Chapter 474 382: Return from the Visit

Li Yuanjiao rode the wind into Da Li Mountain, but a beam of Dharma Light approached from the south. Before it descended in front of Qingdu Mountain, someone intercepted it, forcing the visitor to a halt.

An Zhiyan surveyed the area for a while, cornering the person by the lakeside and barked out,

"Who goes there?"

An Zhiyan, with his Eighth Layer Qi Cultivation Level, was more than a match for the average Loose Cultivator, but the newcomer's high Cultivation Level left him quite wary.

The man had ordinary features but possessed a Qi Cultivating Peak Cultivation Level, and seemed to be no more than thirty years old. His clothing was quite expensive. Bowing slightly, he gathered his Mana and spoke respectfully,

"Liu Changdie from Lixia has come to visit, please..."

Before he could finish, a clear and pleasant voice unexpectedly rang in his ears,

"Changdie Taoist Fellow?"

Liu Changdie turned around, suddenly catching sight of a face brimming with heroic energy, bright almond-shaped eyes, jade armor, and a silver spear. Liu Changdie was taken aback for a moment, then hurriedly bowed in greeting,

"So it's Qinghong Taoist Fellow!"

Liu Changdie bowed his head, marveling to himself,

'She truly is a beauty... in my past life, I never had the chance to meet her, only hearing that she took her own life on Jade Court Mountain. With such presence and appearance, no wonder the Mage of Lotus Temple coveted her.'

Li Qinghong had been informed by her elders of this man's uniqueness. Seeing his complex expression, she found it unsurprising and, with a smile, said,

"Taoist Fellow, please follow me into the mountain!"

An Zhiyan then allowed him to pass, bowed, and silently stepped back.

Liu Changdie dutifully followed her into the mountain. In the grand hall atop the mountain, two people sat; one was old and frail, appearing weak and decrepit, while the other was of middle age, his complexion unnaturally pale.

Li Yuanping was discussing clan matters with his father, Li Xuanxuan. After nodding to Liu Changdie, Liu Changdie quickly bowed in response, thinking to himself with joy,

"Li Qinghong and Li Yuanping are alive; Yuanjiao won't end up a lonely man like in my past life, sitting alone on Wutu Mountain, often drinking by himself!"

Li Xuanxuan smiled and called him over for an intimate chat. In a low voice, he inquired,

"Do you know much about the 'Eastern Fire Cave Heaven'?"

Liu Changdie heaved sighs and replied,

"What a place to visit... After this, more Loose Cultivators from the East Sea will enter, but it is nothing more than unpaid labor for the Three Sects and Seven Doors!"

Liu Changdie had experienced two lifetimes, and it was only just before his death in the previous one that he saw through the true colors of the Three Sects and Seven Doors. Naturally, he had no intention of going to the Eastern Fire Cave Heaven.

"You see quite clearly!" Li Xuanxuan commended him before asking,

"Do you know if any of the Dongli Collection has leaked?"

Li Xuanxuan was most concerned about this; his family's "Golden Hall Bright Yuan Art" had deep ties with ancient Wei Country, and the Dongli Sect was a continuation of that lineage—he was naturally eager to ask.

Liu Changdie hadn't actually heard any news, but relying on memories from his past life, he replied gravely,

"The key 'Dongli Collection' was taken away by that Chu Yi. What's good or bad about it? Only some second and third-grade Outer Sect Cultivation Techniques from the Dongli Sect were scattered about, all from the Golden Sun lineage, benefitting the Loose Cultivators."

Li Xuanxuan felt a surge of joy and nodded,

"Good, good!"

His "Golden Hall Bright Yuan Art" had lacked a credible source, but now with the Golden Sun lineage's techniques scattered about, it more securely hid their "Huanyuan Border," making it much safer.

The Three Sects hadn't acquired the collection, so they likely didn't obtain Zifu Level Cultivation Techniques, which meant their Direct Lineage wouldn't practice them, let alone pose a threat to his own Foundation Establishment.

'Besides, in the future, I could collect techniques from this lineage to cross-reference and further my cultivation,' he thought.

Li Xuanxuan even pondered,

"Perhaps the Dharma Mirror might bestow Zifu Level advanced Cultivation Techniques in the future. Once I have Zifu levels in my family, these techniques from the same lineage will be even more useful!"

Li Xuanxuan was thinking far ahead, feeling absolutely delighted.

...

Li Yuanjiao, flying through the land of Da Li Mountain and navigating past many mountains, saw the white expanse of a banyan tree beneath him. He landed among the branches and stowed away his "Mysterious Pattern Bottle."

All around him was a stretch of soft grass, without a hint of demonic presence, with the golden sunlight casting a warm glow on the treetops.

His narrow eyes slightly squinted, he scanned the impeccably clean slope, devoid of a single fallen leaf, aware that the fox had hidden itself. He respectfully cupped his hands and called out,

"Li Clan descendant Yuanjiao seeks an audience with the elder; please honor me with your presence!"

After waiting at the spot for a while, a faint pink demonic wind stirred, and a fox, half the height of a man, appeared not too far away, eyeing Li Yuanjiao warily.

The fox, now much smaller in size and at the Ninth Layer of Qi Cultivation, had pitch-black eyes that stared straight at Li Yuanjiao.

Li Yuanjiao once again bowed respectfully, saying,

"Congratulations to the elder on your significant cultivation progress."

The fox ducked its head and responded distantly,

"Of course, nothing compared to you. To establish a foundation in just a few decades... such a feat must be exceptional among the human race."

After a few modest exchanges, recognizing the fox's high vigilance, Li Yuanjiao set down a bag of Spirit Rice, softening his tone,

"I come here today with a question for the elder."

"I've managed to capture a hook snake; firstly, I'm not certain if I can control this demon for my family's use, and secondly, I've heard that the hook snake is a sea demon. I wonder if it has any background?"

The fox scrutinized him for a moment, then replied,

"Controlling a spirit beast is a secret technique of the Demon Cave and requires seeking the personal aid of the Demon King. You should abandon such plans..."

"As for the hook snake, they have an ancient lineage. To speak of their background would involve recounting tales from the Ancient Times, where they were quite renowned. It's merely a story now."

"In Ancient Times, this clan had a Demon Palace in the East Sea and practiced Feathered Serpent arts independently, not heeding the control of the Flood Dragons. Eventually, they were annihilated by a Chi of the Heshui... Their scattered remnants roamed the seas, so naturally, they're without any background now."