Chapter 690 501: Witch Mountain Affairs (Part 2)

"Did your esteemed clan fulfill the promise you made to me years ago? I can no longer stay by this lake—within these days, I must be gone."

Li Xijun first gave a reply, then asked in confusion:

"Why so abrupt, Senior!"

Had nothing been said, it might have been well, but at this, Fei Luoya's eyes widened as he answered:

"Zhu Xian is dead! Not a corpse to be found, perished violently while abroad!"

This Zhu Xian was Fei Luoya's subordinate, also a Foundation Establishment Early Stage cultivator. Back then, Hook Snake Li Wushao's twin hooks at his tail were still undeveloped, making him equal in strength to this man. Although among Foundation Establishment ranks he was at the bottom, yet he was still Foundation Establishment—vanishing so quietly, it is indeed odd.

Fei Luoya continued:

"Just look—Tang Jin Sect lost their Young Master, Red Reef Island and Great Owl Sunflower View are locked in fierce battle, Xiuyue cultivators cease venturing out, Jin Yu and Changhuai clash repeatedly, the Xiao Family has sealed their sect and entered reclusion. Though this place seems tranquil, it is already caught within a maelstrom!"

Though Fei Luoya spoke so, in his heart he silently supplemented:

'Your Li Family, damn it, has broken with the Yuan Family, carved up the Yu Family, and ceaselessly produced Foundation Establishment cultivators. Your reputation within the sect swells by the day—any moment now, you'll seize the lake… If I leave early, at least there's no love lost!'

He paused, then said:

"Moreover… Do you know which spiritual beast flew above the lake those few years ago?"

At this, Li Xijun's interest was piqued, and he asked:

"My family has inquired far and wide, but heard nothing. Concerning these fiends and ancient beasts, only Witch Mountain likely holds the ancient lore. I beseech Senior to enlighten me!"

Though Fei Luoya was Shanyue, he'd lived a century at least. Flattered thus, he maintained his composure, replying evenly:

"That was 'Wei Hao,' offspring of the Flame Luan, dwelling upon the Concordant Trandreth of Mount Taishi. To witness it forebodes calamities of family broken, kin scattered, exile and drifting afar—leave earlier, lest disaster come!"

The Shanyue were ever deeply superstitious regarding such omens. Fei Luoya, Foundation Establishment as he was, only held all the firmer to such beliefs. Face clouded with worry, he went on:

"It is not only I, Fei Luoya—Jiao Zhongzi of the Northern Shanyue has not been seen for years, likely fell to foul play… Only Fire Demon Huo Luo of the south remains, sequestered like myself in daily closed-door cultivation…"

Li Xijun listened with intent. In those days, when Witch Mountain split, four powers remained on the southern bank. Of these, Jiao Zhongzi was most formidable, claiming Witch Mountain and founding the Northern Shanyue. Fu Daimu held the Great Jue Court, but was later destroyed by Fei Luoya and the Li Family—thus, the Great Jue Court too fell into Li Family's hands.

'If I see clearly… the Shanyue elders that were once so dreaded, now only Fire Demon Huo Luo at Foundation Middle Stage remains. To annex all Shanyue lands appears no great effort!'

As he considered the population and spiritual objects of the Shanyue regions, his true desire was for Witch Mountain itself. Even if it had been stripped bare by myriad Zifu, it was still the palace of Duanmu Kui—the Zifu monk who'd dominated an age! To ascend that peak might well unlock many a mystery.

As his thoughts turned thus, Fei Luoya could no longer contain himself and demanded:

"Your esteemed clan best give me an answer!"

As these words left his lips, he saw Li Xijun abruptly look behind him, drop respectfully to a knee, and say softly:

"Xijun greets the Ancestor!"

Fei Luoya's heart skipped a beat; his first thought was that Li Tongya still lived. But as his spiritual sense flicked out, he saw before the hall a man approaching at deliberate pace.

This one possessed a cold visage, white beard, brows sharp as blades, broad shoulders with a thick back; the Black Gold Spirit Armor he wore shone resplendent. Fei Luoya's Immortal Foundation 'Do Not Inquire of Me' allowed unique perception of others' auras—this old general's eyes pierced like twin swords, as though he'd just cleaved a sea demon, just slain some Immortal Sect direct descendant, still wreathed in the scent of fresh blood.

Li Xuanfeng cast him a mere glance; Fei Luoya hurriedly turned, bowed and declared:

"So it is 'Jin Geng Ironbow' Li Xuanfeng—this one is Fei Luoya, pays respects to the General."

Li Xuanfeng's name now carries great weight. Within Jin Yu Green Pond, other direct lineages had all entered closed-door breakthrough; at the Song Family residence, he'd established his might with a single arrow—he now stood as the foremost under Foundation Establishment. Save for Tang Shedou, Shen Xi, and Yuan Chengdun, but few could compare. Though Fei Luoya was of an elder generation, he dared not presume, and addressed him as a peer.

While Fei Luoya observed this elder general, Li Xuanfeng also scrutinized him, inwardly weighing his options:

"I have heard that his Immortal Foundation is 'Do Not Inquire of Me.' If a hundred miles apart, he could evade my first arrow and may escape with his life; if not, inside twenty arrows, I could take his head."

Li Xuanfeng's manner of spell battle was wholly unlike the common cultivator. Rarely would a duel drag to a hundred exchanges—his Bow Control Art was all about breaking spells and killing outright, harming both others and self. If a confrontation did extend to one hundred rounds, it was he who'd fall first.

Yet Fei Luoya felt a chill creep up his neck, involuntarily swallowed a mouthful of saliva, and thought to himself:

"So this is the level of a direct scion of the Immortal Sect. Even if Jiao Zhongzi came, at best he'd only have a chance to flee. I hear this man is under Yuansu Perfected Person—no wonder…"

Li Xuanfeng paced two steps closer, only then asking:

"I hear you seek asylum, to leave this place."

"Just so."

Fei Luoya was overjoyed, knelt, and declared:

"May the General deign to present me. I am willing to follow the General and defend the Southern Border!"

"Rise."

Li Xuanfeng only said:

"This business must await its time. First, tell me—where is that Jiao Zhongzi?"

Fei Luoya was slightly taken aback, and replied:

"That man should have fled to the East Sea. I searched many times—there is no sign of him in the Northern Shanyue, only a Foundation Establishment Early Stage left to keep watch…"

Li Xuanfeng knew Jiao Zhongzi had for years been Foundation Establishment Late Stage, and queried with suspicion:

"Did he ascend to Zifu?"

Fei Luoya shook his head and answered in a low voice:

"Duanmu Kui never left behind the Zifu portion, only the Foundation Establishment Technique. Otherwise, Jiao Zhongzi would not have grown restless and left. To seek his path, he could only travel to the East Sea."

Li Xuanfeng nodded slightly in understanding, then at last said…

"Recall your cultivation technique aloud."

At the side, Li Xijun hastened to take out a blank jade slip. Fei Luoya hesitated slightly, but fixed his gaze, took the jade slip, shut his eyes, and concentrated on engraving carefully.

A Foundation Establishment's spiritual sense is indeed swift; in but a moment, Li Xijun received the jade slip from his hand, swept it lightly with his divine sense, and saw inscribed upon it:

"Avoidance and Stealth Qi Scripture"

This technique was of Third Grade, more than a hundred thousand characters, suffused with antique flavor in phrasing—Witch Mountain's legacy was indeed extraordinary. Astonishingly, attached was also a saber art.

"Notes on Bloody Mansion Contemplation"

This saber method appeared to be an accumulation of experience, extremely profound, suited for those who cultivated the 'Avoidance and Stealth Qi Scripture' and already possessed substantial accomplishment in saber arts. As for himself, he could not touch upon it, and so quietly put it away.

Li Xuanfeng had originally thought to slaughter a few more Shanyue, and while Yuansu yet lived, render his kin some aid. Among the Shanyue, only Jiao Zhongzi gave him pause; but seeing this one too had fled, he spoke gently:

"Since you have the heart, first follow behind me—we travel now to the Southern Border."

Fei Luoya nodded quickly. Li Xuanfeng dismissed him to his cave to prepare his things, then returned to his seat. Li Xijun said:

"This Fei Luoya has interacted with the household for years, his wits are not lacking. Serving Second Uncle, he will not be a burden."

Li Xuanfeng nodded faintly and quietly replied:

"Qinghong cultivates in the sea—summon Kongheng back. My commission nears its end, and now that making a move brings trouble, those petty Shanyue may be left to you several."

"Yes!"

Hearing Li Xijun answer, Li Xuanfeng continued:

"Hereafter, matters will shift; contact with home must not continue, for I cannot look to both. I shall only guard in secret. If anything arises in need of aid, I shall act."

Li Xijun, recalled to the wound on his face, softly said:

"Second Uncle, take care."

Li Xuanfeng made nothing of it. Li Xijun saw him out with a bow, intending to summon Li Xuanxuan, but was waved off by Li Xuanfeng—the old general said:

"Calling him serves only to disturb his state of mind. Remind Elder Brother to take great care."

His actions ever clean and decisive, he delayed not an instant. He mounted his jade boat and departed then and there. Li Xijun returned to the hall, looked to Li Chengliao at his side, and asked:

"How fares Wei'er? Has he emerged from seclusion?"

Li Chengliao replied:

"He has completed his retreat, reaching Fetal Breathing Fourth Layer."

Li Xijun nodded slightly, began to move his brush upon paper, dabbed the ink, and murmured softly:

"For all matters Shanyue, the family will make ready in advance. Once Kongheng returns, we move—just some weeks' time, and we can root them out completely."