Chapter 731: Agreement Between Two Women, Fellowship of Sect Mates (Seeking Monthly Votes)

Although he had been chided by Li Xuanyi for a while, Song Qingming, upon learning that she and Song Qingyu had returned safely, felt no resentment in his heart. He still followed behind the two of them with a smile as they walked into the "Immortal Gathering Pavilion."

Not long after, Huang Siyuan, having learned of Song Qingming’s return, finished her alchemy tasks and came here to join the three of them for tea and idle chatter.

Having left the family to gain experience for ten years, Song Qingyu had naturally broadened her horizons significantly. Together with Li Xuanyi, she kept recounting to Song Qingming and the others many strange things they had encountered in the East Sea cultivation world over these years.

After the two of them parted ways with Song Qingming and the others at "Heavenly Elixir City" back then, their footprints had covered many places in the East Sea. Not only did they explore several secret realms, but they also spent some time in the Outer Sea aboard a treasure ship with a few rogue cultivators of the same rank.

As they traveled, the two not only broadened their individual horizons but also forged a deep friendship between them. Now, their relationship seemed even closer than the one they had with Song Qingming.

Of course, during these ten years of traveling abroad, Song Qingyu and her companion had gained many opportunities, and their cultivation bases had each improved, though they had also encountered many dangers.

When Song Qingyu was hunting demons in the Outer Sea, she was once targeted by a Great Demon King with formidable supernatural powers and nearly lost her life. In the end, it was only with Li Xuanyi's help that she managed to escape with injuries.

Hearing Song Qingyu and her companion speak of the dangerous situations they had encountered, Song Qingming and Huang Siyuan both felt a bit tense.

However, for cultivators going out to gain experience and seek opportunities, encountering danger is unavoidable. When Song Qingming himself was hunting demons in the Outer Sea years ago, he had also been pushed to the brink of despair after running into a "Heavenly Wind Beast Tide."

Had it not been for the many spiritual items he carried at the time, combined with a bit of luck, he likely would not have survived until now and would have perished abroad long ago.

After spending half a day recounting their experiences, Song Qingyu turned to Song Qingming, who was sitting to the side sipping tea, and asked: "Seventh Brother, Sister He's situation was told to me by Sister-in-law. I didn't expect that she would encounter such danger the last time she returned. It's a pity I wasn't at home at the time and couldn't help out."

"Having been traveling around the East Sea cultivation world all these years, I also forgot to go to the Hundred Flowers Palace to see her. I'm afraid she might have some resentment toward me now; I must find an opportunity to go and offer Sister He an apology."

Regarding He Mengxin's situation, Huang Siyuan only knew the general circumstances. What she had told Song Qingyu was naturally that He Mengxin had been attacked by rogue cultivators in Qinghe County and was later rescued by Song Qingming, Xia Mo, and the others.

As someone who called He Mengxin sister, Song Qingyu was naturally somewhat [upset] about her good sister's encounter.

Hearing this, Song Qingming also said with a calm expression: "The cultivation world is not peaceful anywhere. Whether you are abroad or at home, you must be very careful."

"To be honest, I didn't expect that there were actually bandit cultivators hiding within Cloud Mist Mountain. If it weren't for Fairy Xia and the others from the Hundred Flowers Palace helping to resolve this hidden danger last time, I'm afraid we would all have suffered losses here in the future."

Hearing Song Qingming's explanation, Song Qingyu and Huang Siyuan both felt lingering fear. Although "Qinghe County," which the family governs, has been very peaceful on the surface these years, it has also encountered many dangers in secret.

"Not to mention things like demon beast unrest, this time you went to the East Sea to exchange for spiritual items, and Sister-in-law said you would be back in a month. Why did it take so long to see you? Could it be that the trip to the Hundred Flowers Palace was unfavorable and you didn't exchange for what you wanted? If that's the case, next time I will accompany you to the Hundred Flowers Palace again and go find Sister He to help. Don't worry, even if she has complaints against me, she definitely won't truly be angry with me."

Seeing Song Qingyu suddenly ask about his own affairs, Song Qingming hurriedly shook his head and said: "Although I didn't see Fairy Xia this time at the Hundred Flowers Palace, the trip went smoothly, and the items have already been exchanged."

