Chapter 839: Strange Change in the Lake, Returning to the Family

The previous probing of Song Qingming by the two Li family ancestors in the grand hall had already confirmed to them that Song Qingming was unaware of Li Xuanyi's disappearance.

Hearing the inquiry from the patriarch Li Boying ahead, Li Mengliang to the side nodded with a smile: "Rest assured, he has already agreed face-to-face and won't go out and talk nonsense.

At first, I felt that this matter should have nothing to do with the Grand Void Gate, it's just that this kid happened to come somewhat suspiciously, but now it seems we were indeed mistaken."

"I know, but without trying, it is very difficult for us to confirm this answer.

After all, Xuanyi ran to Yuxuan Island every few days back then; she must have feelings for the Grand Void Gate. To say it's broken just like that, I still don't quite believe it."

"Hehe! I don't oppose trying, it's just that the commotion this time was truly a bit too big. Not only was the junior scared, but I also lost several thousand spirit stones for nothing." After Li Mengliang finished speaking, a look of helplessness also appeared on his face.

"Who told this kid to be blind and deliver himself to our door? If I can't find the Grand Void Gate to ask for people, can't I find him to vent my anger!"

Hearing Li Boying's words, Li Mengliang couldn't help but shake his head with a smile again. After a while, he asked with a calm expression: "Third Granduncle, now that it is confirmed that Xuanyi's disappearance has nothing to do with the Grand Void Gate, what should we do about this matter next?"

Hearing this, the patriarch Li Boying suddenly looked up at the distance, and after a rare silence for a good while, asked softly: "Mengliang, tell me the truth, did I do something wrong regarding Xuanyi?"

"Third Granduncle's actions were all for the family; I don't feel you have done anything wrong.

Even if it were me making the decision, now that the family's situation is failing to connect, I would also try my best to keep Xuanyi in the family."

Facing Li Boying's inquiry, Li Mengliang said what was in his heart without hesitation, firmly supporting the old patriarch who was already full of white hair beside him.

Seeing this, Li Boying also nodded and revealed a smile.

"Whether it is right or wrong, we have already tried our best to do it."

"Xuanyi is a proud child; since she chose to leave at this time, she will definitely not return in a short time. Let's put her matter aside for now!

Later, when Xuanfeng returns, have him come to my place."

After speaking, a spiritual light suddenly lit up on Li Boying's body, and then his whole person disappeared directly from the spot. —— On a high mountain more than ten miles away from "Mount Yunlong".

After bidding farewell to Li Xuanfeng, looking at the escape light that was gradually moving away and had slowly disappeared from his eyes, Song Qingming then turned around, took out the "Phantom Boat", and jumped on it.

Looking at the scenery rapidly receding beneath his feet, Song Qingming's mood, which had been somewhat puzzled, gradually calmed down.

This trip to visit Senior Sister Li Xuanyi on "Mount Yunlong" can be described as full of twists and turns.

Not only did he fail to see Li Xuanyi as he wished, but he was also misunderstood by the Li family, and almost lost his own small life, which truly made Song Qingming regret it in his heart.

Fortunately, the other party was merely scaring him, and the misunderstanding was quickly cleared up afterward. Although he was somewhat aggrieved by being scared by the other party on the spot, he didn't really have any losses.

Having cultivated for many years, Song Qingming also knows that in the cultivation world, no matter where you are, you always have to look at your strength to speak.

His encounter in the Li family today was nothing more than because he only had Jin Dan cultivation, and his strength couldn't enter others' eyes.

If he had been a Nascent Soul cultivator at that time, even if the two Li family ancestors didn't look at the "Grand Void Gate's" face, they wouldn't have dared to take action against Song Qingming so casually.

After leaving "Mount Yunlong", Song Qingming headed east and very quickly left the Li family's territory.

Since the "Mount Yunlong" trip failed to see Senior Sister Li Xuanyi as he wished, he had no need to continue staying, and next he should return to the Fuyun Mountain Range cultivation world.

Ever since Song Qingming received the sect's edict and arrived at the "Donghuang Kingdom" cultivation world last time, nearly four years had passed.

This trip to the "Donghuang Kingdom" cultivation world, although the time was short, Song Qingming also gained quite a bit besides completing the tasks in the sect's edict.

