Legacy of the Spirit Stone-Chapter 48 – All are fish and meat

"That's right, the person said the value of this place wasn't even worth his trip down the mountain. Then he scolded me for a while and left."
Hearing this, the cultivators following behind exchanged glances, all showing self-deprecating smiles.
A place that others disdain is one they would travel thousands of miles to reach.
Li Cheng, however, didn't mind and shrugged, "Isn't that better? If Core Formation cultivators aren't interested, it means the Ancient Tomb is just right for us to explore. Plus, without those troublesome sect disciples, our actions will be much more convenient."
Upon reaching the courtyard, the Li Clan cultivators, led by Li Cheng, were immediately surrounded.
"Young Master Li, I am from the Fang family of Floating Cloud Town..."
"Greetings, Young Master, my daughter is from the Ye family of North Wu..."
"Young Master Li, you are truly talented and have profound cultivation, a model of a prominent family! Truly an example for us all!"
Li Cheng was already well-versed in handling such situations, dealing with them flawlessly, and with a few words, he sent the surrounding cultivators on their way.
Yang Lingrui had been waiting and only stepped forward to pay his respects when most people had dispersed.
"Pine Mountain Yang Clan, Yang Lingrui, greets Young Master Li."
"The Yang Clan, you are..."
Li Cheng turned his head, about to speak, but when he clearly saw Yang Lingrui, he abruptly stopped mid-sentence.
It can be hard to make great work when its stolen from "pawread.com".
"What an upright and extraordinary demeanor!"
"Looks young, but his Third Layer realm is quite outstanding, and he looks handsome too!"
His gaze lingered on Yang Lingrui, growing more satisfied the longer he looked.
"Elder Yu mentioned that the Yang Clan decided to stand on their own because a junior formed a Qi Palace."
Li Cheng asked, "Is that you?"
"Indeed."
Yang Lingrui nodded, "Before leaving home, Elder Ancestor instructed me to express my gratitude if I encountered Young Master Li. You bought our family's items in the marketplace, which was a great help."
"Hahaha, Elder Yu is as courteous as ever. Those things were nothing."
Li Cheng waved it off, then suddenly changed the topic, asking, "Lingrui, how old are you this year?"
"Ah? I'm fourteen this year."
Yang Lingrui was momentarily stunned, not understanding why Li Cheng asked this, but he still replied.
"Oh, fourteen, not bad."
Saying this, he pulled Yang Lingrui to a corner of the courtyard and whispered, "To be honest, I have a sister who just turned fifteen this year, only a year older than you."
Yang Lingrui's eyes widened in surprise, momentarily at a loss.
But he quickly reacted, his cheeks turning red.
"Ah, well, Young Master Li, I... this..."
"Shh, shh, it's okay, don't be nervous."
Seeing the boy stammering in fear, Li Cheng quickly reassured him, "Don't worry, I just thought you were a good kid and had this idea. Whether it works out or not is another matter."
Hearing this, Yang Lingrui felt relieved.
If Li Cheng were serious, he really wouldn't know how to handle it.
"Fellow cultivators, please listen to me."
After everyone had chatted for a while, Duan Yong stepped into the center of the courtyard, "The Ancient Tomb has appeared in Windridge. I am grateful to all of you for coming from afar to assist."
"Based on past experiences, the deeper the tomb, the more treasures there are, but it also becomes more dangerous. I hope everyone acts within their capabilities."
"Now that everyone is here, rest well tonight. Tomorrow at noon, I will lead you to explore the Ancient Tomb."
That night, Yang Lingrui and Zhao Qi returned to their room early to rest.
"Senior Brother, I've found out everything. There are thirty-seven people on this trip, including three Mid Qi Condensation cultivators. Li Cheng is at the peak of Qi Condensation Sixth Layer. The other two are Huang Yan from Windridge Town and Zheng Huaming from Floating Cloud Town, both at Qi Condensation Fourth Layer."
Zhao Qi relayed the information he gathered to Yang Lingrui, "I've observed these two; their strength seems to be inferior to yours, Senior Brother."
Saying this, he took out a scroll from his sleeve, spreading it open to reveal a detailed record of the thirty-seven participants' names, origins, and cultivation levels.
After reviewing it, Yang Lingrui had a clear understanding, "I'm not good at remembering these things. Thank you for your effort, Junior Brother Zhao."
"Senior Brother, there's no need for such formality between us. Just let me know if you need anything," Zhao Qi replied with a smile.
"Well... speaking of which, there is something that puzzles me today."
"Oh? What could possibly stump you, Senior Brother?"
Yang Lingrui then recounted what Li Cheng had said to him.
The result was two inexperienced youths staring at each other in the room.
"Well... Senior Brother, though I don't understand matters of love, I feel this isn't simple," Zhao Qi said.
Yang Lingrui agreed, "I think so too. The Li Clan is powerful and has sect backing. Why would they approach me, or rather, why would they take an interest in the Yang Clan?"
Both knew that although the Yang Clan had been thriving recently, the Li Clan could easily crush them with a single Late Qi Condensation cultivator.
"If it's just about talent and looks, I don't believe it. The Li Clan wouldn't consider things so simply."
Yang Lingrui remained clear-headed, not believing he had the ability to attract the Li Clan's attention.
"If that's the case, then Senior Brother, I have a thought."
"What is it? Tell me."
Zhao Qi rubbed his chin, "Li Cheng brought this up upon first meeting you, even with Elder Ancestor's acquaintance. Isn't it a bit too hasty? Could it be that something has happened to the Li Clan?"
While Yang Lingrui and Zhao Qi speculated in their room, Li Cheng was also resting with two confidants in another.
"Gulp, gulp... Ah! Good wine!"
Li Cheng took a big swig and asked the two before him, "What do you think of that kid I took a liking to?"
"Uh... cough, cough, the kid seems nice, but doesn't the Yang Clan fall short compared to our family?" one of them said.
The other nodded, "And this matter should also consider the young lady's opinion. It's not right for you to decide on your own, Young Master."
"Sigh, I get it. You're saying the Yang Clan is too weak, and my sister should choose someone she likes," Li Cheng, seemingly a bit tipsy, spoke in a muddled tone.
"That's what we mean."
"Alright, alright, are you drinking or not?"
"The head of the family instructed us not to drink on this trip."
"Ugh, no fun. Go rest then, and remember to wake me up tomorrow."
The two seemed accustomed to his demeanor and took their leave.
The moment his confidants left the room, a stream of wine was drawn from Li Cheng's fingertips back into the wine jar.
The flush on his face faded, and his eyes cleared from their previous haze.
"Talking about being worthy or not! Ridiculous! Does my Li Clan have some heaven-reaching power?"
"Choosing for oneself... At this point, is there really that much choice?"
"So many eyes are watching from above. Even the Ancestor wouldn't dare act rashly."
"Without Core Formation... without it, whose family isn't just meat on the chopping block, just in different sizes!"
Li Cheng's demeanor changed from his usual carefree manner, his fists clenched tightly, veins bulging, teeth grinding, and eyes bloodshot.
Others might not know, but as a direct descendant of the Li Clan, he was well aware of the internal situation.
In the matter of quelling chaos, the Li Clan left the Ancestor to oversee, seemingly using sect connections to smooth things over.
But in reality, it was merely a transaction between the Dynasty and the sect, a matter of shifting from left hand to right hand!
The Li Clan's Ancestor no longer had a choice; staying or leaving depended on whose hands they fell into.
"Have they forgotten how the Li Clan rose to power after so many years of peace?"
"Do they really think the Li Clan's current status is so secure?"
"Just because others flatteringly call us a 'prominent family,' they truly believe they've become one. Utterly foolish!"
"If there's any change, today they could erase the Li Clan, and tomorrow the Zhou, Sun, and Zhu families would rise..."
Every time he thought of this, Li Cheng felt a headache.
He had mentioned this at home long ago, but the elders were now obsessed with climbing higher branches, refusing to listen.
The Li Clan seemed peaceful on the surface, but if the Ancestor were to falter, it would be a disaster.
That's why Li Cheng kept seeking opportunities to make friends outside, hoping to find a turning point, a way out for his family.