A Legacy of Learning

"The saying goes, 'A son of a wealthy family should not sit under a dangerous roof.' With demons roaming the Lei Marsh Swamp, it seems rather dangerous for the lady to travel without guards..."

Li Fan was invited to the ship by the Xiao Family for a feast. After looking at the delicacies served by the servants and then at the servants around him who were at most at the Foundation Establishment stage, he couldn't help but ask tentatively.

He didn't really intend to tie up these two big, white, fat sheep in front of him, but something was definitely amiss. These five members of the Xiao Family were all all show and no substance, good for nothing, which didn't fit the Profound Heaven Sword Intent crap assessment.

"Profound Heaven Sword Intent said, 'I'm astonished that this little fat sheep dares to leave Lanling City these days, and even travel so far to Lei Marsh! Hmm... but then again, after all, my Beichen Sword Sect would have the nerve to impersonate us and kidnap their people anymore.'"

Holy crap? The Xuanmen are so shameless, they're pinning this on the Beichen Sword Sect? How can we tolerate this?

"The Profound Heaven Sword Intent said, cough cough, actually quite a few of my Sword Sect disciples have gone to borrow grain, anyway, it's hard to explain, so what's wrong with admitting it?"

So your whole clan is just grabbing a sheep and going all out to pluck it!

Xiao Yushi smiled and offered wine, "So that Fellow Li Daoyou may know that we originally came out with our elders to broaden our horizons, and we just happened to encounter the opening of the Gonggong Shrine. All the demons have gathered, True Cultivator cultivators have come together, which will surely lead to a great battle. This is a great opportunity."

My elders, of course, couldn't be absent. Fearing they wouldn't be able to protect us younger generation, they sent servants to escort us out of the marsh. But we encountered a powerful demon at the Nascent Soul stage on the way. My guards stopped the demon and told us to avoid it. But as you can see, the flying boat was destroyed by the demons, so we had to rest here for the time being.

"May I ask the Master to stay a moment longer? I have already sent a talisman, and the guards should arrive shortly."

"I see," Li Fan understood now, realizing there was indeed a Nascent Soul Stage level elder protecting him. "Oh, Madam, you just mentioned that the Gonggong Shrine was opened in the Lei Marsh?"

"Indeed, according to the books in my family's collection, Lei Marsh was originally the territory of the Gonggong Clan. The god-king of the Gonggong Clan was once the overlord of the Southern Country, and at its peak, he controlled the lands of Xun, Kun, and Li Three Countries, and even the Ten-thousand-mountains and part of Kunlun were under his command. However, he was later wiped out by the Immortal Venerable clan, and now his descendants have been incorporated into the Central Plains. The Gonggong clan's Cultivation Method are sealed in this divine palace. Presumably, it is the inheritance that those Demon Race are plotting to inherit."

"The Profound Heaven Sword Intent said, 'Oh, Gonggong Clan? I've never seen him before. Perhaps we could go in and take a look.'"

Sightseeing? Sure, it is a famous historical site after all, you can go and take a picture or something.

So Li Fan temporarily abandoned his plan to fleece the family and instead enjoyed drinks and conversation with the Xiao Family's wives and daughters.

You know what, the Xiao Family, a prestigious family, really does have its merits. While you can't expect too much from the fighting power of their children, their eloquence, knowledge, and experience are truly admirable to Li Fan, this country bumpkin from the mountains, and have broadened his horizons.

At least the secrets that others have never even heard of are nothing more than casual conversations and anecdotes over tea and wine for these families that have been passed down for thousands of years. They can easily reveal the names of gods, kings, demons, and so on, as well as their Cultivation Method techniques, special moves, and interesting stories.

The Xiao Family, however, did not possess the arrogance often Li Country bumpkins who were ignorant of the world and had a narrow-minded view of life. After all, they regularly interacted with figures of the same caliber as the Three Realms and the Xuanmen, possessing extensive experience with hostages and understanding that there are always people more capable than oneself.

