Chapter 690: Li Xuanyi

Following Li Mufeng’s order to hold "Returning Cloud Market" at all costs, the entire "Carefree Sect" sprang into action. Excluding the cultivators necessary to guard the sect’s spirit mountain, almost every disciple of the "Carefree Sect" was conscripted to the front lines.

It was not just the disciples of the "Carefree Sect"; the various cultivation families within the borders of Song Guo, as well as several cultivation forces that had long been stationed in the major markets under the sect’s jurisdiction and were connected to the sect, also received orders to support the front lines.

They were required to dispatch a portion of their cultivators to "Returning Cloud Market" to assist in the defense.

Although these people were rogue cultivators or those professionally engaged in business, and were not skilled in combat, there were many among them with high cultivation bases, and even quite a few Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Concentrating them could form an army of over a thousand cultivators, which was also a significant force for defending the market.

With the full mobilization of the "Carefree Sect," the teleportation array in "Returning Cloud Market" did not stop for the next two days, operating day and night to transport cultivators and supplies from the rear.

The following day, driven by spirit stones, the teleportation array in "Returning Cloud Market" flashed with spiritual light and quickly began to operate. A moment later, as the light in the array gradually dissipated, the figures of several dozen cultivators appeared on the stone platform above the array.

"So this is Returning Cloud Market? It’s much bigger than where you are!"

Having just stepped off the teleportation array, Li Xuanyi looked at the wide streets ahead and the tall buildings towering all around, and asked Song Qingyu, who was beside her, with some delight.

Song Qingyu nodded slightly and said, "Senior Sister Li is right; this is indeed Returning Cloud Market. However, with the war going on, there aren't many shops open on the streets, otherwise, I would certainly accompany you for a good stroll."

"Hmm! There will be opportunities in the future. I’m not in a hurry to go back now. Once you have repelled the demon beast army, you can take me around to see the surroundings then, and let me broaden my horizons!"

"That’s a deal! Once the demon beast army is repelled, I will definitely accompany you properly. For now, let me take you to find Seventh Brother!"

After Song Qingyu responded with a smile, she took Li Xuanyi and Huang Siyuan, who had come along, and walked toward the council hall in the middle of the market.

In the market council hall, Bai Yuxian and Xu Ziyan, who were busy, suddenly heard someone reporting from outside and hurriedly walked out.

"Qingyu, Siyuan, why have you arrived so quickly? I thought I wouldn't see you until tomorrow!"

In her previous message, Bai Yuxian had asked Song Qingyu to bring people to support "Returning Cloud Market" by tomorrow. Seeing the two women arrive early, there was a trace of surprise on Bai Yuxian’s face.

"Greetings, Senior Sister Bai!"

"When Senior Sister Bai sent the message, we happened to be ready to depart, so we arrived a day early. Senior Sister Bai, please rest assured, we have already arranged everything at Golden Mountain Market, and the flying boat will be able to reach Mount Guyang tomorrow morning."

"Oh! That’s good."

After Bai Yuxian nodded slowly with a smile, her gaze shifted to Li Xuanyi behind Song Qingyu, and she asked curiously, "Qingyu, is this fellow Daoist here with you? May I ask how to address her?"

"This is Fellow Daoist Li from the Donghuangxianzhou cultivation world. She has some friendship with Seventh Brother, and this time she specifically followed us to visit him. I wonder where Seventh Brother is now; I’ll go find him first."

Hearing that Li Xuanyi was here to find Song Qingming, Bai Yuxian was slightly stunned, then waved her hand at Song Qingyu with a smile, "Junior Brother Song is still patrolling the array at the city wall. It won't be easy for you to find him right away. I will send someone to look for him; there is no need for you to go yourself.

You must be tired from just arriving; hurry inside to rest for a while. Since Fellow Daoist Li is a good friend of Junior Brother Song, she is also a guest of our Carefree Sect. You don't need to be too formal with us here."

After speaking, Bai Yuxian immediately called over a Foundation Establishment disciple from the side and told him to hurry and invite Song Qingming over, while she herself politely invited all three of them, including Song Qingyu, inside.

After leading all three of them to a side room on the left of the "council hall," Bai Yuxian called for several disciples to serve spirit tea before asking Song Qingyu in detail about the situation at "Golden Mountain Market."

Because "Golden Mountain Market" had been under siege by two demon kings, in this conscription, Bai Yuxian’s message had only requested Song Qingyu to come first, and had not called for Huang Siyuan so urgently.

After all, the demon king army over there still needed people to contain them. Otherwise, once the opponent conquered "Golden Mountain Market" and joined the demon beast army at "Returning Cloud Market" to the west, it would also increase the defensive pressure here.

Therefore, seeing Huang Siyuan and Song Qingyu appear together, there was a look of surprise on Bai Yuxian’s face.

Seeing Bai Yuxian ask about this, Song Qingyu immediately recounted how Li Xuanyi had previously gone to "Golden Mountain Market" to find Song Qingming, and with the help of this powerful reinforcement, the three of them joined forces to kill the two demon kings and defeat the demon beast army.

The battle Song Qingyu and the others fought against the demon beast army at "Golden Mountain Market" had actually only happened in the last two days, and they hadn't had time to send a message to inform "Returning Cloud Market," so Bai Yuxian and the others were unaware of this.

When Bai Yuxian heard from Song Qingyu that the cultivator army at "Golden Mountain Market," with Li Xuanyi’s help, had already routed the demon beast army besieging the market and resolved the predicament there, she was slightly shocked and, for a moment, could not believe it.

It was not until Song Qingyu took out the inner core from the "Golden Toad Demon King" in front of her that Bai Yuxian’s shock slowly turned into a trace of relief, and a smile appeared on her face.

After praising Song Qingyu and the others, Bai Yuxian stood up and bowed to Li Xuanyi, representing the sect to express her gratitude for her help.

Just as Bai Yuxian and the others were talking in the room, another streak of light flew in from outside the council hall; it was Song Qingming, who had rushed over after receiving the news.

Learning that Song Qingyu had already come to support "Returning Cloud Market," Song Qingming, who had not received news from "Golden Mountain Market" for several days, felt anxious and hurriedly left his tasks to rush over from the mountain-protecting array.

As soon as he entered the door and saw Huang Siyuan sitting opposite, Song Qingming was first a little surprised, but then, when his gaze shifted to a somewhat familiar figure not far from Huang Siyuan, his face immediately turned into a look of astonishment.

"Li... Fellow Daoist Li, why have you come here!"

Seeing Song Qingming’s shocked expression, Li Xuanyi was not very surprised. She stood up, bowed, and replied with a smile, "Fellow Daoist Song, long time no see. Recently, I was passing through Song Guo on business, and remembering that you happened to be here, I came to pay a visit. Please don't blame me for being abrupt."

Seeing Li Xuanyi’s relaxed expression as she greeted him, Song Qingming looked at the people sitting around and felt helpless, so he hurriedly bowed in return.

"Hehe! Greetings, Fellow Daoist Li. Your sudden visit really caught me by surprise. However, since you have arrived here, you should come with me to my cave dwelling first, so it will be more convenient to host you.

Senior Sister Bai, I will take Fellow Daoist Li back first and come to see you after I am done. Let Qingyu take my place in patrolling the market array for now!" After responding to the other party, Song Qingming turned to Bai Yuxian to explain, wanting to take Li Xuanyi away first.

Seeing that Song Qingming wanted to host Li Xuanyi alone, Bai Yuxian hurriedly stood up and said, "Junior Brother Song, I just had them bring over some excellent spirit tea, and I haven't finished hosting Fellow Daoist Li yet. Wouldn't it be a waste for you to take her away now?

Why don't you stay first? I will arrange the matters over there. You can rest assured here; if you need anything, just call out to those people outside.

Junior Brother Song, I must tell you, Fellow Daoist Li previously helped Qingyu and the others lift the siege on Golden Mountain Market and is a great benefactor to the sect. Do not neglect her. You talk first; I will come over to thank Fellow Daoist Li after I finish my work."

