Chapter 837: Listening respectfully, the Li family Ancestor

Several months ago, in a bamboo pavilion at the foot of "Mount Yunlong."

A handsome man in white robes was sitting in the pavilion on the second floor of the bamboo structure, looking at the stream flowing down from the high mountain not far away.

Beside the man were a very ordinary wooden zither, several plates of spirit fruits, a pot of spirit tea, and a bronze incense burner that had already been lit.

The fragrance wafting from the incense burner dissipated with the wind, accompanied by the sound of the zither circling around the bamboo pavilion, attracting many mountain birds to land in the pavilion, ringing out with pleasant chirps.

Just as the man in white was fully immersed in this beautiful landscape of mountains, water, flowers, and birds, a streak of spiritual light suddenly flashed beside him, and a young woman in black robes suddenly appeared in the bamboo pavilion.

"The Li family, Li Xuanyi, greets Fellow Daoist Zhou!"

Seeing the sudden appearance of Li Xuanyi, which startled the birds in the bamboo pavilion away, a flash of regret crossed Fellow Daoist Zhou's eyes. He quickly stood up and bowed in return.

"I am Zhou Daoping of Mount Huanglong. Greetings."

"Hearing today that Fellow Daoist Li was visiting, I didn't have time to prepare much, so I could only prepare some simple tea and water. I hope you won't mind, Fellow Daoist."

"Fellow Daoist Zhou is too polite!"

Facing the courteous invitation from Zhou Daoping, Li Xuanyi smiled slightly and sat down to one side.

After taking a sip of the spirit tea that Zhou Daoping had offered, Li Xuanyi said directly: "I heard from my older brother earlier that Fellow Daoist Zhou is a young talent of our Nanzhou, and I was a bit curious in my heart.

A few days ago, I happened to learn that you had come to my Li family, so I took the initiative to visit, just to see if you were truly as talented and handsome as they said."

Seeing Li Xuanyi speak so directly, Zhou Daoping looked slightly surprised, but he soon recovered and replied with a very calm expression:

"I have had decent aptitude since I was young, and with the family's support along the way, I have achieved my current cultivation. To call me a young talent is a bit of an overstatement.

Over the years, I have often sat in the mountains cultivating hard, and I have rarely heard outside evaluations of me. I don't know if I truly deserve the four words 'talented and handsome' in your eyes!"

"You don't know, but my brother always likes to exaggerate when he speaks. I truly didn't believe it when I came here before."

"And now?"

"You are naturally worthy of your appearance."

Facing the confusion in Zhou Daoping's eyes, Li Xuanyi did not hesitate and nodded directly.

"Oh!..."

Fellow Daoist Zhou responded, froze for a moment, then stood up to refill Li Xuanyi's cup with spirit tea before continuing softly:

"Speaking of appearance, although I hadn't seen you before, Fellow Daoist, I did have the fortune to see a portrait of the Fairy on the mountain.

Seeing you today, I feel that your appearance is indeed more vivid than in the portrait. I think that portrait should be replaced with a new one.

Outside of cultivation, I have no other tastes, but I have studied zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting a little.

When I have some free time another day, I will definitely paint a new one to gift to the Fairy!"

"Hehe! Fellow Daoist Zhou is not only talented and handsome but also so versatile; it is truly rare. Xuanyi will thank Fellow Daoist Zhou in advance!"

Hearing Zhou Daoping's praise, Li Xuanyi couldn't help but smile and quickly bowed slightly to express her gratitude.

Looking at the courteous Zhou Daoping not far away, Li Xuanyi was silent for a moment before asking:

"Coming here today, besides wanting to get to know Fellow Daoist Zhou, I have a doubt in my heart that I would like to ask you about in person.

What I say next might be a bit unpleasant. If you mind, Fellow Daoist, just treat it as a joke I made, or you can skip it and not answer, and we can continue talking about other things."

"Today, there is only you and me here, no one else. Whatever you have to say, Fellow Daoist, please speak directly. I will definitely do my best to answer!"

Seeing Li Xuanyi suddenly become so polite, Zhou Daoping also understood that her next question might be very important, and his expression became more serious.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, for a young talent as talented and handsome as you, I think there must be many female cultivators in the cultivation world who admire you!"

"Do you have a beloved, Fellow Daoist?"

Facing such a sharp and direct question from Li Xuanyi, Zhou Daoping was silent for a long time, but still nodded directly and said:

"That was many years ago. At that time, my cultivation had not yet reached Foundation Establishment, and I was not valued by the family, let alone having the good reputation I have now! She and I met because of music. Although we were both cultivators, we happened to love these things outside of cultivation very much. We could be considered soulmates who were in love.

It's just that we couldn't be together. She died of depression not long after her Foundation Establishment failed.

At that time, I was insignificant in the clan. Although I had the heart, I had no power! After Foundation Establishment, I devoted myself to the Dao and did not fall into the mortal world again. Thinking about it, that was a long time ago."

Seeing that Zhou Daoping's expression became increasingly solemn when answering her, Li Xuanyi could see that what he said was basically sincere, and she nodded at him slightly.

"We who cultivate the Dao, even if we become Dao companions, few can truly walk to the end together. Fellow Daoist, please don't be sad for this."

Hearing Li Xuanyi's comfort, Zhou Daoping smiled and shook his head: "Hehe! That was hundreds of years ago; what is there to be sad about? You are overthinking it, Fellow Daoist.

It's just that since her, in these two hundred years, although I have met many people who are good at music, I have never found that feeling again. I occasionally have some regrets about this."

"Oh! What you said is also right, Fellow Daoist. Life is always full of regrets. Even if we cultivators have high cultivation, there will still be many fates that are difficult to resist.

I have one more question. You are going to marry into my Li family soon, Fellow Daoist. Is it because you were forced by your elders that you agreed to this?"

"Fellow Daoist Li, you really don't intend to leave me any face at all!"

Hearing Li Xuanyi's second question, which was still so direct and pierced through the relationship between the two, Zhou Daoping couldn't help but smile, shake his head, and sigh.

However, Zhou Daoping's expression soon calmed down, and he spoke to Li Xuanyi with a serious face:

"I have cultivated for many years in this life, and most of it has been due to the family's support that I have my current cultivation.

Although I know that the family's arrangement for me to come to the Li family is likely not as simple as it appears on the surface.

But I am now devoted to the Dao, and I don't have so much energy to think about other things.

As long as it is beneficial to my cultivation, even if it means leaving the family and marrying into another place, I am willing. You can rest assured about this, Fellow Daoist."

"Hmm! I can feel that Fellow Daoist Zhou is indeed a person devoted to the Dao.

On this point, Xuanyi is a bit inferior to you!"

After Li Xuanyi finished speaking, she stood up and bowed slightly to Zhou Daoping beside her, and a look of respect appeared in her eyes.

Seeing Li Xuanyi suddenly show such great courtesy, Zhou Daoping quickly stood up and returned the bow, then refilled her cup with spirit tea before placing his hands on the ordinary wooden zither on the table.

"Fellow Daoist Li, it is rare for you to come to my place today. On the way to Mount Yunlong some time ago, I happened to have some insights and composed a piece of music. Why don't you help me listen to it first and see how it is?"

"I am all ears!"

Seeing Li Xuanyi looking at him with some anticipation, Zhou Daoping nodded slightly, and his gaze soon fell on the zither strings.

Not long after, a pleasant zither sound rippled out from the strings, circling around the bamboo pavilion, again attracting many flying birds to land outside the bamboo pavilion, patiently following the two people in the pavilion to enjoy this moving music.

The zither sound was light and pleasant, as if the morning sun was shining on the earth, containing a hint of warmth, making people want to open their arms and embrace it.

As the rhythm of the zither sound gradually rose, Zhou Daoping was already immersed in it, closing his eyes and forgetting himself! "..."

After the piece of music ended, the zither sound around them gradually quieted down.

When Zhou Daoping slowly opened his eyes, the birds around the bamboo pavilion had long since dispersed, and Li Xuanyi's figure was gone.

Scanning the surroundings, Zhou Daoping discovered that two lines of small characters had appeared on the pillar not far ahead at some unknown time.

"There are always all kinds of regrets in the world; only a soulmate can resolve a thousand sorrows!" —— Several months later, in a grand hall at the top of "Mount Yunlong."

Song Qingming, in green robes, was sitting alone on a wooden chair in the hall, thinking about some things he had encountered before.

Suddenly, two streaks of light flew in from outside and landed outside the hall.

Immediately afterward, a man and a woman, two cultivators, strode into the hall.

The man, like Li Xuanfeng, was wearing yellow robes and had Golden Core 3rd-layer cultivation. The other woman in green robes had higher cultivation, already a Golden Core 6th-layer peak cultivator.

The woman in green robes asked Song Qingming in the distance as soon as she entered the door: "I say, how is this guy so powerful? Not only could he see through the restrictions I set up in advance, but he also shook us off so easily. So he is a Golden Core late-stage cultivator.

Could it be that you are also a formation master?"

Seeing that the people who walked in were not Li Xuanfeng, whom he had expected, but the two who had ambushed him in the pavilion by the river, a hint of embarrassment appeared on Song Qingming's face. He quickly stood up and bowed, responding: "I am indeed a Level 3 formation master. I have offended you unintentionally today, and I hope the two fellow Daoists will be magnanimous!"

Hearing Song Qingming's explanation, the woman in green robes who had just spoken nodded slightly:

"Xuanfeng has already told me about these things just now. You don't need to explain to us anymore. Coming here is just to see you, this expert."

After the woman in green robes finished speaking, she looked Song Qingming up and down and asked strangely:

"He looks a bit ordinary. Apart from his cultivation being okay, I don't see anything outstanding. It shouldn't be him, right!"

"My dear lady, I don't think it looks like him either!" Just as the woman in green robes finished speaking, the other man in yellow robes standing beside her also shook his head.

The two of them singing in harmony left Song Qingming a bit confused.

Just as he was about to ask, a very powerful pressure suddenly came from outside the hall and fell directly on Song Qingming, causing his body to be forced back several steps. When Song Qingming stood firm and looked forward again, he discovered that two figures had already arrived at the entrance of the hall, one of whom was Li Xuanfeng, who had just brought Song Qingming into "Mount Yunlong."

The other person standing beside Li Xuanfeng was a white-haired old man with a slightly angry face. The pressure emanating from his body had already exceeded that of the Supreme Elder of the Xiaoyao Sect, Li Mufeng; he was clearly a Nascent Soul 6th-layer peak cultivator.

After seeing this white-haired old man appear, the man in yellow robes and the woman in green robes who had just entered the hall quickly bowed to the white-haired old man:

"Greetings, Ancestor!"

"There is nothing for you two here, go out first!"

After the man in yellow robes and the woman in green robes left the hall, the white-haired old man walked toward Song Qingming with Li Xuanfeng, his gaze like a sharp blade, scanning him seriously.

"Tell me where you came from and why you came here to find Xuanyi!"

Just hearing the words from the white-haired old man, Song Qingming felt a sense of pressure invisibly in his heart.

Fortunately, he was not seeing a Nascent Soul cultivator for the first time, so he quickly adapted and hurriedly stepped forward to bow to the white-haired old man.

"This junior greets you, Senior!"

"I am Song Qingming, a rogue cultivator from the Floating Cloud Mountain Range cultivation world.

(Original text being read!)

Coming to your precious hall for the first time today, it is only to visit a friend I met many years ago. There are no other matters, and I hope Senior will understand!"

Seeing that this white-haired old man gave him a show of force as soon as he came up, appearing to be unkind, Song Qingming was confused about the situation and could only tell the truth as much as possible.

After Song Qingming finished speaking, Li Xuanfeng beside him nodded quickly: "Ancestor, when I went to pick up Xuanyi back then, I met Fellow Daoist Song.

What Fellow Daoist Song said is true; he and Xuanyi have indeed known each other for many years."

"I have my own judgment about what I ask him; don't interrupt, go down first!"

"Yes, Ancestor!"

Hearing the white-haired old man's soft rebuke, Li Xuanfeng nodded in response and stood to one side, not daring to speak again.

Seeing that the white-haired old man rebuked Li Xuanfeng and then stared at him with unkind eyes, Song Qingming also felt that the situation at the scene was wrong and couldn't help but ask: "Senior, I once had an appointment with Fellow Daoist Xuanyi that I would visit her if I passed through Nanzhou in the future.

Coming here today, I have not seen Fellow Daoist Xuanyi. May I ask, Senior, what exactly happened to Fellow Daoist Xuanyi?"

"What happened?"

"Good question! What happened to Xuanyi? Don't you in the Grand Void Gate know?"

"Senior, you... what are you saying?"

Since he accidentally joined the "Grand Void Gate" back then, for so many years, Song Qingming had never heard the name of the sect from others in the outside world.

Although when he was cultivating on Yuxuan Island back then, Song Qingming had heard his Senior Brother say that there were many large sect cultivation forces in Nanzhou that knew of the existence of the "Grand Void Gate."

But at this moment, hearing the white-haired old man suddenly call out the three words "Grand Void Gate" by name, Song Qingming was stunned in place for a moment, not knowing how to answer the other party.

Not only Song Qingming, but even Li Xuanfeng, who was standing to one side, looked at the white-haired old man who had just spoken with a look of surprise.

Just as Li Xuanfeng's gaze gradually became curious, the white-haired old man turned and waved his hand at him: "Xuanfeng, you go out first. Remember, no one is allowed to know what happened in the hall today!"

"Ancestor, please rest assured, Xuanfeng understands!"

Hearing this, Li Xuanfeng immediately bowed and arched his hands, then turned and walked out of the hall.

After Li Xuanfeng left, the white-haired old man turned to Song Qingming and said directly: "There is no one else here, you don't need to keep pretending to me.

Although our Nanzhou cultivation world forbids lower-level cultivators from discussing your Grand Void Gate, we old guys still know about the affairs on Yuxuan Island.

I know that you and Xuanyi are both disciples of the Grand Void Gate. To tell you the truth, when Xuanyi first went to the island back then, I personally sent her there!"

Seeing that the other party not only knew about the sect but had also personally been to "Yuxuan Island," Song Qingming knew there was nothing to hide, so he calmed his mind, took a deep breath, and nodded to the white-haired old man:

"Senior, please don't blame me! It is truly because the sect has orders not to allow us to mention the sect outside or reveal the affairs on the island."

Hearing Song Qingming's explanation, the white-haired old man nodded slightly: "I know all these things you said, and I won't make things difficult for you because of this.

If it didn't involve my Li family's people, I wouldn't want to inquire about the affairs on your Yuxuan Island either.

I won't talk nonsense with you anymore. Since you admit that you are from the Grand Void Gate, please tell me where Xuanyi is now!"

"What... Senior, what do you mean by this? Is Senior Sister Li... is Senior Sister Li not at home?"

Hearing what the white-haired old man said, Song Qingming was stunned in place again, doubting if he had heard wrong, and showed a look of confusion.

Since they parted ways back then, Song Qingming had not seen Senior Sister Li Xuanyi for decades. The main purpose of his trip to the Li family on "Mount Yunlong" was to visit Senior Sister Li Xuanyi, whom he had not seen for many years.

Suddenly hearing the white-haired old man ask him to tell the whereabouts of Senior Sister Li Xuanyi, Song Qingming felt speechless. He was becoming more and more confused by the other party.

"Hmph! Still pretending in front of me, truly bullying people too much!"

Seeing that Song Qingming did not answer his question but instead looked confused, the white-haired old man's face changed instantly. With a slight movement of spiritual light on his body, a huge golden palm five or six feet wide suddenly appeared in mid-air.

After this golden palm appeared, it was immediately accompanied by a powerful pressure, falling directly above Song Qingming's head.

"Kid, don't think that just because you are from the Grand Void Gate, I dare not touch you.

This is the Li family, not Yuxuan Island. If you don't tell the truth honestly, no one can save you if you anger me!"

The white-haired old man's cultivation had already reached the Nascent Soul 6th-layer peak, only one step away from the Nascent Soul late-stage. Song Qingming had never fought against such a powerful expert since he started cultivating.

Just the powerful magic spell cast by standing in place and raising his hand made him feel a huge pressure of thousands of pounds coming from above his head.

Seeing this, Song Qingming could only release his protective spiritual light, resisting the huge golden palm print falling from above his head, wanting to block the other party's attack.

However, the gap between Song Qingming's cultivation and the white-haired old man was truly too large. Even if he used all his strength, he was still forced to bend over by the other party's powerful momentum.

Not long after, several cracks appeared on the granite bricks under Song Qingming's feet, and he himself was forced to kneel on the ground with one leg.

"Sen... Senior, this junior has not seen Senior Sister Li for decades and truly does not know where she is.

If Senior does not believe me, this junior can swear a Heavenly Dao oath with you and absolutely dare not intentionally deceive Senior!"

Facing the white-haired old man's strange temper, who would turn against him as soon as he said so, Song Qingming, bearing the huge pressure above his head, also secretly complained in his heart.

His trip here was just to visit Senior Sister Li Xuanyi, so how did it suddenly get involved with Li Xuanyi's disappearance?

Even if Senior Sister Li Xuanyi had run back to the sect herself, the Li family knew where "Yuxuan Island" was, so why not just go there to find someone? Why make things difficult for an uninformed person like him for no reason?

In the final analysis, Song Qingming's trip to "Mount Yunlong" really came at the wrong time. How did he happen to run into this unlucky thing?

"Kid, I won't easily believe the nonsense of any Heavenly Dao oath.

Xuanyi disappeared just a moment ago, and your Grand Void Gate came to the door, yet you tell me it has nothing to do with you. Do you think I will believe this? I know that your purpose in doing this is nothing more than to lure Xuanyi to leave the Li family and join the Grand Void Gate, but you have indeed gone a bit too far in this matter."

"What Senior said, this junior is truly uninformed, and I hope Senior will understand!"

Facing the increasing pressure on his body, Song Qingming could only grit his teeth and cast a spell to summon his natal magic treasure, the "Five Elements Divine Light Mirror," to help him hold it above his head, which allowed him to catch his breath slightly.

"Kid, you have some ability. I think you should just be an outer sect disciple. Even if you die here today, the Grand Void Gate won't know about this for a while.

You had better think clearly whether you want to tell the truth or continue to grit your teeth and resist me to the end!"

After speaking, the pressure from the white-haired old man's hand increased a bit more and fell on Song Qingming.

Facing the huge pressure from the golden handprint in the sky above, Song Qingming also felt that he couldn't hold on anymore and could only shout again:

"Senior! This junior truly does not know where Senior Sister Li is, but I can tell you everything I know about Senior Sister."

After Song Qingming finished speaking, the huge pressure in the sky above suddenly disappeared, and a voice from the white-haired old man came to his ears.

"That's more like it, tell me!"

Sitting on the ground and catching his breath, Song Qingming slowly said:

"Senior guessed correctly, I am indeed just an outer sect disciple, and I haven't returned to the sect for decades.

I didn't see Senior Sister Li on the island when I returned this time. I only heard my Master mention that Senior Sister Li seemed to have voluntarily left the sect not long ago.

I think even if Senior Sister Li has disappeared, she shouldn't have returned to the sect.

This is all this junior knows. Whether to kill or cut, it is up to Senior to dispose of me!"

"You want to dismiss me with just these words? I want to see how hard your bones are!"

After hearing Song Qingming's answer, the white-haired old man seemed still dissatisfied, but just as he was about to cast a spell again, a voice came from afar into the hall, stopping his actions.

"Wait!"

(My cold really hasn't gotten better these past few days, I'm sore all over and have no energy! Everyone must take care of their health.) (End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 838 =====