198: bait

A cool breeze enters the pavilion from the lake, rustling the water caltrops and duckweeds covering the pond.

An untethered boat rests against the spring grass on the shore, and a water bird flies into the sunset, carrying ripples on its wings.

In the Cloud Dream Marsh, a gentle breeze skimmed across the water, creating fine ripples, and carrying the coolness of the lake into a wooden pavilion situated by the marsh.

The pavilion bore a plaque with the words: Xianshui Pavilion.

The pavilion was located in an open area, offering a panoramic view of the boundless marsh.

Inside.

A female Cultivator was playing the zither; the music was melodious and prolonged, accompanied by the sounds of clear springs and flowing water.

As the breeze lifted the bamboo curtain, a male Cultivator was seen setting down the ink-stained brush and silk scroll in his hand.

A surge of spiritual power emerged, drying the silk paper on the wooden table.

"Not bad."

Zhou Licheng picked up his masterpiece and exclaimed sincerely.

Yang Linxi chuckled softly and stopped playing the zither.

"It is indeed good."

Zhou Licheng was about to show his calligraphy to Yang Linxi.

A voice suddenly rang out from outside the pavilion.

"Uncle Xuan."

Zhou Licheng's eyes lit up.

He put down the silk paper and, along with the standing Yang Linxi, performed a salute.

Mo Xuan nodded.

"You two certainly have a lot of free time now."

Mo Xuan's miniaturized figure entered the Xianshui Pavilion.

He teased Zhou Licheng and his wife.

"We can't compare to an elder like yourself."

Zhou Licheng and Yang Linxi stepped forward to greet him.

Listening to Mo Xuan's jest, they replied with amusement.

Mo Xuan smiled wryly.

Since Zhou Licheng stepped down as Family Head, he seemed to have cast aside a heavy burden.

His entire demeanor had become much more spirited.

If it were the former Zhou Licheng, he certainly wouldn't have joked back like this.

"This is good..."

Mo Xuan looked at their state and nodded inwardly.

Zhou Licheng and Yang Linxi were people he had watched grow up.

It was just that they had been bound by the Family for the first half of their lives, and now, finally, they could be themselves.

"Of course, it's thanks to Uncle Xuan sitting in the Clan that we can enjoy such a scene."

Zhou Licheng added, his expression serious.

"You've even learned how to flatter..."

Mo Xuan looked suspicious.

"Old Ancestor, Old Ancestor..."

A distant connection entered Mo Xuan's heart.

Mo Xuan's mind stirred.

"I won't disturb you anymore."

He said this to the two of them.

His figure vanished within the pavilion.

At the bottom of the boundless marsh, a giant snake materialized.

Mo Xuan immersed his mind into this distant connection.

The Xuanming Realm.

In the Sword Domain, Arid Prefecture, within an unnamed mountain valley.

"What is it?"

Mo Xuan's voice rang out in Zhou Xiuyuan's heart.

Zhou Xiuyuan's expression turned solemn.

"Old Ancestor, please lend us your aid in a few days."

"Alright."

Mo Xuan's voice faded in his heart.

Zhou Xiuyuan put away an object in front of him and let out a soft breath.

Afterward, he got up, pushed open the door of the building, and walked out.

On a small island in the deep pool.

Shen Xuanzhao and Yun Qingsi were waiting in the waterside pavilion.

Upon seeing Zhou Xiuyuan's figure.

Yun Qingsi's eyes brightened slightly.

"Big Brother Zhou, how did it go?"

"The Old Ancestor has agreed."

Zhou Xiuyuan nodded and came to stand beside the two of them.

During this period, the three of them had been making preparations for this matter.

Until today, Zhou Xiuyuan had finally completed the preparations.

Thus, he proactively called upon Mo Xuan.

One reason was to test whether the effort had succeeded.

The second was to seek approval in advance, just in case.

"Good."

Yun Qingsi clapped her hands, stood up, and looked excited.

"When should we act?"

The standing Yun Qingsi paced back and forth, asking repeatedly without delay.

"Junior Sister, don't be so impatient."

Shen Xuanzhao interjected, knowing that Yun Qingsi was resentful because the Qingyang Li Clan had forced her to hide everywhere.

"Although Brother Zhou can summon the Old Ancestor from his Clan to help, according to Brother Zhou's description, He cannot remain here permanently."

"We must discuss a countermeasure and strive to capture all the Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivators of the Li Clan in one swoop."

"Especially those two Late Foundation Establishment Stage Li Clan elders."

Shen Xuanzhao spoke calmly.

If it weren't for the existence of those two Late Foundation Establishment Stage elders, their combined strength would truly have little need to fear the Li Family.

"That's right."

Zhou Xiuyuan nodded, agreeing with Shen Xuanzhao's words.

Hearing this.

Yun Qingsi's expression had also softened, and she sat down again.

"Then how should we proceed?"

Yun Qingsi furrowed her delicate brows.

She had never been adept at schemes like this.

Previously, Shen Xuanzhao was always responsible for planning, and she only needed to follow the action.

Zhou Xiuyuan and Shen Xuanzhao fell silent for a moment, constantly calculating in their minds.

Before long.

"I have it."

Shen Xuanzhao suddenly spoke up.

Zhou Xiuyuan's expression also shifted.

"It seems Brother Zhou also has an idea."

Shen Xuanzhao did not rush to say it, but instead looked toward Zhou Xiuyuan.

Zhou Xiuyuan nodded.

"Why don't the two of us write what we're thinking on our hands to see if they match?"

Shen Xuanzhao proposed.

"As Brother Shen suggests."

Zhou Xiuyuan drew a bit of tea from the cup in front of him.

The tea condensed and materialized in his palm.

Shen Xuanzhao did the same.

The two exchanged a look, then stretched out their hands and opened their palms.

In each of their palms was a seal character condensed from the tea water.

"Fish."

Yun Qingsi softly read it aloud.

"Splash~"

Just then.

In the deep pool outside the waterside pavilion.

Several spiritual fish leaped out of the water, disturbing the pool and creating ripples, a truly beautiful sight.

"Hahaha~"

Zhou Xiuyuan and Shen Xuanzhao smiled at each other, then dissipated the tea water in their hands.

Yun Qingsi watched their actions, feeling as though she couldn't integrate into their circle anymore.

"Brother Zhou, this time I shall act as the bait, and you should prepare here."

Their laughter stopped.

Shen Xuanzhao's expression became serious as he spoke.

"Alright."

Zhou Xiuyuan thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

As for Yun Qingsi, among the three, her cultivation was slightly lower, and she was not as meticulous in her actions as Shen Xuanzhao.

She was not suitable for this task.

The two of them did not include her in the consideration.

Yun Qingsi pouted, picked up her teacup, and drained it in one gulp.

Watching the two finalize the matter in just a few words without including her, she felt depressed.

"Ahem~"

"Junior Sister, you stay behind and assist Brother Zhou.

This matter is of great importance and allows for no carelessness.

Only with your assistance nearby can I feel at ease."

"Brother Zhou, wouldn't you agree?"

Seeing the change in Yun Qingsi's expression.

Shen Xuanzhao lightly coughed and said in a serious manner.

"That's right."

"Junior Sister Yun is clever and skillful, meticulous and careful.

With Junior Sister Yun's help, we will certainly achieve half the results with twice the effort."

Zhou Xiuyuan smiled slightly.

"Really?"

"Am I really that good?"

Yun Qingsi suddenly became bashful.

"Hahaha, Junior Sister, Brother Zhou is insulting you."

Shen Xuanzhao burst out laughing.

"What a great 'half the results with twice the effort'!'"

"You scoundrel, Zhou Xiuyuan!"

Prompted by Shen Xuanzhao.

Yun Qingsi finally realized it, and her face flushed red.

Seeing the two of them mocking her.

She was furious.

She let out a light snort and turned around, returning to her own building.

After Yun Qingsi left.

Shen Xuanzhao and Zhou Xiuyuan didn't mind.

After discussing for a long time.

They dispersed.

Returning to his own building.

Zhou Xiuyuan sat down cross-legged, his Cultivation Technique operating, and a towering snow mountain appeared within his Sea of Consciousness.

The next day.

Shen Xuanzhao disguised himself, and under the watchful eyes of Zhou Xiuyuan and Yun Qingsi, he quietly left the valley and headed toward Luo Prefecture.

Zhou Xiuyuan and Yun Qingsi began setting up some arrangements in the valley.