Only then did Li Yuanjiao turn his hand to put away the Jade Seal, when he saw a streak of radiant light rise in the distance, coming swiftly nearer. A man and a woman stood atop a Flying Shuttle, landing before them. Several green-robed cultivators promptly rose on the wind, forming hand seals, and spoke in unison:

"Green Pond Cloudship stands here—who goes there?"

The woman steered the Flying Shuttle, her willow brows slightly furrowed, not even pausing, sweeping around the group. The bursts of Dharma Light from the green-robed disciples’ hands were blocked by several Talismans she cast out, making them fall back sullenly.

These green-robed disciples were all Outer Sect disciples of Green Pond Sect, only slightly above servants, all Fetal Breathing cultivators. Yet she broke through them, leaping off the Flying Shuttle and, breathless, landed at Li Yuanjiao’s side, urgently exclaiming:

"Brother!"

"Qingxiao?!"

Li Yuanjiao was instantly taken aback, greatly shocked. The female cultivator before his eyes was slightly flushed, only at the Third Layer of Fetal Breathing, yet stood behind him with a hand on her sword, glaring at those present. It was precisely Li Qingxiao.

A thought stirred in Li Yuanjiao’s heart—he realized Li Qingxiao had returned to support him, deeply moved with a rising, subtle anger. He rebuked her in a low voice:

"Why are you acting so recklessly?!"

The man behind hurried forward, pulling Li Qingxiao behind him, coughing awkwardly and speaking in a deferential tone:

"Xiao Xian of the Xiao Family...paying respects to the Immortal Sect envoy. My wife does not know the proper rules, forgive her many offenses. I beg your pardon, I beg your pardon..."

"It is of no matter."

Yu Muxian’s gaze lingered for a moment on Li Qingxiao and Xiao Xian’s faces before replying:

"I shall not disturb your gathering. Do as you will!"

"Many thanks, Honored Envoy. Yuanjiao takes his leave."

Li Yuanjiao glanced discretely at Yu Muxian’s robes and replied. Li Qingxiao was still somewhat dazed and about to speak, but under Li Yuanjiao’s glare, she obediently fell silent.

The Li Family members, as if pardoned by heaven, all took to the wind. Since Li Qingxiao and Xiao Xian had not cultivated Qi, they followed Li Yuanjiao on the Flying Shuttle.

After flying only a few miles, Li Qingxiao complained:

"Brother, how could you hide such a big matter from me? I only heard of it from the family. Has Yu Muxian...caused any trouble for our clan?"

"He has not."

Li Yuanjiao shook his head, relayed the matter from start to finish, then clasped hands towards Xiao Xian and said:

"My younger sister was unruly. I must trouble you, Taoist Fellow!"

"It’s nothing!"

Xiao Xian quickly waved his hands, responding:

"I’m but a Fetal Breathing cultivator, nothing of great ability—only the Xiao Family of Lixia holds some weight. And this was not all Qingxiao’s rashness. I, too, had considered it."

Li Yuanjiao saw Xiao Xian speaking up for Li Qingxiao and thought more highly of him. Li Qingxiao, unconcerned with the men’s pleasantries, nodded thoughtfully and said:

"I heard Yu Muxian is Yu Mugao’s treasured son-in-law of Perfected Yuanwu, rarely managing the Yu Family’s affairs. Seeing him now, he truly is heartless..."

Li Yuanjiao nodded slightly, still preoccupied with thoughts of the Jade Buckle, when Xiao Xian hesitated, lowering his voice:

"Not necessarily... An uncle of mine grew close with the Yu Family years ago, and met this generation well."

Xiao Xian shook his head with some embarrassment. After all, it involved the Xiao Family’s intention to support the Yu Family in the past, something awkward to admit. Yet both Li Qingxiao and Li Yuanjiao watched him, so he could only continue:

"My uncle’s own words were: ’The Yu Family’s descendants are promising! Mugao is cautious and farsighted, Muxuan is wise and brave, Mujian is pure-hearted and singular, Muxian is gentle and magnanimous. Should Muxian lead, with Gao, Xuan, and Jian as his loyal aides, their light would shine for generations—who could contest them?’"

He paused awkwardly. Now Yu Muxuan is dead, Yu Muxian is heartless, Yu Mujian has left home, and only Yu Mugao struggles on, which made Xiao Xian grumble inwardly:

"Such words truly struck the ground like thunder. No wonder my uncle has not returned for years; perhaps he fears becoming a laughing stock..."

After silent reflection, he said aloud:

"Hearing such words, Yu Muxian shouldn’t be so heartless by nature."

Li Qingxiao pondered this, then spoke:

"Who knows? Perhaps he dares not show any heart, needing to gain others’ trust. Or maybe..."

Her voice turned ethereal, soft:

"Tang Yuanwu may have performed some Divine Skill on him, planting some art in his mind... I’ve heard Zifu Divine Skills are supremely strange. It’s possible an ancestor of Green Pond possessed his body."

At these words, the two men’s backs grew cold. For a moment, there was silence, until Xiao Xian spoke in a low voice:

"He is still Perfected Yuanwu, best not call his name aloud."

Tang Yuanwu was a Zifu Monk for many years. In his day, Yuanwu Peak flourished under his hand, and afterward, he secluded himself to cultivate a second Divine Skill, passing the post of Peak Master to his son.

Tang Yuanwu’s son led the peak for years, cultivating to Foundation Establishment Peak. Only a few years ago did the son fail to break through to Zifu, perishing in the attempt. Only then did Tang Yuanwu emerge from seclusion to oversee the peak again.

Xiao Xian explained these circumstances, concluding:

"Yu Muxian then married Tang Yuanwu’s daughter. His reputation in the sect is great—likely, within a few years, he will be called Yuanwu Peak Master!"

Li Yuanjiao understood at once. No wonder Yu Muxian aimed to stabilize the situation on the lake—it was to pave his path to become Peak Master. He nodded slightly, and the group descended at the Li Family’s mountain. Li Yuanping was already waiting at the courtyard.

"Brother Ping!"

Li Yuanping was slightly stunned to see her, then said joyfully:

"Sister Qingxiao!"

Li Qingxiao had been married for years, long accustomed to life in the Xiao family. She now bore a graceful, noble air; though her features were plain, her luxurious attire stunned Li Yuanping for a moment before he recognized her.