Besides getting guidance on cultivation from his master "Daoist Lingxu" and many senior brothers in the sect, he also obtained quite a few cultivation insights from sect seniors on breaking through to Nascent Soul.

Song Qingming's biggest gain from this "Donghuang Kingdom" trip was establishing merit in the great battle of demons invading the sect, which gave him the opportunity to cultivate in the "Demon-Slaying Palace's" Heart-Refining Tower.

Cultivating in the "Heart-Refining Tower" for two years, Song Qingming attempted to impact the Nascent Soul realm many times and had the personal experience of "Fetal Transformation into Nascent Soul" many times.

This added quite a bit of confidence for him to break through to the Nascent Soul realm in the future.

Now Song Qingming's cultivation has reached the Jin Dan ninth layer, and it is not far from polishing his own spiritual power to perfection.

When Song Qingming comes to the "Donghuang Kingdom" cultivation world next time, I fear it will be when he is about to start impacting the Nascent Soul realm.

Thinking of this, Song Qingming couldn't help but feel somewhat excited again. —— Half a year later, Fuyun Mountain Range cultivation world, Wei Kingdom.

Spring goes and autumn comes. Since the last great battle with the "Jiuyuan Sect" and the northern demon race, the entire Wei Kingdom cultivation world has had seven or eight years of rare stability.

On this day, outside a small marketplace on the edge of "Taiyuehu" in the southwest of Wei Kingdom, a white-clad cultivator with late-stage Qi Condensation cultivation ran over from afar in a panic, shouting loudly: "The lake water is flooding up... the lake water is flooding up again."

Nearby cultivators heard this voice and were instantly startled, following the white-clad cultivator and running toward the marketplace.

Several "Xiaoyao Sect" Qi Condensation cultivators guarding the gate saw many cultivators suddenly swarming toward this side from afar and were also shocked.

"What are you still stunned for? Quickly open the formation and retreat into the city! I estimate there is another beast tide coming."

After the leading late-stage Qi Condensation old man shouted a sentence, he hurriedly took out a golden spirit talisman from his body and directly cast a spell to send a sound transmission into the marketplace.

Before long, following a burst of white mist suddenly surging outside the marketplace, the many "Xiaoyao Sect" cultivators standing on the marketplace city wall saw the lake water, which was originally more than ten miles away from the marketplace, gradually spreading to the foot of the city wall.

And after these lake waters arrived in front of the marketplace's "protective mountain formation", they suddenly began to roll non-stop, followed by countless fish-type demon beasts suddenly emerging from the water, beginning to crazily attack and bite the protective barrier formed by the formation.

"Flying Cloud Crossbows, fire! Everyone follow me, we must hold off the demon beasts' attack. Anyone who retreats without permission will be treated as a deserter on the battlefield by the law enforcement team."

Following the order from the city-guarding cultivator, several dozen sharp sword lights flew out from the marketplace city wall in an instant, followed by over a hundred cultivators who killed their way out from the marketplace's "protective mountain formation".

Both sides immediately fought a great battle! This marketplace located on the edge of "Taiyuehu" is not big. The cultivators stationed inside, plus other family cultivators and loose cultivators gathered in the marketplace, are less than four hundred people, among whom the leaders are three "Xiaoyao Sect" Foundation Establishment cultivators.

And the demon beasts attacking the marketplace this time clearly have a much larger number than the human cultivator side, with nearly a thousand various types of aquatic demon beasts, and there are seven or eight second-tier or above demon beasts at the Foundation Establishment level.

Facing the siege of so many demon beasts on the marketplace, even with a second-tier top-quality "protective mountain formation", it is impossible for them to have the ability to repel the demon beasts' siege with just these people.

Seeing the demon beasts attacking the marketplace's "protective mountain formation" below were very fierce, the "Xiaoyao Sect" Foundation Establishment cultivator guarding the city wall also knew that this great battle would likely be somewhat difficult.

While commanding the cultivators in the marketplace to fight the enemy, he hurriedly sent a message to other nearby marketplaces to ask for help.

"Everyone hold on, I have already sent a message to Uncle Yun to ask for help. In at most half an hour, she will be able to arrive here to support us."

Although the demon beast army came fiercely, as long as they can hold the marketplace and wait for reinforcements, then most of the cultivators in the marketplace will definitely be able to survive.

If the marketplace's "protective mountain formation" is broken by the demon beasts, facing these fierce demon beasts in the water, it will definitely be ominous. The cultivators present also know this well.

Hearing the "Xiaoyao Sect" Foundation Establishment cultivator say that reinforcements would arrive soon, the many cultivators on the battlefield were also excited, their morale improved a bit, and they pushed back the demon beasts that were attacking the formation.

Shouts of killing were endless on the battlefield, but bursts of screams also entered everyone's ears from time to time, making everyone clearly realize the cruelty on the battlefield.

Because the number of demon beasts was truly too large, everyone had just repelled the demon beast army, but before long, a large group of even more numerous demon beasts suddenly emerged from the water and killed their way toward the "marketplace formation".

"Senior Brother Yao, there are too many demon beasts. If we fight like this, the losses will be too great; it's not a way. Let's retreat back to the formation first!"

After the great battle had been fought for a while, seeing more and more cultivators dying outside the formation, one of the Foundation Establishment cultivators hurriedly came to the side of another late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator after repelling the opponent beside him to ask.

Hearing the suggestion from his fellow sect member, the "Xiaoyao Sect" late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, who was fighting two second-tier demon beasts alone, didn't think much and nodded hurriedly.

"Everyone retreat back to the formation first, hold on for a while, reinforcements should be arriving soon!"

Hearing the horn of retreat coming from the city wall above, the many cultivators who were still fighting with the demon beasts on the battlefield hurriedly retreated into the "protective mountain formation".

Without the obstruction of human cultivators, those demon beasts instantly pounced on the protective barrier formed by the "protective mountain formation" and began to bite and attack the formation non-stop. For a time, the entire formation also began to shake slightly.

"Quick! Fill all the spirit stones into the formation eyes, everyone take turns helping to support the formation!"

"..."

After everyone was busy for a while, looking at those very fierce demon beasts outside the "protective mountain formation", the few "Xiaoyao Sect" Foundation Establishment cultivators guarding the city wall still couldn't help but furrow their brows.

"Senior Brother Yao, you say how much longer Uncle Yun will arrive? What if the formation can't hold on?"

"Don't be anxious, logically speaking, she should be arriving soon. If it really doesn't work, we can only go out and fight another battle; we must find a way to hold the formation.

Otherwise, once the demon beasts break into the marketplace, not only will these people be unable to survive, but even we might not be able to escape smoothly by then!"

Just as several "Xiaoyao Sect" cultivators were looking at the battlefield ahead with worry, a white sword light suddenly flew from the sky not far away.

This sword light was extremely fast. After arriving above the battlefield, it immediately fell, directly piercing a late-stage Foundation Establishment demon beast outside the "protective mountain formation" and pinning it to the ground.

The water waves splashed by the sword light landing again caused many nearby demon beasts to be knocked away. For a time, the entire battlefield suddenly appeared a burst of chaos, and countless demon beasts were deterred by this suddenly appearing sword light.

"It's a Jin Dan cultivator who came, it should be Uncle Yun who came! Everyone follow me and kill our way out." Seeing the power of this white sword light falling, which had far exceeded the Foundation Establishment realm, the "Xiaoyao Sect" cultivators, knowing that it must be a Jin Dan cultivator who came, instantly revealed a burst of joy.

Before everyone could kill their way out of the "protective mountain formation", another cyan escape light flew over, arrived above the battlefield, and transformed into a green-clad man.

After sweeping a glance at the many demon beasts below, the green-clad man waved his hand lightly, and the flying sword below began to shuttle non-stop in the demon beast group.

In just a moment, several dozen low-tier demon beasts died under the green-clad man's sword.

As the powerful pressure on the green-clad man gradually reached the battlefield, the demon beasts nearby below were instantly deterred by him and began to flee toward "Taiyuehu" regardless of everything.

Until the tide outside the formation slowly receded, those invading demon beasts also gradually disappeared, leaving only a ground of demon beast corpses and countless aquatic fish and shrimp.

After repelling the demon beast army, the few "Xiaoyao Sect" Foundation Establishment cultivators responsible for managing the marketplace discovered that the Jin Dan cultivator in mid-air was not the sect Jin Dan elder they thought would come to support, and couldn't help but reveal a few traces of surprise.

Among them, the leading Foundation Establishment cultivator saw the green-clad man's face and felt even more surprised, hurriedly arriving in front of him.

"Junior Yao Muling greets Senior Uncle Song! Many thanks to Senior Uncle for taking action to help us."

"Greetings, Senior Uncle Song!"

Song Qingming, who had just put away the magic treasure in his hand, hurriedly waved his hand to signal everyone to get up and said slowly:

"No need for formalities! I also just returned from outside and happened to pass by this place.

Junior Nephew Yao, how has your master been these years!"

"Thanks to Senior Uncle's concern, Master has always been in the sect these years. When Junior returned to the sect last time, I even heard her mention Senior Uncle!"

This late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator Yao Muling, who was stationed here, was a descendant of the former sect master Yao Qianshu. Back then, Song Qingming was entrusted by Yao Qianshu and had even taken action to support him a bit.

Compared to decades ago when Yao Qianshu had just passed away, Yao Muling's cultivation had only just reached Foundation Establishment, and his days were still somewhat difficult!

Now Yao Muling not only became a disciple of the sect Jin Dan elder Xu Ziyan, but his cultivation had also successfully reached the eighth layer of Foundation Establishment, and he was not far from impacting the Jin Dan realm.

His personal cultivation talent is not low, and with a Jin Dan teacher behind him to support him, without accidents, Yao Muling will definitely have a not-so-small chance to impact the Jin Dan Dao in the future.

Just as Song Qingming was exchanging pleasantries with Yao Muling and the others, another escape light flew from the sky not far away and landed beside Song Qingming and the others; it was the "Xiaoyao Sect" Jin Dan elder Yun Nishang, who was preparing to rush to this place to support.

"Junior greets Senior Uncle Yun."

Yun Nishang first waved her hand at Yao Muling and the others to dismiss them, then turned to Song Qingming and cupped her hands with a look of surprise: "Senior Brother Song, long time no see, I really didn't expect to meet you here?"

"I also happened to pass by here today. After not seeing you for a few years, I didn't expect Junior Sister Yun's cultivation to have improved again. This Senior Brother was far inferior to Junior Sister back then."

"Hehe! Senior Brother Song, don't overpraise me!"

"..."

After the two met, Song Qingming also told Yun Nishang about how he had just returned and happened to encounter the demon beasts attacking the city here.

Seeing the tragedy of the battlefield below, Yun Nishang also sighed: "These years I have been sitting in the Nanyue Marketplace for the sect, originally intending to guard against the Jiuyuan Sect.

I didn't expect that there was nothing going on in the north, but in this Taiyuehu, it has become more and more restless.

These years, I don't know what changes have occurred, but the aquatic demon beasts have become much more irritable than before, often attacking nearby marketplaces, making me somewhat overwhelmed."

"There are many aquatic demon beasts; perhaps another demon king has formed a core near the lake, which led to the riots of nearby demon beasts. Junior Sister, don't worry, it should be peaceful after a period of time."

"Thanks to Senior Brother's auspicious words, I hope so!" Yun Nishang heard this and revealed a helpless smile.

"By the way! Junior Sister Yun, I have been away from home for a few years, I wonder if anything has happened to Funiu Mountain?"

Hearing Song Qingming's inquiry, Yun Nishang pondered for a moment and replied with a calm expression: "Senior Brother Song, rest assured, nothing major has happened to Funiu Mountain.

It's just that I heard Senior Brother Fang mention once last year that Senior Sister Qingyu seemed to have been injured. I don't know if she has recovered now."

"Qingyu was injured?

I don't know what kind of injury she suffered, does Junior Sister Yun know clearly?"

Hearing the news that Song Qingyu was injured, Song Qingming's face changed instantly, and he asked anxiously.

Hearing this, Yun Nishang immediately shook her head at Song Qingming: "I also heard Senior Brother Fang mention it once; I don't know the specific situation of Senior Sister Qingyu's injury.

However, Senior Brother Song, rest assured, there are not many people in the sect discussing this matter, Senior Sister Qingyu's injury should be of no major consequence."

