Qinghe Immortal Clan.

On the west side of Yunlong Mountain is Qingxuan Peak.

Li Siyun was sitting alone in the stone pavilion, holding a black piece in her hand, her eyes fixed on the unfinished game on the stone table, which had been played countless times.

Before Li Siyun could put down her black piece, a black-clad figure suddenly appeared outside the stone pavilion, flashing with spiritual light.

"Master, you're back!"

Upon seeing Li Xuanyi suddenly appear before her, Li Siyun's face lit up with joy, and she quickly stepped forward and bowed in greeting.

"Hmm! Not bad, you've already advanced to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage. It seems you haven't been slacking off in your cultivation while I was away."

These items were specially brought from the Floating Cloud Mountains; consider them a reward for you.

Li Xuanyi glanced at her personal disciple Li Siyun in front of her, smiled and nodded slightly, and then took out a few spiritual items from her person and gave them to the other party as a reward.

Upon seeing the gift she had just received, Li Siyun quickly kowtowed to express her gratitude.

"As Master has given the order, this disciple dares not neglect cultivation. Thank you, Master, for bestowing this treasure!"

After leading Li Siyun into the stone pavilion, seeing that the disciple seemed to have something to say, Li Xuanyi immediately asked:
"But if you encounter any difficulties in your cultivation, feel free to ask me any questions you may have!"

“Master, since I advanced to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, although I have worked hard to cultivate these past few years, my cultivation speed has been much slower than before.”

"I wonder if Master would allow me to descend the mountain and gain some experience, so I can broaden my horizons."

Upon hearing that Li Siyun only wanted to go down the mountain for training, Li Xuanyi smiled and slowly said:

"If you only know how to cultivate diligently on the mountain, you will naturally encounter more bottlenecks. It's not a bad thing if you want to go down the mountain for a walk."

However, the family has rules that prevent you from going too far; you can only stay near Yunlong Mountain. Let me know if there's anywhere you'd like to go, and I'll make arrangements for you.

"Disciple thanks Master!"

Upon hearing that Li Xuanyi had agreed to let her go down the mountain for training, a hint of joy immediately appeared on Li Siyun's face.

"It's been years since we last met. I wonder how your chess skills have improved. How about we play a game before you leave?"

"Disciple accepts the order!"

Upon hearing that Li Xuanyi wanted to play chess with her, Li Siyun instinctively stepped forward to place the chess pieces as usual, but was stopped by the other party's outstretched hand.

"Today, we can play a fair game between the two of us. We don't need to set up that old puzzle again!"

"ah,.!"

Having played countless endgame games with his master back then, Li Siyun was stunned for a moment before he realized that Li Xuanyi wanted to play against him fairly.

".."

"Yunlong Mountain", inside the main hall of the Li family.

Looking at Song Qingming, who was standing not far away with a serious expression, Li Boying remained silent for a moment before taking the initiative to ask:
"May I ask, Fellow Daoist Song, did you mean to marry Xuan Yi?"

Faced with Li Boying's serious question, Song Qingming remained calm and simply nodded.

“What you say is true, senior. When I came here, Senior Sister Xuanyi and I had already intended to become cultivation partners. This trip to Yunlong Mountain is precisely to gain your approval for this matter.”

These few spiritual items are a small token of my appreciation.

"If you two gentlemen have any other requests, please feel free to speak them. I will do my utmost to satisfy your needs, as long as it is within my power."

After saying that, Song Qingming raised his hand and took out three spiritual items from the "storage bag" at his waist, placing them in front of Li Boying and the other person.

The three spiritual items brought by Song Qingming were a high-grade level 3 demon core, a low-grade level 4 spirit talisman, and materials from a level 4 demon emperor.

Apart from the talisman, which was hand-drawn by Song Qingming, the other two pieces of demon beast materials were obtained by them during the "Demon Beast Uprising".

Although these items are of little use to a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator like Song Qingming.

However, compared to ordinary Nascent Soul families like the Li family, these spiritual items are worth at least 200,000 spirit stones, which is not something just anyone can afford.

In particular, the fourth-level demon king material that Song Qingming took out is a high-level material that can be used to refine magic treasures of the same level. If it were put up for auction, it would be enough to make a Nascent Soul cultivator's heart flutter.

Upon seeing that the three items Song Qingming had taken out were not ordinary objects, the two members of the Li family present were immediately drawn to the spiritual objects in front of them.

At this moment, Li Boying's previously serious expression relaxed slightly.

"This... Fellow Daoist Song, you're too kind."

In the cultivation world, it is perfectly reasonable for lovers to become Daoist partners, and we two are certainly not those unreasonable and stubborn people.

However, I remember that Fellow Daoist Song seems to already have a Daoist partner. If Young Friend Huang returns after completing his Nascent Soul stage, how should Fellow Daoist handle this matter?

My Xuanyi is a Nascent Soul cultivator, after all. If she were to become someone's concubine, Yunlong Mountain would never dare to presume upon such a thing!

Seeing that Song Qingming had made his point very clear, Li Boying immediately spoke up and expressed his own thoughts.

When Huang Siyuan came to Yunlong Mountain, Li Boying and his companion had also met her once, so they knew that Song Qingming originally had a dual cultivation partner.

They were aware of Huang Siyuan's later solo journey to seek an opportunity to form a child.

In the cultivation world, it is common for high-level cultivators to marry wives and take concubines. Unless they are ascetic cultivators who have severed all love and affection, they will all have several Daoist partners and concubines by their side.

However, most cultivators only have one principal wife/partner, while the others are concubines of lower status. As a Nascent Soul cultivator, Li Xuanyi would naturally not easily become a concubine.

Li Boying spoke up about this matter to get Song Qingming to state his position.

Upon hearing this, Song Qingming, who was already mentally prepared, quickly replied:

"Senior Li, please rest assured. Senior Sister Xuanyi and I have been friends through thick and thin for many years. I would never wrong her like this."

"I have already discussed this matter with Senior Sister Xuanyi. She and Siyuan will both be my cultivation partners in the future, and there will be no distinction of rank."

"If that's how Fellow Daoist Song sees it, then I'm relieved. However, Xuan Yi is someone I've watched grow up since she was a child. If you wish to marry her properly, then..."

".."

On the chessboard, just as a white piece was about to be placed, Li Siyun paused for a moment, gazing at the intricate black and white pieces, before finally choosing to resign.

"My chess skills are not good enough, please forgive me, Master!"

"Hmph! You've only lost to me by less than ten points in three consecutive games. You're really accurate. After all these years, you've actually learned how to please your teacher."

Losing a game of chess due to poor skills is not a big deal, but the cultivation world is full of dangers, and it's not the same as being at home when you're outside.

If you don't seize opportunities, you can only watch others achieve great things. Do you understand these principles?

"Master, rest assured. Although my chess skills are lacking, my heart for seeking the Dao is firm. How can I easily lose to others?"

"Yes! Well said. We cultivators, regardless of success or failure, should never betray our pursuit of the Dao."

As soon as Li Siyun finished speaking, a flash of light appeared outside the stone pavilion, and another figure appeared.

"Siyun greets Senior Song!"

Looking at the respectful Li Siyun, Song Qingming gently raised his hand, and a silver short sword appeared in his hand, which he then presented to the other party.

"Since you are Xuan Yi's disciple, we are somewhat connected. Consider this a token of my appreciation as your elder."

I hope you can achieve the Core Formation soon, and live up to your cultivation path.

"This is a talisman!"

Upon seeing the silver short sword that Song Qingming had taken out, which turned out to be a rare and precious talisman in the cultivation world, Li Siyun stood there for a moment, hesitant to step forward and accept it.

Seeing this, Li Xuanyi, who was sitting to the side, quickly stood up and said, "Since it is Senior Song who has the good fortune to bestow this upon you, then accept it without any worries."

However, you must be careful how you use this item in the future, and avoid showing it off easily in front of others, lest you attract the attention of greedy people and bring trouble upon yourself.

"This disciple understands, thank you Senior Song!"

The power of special spiritual items like talismans is far greater than that of ordinary level-two magic artifacts.

A single talisman treasure is worth tens of thousands of spirit stones in the outside market, enough to attract the interest of other Foundation Establishment cultivators and even Golden Core cultivators.

Hearing Li Xuanyi's instructions, Li Siyun, still feeling a little excited, quickly nodded, put away her short sword, and then stepped back.

Only after Li Siyun left did Song Qingming enter the pavilion, sit opposite Li Xuanyi, and pick up the black chess pieces that she had just arranged.

"Junior Brother Song is so generous in giving Siyun a gift, but Third Uncle has already made arrangements, so they haven't made things difficult for you, have they?"

Gently setting down a white piece, Li Xuanyi couldn't help but ask another question.

Song Qingming smiled slightly and placed a chess piece down as well.

"Hmm! When I heard you say that on the way here, I thought Senior Li would really have some kind of opinion about me. I didn't expect that he would be so approachable when he met me this time."

Senior Li and I have already discussed it. Once they're ready, we'll hold a celebration for you and officially announce this to the public.

"Holding a celebration? I already said I don't care about these empty formalities, so why bother with the time and effort to hold any celebration?"

I'll talk to my third great-uncle later and ask him to drop the matter; there's no need to waste spirit stones on this."

Hearing what Song Qingming said, Li Xuanyi finally smiled and breathed a sigh of relief.

Upon hearing this, Song Qingming shook his head and said, "Senior Li and the others are willing to handle this matter and don't want to wrong you. I think you shouldn't spoil their fun."

Anyway, we're not in a hurry to leave now. We'll be staying at Yunlong Mountain for a while, so it won't have any impact. After Song Qingming directly stated his purpose in the Li family's main hall, Li Boying and Li Mengliang didn't try to stop him and Li Xuanyi.

He simply proposed holding a celebration for Li Xuanyi in person, taking the opportunity to announce the matter to the outside world.

Song Qingming was well aware that Li Boying insisted on holding the celebration because he wanted to publicly reveal the relationship between "Yunlong Mountain" and himself, a great cultivator.

As the eldest elder of the Li family, Li Boying now only has a few decades left to live and can no longer fight with others at will. He will not last much longer.

The remaining two, Li Mengliang and Zhou Daoping, were far inferior to him in cultivation and strength. After Li Boying passed away, the status of "Yunlong Mountain" in the cultivation world of Nanzhou was bound to begin to decline.

After Li Xuanyi and Song Qingming became cultivation partners, the Li family gained a powerful cultivator with whom they had a good relationship, which was also a relationship they could take advantage of.

Once the celebration is held and this news is announced, other Nascent Soul forces around Yunlong Mountain will have to consider whether they might offend a powerful cultivator if they want to cause trouble for the Li family.

Seeing the determination in Song Qingming's eyes, Li Xuanyi remained silent for a moment, then smiled and gently placed another piece on the chessboard.

"Okay! I'll do as you say."

".."

Several months later, the top of Yunlong Mountain began to be decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations.

Upon learning that the Li family was going to hold a dual cultivation celebration for Li Xuanyi and Song Qingming, all the major sects in the vicinity sent cultivators to Yunlong Mountain to offer their congratulations.

Zhao Mengyang, the Supreme Elder of the Five Thunder Sect, arrived early to offer his congratulations at Yunlong Mountain and presented a valuable gift in person.

Jin Zifang of the Jin Yue Sect did not appear; instead, another Nascent Soul stage elder arrived, who was exceptionally enthusiastic upon seeing Song Qingming, this great cultivator.

Most of the other Nascent Soul forces in Nanzhou sent Nascent Soul cultivators to offer their congratulations, except for one family whose patriarch was in seclusion and unable to attend, which sent a Golden Core disciple on their behalf.

Although she said she didn't care about these formalities, on the day of the celebration, Li Xuanyi, dressed in a bright red wedding robe, couldn't help but feel a little excited as she looked at the gifts that had been sent to her.

Meanwhile, Song Qingming personally stepped forward and accompanied more than a dozen Nascent Soul cultivators to sit in the main hall, enjoying wine and chatting.

Since Song Qingming was the only great cultivator among the dozen or so people present, the surrounding crowd naturally asked him for advice on cultivation.

On such a rare and auspicious day, Song Qingming, beaming with joy, was generous and answered every question he could.

Just as the many cultivators took their seats, a disciple of the Li family suddenly entered the main hall from outside the door, quickly approached Li Boying, and respectfully handed over a visiting card.

"Ancestor, Senior Lü from the Demon-Slaying Palace has come to offer his congratulations!"

"The Demon-Slaying Palace, please clarify which fellow Daoist you are referring to?"

Just as Li Boying raised his wine glass to toast someone, he suddenly heard the words "Dangmo Sect," and his expression changed slightly. He quickly took the invitation card from the other party's hand.

Meanwhile, Song Qingming and the others, who were sitting on the side, also turned their gazes to Li Boying with surprise.

As one of the three major Nascent Soul cultivation forces in the Eastern Phoenix Kingdom, the name "Dangmo Palace" was naturally familiar to many cultivators present.

However, the Li family's Yunlong Mountain and the "Dangmo Palace" had never had any interaction, so when they suddenly heard that the other party had come to offer congratulations, everyone was quite puzzled.

Seeing Li Boying excitedly rise and head out of the hall to greet them, a Nascent Soul cultivator sitting next to Li Mengliang immediately asked him curiously:
"Fellow Daoist Li, your Yunlong Mountain actually invited Elder Lü of the Demon-Slaying Sect today. Why didn't you tell us about this earlier? We've been kept in the dark for so long."

"Uh, Fellow Daoist Chen, you misunderstand. We have indeed only invited you all here today, and we have not sent any invitations to the Demon-Slaying Sect."

I have no idea why Fellow Daoist Lü has come; I suppose he has other business to discuss.

"Oh! Is that so? That's strange."

Upon hearing Li Mengliang's explanation, everyone began to whisper among themselves. Only Song Qingming and Li Xuanyi, who were sitting in the main seats, exchanged a glance.

Before long, Li Boying led an old man with white hair into the main hall. When the Golden Core cultivators present saw this man, they quickly stood up and bowed to him.

"We pay our respects to our senior!"

"Hehe, everyone, please don't stand on ceremony!"

After the white-haired old man waved to the crowd, he turned around and saw that Song Qingming and the other man had already walked over. He quickly returned the greeting with a cupped hand.

"I just happened to be passing by today and heard that Fellow Daoist Song and Fellow Daoist Xuanyi are celebrating their dual cultivation. That's why I've come to ask you two for a cup of celebratory wine. Please forgive my abruptness, fellow Daoist."

"It's only been a few decades since we parted ways in the cultivation world of Qi Yun. I never imagined you would have already advanced to the late Nascent Soul stage. Truly, the younger generation is formidable, and we are all filled with envy."

This white-haired old man from the "Demon Slayer Sect" was none other than Lü Yue, the fourth elder of the Demon Slayer Sect, who had gone to the Qiyun Immortal Cultivation World with Song Qingming to exterminate demons back then.

During the battle to destroy the demon, Song Qingming was suddenly teleported to the heavens, and Lü Yue was also injured in the battle against the "Level 5 Demon Wood".

When Song Qingming returned to "Dangmo Mountain" later, the other party had already gone into seclusion to heal his injuries. The two finally reunited today, and both of them were somewhat excited.

Compared to back then, Lü Yue's cultivation level has also changed. This great cultivator, who had been stuck at the peak of the eighth level of the Nascent Soul realm for many years, has now successfully entered the ninth level of the Nascent Soul realm.

Upon hearing that Lü Yue had come to Yunlong Mountain specifically to congratulate him, Song Qingming quickly replied, "Fellow Daoist Lü, you are too kind."

My cultivation is still shallow, and I have only been fortunate enough to have some opportunities. How could I dare to let you, fellow Daoist, utter the word "envy"?

"It is an honor for me and Xuan Yi that you have come to Yunlong Mountain, Fellow Daoist. Please, Fellow Daoist Lü, take a seat!"

Once they reached the head of the main hall, Lü Yue took out a jade box and presented it to Li Xuanyi in front of everyone.

"I came in a bit of a hurry this time, and have only prepared some small gifts. I hope you two fellow Daoists will not find them offensive!"

"Xuan Yi thanks you, fellow Daoist!"

Sensing that the item inside the jade box possessed remarkable spiritual energy, and that it seemed to be a valuable level-four spiritual artifact, Li Xuanyi quickly smiled and nodded, then put it away.

Upon seeing Lü Yue, the fourth elder of the "Demon-Slaying Palace," suddenly appear, and noticing that he seemed to have an unusual relationship with Song Qingming and Lü Yue, a hint of surprise flashed in the eyes of everyone in the hall.

Zhao Mengyang and the others began to speculate about the relationship between Song Qingming and the "Demon-Slaying Palace".

Even Li Boying and Li Mengliang were equally surprised, although they had heard from Li Xuanyi that Song Qingming had helped the "Dangmo Palace" to go to the Qiyun Immortal Cultivation World to eliminate the demonic disaster.

It was truly unexpected that Lü Yue, a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, would value Song Qingming so much and personally come to offer his congratulations.

At this moment, the two of them looked at Song Qingming with an unfathomable depth in their eyes.

As Lü Yue took his seat, the celebration officially began, with everyone raising their glasses to congratulate the two people in the main seats.

Song Qingming and Li Xuanyi could only return the gifts one by one, which immediately kept them busy.

Fortunately, both of them were already Nascent Soul cultivators, so the spirit wine at the banquet wouldn't have much of an effect on them, except for leaving them with a slight smell of alcohol.

Besides the two newcomers, Song Qingming and Li Xuanyi, Lü Yue, a Nascent Soul Ninth Level cultivator sitting at the head of the table, naturally became the focus of everyone's toasts.

However, it seems that Lü Yue's purpose in coming to Yunlong Mountain this time was simply to offer his congratulations.

Apart from Song Qingming and Li Xuanyi, he was noticeably cold towards the other Nascent Soul cultivators around him who tried to strike up conversations and show goodwill, and he was unwilling to say much.

After congratulating Song Qingming and the other person, the fourth elder of the "Demon-Slaying Palace" quickly got up to take his leave before the banquet was over.

This truly left the other Nascent Soul cultivators present feeling somewhat regretful, as they had missed this opportunity to befriend the "Demon-Slaying Palace".

After all, although they were all in the cultivation world of Donghuang Kingdom, having some connections with three top Nascent Soul cultivators like "Dangmo Palace" was something that ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators could not achieve.

Seeing this, Song Qingming didn't seem too surprised.

To be honest, Lü Yue was not only a great cultivator at the ninth level of the Nascent Soul stage, but also the fourth elder of the "Demon Suppression Palace." His status and position were among the highest in the entire Eastern Phoenix Immortal Continent.

When Song Qingming went to the Demon-Slaying Palace to borrow the Heart-Refining Tower, if it weren't for his master, "Lingxu Daoist," Lü Yue probably wouldn't have given him a second glance.

Seeing him come to offer his congratulations today, Song Qingming was initially a little suspicious, wondering if the other party had something to ask him.

Unexpectedly, apart from chatting with him about the demon-slaying incident back then, Lü Yue didn't mention anything else in person; he simply came to offer his congratulations.

As night fell, everyone took their leave, and the once bustling hall gradually quieted down.

After the celebration ended, Song Qingming and Li Xuanyi returned to their cave at Qingxuan Peak. Li Xuanyi immediately took out her "storage magic artifact".

A moment later, the light kept flashing, and Li Xuanyi, still wearing her wedding robes, had no time to care about anything else and poured out all the congratulatory gifts she had received that day.

Looking at the many exquisite gifts in front of her, Li Xuanyi's eyes quickly settled on the jade box that Lü Yue had given her.

"Huh! It's actually a Golden Spirit Pill. This Fellow Daoist Lü is really generous."

Curious, Li Xuanyi opened the gift box and was surprised to find that it contained a valuable low-grade fourth-level spiritual pill.

Sitting to the side, Song Qingming glanced at it and said with some surprise, "I felt a familiar aura in the main hall just now, and it really is the Golden Spirit Pill."

I already took one of these pills years ago, and it didn't have much effect anymore. Giving it to you will help you break through your bottleneck.

"Since Junior Brother Song puts it that way, then I won't stand on ceremony with you!"

Li Xuanyi, whose gaze had been fixed on the elixir in her hand with lingering affection, was overjoyed upon hearing this and immediately put the elixir away.

Seeing this, Song Qingming slowly wiped the smile from his face, stood up and went to Li Xuanyi's side, suddenly asking her:
"Wait, what did you just call me?"

"Junior Brother Song,!"

Li Xuanyi had just looked up to reply when she saw Song Qingming frowning at her with a hint of displeasure in his eyes, and she immediately looked puzzled.

"Junior Brother Song, what's wrong with you?"

".."

(PS: I'm very sorry for the late updates. I'll be adding more chapters tomorrow, so the update time will probably be a bit late again. I'll adjust it the day after tomorrow.) (End of this chapter)