After Jinjiao, Yinjiao, and Duobao were summoned by Li Yi, Li Yi told them about Qiyi's demise and his transformation into Qilin Cliff. Jinjiao and Yinjiao, having joined the sect earlier and spent the most time with Li Chen, and being of similar age on Kunlun Mountain, naturally shared a deep bond with him.
They already knew that Li Chen was the young master of the Qilin tribe. Upon hearing of Qiyi's demise, they knew Li Chen would be heartbroken. Seeing Li Chen's dejected state, they recalled the carefree young master who used to playfully spar with them. Now, witnessing his lost and dispirited demeanor, they felt a pang of sorrow.
Although Duobao joined later, Li Chen treated him like a younger brother. Seeing Li Chen's state, Duobao also felt a deep ache in his heart.
Jinjiao was the first to approach Li Chen. Seeing Li Chen unresponsive, he gently called out, "Young Master Chen!"
Yinjiao and Duobao followed Jinjiao, standing behind him.
Hearing someone call him, Li Chen looked up. Seeing Jinjiao, he managed a weak smile.
Jinjiao, noticing Li Chen's forced smile, said, "Young Master Chen, there's no need to hold back. We know you're hurting. If you need to cry, then cry."
Duobao added, "Yes, Senior Disciple Brother!"
Upon hearing Jinjiao and Duobao's words, tears welled up in Li Chen's eyes again.
Jinjiao stepped forward and gently embraced Li Chen, saying, "Cry! Cry! A good cry will do you good!"
Duobao softly added, "Senior Disciple Brother, cry! But after you cry, you must pull yourself together. I'm still waiting for you to guide me in cultivation!"
Yinjiao also chimed in, "Young Master Chen, you must be strong. The Master's spiritual fruit fields are full of ripe fruits, and the three of us can't finish them all!"
Tongtian also stepped forward and said to Li Chen, "Chen'er, don't be sad. From now on, Kunlun Mountain is your home. Brother Qiyi is gone, but you still have your Master, your two Martial Uncles, and Jinjiao, Yinjiao, and Duobao."
Hearing Tongtian's words, Li Chen nodded and said, "Master, Chen'er understands!"
Tongtian nodded and added, "That's more like it! A true man sheds blood, not tears!"
Li Yi, seeing that Li Chen was still preoccupied, said to him, "Chen'er, don't be too sad. Your father perished to ensure the continuation of the Qilin tribe. Now that he is gone, as the young patriarch of the Qilin tribe, you must bear the great responsibility of your tribe. Otherwise, wouldn't Brother Qiyi's sacrifice be in vain?"
Li Chen looked up at Li Yi and asked, "Great Martial Uncle, didn't Father disown me and expel me from the Qilin tribe?"
Li Yi patted Li Chen's head and said, "Silly child, how could your father disown you! It's just that your Qilin tribe carried too heavy karma. Your father had to take a Heavenly Oath to offset it and make a promise to the Heavenly Dao: the Qilin will only appear when auspicious signs arise. To avoid implicating you, he had to expel you from the Qilin tribe, not because he didn't want you anymore!"
"Besides, if your father didn't want you, why would he lower himself to ask us to bring him to Kunlun Mountain? The reason he wanted to come to Kunlun Mountain and perished here is that he wanted to be with you always!"
Li Chen nodded after hearing this and said, "I understand. Thank you, Great Martial Uncle!"
Li Yi saw that Li Chen had shed his previous颓废 (tuífèi -颓废) demeanor and continued, "Brother Qiyi is no longer with us. The responsibility of settling the Qilin tribe now falls upon you. Currently, the Qilin tribe's fighting strength is almost nonexistent. Your tribe made many enemies when they unified the beast tribes. Now, only the old, weak, sick, and disabled remain. Qilin Mountain is countless miles away from Kunlun Mountain. How many hardships will they face on their journey? During the war between the three tribes, your father prevented you from participating to protect you. Some members of your tribe may have had grievances with you. If you go to bring them back now, it will also help resolve those past conflicts."
Li Chen hadn't thought of this before, but Li Yi's reminder made him realize it.
Li Chen said to Li Yi, Yuan Shi, and Tongtian, "Master, two Martial Uncles, then this disciple will depart for Qilin Mountain to retrieve my kin!"
As Li Chen was about to leave, Jinjiao and Yinjiao suddenly said to Li Yi, "Master, since Young Master Chen is going to fetch his kin, may we brothers accompany him? It will be good to have someone to look out for him."
Li Yi nodded and said, "Go! Take good care of yourselves!"
The two were overjoyed and said, "Thank you, Master!"
At this moment, Duobao also said to Tongtian, "Master, I wish to go with Senior Disciple Brother!"
Tongtian smiled and said, "Go! Go! Take care of yourselves!"
Li Yi, seeing their good relationship, felt deeply gratified. A jade token appeared in his hand. He said to Li Chen, "Chen'er, you are the eldest disciple. Take this jade token. If you encounter a formidable enemy and cannot defeat them, this token can unleash my full power once. It can be used three times!" He then handed the jade token to Li Chen.
After receiving it, Li Chen bowed to Li Yi, Yuan Shi, and Tongtian and said, "Master, Martial Uncles, disciples bid farewell!"
Yuan Shi, seeing Li Chen and the other three about to depart, took out the Qiankun Cauldron and handed it to Li Chen. He said, "Chen'er, with your Great Martial Uncle's jade token for offense, your defense is still lacking. This Qiankun Cauldron is this Martial Uncle's protective treasure. Now, this Martial Uncle lends it to you. You must protect Jinjiao, Yinjiao, and Duobao well, or your Second Martial Uncle will not forgive you!" He then handed the Qiankun Cauldron to Li Chen.
Li Chen took the Qiankun Cauldron from Yuan Shi, a warm current flowing through his heart. He assured Yuan Shi, "Second Martial Uncle, rest assured, I will protect them well!"
Yuan Shi nodded, finally at ease. Tongtian saw that Li Yi had given a jade token of immense offensive power, and Yuan Shi had provided the Qiankun Cauldron for protection. Knowing he had nothing else to give them, he merely exhorted them to take good care of themselves.
The four bid farewell to Li Yi and the other two and left Kunlun Mountain, heading towards Qilin Mountain.
After Li Chen's departure, Li Yi said to Tongtian, "Third Brother, you are proficient in formations. In the future, when the Qilin tribe arrives, they will only appear under auspicious signs. If they are seen, it will naturally break Brother Qiyi's Heavenly Oath. However, it's not ideal for them to remain on your Shangqing Peak's Qilin Cliff all the time; their scope for activity is too limited. Why not set up an illusionary formation on Kunlun Mountain? This way, they can move around on Kunlun Mountain."
Tongtian found Li Yi's suggestion reasonable and said, "Big Brother is right. However, I will add another grand formation, which will also serve as Kunlun's mountain protection formation. This way, if we are not present on the mountain later, these youngsters will not be bullied!"
Li Yi nodded and said, "That works. You handle it. This matter is entrusted to you! I'm returning to my peak." With that, Li Yi left Shangqing Peak and headed towards Taiqing Peak.
After Li Yi's departure, Yuan Shi also said to Tongtian, "Third Brother, take your time. I'm also returning to my peak." Then, Yuan Shi headed towards Yuqing Peak.