Chapter 504 397 Breakthrough (Thanks to Chief Loughshinny)_2

Li Yuanping fixed his gaze upon the man and inquired,

"Old man, coming all the way from the East Sea, could it be that you have courted disaster…"

Meng Taizhi shook his head and said quite frankly:

"I might as well be upfront with the Family Head; my family were but loose cultivators of the East Sea. Later, we were destroyed by devil cultivators. We only had some connections with the Xiao Family from our ancestors, and we sought refuge along the way to their place… Along the journey, only my daughter and I survived. Even my son-in-law perished on the road…"

"I see."

Li Yuanping replied in an indifferent tone and asked,

"However, I have specifically inquired, and there has been no mention of a Meng family among the artifact-refining clans in the East Sea recently, nor have there been many refiner masters leaving the East Sea."

Meng Taizhi shook his head with a bitter smile and answered:

"My family was originally guest elders of a small sect named Yuanting Island. After it was annihilated by the devil cultivators, we were left wandering. The Family Head can follow that lead and investigate; the Xiao Family is also aware of it."

Li Yuanping nodded, then further inquired,

"Then why didn't you bestow this artifact path heritage to the Xiao Family? With the protection of the Zifu Immortal Clan, wouldn't that be better? My family is merely among the noble families, how can we compare?"

Meng Taizhi shook his head, looking helpless, and with a bitter smile, he said:

"Naturally, I already did that, which is why I had the opportunity to come to the lake. Otherwise, what would a few hundred years old acquaintance count for? We wouldn't even be able to step over the threshold of an immortal clan."

Li Yuanping stared at him for a moment and then nodded, saying,

"Since you have bestowed the heritage, send your daughter to the mountain then. I will contact the Xiao Family myself."

"Thank you! Thank you, Family Head!"

Meng Taizhi suddenly breathed a sigh of relief, smilingly thanked him, and quickly retreated. Li Yuanping gestured to Li Xihong, who was nearby, and instructed,

"Ask Ximing to write a letter to Senior Yuansi, to confirm whether this matter is true. If it is, then we shall take the heritage."

Li Xihong glanced at his expression, somewhat hesitantly, and reminded,

"But my brother Ximing… is easily swayed by beauty… If he develops a relationship with this Miss Meng… Should there be any hidden grievances she concealed, and someone comes seeking trouble later…"

"It's alright, first we need to confirm things with Senior Yuansi."

Li Yuanping explained,

"As long as there's nothing amiss with his explanation, this man will leave after a few years, and it will be of no consequence."

"Meng Zhuoyun is certainly not going to be an issue."

Li Xihong hesitated,

"But I fear that when the time comes, Ximing might not want to let her go, wanting to keep her…"

Li Yuanping gave a cold laugh, stating bluntly,

"What feelings can that foolish boy have? He is utterly heartless. He's frequented the company of several women at the Xiao Family, perhaps fathering children, have you seen him ever asking after their well-being? With numerous concubines, has he ever spoken a word for any of them?"

He shook his head, dispirited,

"That child's priority lies in his own dao; women are merely a pastime, all else must make way before his pursuit of the dao... I've understood this fully after raising him for so many years," he remarked, with the certitude of a father.

Li Yuanping coughed twice, bent over with some distress. Li Xihong quickly went to support him, sending some True Yuan into him. After resting for a while, Li Yuanping gradually recovered.

He indifferently said,

"Let it be, the Meng family can have no descendants anyway. Whether they form a close relationship or merely a frivolous one, let him amuse himself. When the time comes, we will simply have her leave."

Li Yuanping maintained a calm complexion, stating with the assurance of a father,

"He is more heartless than anyone, he won't hold on."

...

Li Yuanjiao rode the wind with caution, using the Mysterious Pattern Spiritual Mist to conceal himself, and with the enhancement of Cultivating Qi Devouring Spirit, his speed was extremely fast.

The greatest benefit of Cultivating Qi Devouring Spirit for Li Yuanjiao was the amplification of his cultivation speed; ever since he was young, his cultivation speed couldn't match Li Qinghong's. Under the influence of Talisman Qi, he steadily surpassed her, reaching the current state.

'Xijun... he trusts that monk quite a bit,' Li Yuanjiao thought as he rode through the clouds, pondering carefully.

He had thoroughly questioned the Xiao Family about Kongheng and discussed privately with a few daoist fellows. It was said that ancient Buddhist practitioners had the concept of Tribulation Transcendence, and if several great Maha from the north manifested themselves, it wouldn't be easy to deceive the Immortal Mirror.

While that was the case, Li Yuanjiao, though he was putting on an act, had a flash of real anger, not directed at Kongheng, but rather at Li Xijun's vehement defense:

"Your great-grandfather died at the hands of Buddhist practitioners, your grandfather also died at their hands, yet in the end, you defend a Buddhist practitioner like this!"

Li Yuanjiao was aware of Kongheng's character but found it hard to accept. He could only sigh and, driftingly, rode the wind down to Mushroom Forest Plain.

Mushroom Forest Plain was a lush fertile area, the green woods luxuriant and full of life. Beyond this forest were dark and towering mountains dotted with caves, the area sealed off.

All the ores on this mountain were a purplish-black hue, with occasional flashes of Thunder Light faintly stirring. Thunderbolts struck down now and then, producing a series of violent roars. There was a Formation protecting the mountain, and undoubtedly, Li Qinghong must be within it.

It was only when Li Yuanjiao landed at the foot of the mountain that a person, in a rush, flew over on the wind. He was merely a Qi Cultivator and said respectfully,

"Senior, this place is the Yuan Family's territory. May I ask what guidance you have for us?"

Li Yuanjiao waved his sleeve and said in a deep voice,

"Qingdu's Li Yuanjiao."

The Yuan Family's Qi Cultivator immediately understood and bowed, saying,

"Senior, please come up the mountain. Elder Wushao is in the courtyard."

Li Yuanjiao nodded, leapt up, and covered himself with a veil of Mysterious Pattern Spiritual Mist for Concealment. From a great distance, he could hear a roar,

"You stinking monk, what scripture are you chanting now!"

A slight twitch appeared at the corner of Li Yuanjiao's mouth. Li Wushao always had a fierce and sinister demeanor; it was rare to see him lose his composure like this. Looking up, he saw a young man in black standing furiously against the courtyard wall.

"Wushao, Taoist Fellow… this is called the 'Venerable Mantra of Subjugation.' The seven Northern paths use this scripture the most to subdue demons… You should listen more; it may come in handy in the future."

In the middle of the yard, Kongheng was sitting shirtless, looking serene with a smile on his face, his hands forming a gesture that glowed golden. Li Yuanjiao was slightly taken aback; in less than three years, this person had actually become a Mage!

Li Wushao was gritting his teeth as he watched him, seemingly in a lot of distress. Kongheng said softly,

"Remember, Taoist Fellow, keep a calm and still heart, and protect your spirit. I will teach you a few Incantations that can resist this path."

"Go to hell."

Although Li Wushao cursed, he did not make any move and quite obediently listened attentively. Kongheng then elaborated on hundreds of words, all of which Li Wushao remembered, and he curiously asked,

"Monk, I have heard that Northern Buddhist Practitioners are most fond of capturing demons, controlling and taming them, which confuses their minds. Is this true?"

"It certainly is."

Kongheng frowned and said solemnly,

"Once controlled by this Spell, it is not something that one can contend with just their Spirit Nature… One will become addicted to it, completely changing their demeanor from within, and becoming what is called a Spiritual Beast."

Li Wushao shook his head uneasily and asked,

"Then aren't you also going to capture demonic creatures?"

"Not at all."

Kongheng shook his head,

"The Spell cannot convert others, it can only convert oneself. If one were to use the Spell to bewitch the minds of others, it would be considered a wicked path and unworthy of meeting the Buddha."

Li Wushao glanced at him, nodded, and said with a smile,

"You truly are an Ancient Cultivator. No wonder you said Liaohe Temple is declining... It's difficult enough to make a breakthrough in cultivation, but having Spells that cannot be used certainly puts one at a disadvantage in a fight."

"Indeed."

Kongheng nodded, seemingly not very concerned about the fate of his own Taoist Lineage. He then sat down cross-legged, looking somewhat worried,

"I just hope Xijun has not been implicated by me..."

Li Wushao, seated on the side, proposed,

"If I may say so, since you have become a Mage, you might as well return early… Better than causing trouble here. As I have already sent word back about your breakthrough."

Kongheng spoke softly,

"I am here to watch over things. If something should happen, I can still lend a hand. Now, as a Mage, even Foundation Establishment cultivators are within my reach."

Li Yuanjiao, having listened for a while, descended on the wind and revealed himself, startling both Kongheng and Li Wushao into leaping up. Li Wushao was so frightened that he almost reverted to his true form and quickly said,

"Wushao has seen the Master!"

He sneaked a glance at Li Yuanjiao, and seeing his unchanged expression, he quietly breathed a sigh of relief. Kongheng, with some unease, glanced at him and responded,

"This humble monk has seen the Taoist Fellow."

"The Mage is too courteous."

Li Yuanjiao said serenely,

"Since the Mage has successfully broken through, how about following me back?"

"Yes."

Kongheng replied, and said with respect,

"However, the Liaohe Temple's Secret Technique requires Summoning the Great Void Yin Thunder. The humble monk has been cultivating with the assistance of the Mysterious Thunder Formation during Taoist Fellow Qinghong's Immortal Foundation consolidation. Now that the humble monk has broken through, Taoist Fellow Qinghong must be nearing completion as well."