Just by watching Li Fan casually display his flying sword and escape techniques, they could guess that this country bumpkin was a top-tier expert in the Golden Core Stage, not much worse than a disciple of the Xuanmen sect. After chatting with him, they found that he was indeed an elite disciple of Ink Bamboo Mountain, so they were interested in befriending him. He was beautiful and spoke pleasantly, and Li Fan felt like he was basking in a spring breeze.

After chatting for a while, Li Fan learned the general background of the two Xiao Family women. It turned out that Xiao Yushi and Xiao Hanzhen were not sisters, but aunt and niece.

Xiao Yushi is the Grand Minister of Agriculture of the Three Palaces and Nine Ministers of the Immortal Palace, the Governor of Zhen, the Queen, the daughter of Xiao Shuda, the head of the Xiao Family, and the Eighth Princess of Zhen Country. Xiao Hanzhen is the Seventh Prince of the Xiao Family and the daughter of Xiao Shicheng, the Prince of Xiao Shicheng of Zhen Country. The other three, A, B, and C, are also junior members of the Xiao Family and princes and grandsons of the Zhen Country. Li Fan didn't bother to remember the names of these minor figures.

It's no wonder they didn't have many guards. These members of the Xiao Family weren't direct descendants with a line of succession, and their innate talent wasn't up to par, so they couldn't learn any true divine skills. However, they did have some talent for cultivation, and with the resources of their family and the dual cultivation method, they could advance to the Golden Core stage, or even barely reach the pseudo- Nascent Soul Realm. In the future, they could at least help the family with some tasks. But that was about it. They weren't seeking the Great Dao; they simply wanted to live a carefree and long life.

Xiao Yushi and Xiao Hanzhen were originally traveling to make friends with talented young people from all over the country. They were very enthusiastic about befriending Li Fan, a true talent. One offered him a cup of wine, and the other offered him a bowl of soup. Soon, they were all chatting and laughing and calling each other "sister" and "brother".

' The Profound Heaven Sword Intent says, wow... If I didn't know you'd survived a whole host of killing tribulations, I'd be worried you'd suffered a love tribulation...'

What a load of rubbish! It's all just a charade. Why did you have to be so forceful? These powerful families would practically offer up Heavenly Treasure and curry favor with the invincible swordsman just by a smile, a small favor, or a flick of the finger! The fact that they let you tie them up like this without any reaction Ketu from Stockholm Syndrome. Maybe they're even hoping for something more... to happen.

' The Profound Heaven Sword Intent says... that makes sense... sigh, that bastard Xingyun is as stupid as a block of wood. If he had even a tenth of your cunning and shrewdness, he wouldn't have been seduced by a vixen...'

Are you praising me?

They chatted for a while without realizing it. Li Fan also Divine Sense that the Xiao Family's guards had caught up with them. This was a genuine Nascent Soul Nascent Soul Stage with real strength. He came with a powerful aura, clearly a divine general of the Zhen Country and one of the top experts under the Xiao Family.

Normally, a cultivator's appearance doesn't change much after reaching the Foundation Establishment, but even if they reach the trashy Nascent Soul Stage, it still takes several hundred years. This General Wang looks quite young, with a strong aura emanating from him, blood-red light spreading across his armor, and a heroic air between his brows. It seems that his aptitude is not bad, and he is indeed a powerful expert who has been through many battles.

At this moment, this general arrived covered in blood, carrying a bow and wielding two halberds, clearly having gone through a perilous battle and managed to repel the great monster he had encountered.

It seems there are many capable people under the Immortal Palace; even a random guard has this level of skill.

'The Profound Heaven Sword Intent is quite impressive; this guard is likely no ordinary one.'

Xiao Hanzhen introduced with a smile, "General Wang, you've had a hard time. This fellow Daoist Qingyue is True Cultivator from Ink Bamboo Mountain. Just now, we were besieged by a group of demons, and it was thanks to his intervention that we were able to escape danger."

Fellow Daoist Qingyue, let me introduce you. This is General Wang Juncai, a trusted confidant of my father, currently serving as a military advisor in the royal palace, and recently breaking through to the Nascent Soul Realm. We've troubled you to protect us as we leave the swamp, though it has delayed his opportunity."

"Princess, you flatter me. It won't take me long to come and go. Thank you for your help, fellow Daoist. I would be very sorry if those demons were to harm the princess's hair." General Wang tucked his double halberds into his back and bowed to Li Fan.

Li Fan also bowed and greeted him, "General, you are too kind. I am just passing by the Divine Palace hoping to find some opportunities. I wonder how the battle with the Demon Race is going?"

These members of the Xiao Family are all all talk and no action; of course, they don't understand the battle situation at the Divine Palace as well as this Nascent Soul Stage general, who is on the front line of the General Wang Palace. The other party was quite straightforward and explained to Li Fan, "The opening of the Gonggong Shrine this time is probably due to the Demon Race causing Demon Race. In the past ten months, I have fought on the battlefield more than ten times. I have counted six Nascent Transformation Stage demon kings, fifty-two Nascent Soul great demons, and several thousand other Core Formation stage lesser demons. They are quite powerful."

However, my Central Plains also has the guardians of the Zhen, Xun, and Li kingdoms, as well as elites from various aristocratic families. Not counting myself, I now see twelve Nascent Soul cultivators in the Divine Palace, along with hundreds of Golden Core soldiers and rogue cultivators. I am not afraid of them."

"Uh, isn't there quite a difference in numbers? I wonder if the guardians of the other two countries are at the same level as the general, or..." Li Fan was a little unsure. After all, there were only twelve Nascent Soul Stage cultivators in total, so wouldn't those three trash from the Nangong Family make up 25% of them?

General Wang understood what he meant. "Naturally, we are counting True Cultivator who can personally fight and take on ten opponents at once. Of course, there are also more than twenty other adults who will guide us, assist in the planning, and manage the divine weapons, magic treasures, talismans, armor, and formations of the Immortal Palace. Even if the Demon Race attacks us together, we will not be afraid of it."

Furthermore, I observed that the Demon Race was divided into three groups, each wary of the others, lacking a unified command and cohesion. If we simply gather the elite forces of our three kingdoms and swiftly break through one of their lines, we will surely terrify the rest of the rabble."

You're quite the smooth talker, even offering guidance from the sidelines. Presumably, this bodyguard for a powerful clan knows best what kind of people the Nascent Soul Stage from aristocratic families are—they're not even considered part of their combat strength from the start...

However, with the Demon Race divided into three groups, there's a fear that the guardians of the three kingdoms might also fight their own battles...

"Thank you for informing me, General. I will head to the Divine Palace immediately to lend a helping hand."

"I am deeply grateful for your help, fellow Daoist. I will return to assist you once I have escorted my master to Zhonggu for temporary refuge."

General Wang also clasped his hands in farewell.

Seeing that the formidable bodyguards had arrived, Xiao Yushi was no longer worried. She wrote a letter and took out a lotus-shaped Storage Jade, handing it to Li Fan, saying, "Brother Qingyue, I am grateful for your righteous help this time. If you encounter any difficulties at the Divine Palace, you can take this letter to my uncle, the Prince of Poyang. He is intelligent, generous, and charitable, and will surely repay you."

Here is a small gift to thank you for your protection. If you come to Jinling to see me again sometime, you must come and talk with my sister."

After a brief inspection, Li Fan discovered several boxes of gold, silver, silk, precious stones, and agate inside the Yuzan. Given the severe inflation in the Immortal Palace, these valuables could probably fetch more than 100,000 strings of cash if sold.

Is this Xiao Family defines as a "small" gift? Damn that rich family...

"Thanksev..."

Li Fan reached out to take the letter, but to his surprise, the woman took the opportunity to lift Li Fan's hand, placed the letter and Yuzan in his palm, and even scratched his palm with her little finger.

You're not planning to pack yourself up and offer yourself to me, are you?!

"Sister, you're too kind! I'll definitely visit you another day!"

Li Fan didn't stand on ceremony and pinched her delicate fingers.

Xiao Hanzhen, with her family guards watching, was a little shy and didn't dare to make any moves like her aunt. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, and she took out a sachet inlaid with ruby flowers and gold Phoebe, held it up with her jade-like fingers, and handed it to Li Fan.

"My father has established a residence in Jiangling. If Qingyue ever comes to Jiangling for a visit, you may come and find me to play together."

'The Profound Heaven Sword Intent said, "Damn! Why?! I only had a few drinks!"'

Maybe it's because I'm handsome...

"Definitely, definitely. Take care on your journey."

So Li Fan bid farewell to the two elegant young ladies with captivating eyes he had just met, along with a powerful retainer and three strangers, and rode his Sword Light southward in search of the opportunity at the Gonggong Temple.

Look at this, that's what a top-of-the-line valve looks like.

Both are ladies from prestigious families, yet some can make you itch with just a cup of tea, wondering if they're interested in you, if your feelings have reached the point where you can sleep together. Others, however, can make you furious after just three drinks, making you want to slap them across the face and rip their heads off. How can the difference in their character be so vast?

Moreover, upon closer reflection, those three A, B, and C were actually quite remarkable. They managed to remain invisible throughout the entire process. Despite being from aristocratic families and members of the royal family, they were content to stand aside and act as background figures, allowing Li Fan to chat happily with Xiao Yuzhi and Xiao Hanzhen Xiao Yushi him noticing their presence at all. His attention was entirely focused on the two beauties.

The ability to discern subtle signs and speak appropriately to different people demonstrates the basic Jiao Water of the Xiao Family members. It's no wonder they are a powerful clan that has thrived for thousands of years in the Central Plains; their interpersonal skills are truly remarkable.

Look at the upbringing and character of the Nangong family. They dare to bury the hatchet with tea instead of wine. Look at how proper noble families behave. They come up with a meager gift of 100,000 strings of cash and throw it at people's faces! No wonder Nangong himself managed to offend Ink Bamboo Mountain to death. It's no wonder his family fell into ruin.

Hey, so garbage is only apparent in comparison.

After mentally berating the Nangong Family for a while, Li Fan flew south for another hundred miles until he came across a battlefield. It was clearly the place where the Xiao Family had been ambushed by the great demon not long ago.

A large area of rainforest had vanished, leaving only a huge puddle. Blood fumes filled the air, and bits of flesh were scattered everywhere. Upon closer inspection, it appeared to be the remains of two or three different kinds of great monsters, with feathers and scales strewn among them.

It seems that the divine general surnamed Wang actually fought against many alone. He must have broken through the encirclement by himself. If he hadn't been worried about his master's safety and hadn't turned back to pursue, there probably wouldn't have been fifty-two great monsters this time.

Recalling the encounter with that divine general earlier, who wasn't even out of breath and appeared unharmed, it's clear he possesses genuine skill. Moreover, this person showed considerable respect to his young masters. It seems the Xiao Family's ability to manage people is truly remarkable. With such a magnanimous approach, it's no wonder they were able to win over such a master, who would be utterly loyal and willing to die for them.

It seems the Immortal Palace is indeed not to be underestimated; even a seemingly harmless sheep might be hiding a great deal of unseen power.

"The Profound Heaven Sword Intent Dao is useless. In times of peace and prosperity, these powerful clans can cling to powerful figures and become wealthy, but once chaos breaks out, they become easy prey for others to slaughter."

Back when the Three Great Sects were fighting, we actually considered whether to completely wipe out this immortal Immortal Palace's silver purse first. If they hadn't been so readily kneeling and hadn't given so much, making everyone hesitant to act, they probably would have been exterminated long ago.

Damn, so they've long understood the survival strategies of the weak! The Xiao Family truly lives up to their family tradition; they know how to recognize the aura of the strong. It's rare to find such a sensible clan...

"The Profound Heaven Sword Intent said, 'Heh, those who didn't know what was good for them would have been killed long ago. Do you think the rest wouldn't understand?'"

Fine, the Beichen Sword Sect is invincible, okay... But you're right, families like the Nangong Family just need to be taught a lesson. They're all so arrogant now. If we could kill off a bunch of those cocky types, the rest would probably learn the lesson of being kind to others, right?

Then let Li Fan take on this task of benefiting future generations without hesitation!

Just then, he also spotted the seven-colored auspicious cloud over the Immortal Palace in the distance.