Chapter 763 539: The Eve (Part 2)

Li Xizhi rested for a moment—the Rosy Cloud Boat beneath his feet had begun to move. Just outside the door, a person approached; his cultivation level was Late Stage Qi Cultivation, his face pale and beardless, hair white as snow, bearing an aristocratic air. Yet one sleeve hung empty and limp. He halted at Li Xizhi's side.

He cupped his hands and spoke softly:

"I am Fei Yihe. Greetings, young master."

Li Xizhi found the name somewhat familiar; he recalled this man was among the Fei Clan who had once traveled together in bygone years. Thanks to Li Xuanfeng's care these recent years, Fei Yihe's body carried countless scars, but he had survived.

Li Xizhi returned the gesture, answering softly:

"Xizhi greets senior."

His thoughts turned to his younger uncle, Li Yuanqin, who dwelled far away in the Southern Border. That youth ought to be younger than himself, but who could tell what manner of man he'd become now? And so, he asked:

"Has my little uncle arrived… I must meet with him…"

Fei Yihe shook his head, replied:

"The young master was dispatched within the Sect to cultivate with the sons of the Chi Family."

At those words, Li Xizhi's heart turned clear as a mirror, and he could only sigh inwardly. Fei Yihe, however, had grown anxious, sitting down beside him, and asked:

"I have dwelled many years in the Southern Border, spent recent days in seclusion again and again. The General has gone to battle in the East Sea. I've only heard tidbits from the Fei Clan. May I ask, Peak Master… what of our family? What cultivation level do Tongyu and Tongxiao possess?"

Li Xizhi nodded gently and answered:

"Now, it is Master Tongyu who manages the household—the connection with our family is severed. What I know is little; rumor only that Master Tongxiao failed his breakthrough, died his death, his lineage ended."

This news seemed to match the old man's expectations; he showed no shock, but when he heard of death and extinction, the fingers pressed to his knees twitched, and he stammered in dismay:

"Ah… I knew that boy."

Li Xizhi continued to relay all the tidings he knew. Fei Yihe nodded repeatedly in thanks, but had nothing more to say, sitting rigidly in his place, sleeves gathered in silence for most of the journey.

The Rosy Cloud Boat sped on, and before long, came the hint of docking. Only then did Fei Yihe shake out his empty sleeve, revealing a white-knuckled hand. He drew out a carefully written letter, offering it:

"If you should have the chance, Peak Master, please… deliver this letter to the Fei Clan for me…"

These past years, whenever Li Xuanfeng returned home, Fei Yihe always entrusted him with letters—at least three if not five by now. What changes has the Fei Clan seen? This old man kept prattling on, writing every word regardless; even if no one opened his letters, his longing was plain even to outsiders.

Li Xizhi saw it clearly and sighed inwardly, accepting the letter, answering:

"If the chance comes, I will deliver it for you, senior."

Fei Yihe nodded, watching as the boat slowed and settled. At last, unable to hold back, he whispered:

"If one day… the Fei Clan perishes… if there's any way to help, please, preserve a bloodline for me…"

Li Xizhi dared not promise him, only replied tactfully:

"With Taoist Fellow Qingyi cultivating in Yuanwu, your noble kin will surely find a way through peril. The elders will watch over you; please rest assured, senior…"

Fei Yihe nodded, falling silent, no longer speaking of it. A long time passed before Li Xuanfeng stepped inside—his golden armor already removed. He spoke gently:

"Xizhi, you have arrived."

Li Xuanfeng nodded slightly:

"First, we make landfall in Xu Country to meet with the Jin Yu Sect."

Li Xizhi accompanied him out onto the prow of the boat—a chill wind stirring all around. They had crossed the great river that divided north from south; waves churned, water veins roaring beneath.

Only now, having crossed the river, did the spiritual aura change utterly—the earth around was gray and yellow, desiccated, cracked open. White bones littered the land; the reek of blood and the weight of resentment whirled everywhere.

Across the sky, several streaks of escaping light flashed past. Seeing the Rosy Cloud Boat emerge, each turned back on their way. All of them seemed experienced—after flying for a span, they dived swiftly into the ground, disappearing into swirls of ash and smoke.

Li Xizhi watched for a time, then spoke:

"Uncle, do you know… with all the Noble Families being summoned, how is the arrangement to be made?"

The armor Li Xuanfeng wore had lost its spirit light when the Perfected Lords Lu Shui and Taiyuan made their move; dangling fragments of metal were all that remained. The repairs would require time and labor.

His return had been brief, so the armor was never restored, long since packed away. He heard Li Xizhi's question and replied:

"Naturally, the matter will not fall to us. In time, cloud boats will reach each region and summon cultivators, as dictated by the Sect…"

Li Xuanfeng paused, then answered:

"Four to five tenths of Noble Families' cultivators will be drafted, sent to Bianyan Mountain—for the current defense only. Should the fighting grow fierce, even more will be taken…"

Li Xizhi listened in silence, and murmured:

"If the clan cultivators are taken four or five tenths, it is akin to breaking the bones… I was hoping the clan might spare a few, yet now, it seems none can escape."

"Indeed."

Li Xuanfeng stood quietly for a long while before speaking:

"Blades and spears in the mountain strike blind. For smaller families, it is infinite opportunity: resources and magic artifacts usually unattainable, today you rummage corpses and gather them as you wish. Chaos itself brings fortune."

After conversing for a while, several men came forward. Li Xizhi looked closely—their leader wore a brilliant vestment robe, none other than his brother-in-law, Yang Ruizao.

On the boat, Yang Ruizao had gathered a few close Taoist fellows; several Foundation Establishment cultivators followed behind him. He saluted Li Xuanfeng respectfully:

"We greet you, senior!"

Li Xuanfeng nodded, inquiring each name in turn. Yang Ruizao stepped forward, and with the three standing together at the prow, it was clear that the boat's command now fell under Li Xuanfeng.

Yang Ruizao signaled to Li Xizhi, speaking softly, with a trace of helplessness in his tone: