Chapter 760 537: Return to the Clan

As soon as he spoke, it truly startled Li Qinghong.

The Du Ruo Spear was the first Foundation Establishment Magic Artifact acquired by her clan, and it fit perfectly in her hand; after so many years in Li Qinghong's possession, it had never been inferior to any magic artifact wielded by her enemies.

This spear bore no inscription of its name. When Li Tongya obtained it in the past, he could not use it and did not know what it was called; it had always been kept in the treasury until Li Qinghong had it recognize her as its master, only then did she learn it was called Du Ruo.

Yet this was the first time someone had called out the name of the magic artifact in her hand.

Miao Quan, before her, looked both furious and shocked; unexpectedly, he did not make a move, but simply hovered atop the white light in the sky, asking:

"Are you of the Jin Yu Sect? Or the Green Pond Sect?"

Li Qinghong retracted her spear and stood upright, speaking softly:

"Senior has misunderstood; I am neither."

Miao Quan's expression changed repeatedly, gritting his teeth as he growled:

"It doesn't matter who you are, or whether you admit it. As long as I capture you, I will know everything!"

He spoke in haste, unable to hold back a couple of coughs, which made Li Qinghong secretly pleased:

"It seems the Mysterious Thunder struck suddenly—this person is not entirely unscathed, merely forcefully concealing it."

Now, Li Qinghong was at the late stage of Foundation Establishment and could condense three Mysterious Thunders in the Thunder Pool; she had only spent one, thus had some confidence and was not overly afraid.

Miao Quan summoned another beam of white thunder in his hands, gripping the axe handle with both fists; white light glimmered in his eyes, while Li Qinghong covertly prepared her Thunder Dharma, bracing herself for battle.

At that moment, several wailing voices echoed, and a person, like a clear breeze, revealed himself between the two. Clad in azure robes, a green flute gleaming gently at his waist—it was a middle-aged man.

He wore a Taoist crown and stood with hands clasped behind his back, gazing coldly and clearly at Miao Quan, whose naked upper body and thunder light silently withdrew, his face taut.

"Taoist Fellow Shen."

Li Qinghong heard these words and realized it was an elder of the Shen Family who had arrived. She suppressed the surging thunder in the Sea of Lightning, as Shen Yanqing exhaled with joy, exclaiming:

"Father!"

But Shen Yanqing quickly recollected herself, pulled Li Qinghong closer and whispered:

"Let us withdraw swiftly, lest… if fighting breaks out, Father will be encumbered…"

Li Qinghong nodded and rode her thunder, slowly retreating with her, casting a distant glance only to see Miao Quan continuing to stare unwaveringly at them.

His eyes were filled with white light, burning as if to speak to Li Qinghong:

"I will seek you out…"

Li Qinghong felt a slight headache, and followed Shen Yanqing upon the wind above the sea; this young lady surveyed their direction and said softly:

"Sister Qinghong, we are very close to Qing Song Island—the place is safe, you and I should rest there first."

Li Qinghong nodded, and the two flew together for a while; Qing Song Island soon appeared before their eyes.

The island was now vastly different from before, with large reefs and stretches of shore emerging; its territory had expanded severalfold, and faintly, traces of constructions could be seen upon those rocks and sands, even a few toppled stone steles.

Shen Yanqing beside her seemed to be seeing it for the first time as well, marveling:

"I heard that the coastal waters were fertile lands in ancient times, and Qing Song Island was once Qing Song Peak… Indeed it is so!"

The two landed together at the Shen Family's Cave Mansion on the island, activating the cave's banishment barrier. Shen Yanqing then hurried forth with a smile, saying:

"This time it's all thanks to Sister for stepping in!"

Li Qinghong modestly replied:

"I was only passing by… Even if I hadn't come, he would not have done you much harm… In truth, I only intruded."

"Sister jests."

Shen Yanqing immediately shook her head and smiled:

"East Sea waters descend and thunder ascends—Thunder Cultivators from the Four Seas and inland all flock east… That Miao Family is originally a Thunder Cultivation Noble Family from the South Sea, who would have thought this fellow would make his way all the way to the East Sea."

"I, too, was mindful of the East Sea's descending waters and ascending thunder; for years I cultivated on the island. With the recent upheaval, I rode the thunder back, only to run into him unexpectedly."

Li Qinghong harbored some doubt, asking tactfully:

"I only thought that your house is a Zifu Immortal Clan… Traveling between the inland and overseas, surely you should have capable help at your side…"

Shen Yanqing's brows immediately lowered, some anxiety crossing her face as she answered gently:

"Sister Qinghong may not know… The Xiuyue Superior Sect has now sealed the mountains and opened the seas, leaving vast territory… A great tide of Devil and Buddhist Cultivators are moving southward; my family happens to be under Xiuyue's domain and has suffered many shocks."

"Because of this, the cultivators on the island must defend the sea, while those at home cannot leave to fetch others… I imagine our Perfected Person is caught in mediation between the Compassionate and Devil factions, unable to manage all else…"

She explained quietly, and ultimately did not mention the matter of the Mysterious Thunder Heaven Stone; Li Qinghong did not inquire, for that was out of her reach, and instead was more concerned about the Du Ruo Spear.

Li Qinghong considered for a moment and asked:

"Fairy, do you know of the Du Ruo Spear that Miao Quan spoke of?"

She had thought Shen Yanqing might explain its origins, but to her surprise, Yanqing pondered carefully and replied:

"I have never heard of it… The name is wholly unfamiliar—judging by the look of that Miao Family member, it appears to hold some connection."

While the two were talking, the western sky was once again filled with a flow of rosy clouds; several colored streaks shot across the heavens. Li Qinghong saw it clearly and whispered:

"Rosy Cloud Boat."

Shen Yanqing nodded:

"Green Pond, Jin Yu, many Buddhist and Devil cultivators are likely already battling in Xu Country. That Rosy Cloud Boat must be transporting the conscripted cultivators…"

Her words hit upon Li Qinghong's worry, unsettling her heart:

"If Green Pond Sect calls for cultivators, my family's share will be unavoidable. Several juniors at home… Xizhi is probably still on the forge-mountain; Ximing must not be sent into battle; Xijun has returned only to find nothing left… I fear only I am suited for the task."

'Who knows how the Shen Family will arrange things; best to hurry home while they hold up Miao Quan.'

With her heart ever more anxious about her family, Li Qinghong could no longer sit still and gently said:

"Since we are now out of danger, I must rush home to check on things and should not linger; let me pay my respects to your esteemed father…"

Shen Yanqing understood her concerns; her own father's duel could drag on endlessly, so she nodded:

"Sister Qinghong, do head back first… If chance allows in future, I will visit to thank you in person."

Li Qinghong exchanged a few pleasantries before leaving; once outside the Shen Family Cave Mansion, she did not immediately ride the wind, but thought to herself:

"Xizhi has gone to forge-mountain, yet Yuexiang remains atop the peak. I do not know how the people of Green Pond treat her—best to take her home!"

At once she proceeded to the other side; Green Pond Sect was naturally not comparable to the Shen Family, for she had her own peak. She simply reported her name:

"Qingdu Li Qinghong, here to fetch Yuexiang…"

The gatekeeping Green Pond Cultivator, upon hearing her surname Li, greeted her very courteously. Before long, Li Yuexiang rode the wind down, and seeing Li Qinghong waiting below the peak alone, her face blanched, and she asked:

"Aunt, and elder brother!… Someone came looking for him a few days ago… said he had left his post without permission…"

Li Qinghong shook her head and replied softly:

"Your brother is unharmed. You just pack your things—we'll return home, and I will explain on the way."

Li Yuexiang nodded instantly, and together with Li Xizhi's belongings from the peak, they set off westward.