Chapter 487 388: Meng Family Father and Daughter_2

Li Yuanjiao nodded.

"Since that's the case, let's hurry up and catch a demon beast before Kong Tingyun arrives."

...

While Li Yuanjiao was heading east with Li Wushao riding the winds, Li Qinghong went to the Mushroom Forest Plain for seclusion, leaving Qingdu Mountain rather empty. Li Ximing was practicing every day in the courtyard, with only Li Xijun guarding the mountain.

The cold had not yet dissipated on this day, and Qingdu Peak was no small hill, topped with some snow. Li Xijun was practicing the "Cold Pine Dew Snow Technique" and had made a breakthrough in the Second Layer of Qi Cultivation using the heavy snow from the previous months.

He had just come out of seclusion, and having not touched a sword for a long time, he suddenly felt the urge to spar. He roamed the mountain searching for someone, and eventually dragged Li Wen from within the Qingdu Cave Mansion to fight.

Even though Li Wen had reached the Third Layer of Qi Cultivation, he was no match for Li Xijun in combat. Li Wen's two Golden Melon Hammers were particularly cumbersome, and Li Xijun's swordsmanship took a more agile approach, resulting in Li Wen consistently being defeated.

Clad in white, Li Xijun wielded his sword, parrying away Li Wen's dual Golden Melon Hammers and thrusting his sword once more into Li Wen's chest, achieving three victories in three bouts and giving the stout man a good thrashing.

The stout man grumbled a complaint, unable to produce any flattering words. He simply tossed his hammers to the ground, sat down, and said,

"Young master is mighty."

Li Xijun, who had just broken through to the Second Layer of Qi Cultivation, had eyes that sparkled. He spoke warmly,

"Brother Wen, your cultivation level is quite remarkable.Compared to the branch families, you're the only standout. I hope you'll continue to diligently cultivate and not fall behind."

There weren't many cultivators from the Li family, aside from Li Xuanxuan, Li Xihong from down the mountain, Li Xijun who was present, and Li Ximing in the Pill Room, the most trusted was Li Wen.

Li Wen cultivated the expedient "Knocking Court Guardian Technique." Not yet thirty, he had already reached Qi Cultivation, and after that was supposed to slow down considerably. But with a pure mind and earnest pursuit of the Dao, he had attained the Third Layer of Qi Cultivation which was not worse than several cultivators outside of the Li and Chen families.

Li Xijun was very fond of this honest and loyal man at heart, often seeking him out to practice combat skills. Li Wen did not disappoint, making rapid progress over the past two years.

Li Wen nodded in understanding and responded with a hum,

"This subordinate understands."

Li Xijun smiled faintly, sheathing his longsword, and then he silently counted the days, thinking to himself,

'Ximing practices alchemy daily, yet his cultivation level hasn't fallen behind much. At twenty-three, he already has the Third Layer of Qi Cultivation. If I give him the White Talisman from the hook snake, maybe he could reach the Fifth Layer of Qi Training. Within seven years, if he could cultivate to the Eighth Layer of Qi, and with the Talisman Pill, our family might also have a genius who reaches Foundation Establishment by the age of thirty!'

With this thought, Li Xijun murmured,

"Perhaps I should ask Uncle Ping to lighten his burden a bit..."

While musing silently, Li Xijun walked about Qingdu Mountain for a while and then stopped in front of the Pill Pavilion. He paused at the door, listening to the intimate sounds coming from within, his expression lightly twisted.

"My lord..."

After quite a while, the lady inside retreated, and only then did Li Xijun step into the courtyard. Li Ximing, relaxed, was holding a Jade Slip with a satisfied look on his face.

"Brother Ming."

Li Xijun called out. Li Ximing saw Li Xijun enter, put down the Jade Slip, tightened his belt, and smiled,

"What brings you here today?"

Li Xijun, who was reserved by nature, frowned slightly, barely resisting the urge to admonish him, but seeing that Li Ximing was in a rare good mood, he did not want to disturb him and asked tactfully,

"Who was that woman?"

Li Ximing replied,

"Dou Clan, she's my concubine. It's hard for Qi Cultivators to bear children... In my spare time..."

Li Xijun exhaled, observing Li Ximing's nervous demeanor, and couldn't help but laugh, saying,

"You are so indulgent in such pleasures, I don't know who you take after."

Li Ximing gave an awkward smile and simply replied,

"Don't tease me."

Seeing Li Ximing's aura rise and his looks of progress, Li Xijun couldn't refrain from asking,

"How long until you break through to the Fourth Layer of Qi Cultivation?"

"A year or half a year at most,"

Li Ximing answered matter-of-factly.

Li Xijun sighed internally as he realized that Li Ximing had already surpassed the Third Layer of Qi Cultivation and the clan's Li Xizhi had even reached the Fourth Layer. He sighed,

"Such disparity in talent really makes one envious,"

Li Xizhi was five or six years older than the other two, so it was normal for him to have a higher cultivation level. Li Ximing, on the other hand, was a different story. They were close in age, yet Li Ximing spent his days practicing alchemy, occasionally reading some pill scriptures, and in his leisure time, he even invited several actors over to listen to music, leading a carefree and comfortable life.

