Chapter 576 436: Request (Yelü Zhiwu, Alliance Leader Extra Chapter [2/2])

"Oh, oh, oh."

Li Xuanxuan replied with a faint sense of loneliness, straightened his sleeves, and sat for a while on the mountain, watching the two juniors chatting. Feeling somewhat at a loss, he could only return below to draw talismans; the two juniors escorted him down, and Li Ximing sighed:

"Grandfather seems to be more spirited these days!"

Li Xijun nodded and said softly:

"Though the elder's cultivation level is not high, he has gone through much. Many things buried in the past can be answered through him, and seeing him so spirited, we can be at ease."

The two walked side by side. Li Ximing wore a magnificent golden Taoist robe, hesitated and said in a low voice:

"I've only heard that this Second Great Uncle's archery is divine, rare in this generation—his Golden Bow is ever victorious. If only he could return home, it would be like having our Stabilizing Sea God Needle again."

"I think it's unlikely. Since he entered the Southern Border, there haven't been many easy cases of coming back out."

Li Xijun replied, seemingly pondering something.

By the time the two were born, Li Xuanfeng had long gone to the Southern Border. In truth, Li Xijun had never met him in person, only heard of him in books and from elders' tales. The joy filling their hearts was mostly for the fact that the family might gain another Foundation Establishment Middle Stage elder, so different from Li Xuanxuan. Now, sobered, he began to consider the bigger picture.

Sure enough, Li Ximing beside him asked in confusion:

"Since Second Uncle has come out of the Southern Border, why doesn't he take some time to return home...? Unless he's on a mission?"

"That's likely."

Li Xijun paused briefly, hesitated, and said:

"I heard... that someone from the Ning Family married him. So many years have passed, perhaps there are already descendants... It's possible that there are a few children in the Southern Border who are our family's elders..."

"As for why he doesn't return... the adults must have their arrangements. Perhaps his household is being restrained, and he has no choice but to obey Green Pond's orders."

Li Ximing nodded and replied:

"Makes sense."

They pondered over this for a while. Li Ximing then went back to Wutu Peak to study that pill; Li Xijun wrote a letter to his aunt Li Qinghong, who was in seclusion, and another to be sent to Sect Spring Island, and then quietly went down to cultivate.

...

Fenkui Island, Green Pond market.

Li Xuanfeng made a circuit in the surrounding seas, familiarizing himself with the terrain and gathering detailed information about Fenkui Island. Only then did he return to the market.

Fenkui Island's earth vein spirit mechanism was quite peculiar, so no formations could be set up on the island itself. Green Pond's market was established on the nearby seabed. Li Xuanfeng investigated a bit—the earth vein spirit mechanism here wasn't significantly better, everything depended on the high grade of the formations.

Fenkui Island itself was rich in spiritual energy and treasures; all sorts of strange domains existed. The island had many straits reaching deep underground—dark and deep—spanning vast, boundless spaces, said to be remnants from Immortals' spell battles.

The whole Fenkui Island was like a grand entrance, connecting to layer upon layer of earth fissures and straits underneath. Many cultivators came here collecting qi, and there were devil cultivators lurking within the straits, murdering and plundering; the deeper one went, the more chaotic it became.

He wandered around the island without venturing deep, quietly returned to the market, and found that there were Green Pond cultivators waiting for him by his cave mansion.

"Greetings, Taoist... My lord has invited you and has waited a long time."

Li Xuanfeng instantly recognized that he was from Ning Heyuan's faction and nodded, following him to Ning Heyuan's cave mansion. The door was wide open, thick spiritual energy streaming out, and Ning Heyuan was inside, pouring himself drinks.

"Brother-in-law, you've come!"

Ning Heyuan welcomed him to sit, his face flushed, already deep in drink. He poured a cup for him. The young man said:

"Truth be told, I share deep ties with the Li Family…"

Li Xuanfeng nodded, thinking:

'Why is he cozying up to me? Does he need something from me?'

He gazed at him quietly. Before him, Ning Heyuan seemed every bit the junior, his tone respectful:

"That year, I followed my aunt to Wangyue Lake, hoping to learn your noble family's swordsmanship. On the mountain, I exchanged a few moves with Taoist Qinghong, we traded names, and I lost a few rounds, which is how I learned of your family's illustrious Toaist lineage."

This remark was set extremely low; Li Xuanfeng was astonished. With only Qi Cultivation Level, Li Qinghong couldn't possibly match Ning Heyuan, at best only evening out with Thunder Dharma. He said so just to flatter the Li Family, so Li Xuanfeng answered:

"You needn't be so courteous, brother-in-law. Qinghong's strength—I know it well—is not a match for yours."

Ning Heyuan acknowledged politely. Since Li Xuanfeng said so, he did not pursue it, but continued:

"Brother-in-law! Even overseas, I have heard tales of your reputation… The Perfected Person greatly trusts you… In the past century, few have been favored by him in such a way…"

Li Xuanfeng certainly knew Yuan Su treated him well, and waited quietly for what came next. Sure enough, Ning Heyuan hesitated and said:

"When you return, brother-in-law, could you ask for me… How much longer must I remain at the East Sea…"

Li Xuanfeng lowered his gaze without replying. Ning Heyuan grew anxious, politely saying:

"I've asked many times… but the Perfected Person refuses to see me. I have already realized my error… Back then, I was young and reckless, proud that the Ning Family was Chi Family's hundred-year ally, and demanded anything I pleased from subordinate families…"

"Now, after so many years at the East Sea, I've come to understand: Without the Perfected Person, my Ning Family is just the Chi Family's lapdog... I truly know my mistake… Please, Taoist, if you could ask for me…"

Li Xuanfeng looked at his state. Ning Heyuan's talent was exceptional, and he had many spells. By rights, he ought to be a peer of Ning Wan, but here in the East Sea he'd wasted ten years, not only unnamed, but his cultivation had suffered.

Now, his face was clouded, the air of defeat about him utterly different from the youthful brio of days past. Li Xuanfeng said gently:

"No rush in this matter. I still have a year or so before I return to report. If Taoist Fellow settles your words, I can bring a letter for you when I leave."

This reply left Ning Heyuan stunned; his plea became a request to deliver a letter. Ning Heyuan gave a bitter smile, realizing Li Xuanfeng was no simple figure, thinking to himself:

'I've been too hasty. I'll have to take it slowly, solidify ties with him—with Aunt's relationship as leverage—and plan for the long haul.'

Accordingly, Ning Heyuan apologized, sipped his wine, and nodded, saying:

"Indeed, there's no rush. If you need anything in the market, Taoist, just ask me."

Li Xuanfeng nodded, answering directly:

"I've only just come out of the Southern Border, and there are things I can't easily inquire about there. In future, if something comes up, I may trouble you, brother-in-law."

Ning Heyuan nodded repeatedly and hurriedly saw him out; only then did he return to the cave mansion, sat in a daze before the jade table, and after a long while murmured softly:

"I thought he was merely the Perfected Person's blade… but never imagined he was the old master's bred hunting hawk. No wonder... No wonder such favor could be shown to one of humble background, with Aunt He-mian married to him."

Ning Heyuan reflected on Li Xuanfeng's attire and temperament, that Jin Geng Longbow refined countless times, and combined with recent rumors, couldn't help but give a cold laugh:

"Clad in armor, eyes sharp as an eagle—looks like someone's in for trouble!"