Chapter 667 489: Arrival of the Luan (Part 2)

"It's not easy for me to use this excuse to invite you here, Taoist Fellow. There's no need for empty formalities between us—let's just treat each other as equals."

He did not wait for Li Xizhi to say more, swiftly changed the topic, and spoke solemnly:

"The reason I called you here this time is for the matter of Wangyue Lake!"

Li Xizhi understood, made a gesture of attentive listening, and Ning Heyuan spoke softly:

"The first thing is the fall of Yuanwu, the relocation of Yuanwu Peak's resident, and the need for us to work together within the Sect. Among the Thirty-Six Peaks, six will be chosen to manage the residency. If we can get Wangyue Lake under Qing Sui's jurisdiction, then the matter will be more than half settled!"

"But if it's only my Ning Family, I fear it will be rather difficult. Does your noble family have any more assistance?"

Li Xizhi nodded slightly, understanding the man's relationship with Li Xuanfeng, and spoke in a low voice:

"If Ning, Li Encheng, and Yang, the three families join hands, is it possible to secure this matter?"

Li Xizhi had considered this as well. In the earliest plans, the Yuan Family was also involved, but fate is unpredictable. The Yuan Family is now in chaos, their master has vanished, and there's no telling what the final situation will be—they cannot be counted for now.

"Li Encheng!"

Ning Heyuan lowered his eyes a little, pondered for a moment, then suddenly looked enlightened, speaking softly:

"You all really keep things under wraps! However, this matter isn't that simple. Li Encheng once offended others; if he takes action, it might backfire."

Li Xizhi nodded, feeling a slight chill. Ning Heyuan continued:

"Actually, it's not difficult. As for Chi Zhiyun… my brother-in-law is already prepared; we'll handle it. The Chi Family has no objections. Yuanxiu Perfected Person is occupied with extending his life and can hardly mind these affairs. Only, afterward, you will have to meet with Chi Zhiyun once."

He hesitated, sighing:

"But these are all matters for after we succeed… it will likely be seven or eight years."

Ning Heyuan conversed with him in detail, discussing nuances for nearly an hour, then said gravely:

"Taoist Fellow must remember, all this depends on my aunt's breakthrough with no word of success. If my aunt fails, everything changes, and both our families will find it extremely difficult."

Li Xizhi nodded to show he understood. Ning Heyuan took him by the hand to the entrance of the cave mansion and spoke softly:

"Our two families are now tied together. My brother-in-law has done much; do not let him down."

Li Xizhi did not quite grasp the weight of this "done much," but simply nodded in response and soon took his leave.

Ning Heyuan saw him out, then returned, worry flickering in his heart as he murmured:

"We'll just take it one step at a time…"

...

On Qingdu Mountain.

Li Xuanxuan and Liu Changdie had been busy arranging the formation for a long time. Several formation platforms had been crafted, complicated formation patterns engraved, and the spiritual water was being refined into them bit by bit.

These tasks naturally did not require Li Xuanxuan's own hands. Liu Changdie was instructing several Array Masters of the clan to work. To participate in this Great Formation's setup under Liu Changdie's guidance was a rare opportunity—it was as if they would even pay to help.

Li Xuanxuan waited a while, noticing that the vegetation on the mountain seemed lackluster. Discovering that the climate had become warmer by the day and rainfall increasingly sparse, he felt a hint of curiosity.

Just as he was about to ask, he saw dark clouds on the horizon, swept away as if by a raging wind, disappearing instantly. The dazzling morning light rose from the edge of heaven, golden-red brilliance flooding in.

"Whoosh, whoosh..."

The world slowly filled with the sound of wind, coming from afar, bringing a wave of warmth. The trees rustled, and not only did Liu Changdie notice something was wrong, even the Array Masters of lower cultivation level sensed it, dazedly raising their heads to gaze northward.

This warm wind rushed over, stunning Li Xuanxuan. Liu Changdie also fell silent. The two exchanged glances, both looking up at the sky's myriad phenomena.

"This is…"

The overcast clouds that had shrouded the sky for years finally vanished. Across the sky spread a pair of deep red wings. With the sunrise climbing, the heavens and earth were dyed crimson.

A gigantic Feathered Beast was flying from the north, its size astonishing. From the mountain below, the sky above was blotted out by its colors. Its wings stretched far into the distance, fading into the shifting sea of clouds.

The belly of the Feathered Beast covered more than half of Wangyue Lake, yet did not block the morning glow. The red light flowed, making the entire Wangyue Lake resemble a deep red gemstone, shining brilliantly in the world.

The Feathered Beast's plumage was resplendent, in four colors—crimson, gold, and yellow. Its long feathers trailed in the sky, leaving eight flowing tails, complex as if eight chains, winding northward into the distance.

Liu Changdie's voice was parched. Not daring to look directly at the colors in the sky, she whispered:

"Elder! That is the blazing fire that opposes Lu Shui… who knows what kind of Divine Beast this is…"

The Feathered Beast moved fast, soaring overhead, sweeping away the rain, and quickly vanished. In its wake came the blazing sun, casting gold brilliance on the moist earth below.

This sunlight was entirely different from before, like flames streaming downward. Where it touched the trees and earth, there was a faint sizzling sound. The world turned golden, and the blazing sun stung the eyes, as if rivers of gold flowed everywhere. The already pale ground nearly dazzled to blindness, the heatwave making sweat pour from all.

Li Xuanxuan barely managed to raise his head, feeling the ground beneath his feet grow hot inside and out under the radiant light. The rainwater evaporated, filling the air with mist.

'Xiuyue Sect's… counterattack has arrived!'

The entirety of Qingdu Mountain and Wangyue Lake filled with drifting vapor, shrouding everything like an Immortal Realm. Surrounded by white mist, Li Xuanxuan murmured as he looked around:

"What level of Spiritual Beast is that?"

Liu Changdie squinted at the receding red light, as if calculating something, and answered:

"If not the mount of a Golden Core, then it must be some ancient demon or Great Demon King… invited by Xiuyue! Since it's the blazing fire, it must be some kind of Luan Bird with a powerful background, owing Xiuyue a favor, flying south with Divine Skills."

Li Xuanxuan flicked his sleeve, using mana to dispel the moisture, faintly hearing cheers from the town below. The commoners, seeing the clouds part and the rain clear, thought the endless rain had finally ended, but he gave a bitter smile and said:

"I'm not sure this is good news!"

Li Xuanxuan picked up a handful of mountain earth—felt it warm to the touch—and murmured:

"I don't know how long this will last, but if it goes past three days, it won't just be crops that fail. Not even the forest can survive—everything will wilt and dry up!"

Liu Changdie looked at the old man and said quietly:

"There's nothing to be done… Two Sects fighting by spell, an event not seen in a hundred years."

He sighed as he descended the mountain, pondering in his heart:

"Blazing fire can dry the damp, turn cold to heat, but how will the misery of a million be resolved? Compared to Green Pond Sect, Xiuyue's methods are still too weak."

...

Li Family, Central Hall.

The glazed tiles atop the hall glowed crimson. The White Ape was bowing low, prostrating toward the departing Feathered Beast, while beside it stood a boy, his platinum robe shining in the light.

He stared intently at the receding Feathered Beast as if transfixed. At his feet, several pale cicadas crawled, some flailing with legs skyward, struggling in the water, others ascending his trouser leg.

Li Zhouwei seemed unaware. The White Ape soon straightened, scooped up several cicadas from the ground, and stuffed them into its mouth. Li Zhouwei said in a childish voice:

"That bird is enormous."

As he gazed downward, someone walked the steps—a woman in splendid robes, followed by a group of attendants. The woman waved the others away and entered at a measured pace, her expression complicated as she looked at the child.

Li Zhouwei nodded to her, bowed slightly, and spoke:

"Mother."

This was none other than the wife of Li Chengliao, Madam Hu. She had carried Li Zhouwei for eleven months, suffering greatly from the boy. Faced with his dark golden eyes, she felt a trace of fear.

The child had never shown her any affection and had almost cost her her life. Yet, maternal instinct arose, allowing her to overcome the fear. She asked after his well-being softly, and Li Zhouwei answered. Then she said:

"In a few days, your father will pick a weapon for you. Have you thought about what you want?"

Li Zhouwei tilted his head and said quietly:

"I have no preference. Whatever Father teaches, I will practice."