Li Xijun, however, toiled day after day in Qi cultivation, honing his swordsmanship, and was still being overwhelmingly surpassed. As time went on, the gap between them only grew wider.

Fortunately, Li Xijun had a strong spirit. He exercised restraint in his conduct, always remaining indifferent. Although the two brothers had a big quarrel, Li Xijun felt apologetic and could not bring himself to anger; Li Ximing on the other hand, let loose to his satisfaction which was quite comfortable, and afterwards, there were no hard feelings between them.

Li Xijun sighed. Li Ximing, as if lost in thought, shook his head and said,

"Actually, whenever I engage in affairs of the inner chamber, I feel more and more progress. The radiant Yuan in my body becomes increasingly active, like a wildfire surging forth. Perhaps it is because of this, that I was able to break through the Third Layer of Qi Cultivation so quickly."

"Is that so?"

Li Xijun looked slightly startled, his gaze one of suspicion as he asked,

"Isn't that just your excuse for seeking pleasure?"

Li Ximing feigned anger, saying,

"What are you implying?"

The two laughed for a while. Suddenly, Li Xijun looked into the distance and saw two streaks of light approaching from the east, just as they neared the boundary they were intercepted by the Jade Courtyard Guards, suspended in the air for quite a while.

"I'll go take a look."

Li Xijun murmured, then rose into the air. Because of his different cultivation technique, the wind he rode was bone-chillingly cold. In this lingering chill of the weather, he moved swiftly, arriving where the Jade Courtyard Guards were within two breaths.

The guard from the Jade Courtyard was from the Chen Family, new to Qi cultivation. Upon seeing Li Xijun, he greeted him with a fist salute and said in a grave voice,

"Sir, these two claim to be sent by the Xiao Family, saying they're looking for the ancestor. They have a letter penned by the Xiao Family ancestor."

Li Xijun scanned the two visitors with his Spiritual Sense; one old, one young. The old man had a dignified face, thick eyebrows, and large eyes, with a cultivation level of the Ninth Layer of Qi. The girl had fair skin and was only at the Fetal Breathing stage, with an attractive appearance. She stood to the side and cast a glance at him.

Seeing the old man at the Ninth Layer of Qi, Li Xijun subtly kept his distance before asking,

"I am Li Xijun of the Li Family. May I know which senior from the Xiao Family sent you and what the matter is?"

The old man clasped his hands in response,

"I am Meng Taizhi, merely a Loose Cultivator. Many years ago, I cultivated near the Sword Sect and became acquainted with Elder Yuansi. My daughter is lacking a layer in her Qi; by his recommendation, we've come to the lake to find a place to stay and absorb nature's Spiritual Energy."

He then gestured towards the young woman beside him, who conducted herself with measured grace. She bowed slightly and said softly,

"I am Meng Zhuoyun; I greet my senior."

Li Xijun received the letter handed over by the Jade Courtyard Guard. He didn't rashly open it but used his mana to examine it. Recognizing the familiar format, he believed it somewhat and replied,

"Please wait; I will go and ask my elder."

He then pointed out a place in the town for them to stay and instructed the Jade Courtyard Guards to watch over them, before riding the wind towards Lijing Town.

Li Xijun was a cultivator from Qingdu Peak with a very high status in the clan. Passing through the Central Hall quickly, he saw his uncle Li Yuanping sitting at the top, with Li Xihong listening attentively by his side.

Upon hearing his report, Li Yuanping watched as Dou Yi, his attendant, already unfolded the letter and presented it.

"... The Meng father and daughter, owing a favor to our family, have come to cultivate, expected to stay for no more than twenty years. Without regard for my face, they may take up the position of Guest Elders, their arrangements to be made at will, and after twenty years their stay or departure is up to them..."

"Meng Taizhi is skilled in refining ores, and that young girl Zhuoyun has even studied under an overseas Pill Master, capable of showing their strengths under your family's jurisdiction..."

Li Yuanping examined it and saw indeed it was Xiao Yuansi's handwriting. He immediately said,

"Since it's Elder Yuansi's word, send someone to ask the Meng father and daughter what they need, and find a place for them."

Li Xihong nodded in acknowledgment, saying,

"I'll test their abilities first and then report back to the Family Head."

Li Yuanping nodded. Xiao Yuansi's intention was for an exchange of mutual benefit with the Li Family, and it was kindly meant. Although the Li Family didn't lack the addition of those two at the moment, it was a rare chance to repay Xiao Yuansi's favor, so they should agree.

He coughed twice and frowned, saying,

"Remember to have someone keep an eye on them."

Li Xihong agreed and said respectfully,

"The family's ritual has been prepared, just waiting for my second uncle and Elder Wushao to return."