"Hmm! Many thanks to Junior Sister Yun for informing me of this matter.

Since there is nothing here, I won't stay long. Another day when Junior Sister returns to Guyang Mountain, I will visit."

Hearing Yun Nishang's explanation, Song Qingming nodded slightly. Feeling anxious in his heart, he very quickly cupped his hands to bid farewell to the other party and left the spot.

After seeing off Song Qingming, Yun Nishang turned to look at the battlefield below, shook her head with a headache, and didn't stay long on this side either, very quickly flashing into an escape light and disappearing into mid-air.

Tens of thousands of miles away from where the two left, located above an underwater cave dwelling deep in Taiyuehu.

At this time, the high sky above the lake was already covered with dark clouds, and whether it was fish, shrimp, or demon beasts in the lake, they had all left this water area early, making the surroundings reveal a very strange quietness.

And in mid-air high above the lake not far away, a somewhat hunched white-haired old man and a middle-aged woman were standing on the clouds, looking at the dark clouds rolling non-stop not far away.

"Fellow Daoist Tiebi, look, can he succeed this time?"

Hearing the inquiry from the woman beside him, the white-haired old man shook his head with a smile: "This old man is merely looking at the fact that we are both of the demon race, so I came over to protect the junior for a while.

As for whether he can succeed, I have no way to estimate.

It is you, Fellow Daoist, whose eyes are sharper than mine; have you seen any clues?"

"Hehe! Fellow Daoist Tiebi is too modest! Back then, when I was still ignorant in the lake and hadn't opened my spiritual wisdom, you had already successfully crossed the tribulation and transformed into human form. You have experienced many more things than I have; how could your vision be worse than this junior's?

Being of the same demon race, although I hope he can succeed, I don't know why, but in my heart, I still feel that it is somewhat difficult for him this time."

Hearing this, the white-haired old man was silent for a moment before sighing softly: "Since Fellow Daoist doesn't look favorably upon it, then it is indeed somewhat difficult.

However, this old man has lived for so long, and I have seen many strange things in this world. For this kind of matter, it is very difficult to draw a conclusion until the last moment.

Whether it succeeds or fails, let us wait and see next!"

After the white-haired old man finished speaking, a heaven-shaking vibration suddenly came from the sky in the distance, followed by a ray of lightning in the dark clouds that fell directly from mid-air with boundless momentum.

And at this time, the white-haired old man and the middle-aged woman also kept their eyes tightly fixed on the water where the lightning fell, where a huge monster fish was casting a spell and struggling to resist the lightning falling from high altitude. —— Wei Kingdom, "Qinghe County" at the foot of Funiu Mountain.

A woman in yellow was carefully picking melons and fruits on the ground in a vegetable garden at the foot of the mountain, occasionally revealing a few traces of joy from the harvest on her face.

Just as the yellow-clad woman was concentrating on picking vegetables, a golden escape light suddenly flew from the sky not far away, instantly attracting her attention.

Seeing this, the yellow-clad woman's spiritual light moved, and she put away the vegetable basket, then stepped on an escape light and arrived in the high sky.

"Husband, you are back!"

Seeing the familiar figure on the "Phantom Boat" not far away, a trace of joy instantly appeared on Huang Siyuan's face, and she hurriedly stepped forward to welcome him.

Seeing this, Song Qingming also smiled and pulled Huang Siyuan onto his flying boat.

"I haven't returned for many days, making you worry! Is Qingyu alright?"

"Husband, it's good that you are back safely. Qingyu is fine, she is on the mountain, and there is a guest at home. Quickly follow me back."

"Guest? Which Fellow Daoist has come?"

"Hmm! This is a surprise. Husband, don't ask for now. When you see her in a while, you will know."

Seeing the mysterious look Huang Siyuan was pretending to have, a trace of doubt instantly appeared on Song Qingming's face.

However, he didn't ask much and immediately took Huang Siyuan through the protective mountain formation. Before long, the two arrived together at the "Immortal Meeting Pavilion" on the mountaintop.

It's just that when Song Qingming walked up to the third floor and saw that "guest", the expectation on his face gradually became somewhat stiff. (End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 840 =====

But when Song Qingming walked up to the third floor and saw that "guest," the anticipation on his face gradually became somewhat stiff. (End of chapter)