Chapter 482 386 "Liuyan Qingyun Key Points"_2

Li Yuanjiao floated down lightly, sealing the foundation of the Pig Demon's lair and the black Serpent Jiao surged up, binding all the large and small demons together. Only then did he put away the Array Plate, and Yuan Chengdun gave a slight smile, ready to take his leave, but both of them suddenly closed their mouths.

Standing outside the Great Formation was a man who appeared to be in his thirties or forties, with a Cultivation Level in the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage, wearing a nondescript Taoist Robe, his skin a light tan, and his eyes slit like those of a Serpent Jiao, emitting bursts of brownish-red light, silently staring at the two men.

Li Yuanjiao and Yuan Chengdun instantly became alert. However, the Foundation Establishment Cultivator had already spoken, his voice hoarse:

"Members of the Li Family?"

Li Yuanjiao gave a slight bow, nodding as he said:

"May I know who you are?"

The man looked at Yuan Chengdun warily, his voice becoming much gentler, and said:

"An old friend from Shanyue... I am Fei Luoya. I wonder how Tongya... is doing at present?"

"So it's Senior Fei Luoya! This junior is Li Yuanjiao."

Li Yuanjiao then realized that this person was indeed a Foundation Establishment Cultivator left over from Witch Mountain, a neighbor of the Li Family, the Shanyue Foundation Establishment Fei Luoya.

Back when the Li Family became a vassal of the Eastern Shanyue, this man had just arrived. Uncle Li Tongya, aided by the support from two other families, upheld the name of Sword Immortal to deter the man, and later even traded Precious Medicine from him. There had been some dealings between them.

Having fought over another's territory for a while, it was no surprise that the Shanyue Foundation Establishment found them. Li Yuanjiao promptly apologized, and Fei Luoya waved his hand dismissively, speaking in a low voice:

"And this is...?"

"Yuan Family of Mushroom Forest Plain, Yuan Chengdun."

Yuan Chengdun nodded slightly, firmly saying:

"I am fulfilling the orders of my family elders, assisting the Li Family in demon hunting..."

Fei Luoya acknowledged this and showed a look of realization, his hoarse voice continuing:

"Just happened to run into the Taoist Fellow, I do have a matter or two to discuss."

Yuan Chengdun, catching on, clasped his fists in response:

"With this matter concluded, Chengdun will take his leave."

Li Yuanjiao, bearing the Dharma Mirror and familiar with the temperament of this Shanyue man, felt no fear and let him go straightforwardly, while Fei Luoya merely said:

"Tongya Taoist Fellow, you vanquished Maha with your sword, a deed of great renown. Although I dwell in this impoverished and humble land, I too have heard of it. May I inquire...?"

Li Yuanjiao had already evaded the question once, but seeing the man persistently returning to the topic, he responded:

"The elder has entered seclusion."

Fei Luoya raised an eyebrow, those frightfully odd eyes, a result of practicing a particular Cultivation Technique, stared at Li Yuanjiao as he let out a strange laugh:

"After all, having vanquished Maha, Taoist Fellow Tongya must have not escaped unscathed..."

Li Yuanjiao narrowed his eyes slightly and before he could reply, Fei Luoya once again said:

"To provoke Maha so brazenly... must have been, surely... an assignment from... 'that person'..."

Li Yuanjiao, ever so keen, felt clarity strike his heart like lightning, immediately understanding:

'Uncle must have waved the banner of someone from Zifu's house that year!'

He then said with emotion:

"So it turns out that Senior had quite a deep friendship with my uncle! I have been disrespectful."

This gave Fei Luoya pause, and Li Yuanjiao continued:

"Although the higher-ups protect our family, some orders... cannot be disobeyed..."

Fei Luoya, who had done many dirty and tiring jobs under Duanmu Kui, naturally empathized deeply. He had a rather positive impression of Li Tongya and allowed Li Yuanjiao to build rapport. Fei Luoya answered:

"I am not sure when Li Tongya will exit his seclusion. I have a business deal I wish to conduct with him."

Li Yuanjiao said:

"Senior, please speak."

"It's about killing someone."

Fei Luoya paused for a moment, his voice growing heavy:

"I have a sect brother named Fudaimu, with a Cultivation Level at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage, located to the south of me. We've always had a poor relationship."

"Recently I heard that his dao companion is in seclusion, attempting a breakthrough to Foundation Establishment, and I can't shake the feeling that disaster looms. In all likelihood, he will come after me."

Fei Luoya shook his head and continued:

"Since he might kill me, why not find someone to kill him first? I've already sought another sect brother's help, but it's still insufficient. I was thinking of asking for Taoist Fellow Tongya's assistance, which would surely bring success."

Li Yuanjiao had no desire to inadvertently get involved in Foundation Establishment strife and shook his head gently. Fei Luoya, however, with his red eyes, gestured:

"If Taoist Fellow Tongya does not take action, I'll have to abandon this place. Having a Foundation Establishment Late Stage Shanyue Witch Cultivator lurking around your esteemed family will hardly make for easy days ahead."

Li Yuanjiao raised an eyebrow at the man, who seemed somewhat lax in his demeanor, slowly adding:

"Fudaimu owns a Magic Artifact known as Human Head Mountain, in need of Qi and blood for its sacrificial refinement."

Li Yuanjiao exhaled softly, inquiring:

"Do you, sirs, the great witches, still have contacts within the Green Pond Sect? I fear Fudaimu has backers."

Fei Luoya's hoarse voice replied:

"How would a destitute Cultivator like me know of such matters? Your noble family has deep connections; naturally, it would be up to the Li Family to handle this affair."

Seeing Li Yuanjiao remain silent, Fei Luoya's expression grew serious:

"I came here with no intention of provocation, only hoping that your noble family will prepare early... I, Fei Luoya, simply do not want to leave my ancestral land and cannot swallow this grievance. Your family cannot afford to move!"

The Shanyue Cultivator paused for a moment, then spoke softly:

"I suppose Taoist Fellow also understands how the world works; without Zifu's protection, even those at Foundation Establishment are mere pawns... Fei Luoya is truly tired of this never-ending turmoil, the darkness without a glimmer of light, and the days where even leaving the Mountain Gate is a dare. I ask of Taoist Fellow, please speak kindly of me before 'that person'. If in the future we could work together, it would truly be a splendid thing."

Fei Luoya dropped these words, gave a light salute and took his leave, leaving Li Yuanjiao looking down in silence, inwardly smiling bitterly:

'Not just you alone, my family too has grown tired of being pawns! We too wish for the protection of our own Zifu!'

...

Heaven and earth within the Dharma Mirror.

Jade Slips had piled up like small mountains on Lu Jiangxian's desk, and the stone stool was equally heaped, even the floor under his white robe was covered with all sorts of Jade Slips. Tossed and turned, there was no place to set foot.