"The reason I returned late was that I stopped by to visit an old friend on the way, and later helped her with a task, which delayed me for some time."

"An old friend? What old friend could Seventh Brother have in the East Sea? You never mentioned it before. And to be able to ask Seventh Brother to help out... I guess this old friend isn't another fairy, is she!"

Hearing the mischievous remark from Song Qingyu, Huang Siyuan and Li Xuanyi, who were sitting to the side, both turned their curious gazes toward Song Qingming, seemingly very interested in the old friend he spoke of.

Seeing all three people present looking at him at once, Song Qingming felt a bit helpless. He could only glare slightly at Song Qingyu and explain to everyone:

"This person is a junior I met when I was traveling in the East Sea years ago. Seeing that she had a difficult time entering the path of cultivation and that her character was quite good, I helped her out on a whim."

"When I parted ways with you at Heavenly Elixir City last time, I happened to run into her again. Seeing that she had achieved success in her cultivation and had already reached Foundation Establishment, I considered it a stroke of fate, so I offered her some guidance."

"This trip to the East Sea was originally intended to visit her on the way, but unexpectedly, she invited me to help explore a Golden Core cave dwelling, which gave me some unexpected gains. It can be considered encountering an opportunity."

Speaking of this, a smile appeared on Song Qingming's face. He then told everyone beside him, in full detail, about how he and Luo Li had explored the cave dwelling of the "Heavenly Corpse Daoist" together.

Song Qingming's words successfully shifted the attention of Huang Siyuan and the others to the exploration of the cave dwelling. Especially upon hearing that Song Qingming had obtained several high-quality third-tier magic treasures, a look of surprise flashed in the eyes of the three people sitting nearby.

Song Qingyu, who had just been thinking of teasing Song Qingming, now looked somewhat envious: "My Senior Sister and I traveled abroad for ten years and went to many secret realms and treasure lands rumored to have treasures, yet we couldn't find a few good things."

"Seventh Brother, you just went to visit a junior old friend and actually had so many gains. This Heavenly Dao is truly unfair; why do I never encounter such good things?"

Hearing Song Qingyu's grievance, Li Xuanyi, who was to the side, said thoughtfully in consolation: "Song Junior Brother performed this good deed back then, which is why he can reap this good fruit today. It is indeed very rare. Qingyu, you shouldn't be envious."

"The opportunity that is meant for you will never run away; it's just that the time hasn't come yet. I believe that as long as you cultivate diligently, one day you will also obtain an opportunity even better than Song Junior Brother's."

"That's right! Speaking of opportunities, Qingyu, you were only at the Foundation Establishment stage back then and were able to obtain a complete sword cultivator inheritance. How is your opportunity weaker than others? Why do you need to envy your brother-in-law?"

"Senior Sister Li is right. As long as you cultivate well, the opportunities you can obtain in the future will definitely not be worse than your brother-in-law's."

"Hmm! Sister-in-law's words make sense. If we're talking about opportunities, being able to cultivate to this point is the greatest opportunity of my life. If Seventh Brother hadn't carried me up the mountain back then, how could I have today's achievements?"

Hearing the consolation from Li Xuanyi and Huang Siyuan, Song Qingyu immediately changed her tone and smiled, and the others also revealed gratified smiles.

The four of them had not gathered together for many years, and they chatted for most of the day until the sun set behind the mountains before they each returned to their own cave dwellings.

As night fell, Li Xuanyi, who was meditating in the cave dwelling specially arranged for her by the Song family, suddenly heard a fluctuation from the restriction at the entrance. She hurriedly put away her magic power and stood up to go to the door.

"Qingyu, coming to find me so late?" After Li Xuanyi opened the external formation restriction and saw Song Qingyu walking in slowly, she immediately asked with a smile.

Song Qingyu looked at Li Xuanyi and pointed to the door. Only after she had restored the restriction outside did she feel at ease and say: "Senior Sister, regarding that place, should we just be direct with Seventh Brother? If he helps, perhaps we might have a chance to get in."

"Don't worry, Seventh Brother is so close to us that even if he doesn't want to go, he definitely won't casually leak this matter. Do you think we should tell him tomorrow and see what he thinks?"