After Bai Yuxian finished speaking, she gave Song Qingming a meaningful look, then moved her steps and turned to walk out.

After Bai Yuxian left, Song Qingming’s expression changed, and he immediately became very serious, saying to Huang Siyuan and Song Qingyu, "I have something to discuss with Fellow Daoist Li; you two wait for me here for a moment!"

Song Qingyu and Huang Siyuan, upon hearing this, did not say much and immediately nodded.

Subsequently, Song Qingming took out several array flags and cast spells to insert them around himself and Li Xuanyi. Immediately, a white mist surged up and covered their figures.

After Song Qingming very carefully set up a sound-insulation barrier again, Li Xuanyi, standing on the side, shook her head at him with a smile:

"Junior Brother Song, Qingyu and the others are not outsiders, and I have already told them about the relationship between you and me. You don't need to be so serious."

Hearing Li Xuanyi’s rebuke, Song Qingming replied with a serious expression, "Master has given instructions that sect matters must not be known to outsiders. There are outsiders everywhere here; I am doing this for safety, not intentionally guarding against the two of them.

Senior Sister Li, you were not going to the Donghai cultivation world, why have you returned to Song Guo? Didn't I tell you before that the demon beast turmoil in the Fuyun Mountain Range is very dangerous everywhere? It is best not to stay in the vicinity these few years!"

"Junior Brother Song, Master asked you to look after me while I am out, not to manage these things for me, right? Furthermore, my feet are on my own body; I can go wherever I want. This is not something you can manage even if you want to! I just returned and helped your family lift the siege; it’s one thing that you don't thank me, but you question me like this as soon as we meet. Junior Brother Song, you really make me a bit disappointed. It was in vain that I was good to you back then."

Seeing that Song Qingming had a questioning tone as soon as he started, Li Xuanyi’s expression immediately became unpleasant, and she immediately pulled a long face and criticized Song Qingming with a trace of displeasure. Knowing the personality of his senior sister Li Xuanyi, who always liked to travel around and did not like to be restricted, Song Qingming sighed helplessly in his heart and explained with a smile, "Senior Sister Li, you misunderstood my meaning. It is precisely because I know that you are good to me, Senior Sister, that I am afraid you will encounter some danger here, not that I intentionally want to inquire about these things of yours."

"Senior Sister, you may not know that this place is now trapped by the demon beast army, and the situation is already very critical. Seeing you suddenly come here just now, I was anxious and worried about your safety.

I didn't expect that you, Senior Sister, had already helped Qingyu and the others lift the siege. This is really a great help to my Song family and the sect. I will definitely keep this great kindness of yours in my heart. In the future, if you have any needs or instructions, Senior Sister, I will definitely not refuse."

After Song Qingming finished speaking, he bowed to Li Xuanyi with a grateful expression, which finally extinguished the displeasure of the senior sister in front of him, and her expression looked slightly better.

"Alright! I understand what you mean. This time it was just a coincidence that I happened to encounter it and helped out. It doesn't count as a great kindness. There is no need for such formality between us fellow sect members.

I came to find Junior Brother Song this time because I happen to have something I would like to ask you for help with. If you can agree to this, then we will be even, and you don't need to worry about any great kindness anymore."

"If Senior Sister has anything you need help with, just say it. As long as I can do it for you, Senior Sister, I will definitely do my best!" Hearing that Li Xuanyi wanted to ask him for help, Song Qingming did not think too much and agreed immediately.

Not to mention that the two of them were fellow sect members who had experienced life and death together, just based on the great kindness of Li Xuanyi helping Song Qingyu and others lift the siege and repelling the demon beast army’s attack at "Golden Mountain Market," Song Qingming had no reason to refuse the other party at this time.

If it weren't for Li Xuanyi’s timely intervention, once "Golden Mountain Market" was breached by the demon beast army, the entire Song family territory and even the northeast of Song Guo would definitely suffer a devastating disaster.

Although Li Xuanyi’s action was just a casual effort, for the Song family and the millions of living beings in the northeast of Song Guo, it was a great kindness concerning their survival, so Song Qingming was naturally full of great gratitude toward her.

"Hehe! Junior Brother Song, I have known you for so long, and it seems this is the first time I have found you agreeing so readily. This time, aren't you afraid that what I say will make you feel embarrassed?" Seeing Song Qingming agree so readily this time, Li Xuanyi asked back with a playful smile.

"This... I was just because my own ability was low before, not that I felt Senior Sister was intentionally making things difficult for me!"

Seeing the trace of embarrassment on Song Qingming’s face, Li Xuanyi did not continue to tease him, waved her hand with a smile and said, "Alright! Junior Brother Song, don't worry. I didn't come to find you this time because of anything else, but because I encountered a little trouble while practicing Master’s Grand Void Sword Art, and I wanted to see if you could help me solve it.

I always heard Master say before that you are more talented than the rest of us fellow disciples in terms of understanding cultivation techniques. This time I came to find you, I think you shouldn't let me down!"

"Problems with cultivation techniques? Then I can try. However, Master’s Grand Void Sword Art is not an ordinary technique after all, and I cannot guarantee that I will definitely be able to do it, but I will definitely do my best."

Hearing that Li Xuanyi had problems with practicing cultivation techniques, Song Qingming felt relieved. Having practiced Dao for so many years, although his own spiritual root aptitude was poor, Song Qingming still had a little talent in the understanding of cultivation techniques.

Back then in the "Grand Void Gate," Song Qingming took a different path and started from scratch, deducing a set of Nascent Soul stage cultivation techniques, the "Green Jade Treasure Refining Art," which was also recognized by Master Spirit Void Daoist, who even praised him in front of Li Xuanyi and other fellow disciples.

For this reason, Li Xuanyi, who also had top-notch talent, had always been a bit unconvinced and often intentionally mentioned this in front of Song Qingming.

However, the fact that Li Xuanyi came to find Song Qingming specifically because of the cultivation technique this time still surprised him. To be able to make her put down her face and come to him for help, it seemed that she had really encountered quite a bit of trouble.

After clarifying the purpose of finding him to Song Qingming, Li Xuanyi directly told him in detail about the trouble she had recently encountered in the cultivation technique, and took out the "Grand Void Sword Art" she had already recorded and handed it to Song Qingming.

The "Grand Void Sword Art" is a Golden Core stage cultivation technique. When Song Qingming was deducing cultivation techniques in the "Grand Void Gate" before, Spirit Void Daoist had also given it to him for reference, but Song Qingming did not choose to practice this set of techniques, and at that time he just looked at it and did not study it in detail.

Although Li Xuanyi had also deduced a set of Nascent Soul stage cultivation techniques in the "Grand Void Gate" before, because the cultivation techniques she deduced could not make further progress for a long time, she chose to switch to practicing Spirit Void Daoist’s "Grand Void Sword Art."

The reason why she was looking for Song Qingming this time was also because she encountered some bottlenecks in practicing the "Grand Void Sword Art," which led to her recent lack of smoothness in cultivation, so she had no choice but to return to Song Guo from the Donghai cultivation world to find Song Qingming for help.

After knowing Li Xuanyi’s request, Song Qingming opened the "Grand Void Sword Art" and looked at it carefully for a while, then quickly closed it and returned it to Li Xuanyi.

"Senior Sister Li, regarding this part of the cultivation technique, I have already remembered it. However, it will take some time to comprehend it. At present, a great battle is imminent here in Returning Cloud Market, and I cannot be distracted by this matter. Please wait for a period of time, Senior Sister.

It is very dangerous here at the moment. I will arrange for someone to send you away from here in a while. You take this and go to Mount Funiu to wait for me. After the war here is over, I will go find you immediately."

After Song Qingming finished speaking, he took out a silver token that could prove his identity and handed it directly to Li Xuanyi.

Seeing the silver token in Song Qingming’s hand, Li Xuanyi’s expression suddenly changed, and she waved her hand to refuse him, "Junior Brother Song, I just arrived and you haven't hosted me properly, why are you in such a hurry to drive me away?

Also, don't always make decisions for me about where I should go. I know my own business.

Although my cultivation as a senior sister is not as good as yours now, I am still a Golden Core cultivator after all. Junior Brother, you don't need to always worry about my safety like this!"

Seeing that Li Xuanyi had misunderstood his words again, Song Qingming hurriedly shook his head with a smile, "Hehe! It was my mistake, please don't blame me, Senior Sister.

However, Senior Sister, you have also seen that the war on the front line is tight now, and it is really inconvenient here. After the war is over, I will definitely invite Senior Sister to Mount Funiu to host you properly and apologize to you.

Senior Sister, you should accept this token first. In case you need to go to Mount Funiu, having this item will also be more convenient!"

"Hmm! You are right to say that. There is nothing fun in this place, why should I stay here? Don't worry, I will leave in a while. After you finish the war, I will go to Mount Funiu to find you."

Li Xuanyi nodded with a smile, and then accepted the silver token in Song Qingming’s hand.

Seeing this, Song Qingming, whose expression had returned to calm, cast a spell to remove the array in front of them, and sat down with Li Xuanyi beside Song Qingyu and the other, chatting while drinking tea.

After the few chatted for half an hour, a Foundation Establishment disciple who often followed the Sect Master Bai Yuxian walked in from outside and bowed respectfully to the few.

"Junior Uncle Song, the Sect Master has something to ask you to go over."

Hearing that Bai Yuxian had something to find him for, Song Qingming hurriedly stood up and greeted Li Xuanyi and Song Qingyu, then followed the person out.

Bai Yuxian, who was busy in the "council hall" on the other side, saw Song Qingming walk in at the door, hurriedly sent the people beside her out, and then greeted Song Qingming to sit down on the side.

"Senior Sister Bai, I wonder what you have to find me for?"

Bai Yuxian heard this, nodded gently and said, "Junior Brother Song, I asked you to come because I want to ask you, what is the relationship between this Fellow Daoist Li and you? How did Qingyu and the others persuade Fellow Daoist Li to help lift the siege at Golden Mountain Market?"

"Senior Sister Bai, I want to ask a question first, are you trying to get Fellow Daoist Li to stay and help us fight against the demon beast army!"

Hearing Bai Yuxian ask about Li Xuanyi, Song Qingming immediately guessed what Bai Yuxian was thinking and directly pointed out the other party’s intention.

Bai Yuxian saw this and also nodded with a smile, admitting, "Hmm! I do have this intention, but whether this matter can be done or not, I still need to ask for your thoughts first."

Song Qingming sighed slightly and said, "Now that the sect is in trouble, I naturally understand your intention, Senior Sister Bai, but Fellow Daoist Li’s identity is indeed unusual, and I am afraid it is unlikely that this matter can be done.

Fellow Daoist Li comes from a cultivation family in the Donghuangxianzhou cultivation world, and there are Nascent Soul stage senior cultivators among the family elders. Although she and I are good friends, I don't have much confidence in persuading her to stay and deal with the demon beast army with us."

"She is actually a cultivator from a Nascent Soul family, this is really a bit surprising." Bai Yuxian couldn't help but sigh after hearing this.

When she first met Li Xuanyi, Bai Yuxian originally thought that the other party had met Song Qingming outside, and must be a Golden Core cultivator from a small sect or a rogue cultivator. Who would have thought that she came from a top Nascent Soul family in the cultivation world.

If it were a Golden Core cultivator from a rogue cultivator or a small sect, Bai Yuxian felt that she still had some confidence to persuade the other party by using some spiritual objects as conditions. However, for cultivators from Nascent Soul families, their vision must be much higher, and it is really slim to hope to move them with ordinary spiritual objects.

But now that the demon beast army is at the city wall, the "Carefree Sect" is already at a critical juncture of life and death. For the sake of the sect’s survival plan, even if the hope is slim, she, the Sect Master, still needs to try.

"Hmm! Junior Brother Song, I have troubled you. You go back first, I will prepare some thank-you gifts for Fellow Daoist Li and come over immediately."