novelslam Chapter 464 377 Jiao Knows Lakes and Seas
Chapter 464 377 Jiao Knows Lakes and Seas
"Can my family profit from this?"
Li Xuanxuan had only asked one question, his heart pounding with both trepidation and eager anticipation. On one hand, he feared the manipulations of Zifu, while on the other, he coveted the benefits. He whispered:
"The Dongli Sect was also a renowned Immortal Sect in its heyday, not to mention within its Cave Heaven. The spiritual water, spiritual fire, and spiritual energy outside the Cave Heaven, isn't each one a rare treasure?"
"Is it possible to send a few Guest Elders or members not of direct lineage to compete with those Loose Cultivators around that Cave Mansion? If we could snatch one or two of them, it would greatly benefit the future development of our family!"
Listening to him finish, Li Qinghong raised her delicate brows and said softly:
"It's hard to say. If we really get our family involved, whether we send outsiders, Guest Elders, or even direct lineage, there's not much difference..."
Li Qinghong continued:
"Moreover, those outsiders and Guest Elders, if they get their hands on Heaven and Earth Spiritual Water or Spiritual Fire, where would they honestly hand it over? Escaping freely across the world would even be considered lucky..."
Li Xuanxuan was at a loss for words and saw Li Qinghong say:
"We naturally cannot risk our own lives. Although Chu Yi has entered the Cave Heaven, who can ensure that they can drink their fill of soup and leave unscathed? Who knows, they might lose their minds upon reaching Dongli Mountain..."
"Loose Cultivators have nothing much to covet; they're just taking a gamble. Our family is different."
Li Qinghong pondered for a moment, then said softly:
"Our family cannot risk entering Dongli Mountain, but there are plenty of people willing to go... Bears hunting deer and sparrows stealing food; even if we, hawks, can't swoop in, can't we still profit from the sparrows?"
Li Qinghong took out a map from her storage bag and pointed to Dongli Mountain:
"Dongli Mountain is located on the border of Yu Fu County. To the southwest and north, there are larger counties filled with Noble Families and Clans. If we chase them there, it will not end well."
"If Loose Cultivators obtain treasures and leave the mountain, they will surely not head southwest or north. The best direction is east, straight towards the loosely governed territory of Ziyan Sect."
"Ziyan Sect's strength is weak, and they're currently preoccupied with dividing treasures inside the Cave Heaven. Their territory will be empty, and they will be short-staffed..."
Li Qinghong felt about seventy to eighty percent sure and spoke up:
"If I were a Loose Cultivator who obtained treasures, I would definitely flee eastward, leaving the Ziyan Territory and then escaping along the border of Shankei County and into the mouth of the Great River, concealing my identity in the East Sea and establishing a Taoist Lineage..."
Li Xuanxuan, stroking his beard, fell silent for a while and whispered:
"So Qinghong means: set an ambush in the territory of Ziyan Sect?"
"Not exactly."
Li Qinghong's eyes sparkled with excitement, and she laughed:
"At the mouth of the Great River entering the sea! Ziyan Sect is too close to Dongli Mountain and thus too dangerous. Qinghong will take the Immortal Mirror to the Great River. The Immortal Mirror can spy for thousands of miles. Which Foundation Establishment could catch me? Which Qi Cultivator can defeat me?"
"While everyone from Zifu is focused on Dongli Mountain, the mouth of the river where it enters the sea has so many twists and turns. Under the jurisdiction of the Xiuyue Sect, we wait nearby. If we are lucky, it will pay off. If not, we lose nothing. It's just a matter of ten or so days..."
Li Xuanxuan could tell it was a good plan, but he was too old and timid. Barely any courage was left in him after having it worn down by trials and tribulations faced in the marketplace. His lips quivered, but he remained silent.
Li Qinghong glanced at him and immediately understood, so she simply pursed her red lips and said no more.
'Uncle Xuanxuan is already so old that he is unrecognizable. He has had several brushes with death and is weary of it... He probably lacks the will to advance.'
Li Qinghong thought to herself and was silent for a moment before she indeed heard Li Xuanxuan say:
"Yuanjiao is in seclusion, life and death uncertain. If something were to happen to you, the family would lose its backbone. Besides... It's probably not right to use the family's treasured artifact for such a distant journey."
"Alright... I am enlightened."
Li Qinghong chuckled dejectedly and replied:
"But there's no hurry... I've heard that the Cave Heaven hasn't even opened yet. There must be many waiting..."
Li Qinghong bowed slightly, ready to withdraw, but then she noticed the bright, rippling water on the ground calming down. The cold wind swooped down from the sky, sweeping away the dark clouds above the courtyard.
"Boom!"
A dull rumble came from the clear sky, and suddenly the light dimmed. The clear water in the courtyard leapt from the ground, disappearing into the cracks and crevices of the stones.
"Big brother! Big brother has had a breakthrough!"
Li Qinghong was startled for a moment, then she saw the stone door of the cave mansion burst open, and a rushing cold wind blew out, stirring up a splash of bluish-gray mist. Li Xuanxuan stood up excitedly and stepped forward.
Sure enough, a young man in black emerged from the hazy mist, sword on his back, stepping out with a smile on his face that was filled with joy.
"The Vast Sea, it's done!"
Li Yuanjiao's voice, rarely so joyful and carefree, expressed the emotions he had suppressed for years. There was also a sense of not disappointing the trust placed in him as he looked at his father and sister in the courtyard and said:
"I have forged my Immortal Foundation, and have become a Foundation Establishment Early Stage Cultivator!"
Seeing his appearance, Li Xuanxuan laughed heartily and stepped forward, saying happily:
"My son Yuanjiao has established his foundation, naturally with utter certainty! Now that our family has gained such strength, many things we dared not do before are now possible."
Li Yuanjiao gently shook his head, a look of relief on his face. He recalled the many hardships he had faced during his years of seclusion and felt a cold sweat on his back thinking about it. He replied:
"Father speaks lightly of it, but the reality is quite different. Yuanjiao barely escaped with his life... If not for good luck and being young, I might not have survived this life-and-death challenge."
Their family elders had established their foundations effortlessly. Li Xuanxuan thought that Li Yuanjiao would at least have it easy as well, but seeing him looking like he had survived a disaster, Li Xuanxuan was stunned and replied: