Chapter 940: Owing Nothing (II)
Li Qinghong couldn’t quite gauge his true intent. Her priority was to obtain that cultivation technique first; all else could wait. So she replied softly, "You’re a newcomer here, and I must admit I still feel some caution. Let’s postpone this for now. Once our families have exchanged techniques and understand each other better, we can revisit the matter."
Xi Zikang could only sigh softly and nod in agreement. After a few more casual remarks, he prepared to take his leave.
Li Qinghong nodded at Li Ximing, signaling him to leave first. Only then did Xi Zikang rise and casually say, "It’s a bit of a coincidence. I, too, cultivate the Dao of Thunder Steering and Cloud Dwelling. My Immortal Foundation is called Heaven’s Crying Spur. This trip, I’m heading south to Lake Xian, then turning east toward the Eastern Sea."
Li Qinghong sighed inwardly and asked, "What business takes you there?"
Xi Zikang shook his head with a smile and said, "You and I both cultivate with borrowed Dao lineages. Surely, you’ve had your own doubts, so why ask me? The dragon kin devour thunder, and such a prolonged Falling Water Rising Storm must mean unfinished business. My sect informed me long ago, so I traveled south voluntarily to spare the Dragon Monarch the trouble of dragging me down and harming my kin..."
Li Qinghong escorted him out all the way to the island’s edge. She saw thunder bloom beneath Xi Zikang’s feet as he turned and said softly, "It’s not all bad. There’s no need for them to kill us all. There may be benefits to come. When the time comes, I’ll seek you out, Qinghong. If we go together, at least we’ll have each other’s company."
Li Qinghong fell silent for a moment, watching him depart. Then she rode thunder back to the peak, where she happened to run into Li Ximing. He said softly, "Aunt... he seems to have an ulterior motive."
Li Qinghong had sensed the same. This man had shown no real urgency for the technique, and his request about the artifact seemed more like a pretext. It was perhaps just a way to build rapport. The information he later revealed likely mattered far more.
As for his final remarks before leaving, those were probably the real reason he had come. Li Qinghong understood this well and didn’t explain further. She only replied softly, "Don’t worry. Are you doing better?"
"You need not worry, Aunt." Li Ximing’s tone was gentle. He had shaved the beard he used to keep, and his body brimmed with Radiant Light. Li Qinghong had rarely heard such a tone from him, so she was slightly surprised. The young man cupped his hands and said softly, "Aunt, I’m going into seclusion for cultivation."