Hearing what Song Qingyu said, a look of helplessness appeared on Li Xuanyi's face. She shook her head directly at Song Qingyu and said:

"I knew you couldn't keep things to yourself. If I hadn't reminded you in time today, I'm afraid you would have already been unable to resist speaking to Song Junior Brother."

"Before we came back, didn't I already agree with you that we would wait until our cultivation reaches the late stage of Golden Core before we go together to try? How can you have so little patience? You forgot our agreement as soon as you came back. It was truly a waste of all I said to you before."

Seeing that Li Xuanyi was a bit unhappy, Song Qingyu hurriedly stepped forward and nodded: "Senior Sister, don't worry. Since it's something I promised you, I definitely wouldn't tell anyone without your consent. Otherwise, I wouldn't have specifically come to ask you again tonight."

"I was just impatient and wanted to ask your opinion, not intentionally disobeying you. Please, Senior Sister, don't be angry with me because of this."

"Since Senior Sister feels it's inappropriate, then let's stick to our previous agreement and wait until our cultivation bases both break through to the late stage of Golden Core. Don't worry, I definitely won't tell anyone behind your back."

Seeing Song Qingyu say this, Li Xuanyi's expression softened a little, and she said slowly:

"Qingyu, you also know that place is extremely dangerous. Even with Song Junior Brother, a late-stage Golden Core cultivator, helping, we don't have much certainty. Why let him take this risk now?"

"It's better to wait until our cultivation bases have improved a bit before going there; it will be safer."

"I can promise you that if we still can't do it next time we go, we will inform Song Junior Brother and the others. But before that, you must keep your mouth shut and don't let Song Junior Brother and the others easily notice anything."

"Hmm! Then I'll listen to Senior Sister and wait until next time."

Hearing this, Li Xuanyi nodded with gratification and said: "It's good that you know. Go back and cultivate quickly. Don't let anyone see you coming to find me so late, or let Song Junior Brother and the others see any clues."

Song Qingyu, seeing this, waved her hand and said: "Senior Sister, you are overthinking it. This is Mount Funiu; who would dare to gossip about me? Unless they don't want to live a good life and want to go to Yin Feng Ridge to mine for a few years."

Seeing Song Qingyu's action, Li Xuanyi also nodded and smiled: "Haha! Your prestige as an ancestor on the mountain is indeed quite high. I see that they are even more afraid of you than they are of Song Junior Brother."

"Song Junior Brother has a clever sister like you helping to manage the family, which really saves him a lot of worry. No wonder he often has time to travel around."

"Alright! You have nothing to do, but I still need to continue cultivating. If there's anything to say, we'll talk slowly tomorrow!"

After sending away the still-reluctant Song Qingyu, Li Xuanyi looked at her departing back, but a hint of envy suddenly appeared in her eyes. After a long while, she turned back and began her own meditation and cultivation again.

After Song Qingming returned, for the following time, he and Huang Siyuan continued as usual, busy with alchemy and repairing formations in their hands, aside from closed-door cultivation.

Song Qingyu took Li Xuanyi and left "Qinghe County" to tour around the State of Wei again. It wasn't until a few months later that Li Xuanyi finally had the intention to return, and the two of them returned to "Mount Funiu" together.

Because he was worried about Li Xuanyi returning to the "Donghuangguo" cultivation world alone, even though he knew the other party was somewhat unwilling to have him escort her the whole way, Song Qingming still shamelessly expressed that he wanted to accompany her, saying he wanted to take the opportunity to return and ask his Master, "True Person Lingxu," some questions about cultivation techniques.

However, this time, Li Xuanyi did not give Song Qingming a cold shoulder. Upon hearing Song Qingming's explanation, she immediately nodded and agreed to the matter, and set off with him to return to the "Donghuangguo" cultivation world.

Because they had already traveled the path once, Song Qingming was familiar with the road this time, and their speed was much faster than when they came.

Although they encountered some obstacles while passing through the "Phantom Sea Desert," they were all without danger, and they quickly got rid of the trouble. It only took them more than half a year to successfully cross the desert and arrive at the "Donghuangguo" cultivation world.

The subsequent journey was also very smooth. After the two entered "Donghuangguo," they traveled south for a few months and entered the territory of Nanzhou.

