Family Cultivation: I Become a Mirror-Chapter 242 - 224: Scheming Across Lifetimes (Part 1)

"The eastern part has been carved away along Ling River, the Southern Border offers up treasures to that old flood dragon, the northern Ziyan Sect, loyal as an ally, still keeps quiet, yet the west has again been robbed of a corner by Xiao Chuting..."

Chi Zhiyun sat quietly atop the throne, radiant with dazzling light, hand pressed to his brow in silence, his heart full of dread; only after assuming this seat did he truly understand the words Chi Wei once spoke—that Green Pond Sect now sits atop a volcano on the verge of eruption.

With Chi Wei newly dead, the Xiao Family declared themselves the Immortal Clan, and the remaining Immortal Sects tested the waters again and again; the noble families in every county grew restless. If it were not for the four Zifu Monks guarding the sect, disaster would have already descended.

"Now we can only placate the Xiao Family, keep them neutral, and harshly suppress the other noble families. As long as our sect maintains four Zifu Monks, nothing catastrophic will come to pass."

Chi Zhiyun recalled the four Foundation Establishment cultivators who emerged overnight from the Xiao Family, grinding her teeth in hatred. She slapped the armrest hard, voice bitter:

"These noble families truly are detestable!"

Chi Zhiyun was still lost in thought when someone approached from below, respectfully speaking:

"Sect Master... Unrest has broken out in Linghai County. A group of devil cultivators incited the loose cultivators there to attack the markets established by our Green Pond Sect. Fortunately several Peak Masters arrived in time and dispersed the crowds; only a few penniless loose cultivators were caught."

Chi Zhiyun, incredulous, lifted her gaze, voice sinking:

"How could it be! Even a few loose cultivators dare assault our Immortal Sect's markets?!"

The man hesitated for a moment before replying:

"Sect Master! According to the Peak Masters, it seems these people were bewitched by demonic skill, behaving in maddened, crazed fashion. I fear it is not a simple matter."

"Demonic skill?"

Chi Zhiyun paused. In ancient days, all would say to slay the devil one found; in these times, few distinguish Immortals from Devils. If one had to name it, still sorcery remained strange and uncanny—no doubt it played a part.

"Leave it for now."

He waved his hand, voice low.

The man bowed again and continued:

"Si Yuanbai has exited the tower, organized his belongings on Green Pond Peak, but did not converse with the Perfected One, and instead departed the peak without a word."

Chi Zhiyun chuckled softly, nodding:

"Let him go."

————

Li Tongya, having taken leave of the fox, rode the wind eastward, finally alighting at Guanyun Peak Market. Now that Xiao Chuting had become Zifu, the atmosphere here was changed—cultivators dropped by more and more, discussing news of the Xiao Family.

Li Tongya sought out a spiritual medicine shop, where an apprentice in the Fetal Breathing Realm sat, counting herbs before the counter. On seeing Li Tongya, the young man instantly stood and approached eagerly, smiling:

"Sir, are you seeking medicinal herbs?"

"Mm."

Li Tongya nodded, voice low:

"Precious medicine."

The apprentice froze, then hastily dropped to his knees, trembling and stammering:

"Forgive my forwardness! May I ask, are you a Foundation Establishment senior?"

"Indeed."

Li Tongya answered gently. At once, the apprentice kowtowed several times with loud smacks, his voice quavering as he shivered and said:

"My lowly tongue has offended your honor; I beg you, senior, please ascend upstairs."

Li Tongya had no words for the moment, not expecting a Foundation Establishment cultivator to command such reverence. He opened his mouth, but seeing the apprentice still shuddering, simply kept silent and headed upstairs.

The second floor's decor was clearly much more lavish; several Qi Cultivators browsed at the counter, picking through herbs. As soon as Li Tongya crossed the threshold, all eyes fell upon him—spiritual sense brushing against him, then recoiling in fright, all bowing and speaking respectfully:

"Greetings, senior!"

"Greetings, ancestor!"

Li Tongya saw the crowd of Qi Cultivators nervously watching him. The entire medicine building fell silent. He had no choice but to wave his hand:

"You may go about your business. I merely seek a particular herb."

"Yes!"

The Qi Cultivators, having received Li Tongya's word, braced themselves, glanced at one another, and understandingly retreated in turn; before long, the vast floor held only Li Tongya as a customer. Though the shopkeeper's business was thus disturbed, his expression was full of flattering smiles as he respectfully said:

"What does senior require?"

"Do you have precious medicine?"

The shopkeeper's brow twitched at Li Tongya's words, answering with a fearful tremor:

"Precious medicine is forbidden for sale under Green Pond's jurisdiction. Only the Green Pond Sect itself may buy or trade—senior surely jests."

Li Tongya froze, looking at the group of Qi Cultivators and forming an idea, replying softly:

"So Foundation Establishment cultivators have no use for this market anymore?"

In response, the shopkeeper answered respectfully:

"Senior, Guanyun Peak Market supplies only spiritual objects and magic artifacts for Fetal Breathing and Qi Cultivators. Foundation Establishment seniors seldom visit. You may try asking at the nearby noble families—perhaps they will have news of precious medicine..."

"Only a handful of markets in Yue Country offer Foundation Establishment-level spiritual objects and magic artifacts. In years past, when Wangyue Lake Market was open, Foundation Establishment cultivators would come and go, but now it has long been destroyed."

Seeing Li Tongya fall into silent deliberation, the shopkeeper gave a fawning smile, bowing respectfully:

"Senior should ask at the noble families—the Immortal Clan on the peak, the Yuan Family of Mushroom Forest Plain, the Yu and Fei Families of Wangyue Lake, all may have information on precious medicine."

Li Tongya nodded, though inwardly forced a bitter smile, thinking to himself:

"To buy precious medicine from the Xiao Family, and then gift it to the Xiao Family as a congratulatory offering—what a farce indeed."

The shopkeeper raised his brow to observe Li Tongya's expression, speaking respectfully:

"May I ask, senior... of which noble family are you the ancestor? Or do you cultivate on some peak? I am willing to inquire for you, and should news arise, deliver it immediately unto you."

Li Tongya raised his brows, surprised at the man's cleverness and boldness: seeing that this medicine shopkeeper sought connections and protection. Yet, his breakthrough was known only to a handful of direct kin and allies, it was not the time to publicize it, nor to involve himself with this market. Thus, he waved his hand and replied: