The fairy forced me to marry into her family, so I retorted by throwing myself into the Pool of Fate

Inside a private room at Qing Shi Ji, Jie You Fang.

Before him lay a table laden with delicacies and fine wine, but Li Ping did not touch his chopsticks; instead, he closed his eyes to rest.

Shortly after, the door was opened, and a man in white walked in.

"Where is Mu Yan?"

"Him?" Mu Jin shook her head. "Do you expect Mu Yan, with his carefree personality, to handle this matter well?"

After a pause, Mu Jin looked at Li Ping strangely again: "Also, he said he doesn't want to see you recently."

Li Ping gave an awkward smile; he had no other choice.

The only way to convince Mu Yan of Tie Fuhai's beliefs is to reveal the shameful things he did as a child.

The thought flashed through his mind, but Li Ping got down to business: "How's the investigation going?"

"As you said, the arrangement inside that cave is indeed related to fortune," Mu Jin said, "but it doesn't devour fortune, it corrupts it."

Li Ping nodded: "What's the family's attitude?"

"A mere vassal dares to betray its master; naturally, it must be eradicated completely, so that the Hong family may perish."

Mu Jin's expression was calm, as if he were talking about a trivial matter.

"If that's the case, we need to plan carefully. If any escapees get away, it will be a troublesome matter for the family."

"I have come here to discuss this matter with you."

Mu Jin paused for a moment, then continued, "The Hong family's risky move suggests they are keeping a close eye on Crescent Island. It won't be easy for the clan to make any major moves to destroy them."

"Hmm..." Li Ping pondered for a moment, then suddenly smiled: "I have a good idea."

A glint flashed in Mu Jin's eyes as he leaned closer.

"Isn't the Hong family keeping a close eye on things..."

……

……

Time flies, and three months have passed in the blink of an eye. The six-month construction project on Qing Teng Island has entered its final stage.

On the island, dozens of cultivators' dwellings have sprung up, their white walls and blue tiles arranged neatly. A winding path leads up the back mountain, resembling a white snake coiled around the mountain when viewed from afar. At the mountain cave and spring, eight cultivation caves have also been renovated and completed.

Compared to when I first arrived on the island, it has been completely transformed.

That day, Li Ping was practicing breathing exercises in his room when there was a knock on the door.

"Li Ping, there's a letter for you."

Li Ping was slightly taken aback. He got up and took the letter from Hong Xing. When he opened it, he found that it was written by that little girl, Li Yan.

In the letter, the little girl kept asking him if he felt safe and secure in the Mu family and if he had been bullied.

The message conveyed was clear: if you feel wronged, go to her and she will stand up for you.

"Family is always the best."

Li Ping sighed softly and continued reading.

The letter also said that her aunt and second uncle were too busy refining weapons to attend to her, and now she had taken over from Li Ping and officially become the manager of the Li family shop.

Then came a series of interesting stories and anecdotes, especially about the pair of mother and child insects. She was already quite adept at using them, and even joked that if Li Ping went back, the insects probably wouldn't recognize him as their former master.

At the end of the letter, Li Yan told him that she would be able to undergo a spiritual test next year and begin her Taoist practice.

The little girl's writing was crooked and awkward, clearly showing her great anticipation for it.

But Li Ping was somewhat worried.

The Great Way is hard to find; among ordinary people, less than one in ten possesses spiritual roots.

Take him for example. Even though he only has mixed spiritual roots and no potential, his second aunt was overjoyed for a long time after she found out, saying that the Li family finally had a successor.

Why? Because there are too few people with spiritual roots in the Li family.

The mortal and immortal realms are separated; once Li Yan loses her spiritual root, it will be extremely difficult to see her again.

Li Ping sighed softly, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

"Oh, why are you getting sentimental? Is it Mu Yuebai's letter?" Hong Xing asked curiously.

Li Ping glanced at her coldly: "I have nothing to do today, so you can practice with me."

"What are we going to practice?" Hong Xing's expression changed slightly. "You're not going to make me practice that 'Folding Waves Technique' with you again, are you?"

"This technique has been perfected; it's time to test its power."

"I'm not going." Hong Xing took a step back.

"What, you, a mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator, are afraid of me, an early-stage cultivator?"

"Your spells are too strange, each wave stronger than the last, I can't take it."

Hong Xing subconsciously touched her chest, recalling the first time she sparred with her partner.

At the time, she didn't take it seriously at all, thinking she could just deal with it quickly. How much skill could someone in the early stage of Qi Refining possibly have?

Unexpectedly, Li Ping's attacks came wave after wave, each one stronger than the last. Before she knew it, she was shoved into the sea and swallowed half a bellyful of water.

She became more cautious after that, and although she was able to hold on to it eventually, she always felt that the other party was holding back.

Now that his magic has reached its peak, even if he were to hold back, she probably wouldn't be able to withstand more than a few rounds.

"Sigh, useless thing, I guess I'll just have to trouble Fellow Daoist Hong." Li Ping pursed his lips and walked out of the house.

Hong Xing felt relieved, but unexpectedly Li Ping returned.

"The matters on the island are nearing completion. What are your plans for the future?"

"What are your plans? I'll go back to the Hui ethnic group," Hong Xing said.

"Would you like to follow me from now on?"

So they've finally shown their fangs? Hong Xing sneered inwardly, her face betraying her disdain.

Seeing her like this, Li Ping could only sigh inwardly.

"I gave you a chance, but you didn't do it."

Suppressing his thoughts, Li Ping slowly walked out of the courtyard.

After touring the island and seeing that all the finishing touches were in good order, he finally found Hong Peng.

On the shore, the two stood facing each other, more than ten feet apart.

Compared to Hong Xing, Hong Peng was at the sixth level of Qi Refining, possessing profound magical power. Li Ping dared not be careless and took the initiative to attack.

With a raise of his left hand, a giant wave three zhang high gathered in front of him.

"Good timing."

Hong Peng shouted and charged straight into the giant wave.

With a flash, he arrived in front of the wave and struck down with his palm, causing the giant wave to collapse.

"Fellow Daoist Li, if this is all you've got, I'm afraid you don't need me to spar with you. I think my daughter is more than capable."

"Don't rush."

Li Ping smiled slightly, and then gathered two more giant waves, one in front and one behind, rushing towards Hong Peng.

Hong Peng dealt with the first wave swiftly and decisively, but when the second wave came, he failed to disperse it and was instead pushed back to his original position by the giant wave.

"That's interesting, continue."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a giant wave, four zhang high, appeared before them.

Hong Peng focused his mind and sensed that this wave was extremely powerful, far surpassing the combined power of the previous three giant waves.

He felt a chill and immediately summoned a blue wooden shield.

He silently chanted, and immediately a green halo enveloped his body.

"I don't believe this giant wave can break my mid-grade magic weapon."

Hong Peng had a sudden thought, and with a crack, the halo shattered.

A giant wave crashed down on him, instantly drenching him completely.

"Fellow Daoist Hong, be careful, they're here again."

Hong Peng's face darkened, and he couldn't believe it.

Five strikes in a row—where did a mere early-stage Qi Refining cultivator get such formidable magical power? Or was this wave of light merely a feint, a ruse to deceive the enemy?

The thought had barely formed when he saw a colossal wave, obscuring the sky and the sun, slowly taking shape in front of Li Ping.

Its imposing presence was terrifying, and its oppressive aura was undeniably real. Given my own strength, I'd probably have to reveal my trump card to withstand it.

Seeing the giant wave approaching, Hong Peng quickly shouted:

"Fellow Daoist Li, quickly withdraw your supernatural powers. I, Hong, concede defeat."