Chapter 651 481: Cloud Squid

Li Qinghong paused slightly, and already one person soared on the wind, Daoist robe fluttering, clasped his hands together, and bowed:

"Subordinate pays respects to the honored one."

These years had been comfortable for Zong Yan, and just a dozen years with less oppression had changed him completely. His eyes were bright with spirit; though he still bore faint traces of his former servitude and misery as a minion of the Demon Clan, his back was now straight—almost human-like.

Li Qinghong had always been polite. She gave him a brief reply, listening as he fluently recited every expense and detail of the island's affairs from memory.

Zong Yan finished nervously. Naturally, the accounts were running at a loss. The small island had no resources; whatever the sea yielded always belonged to the Dragon Kind—no one dared touch it. How could they not run a deficit? But the white-robed female cultivator in front of him seemed not to be listening, instead surveying the island's scenery, making Zong Yan all the more uneasy.

Zong Yan's feelings toward the Li Family were complicated; apart from deep gratitude, he also harbored that boundless submission to the strong, common in East Sea customs, alongside a terror toward the Foundation Establishment cultivator who could with one rage level the island—and a nagging fear of being abandoned. All this left him trembling with anxiety.

Li Yuanjiao had stayed here long. Zong Yan knew Yuanjiao to be someone who disdained bullying and detested bloodshed, so he felt more at ease. Facing the somewhat unfamiliar Li Qinghong, however, Zong Yan dared not place a bet on her disposition.

Kongheng the monk had already arrived on the wind, landing among the mountains, as meek and calm-eyed as ever. Hands joined, he spoke softly:

"It has been many years, Taoist fellow. You have made progress."

This monk's features were already slight, and bowing his head made them all the less discernible. Li Qinghong answered offhandedly, her attention indeed not on Zong Yan at all, letting him continue with the losses of several hundred catty of spirit rice, down to the last decimal. She merely waved her hand, saying:

"Not bad. The population seems to be thriving."

Li Qinghong's first reaction upon arriving on this island was just as her elder brother's: with Spiritual Sense, she searched for any temple or idol, but seeing none on the island, she relaxed slightly in her heart.

Smoothing her hair, Li Qinghong—who had begun Qi Cultivation at an early age—now wore the appearance of just thirty. Somewhat less delicate, somewhat more dignified, she spoke softly:

"This time, I have come to first collect my elder brother's effects."

At these words, Kongheng was taken aback, closed his eyes, placed both hands to his chest, and murmured softly to himself.

Zong Yan started slightly, now understanding that the cold-faced, kind-hearted middle-aged man had already perished, and muttered a few words of mourning. Customs in the East Sea were quite different—he spoke no empty condolences, but directly led Li Qinghong to the cave mansion where Li Yuanjiao had secluded himself in cultivation.

Li Qinghong stepped within; the cave was spotless and orderly, the floor smooth and immaculate, void of all objects—no incense burner altar, no jade table or chair—only, at the very center, a single grey meditation cushion.

Li Qinghong remained silent. She could only take up the cushion. A sweep with her Spiritual Sense revealed it to be a very ordinary item for Qi Cultivation. She turned her hand and put it away. Just as she was about to speak, the Great Formation thundered to life.

She raised her brows, linking her Spiritual Sense to the formation, and saw standing outside the array a demon with a fish's head and human body, two fleshy wings growing from its back, squatting impatiently by the Great Formation.

"Hui Yao has come."

Li Qinghong glanced over, her apricot eyes shifting slightly. In her heart she thought,

"It seems the Sect Spring Island waters are crawling with his countless fish spawn. I only rode the wind across the sea—this demon received word so quickly."

She rose on the wind, and with a light wave of her sleeve, a gap opened in the formation. Hui Yao flapped his fleshy wings, riding the wind inside. At long last, this old demon had broken through Foundation Establishment, taken on a human form, yet still kept that fish head and enormous eyes.

Hui Yao's eyes bulged. Upon seeing Li Qinghong, his gaze swept over the Purple Lightning beneath her feet, and he was startled. His expression shifted, the fish head stretched and shrank, and in a moment became that of an old man.

The Hui lineage of the water tribe mostly cultivated the Mansion Water arts, and even in human form, their appearance was peculiar—two halves of the face held together, clearly showing their fish-like transformation.

Li Qinghong was shrouded in thunderbolts—she appeared more unyielding than Li Yuanjiao ever had. Hui Yao restrained himself and called out:

"Where is Li Yuanjiao?! He made a promise with me to battle our enemies together; why do I not see him now!"

Hui Yao had run to this island several times, but Zong Yan always claimed ignorance, and Kongheng, upon meeting him, merely bade him cease eating blood. Fearing the monk's manipulations, Hui Yao would say no more.

Finally seizing upon a member of the Li Family, Hui Yao hurried over. Upon questioning, Li Qinghong merely glanced at him and said softly:

"My elder brother was wounded at Qing Song Cave Heaven, so he returned to heal. Having slain a Perfected Person's disciple, he cannot come and go freely. For the past decade or so, I alone have guarded this place."

At first she meant to conceal her sect, but few cultivate Thunder Dharma, and the Foundation Establishment cultivators' Immortal Foundation, techniques, even their magic artifacts are all recognizable. Hui Yao by now too had guessed she was of the Noble Family Li, and relaxed his vigilance.

Hui Yao grunted twice. Not only had the Li Family gained a foothold in Qing Song Cave, but they had even slain a Perfected Person's disciple—this he had not expected. Half believing, half doubting, he pressed:

"Oh? Which Perfected Person, may I ask?"

This news had only begun circulating beyond the sea; among the Demon Race, it was still unknown. Counting the days, it would soon spread. Li Qinghong merely waved her hand:

"Your tribe's news is swift. In a month or so, you'll know it all."

Saying so, Hui Yao believed her a bit more. Mumbling, "So! So…" a couple times, he broke into a laugh:

"Indeed… Taoist fellow wields thunder—your participation will be of great benefit! Let that wretched Cloud Octopus… fall into the sea!"