Chapter 115: Long Time No See

Li Fusheng turned his head immediately upon hearing Wang Changsheng’s voice, his expression stunned and filled with disbelief as he looked at him.

"Long... long time... long time no see..." Li Fusheng stared blankly at Wang Changsheng and stammered, "Wang Changsheng?! Is that you? You... how are you here?"

Clearly, Li Fusheng had not yet processed the fact that Wang Changsheng was standing before him. It was not that his reactions were slow, but rather that Wang Changsheng looked drastically different from before.

Previously, Wang Changsheng had always appeared as an old man with white hair, looking as if he were at the end of his tether, on the verge of death. But now, having cultivated the Fire Phoenix Art and absorbed the true blood of the Fire Phoenix, he was a completely different person. Not only was his skin exceptionally delicate and youthful—appearing to be only in his twenties—but this was the greatest gain he had achieved during this trip to the Shangyang Li family. His bodily functions had undergone a massive improvement; not only had he returned to full health, but his features had undergone subtle changes as well. Furthermore, having cultivated within the Earth Core Fire, his hair and even his eyebrows had been burned away. In such a short time, they had not yet grown back, making him look entirely unrecognizable. Had it not been for Li Fusheng’s memory of his aura, he likely would not have identified him at all.

"Fellow Daoist Li... I am here as a guest of the Li family," Wang Changsheng said, feeling somewhat awkward.

How could he not feel awkward? He had originally intended only to stir up trouble for Li Fusheng and annoy him. He hadn't expected Li Yunqing’s temper to be so volatile that he would immediately drag Li Fusheng over to discipline him. What else could Wang Changsheng say?

"Old man, catch him! Catch him, quickly finish him off!" Li Fusheng snapped back to reality, jumping up as if his back and legs no longer hurt. "This guy is a spy from the Corpse Refining Sect! He’s here to gather intelligence, hurry up and kill him!"

Li Fusheng was not a fool; once he processed the situation, he immediately understood that his trip to the Cheng Tian Realm had surely been sold out by Wang Changsheng.

Hearing Li Fusheng’s shouting, Li Yunqing felt his head begin to ache. He wondered how the Li family could produce someone like this. If not for his knowledge of Li Fusheng’s background, Li Yunqing would have wanted to slap him to death—though whether one slap would suffice was debatable. At worst, it would take two.

"Fellow Daoist Li... don't be so agitated..." Wang Changsheng said awkwardly. "I didn't expect that you hadn't informed your family when you went to the Cheng Tian Realm..."

With this sentence, Wang Changsheng directly confirmed that Li Fusheng had indeed been to the Cheng Tian Realm. If he wanted to confront him, so be it! Wang Changsheng was not afraid of Li Fusheng.

"Wang Changsheng, you've gone too far!" Li Fusheng said, giving him a threatening look.

"Fellow Daoist Li, don't be so excited," Wang Changsheng said with a smile. "I have a secret hidden in my heart for a long time. If you keep scaring me like this, I’m afraid I might blurt out that you went to the Yunfeng Empire and stole that thing from the Cloud Palace Peak..."

"You!"

Watching Wang Changsheng’s relaxed and composed expression, Li Fusheng felt a burning desire to slap him. However, Li Yunqing spoke up at that moment: "Li Fusheng, did you really go to Cloud Palace Peak to steal something?"

"No!" Li Fusheng denied it immediately. Of course, he couldn't admit it! Stealing? What stealing? Li Fusheng put on an expression of complete ignorance, acting as if Wang Changsheng was slandering him, while simultaneously signaling to Wang Changsheng with his eyes.

"Oh, perhaps I remembered incorrectly. It seems it wasn't Fellow Daoist Li," Wang Changsheng said with a smile.

"That's right, Fellow Daoist Wang must have misremembered. I, Li Fusheng, am a great philanthropist—people call me 'The Great Philanthropist Li.' How could I possibly steal anything?" Li Fusheng said immediately. "That doesn't match my reputation at all!"

Who was Li Yunqing? He was a top-tier powerhouse of the Shangyang Li family, a true cultivator whose cultivation had reached the Golden Core stage. How could he not notice the two of them signaling each other? However, seeing that Wang Changsheng did not intend to press the issue, Li Yunqing did not ask further. After all, he still needed to save some face for Li Fusheng. Otherwise, if Wang Changsheng revealed some earth-shattering secret, Li Yunqing would not know how to handle it.

"Nephew Wang, I apologize for the unsightly display," Li Yunqing said awkwardly.

"What?"

"Nephew?"

Hearing Li Yunqing’s address, Li Fusheng said in disbelief, "Did you just call him 'nephew'? Did I hear that correctly?!"

"What of it?" Li Yunqing snapped. "I call him nephew, do you have an objection?"

"No, none at all!" Li Fusheng replied immediately.

"If you have no objection, then get out!" Li Yunqing said, kicking Li Fusheng in the rear and sending him flying out of the cave dwelling.

"Sigh... these are troubled times indeed," Li Yunqing said, sitting cross-legged and shaking his head with a helpless expression.

"Uncle Li, with the strength of the Li family, even if something major happens in the Shen Tian Realm, you should be able to handle it," Wang Changsheng said with a smile. "Besides, my Corpse Refining Sect has formed an alliance with the Li family; that might not be a bad thing for the Li family after all!"

Seeing Li Yunqing remain silent and thoughtful, Wang Changsheng did not continue to discuss the alliance. Instead, he asked, "Uncle Li, I am curious about Fellow Daoist Li Fusheng... what is his status in the Li family?"

"Why do the Li family cultivators address him as 'Little Ancestor'?" Wang Changsheng asked.

This was the question currently bothering him. From what Wang Changsheng could tell, Li Fusheng was certainly not old, and his cultivation had not reached the Golden Core stage—at most, he was at the Foundation Establishment stage. Why would the Li family call him "Little Ancestor"? The title of "Little Ancestor" was not something to be used lightly.

Hearing this, Li Yunqing’s expression turned pensive. He said awkwardly, "This... this is a long story. Nephew Wang, this involves some of the Li family's deepest secrets..."

"I apologize for the intrusion," Wang Changsheng said quickly. "I was just curious. If it is inconvenient, please do not feel obligated to speak of it!"

Li Yunqing nodded. "How about this, Nephew Wang? Do me a favor. If you succeed, I will consider the alliance between the Li family and the Corpse Refining Sect!"

"Really?" Wang Changsheng asked, pleasantly surprised.

"Yes," Li Yunqing nodded.

"Alright!" Wang Changsheng asked, "Uncle Li, just tell me what to do. As long as it is within my capability, I will certainly get it done for you!"

This was truly a turn of events. Li Yunqing had previously refused him multiple times and even advised him to quit the Corpse Refining Sect. He had not expected Li Yunqing to suggest that an alliance was still possible. Moreover, Li Yunqing had already been a benefactor to him. Had it not been for the Fire Phoenix Art that Li Yunqing imparted to him, Wang Changsheng would likely still be struggling in the Pulse Opening stage. He realized that the precious part was not the Art itself, but the true blood of the Fire Phoenix, which had improved his constitution and resolved the hidden dangers within his body.

Wang Changsheng decided that even if an alliance were not on the line, he would do his utmost to help.

"Very well," Li Yunqing said, satisfied with Wang Changsheng’s attitude. "Actually, this matter is both difficult and incredibly simple."

"Please, tell me," Wang Changsheng replied.

"Just get Li Fusheng out of here!" Li Yunqing said through gritted teeth.

"Get Fellow Daoist Li out?" Wang Changsheng asked, puzzled. "Uncle Li, I'm not sure I understand what you mean..."

"Just get him out! Do not let him stay in the Li family!" Li Yunqing said sternly. "If he stays here, none of the Li family members will be able to cultivate in peace!"

"Ah..." Wang Changsheng was left speechless once he understood. So, Li Yunqing wanted to expel Li Fusheng!

"Whatever method you use, Nephew Wang—even if you have to trick or coax him—just make sure he leaves the Li family!" Li Yunqing said firmly. "And make sure he does not return to the Fire Phoenix Pool for a good while!"

"Even tricking him is allowed?" Wang Changsheng asked, still confused. He found it hard to imagine just how annoying Li Fusheng must be to the Li family for Li Yunqing to be willing to go to such lengths.

"Yes!" Li Yunqing replied. "As long as you can manage this, I will personally go to the Corpse Refining Sect and discuss the alliance with Master Weiming!"

Wang Changsheng pondered the feasibility.

"However, I must clarify one thing," Li Yunqing added. "My personal visit to the Corpse Refining Sect will only be to give them a chance to convince me. Whether the alliance succeeds depends on the attitude of the Corpse Refining Sect!"

"Agreed!" Wang Changsheng stood up and said firmly.

"Agreed!" Li Yunqing echoed.

Seeing Li Yunqing’s reaction, Wang Changsheng realized that Li Fusheng must have truly wreaked havoc on the Li family.

"You may leave whenever you wish, Nephew Wang," Li Yunqing said. "As soon as Li Fusheng leaves the Fire Phoenix Pool with you, I will depart for the Corpse Refining Sect."

Wang Changsheng nodded and took his leave of Li Yunqing.