Chapter 704 509: Bone Cutting and Blood Replacement

The newcomer was none other than Xiao Yuansi. His face was gentle, his cultivation level had already reached the peak, and simply standing there, a faint medicinal fragrance emanated from him. The cloud patterns on his cuffs were pale gold, his expression calm:

"No need to be so polite..."

Li Ximing had already sought him at the Xiao Family several times, all in vain. Later, the Xiao Family sealed their mountain and did not come out, making it even harder to meet Xiao Yuansi; now, feeling quite emotional, he asked several questions in a row.

"How is Master's cultivation presently? Are you preparing to break through to Zifu?!"

"Still lacking a bit of fire."

Xiao Yuansi responded warmly and gently, one by one. In this short period since his appearance, Li Xijun had already begun to guess, musing:

"It seems both Mu Mili and Ju Wu's coming down the mountain are stirred by the 'Old Man by the Stream.' That the Xiao Family came especially for this trip, they must have a motive."

For the Li Family, this journey was only to Witch Mountain; what else here could be worth the Xiao Family sending Chuting's envoy? The youth in white shook his sleeves and first gave thanks:

"Many thanks, Senior, for lending a helping hand."

Xiao Yuansi waved his hand lightly; as for whether the thanks was for capturing Mu Mili in passing, or for luring both the human and the demon out of the mountain—each knew in their hearts. Then Li Xijun smiled and said:

"This junior was just troubled, not knowing the depth and taboos of Witch Mountain, and now that you, Senior, pass by here, I hope you can give some guidance."

"Very well, let us go and have a look together."

Xiao Yuansi gave him a surprised glance, chuckled softly, and agreed with a gentle voice:

"To converse with Xijun is truly like bathing in a spring breeze."

Xiao Yuansi paused for a moment. The red light that Mu Mili had transformed into in his hand could no longer sustain itself, transmuting into a naked head connected to a small section of spinal vertebrae, its mouth opening in a plea for mercy.

Xiao Yuansi tapped a finger to its brow; Mu Mili instantly lost consciousness, hazy as if falling into a dream. With a sweep of Xiao Yuansi's sleeve, Mu Mili, like white snow under sunlight, melted away within his sleeve.

He cast a spell to collect this being, only then speaking with slight apology:

"Our Perfected Person has one or two matters to ask this Shanyue."

The conversation having reached this point, Li Ximing understood that Xiao Yuansi had come precisely for Witch Mountain. Together they rode the wind over; seeing a slit-eyed monk flying in, golden light gathering in his hand into a bundle of chains, tightly binding a black panther-like demon.

Ju Wu had only fled a few li before Kongheng had been waiting not far ahead. The demon, having taken a minor wound, had no way of escaping from the Mage's grasp, and soon was captured and brought back.

"The Mage has arrived."

Li Ximing hurried over; Xiao Yuansi sized up Kongheng with a gentle voice:

"Bring this demon into the formation, perhaps it will be of use."

Kongheng glanced at Li Xijun and nodded slightly, then silently landed beside the group and replied:

"Kongheng greets the Senior."

Xiao Yuansi nodded, gazing at the pitch-black formation beneath his feet. Li Xijun dragged Ju Wu forward and said in a low voice:

"Open the Great Formation."

Ju Wu stiffened his neck, unable to spit out a word, putting on a fierce front but inwardly timid. Li Xijun looked him over, pointed at the nearby Xiao Yuansi and said softly:

"This is Senior Xiao of the Zifu Immortal Clan, true kin of the Perfected Person; even if Jiao Zhongzi comes back for vengeance, he will only end up in the hands of the Perfected Person. Do not fear."

Seeing the change on Ju Wu's face, he continued:

"Or is it that Jiao Zhongzi is secluded overseas, striving to break through to Zifu? Do you think he has the confidence to succeed?"

Ju Wu's expression shifted several times; Jiao Zhongzi had vanished countless years, and in truth, he did not know his whereabouts. Judging by the crowd, Mu Mili was likely doomed. The demon had deep feelings for Mu Mili; now with a friend slain, he grew mournful and stubbornly refused to speak.

When Li Xijun drew his sword and pressed it to his neck, cold as ice and bone-piercing, Ju Wu decisively opened his mouth and answered:

"To enter or leave this formation requires a Witch Talisman, which I have upon me. Loosen the binding a bit, I will fetch it for the Upper Immortal."

All present were cultivators, any one of whom could easily take his life. Li Xijun did not fear any tricks, and let Kongheng ease the banishment. The demon glanced across the assembled, then turned to the "Zifu Immortal Heir" standing with hands behind his back.

It opened its panther mouth and extended a blood-red tongue, spitting out a brown Witch Talisman. With a summon toward the inky Great Formation, the mist and light vanished instantly, revealing a lofty mountain within the formation.

Li Xijun nodded slightly; though the group could break through the formation on their own, this detour preserved a rare Witch Formation, obviating the need to construct a new Great Formation to protect the mountain in future.

As soon as the group neared this mountain, the wind of sorcery dissipated, as if falling into quicksilver. Ju Wu had fully opened the formation in one night. His mindset changed abruptly, and he hurriedly said:

"Witch Mountain once housed a supreme treasure. Through countless years, mulberry trees have spread all about; spirit mechanism is heavy and turbid, and any immortal technique performed here suffers a sudden decline of clarity—aeriel arts suffer most of all."

"Is it the 'Reply Under the Mulberry' then!"

Xiao Yuansi frowned slightly. He possessed a flying shuttle artifact and was not truly incapable of flying here. But for the sake of the group, he said gently:

"Let us ascend from the mountain foot and have a look."

The group descended to the foot of the mountain; sure enough, everywhere grew mulberry and locust trees, dark as ink. The mountain steps were of white jade, with springs gushing and azure flows tumbling down, glittering everywhere. Many jade stones, weathered through ages, shone dimly, exuding an ancient hue.

Li Ximing voiced praise, and the group climbed the steps. Upon reaching the platform, Li Xijun cradled his sword; a sweep of spiritual sense revealed beneath the terrace, sprawled all about, were creatures shaped like swine.

These pig-monsters had limp limbs, muddled eyes devoid of light, seemingly without consciousness. Around their necks hung jade collars reinforced with formation patterns, radiating brilliance; their bodies bare, painted with all manner of markings.

Their cultivation levels varied: the lowest at Fetal Breathing Peak, the highest reaching Qi Cultivation Late Stage. Yet all lay senseless on the ground, foolish and vacant.