Chapter 964: Qiyun (II)
Li Xizhi gave a slight nod. Just as he had suspected, this Dawn Rayfish’s breakthrough had stemmed from that heavenly downpour.
The youth continued, “After breaking through, we scattered across the four directions. I wandered in the Eastern Sea for two years, then heard that my eldest brother had become the spirit beast of the Sword Immortal Huifu. I yearned to reunite with him and set off for the Northern Sea.
“But I was spotted at the edge of the Northern Sea. Chased and pursued, I fled in all directions. I was hunted relentlessly by whoever saw me, until I fell into the hands of the Dragon Clan... and that led to today.”
Li Xizhi nodded slightly and asked, “The Northern Sea Sword Immortal?”
“Yes.” The Dawn Rayfish answered respectfully, “My lord has likely been in this place for a while. Over half a year ago, word came that Sword Immortal Huifu comprehended the Dao in the Plume-Shedding Grounds of Han Sea[1] and thus attained sword intent. The entire Northern Sea was shaken and his name was spread across the four seas!”
Li Xizhi sighed lightly, nodded, and asked in a soft voice, “Sword intent... No wonder. What level has this Sword Immortal reached?”
“I wouldn’t know about that...” The youth gently shook his head, the orange plume-feathers at his temples quivering slightly with the motion. He replied respectfully, “I doubt it’s too high. When that serpent dragon carried me to Lord Heyun, they said that most who comprehend sword intent nowadays do so before reaching the Purple Mansion Realm, before awakening their Life Divine Ability... I don’t know what the reasoning is behind that.”
Li Xizhi nodded slightly. His own ancestor had also comprehended sword intent during Foundation Establishment Realm, so he began to ponder silently, “Since the ascension of True Monarch Shangyuan, Jiangnan should still have three sword immortals, but none have shown themselves recently. Aside from the one from Wanyu Sword Gate, the others are in Wu State... There might not even be ten sword immortals in the world right now.”
He helped the youth to his feet, scrutinized him, and asked a few more questions. The Dawn Rayfish’s cultivation was only at the early-to-mid Foundation Establishment Realm, yet his speed was terrifying. At full speed, he might even catch up to a Heavenly Glow Dawn Cloudliner.
Li Xizhi said kindly, “Since you’re the seventh, and were sent here by the senior, let’s call you Li Qiyun[2]. From now on, you’re one of us. There's no need to stand on ceremony.”
“This subordinate obeys!” Li Qiyun responded with a bow, quickly took out a healing pill, and began to recover in silence. Li Xizhi sat cross-legged beside the pond in the cave, quietly staring into the water’s surface.
Li Wushao didn’t ask how this young man suddenly appeared. The old serpent simply shut his eyes and resumed healing.