Qinghe Immortal Clan.

"Xuan Yi! Why is she in Tai Nan Fang? Could it be that she took the Cold Jade Mushroom?"

Upon hearing the news that Li Xuanyi had suddenly appeared in the market, Li Mengliang was taken aback. Before he could finish speaking, two figures walked in from outside the door.

The woman in black walking in front was Li Xuanyi, who had left Yunlong Mountain many years ago. Beside her was a man in green whose face was also very familiar to Li Mengliang.

"Xuanyi greets her great-uncle!"

"Xuanyi, Fellow Daoist Song, it really is you! Why didn't you inform your family before coming here? You almost caused a misunderstanding!"

It was confirmed that the cultivators who took the "Cold Jade Mushroom" were Li Xuanyi and Song Qingming. After a sigh, Li Mengliang turned around and immediately put on a smiling face, thinking about how to explain to the two behind him.

Before Li Mengliang could speak, the Zhao surname cultivator, who had been sitting calmly in the center, suddenly stood up and quickly walked over to where the three of them were.

To Li Mengliang's somewhat surprised look, the man surnamed Zhao suddenly bowed respectfully to Song Qingming.

"I thought I had mistaken someone for someone else. I didn't expect it to really be Fellow Daoist Song. We parted in a hurry at Tianyufang back then. I didn't expect that Fellow Daoist had already advanced to the late Nascent Soul stage."

Zhao hereby congratulates Fellow Daoist Song on advancing to the rank of Great Cultivator!

"It seems like it's been almost two hundred years since we last met. I never expected to run into Fellow Daoist Zhao here today. I, Song, greet you!"

The cultivator surnamed Zhao who took the initiative to bow to Song Qingming was none other than Zhao Mengyang, the Supreme Elder of the Five Thunder Sect, whom he had met several times before.

The last time the two met was at the "Eastern Phoenix Sword Gathering" two hundred years ago. At that time, Song Qingming had just formed his Nascent Soul and his cultivation was not as good as Zhao Mengyang's.

Before he knew it, several hundred years had passed. When Zhao Mengyang saw Song Qingming again, he found that the other man's aura was unfathomable, and he had already reached the late Nascent Soul stage before him.

It was precisely because a powerful cultivator suddenly appeared before him that Zhao Mengyang, who had been calm and composed, suddenly showed such a surprised expression.

Not only Zhao Mengyang, but Li Mengliang, who had been looking somewhat puzzled, was also extremely shocked when he heard the other party address Song Qingming as a great cultivator.

When Song Qingming first entered the pavilion, Li Mengliang had already sensed that his aura had changed significantly compared to before.

However, Song Qingming deliberately concealed his cultivation level, and Li Mengliang's cultivation and spiritual sense were far inferior to Zhao Mengyang, who had already cultivated to the sixth level of the Nascent Soul stage.

That's why they didn't realize at first that the person in front of them had already advanced to the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm.

It's worth noting that Song Qingming only formed his Nascent Soul in a mere two hundred years, yet his cultivation has already advanced to the late Nascent Soul stage, which is truly unbelievable.

If he hadn't heard Zhao Mengyang, the Supreme Elder of the Five Thunder Sect, personally admit it, he probably would have wondered if he had made a mistake.

Seeing Song Qingming smiling and returning Zhao Mengyang's greeting, Li Mengliang was incredibly surprised. He quickly reacted and stepped forward to apologize, bowing respectfully.

"I am blind and failed to see that Fellow Daoist Song has advanced to the level of a Great Cultivator. I hope you will forgive my rudeness just now."

Upon seeing that a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator had also arrived, the man surnamed Jin, who had been sitting to the side, immediately looked puzzled.

At this moment, facing Song Qingming, who had already advanced to the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm, he dared not be negligent and immediately took the initiative to step forward with a smile.

"I am Jin Ziquan, an elder of Jinyue Mountain in Nanzhou. Greetings, Fellow Daoist Song!"

"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Jin."

After waving to the people inside, Song Qingming then spoke:

"Having heard that a trade fair was being held in Tai Nan Fang, I originally intended to come and join in the fun. I didn't expect that my trip would disturb you fellow Daoists. I am truly sorry."

"I wonder if you all invited Senior Sister Li and me here because there's something you need us to explain?"

Seeing Song Qingming looking at him calmly, Li Mengliang paused slightly, then quickly replied:
"Uh, Fellow Daoist Song, we specially invited you and Xuan Yi here today because we just wanted to inquire about something."

There was a magical item called the Cold Jade Mushroom at the previous auction. We'd like to ask if it has already fallen into your and Xuan Yi's hands!

"Fellow Daoist Li is right. This is the very item that I, Song, acquired at the auction. Is there something wrong with this spiritual object?"

Seeing that Song Qingming remained calm and readily admitted to the matter, Li Mengliang was about to continue speaking when Zhao Mengyang stood up and interrupted him.

"Fellow Daoist Song, please don't misunderstand. This item has no quality issues."

This Jade Fungus was jointly appraised by several spiritual plant masters at our auction house before we dared to put it up for auction. If there are any issues with its quality, fellow Daoist, you are welcome to come to Tai Nan Fang at any time.

We invited you two fellow Daoists here today because we had heard that someone in the market had used the identity of a Li family disciple to bid for this item. We were worried that there was something fishy about this, so we sent someone to investigate secretly.

Unexpectedly, it was Fellow Daoist Xuan Yi and Fellow Daoist Song who attended the auction. It seems this was all just a misunderstanding, doesn't Fellow Daoist Jin agree?

Seeing that Zhao Mengyang suddenly changed the subject and focused on him, Jin Ziquan was slightly taken aback, then quickly smiled and nodded in response:

"Well, Fellow Daoist Zhao is right. This matter is just a misunderstanding. Fellow Daoist Song, please don't worry about it."

Li Mengliang, who was sitting to the side, had just been thinking about how to clear up the misunderstanding between the two parties.

Unexpectedly, after Zhao Mengyang's few words of reminder, Jin Ziquan, who had previously looked accusatory, changed his attitude drastically when facing Song Qingming, a great cultivator, and stopped mentioning Han Yuzhi altogether.

Seeing how quickly the situation had changed, Li Mengliang, who didn't want to get involved, quickly nodded in agreement, and the group tacitly ignored the purpose of their previous gathering.

However, Song Qingming's expression remained unchanged after hearing Zhao Mengyang and the other two explain.

"Oh! When I arrived just now, I was worried that it was Song who had bid for this item and offended that fellow Daoist who would demand an explanation from me. It turns out it was just a misunderstanding."

However, since all of you fellow Daoists are here today, I must make things clear so that there will be no misunderstandings in the future.

Although Song has been practicing Buddhism for many years and does not like to cause trouble, he is by no means a coward.

I acquired this Cold Jade Mushroom through an honest and fair auction; I did not seize it by any means and did not owe anyone any spirit stones.

If there is anything that I, Song, have done that was not thorough enough, violated the rules of the auction, or displeased that fellow Daoist, please feel free to tell me the truth.

Mr. Song will offer a sincere apology and will certainly give all fellow Daoists a satisfactory explanation.

As soon as Song Qingming finished speaking, Zhao Mengyang's expression changed slightly. He stepped forward, smiled, and cupped his hands, saying, "Hehe! Fellow Daoist Song, you are overthinking this!"
Fellow Daoist, rest assured, we have seen this Cold Jade Mushroom with our own eyes. It was obtained by you through fair bidding at the auction, and you absolutely did not break any rules.

Our Southern Continent Assembly has been held for thousands of years, and many fellow Daoists outside the region are aware of it.

Now that the item is in Fellow Daoist Song's hands, if anyone else has any objections, they are directed at our Tai Nan Fang, and I'm afraid we won't agree to them easily.

Fellow Daoists, you agree, don't you?

"Brother Zhao is right, please don't overthink it, Fellow Daoist Song!"

"This matter is indeed just a misunderstanding, Fellow Daoist Song is overthinking it."

".."

Seeing Zhao Mengyang looking in their direction, Jin Zifang and Li Mengliang, who were standing to the side, nodded in agreement.

On their way here, Song Qingming and Li Xuanyi had already learned about the "Cold Jade Mushroom" from the Li family.

If it were in the past, on the grounds of the Southern State, he might have considered whether to make some concessions in order to settle the matter peacefully.

Now that he has advanced to the late Nascent Soul stage, Song Qingming has no need to take Jin Zifang, an ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator, seriously.

If things really turn sour, even if all four Nascent Soul cultivators of Jinyue Mountain were here today, he would never give up the "Cold Jade Mushroom" to the other party.

Seeing that the three people in front of him were all saying the same thing, that it was a misunderstanding, Song Qingming, who had been somewhat displeased, looked a little better.

Seeing this, Zhao Mengyang, who was sitting to the side, quickly stepped forward and poured him a cup of spiritual wine.

"We were unaware that Fellow Daoist Song and Fellow Daoist Xuanyi would be coming today, and we were not adequately prepared, which is truly impolite. On behalf of everyone, I, Zhao, would like to apologize to the two fellow Daoists."

We hope that Fellow Daoist Song will not hold this against us; let's just let this matter pass.

"Since today's matter is just a misunderstanding, let's clear it up. Fellow Daoist Zhao and I, Song, have helped each other in the past, so why would I really hold this matter against you?"

At this point, the other party dared not mention the "Cold Jade Mushroom" again, and Song Qingming picked up the wine cup on the table, took a sip, and considered the matter closed.

"I have some other matters to attend to, so I will not stay any longer. We can continue our conversation another day!"

Seeing that Song Qingming and Li Xuanyi were about to leave, Zhao Mengyang quickly stepped forward and said, "Fellow Daoist Song, please wait!"
"I would be honored if you had the chance to visit my sect another day. I would certainly not dare to be negligent."

"Fellow Taoist, stay!"

".."

As soon as Song Qingming and Li Xuanyi walked out of the pavilion, Zhao Mengyang and Jin Zifang, who were still standing there, immediately turned their gazes to Li Mengliang beside them.

"Fellow Daoists, now that today's matter has been clarified, I, Li, also have some other matters to attend to, so I will not keep you company any longer. Let's continue our conversation another day."

After saying that, Li Mengliang turned around and left the pavilion with his men before the two could speak.

Seeing that only he and Zhao Mengyang were left in the room, Jin Zifang cautiously asked:
"Fellow Daoist Zhao, may I ask which sect that Fellow Daoist Song was from? I've never heard of him before, and what is his relationship with Yunlong Mountain?"

Faced with Jin Zifang's question, Zhao Mengyang fell into deep thought, and after a long while, he slowly spoke:

"This Fellow Daoist Song comes from the Floating Cloud Mountain Range. I met him several times several hundred years ago, and I even gave him a magic treasure back then."

Unexpectedly, this child has advanced to the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm in just two hundred years since he formed his Nascent Soul. Such talent in cultivation suggests that his future prospects are immeasurable.

As for his relationship with Yunlong Mountain, if I heard correctly, he addressed Li Xuanyi as "Senior Sister." What kind of relationship do you think that is?

"Senior sister, are you saying he's also from Jade Profound Island? How come we've never heard of him before!" Upon hearing Zhao Mengyang's words, a hint of surprise flashed in Jin Zifang's eyes once again.

This time, however, Zhao Mengyang simply shook his head when asked.

"Hmph! What we know about Jade Profound Island is only the surface. How could we know who exactly is on it? Your question is redundant."

As you know, we should keep quiet about things we shouldn't ask about in the South Prefecture over the years.

Having cultivated ourselves for so many years, we must not invite unnecessary trouble upon ourselves for the sake of some external possession!

"Hehe! Fellow Daoist Zhao is right. I was a bit rash today. It was thanks to your help in explaining that I did not really offend this person."

Otherwise, if we really anger a great cultivator, I'm afraid Jin Yue Mountain will definitely be in big trouble in the future.

Please accept these spirit stones, fellow Daoist. Do not be so polite.

Upon seeing the bag of spirit stones that Jin Zifang had taken out, Zhao Mengyang simply waved his hand and said:

"I came here today to mediate this matter for you, and this is just a side benefit, so there's no need for spirit stones."

However, your Jin Yue Sect should pay more attention to Yunlong Mountain in the future. The relationship between this Fellow Daoist Song and Fellow Daoist Xuan Yi is rather unusual.”

".."

Several days later, at the foot of Yunlong Mountain in Nanzhou.

As several streaks of light descended, Song Qingming, Li Xuanyi, and Li Mengliang landed outside the gate of the "Mountain Protection Array," followed by more than a dozen Li family disciples who had also returned from Tainanfang.

Before anyone could speak, a vortex suddenly appeared at the mountain gate in front of them, and the disciples guarding inside quickly stepped out and respectfully bowed to everyone.

"Meet the Supreme Elder!"

After waving his hand to signal the disciples in front to step aside, Li Mengliang, who had been looking serious, suddenly turned to Song Qingming and raised his hand, saying:
"Fellow Daoist Song is a guest, please go first!"

"Fellow Daoist Li, please don't be so polite, please go first!"

".."

Since encountering Li Xuanyi and her companion at "Tainanfang" a few days ago, Li Mengliang's attitude towards the great cultivator Song Qingming has changed quite dramatically compared to the past.

On their way back to Yunlong Mountain, the second elder of the Li family not only frequently tried to curry favor with Song Qingming, but also shamelessly asked him for advice on the path of cultivation.

Seeing the two people ahead still politely deferring to each other even at their own doorstep, Li Xuanyi couldn't help but roll her eyes. Ignoring them, she stepped forward and entered the mountain gate first.

He left the still somewhat dazed crowd behind him.

After passing through the familiar mountain peaks, Li Xuanyi soon arrived at the outside of a magnificent golden cave in the back mountain, where she saw Li Boying, whose hair had turned completely white, sitting on a wooden chair.

Looking at Li Xuanyi who had suddenly appeared in front of him, Li Boying slowly put down the bamboo scroll in his hand and said with some displeasure:

"You silly girl, you've been gone for over a decade. I thought this old man wouldn't live to see you again!"

"I send letters back every year, so why have you disappeared? If you miss me, you can send a letter anytime. Why worry about these things?"

With so many younger generations at Yunlong Mountain, even without me, surely no one will be there to see you off in your final days!

Seeing Li Xuanyi sit down in front of him on her own, Li Boying sighed again and said, "None of these guys on the mountain are any good. What's the use of having more of them?"

This is a record of weapon crafting techniques that I've compiled. Take a look at it first, and ask me if you have any questions.

Your weapon crafting skills are almost at level four. Why don't you stay on the mountain for a while? I'll see if I can offer some guidance to help you advance as soon as possible.”

"I brought back a lot of high-grade weapon-refining materials this time, and with the guidance of the ancestor, I should be able to advance to the fourth-level weapon refiner smoothly!"

Looking at the bamboo slip in her hand, Li Xuanyi nodded confidently and put it directly into the "storage bag" at her waist.

Upon hearing her words, Li Boying, who was standing to the side, suddenly showed a hint of doubt on his face.

"Where did you get these high-grade refining materials? Did you bring them back from the Floating Cloud Mountains? Could it be that Song Qingming came back with you?"
That kid got some high-grade materials and wants to ask me for help with weapon forging. I'm not in the mood for his business right now.

"You guessed right this time, old man. I came back with Junior Brother Song. Junior Brother Song and Uncle Meng Liang should be in the council hall by now!"

"Didn't I say last time that no one is allowed to let him up the mountain without my order? You really don't take my words to heart at all, and just let him in without saying a word!"
"You've been together for so many years, and that brat Song Qingming still hasn't given the Li family an explanation. I'm not even dead yet, do you really think Yunlong Mountain has no one left?!"

Just moments ago, Li Boying was lying on the chair, swaying precariously, but upon hearing the news that Song Qingming had arrived at "Yunlong Mountain," he immediately sat up with a radiant expression.

Li Xuanyi, standing to the side, shook her head helplessly and said:

“Ancestor, you have wronged Xuanyi. This time, it was Uncle Mengliang who personally invited Junior Brother Song up the mountain. If you don’t believe me, you can go and see for yourself.”

"Meng Liang, you're really foolish!"

".."

Before Li Xuanyi could stop him, Li Boying, with a hint of anger on his face, flashed away and left the cave.

Seeing this, Li Xuanyi could only sigh and turn away.

"Yunlong Mountain," in the Li family's council hall.

Song Qingming sat in the seat of honor, with Li Mengliang beside him, who respectfully asked him:
"Fellow Daoist Song, I heard from Xuan Yi that you brought a lot of monster materials to Donghuang Kingdom this time. I wonder what materials you brought this time."

But do you need to exchange them for spirit stones, or do you plan to use them for something else?

"I do have quite a few demon beast materials on me, including some level three and four demon beast materials. If it is convenient for your sect, I would like to see if I can entrust you to help me refine a few magic weapons."

Upon hearing what Song Qingming said, Li Mengliang immediately showed a hint of joy and said, "Oh! Fellow Daoist also brought level four demon beast materials this time, which are rare items."

"My Li family is originally from the crafting family, so crafting a few magic weapons is certainly no problem for us, fellow Daoist, you can rest assured about that."

"In that case, I'll have to trouble you, fellow Daoist!"

"Of course, of course, fellow Daoist, there's no need to be so polite."

Just as Li Mengliang and Song Qingming were talking, a presence suddenly approached rapidly from outside the door.

Song Qingming, who had already sensed the commotion outside, had just gotten up when he saw Li Boying walk into the main hall with a hint of anger on his face, his gaze fixed directly on him.

"Qingming greets Senior Li!"

As Li Boying entered the main hall, he was about to say something to Song Qingming, who was bowing to him, when his gaze suddenly sharpened and he stopped in his tracks.

"You are a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator."

Looking at Li Boying, who was in shock not far away, Li Mengliang quickly stepped forward and explained, "Third Uncle, Fellow Daoist Song has broken through to the late Nascent Soul stage and is now a great cultivator."

A few days ago, when I went to Tainanfang, I happened to run into him and Xuanyi, so I took the initiative to invite them to return to Yunlong Mountain together.

I didn't even have a chance to say hello!

Even after hearing Li Mengliang's reminder, Li Boying remained rooted to the spot, staring at the person in front of him with disbelief.

"How is this possible? He only advanced to the Nascent Soul stage two hundred years ago, how could he have already cultivated to the late Nascent Soul stage!"

Although the difference between the mid-stage and late-stage Nascent Soul realms is only a fine line, it has helped countless cultivators in the cultivation world.

Like Wang Yan, He Wuyou, and others, Li Boying was someone who had been stuck at the peak of the sixth level of the Nascent Soul stage for many years, unable to make any progress in his cultivation.

Compared to the shock Li Mengliang felt when he first met Song Qingming, he found it even harder to accept the reality before him.

It wasn't until Li Boying scanned Song Qingming with his divine sense several times that Song Qingming calmed down his surprised expression and took the initiative to raise his hand in return.

"Fellow Daoist Song, it's been a long time!"

At this moment, Li Boying's face had lost all its anger, and his expression had become very stiff. A hint of fear had appeared in his eyes as he looked at Song Qingming.

"To advance to the late Nascent Soul stage in two hundred years is a rare feat even in the Eastern Phoenix Kingdom. Could this guy have truly received the true teachings of Jade Profound Island?!"

Thinking back to when Song Qingming first visited, he remembered how Song Qingming, a Nascent Soul cultivator, had acted with utmost respect and fear.

Only a few hundred years have passed, yet the person before me has already cultivated to the late Nascent Soul stage, making me look up in awe.

The world of cultivation is truly a place where fate plays tricks on people.

After a while, Li Boying, who was standing in front of Song Qingming, gradually calmed down.

"I never expected that after so many years, you would have already advanced to the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm. I am truly ashamed and I apologize for making you laugh."

"Fellow Daoist is now a great cultivator, how can you still address me as 'senior'? Please, Fellow Daoist Song, do not be so disrespectful to this withered skeleton in his tomb. From now on, just call me 'Fellow Daoist.'"

"Both of you are elders in Senior Sister Li's family. Since I have come to Yunlong Mountain, it is only natural for me to address you as seniors."

Senior Li, please don't worry!
"Besides having some trivial matters to ask of you, I, Song, have another request to make, which I would like to ask of you both."

Seeing Song Qingming looking at him seriously, Li Boying quickly raised his hand respectfully and replied:
"Fellow Daoist Song, please speak frankly. I will certainly not refuse any decision that I can make!"

"To be honest, seniors, the main reason I came to Yunlong Mountain this time is for Senior Sister Li!" (End of Chapter)