Chapter 97: The Envoy of the Li Family (Please Subscribe)

Three months later.

Winter arrived with heavy, swirling snowflakes blanketing the world in a pure white, adorning the houses and mountains in silver.

A rich fragrance of alchemical herbs wafted from the cultivation chamber, invigorating the spirit and refreshing the mind, as if all worries and troubles vanished into thin air.

Within the Peaceful Courtyard, protected by second-tier formations and talismans as solid as rock, the herbal aroma did not spread beyond its walls.

“Two Detoxifying Spirit Pills, two Life-Critical Pills...” Li Guanxuan carefully stored the pills into delicate porcelain bottles, sealing them with his spiritual power. Exhaling a breath of stale air, he sat cross-legged and adjusted his internal energy.

At this point, his alchemy had reached mastery at the second-tier level.

Not long ago, he had visited the Myriad Phenomena Pavilion to purchase materials for formations and talismans, and had acquired ten second-tier longswords to cultivate gradually.

Now, with his Foundation Establishment at the third layer, these magical longswords nurtured by the Azure Profound Sword Intent possessed impressive destructive power.

Moreover, two months prior, Qin Jiyue had personally ventured into the Red Flame Mountain Range to gather materials for the detoxifying and life-critical pills.

Seeing Li Guanxuan emerge from the cultivation chamber, Qin Jiyue’s beautiful, enchanting brows furrowed with gravity as she spoke, “Husband, the Lord of Shanggu City has emerged from seclusion.”

Li Guanxuan narrowed his eyes and asked calmly, “What’s the situation?”

“As expected, his pill formation failed,” Qin Jiyue’s face remained solemn. “The wounds and hidden ailments within his body are hard to cure. Even with the finest heavenly materials, success is impossible. Originally, he had three years left to live, but the failure has reduced that to about one year.

“The Lord of Shanggu City has already begun preparing for his passing, so the coming months outside may be even more chaotic than we expect. Even Lord Cao dares not venture out lightly, choosing instead to quietly wait out the year.”

Hearing this, Li Guanxuan smiled faintly. It seemed Cao Feng valued his life after all.

Indeed, Silver Maple City was not far from Shanggu City.

Furthermore, the matter of the “premium life-critical pills” from the Myriad Phenomena and Spirit Treasure Pavilions, combined with Liu Xiaoxian’s departure from Shanggu City to move to Silver Maple City, had already stirred the Lord of Shanggu’s displeasure.

Before the Lord of Shanggu’s final days, he was bound to act recklessly.

Faced with a mad dog on its deathbed, it was best for Cao Feng to avoid its wrath—no need to quarrel with a feeble, ailing old man nearing his end. Quietly waiting for death would suffice.

“Zhiqiao has broken through to the sixth layer of Qi Refining, right?” Li Guanxuan asked.

Qin Jiyue smiled and winked, “Just three days ago. You’ve been so engrossed in refining pills these past days you’ve had no time to attend to your sister.”

Li Guanxuan caught the meaning behind her words and teased, “Speaking so sweetly, huh? Tonight, I’ll make sure you loosen your throat.”

“I await your presence, my lord,” Qin Jiyue replied with a charming smile and alluring eyes.

Li Guanxuan patted her full, shapely hip and said, “I’ll visit Brother Zheng first. Rongxin’s aptitude has improved considerably; she might break through to the ninth layer of Body Refinement soon. Help keep an eye on her.”

“Don’t worry, I’ve been keeping watch on my sister’s situation,” Qin Jiyue nestled into Li Guanxuan’s embrace.

At this stage, with the Lord of Shanggu growing more reckless, even Silver Maple City might encounter danger. It was best to have her, a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator, remain at home to watch over things and prevent accidents.

Besides, for their family, steady and cautious action was the only path forward.

...

Market District Three, Myriad Phenomena Pavilion.

Li Guanxuan came to check the inventory and handed over two premium Detoxifying Spirit Pills and one Life-Critical Pill to Zheng Huangjin.

“Aren’t you going to use these pills to break through?” Zheng Huangjin accepted the pills and passed spiritual stones to Li Guanxuan.

Even brothers in spirit must keep clear accounts.

Li Guanxuan had refined the necessary pills for him; regardless of friendship, Zheng Huangjin would still pay in spiritual stones.

