Chapter 837: Listening Respectfully, Li Family Ancestor

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

A handsome man in white was sitting in the pavilion on the second floor of the bamboo pavilion, looking at the creek water 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.

Bursts of fragrance drifted from the incense burner and dissipated with the wind, accompanied by a burst of zither music circling around the bamboo pavilion, attracting many mountain birds to land in the pavilion, ringing out bursts of pleasant chirping sounds.

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

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

Seeing Li Xuanyi's sudden appearance, which startled the birds in the bamboo pavilion away, a trace of regret flashed in the eyes of the Fellow Daoist Zhou before he hurriedly stood up and cupped his hands to return the greeting.

"Zhou Daoping of Mount Huanglong, greetings."

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

"Fellow Daoist Zhou is too polite!"

Facing the polite and active invitation of Zhou Daoping, Li Xuanyi smiled slightly and sat down directly to the side.

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

A few days ago, I happened to learn that Fellow Daoist had come to my Li family, so I took the initiative to visit, just wanting to see if you are truly as talented as they say."

Seeing Li Xuanyi speak so directly, Zhou Daoping was slightly surprised, but very quickly recovered, replying with a very calm expression:

"Since I was young, my talent has been considered passable, and I have been supported by the family all the way to have today's cultivation. To say I am a young talent is somewhat overpraising me.

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

"You don't know, my brother has always liked to exaggerate when he speaks. I indeed didn't believe it when I came before."

"And now?"

"Your appearance is naturally worthy of it."

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

"Oh!..."

After Zhou Daoping replied, he was stunned for a moment, then stood up to fill Li Xuanyi's cup with spirit tea before continuing softly:

"Speaking of appearance, although I hadn't seen you before, I was fortunate enough to have seen the fairy's portrait on the mountain.

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

Besides cultivation, I have no other tastes, but I have studied zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting somewhat.

When I have free time another day, I will definitely paint a new one to give to the fairy!"

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

Hearing Zhou Daoping's praise, Li Xuanyi couldn't help but reveal a smile and hurriedly cupped her hands slightly to express her gratitude.

Looking at the polite 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, Xuanyi also has a trace of doubt in her heart that she wants to ask you in person.

The following words might be somewhat unpleasant to hear. If Fellow Daoist minds, you can take it as a joke I made, or you can skip it and not answer. We can continue to chat about other things."

"Today there is only you and me here, no one else. If Fellow Daoist has anything to say, just speak directly. I will definitely try my best to answer!"

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

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, for a young talent like you, I think there must be quite a few female cultivators in the cultivation world who admire you!"

"I wonder if you have ever had someone you loved?"

Facing Li Xuanyi's sharp and direct question, Zhou Daoping was silent for a good while on the spot before nodding directly and saying:

"That was many years ago. At that time, my cultivation had not yet reached Foundation Establishment, and I had not received the family's attention, let alone the good reputation I have now! She and I met because of music. Although both were practitioners, 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. Not long after she failed her Foundation Establishment, she died of depression.

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 never fell into the red dust again. Thinking about it, it was a long time ago."

Seeing that Zhou Daoping's expression became more and more solemn when answering her, Li Xuanyi also saw that what he said was basically sincere, and nodded slightly at him.

"We practitioners of the Dao, even if we become dual cultivation partners, few can truly walk to the end together. Fellow Daoist, don't be sad for this."

Hearing Li Xuanyi's comfort, Zhou Daoping smiled and shook his head: "Hehe! This was hundreds of years ago, what is there to be sad about? Fellow Daoist, you worry too much.

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

"Oh! Fellow Daoist is right. Life is always full of regrets. Even if we cultivators have high cultivation, we will still have many destinies that are difficult to resist.

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

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

Hearing Li Xuanyi's second question, which still broke the relationship between the two so directly and clearly, Zhou Daoping couldn't help but smile and shake his head with a sigh.

However, very quickly, the expression on Zhou Daoping's face calmed down, and he said earnestly to Li Xuanyi:

"I have cultivated for many years, mostly relying on family support to have today's cultivation.

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

But I am now dedicated to the Dao and don't have so much heart 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. Fellow Daoist, rest assured about this."

"Hmm! I can feel that Fellow Daoist Zhou is indeed someone dedicated to the Dao.

On this point, Xuanyi is indeed not as good as you!"

After Li Xuanyi finished speaking, she stood up and cupped her hands slightly at Zhou Daoping beside her, and a trace of respect appeared in her eyes.

Seeing Li Xuanyi's sudden great courtesy, Zhou Daoping hurriedly stood up to return the greeting, filled a cup of spirit tea for the other party again, and then placed both hands on the ordinary wooden zither on the edge of the table.

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

"Listening respectfully!"

Seeing Li Xuanyi looking at him with a trace of expectation, Zhou Daoping nodded slightly, and his gaze was quickly placed on the zither strings.

Before long, a pleasant zither sound fluctuated from the zither strings, circling around the bamboo pavilion, again attracting many flying birds to land outside the bamboo pavilion, patiently following the two in the pavilion to enjoy this moving music.

The zither sound was light and pleasant to the ear, as if the morning sun was shining on the earth, containing a trace of warmth, making one unable to help but open their arms to embrace it.

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

After the song fell, the zither sound around gradually became quiet.

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

Sweeping his gaze around, 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, dressed in green, was sitting alone on a wooden chair in the hall, pondering some things he had encountered before.

Suddenly, two escape lights flew from outside and landed outside the grand hall.

Immediately after, a man and a woman, two cultivators, walked into the hall with big strides.

The man, like Li Xuanfeng, was wearing a yellow robe and had Jin Dan third-layer cultivation. The other green-clad woman's cultivation was higher, already a peak Jin Dan sixth-layer cultivator.

The green-clad woman had just entered the door and asked Song Qingming in the distance: "I said, how is this guy so powerful? Not only could he see through the restriction I set up in advance, but he also shook us off so easily. So he is a late-stage Jin Dan cultivator.

Could it be that Your Excellency is also a formation master?"

Seeing the people who walked in were not Li Xuanfeng as he thought, but the two who had ambushed him in the pavilion by the small river before, a trace of embarrassment appeared on Song Qingming's face. He hurriedly stood up and cupped his hands to respond: "This one is indeed a third-tier formation master. I have offended you with my unintentional actions today; I hope the two Fellow Daoists will be magnanimous!"

Hearing Song Qingming's explanation, the green-clad woman 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 wanting to see this expert like you."

After the green-clad woman finished speaking, her gaze swept over Song Qingming from top to bottom, and she asked somewhat strangely:

"Looks a bit ordinary. Besides cultivation being okay, I don't see anything outstanding. It shouldn't be him!"

"Auntie, I don't think it looks like him either!" Just as the green-clad woman finished speaking, the other yellow-robed man standing beside her also shook his head.

The two of them singing in harmony made Song Qingming somewhat confused.

Just as he was about to open his mouth to inquire, a very powerful pressure suddenly came from outside the hall, landing directly on Song Qingming, making his body unable to help but be shaken 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 grand 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 emitted from his body had already exceeded that of the Grand Elder of the Xiaoyao Sect, Li Mufeng, and he was clearly a peak Nascent Soul sixth-layer cultivator.

After seeing this white-haired old man appear, the yellow-robed man and the green-clad woman who had just entered the hall hurriedly bowed to the white-haired old man:

"Greetings, Ancestor!"

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

After the yellow-robed man and the green-clad woman left the grand hall, the white-haired old man led Li Xuanfeng and walked toward Song Qingming's side, his gaze sweeping over him seriously like a sharp blade.

"Tell me, what is your background? Why did you come here to find Xuanyi!"

Just hearing the words spat out from the white-haired old man's mouth, Song Qingming felt a trace 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.

"Junior greets Senior!"

"This one is Song Qingming, a loose cultivator from the Fuyun Mountain Range cultivation world.

Reading the original text!

Today is my first visit to your precious hall, just to visit a good friend I met many years ago. There are no other matters. I hope Senior will investigate clearly!"

Seeing this white-haired old man give him a show of power right from the start, seemingly somewhat unkind, Song Qingming also couldn't figure out the situation for a time and could only try his best to tell the truth.

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

What Fellow Daoist Song said is not false; he and Xuanyi did indeed know each other many years ago."

"I have my own judgment regarding the words I ask him. Don't interrupt, go down first!"

"Yes, Ancestor!"

Hearing the soft rebuke from the white-haired old man, Li Xuanfeng nodded and responded, then stood to the side without daring to speak again.

Seeing that the white-haired old man rebuked Li Xuanfeng and then stared at him unkindly again, Song Qingming also felt that the situation at the scene was somewhat wrong and couldn't help but take the initiative to ask: "Senior, I once had an appointment with Fellow Daoist Xuanyi that I would visit when passing through Nanzhou in the future.

I came today, but I have never seen Fellow Daoist Xuanyi's figure! May I ask Senior, what exactly happened to Fellow Daoist Xuanyi?"

"What happened?"

"Well asked! What happened to Xuanyi, could it be that you people from the Grand Void Gate don't know?"

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

Ever 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 anyone else in the outside world.

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

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

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

Just as Li Xuanfeng's gaze gradually became somewhat curious, the white-haired old man turned around and waved his hand at him: "Xuanfeng, you go out first. Remember, the matters in the hall today are not allowed to be known by anyone!"

"Ancestor, rest assured, Xuanfeng understands!"

Hearing this, Li Xuanfeng immediately bowed and cupped his hands, then turned and walked out of the grand 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 continue pretending for me.

Although our Nanzhou cultivation world prohibits cultivators below from discussing your Grand Void Gate, we old fellows are still clear about the matters 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, it was I who sent her there personally!"

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

"Senior, don't blame me! It is truly because the sect has orders not to allow us to speak of the sect outside or leak matters about 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 people from my Li family, I wouldn't want to inquire about matters on your Yuxuan Island.

I won't say any more nonsense to you. Since you admit that you are from the Grand Void Gate, then where is Xuanyi now? Please tell me!"

"What... Senior, what does this mean? Senior Sister Li... Senior Sister Li, could it be that she is not at home?"

Hearing what the white-haired old man said, Song Qingming was stunned in place again, somewhat suspecting that he had misheard, and revealed a look of confusion.

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

Suddenly hearing the white-haired old man ask him to tell the whereabouts of Senior Sister Li Xuanyi, Song Qingming was also speechless in his heart. He was also made 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 expression changed instantly. His spiritual light moved slightly, and a giant golden palm five or six zhang wide suddenly appeared in mid-air.

After this golden palm appeared, it immediately accompanied a powerful pressure and fell directly toward the top of Song Qingming's head.

"Kid, don't think that 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 honestly tell the truth, if you anger me, no one can save you!"

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

Just standing in place and casting a powerful spell with his hands made him unable to help but feel a huge pressure of several thousand jin coming from above his head.

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

However, Song Qingming's cultivation was too far from the white-haired old man's; even if he used all his strength, he was still bent over by the other party's powerful aura.

Not long after, several cracks appeared on the granite bricks under Song Qingming's feet, and he himself was half-kneeling on the ground.

"Sen... Senior, Junior and Senior Sister Li have not seen each other for decades, and I truly do not know where she is.

If Senior does not believe me, Junior can swear a Heavenly Dao oath with you; I absolutely dare not intentionally deceive Senior!"

Facing this white-haired old man's strange temper, turning hostile as soon as he said so, Song Qingming, who was bearing the huge pressure above his head, was also secretly complaining in his heart.

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

Even if Senior Sister Li Xuanyi really left home and ran back to the sect, the people of the Li family all know where "Yuxuan Island" is; they can just go there to find people. 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 a bad time; how did he just happen to run into this unlucky matter.

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

Xuanyi disappeared just a moment ago, and you people from the Grand Void Gate came to the door. You tell me it has nothing to do with you; do you think I will believe this? I know, your purpose in doing this is nothing more than wanting to tempt 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, Junior is indeed completely unaware. I hope Senior will investigate clearly!"

Facing the increasingly greater 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 hold it above his head, which allowed him to catch his breath slightly.

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

You should think clearly, whether to tell the truth or continue to grit your teeth and resist me to the end!"

After speaking, the pressure on the white-haired old man's hand became a bit stronger, falling onto Song Qingming.

Facing the increasingly greater pressure from the giant golden palm print in the sky above, Song Qingming also felt that he couldn't hold on anymore and could only shout loudly again:

"Senior! Junior is indeed unaware of 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 his head suddenly disappeared, and another voice from the white-haired old man came to his ear.

"That's more like it, speak!"

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

"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 Master mention once that Senior Sister Li seemed to have voluntarily withdrawn from the sect not long ago.

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

This is all Junior knows. Whether you want to kill or cut, it is all up to Senior to dispose of me!"

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

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

"Wait!"

(My cold really hasn't gotten better these past few days, my whole body is aching, no energy! Everyone must take care of your health.) (End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 838 =====