Chapter 506 398 Qingdu and Li Qinghong_2

"Uncle!"

As he hesitated, Li Ximing came riding the wind from behind, bowed with clasped hands, and said in a low voice:

"Junior offers his congratulations to Uncle for the progress in his cultivation and his early achievement of Zifu."

Upon Li Yuanjiao's return, which marked the end of his seclusion, Li Ximing rode the wind to visit him and spoke very earnestly:

"Xijun has his reasons too..."

"Seventh Layer of Qi Cultivation, not bad."

Li Yuanjiao did not answer but glanced at his cultivation level, feeling a slight joy, and asked:

"From the looks of it, you are not far from breaking through to the Seventh Layer of Qi Cultivation. By thirty, you should be able to attempt Foundation Establishment."

Li Ximing then recounted all the major and minor events in his cultivation practice, and after listening, Li Yuanjiao took them to heart and doubted:

"Your... time in the boudoir also aids in cultivation?!"

Li Ximing felt a bit embarrassed upon hearing this and nodded. However, Li Yuanjiao was not one to gloss over details lightly. He pulled a jade slip from his storage bag, read it carefully, and said in a deep voice:

"It seems there is such a thing! Although I do not know which Metal Nature the 'Golden Hall Bright Yuan Art' belongs to, it still pertains to the Yang of light, so it somehow makes sense."

After saying this, he nodded and said in a low voice:

"I am informed now. You may leave."

He watched as Li Ximing left. Picking up a small note from the table—an early message from the Green Pond Sect—Li Xizhi had managed to gather clear and detailed information.

"[Blood Tum Fruit]."

This spiritual medicine was unheard of by Li Yuanjiao; he could only send people to inquire about it. And to find this item, he would probably have to venture deep into Shanyue.

"First, seclude myself for cultivation, we can talk about this after Qinghong makes his breakthrough and returns!"

...

Back in his courtyard, Li Ximing opened the black lacquered lid of the cauldron; the elixir within was crystal clear and slightly gray, giving it a somewhat viscous appearance.

"Good! Very good!"

The trip had been quick, and the elixirs in the cauldron had not yet taken form, so fortunately, he hadn't spoiled a batch of elixirs. Li Ximing was highly gifted and had been instructed by Xiao Yuansi. Since his return home, he had never ruined a single batch.

It took him some time, but he managed to finish refining the remaining elixirs. Six pills were produced from the cauldron, which he carefully stored in a jade bottle. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door from outside.

"Knock knock."

Li Ximing frowned slightly. As he opened the creaking door, a person came in and said respectfully:

"Sir, there's a female cultivator outside who says she's here to seek guidance on behalf of the Family Head."

"Seek guidance?"

Li Ximing paused, then spoke softly:

"Bring her up."

After the person left, a young woman soon arrived.

Not more than twenty years old, the woman was exceedingly beautiful with fair skin, dressed in a dark cyan gown. She blinked her eyes and bowed, saying:

"Young Meng, maiden of the Meng Family, greets the senior."

Li Ximing cast his gaze downward and whispered:

"So it's the Meng Family."

Meng Zhuoyun, noticing his downward gaze and the look in his eyes, realized that Li Ximing's demeanor was somewhat unusual and said respectfully:

"As a junior, I am tasked to seek the senior's guidance in Alchemy Dao... The Family Head has given his promise as well."

"Very well."

Li Ximing sized her up, noticing something unusual in his gaze, and chuckled:

"Summon your heart fire, let me have a look."

He had only just finished speaking with Li Yuanjiao when Meng Zhuoyun arrived in the courtyard. It's no wonder he had many thoughts. Li Ximing was undecided in his heart, so he began instructing her gently, thinking to himself:

'Could it be that the Meng Family is prepared to join our family by marrying her to me? She's close to breaking through to the next level of Qi Cultivation, which should greatly benefit my practice.'

Meng Zhuoyun was a true beauty, with delicate skin and charming features. Li Ximing couldn't resist adopting conventional views. Although he was sharing the secrets of Alchemy, his mind was filled with thoughts.

On her part, Meng Zhuoyun was no naive girl; she was very astute, thinking to herself:

"This Li Ximing seems quite different from the other members of the Li Family. It's rumored that he's quite fond of beauty. If I can establish him as a supporter, perhaps I can have an easier time in the Li Family."

Both harboring their own schemes, they exchanged a glance. With affection on both sides, their conversation turned even softer.

...

Li Xijun had not knelt long at the ancestral hall, spending only a few days before returning to his own cultivation practice. What he didn't know was that Kongheng was concerned and was often inquiring about him.