On this day, on a small island off the coast of Nanzhou, several mortal fishermen were drying some tattered fishing nets they had just pulled from the sea on the shore.

Suddenly, a white escape light flew quickly from above the sky and stopped on the shore. Immediately after, two figures stepping on a flying boat appeared in the eyes of the busy fishermen; it was Li Xuanyi and Song Qingming, who wanted to return to the "Grand Void Gate."

Seeing these two immortal masters descending from the sky, these people were startled at first, and only after seeing the faces of the visitors clearly did they hurriedly run over.

"Two immortal masters have arrived here; are you going to the Outer Sea?"

Li Xuanyi, who had changed into male attire, looked at the mortal fishermen in front of her and replied softly: "That's right, we are going to the Outer Sea. Take me to see your master quickly!"

"My master is on the mountain. Please follow me, honored guests."

After confirming the origins of Li Xuanyi and the other, an older man among them hurriedly nodded with a smile, then led the way, taking Li Xuanyi and the other toward the middle of the small island.

This small island is called "Baili Island," not far from "Nanling Island," which Song Qingming had visited last time. He and Li Xuanyi came here to take a treasure ship back to the "Grand Void Gate."

There are many cultivators on "Nanling Island," and it is a place where all kinds of people gather. Like when Song Qingming first looked for the "Grand Void Gate," taking a treasure ship from "Nanling Island" to the Outer Sea too many times would always easily attract attention.

Therefore, every time Li Xuanyi and these "Grand Void Gate" disciples return to the sect, they come to this "Baili Island" to take a small boat out to sea, following the safe route designated by the sect to head toward the "Yuxuan Island" where the sect is located.

The person responsible for picking them up on this island is also a cultivator with some connection to the "Grand Void Gate." Although this person's cultivation is not high, only at the Foundation Establishment stage, he is very familiar with the sea routes and often drives treasure ships to the Outer Sea without ever making any mistakes.

Just as Li Xuanyi and Song Qingming were following the old man toward the island, a green escape light suddenly flew from the sky in the distance and landed not far from them, turning into a burly man in yellow clothes.

This man in yellow clothes not only looked fierce, but his cultivation was also much higher than Song Qingming and Li Xuanyi, having already reached the ninth level of Golden Core.

Seeing that the newcomer's cultivation was so high and that he was staring closely at the two of them, Song Qingming suddenly became a bit nervous.

Just as he was about to ask the other party's intention, he didn't expect Li Xuanyi beside him to speak first with a look of surprise.

"Big Brother, why is it you?"

"Xuanyi, I felt your life tablet nearby earlier, so I thought I'd come over to see. I didn't expect it to really be you returning!" The man in yellow clothes smiled and greeted her immediately after seeing Li Xuanyi.

"I just returned this time, and Big Brother chased after me. Could it be that you have been guarding nearby?"

Hearing Li Xuanyi's doubt, the man in yellow clothes smiled very calmly: "You girl, why are you becoming more suspicious now? The family has so many businesses in the surrounding area; can't I come here for a walk?"

"As for you, you finally returned, yet you don't know to go home and take a look. Why are you running here?"

"Ever since you went abroad to apprentice, you've been running around all these years and never staying home. The ancestor on the mountain often misses and worries about you; don't you know that!"

"Big Brother, I know what you're saying. Didn't I just go back last time I returned? How have I not been home for a long time? The family has so many people; why miss me alone?"

Hearing her brother's nagging, Li Xuanyi's face immediately became displeased, and she pouted.

Song Qingming, standing to the side, heard the conversation between the two and immediately understood. The burly man in yellow clothes in front of him not only knew Li Xuanyi but also seemed to be her family member. His previously nervous mood suddenly relaxed.

Seeing the brother and sister talking, Song Qingming stood to the side, fearing that it might be inconvenient for the other party, so he took the initiative to turn and walk to the side, waving his hand at the leading fisherman, signaling him to wait for them ahead for a while.

At this time, the gaze of the man in yellow clothes had also shifted to Song Qingming. Seeing that the person in front of him was young and yet also a late-stage Golden Core cultivator, he couldn't help but reveal a bit of surprise and took the initiative to step forward and cup his hands toward Song Qingming, who was just about to leave.

"This fellow Daoist, I am Li Xuanfeng from Liuyun Mountain. Greetings."

Li Xuanyi, standing to the side, saw Li Xuanfeng step forward to greet Song Qingming and became nervous instantly. Fearing that she would be detected if she sent a private voice transmission, she could only blink her eyes hard at Song Qingming from behind Li Xuanfeng.

Seeing Li Xuanfeng take the initiative to greet him, Song Qingming hurriedly turned around and returned the salute: "I am Song Qingming, a rogue cultivator from abroad. Greetings, fellow Daoist."

After Song Qingming got to know Li Xuanyi years ago, he had long heard from her about some information regarding the cultivation family Li Xuanyi belonged to, knowing that the other party came from the famous Nascent Soul immortal clan "Liuyun Mountain" Li family in Nanzhou.

However, seeing Li Xuanyi winking at him, Song Qingming also knew that she was worried about him saying the wrong thing in front of Li Xuanfeng, so he hurriedly hid his identity and directly called himself a rogue cultivator from abroad.

Seeing that Song Qingming understood his meaning immediately, Li Xuanyi finally felt relieved in her heart.

"Oh! So fellow Daoist Song is a rogue cultivator from abroad. I thought fellow Daoist was here with my sister because of the fellowship of sect mates, so there was some misunderstanding."

Hearing Li Xuanfeng directly say the four words "fellowship of sect mates," Song Qingming looked at him with surprise, and for a moment, he was not sure if the other party had guessed his identity, not knowing how to answer.

At this time, not only was Song Qingming surprised, but even Li Xuanyi, who had just relaxed behind him, became nervous again. She hurriedly stepped forward and spoke to Li Xuanfeng:

"Big Brother, what nonsense are you talking about? This fellow Daoist Song is just a rogue cultivator friend I met while traveling abroad. Where would there be any fellowship of sect mates?"

"Fellow Daoist Song came to Nanzhou this time to see the Outer Sea, and I just happened to be familiar with this place, so I brought him along on the way."

Hearing that Li Xuanyi seemed to be blaming him, Li Xuanfeng hurriedly smiled and explained: "Haha! Didn't I misunderstand? Look at how nervous you are; you won't even let people speak."

"I have a straightforward personality and often speak without thinking. If I said anything wrong just now, I hope fellow Daoist Song will not mind and just pretend you never heard it."

Seeing this, Song Qingming hurriedly waved his hand and said: "Fellow Daoist Li is straightforward, which is also a personality I like. What is there to mind? Fellow Daoist is too polite."

The "Liuyun Mountain" Li family is a cultivation family with a heritage even longer than the Xiaoyao Sect, and there is also a Nascent Soul ancestor sitting in the family, whose strength is not inferior to the "Xiaoyao Sect" of the State of Wei.

As a cultivation family in Nanzhou that has been passed down for thousands of years, the Li family is also one of the few Nascent Soul forces that know of the existence of the "Grand Void Gate," and they are also clear about Li Xuanyi apprenticing under "True Person Lingxu."

However, although they know of the existence of the "Grand Void Gate," they do not understand this mysterious sect located in the Outer Sea.

After Li Xuanyi apprenticed to the "Grand Void Gate," she, like Song Qingming, strictly followed the sect's rules and did not reveal anything about the "Grand Void Gate" to her family.

Li Xuanfeng, as Li Xuanyi's brother, although he knew that his sister had apprenticed to a mysterious sect, had always been unaware of the specific situation. Logically speaking, he should not have easily guessed the relationship between Song Qingming and her.

However, the other party asking like this was obviously a bit of a probe. Song Qingming was also a bit helpless about this. After all, he and Li Xuanyi were caught red-handed here by the other party, and no matter how he explained it, it would inevitably make people suspicious.

After getting to know Song Qingming, Li Xuanfeng turned to Li Xuanyi to the side with a calm expression and said: "Xuanyi, the ancestor has something urgent recently and wants you to go home. Since you have already returned, then just come back to the mountain with me first."

"Fellow Daoist Song just wants to go to the Outer Sea, which is not a difficult matter. You can just rent a treasure ship nearby. You don't need to follow him for the rest of the journey!"