Chapter 717 515: Mist and Smoke (Part 2)

"Greetings, Perfected Person."

Yuan Su's expression was inscrutable. He glanced down at him, then said in a low voice:

"The Yuanwu line has perished cleanly. Follow me to meet the Chi Family members."

Li Xuanfeng grew slightly suspicious, not daring to say more. He nodded and rose, following Yuan Su out of the hall. At the entrance stood a middle-aged man, tall and imposing, none other than Ning Hejing.

Ning Hejing was the clan brother of Ning Heyuan and Ning Hemian, one of the few cultivators of the Ning Family still residing within the sect. He was the Peak Master of Yuanxing Peak and maintained a close friendship with Chi Zhiyun.

Chi Buzi was Chi Zhiyun's great-grandfather, and the Chi Zhiyun branch was the maternal clan of Ning Hejing. The two grew up together, their interests tightly intertwined—it could be said they were as close as real brothers.

At this moment, clasping his hands, Ning Hejing said toward Yuan Su:

"Perfected One, please proceed to the main hall."

Yuan Su nodded gently and soared on the wind. Ning Hejing merely offered a subtle nod to Ning Heyuan and the others beside him, showing not the slightest hint of a smile, keeping a respectful distance as he led Yuan Su and several Ning Family direct descendants to fly on the wind.

Ning Heyuan's face darkened momentarily but swiftly returned to normal. Several younger Ning Family members behind him also looked displeased; clearly, they resented Ning Hejing's behavior.

Yet Ning Hejing paid no mind to their expressions, showing only a slightly better face toward Li Xuanfeng. Li Xuanfeng nodded in return, and together they came down on the wind, reaching Green Pond's main hall.

Clouds surged within the hall, mists amassed, and pure spiritual energy wound around. In the center stood a grand golden bell—apparently the very instrument whose toll had just rang through the air. By this golden magic artifact stood a man of middle age, who appeared to be from the Chi Family.

At the highest seat stood another, robes dazzling, sword at the waist—undoubtedly the Sect Master of Green Pond, Chi Zhiyun. Glancing at their strikingly similar appearances, the man below was surely Chi Zhiyan, younger brother to Chi Zhiyun.

It was Li Xuanfeng's first time seeing this Chi Zhiyun, but the face was not unfamiliar; he narrowed his eyes slightly, mind stirring.

After all, his own Sword Immortal clan's reputation was thanks to this man. Back when Chi Zhiyun was still the Young Sect Master, he oversaw Li Chijin's journey to the Southern Border. Calculating the years, it had been six or seventy years since.

Chi Zhiyun was now at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage; who knew how many secret techniques he had mastered? His face glowed with gentle spiritual energy, his presence powerful—he'd surely consumed many precious medicines. Standing above all, he exuded majestic authority.

"Greetings, Sect Master!"

The many cultivators paid their respects. Chi Zhiyun was preoccupied with first greeting Yuan Su, bowing respectfully:

"Greetings, Yuansu Perfected Person."

Yuan Su waved his hand, dipping his head ever so slightly to the central seat, making it as if he had paid his respects to Yuanwu. Then, the Ning Family crowd paid their respects one after another. Chi Zhiyun watched coldly, only giving Ning Hejing a signal after the formalities were complete.

Ning Hejing looked to Ning Heyuan and said in a grave voice:

"You all withdraw."

Ning Heyuan's eyelids twitched at the words. He turned to gauge the Perfected Person's expression. Seeing Yuan Su entirely indifferent, he could only lead his people away in silence.

This scene was brief, but Li Xuanfeng understood its significance. Once the crowd had retreated, Yuan Su finally spoke:

"Where is Elder Sui Guan?"

At this name, Chi Zhiyun tightened his grip upon his sword hilt briefly, then smiled and replied quietly:

"The Perfected One is as elusive as a dragon, traversing The Great Void, journeying far and wide, at home and overseas. We juniors naturally do not know his whereabouts."

As he spoke, the jade talisman at his waist swung gently. Li Xuanfeng's pupils dilated slightly as he silently lowered his head.

This jade talisman was all too familiar; he had once used it to slaughter countless overseas, stringing dozens of storage bags upon it. Now, seeing it hanging from Chi Zhiyun's waist...

"Is this a warning... or an invitation?"

Li Xuanfeng looked to Chi Zhiyun, but the young sect master of Green Pond Sect was watching him in return.

"Nephew of Li Chijin."

Chi Zhiyun certainly remembered that youth from then; seventy years had passed in a flash, but he had never forgotten that sword strike. Each time he drew his blade to train, the memory of a gentle breeze and bright moon pressing in would surface—he would pause, lost in silent reflection.

As his cultivation grew, both his swordsmanship and spellcraft grew ever more profound—he was no longer the restless cultivator that he was as a youth. Yet that sword had so dazzled him that he felt ashamed in its presence, rarely drawing his blade since.

"With such uncles, no wonder he has such remarkable nephews!"

Before him now, Li Xuanfeng's brows and gaze were even sharper than that youth's—a harsh, weathered cruelty. The blood-soaked armor upon him was like a blade that one wanted to hide away and treasure.

He had consumed countless precious medicines and thus remained youthful in appearance. Li Xuanfeng looked every inch the old man, while Chi Zhiyun kept the look of a man in his prime. He was caught for a moment in his thoughts when Yuan Su finally spoke:

"Is it Sui Guan who will bring you to attend the ceremony?"

Chi Zhiyun promptly regained his composure, clasping his hands and answering in a respectful tone:

"As you command, Perfected Person!"

Yuan Su nodded, gesturing toward Li Xuanfeng as he said:

"Within my clan, all else are useless; I'll bring only this junior. Seize any chance you get—you should exchange pointers if possible."

Ning Hejing was chided out of nowhere, but dared not utter a word—in truth, he was only at Foundation Establishment Early Stage, his talents inferior even to several of his younger brothers, and he knew full well Li Xuanfeng's reputation. He suffered in silence.

Chi Zhiyun hesitated briefly but soon understood, putting on an affable smile and nodding:

"I shall obey the Perfected Person's decree."

Yuan Su nodded, taking Li Xuanfeng with him as they drifted away, leaving the three men within the main hall. Ning Hejing stood in a corner, while Chi Zhiyan, long silent, suddenly spoke with a shadowed, venomous look:

"So that is Li Xuanfeng!"

Chi Zhiyan's features were much like Chi Zhiyun's—albeit more sinister and cunning. He said coolly:

"Back then, Li Chijin used some underhanded tricks to defeat our elder brother... The whole clan hates the Li Family—all kinds of grudges have simmered for years! Once Yuan Su dies..."

"Zhiyan!!"

Chi Zhiyun immediately cut him off, scolding:

"How dare you speak so boldly!"

Chi Zhiyan could only fall silent. Chi Zhiyun, with a scowl, strode over and said coldly:

"How many times have I told you already? Li Chijin defeated me fair and square with sword intent—it's nothing shameful! You, with all your twisting and whining, are acting like beaten curs!"

Seeing Chi Zhiyan purse his lips, Chi Zhiyun barked:

"You...! I admitted defeat under the light of day, and afterward sought no harm to the Li Family. That is how one salvages one's pride. Instead, you lot keep playing both ends, making trouble for the Li Family behind the scenes, collaborating with the Yuan Family—you're just throwing me into the fire!"

Chi Zhiyan, hearing this, fell silent with an awkward look.

As for being bested by Li Chijin, Chi Zhiyun never truly minded. How many in South River practice sword intent? A defeat is a defeat—he would never stoop to cheap tricks.

All the more so as, with his position as Sect Master growing ever more precarious, Chi Zhiyun found himself lacking capable individuals. Regret gnawed at him:

"If only the old ancestor hadn't harmed Li Chijin... How many strong aides would I have now? Li Chijin's sword was unrivaled, his mind top-tier—had I his assistance, I wouldn't be driven to distraction by these incompetents!"

"Even Li Tongya, Li Xuanfeng, and that Li Xizhi—each one is enough to command their own territory… Instead, today I'm left with this handful of idiots..."

Chi Zhiyun sighed deeply, when he suddenly realized his younger brother had gone quiet. Turning, he saw Chi Zhiyan looking dazed—instantly alarmed, he demanded:

"What have you done now?"

Chi Zhiyan, distracted by that mention of 'harming the Li Family', turned pale, his thoughts laid bare by his brother's question, and could only mumble with some embarrassment:

"Nothing much..."

Chi Zhiyun scrutinized him for a moment, then asked coldly:

"Hejing... The Spirit Bell tolled six times; did Li Xizhi return to the sect as ordered?"

Ning Hejing pondered a moment and shook his head:

"He did not."

Chi Zhiyun's heart lurched; rage burst forth as he cursed:

"Damn brat! I kept Li Xizhi around for a reason! If you've harmed him, how many in the sect are left that are any use to me?"

"You're trying to ruin me!"