“I kept one premium Life-Critical Pill,” Li Guanxuan smiled. “Most likely, I won’t need it now, but I have to consider the Golden Core stage ahead.”

“True,” Zheng Huangjin sighed. “For me, producing a false pill and extending my life by a hundred years is already heaven’s favor—I dare not dream of a true pill.”

“There’s still a long way to go before pill formation. Just focus on honing your aptitude,” Li Guanxuan smiled, though deep inside he felt a touch of emotion.

Zheng Huangjin had been the greatest help to him.

When he was still in Qi Refining, Zheng Huangjin had often helped him deal with “stolen goods.” If one day Zheng Huangjin left, he would surely feel a profound loss.

But as an immortal, this was inevitable.

Moreover, Zheng Huangjin still had over a hundred years of life left—his end was far away.

Zheng Huangjin changed the subject with a laugh, “The Huajing Immortal City and surrounding Spirit Cities have all fallen under the Thunderfire Sect’s control. Now, the Thunderfire Sect is the dominant force in that region. Even the Bright Moon Sword Sect must avoid them...

“By the way, during the hunt for the Huajing family’s remaining cultivators, many escaped.

“Some fled to the Glazed Immortal City under the Dan Ding Sect’s jurisdiction, others sought refuge with Hua Bo, Huajing Zhenren’s younger brother, at the Green Bamboo Sect.”

Li Guanxuan listened quietly.

So, Hua Bo and Huajing Zhenren were not on good terms. They had once quarreled over the family inheritance, and Huajing Zhenren had expelled his younger brother from the family.

In anger, Hua Bo founded the Green Bamboo Sect and severed all ties with the Huajing family.

Two years ago, Huajing Zhenren perished, but Hua Bo successfully formed a true pill and entered the Golden Core stage.

Hearing this, many of the Huajing family remnants flocked to the Green Bamboo Sect, hoping the now Zhenren Hua Bo would take them in.

Zheng Huangjin explained, “Those who joined Green Bamboo Sect are mostly distant relatives of the Huajing family or have connections to Hua Bo’s lineage. Hua Bo did not mistreat them, letting them start at the bottom and work their way up.”

Li Guanxuan nodded slightly. Now with a true pill Zhenren at Green Bamboo Sect, even the Thunderfire Sect would have to consider them before wiping out the Huajing remnants.

Besides, Hua Bo had a right to inherit the Immortal City, despite being kicked out.

However, having just attained the Golden Core stage, Hua Bo was likely focused on consolidating his realm before making further moves.

...

“Any other news?” Li Guanxuan asked.

“Yes,” Zheng Huangjin replied. “Since the Thunderfire Sect took over Huajing Immortal City, the Beast Taming You family has aligned with them and gained favor. The You family’s patriarch recently broke through to the fifth layer of Foundation Establishment thanks to a True Essence Pill, giving the Beast Taming You family some breathing room.

“Also, about a year ago, the Thunderfire Sect seemed to have found Chen Yinshan’s trail. Steward Yan Mingyao and the You family patriarch set an ambush and severely wounded Chen Yinshan.

“If not for the timely intervention of the evil cultivator Fang Xingzhi, Chen Yinshan might have met his end there.”

Li Guanxuan frowned.

He had been unable to find any news about old Chen during his last outing. How had Chen suddenly turned up to kill someone after a year?

“How strong are those two?” Li Guanxuan asked.

“Chen Yinshan is in the early Foundation Establishment, roughly second layer. Fang Xingzhi has broken through to mid Foundation Establishment, likely due to some opportunity,” Zheng Huangjin said. “Fang Xingzhi had been active in the Red Flame Mountain Range, only coming out after reaching mid Foundation Establishment, so his chance must have come from there.

“Chen Yinshan’s cultivation method is extremely sinister, often plunging him into madness. He attacked Fang Xingzhi many times, but Fang Xingzhi refrained from retaliation because Chen kept causing trouble for the Beast Taming You family.”

Hearing this, Li Guanxuan breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, old Chen was not seriously injured.

What surprised him was that a pawn he had casually placed years ago had ended up saving old Chen’s life.

That alone was worth it.

“Where are they now?” Li Guanxuan asked.

“Likely still in the Red Flame Mountain Range. Fang Xingzhi seems to have ways to deal with Chen Yinshan’s condition,” Zheng Huangjin smiled. “Little brother, Fang Xingzhi has excellent talent and mindset. Your kindness to him back then was a wise decision.”

Li Guanxuan smiled back, “Learning from big brother.”

Zheng Huangjin laughed heartily, then said, “The Lord of Shanggu City is likely to make a move against Silver Maple City soon, but you needn’t worry. Cao Feng has already reached a cooperation agreement with the boss.

“Any attempt by the Lord of Shanggu to attack will be met with decisive retaliation.”

Li Guanxuan nodded slightly. Hidden in Silver Maple City, he felt relatively safe.

Besides Cao Feng and Liu Xiaoxian, both at the peak Foundation Establishment, there was also the Joyful Mountain Sect’s leader, another peak Foundation Establishment cultivator.

From what he knew, the Joyful Mountain Sect leader and Cao Feng had some connection. Cao Feng had tried several times to introduce him to Li Guanxuan, but he always declined with excuses.

After a while, Cao Feng stopped insisting.

“By the way, about your request to investigate the Li family’s Foundation Establishment bloodline cultivation method—I have gathered most of the information,” Zheng Huangjin said with a smile. “Rest assured, someone from the Li family will come to discuss it with you personally.”

Li Guanxuan’s expression paused in surprise. “What do you mean?”

“Any Li family member who trains outside is monitored by a specialist who watches their soul token. Once there’s movement, it means they’ve reached Foundation Establishment,” Zheng Huangjin explained. “Now that you’re at the third layer, the Li family must have noticed. According to Song Bifu, someone from the Li family will come to ask if you want to return, but regardless of your decision, they will hand over the Foundation Establishment cultivation method.”

Li Guanxuan was stunned.

The cold and ruthless sword-cultivating Li family was surprisingly considerate and kind?

“Really?” he asked skeptically.

Though this was what his father-in-law Song Bifu told Zheng Huangjin, Li Guanxuan had fought through the Immortal Ruins and Da Heng for years and understood human nature.

The Li family’s generosity would definitely require something in return.

What could he, a third-layer Foundation Establishment cultivator, possibly offer a family of Divine Sword cultivators?

“Absolutely,” Zheng Huangjin said. “This was told to Song Bifu by a senior Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Li family. They said if you’re free outside with protection, you don’t have to return to the family immediately. If you can’t find a way to advance later, you can always come back.”

Li Guanxuan remained silent.

He was born into this cold, ruthless sword-cultivating family and had personally experienced their cruelty.

Now, they were unprompted sending him a cultivation method—it was hard to believe.

There might be a trap...

Li Guanxuan frowned, pondering, but couldn’t pinpoint the problem.

“Whatever,” Zheng Huangjin advised. “Those who come to find you will likely be Foundation Establishment cultivators. If a Golden Core Zhenren comes, it means they want to forcibly bring you home.

“As long as it’s Foundation Establishment, there’s no need to be afraid. See what conditions they offer, then we’ll talk to the boss. Don’t worry too much. Getting that cultivation method is the most important thing.”

Li Guanxuan nodded slightly.

Indeed, no matter the Li family’s intentions, his goal was clear: to obtain the Foundation Establishment cultivation method!

Only with the bloodline-corresponding method could he dominate the Foundation Establishment stage and smoothly break through to mid Foundation Establishment.

“Rumble rumble...”

At that moment, the entire Silver Maple City trembled.

Li Guanxuan steadied himself, gazing into the distance with narrowed eyes. “The mad dog is acting up.”

Zheng Huangjin chuckled, “His final desperate move, trying to take down a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator... But the city lord won’t let him have the chance. Heavy ambushes have been set beyond the city walls.”

Li Guanxuan, focused on alchemy and talismans, was unaware of these details.

He only knew Cao Feng was well-prepared; the Lord of Shanggu couldn’t threaten Silver Maple City.

“Shanggu City is about to change hands...” Li Guanxuan sighed softly, then left the Myriad Phenomena Pavilion, heading towards the inner city’s Peaceful Courtyard.

In times of chaos, he should be with his wives, not wandering outside risking accidents.

...

Outside the city, the rumbling continued.

-----

The temple bell tolled within the room.

Time passed slowly.

Five months later.

The Lord of Shanggu City died with resentment just outside Silver Maple City, slain personally by Cao Feng, though his body remained intact.

The current Lord of Shanggu was the previous lord’s son, named Luan Pei, a late Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Cao Feng sent a message demanding the return of the Lord of Shanggu’s corpse in exchange for two mid-grade second-tier spiritual veins, no negotiations.

Furious, Luan Pei was enraged, but having just assumed the lordship, refusing to reclaim his father’s body would invite scorn.

Helpless, Luan Pei handed over the two spiritual veins and retrieved his father’s remains.

With multiple protective city arrays overlapping, many who coveted Shanggu City could only watch helplessly as Luan Pei reclaimed the lord’s mansion.

They knew it wouldn’t be long before, with Ge Wen’s assistance, Luan Pei would become a peak Foundation Establishment master.

...

This year, Li Guanxuan was sixty-four years old.

Having achieved Foundation Establishment at fifty-eight, six years had passed.

Today, a Li family envoy found him, and the two sat together in a private room at the Drunken Immortal Tavern.

Li Guanxuan smiled warmly, filling a wine cup and raising it. “Seventeenth brother, I didn’t expect it would be you sent by the family. It’s been years—you still look as elegant as ever.”

The young man opposite him had sword-like brows and bright eyes, handsome, with some resemblance to Li Guanxuan.

His name was Li Guanyuan, Li Guanxuan’s elder brother. The only difference was one was cold, the other warm.

Li Guanxuan’s smile was sunny, his gaze gentle like jade.

Li Guanyuan’s expression was blank throughout, almost expressionless.

“Hmph,” Li Guanyuan nodded coldly. “I didn’t expect you to have broken through to the third layer of Foundation Establishment.”

“Yes,” Li Guanxuan sighed. “It’s been fifty-two years since I left the Da Heng Li family. I’ve been through much in those years.”

Li Guanyuan sneered, “The one who once declared, ‘Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west; never mock the young and poor,’ now dares not return home after achieving Foundation Establishment, instead hiding in this second-tier Spirit City, living a mediocre life?”

“I’ve come to terms with it,” Li Guanxuan said cheerfully, unfazed by the ridicule. “Peace and simplicity suit me better. Those bloody struggles aren’t for me.”

He knew Li Guanyuan must have studied him before coming.

“A shame to sword cultivators,” Li Guanyuan said coldly. “A sword cultivator who neither contends nor fights—how can he ascend to immortality? Even if you get the family’s Foundation Establishment bloodline heart method, you won’t achieve much. You might as well follow your mediocre dual cultivation path.”

“Yes, yes, you teach well, seventeenth brother,” Li Guanxuan said, drinking without protest and smiling.

Why bother explaining to Li Guanyuan?

To him, even the top sword cultivator of the Immortal Ruins and Da Heng family was but a guest on the way to the Yellow Springs, a speck of dust in the vast cosmos.

Only he was eternal.

With the bloodline cultivation method in hand, no matter how mighty a sword cultivator, one day he would surpass them.

Arguing over right and wrong with others was pointless.

Besides, his seventeenth brother was a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator thanks to the family’s pills. Whether he could form a Golden Core was uncertain.

One day, he would turn and glance back at Li Guanyuan.

Seeing his younger brother so unambitious and complacent, Li Guanyuan’s anger flared; he wished to draw his sword and teach him a lesson.

Sensing a sharp sword intent, Li Guanxuan said calmly, “Seventeenth brother, calm down. I know you look down on me, but Silver Maple City is still under magic prohibition. If we duel, the city lord will intervene.”

“Afraid of him?” Li Guanyuan sneered. “Before coming, I slew a False Pill Zhenren.”

“Amazing, truly amazing,” Li Guanxuan gave a thumbs-up, smiling. “Now that we’ve spoken and the wine is drunk, please hand me the Foundation Establishment heart method. I must return to cultivation without delay.”

“You useless fool,” Li Guanyuan cursed through gritted teeth but still handed over the cultivation method coldly. “This is the family’s gift to every member training outside. Those at Foundation Establishment who don’t want to return can stay away, but once you reach Golden Core, if you want the Golden Core method, you must come back.”

“Alright,” Li Guanxuan smiled and nodded but thought little of it.

Must return at Golden Core stage?

We’ll see about that.

Perhaps by then, he would have other paths.

For now, he must get through this hurdle.

Li Guanyuan neither ate nor drank and left immediately after the exchange.

Clearly, he did not want to look at his underachieving brother any longer.

After all, as a sword cultivator with the strongest battle will, how could he settle for mediocrity?

(End of chapter)