law... I had no chance to see you in the past..."

"Yuanqin pays respects to Uncle-Grandmaster!"

Li Xuanxuan was old, and Li Yuanqin was very polite to him. The old man hurriedly helped him to look at him, his eyes slightly red, only saying: "It's really exactly the same..."

He did not know whether he was talking about Li Xuanfeng or Li Xiangping. Li Yuanqin listened silently. Li Xuanxuan said repeatedly: "There are four branches in the family, and the uncle branch is often missing... Since Yuanqin has returned this time, there is no need to leave. Return to your position, fill in the next generation, and it will be good to inherit the incense of the uncle."

Li Yuanqin hesitated and did not speak. Ning Hemian opened her mouth. She said softly: "Big Brother, my brother did not know what was good for him, causing his own death, and even the whole branch was cut off. Not a single seedling was left."

"Fortunately, there is an orphan of my clan brother Ning Heyuan, who cannot be a weapon yet. The Ning family relies entirely on Qin'er to support it... At this time... it is really not easy to go back..."

Li Xuanxuan was suddenly speechless. He could not say much about Ning Hemian's words. It just so happened that Li Yuanqin had been in the sect since he was a child and had no feelings for the Li clan, and he himself had no intention of staying.

He hesitated for a moment. The sky light penetrated from outside the hall, turning into two men. One was in white-gold Daoist robes, and the other was in rosy-light feather robes. They stopped in the hall. Li Yuanqin hurriedly cupped his hands to worship: "I have seen True Person Zhaojing and the Pavilion Master of Qutian."

Li Xizhi did not dare to let him worship, helped him up, and heard the previous words, persuading: "Uncle... There is no one in the uncle branch of the family, and we still need you to support it... If the late Uncle-Grandmaster could see this scene, he would also wish for you to stay in the clan..."

Li Ximing took over the conversation and said sternly:

"The junior is just about to visit True Person Yuanxiu. As long as Uncle says a word, there is no need to worry about the rest."

Listening to the two opening their mouths, Li Yuanqin only replied respectfully:

"There is True Person Zhaojing and the Pavilion Master of Qutian above, and there are Minghuang, Cheng, and several other Daoists, stable as Mount Tai. The mother clan Ning family is crumbling, and Mother is alone and helpless. I am afraid I cannot return to the clan. Please forgive me."

His expression was firm, and Ning Hemian also asked for it. Li Xuanxuan could only shake his head and sigh, sending them down. Li Ximing waited in the courtyard for a while before Li Xizhi rode the rosy light back and sighed: "The four branches cannot be filled, I am afraid it will be a regret for the Great Father."

Li Ximing only said: "Wait until Uncle has an heir, hold one back... even if it is a mortal, it will be fine. The family will not be peaceful from now on, it is better for him to stay in Qingchi."