Chapter 294: Summons From The Upper Sect

Chapter 294: Summons From The Upper Sect

The marriage arrangements of the Li Family were sudden, but invitations were sent out to all the families with Qi Cultivators and above on the lake. All the families, except the Yu Family, attended. Even the Foundation Establishment Realm rogue cultivators on the western shore sent representatives to observe the ceremony. Fei Wangbai did not attend personally but sent his grandson, Fei Tongyu, in his stead.

Fei Tongyu, always the elegant gentleman of the Fei Family, held a fan in his hand as he stood among the guests. His words were polite and courteous, but his demeanor showed little joy. He observed the various proceedings of the Li Family, particularly at Li Yuanjiao who was holding a cup at the head of the table, and felt a sense of unease stirring within him.

Li Yuanjiao at the peak of the Embryonic Breathing Realm... such rapid progress. Although I have not seen Li Qinghong here, with her talent, she must at least be at the fifth stage of the Embryonic Breathing Realm! The rise of the Li Family is too swift; this could spell trouble.

Fei Tongyu set down his cup and glanced at a young man sitting quietly, drinking alone. Despite having no apparent cultivation, he was seated in a prominent position, indicating his importance within the family.

Fei Tongyu inquired, "May I know how to address you, brother?"

Li Yuanyun, lost in thought, was startled by Fei Tongyu's voice. Although Fei Tongyu did not know him, Yuanyun recognized him as the direct descendant of the Fei Family.

He replied politely, "You flatter me, but I am just a commoner. My name is Li Yuanyun, a direct descendant of the Li Family, but I do not deserve such respect from an immortal like you."

After spending several years mingling among the common folk, Li Yuanyun had long shed his youthful innocence and put on some weight. He had tried countless folk remedies and rituals to nurture a spiritual orifice—from praying to gods and Buddhas to distributing wealth and seeking the blessing of paper talismans, all of which had worn him down to a weary semblance of a middle-aged man.

Fei Tongyu, upon seeing him, then asked, "May I inquire about your relationship with Lady Qinghong?"

"Li Qinghong is my elder sister, born of the same mother," Li Yuanyun answered.

Fei Tongyu immediately perked up. Before he left, his younger brother Fei Tongxiao had begged him multiple times to bring along several letters for Li Qinghong. Seeing no sign of her at the banquet, Fei Tongyu quickly asked, "Is Lady Qinghong in seclusion on the mountain?"

"Indeed," Li Yuanyun nodded.

Fei Tongyu hesitated for a moment before continuing, "My younger brother..."

Seeing Fei Tongyu's hesitant expression, Li Yuanyun shook his head and interrupted, "My elder sister asked me to mention that her current cultivation method precludes descendants. That is all I can say on the matter."

Shortly after, various exclamations could be heard from the crowds.

"The Dawn Cloudliner... people from the upper sect! What is going on?!"

"It is not even time to pay our tributes yet..."

"It's the Dawn Cloudliner!"

Fei Tongyu's heart was filled with dread and anxiety, sensing impending doom. Among the three families by the lake, only his Fei Family had no backing within the sect so they could only bribe a few managers for information.

The sudden arrival of the Dawn Cloudliner could only mean something significant was happening, either instigated by Li Chejing or Yu Muxian. If it was Yu Muxian, both the Fei and Li families would be in trouble. If it was the Li Family, and they knew nothing about it, it could not be good news either.

Fei Tongyu's face turned pale as he watched the Dawn Cloudliner fly past Mount Lijing, heading toward Milin Prefecture. He felt slightly relieved and then rose into the air to find Li Xuanxuan.

————

"The Dawn Cloudliner..." Yu Mugao mumbled as he stared, mesmerized by the descending lights. The ship slowly docked on the mountain peak, its intricate patterns glowing brightly. The oppressive aura of the formation eased as a young man descended from the ship.

The young man who was dressed in green, was handsome, but there was a perpetual frown on his face. From his hair to his boots, he was bathed in radiant light. The Yu Family members kneeled down hurriedly, lowering themselves to the ground. The young man scanned them with disdain.

"Where is Yu Xiaogui? It is one thing for Yu Yufeng to be absent... but where is Yu Xiaogui?"

Yu Mugao quickly explained, "Yu Mugao greets the envoy! My father is in seclusion, and the ancestor has not yet returned!"

The young man scowled, looking down at the group with contempt.

"For Muxian's sake, I will not hold it against you... My name is Chi Zhiyan, the head disciple of Yuanwu Peak. Today, I am here to summon the families around Moongaze Lake to send people to Yi Mountain City. I hope the head of the Yu Family can assist."