"But speaking of Yu Mugao, what a sight to behold—dressed in fluttering black clothes, wielding a divine weapon, he proclaimed—’Wutong beckons the phoenix—would you, the lesser cultivator, dare to submit?!’"

The tavern was bustling with excitement. The crowd looked up, eyes wide, surrounded the center figure in three inner and three outer circles. The man in grey, with his goatee continuing the story, said seriously:

"An Jingming was a peerless talent in cultivation, naturally he scoffed and replied,"

"With my Immortal Bone bestowed by the heavens, who are you to claim the mantle of Wutong—"

No sooner had the man in grey finished speaking than the crowd erupted in cheers and applause. The storyteller, beaming with satisfaction, stroked his beard, clearly pleased with himself.

Standing on the edge of the crowd was a young boy of about eleven or twelve, clad in fur and standing tall. His snow-white fur cuffs marked him as the son of a wealthy family.

Yet, as if unseen by the crowd around him, an open circle was maintained miraculously as if by magic. The boy held the hand of another boy, about five or six years old, who looked both clever and strikingly similar to him.

"Xizhi brother, this An Jingming has such a high reputation," the boy uttered in his young voice, only for the opulently dressed youth to wave his sleeve and respond with a smile:

"An Jingming was known for his many good deeds and his extraordinary talent. His tragic fall, naturally, is deeply engrained in people’s memories."

The boy nodded, impressed though not understanding, as he could barely see the events in the crowd, and the cheers drowned out the voices. Anxiously, he asked:

"And then what happened?"

"And then?"

Li Xizhi stood with crossed arms, responding in a casual tone:

"The play says he fought against many, breathlessly killed his way out, and henceforth roamed freely between heaven and earth, no longer fettered."

"The play says?"

Li Ximing tilted his head, unable to hold back his curiosity:

"But what actually happened?"

"He was killed by the Yu Family, his head even pickled and probably displayed in the Yu family’s treasury by now."

Li Xizhi’s expression turned somber. Every youth dreamt of reaching the Third Layer of Fetal Breathing and Ten Years of Foundation Establishment, which made him feel a sense of regret over An Jingming. Holding Li Ximing in his arms, he said gently:

"You should read less of these plays and more of our family history to understand the bloodshed that lies beyond these peaceful towns."

Li Ximing nestled in his arms and nodded, when suddenly a man appeared, a sword at his waist and a solemn expression, though his tone betrayed some helplessness:

"Young masters... you’ve given me quite the search."

Li Xizhi glanced at him and replied:

"Congratulations, Uncle Gongming, on achieving the Qi Cultivation—faster even than the Jade Courtyard Guards in their search."

"Oh, it’s nothing."

Xu Gongming, having just made his breakthrough in Qi Refinement, was overjoyed. Li Xizhi’s praise brought a smile to his face as he responded:

"You flatter me, young master."

In the past five years, the Li Family had been safe and sound. The news of Li Tongya repelling the Yu Family alone cemented his reputation as the one who cut down Maha and made the name of the Moon Que Sword even more resounding, even reaching the realms of Wu and Xu.

With steady progress over these five years, several members of the Li Family had made breakthroughs in Qi Cultivation; first was Lady Dou, who used minor Spiritual Energy to achieve Qi Cultivation, gaining some glory for the Dou Clan.

Then there was Xiao Guiluan, who relied on the Xiao Family’s Early Evening Vital Energy to achieve Qi Cultivation with a Third Grade Cultivation Technique; skilled in averting calamities and detoxifying, she was more adept in using gentleness to control her opponents, making her far stronger than ordinary Qi Refinement cultivators, like Lady Dou.

Counting the newly emerged Xu Gongming and Li Xuanxuan, who was far in the market square, the Li Family now boasted five cultivators in the early stages of Orthodox Law Qi Cultivation, more than enough for self-protection.

"What brings you here?"

Li Xizhi, who had now attained the Third Layer in Fetal Breathing, held Li Ximing and asked. Xu Gongming replied in a low voice:

"Second Master has returned from Wutu Peak and is currently in deep discussion with the Family Head. They are waiting for the two young masters to join them."

Hearing that his father had returned from Wutu Peak, Li Xizhi’s expression turned grave and he said seriously:

"I understand, thank you, Uncle Gongming!"

Having said this, he applied the Godspeed Technique and hurriedly rushed towards the foot of the mountain.

————

Li Yuanping, who was now nearly twenty years old, had a look in his eyes that, though he stopped, carried a kind of oppressive force. Even though his complexion remained pale and his cultivation level was only at the Third Layer of Fetal Breathing, he commanded a presence that could not be underestimated.

Dressed in his usual black attire, Li Yuanjiao sat to the side, his cultivation having just broken through to the Sixth Layer of Qi Cultivation. He held a light purple Jade Slip in his hand and said in a deep voice,

"Xizhi took Ming’er out again?"

"Ah."

Li Yuanping chuckled in response and said,

"Brother, after all, the time is approaching. There are not many days left for them to stay at home. It’s good for the two brothers to spend time together."

Li Yuanjiao nodded silently. Before the year ended, Yuan Tuan of Qing Sui Peak had made a breakthrough, successfully establishing his foundation and forming his Immortal Foundation "Qingxuan Yue," succeeding the position of Peak Master of Qing Sui Peak and beginning to take disciples.

As soon as Yuan Tuan left seclusion, he sent a letter to the Li Family. The words in the letter were fervent. First, he informed about and mourned the loss of Li Chijin, stating that after completing his tasks, he would come to Wangyue Lake in a few months to examine Li Xizhi’s Root Bone.

Although the Li Family did not have the accumulation of methods to test for Root Bone and innate talents like the Three Sects and Seven Doors, from the speed of Li Xizhi’s cultivation, it was clear to see. Achieving the Third Layer of Fetal Breathing in six years, he was qualified to enter the Green Pond Sect.

Li Yuanping set down the vermilion pen in his hand, saw the grave expression on Li Yuanjiao’s face, and asked with confusion,

"I do not know... What matter would prompt Brother to make a trip back here in person?"

"Considering the time, the period to offer tributes to the Green Pond Sect has also arrived."

Li Yuanjiao replied with a frown, and Li Yuanping, realizing, responded,

"Brother, rest assured, although the demonic calamity has gradually subsided over the past few years, the business in the market is still good. In the last few years, there have been a few additional external Qi Cultivation Cultivators, and the various Spiritual Objects in the family have had a bountiful harvest. There will be no issue in handling this tribute."

"These past few days, I have been busy arranging matters for this very purpose, and there will certainly be no omissions." 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Listening to Li Yuanping’s complete response, Li Yuanjiao nodded in approval and said,

"You have managed the family affairs these years; of course, I am at ease."

His tone shifted as he spoke in a lower voice,

"But I have received word from Guiluan that this year, Yu Muxian of Yuanwu Peak personally took charge of this tribute matter. Riding on a Rosy Cloud Boat, he is heading to Wangyue Lake!"

"Yu Muxian!"

Li Yuanping immediately tensed up, his expression turning sour, and he said with his head lowered,

"Indeed, this could be somewhat troublesome..."

Li Yuanjiao and he exchanged a glance, both understanding the difficulty of this situation.

After all, Li Tongya had severed Xiaogui’s path to cultivation, and it was heard that in the past years he had been sustained only by continual Blood Sacrifices with Spiritual Medicine. Yu Muxian had wide connections within the sect, and there were already people in Yuanwu Peak who felt indignant on his behalf.

Yet Yu Muxian had not made his stance clear, and with the Li Family’s Sword Cultivator fame echoing in the surroundings, nobody dared to provoke them openly.

Now that Yu Muxian, as a Foundation Establishment Immortal Cultivator, was coming to Wangyue Lake with great pomp, Li Yuanjiao felt a quiet unease. Everyone said the Li Family’s sword techniques were handed down through generations, and the Qing Sui Sword Immortal and Moon Que Sword were sibling swordsmen with resounding reputations.

"Only our family knows our own suffering..."

Only Li Yuanjiao and Li Yuanping within the Li Family were aware of Li Tongya’s demise. Li Yuanjiao pondered silently for a while, then comforted,

"I once heard from our forefathers that Yu Muxian was self-serving and lacked gratitude. Our family has the protection of the Immortal Clan; perhaps he will not go too far."

Li Yuanping nodded slightly, a trace of calmness appearing on his pale face. Just then, a youth in a brocade robe walked into the courtyard, dashing and spirited, leading a younger boy by the hand.

Li Xizhi let go of the hand, stepped forward, and respectfully said,

"Xizhi greets Father and Uncle."