Yuan Tuan’s voice had just finished when Li Ximing stepped forward, dressed in loose white robes that gave him a casual elegance, though his voice was still tinged with youthful timbre as he said respectfully,

"Junior Li Ximing greets the senior!"

Yuan Tuan scrutinized him, his long gauze belt fluttering slightly. He chuckled and said,

"I heard from my senior brother about an alchemist with a peaceful aura and a balance between water and fire. Seeing you now, you indeed seem like a promising youngster!"

After saying that, he took Li Ximing’s hand and spoke warmly,

"Does the young one have a suitable Pill Furnace?"

Li Ximing paused briefly, looked at Li Yuanjiao who gave a slight nod, and then replied,

"To answer senior, I already have one!"

The Li Family’s Pill Furnace was taken by Li Tongya from someone else’s hands when the market was in disarray. It was of Qi Cultivation level. At the time, the Li Family was weak, and Li Tongya feared the blame for cherishing valuable possessions, so he kept it hidden for many years.

Now that the Li Family had stabilized its foundation and had an alchemist, they dared to reveal it, though only a few in the direct lineage knew about it.

These words made Yuan Tuan pause, caressing his Storage Bag at his waist and sensing the green Pill Furnace inside with his Spiritual Sense. He could not help but think wryly to himself,

"This is unfortunate. It seems I’ve wasted a favor on Yundan Peak..."

After all, considering that the Li Family had been established for less than a hundred years, Yuan Tuan had not expected that everything, including the Pill Furnace, would be already prepared. After reflecting for a moment, he took off a green Jade Bead from his wrist, fastened it with a red string, and hung it on Li Ximing’s wrist, smiling as he said,

"Consider this a meeting gift for the young one!"

Li Yuanjiao noted the extraordinary luster of the bead, which was clearly no common item, and felt inwardly delighted. Hurriedly, he spoke politely,

"Peak Master! This is too generous!"

"Oh!"

Yuan Tuan just smiled more brightly, looking at Li Ximing’s earnest little face, growing fonder the more he looked, and chuckled,

"This was my Body Protecting Treasure during my Qi Cultivation, named ’Qingxuan.’ After being tempered by my cultivation technique for many years, it possesses some mystical properties. It can transform into a hawk, dog, tiger, or deer, full of spirit and Agility. It is a fine Magic Artifact for both Fetal Breathing and Qi Cultivation stages."

"Now that I have cultivated my Immortal Foundation, and after nourishing it with ’Qingxuan Yue’ for two years, its mystical properties have been enhanced. The capabilities of ’Qingxuan Yue’ and this item overlap greatly, and I no longer need it, so I will give it to the young one!"

Li Yuanjiao understood that Yuan Tuan originally intended to give a Pill Furnace to return the favor, but now it was replaced with this Jade Bead, which must be of equivalent value. Magic Artifacts like Pill Furnaces typically had value but were hard to market; this Jade Bead being a substitute for a Pill Furnace was indeed extraordinary. He immediately said,

"Quickly, thank the Immortal Master."

"Thank you, senior!"

Li Ximing responded appropriately, and Yuan Tuan nodded. With an elegant gesture, she released a trail of pale white light that enveloped the surrounding area, isolating it from the outside. Then, she spoke gravely,

"Is the noble aware of the Demonic Calamity?"

Li Yuanjiao immediately became alert, and others like Li Yuanping and Li Xihong perked up their ears. Li Yuanjiao answered,

"Our home is located in the north of Yue Country, and we have indeed heard rumors. They say Jiang Yan perpetrates all manner of evils, spreading the teachings of the Demonic Path among Loose Cultivators and even among the common folk, causing countless demonic disturbances, with the south particularly affected..."

"Indeed."

Yuan Tuan nodded and said in a low voice,

"Although Jiang Yan opposes our Qing... our sect and cultivates witchcraft, it is not the Demonic Path as the rumors suggest. Moreover, this person has disappeared for many years, so the Demonic Calamity must have another mystery to it."

"You mean to say..."

Li Yuanjiao slightly furrowed his brow and replied,

"That in Yue Country, the Demonic Calamity is someone deliberately spreading the teachings of the Demonic Path... Has anyone from the sect gone to suppress and destroy it?"

Yuan Tuan had an indescribable look on her face as she said softly,

"No, but there are concerns among all the peaks that by neglecting the Demonic Calamity, we might revisit the tragedy of the Pingming Crossing."

The great battle at Pingming Crossing was where the conflict between immortals and demons led to a devastating war that broke the heavens and the earth, obliterated mountains and rivers, and caused the Divine Continent to sink. The Immortal Path lost the north, prompting the invasion of northern nomads and the spread of Buddhism, leading to the current situation.

Li Yuanjiao nodded in silence, with clear understanding. Yuan Tuan cautioned,

"In recent years, traces of Devil Cultivators have repeatedly been found on Mushroom Forest Plain. Even Qi Cultivators have fallen to them, hinting at an escalating threat moving towards the north. I ask the noble to be vigilant."

"Thank you for the warning, senior!"

As Li Yuanjiao answered respectfully, apparently taking the matter to heart, Yuan Tuan’s delicate fingers emanated a wisp of blue light, which touched the ground and transformed into two white deer blinking their eyes and nuzzling their heads without moving.

Yuan Tuan said softly,

"Good disciple, follow me back to the peak!"

Li Xizhi hurriedly said farewell to his parents and greeted each of his brothers, then mounted one of the white deer and ascended through the clouds.

Yuan Tuan alighted gently onto the back of the deer as well, speaking softly,

"If you wish to send a message to the sect, send it to the Yuan Family. The benefactions of the past must eventually run short; I hope you will be diligent in your cultivation."

Her voice lingered as the two white deer rose into the clouds, vanishing without a trace in moments. The others looked upward, with Li Yuanping finally speaking,

"’Qingxuan Yue’ truly has the aura of the Immortal Sect. I wonder which Immortal Foundation it sprung from!"

The two exchanged glances, both delighted with the smooth progress and gains they had made. Meanwhile, Li Xijun brought his head close to Li Ximing, asking curiously,

"Brother, let’s have a look at your wonderful Magic Artifact!"

Li Ximing promptly nodded, having been quite eager himself but had refrained from showing happiness in front of Yuan Tuan to maintain the family’s dignity. Now his eyes gleamed, and with a surge of Mana, the Jade Bead shone slightly. A burst of blue light then spewed forth, which upon touching the ground, transformed into a white deer the size of a small cat, full of life, staring with wide eyes. Li Xijun laughed out loud and mounted it, ready to ride.