Family Cultivation: I Become a Mirror-Chapter 180 - 168: Cultivator with a Different Surname (2-in-1)

An Zhiyan bowed slightly, his tone bland as he answered:

"To kill Yu Mugao."

"Hmm."

Li Tongya sneered inwardly, his face blooming into a slight smile as he said softly,

"If Brother Zhiyan has come for this matter, please return."

"Ling'er, see the guest out."

The seated Li Tongya called out, and Li Xuanling, who had been standing silently in the corner, stepped forward. An Zhiyan quickly gestured with his hands, saying hurriedly,

"Brother Tongya, just hear me out!"

Li Tongya hadn't intended to send him away rudely. He turned his head at the sound and looked at him, and An Zhiyan quickly continued,

"Brother Tongya! Although your noble family is under the protection of the Sword Immortal and no one dares to underestimate you, the Yu Family has long harbored the ambition to sweep over Wangyue Lake. Even if they dare not directly seize your nobility, they certainly won't lack clandestine machinations! Yu Mugao may not dare to target Brother Tongya, but recruiting several Guest Elders, Loose Cultivators, and external sect disciples to secretly assassinate your noble family's disciples is definitely within his capabilities, content only when your outstanding younger generation has been completely nipped in the bud..."

"Sword Immortal's cultivation level is profound, but he is far away in the Southern Border. The Yu Family also has support within the clan. As long as they leave no trace, can the Qing Sui Sword Immortal really leap thousands of miles to strike because of one or two nephews who died under mysterious circumstances..."

An Zhiyan casually laid these matters out plainly on the table, causing Li Tongya to frown incessantly as he said in a grave tone,

"Brother Zhiyan seems quite knowledgeable about the Yu Family."

An Zhiyan's words did not persuade Li Tongya; instead, they made him even more suspicious. Having been neighbors for many years, both families had planted numerous spies in each other's territories, and Li Tongya had also heard about this man's deeds. He thought to himself,

"Yu Mugao is cruel and brutal; indeed, this is something he might do. But An Zhiyan has always been selfish and stingy, not seeming like someone who would be aware of the big picture. How could he now be speaking out so atypically?" 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Seeing Li Tongya silent and deep in thought, mistakenly thinking he was moved, An Zhiyan quickly added more to his argument,

"A man might not intend to harm a tiger, but the tiger is always intent on harm. Although your noble family stays well within your own territory, if the Yu Family wants to maintain its monopoly over Wangyue Lake, they will surely need to suppress your family. Without a way to start with Brother Tongya, they will surely plot against the younger generation of your nobility."

Li Tongya shook his head and found an excuse to reply in a deep voice,

"Yu Mugao and Yu Mujian both possess considerable talent, and the Yu Family's Yu Xiaogui has achieved Foundation Establishment, not to mention there are several others at Qi Cultivating Peak. The Yu Family doesn't need to be wary of the Li Family. I stand by what I said, Brother Zhiyan, if you've come for this matter, let us end the discussion here and please depart."

An Zhiyan, seeing Li Tongya still unmoved, remained unflustered. He spoke softly,

"Every word I've said is true, Brother Tongya knows it in his heart. If your noble family doesn't believe it, just wait a few more years, and then you will understand the value of my warning."

With that, he bowed with a fist and took his leave on the wind, while Li Tongya stood in place for a while. Li Xuanling stepped forward hesitantly and whispered,

"The child sees that there is some truth in this man's words, we must still exercise caution."

Li Tongya furrowed his brow, sat back in the high seat, and felt even more that something was amiss. After contemplating for a few moments, he answered,

"Those words are beyond what An Zhiyan would say; this likely is An Jingming's idea."

Remembering again the disposition of Yu Mugao and pondering the close relationship between the An and Yu families, Li Tongya felt a bit bothered and said softly,

"Given Yu Mugao's nature, he would certainly be capable of such a thing, and not just against my family; An Jingming might well be on Yu Mugao's mind too, leading him to hastily seek someone to counter Yu Mugao."

Li Xuanling stood by, his brow furrowed as he echoed,

"But that man is constantly in the Yu Family's company, and when he goes out, he is protected by Qi Cultivating Peak cultivators. It's not that easy to kill him; it's just a way to needlessly offend the Yu Family."

Li Tongya nodded, his voice warm as he said,

"It is indeed a fanciful notion. From now on, instruct the clan's children not to leave home. We will wait until the Xiao Family's plan comes to fruition before discussing again. By then, we might be able to borrow the strength of the Xiao Family and not allow the Yu Family to continue their tyranny."

Li Xuanling noted his words, and Li Tongya glanced at the sky and instructed,

"Now that we have the Serpent Origin Pill, I can attempt to seal myself in and break through to the ninth layer of Qi Cultivation. Although it's only been two or three years since I've reached the eighth layer and this seems somewhat hasty, it's a necessity. After all, I need to attempt Foundation Establishment before turning sixty..."

Li Xuanling clenched his teeth, a deep and indissoluble worry appearing in his eyes. After gathering his thoughts for a good while, he nervously said,

"Son has heard that the breakthrough from Qi Cultivation to Foundation Establishment is fraught with danger, a life-or-death ordeal. Father's current late-stage Qi Cultivation is the stabilizing force of our family. Son fears..."

Li Tongya was momentarily stunned, then sighed softly, looking at his son, now a father himself, with a full beard, and felt some comfort in his heart. He replied,

"I have attained my current level of cultivation through the consumption of only three Elixirs and a single Talisman Qi, the rest achieved through my own strenuous cultivation. I haven't, like the Three Sects and Seven Doors, consumed various Precious Medicines and Spiritual Objects. Breaking through is indeed fraught with danger..."

Sensing Li Xuanling's concern, Li Tongya smiled and said,

"But I have diligently pursued the path of Immortal Cultivation day and night, striving to reach Foundation Establishment before turning sixty in order to increase my odds by that critical percentage. If the Li Family is to advance further, we must have a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. In this vast Wangyue Lake, only a Foundation Establishment Cultivator's word holds weight."

"With the might of your Fourth Uncle, our Li Family has nothing to fear for the next fifty years, making this the perfect opportunity for a Foundation Establishment breakthrough. If I fail and perish in the attempt, the Yu Family will not be able to do anything to ours and will instead greatly lower their guard."