novelraw Chapter 281 258 Northern Changes
Chapter 281 258 Northern Changes
Li Tongya watched as Shamo Li respectfully took his leave after which he pinched the jade slip and read it for a while. Soon, footsteps approached and Li Xuanxuan hurried into the courtyard, saying respectfully,
"Uncle Zhong, you were looking for me?"
"Mhm."
Li Tongya responded, setting down the jade slip in his hand as he asked,
"I asked you to inquire about the demon cultivators at the Foundation Establishment level nearby, how goes the investigation?"
After resolving the issue with the An Family, Li Tongya thought about finding a few talisman qi for the younger generation before retreating again for cultivation.
He had also ventured into the mountains to ask that fox in the past, but Da Li Mountain was a Demon Cave's territory. Even beginner Foundation Establishment level demons had made a name for themselves within the Demon Cave, having late stage or even peak Foundation Establishment level demons as their backers. If it were disciples from the Three Sects and Seven Doors, it would be fine; the Li Family was only a noble family. Should they kill a demon here, trouble might very well arrive overnight. Worse still, some were descendants of Zifu, requiring even ordinary Immortal Sect disciples to treat them with great courtesy.
Having no other choice, Li Tongya let Li Xuanxuan send people out to inquire. It had been some time since then, so he summoned him to see if there were any opportunities within the Tang Jin Sect to the north or the Jin Yu Sect to the west, now that Da Li Mountain south of Wangyue Lake and Li Xia County to the east were no longer options.
After Li Tongya finished querying, he saw Li Xuanxuan respond with hands clasped,
"Nephew has some gains. To the east of Wangyue Lake is the territory of Jin Yu Sect, separated by a small stretch of wilderness and several minor families; I haven't heard of any demon creatures there. To the west is too distant, I'm afraid it's not practical."
"As for the territory of the Tang Jin Sect to the north..."
Li Xuanxuan paused then lowered his voice,
"The Tang Jin Sect's territory is currently in great chaos. Not only are demons rampaging, but the noble families are also annexing each other, causing untold suffering among living beings. There should be catchable Foundation Establishment demons. Nephew has already dispatched more people to investigate further."
"Oh?"
When Li Tongya heard this, he became more interested in the situation of the Tang Jin Sect and asked,
"Have you found out the cause?"
Li Xuanxuan nodded and replied,
"The last Zifu Elder of the Tang Jin Sect passed away more than a decade ago, greatly weakening the sect's vital energy. They had no choice but to rely on the Green Pond Sect and managed to keep the peace for a few years. Somehow, the last Zifu Monk vanished without a trace. Mysteriously, many Foundation Establishment cultivators disappeared from within the sect, and they could no longer suppress their own families and demons. The situation worsened especially after Chi Wei's death; there are even rumors of devil cultivators lurking."
Li Tongya fell silent, pondering for a moment before asking again,
"How have the other sects responded?"
Li Xuanxuan shook his head, answering,
"Our information is not very timely, but we only know that Green Pond Sect acts as if it hasn't heard, not even sending a single person... As for the other sects, we don't know much."
Li Tongya picked up his tea cup, speaking softly,
"Judging from the state of Tang Jin Sect, the other sects likely haven't taken any aggressive actions either. It seems the Zifu cultivator of Tang Jin Sect should be alive. Tang Jin Sect is located in Xu Country, and I once heard at an elder named Xiao Chuting's Zifu assembly that Buddhism has spread throughout Xu, involving struggles among many powerful beings. Perhaps Tang Jin Sect was just caught up in this."
Li Xuanxuan assented with a comment, sighing,
"With no one in the sect, information is blocked. As we get older, we must wait for the younger generation to try..."
While Li Xuanxuan wasn't too averse to sending disciples into Green Pond Sect, Li Tongya still felt somewhat unsettled, although sending a disciple to Green Pond had many benefits for the family, it was a necessary move. Reluctantly accepting it, Li Tongya changed the subject unhappily, looking towards Li Xuanxuan, and instructed,
"Continue the investigation; when necessary, you may write a letter to the Fei Clan. Fei Wangbai is on the North Shore, close to Tang Jin Sect, and was once a vassal family to them. Perhaps there is news."
"Yes!"
Li Xuanxuan complied as two firm knocks sounded at the door, and Li Xuanfeng entered briskly with the Golden Bow on his back, saying with a fist salute,
"Second Uncle, Liu Changdie has arrived at Huaqian Mountain to set up the formation, spending fifty-eight spirit stones."
Seeing Li Tongya's puzzled expression, Li Xuanfeng continued,
"I had discussed this with Brother Xuanxuan before. Liu Changdie has a deep understanding of formations. If we can bring him to our clan, that would be ideal. I explored the idea with him, and Liu Changdie wishes to become a guest elder of our family, willing to exchange his service of setting up the formation for the opportunity to learn one of our Pupil Techniques..."
Li Tongya pressed his hand against the desk and pondered for a moment, his face showing hesitation. He didn't blame the two younger members for taking the initiative, offering them a way out instead, he replied,
"Liu Changdie has many secrets... It's unclear whether they are good or bad, but this man's knowledge in the formation path is indeed not bad, and we still need him to set up the great formation."
Li Xuanfeng paused slightly and answered,
"It should not be a problem as long as he just holds a title..."
Li Tongya was naturally cautious and was not willing to take the risk. He opened his mouth to reveal the secretive information, shaking his head and saying,
"No harm, as long as he takes the Xuanjing Spirit Oath not to divulge our techniques, he may borrow and study our Pupil Technique. As for the matter of becoming a guest elder... I have spoken with Xiao Yongling about him before, and after hearing many things from him, it seems this man has the ability to divine and often takes advantage of opportunities before others do, having a good understanding of many opportunities. I fear he's not simple."
"With so many secrets, even the elder ancestor Chuting is secretly paying attention to him; it's just that he believes he has been discreet enough to avoid detection. But back then, he was merely a minor cultivator in the Fetal Breathing stage. With such outstanding talent, in addition to his innate gift for setting up formations and his experiences wandering the lands, how could Xiao Chuting, with his deep and careful thoughts, fail to notice him?"
"Liu Changdie is involved in many strange things and is likely to bring disaster. Now is not the time to accept him into the family."
Hearing that this person was so dangerous and that even the Zifu Monks from the Xiao clan were paying attention to Liu Changdie, the two juniors felt regretful. Li Xuanxuan gasped for a moment, and Li Xuanfeng raised his eyebrows. Li Xuanxuan then let out a long sigh,
"Thank goodness for Uncle's guidance; we acted rashly and almost caused trouble!"
"Not to the point of causing trouble…"
Li Tongya waved his hand, and Li Xuanfeng felt a bit embarrassed as he replied,
"It's just that I have already agreed to him, and I am unsure how to properly refuse."
Li Xuanfeng had no experience in managing family affairs and was not as smooth as Li Xuanxuan; feeling somewhat awkward about directly refusing someone he was somewhat acquainted with. Li Tongya smiled and shook his head, answering,
"Take the Pupil Technique to him, speak with him generously and politely, and let him cultivate! Regarding the guest elder matter, say that I am in closed-door cultivation and cannot give a response at this time. You take the initiative to let him cultivate the Pupil Technique first. He will be too grateful to feel any dissatisfaction, wouldn't he?"
Li Xuanfeng quickly agreed, and Li Xuanxuan also nodded, stroking his beard and laughing,
"Everyone praises Uncle for being steady and reserved, yet they fail to see the Nine Orifices Exquisite Heart beneath that restraint—a genius who can act with both caution and decisiveness."
Li Tongya clicked his tongue, waved his hand, and scolded with a laugh,
"Don't flatter me here, it's embarrassing. Go and attend to your duties!"
The two brothers both laughed heartily and respectfully took their leave.
————
"The last formation point is set!"
With the traces left by the previously locked Huaqian Formation still present, the construction of the great formation on Huaqian Mountain proceeded swiftly. If it hadn't been for the death of Wan Tianchou, an orphan from the Wan Family, in Li Xia County, the progress would have been even faster.
Liu Changdie directed a group of Fetal Breathing Cultivators in inscribing the array, appearing quite self-satisfied. Anticipating the imminent acquisition of the "Spirit Eye Clear Pupil" technique, he knew his formation cultivation would surely reach a new level. Feeling delighted, he couldn't help but sigh to himself,
"This is what life should be like! In my previous life, I had to hide and wander, and though I acquired cultivation techniques, I missed the window for Fetal Breathing and ended up cultivating with impure Qi. I was lost and died with lingering regrets. What kind of life was that!"
Now, relying on the techniques memorized from his previous life and the experience gained from past cultivation, he had significantly improved his innate talent. Although he couldn't acquire any grand fortunes, he was able to quickly advance his cultivation by drawing arrays for others in exchange for provisions. He was sincerely pleased with his rapid progress.