Chapter 503 397 Breakthrough (Thanks to Chief Loughshinny)

Li Yuanjiao had waited only for a moment before Li Xijun arrived, riding on the wind. During this period, he solidified his cultivation level, because he had to make frequent public appearances and was not hurrying to make a breakthrough. He was still at the Fifth Layer of Qi Training, focusing mainly on practicing swordsmanship and spells.

"Uncle… mourn with restraint."

Upon seeing Li Yuanjiao, Li Xijun knelt down and offered a few words of consolation. Li Yuanjiao nodded and said with a heavy voice,

"You let Kongheng go!"

Li Xijun took a deep breath and replied respectfully,

"I am confident... Kongheng practices ancient Buddhist Practitioner techniques... His power is weak, and though he is courteously called a Mage, his strength barely reaches the initial stages of Qi Training, let alone the brightness of his heart…"

However, Li Yuanjiao could not bear to listen and slightly angered, his Green Ruler Sword still sheathed, he struck Li Xijun on the back with a blow that made him stagger. Li Yuanjiao accusingly said,

"How could you gamble on this!"

Li Xijun knelt and said,

"Please trust me, uncle, Kongheng is righteous. Xijun will not misjudge. He has been protecting the people and healing the sick at the foot of the mountain for many years, waiting for this opportunity..."

Li Yuanjiao's brows furrowed as he replied coldly,

"Kongheng's opportunity has nothing to do with me! Whether he lives or dies is of no relation to my family! Why should my family take such risks?"

"I care not how many years he has waited for this opportunity; all Buddhist Practitioners are nothing but life-consuming parasites! If you have a good personal relationship with him and wish to help, that's your business, but I'm not willing!"

After hearing this, Li Xijun lifted his head and answered,

"If Kongheng can make a breakthrough, he will be a Buddhist Practitioner Mage. Among those of Foundation Establishment, he will be very powerful... Receiving such great favor... he will add to our family's strength..."

"I understand the hatred in your heart, uncle, but within all the states, Buddhist Practitioners already make up six out of ten. Our family has already offended the Furious Toaist Lineage, so we cannot move northward. Do we really wish to provoke Liaohe Temple as well..."

Li Yuanjiao scolded,

"That's because your aunt is making a breakthrough to Foundation Establishment!"

Li Xijun knelt down, his voice low,

"Uncle! Aunt's breakthrough to Foundation Establishment will surely be without incident! No matter who wants to use, consume, or pull at the strings of fate…"

He raised his head and declared somberly,

"At the very least, one needs to reach Foundation Establishment to be worthy of being harmed! If Kongheng were not possessed by a Maha, how could he have escaped the eyes of the Yuan Family and Senior Wushao? If he is a Maha, he would have to wait for aunt's breakthrough before consuming life, and certainly, it must be something agreed upon with all the major Zifus. Our family can't avoid it!"

"If he intends harm, what difference does it make at Wangyue Lake or Heavenly Thunder Peak!"

Li Yuanjiao squinted at him and said coldly,

"And how do you know how much difference there is!"

Li Yuanjiao then seized Li Xijun, sealed his cultivation level, and riding the wind, landed in the ancestral hall. He pushed open the heavy doors with a creak and threw Li Xijun into the Central Hall, saying solemnly,

"Kneel here! Wait until I capture Kongheng and bring him back!"

Li Xijun bowed his head in agreement, as Li Yuanjiao turned and left, soaring on the wind out of the mountain. Li Ximing, realizing too late, hurriedly chased from the courtyard, hoping to persuade Li Yuanjiao but was stopped by Xiao Guiluan.

"Madam! There's been no disturbance on Heavenly Thunder Peak, so why this great anger!"

Li Ximing offered a word of persuasion, but Xiao Guiluan could only shake her head helplessly and said softly,

"Go back... Go back and watch... as they put on a play for Kongheng; you stay out of it."

"Ah!"

Li Ximing was stunned, uttering a couple of puzzled noises before he understood and returned on the wind.

Xiao Guiluan, on her part, had persuaded Li Ximing to go back and now returned to the peak herself, picking up Li Yuexiang who had come to greet her, contemplating in her heart,

"My husband still despises Buddhist Practitioners..."

...

In the Central Hall of Lijing Town.

At the foot of the steps of the Central Hall, an old man with white hair and a beard knelt down, his Cultivation Level at the Ninth Layer of Qi Training. He was very solemn as he knelt and said with grave respect,

"Reporting to the Family Head, I am grateful for all the conveniences you have provided for my daughter and me over the years. The Meng Family is thankful, and now as I grow old and confused, I fear that I can no longer forge magic artifacts for the nobility. Hence, I am willing to offer my inherited skills!"

"Offer your inheritance?"

Li Yuanping looked at the old man in front of him and frowned,

"Old Meng is jesting. My family has no intention of coveting your inheritance."

Meng Taizhi lowered his eyes and replied,

"I reckon I don't have many years left and plan to enter seclusion to attempt Foundation Establishment. It's a desperate effort before death, a final gamble. I only desire to find a way of survival for my daughter... I am willing to trade my inheritance for protection and seek shelter."

Li Yuanping was unclear about his intentions and shook his head slightly, but Meng Taizhi went on to say,

"The inheritance I possess comes from the [East Sea Forging Gate], and it is no ordinary thing. The Family Head can listen to what I have to say..."

The old man knelt on the ground, earnestly saying,

"My inheritance from the [Forging Gate] has been severed from its Toaist Lineage for a thousand years, with all enmities dissolved. It is clean of any karmic debts, and the Family Head can confidently utilize it."

"Moreover, within this path are nine refinements and six forgings, unlike ordinary Forging Techniques. As long as one possesses the talent for this path and practices diligently, the achievements will be substantial. Not to mention forging Foundation Establishment Magical Instruments, at least it will assure one's Qi training."

"Oh?"

Li Yuanping quietly watched him before asking,

"What does the elder want? Is it a marriage proposal for your daughter?"

Meng Taizhi bowed once more, his voice low,

"I wouldn't dare... My daughter indeed had an arranged marriage, betrothed to a distinguished young man from the East Sea, later killed by another, and she was also hurt by Kuiguang, depriving her lineage…"

Li Yuanping nodded, his expression slightly more relaxed, as Meng Taizhi continued,

"I ask for two things: first, to allow my daughter to learn some skills of Alchemy Dao from your son, so she can sustain herself and not be bullied by others."

"Secondly, after my death, I hope the nobility can provide her some protection for a few years until she has gained strength. She will not trouble the nobility long, intending to leave and make her own way once she is capable."