Chapter 978: Chapter 606: United in Appearance, Divided in Spirit – Li Xuanjin (2)

However, Elder Cheng Yu’s commotion upon entering was quickly noticed by the senior-level individuals on the mountain. Swish, swish, swish, over a dozen figures appeared before the two.

These people included males and females, the old and the young, but their cultivation levels were uniformly at the Star Emperor Peak.

Upon seeing Elder Cheng Yu, their faces immediately showed signs of panic, "Greetings, Elder Cheng Yu."

They were all people who had long accompanied Li Xuanjin. Although their abilities were lacking, at least they had seen Cheng Yu and knew he was one of the Seven Great Elders of General Mountain. After the brothers Li Chenggong and Li Chengwu reported Li Xuanjin’s disappearance to General Mountain, they knew an envoy would descend, but they never expected Elder Cheng Yu to come personally.

"No worries, you are all Xuanjin’s family, no need to be so formal."

Compared to his attitude in the Demon Race region, Cheng Yu’s demeanor softened considerably upon arriving at the Demon Slaying Sect.

He even conversed with a girl, saying he had an impression of her.

The girl quickly bowed in respect, "It’s rare for Elder Cheng Yu to remember me; I am Xuanjin’s child’s mother, Cao Hui."

Lu Lin was stunned upon hearing these words.

This girl, dressed in a light green dress, appeared pure and lively, unexpectedly turned out to be Li Xuanjin’s mother, Cao Hui.

A neighboring tall woman in tight white attire also stepped forward and said, "Greetings, Elder Cheng Yu, I am Xuanjin’s wife, Ye Xiaorou."

This Ye Xiaorou had a pleasant appearance, but there was no trace of fragility about her; with a long sword hanging at her waist, she appeared valiant and heroic.

Next, the brothers Li Chengwu and Li Chenggong also approached to greet. These two were biological brothers with identical looks, only Lu Lin’s keen eyes could discern the difference between them.

Li Chengwu’s ears were slightly larger, while Li Chenggong had a faint red scar on the back of his neck.

After Li Xuanjin’s four family members made their introductions, a handsome young man stepped forward to pay respects to Cheng Yu.

"Greetings, Elder Cheng Yu, I am Master’s disciple, Hao Datong."

This young man was full of vigor, standing there silently, like a precious sword hidden in its sheath, modest and restrained; yet once he began speaking, a surge of heroic charm was unleashed.

His eyes seemed like stars in the sky, constantly shimmering with light, so much so that Lu Lin couldn’t help but praise him as an exceptionally handsome young man.

"Oh, Datong, it’s been a long time. Over the years, you’ve grown more and more handsome."

"Elder Cheng Yu, I have no choice in the matter."

Hao Datong seemed somewhat embarrassed.

However, from his conversation with Elder Cheng Yu, Lu Lin noticed that the relationship between the two was much closer than with the others.

Just as Lu Lin assumed, the four people, including Li Chengwu, noticed Elder Cheng Yu’s preferential attitude towards Hao Datong, making their expressions much sourer, but due to Elder Cheng Yu’s presence, they didn’t voice their thoughts.

Elder Cheng Yu naturally saw through it all but, having reached this level of cultivation, looked past these matters, speaking and acting as he pleased.

Hao Datong also introduced the accompanying group to Elder Cheng Yu, all of whom were elders of the Demon Slaying Sect. Cheng Yu responded with a nod to acknowledge them.

Subsequently, Hao Datong stood by Cheng Yu’s side, leading the group to the Sect Leader’s Main Hall atop the mountain.

"Elder Cheng Yu, my son Xuanjin’s life is uncertain now, is there any method in the Holy Land to find his whereabouts?"

Just as everyone settled in, Cao Hui impatiently jumped into inquiry.

Yet, her demeanor suggested finding her son was not a significant matter, more like rational inquiry.

"There is."

Elder Cheng Yu affirmed, bringing Lu Lin, who stood behind him, forward to the crowd.

"This is my disciple, Lu Lin, who is an expert in tracking. The task of finding Xuanjin relies on him."

"Lu Lin, please explain to the Junior Sect Leaders how you plan to locate Li Xuanjin."

"Certainly."

Lu Lin agreed, observing the expressions around him. Cao Hui looked astonished, Ye Xiaorou was indifferent, Li Chengwu and Li Chenggong were indifferent as well, only Hao Datong seemed a bit expectant.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I require some personal belongings of Sect Leader Li Xuanjin, such as his clothing, cultivation weapons, or other items associated with his aura."

"That’s easy, within the sect, there is my son’s Soul Lamp Stone, which absolutely meets Little Friend Lu Lin’s requirements."

As she spoke, Cao Hui took out a crystal stone emitting a faint green light from her Storage Ring. The crystal stone’s appearance somewhat resembled the Soul Sealing Space Crystal, but the light it emitted was entirely different.

"Little Friend Lu Lin, my son’s affair rests upon you, please find his whereabouts quickly; the Demon Slaying Sect is a vast enterprise and cannot be without a Sect Leader for a day."

Cao Hui said with profound meaning, an uninformed person might think she was anxious to find her son.

"Naturally, Senior Cao, rest assured."

Lu Lin accepted the Soul Lamp Stone, nodded to the crowd, and retreated behind Elder Cheng Yu.

What followed was somewhat dull; whether it was Cao Hui or Ye Xiaorou, even Li Chengwu and Li Chenggong tried to curry favor with Elder Cheng Yu, their words barely touching upon Li Xuanjin. Even when mentioned occasionally, it was only a reminiscence of past cultivation days on General Mountain.

Seeing twilight approaching, Cao Hui even organized a banquet to entertain Elder Cheng Yu and Lu Lin.

Lu Lin thought to himself, that Li Xuanjin seemed utterly unimportant to everyone, as if aside from his disciple Hao Datong, to them all, Li Xuanjin was merely an optional figure.

Furthermore, these individuals truly had large hearts; given the circumstances, they showed no worry. At the very least, they could express some concern over Li Xuanjin, yet from beginning to end, they didn’t seem to care about him at all, except for Hao Datong.

If he were Li Xuanjin, Lu Lin thought he would be depressed to death.

Elder Cheng Yu naturally had no mood to attend any banquet, choosing to rest in a courtyard.

"Lu Lin, what do you think of this Demon Slaying Sect?"

After finishing a self-heating hot pot, Elder Cheng Yu casually asked.

"It’s a bit strange, Master, can you tell me about this Sect Leader Li?"

Lu Lin had little interest in the Demon Slaying Sect’s messy affairs but remained quite intrigued about Li Xuanjin—what kind of person was he to have such a family?

"Xuanjin was also a good child, he once had Exceptional Talent, a fierce nature, prone to conflict."

"Throughout his life, he only acknowledged right and wrong, cared not about emotions, progressing boldly in cultivation, yet for unknown reasons, unable to break through to the Star Emperor Realm."

"His situation differs from Heng Shan’s disciple Long Ze, whose promotion was disrupted, leading to a failed advancement; Li Xuanjin could not reach the Star Emperor Peak, with no chance of promotion to Star Emperor."

"Years ago, the Saint Lord worried himself for Li Xuanjin, yet could do nothing. A thousand years later, Li Xuanjin’s nature drastically changed from a former iron and blood man to someone sentimental, marrying repeatedly—the last being Ye Xiaorou before leaving the Holy Land."

"I’ve also not seen him again over the years, never thought my return to his Demon Slaying Sect would occur under such circumstances..."

Reflecting on the night of Li Xuanjin, Elder Cheng Yu’s face was filled with ruefulness. After a pause, he looked at Lu Lin and said, "We entrust you with this task, Li Xuanjin is like a nephew watched by our group of old men, seeing him is akin to seeing our own children."

"Master, don’t worry, wherever he is, if Li the Sect Leader lives, I will bring him back; even if there’s some mishap, I shall find his remains."

"Remains..."

"Well, just go ahead and search, do your best and leave the rest to destiny."

After these words, Elder Cheng Yu waved his hand listlessly, allowing Lu Lin to make his own arrangements, as he pondered within the empty courtyard.