The Li Family was operating smoothly and steadily until the winter passed and spring arrived, the great snow had entirely melted, when a Dharma Light came from the west, riding clouds and mist, looking very urgent.

This Dharma Light stopped at the boundary of the Li Family's territory, and someone immediately came to welcome it, riding the wind. It was Xu Gongming, at the middle stage of Qi Cultivation, who greeted with a cupped fist and said,

"I do not know what the Taoist Fellow..."

The Dharma Light halted, revealing its figure, which was that of a burly Great Han, broad-backed and bear-waisted, with fierce, wide eyes that seemed very urgent, wearing leather armor, and he shouted,

"Is this the Lijing branch of the Li Family?"

Xu Gongming was stunned for a moment, then corrected,

"It is now called the Qingdu branch of the Li Family..."

The Great Han exuded an overwhelming aura, his eyes slightly red, and with a fierce shout, he cursed,

"I don't care about some Qingdu, I just want to know if your family has the 'Wanling Flower'!"

Xu Gongming then realized that this person was actually a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, and he was greatly alarmed as he said,

"Our family does indeed possess this item... May I ask what the senior..."

The Foundation Establishment Great Han was immediately overjoyed and reached out to grab Xu Gongming's collar, saying fiercely,

"Bring it to me quickly! You won't be at a loss!"

Xu Gongming felt pain in his limbs from the grab and cried out involuntarily while feeling a fire burning inside his chest and lungs. He barely managed to say,

"Please wait a moment, senior, I will report to my elders!"

Only then did the Great Han relent, hastily releasing him and shouting,

"Go on, go!"

Xu Gongming dared not delay and hurriedly rode the wind downwards. The Jade Courtyard Guards had already discovered the commotion and quickly gathered, with Li Xihong approaching on the wind and asking in a stern voice,

"What has happened! Why has a Cultivator from another family at the Foundation Establishment stage arrived?"

Upon Xu Gongming relaying the context and cause, Li Xihong frowned and said,

"What is this matter about? Next year we must pay our tribute, and the 'Wanling Flowers' harvested in the past years have already been sold to other Noble Families. How could we have specifically saved any for him?"

"We have a small portion kept for our own use within the ancestral Cave Mansion, but the elder ancestor has been in seclusion for a long time already!"

As the two were discussing the matter, the Great Han above could not restrain himself and shouted,

"You lot! Does your family have the flower or not? Do not waste my time!"

His urgent demeanor pressed the Cultivators to prepare for a confrontation, quickly shielding Li Xihong. Chen Mufeng at their side called out,

"Senior, please consider your actions carefully!"

The Great Han halted and, despite his evident urgency, still had enough sense to give them a dark glance and say through gritted teeth,

"Then bring out the flower, quickly!"

Li Xihong was equally tense, and he commanded,

"Hurry to Qingdu and summon the elder ancestor!"

"Boom!"

The voice had just faded when the rolling sound of thunder roared in, lingering long in the heaven and earth, completely overshadowing his words.

"Boom!"

To the south, dark clouds tumbled, and repressed thunder from an entire winter resounded through the sky. The first thunder of spring struck, and an exquisite streak of purple light arrived from the south.

"Though the Taoist Fellow seeks help, such domineering actions suggest little respect for my family!"

A Foundation Establishment Female Cultivator was seen riding the lightning, wearing smooth jade armor, with arched brows and apricot eyes that were charmingly beautiful but also contained a warning, presenting an especially heroic appearance.

Her black hair flowed slowly in the wind, highlighting her delicate ears, and the sparse purple thunder on her long hair emitted several silver halos. This sight left everyone present speechless and staring, unable to utter a word.

"Auntie!"

Li Qinghong held her silver-white spear upside down, her valiant figure slowly descending nearby. Li Xihong was the most excited and couldn't help but call out on the spot, unable to suppress his expression of joy as he laughed heartily.

Li Qinghong nodded slightly, her eyes as vibrant as ever, appearing much gentler when looking at her own family members, yet even more captivating. Her feet stepped on the rolling thunder, closing the distance.

The youth in black clothing behind her, Li Wushao, was full of reverence, bowing respectfully as he stepped back, showing signs of recent rough handling on his clothes, with patches of char, suggesting he had been beaten not long before.

The burly man, initially annoyed and embarrassed, froze as his gaze lingered on her, repeatedly stunned and unable to shift his attention away, finally speaking, somewhat breathlessly,

"And who might you be!"

Li Qinghong, dressed sharply and valiantly without any makeup, relied solely on the animated purple thunderbolts, adding to her naturally heroic face a grandeur that rendered her untouchable.

With purple lightning swirling in her eyes, she said aloud,

"From Qingdu's Li Family, I am Li Qinghong."