Chapter 706 510: Consolidation

Ever since the Fei Clan split apart, Wangyue Lake was shattered into a patchwork of families great and small, and became the Xiao Family's secret hunting ground. Though no tribute was collected, every mine, spiritual spring, and blessed land on the East Bank fell under Xiao Family's grip—it had already been so for more than two centuries.

Truth be told, in the eyes of the lakeside families in earlier years, the Li Family was nothing more than a puppet, supported by the Xiao Family as it crossed the buffer territory to prop them up on the southern shore. The Li Family, acting on orders, dismantled the Yu Family's marketplace, forcing the Yu Family step by step into decline.

Viewed from the grand machinations of the realms, Xiao Chuting sacrificed little yet, with a single move, bypassed the prohibition which barred Green Pond from annexing territories across counties, causing the Yu Family to collapse at the peak of its power—a masterful stroke of calculation.

Now that the Li Family was expanding rapidly, becoming overlord on the lake, and harboring ambitions to annex an entire region, it unavoidably threatened Xiao Family interests. The Xiao Family's stance was, thus, of utmost consequence.

Seeing Xiao Yuansi speak forthrightly, Li Xijun nodded faintly and replied softly:

"The time approaches. I intend to seize the Yu Family's land."

He mentioned only the Yu Family's territory, indicating that he had no designs on the other families of the East Bank. Hearing this, Xiao Yuansi did not comment further, answering in a whisper:

"A few days ago, our Perfected Person hosted guests on the mountain. He met with Perfected Person Pu Yu of Qu Hai Sect in Hetian Sea. It was said that Perfected Person Yuanwu journeyed to the East Sea in search of medicine and was politely refused, leaving displeased and departing in a huff."

At these words, Li Xijun instantly grasped his meaning; Xiao Yuansi continued:

"Perfected Person Pu Yu's Divine Skills can mend Yin and Yang, and discern life and death… The Perfected One believes Yuanwu's six senses have collapsed within, his magical essence dispersed without, inside out he is muddled and heavy. The black radiance bears signs of abrupt death—he's afraid one foot is already in the Netherworld."

Li Ximing heard this news and smiled slightly. Ju Wu, seeing them discuss the life and death of a Perfected Person, was struck with terror and kept his head bowed, only to hear Li Ximing ask:

"Is Perfected Person Yuanwu asking for a longevity pill? He's only at early Zifu… surely not seeking to break through to Golden Core?"

Xiao Yuansi replied softly:

"He asked for a Zifu-level 'Springwater Secret Primordium', planning to perform soul appropriation. Yet his Divine Skills have nothing to do with that path—it's a death sentence. Perfected Person Pu Yu is unrivaled in this art; how could she not see through it? She did not let him misuse it."

After recounting this, he finally said:

"This Ju Wu—I must take him along and question further. As for Guiluan… failed her breakthrough, and has already passed away?"

Li Xijun nodded silently. Xiao Yuansi, who years ago had personally escorted this girl in marriage, could not hold back a sigh, and said:

"Guitu heard of her fate and grieved deeply. He has sealed the mountain, and cannot venture out—he asked me to pass along his condolences."

"Though Witch Mountain is home to shamanic cultivators, the Spirit Mechanism there is exceptional, well worth utilizing. When your esteemed house clears the forest and writes to us, my clan will surely come forth to offer congratulations."

Xiao Yuansi spoke no further, simply cupped his fist and, grabbing the loudly pleading Ju Wu, he and his brother escorted him out of the boundary and returned by riding the wind. Li Ximing said:

"So, Master's intention is that the Xiao Family will support our annexation of these lands."

"The momentum is already irreversible."

Li Xijun answered softly:

"Supported or not, my family is set on taking Wangyue. The bond between our houses outweighs these few profits—it's only proper to make a gift of them."

Li Ximing nodded, looked around at the scenery aside, and sighed:

"The Spirit Mechanism here is dense—no mountain in our clan can compare. We may as well relocate our cultivation here."

Li Xijun glanced around, then replied quietly:

"In the Shanyue Region, only the villain of Huo Luo remains unbrought to heel. With one stroke, we shall bring it under our governance."

The two arose riding the wind; Li Xijun turned to the always silent Kongheng and asked:

"Mage, who exactly is Perfected Person Pu Yu?"

Kongheng pressed his hands together and replied:

"Overseas is vast, and beneath its waters even greater than upon the waves. Many sects hide or reveal themselves at will; I've only heard Qu Hai Sect dwells in Penglai, which is an intermittently manifest Blessed Land."

The company conversed briefly and soon arrived at the territory of the villain of Huo Luo, the southernmost point, bordering Da Li Mountain, sparsely populated and appearing deserted.

Within the Shanyue, Huo Luo's villain had little presence; it was said he was a reclusive, taciturn cultivator, seldom socializing, his place of cultivation an open Immortal Mountain with weak formation defenses.

He kept his Mountain Gate wide open—any Shanyue with a Spirit Aperture could enter and cultivate, studying what they liked, more or less, as they pleased. Thus, the position of Immortal Mountain was left unguarded, drawing all sorts of people in, including some from the Li Family. Hence, the three journeyed south and soon arrived at the spot.

Li Xijun, having gathered information, was familiar with the person and harbored intentions of recruitment; resolved to courtesy first and force later, he called out loudly:

"Li Xijun of Qingdu Li Clan has come to pay respects—may the elder open his formation!"

After two heartbeats, a man arose riding the wind—not above Qi Cultivation Level, youthful in appearance, his demeanor calm and respectful, gestures well-contained, and answered respectfully:

"I am Du An. Several months earlier, Master departed and journeyed afar, leaving word for me to relay."

He bowed his head deeply, in utmost respect:

"Huo Luo's villain has occupied the precious land for cultivation and has caused much offense. Today, he follows the river east and leaves for the East Sea—he will not return. The spiritual objects and talents amassed over forty years are all left in Huo Luo Mountain. Please use as you wish."

'The villain of Huo Luo has fled!'

The brothers exchanged glances, not much surprised—perhaps the villain of Huo Luo wished not to enter their ranks, or would not trust them. For him, not meeting was the best choice.

At once, they descended onto the mountain, where all the disciples had opened the gate to surrender, kneeling in tidy rows—three to five in Qi Cultivation, several dozen in Fetal Breathing. All seemed well-prepared, dressed in Eastern attire, bowing reverently, showing none of the Shanyue customs.