"Thank you for your kindness, senior, but such a precious treasure is truly too much for me to accept," Li Weiyi said after a moment of consideration.
He genuinely felt a bit ashamed. The other party had treated him with sincerity, while he had been hiding many things. As the saying goes, "Treat others with sincerity, and they will respond in kind."
But if he didn't hide his true intentions, how could he enter the hidden sects and become a divine hidden person? Li Songlin had been observing Li Weiyi's state of mind and smiled slightly, saying, "Why are you calling me 'senior' again?"
"Uncle Four."
Li Weiyi was more than happy to address him this way. Since childhood, he had no relatives. His master, senior brother, and senior sister were the only family he knew.
The term "uncle" was incredibly precious to him. This time, he called him "Uncle Four" with even more solemnity than when he was in Nine Li City.
"That rare herb tainted with immortal aura is kept at the Jujube Plum Manor. We'll go and retrieve it now. There's no need to feel unworthy or burdened. Have you forgotten? The Cang Li Tribe still owes you a favor from Burial Immortal Town."
After a pause, Li Songlin revealed a strange smile.
"Second Uncle and Second Aunt have already heard about you and asked me about you. Don't worry, there's no pressure. Just keep your spirits high. This day was bound to come sooner or later."
Li Weiyi glanced at the bright-eyed and fair-skinned young girl sitting across from him. She was also staring at him. He sighed inwardly.
Perhaps the reason Uncle Four treated him so sincerely was largely because of Li Ling. It was clear that he was being treated as the future son-in-law of the fourth young lady. After a brief awkward silence, Li Ling asked, "Uncle Four, what exactly is the situation with Burial Immortal Town?
I've heard some people say that it's a place where immortals have fallen, filled with countless treasures. Some even say that it connects to a corner of the immortal realm, a place where one can ascend to immortality in a single step. Can we, as mortals, really go to the immortal realm?"
The lazy demeanor on Li Songlin's face disappeared, and his eyes became as sharp as swords. He straightened his back and said, "These rumors must have been spread by those with ill intentions, aiming to lure strong individuals from various regions to Li Prefecture, causing chaos and profiting from it.
So far, no one who has entered the depths has returned alive. There was even a Dao Seed Realm cultivator who tried to force his way down, but no one knows what he encountered. He turned into a rain of blood, his bones reduced to powder."
Li Weiyi was shocked. Even a Dao Seed Realm expert had died so mysteriously? He immediately lost interest in the so-called great opportunity at Burial Immortal Town and became more concerned about the safety and stability of Li Prefecture.
He asked, "Are these rumors spread by the Earth Wolf King Army?" Li Songlin nodded.
"It's said that the Earth Wolf King Army has sent three Dharma Kings to Li Prefecture. They are ambitious and must be planning something big. But they alone don't have the capacity to swallow the entire Li Prefecture. There must be other forces involved. One of them is the Million-Gate Sect 'Dragon Gate' from the Eastern Region."
Li Weiyi was no longer the naive young man from Earth. He now had a good understanding of the world's situation and knew the weight of the Million-Gate Sects. They were behemoths that were few and far between in the entire Lingxiao Living Realm.
The Eastern Region's "Dragon Gate," the Southern Region's "Zuoqiu," the Western Region's "Zhu Gate," and the Northern Region's "Snow Sword Tang Court." These Million-Gate Sects were at least the overlords of an entire region, with their influence, industries, and clans spread throughout the Lingxiao Living Realm.
They were involved in almost every industry—pills, magical tools, exotic beasts, salt, banks, spices, mines, porcelain, tea, inns, brothels, silk... Their roots were deeply entrenched in the twenty-eight regions, omnipresent and all-pervasive. Their foundations spanned thousands, even tens of thousands of years.
How dense were these roots? How thick was this foundation? Ten years ago, the first call to arms against the Lingxiao Palace was sounded in the Eastern Region by the Dragon Gate and the Thundercloud Sect.
It quickly spread across the world, leading to the current state of endless warfare and warlords carving up territories. There were now hundreds of rebel armies, large and small, with chaos everywhere and fierce competition among the strong. Apart from Li Prefecture, which remained relatively stable, there was no safe place left in the world.
Seeing that both Li Weiyi and Li Ling looked heavy-hearted, Li Songlin said, "Don't worry! Although the Dragon Gate is powerful, their foundation is in the Eastern Region. They can't launch a large-scale invasion of the Southern Region.
Otherwise, the local forces led by the Zuoqiu Sect would surely respond."
"Besides, when it comes to the struggles of the world, the older generation will take the lead. It's not your turn to worry yet."
Li Ling was more concerned about the situation at Burial Immortal Town. She asked, "Since no one has entered the depths, the rare herb tainted with immortal aura that Uncle Four collected must be from the surrounding areas of Burial Immortal Town, right? How are such herbs formed?
Is it dangerous to collect them?" It was clear that she was obsessed with the idea of transforming into a Pure Immortal Body. Li Songlin said, "The area around Burial Immortal Town, spanning dozens of miles, is covered in immortal aura, and it seems to be continuously expanding.
These rare herbs grow in the mountains and fields, and their grades aren't particularly high. Many are just decades-old medicinal herbs or aged herbs."
"However, some of them can absorb a wisp of immortal aura to nourish themselves, which is why they undergo miraculous changes."
"Some of these herbs can help in the transformation to a Pure Immortal Body, some can help open the Wind Mansion and Ancestral Field, and others can help expand the Qi Sea. Now you know why so many young geniuses are gathering here, right?"
"You two better not take the risk. That area is filled with powerful figures. Even if you're lucky enough to find something, you might not be able to take it away. Besides, there are also some departed spirits and evil demons lurking around, making it quite dangerous."
Li Ling's face fell, and she let out a long sigh. Li Weiyi asked, "Uncle Four, what do you mean by Burial Immortal Town continuously expanding?"
"The area covered by the immortal aura in Burial Immortal Town is constantly growing, as if space itself is being stretched. Recently, some of the older generation's experts ventured two hundred miles in but couldn't find the ancient town that used to be there."
"Could it really be connected to the immortal realm?"
Li Weiyi was moved. This was truly unbelievable. Li Songlin shook his head with a smile.
He didn't know how things would develop. Even the leaders of the nine great tribes were at a loss. The ox cart stopped in front of the Jujube Plum Manor.
This was a property of the Cang Li Tribe in Demon Pass City. When Li Weiyi first arrived in this world, he and Gao Huan had come here once. There was no need for anyone to drive the cart.
After Li Songlin led the two of them out, the green ox automatically pulled the cart around to the backyard. It was highly intelligent and spiritual. The sun had not yet set, and the slanting light cast a yellowish hue, with shadows of branches falling on the walls.
Waiting at the door was Li Qing'er, the sixteen-year-old cousin Li Ling had mentioned. She wasn't a Pure Immortal Body or a Half-Immortal Body, but she still had an outstanding appearance and figure. Her martial arts cultivation wasn't low either, having already opened seven springs.
"I heard you had a conflict with the Longlin Gang. I was so worried. They're really bold," Li Qing'er said, grabbing Li Ling's hand with a worried expression.
She then bowed to Li Songlin and called him "Uncle Four." Li Ling asked, "The news spread so quickly?"
"Demon Pass is just that small! Brother Ming came by earlier and told us that Xue Zheng is already a Pure Immortal Body, invincible below the Five Seas Realm. You almost suffered a great loss."
When she said this, Li Qing'er glanced at Li Weiyi, her impression of him not very favorable. She had heard from Qing Chengming that this man had been hiding behind Li Ling the whole time, not daring to say a word. What kind of future could such a man have?
After Li Ling and Li Qing'er entered the main hall hand in hand, Li Weiyi followed behind Li Songlin into the Jujube Plum Manor. They passed through the screen wall. Inside the courtyard, the noise gradually grew louder.
A group of young cultivators from Li Prefecture were gathered, dressed in fine clothes and enjoying fine wine. They were discussing the world with great enthusiasm, their youthful spirits high. Naturally, the Cang Li Tribe was at the forefront.
In the main hall, there were four other young figures with powerful auras, seated at the table. Each of them was extraordinary, with a demeanor that commanded respect. They were the top young talents from four of the nine great tribes of the Nine Li Tribe, all under thirty years old.
Among the dozens of young figures, there were many Pure Immortal Bodies and stunningly beautiful young women, but only five were seated. This was the treatment of a tribe's leading figure. Their formidable strength placed them in a class that others could only look up to.
Li Weiyi's ears caught fragments of conversation: "Collecting herbs in the immortal aura region," "Chen Wenwu from the Three Chen Academy has arrived," "The Sui Sect is becoming more and more arrogant," and so on. Li Songlin asked, "They are the most outstanding group of young people from the Nine Li Tribe.
In a few decades, they will be the giants of various industries in Li Prefecture. Do you want to get to know them? Young people together, full of passion and energy, will surely have much in common."
Li Weiyi shook his head gently, not very interested, but his eyes were still scanning the Pure Immortal Bodies and the four seated figures. Because Li Songlin had mentioned that apart from the Cang Li Tribe, there were five others in the Nine Li Tribe who had broken through the Nine Springs in the past decade.
Some of them should be present here. Li Qing'er had already pulled Li Ling into the main hall. A moment later.
Cang Li walked out first, his skin glowing with a radiant sheen. His handsome and noble appearance was both dignified and sharp, exuding a perfect charm that could captivate any woman. His gaze fell on Li Weiyi, his eyes complex, no longer as gentle and pure as before, but sharp and scrutinizing.
"Brother, he's my best friend," Li Ling reminded him.
The group of talented young men and women from Li Prefecture who followed Cang Li out began to take a closer look at Li Weiyi. Li Ling's talent was not low. At just sixteen, she was already a Great Mind Master.
For her to so fiercely defend an outsider, calling him her "best friend," it was clear that there was more to it. Cang Li's gaze softened slightly. He asked, "What are your chances against Xue Zheng?"
Even under the scrutiny of countless eyes, Li Weiyi remained unfazed.
"Ten out of ten... no, nine out of ten."
He didn't want to sound too arrogant. Someone in the crowd chuckled softly. Cang Li frowned.
"Being able to kill Yao Zhengsheng with a single sword strike shows that your sword technique has reached the level of Heavenly Dao Fusion, which is quite impressive for your age. But if you want to face Xue Zheng as he is now, you must break through the Ninth Spring Ancestral Field. Otherwise, you won't stand a chance. You must reclaim the face you've lost on your own. Only then can you stand tall in the future."
Then, he took out a booklet from his pocket.
"This contains the experiences and insights of all the martial artists from the Cang Li Tribe who have broken through the Nine Springs, including mine. Take a look. It should help."
"You must fight. This is the only chance for mortals to catch up to Pure Immortal Bodies!"
"Your strength isn't weak. There's a glimmer of hope."
(End of Chapter)