Chapter 486 388: Meng Family Father and Daughter

Wangyue Lake and Green Pond Mountain are tens of thousands of miles apart. Even if a Qi Cultivator were to fly day and night without stopping, it would take two days and two nights, and that's without considering the time needed for meditation and adjusting one's qi. A single trip would take six or seven days, so a round trip amounts to half a month.

Moreover, the territory of the Green Pond Sect was not very peaceful, with many large mountains requiring detours. The family letter from Li Yuanjiao had been entrusted to the Yuan Family for delivery, and by the time a reply was received, more than a month had passed.

The Yuan Family held the Li Family in high regard. With Yuan Huyuan in closed-door cultivation, the one who brought over the letter was his eldest son. He respectfully delivered the letter, exchanged a few pleasantries with appropriate composure, and then said his goodbyes with a bow.

'...written by hand on the evening of the twenty-eighth day of spring... Congratulations to Father on the breakthrough to Foundation Establishment... Is the family aware of Eastern Fire Cave Heaven? If objects from Eastern Fire Cave Heaven are obtained, they can be used by those below Foundation Establishment. Zifu spirit medicines, secret techniques, and cultivation methods must be sent to Green Pond without delay...'

'The child has reaped benefits in Eastern Fire and yesterday's cultivation level has reached the Fourth Layer of Qi Cultivation. My younger brother Ming is young. I hope Father will be less strict with him... In Eastern Fire Cave Heaven, I have obtained several pill scripts, which are attached to this letter. The family can profit from these, but they must not be leaked outside...'

'As for the Cold Pine Dew Snow Technique of Jun'er, I have entrusted people of the Yang Family to inquire. It seems that there is no lineage of such Zifu Technique in Yue Country, only some news far in the northwest of Wu Country. Please practice with an open heart and without worry.'

After reading the letter, Li Yuanjiao let out a long breath and appeared somewhat pleased:

"I haven't even had time to inquire about Xijun's matter, and Zhi'er has already found out. With this information, Jun'er can cultivate boldly."

A small bead was attached to the end of the letter, storing several pill scripts, lustrously translucent and quite attractive. Li Yuanjiao pondered for a moment and mused to himself:

'Green Pond has quite the technique; these beads are much more convenient than a Jade Slip.'

Upon sending his Spiritual Sense into it, he found the Threefold Boundary-Breaking Pill and the second solution of the Life-Extending Elixir—both elixirs were extremely difficult to refine and were very valuable.

Li Yuanjiao put away the items and thought:

'First, let Ximing break through to Foundation Establishment, then study these two items... With the dense Spiritual Energy in Green Pond and Zhi'er's high talent, if he focuses on cultivation, he might even surpass Ming'er.'

With that, he leaped into the air and flew out from the Great Formation of Qingdu Peak, landing above the lake.

The weather was cold, and the deep azure lake was still dotted with fragments of ice. As he approached the surface of the lake, the waves surged violently, and the ice crashed loudly as it was jostled about.

A serpent's head as large as a carriage rose from the water, with Demonic Qi spiraling upwards and Spirit Light flickering. Li Wushao transformed his shape into that of a black-clad young man and approached with a fist clasped in salute.

"Wushao pays respects to Master!"

He lowered his head and bowed, his demeanor teeming with power as he respectfully said:

"As per Master's command, I have cleansed the shores of the Five Peaks, subdued three Qi-stage demon beasts in the lake, twenty-five in Fetal Breathing, and collected twenty-six types of Spiritual Objects."

The demon beast then lightly clapped hands, his Mana reverberating:

"All of you, come forth!"

No sooner had the words been spoken than the deep azure water broke open, and three demon beasts flew out, awkwardly rising to stand like humans and hovering in the air on a demon wind.

Li Yuanjiao looked them over: two chubby green fish demons, one large and one smaller, at the Middle Stage and Early Stage of Qi Cultivation, respectively, and one black turtle at the Early Stage of Qi Cultivation, nervous and floating aimlessly in the air.

Li Yuanjiao waved casually, and the three demons gratefully descended. Li Wushao then bowed and said:

"I have also explored the nearby shores of the East Bank and found no Foundation Establishment demons. I have dispatched my subordinates to delve deeper into the lake in search."

"The Family Head mentioned some matters, and Wushao has already demarcated several areas of the lake where Spiritual Mechanism is particularly vibrant. I have sent those two green fish to search and bring back Spirit Fish fry that can attract Spiritual Energy for breeding..."

Li Wushao continued:

"On this end, I have also taken An Zhiyan around the bottom of the lake for a couple of laps. There are three Earth Veins which might hide ore veins, and I have sent a group of minor demons to dig and explore. There should be news before long."

"Good!"

Li Yuanjiao nodded in satisfaction.

Having subdued a Foundation Establishment demon beast and using Li Wushao as a mere muscle was a sheer waste of heaven's gifts. The Water Tribe naturally admired strength and were inclined to flock together. A Foundation Establishment Demon General possessed considerable influence around the lake. Before, they could only harvest Spiritual Objects from the lake, but now they could finally exploit it thoroughly.

'Breeding Spirit Fish, gathering Spiritual Objects, mining ore veins, probing for information... These Qi-stage and Fetal Breathing demons are unlike cultivators; they don't need to rely on the water avoidance art to traverse the lake bottom and are very efficient in their tasks.'

He let out a slight smile:

'Most importantly, I don't have to pay these demons a clan stipend!'

Seeing that Li Yuanjiao seemed to be in good spirits, Li Wushao secretly breathed a sigh of relief before speaking:

"However, these minor demons have become mine, yet they lack anything to protect themselves with. From time to time, Loose Cultivators pass over the lake and casually capture one or two…"

Li Yuanjiao nodded and instructed:

"Go to the Jade Courtyard Guards and collect some identity medallions. Bestow protective medallions to the demons of the Yujing Wheel and below, who should then organize into teams. The passing Loose Cultivators should show some face for our family and not trouble you."

"Yes!"

Li Wushao replied. Li Yuanjiao then asked:

"Since finding demon tracks in the lake is difficult, do you think there are any Foundation Establishment demons we can capture near the mouth of the Salty Lake in Xuan Yue heading into the sea?"

Having subdued Li Wushao, Li Yuanjiao's selection for the sacrificial offering for Ximing and Xijun was one Foundation Establishment demon short. He had sent Li Wushao to scout the lakebed for a while, but the demons in the lake were quite cunning and elusive. Li Yuanjiao had to turn his attention to the East Sea instead.

Li Wushao replied:

"From what I see, besides that Bishui Jiao, the rest near the mouth of the sea are all mediocre; Master, if you wish to subdue them, I'm afraid..."

Li Yuanjiao shook his head, and Li Wushao immediately understood, replying:

"With the Master in control of the Great Formation, the beasts of the lake are nothing significant... To kill or capture them is but a mere thought away."