Chapter 1451: Elder Cousin (II)

Li Chengqi's body twisted amid the pounding wooden fish sounds. His mustache, dripping with blood, grew longer and longer. His body seemed to writhe with countless crawling things, sprouting hooves, scales, and flicking tongues, as it transformed into a crawling venomous creature that leapt upon the ground.

The chanting above intensified, and someone called out, "Li Chengpan! Subdue the venomous creature. Clear away the past. It is time to sever worldly ties!"

Li Chengpan turned around. The old man's empty robes only contained a hateful, aimless venomous creature, hopping without direction. Li Chengpan lifted it by the jaw and ran his hand down its skin, tearing away its extra limbs. Green blood spilled out in pools.

With tears in his eyes, he said, "Elder cousin!"

The cry was heart-rending, like a suona[1] wail echoing through the air. Li Chengpan's usually timid and troubled eyes became clear, and his back straightened. The venomous creature seemed struck by lightning, as its evil nature was stripped away and its demonic intent pacified. It coiled around him in a daze, its scales turning golden.

Li Chengpan pressed his palms together again and bowed, "Now that I have witnessed the true path of Bright Enlightenment, I cast away the afflictions of the six roots and am willing to serve under you, cultivating toward the true fruition."

The Merciful One in the sky smiled with delight and replied, "Wrong, wrong! Who would have thought such fine destiny would appear? You are meant to enter my Great Desire Dao. We should take this Daoist friend to the Buddhist land, meet the great one, and see if there is a place reserved!"

Laughter immediately filled the sky as voices called out, "Wonderful! Wonderful!"

And again they shouted, "Seen through! Seen through!"

Amid the celebratory golden light, only Helian Wumeng at the side looked grim. His grip on the long-handled oar blade tightened, causing the spirit artifact to hum. A sinister light slowly appeared in his eyes, as if his entire body felt uneasy. He thought to himself,

He is still of imperial blood...

Though he himself had intended to capture a member of the Li Family to exchange for spirit items, no matter what, one either killed them or traded them back. Their ancestors were among the foremost figures of the world. How could they be treated like this?

His gaze turned cold as he said mercilessly, "Nuxiao! You brought me here to see this?"

Nuxiao was briefly taken aback, then forced a smile as she said, "Was this not to let you vent some of your anger..."

Helian Wumeng had suffered a setback on the northern shore, but he held himself as someone of stature. How could he tolerate such a scene? He laughed coldly, anger laced in his voice, "Absurd!"

"Please wait, sir!" Nuxiao hurriedly stopped him, forcing a smile as she said, "Lord Wujiang is currently discussing the Dao before our Maha seat. Why not come along?"

At these words, Helian Wumeng frowned, uncertain of her intentions, and said coldly, "

Oh?

"

Nuxiao smiled and said, "Do not be misled by how sturdy that formation appears, as though it would take great effort to break. The Supreme Yang Dao lineage is about to withdraw. Great Primordial Hidden Radiance Mountain will soon belong to us!"

————

Dark clouds hung heavy over the northern shore. Dazzling streams of light shot back from the north, splitting through layers of brilliance in the sky before quickly landing nearby.

"Elder cousin!"

A dignified-looking man in black robes stood waiting in the wind, golden qi surrounding him. One hand lightly tapped the hilt of his sword. Beside him stood a smiling woman in splendid attire, her features delicate and refined.

The man he called cousin appeared honest and steady, but much older. As he hurried back, accompanied by a tall young man, his presence seemed even more solid, though his face was somewhat pale. Turning back, he sighed and said, "Zhouluo, you have returned..."

"I was already within the Azure Pond Sect's domain. I came after receiving news of devil cultivators on the northern shore... I did not expect the family to have already resolved matters and gained such a great joy. Congratulations on your triumphant return, cousin..." replied Li Zhouluo.

Li Zhouluo had been waiting near the lake. When devil cultivators appeared on the northern shore, the family had sent out a distress signal. His wife had just emerged from seclusion, so he brought Pang Yunqing with him, both to reinforce the family and to see his kin.

The smile on his face was sincere, without a trace of jealousy. With Li Zhouwei breaking through to the Purple Mansion Realm so swiftly, their family now had two Purple Mansion Realm cultivators. This was excellent news for him and for his descendants alike, all the more so since it was his own brother who had advanced.

Though he was full of joy and felt it could not be better, the man before him showed no sign of happiness. After hearing the congratulations, Li Zhoufang forced a smile and, full of expectation, asked, "Have you seen uncle return... I have asked several times but received no answer... perhaps we should ask the Daoist Master..."

He was naturally referring to Li Chengqi. As for the Daoist Master, he did not mean Li Ximing, who had yet to appear, but Li Zhouwei, who was cultivating at the lake.

Ever since the events at Mount Qingdu, Li Zhouluo had maintained a pleasant demeanor, though he held a poor impression of Li Chengqi. Even so, this matter made him pause in surprise and asked, "Uncle did not return with you? No one knows where the Daoist Master is. It would not be appropriate to disturb him..."

Though he did not know the details and was unaware that Fei Chingyi had been with them and was now missing, his first instinct was not to disturb Li Zhouwei. Hearing this, Chen Yang, who was standing to the side, broke into a cold sweat and hurried forward to comfort them quietly, "Even without news, the Daoist should have made arrangements long ago..."

Li Zhoufang had been worried for so long that he could no longer control his emotions. Covering his face, he wept and said sorrowfully, "You only speak comforting words. I cannot even see the Daoist Master when I ask. Uncle's whereabouts are unknown. How could he still have a chance to live? Aside from aunt, he has no brothers who truly care for him. The elders are all at the lake. If we juniors do not ask, how many people in these mountains will even remember him?!"

At these words, Li Zhouluo lowered his head in silence, hiding his hands within his sleeves. Pang Yunqing, clad in green, immediately glanced at him. The atmosphere fell silent, until a streak of purple lightning descended from the sky with rolling thunder. A robust man stepped down upon it. It was Li Zhouda.

He had inherited Li Chenghui's legacy. Though slightly affected this time, he was not injured and had even distinguished himself in battle. Now, full of vigor, he cupped his hands and said, "Brothers! The cultivators of Purple Smoke Gate have escorted us this far, but the northern cultivators are watching closely. Please return to the lake at once to prevent any mishap..."

1. The suona is a traditional Chinese double-reed woodwind instrument, known for its loud, shrill, and highly penetrating sound. Often called the Chinese oboe, it features a conical wooden body, a brass bell, and seven to eight finger holes. ☜