Chapter 11: Summer Solstice

Summer Solstice rain is worth a fortune.

A fine, misty rain fell over the fields. The land lay bare, emanating an earthy smell. In the south, wheat ripens early. The new harvest had already been gathered, bundled into sheaves, and stood upright in the fields.

Farmers greeted each other on the field paths. Oilseeds, wild turnip, and large mustard greens were also ready to be sown, awaiting harvest in late autumn.

The Li Family.

Li Tongya and Li Changhu had been counting down the days, eagerly anticipating the Summer Solstice. As dusk began to settle, the two of them set up an altar table and, along with Li Xiangping, knelt before it.

The enchanted mirror was propped up by a stand intricately carved with chi dragon patterns. On the table were placed the first stalk of new wheat harvested during the Summer Solstice, various fruits, and three cups of clear tea brewed with Summer rain.

The three exchanged glances and spoke in unison:

“Li family disciples Li Changhu, Li Tongya, Li Xiangping, respectfully invite the Profound and Brilliant Divine Method, to guide destiny and soothe the spirit, and dedicate ourselves to cultivation.”

“May our efforts be acknowledged in due time, and may we prove worthy of trust. As the talisman burns to ash, may our bodies return to the Great Yin.”

A colorful radiance swirled across the mirror’s surface, and white light flickered repeatedly. Suddenly, three white orbs soared out of the mirror and flew towards the trio.

The three quickly sat cross-legged. Following the method of the Introduction Spell, they guided the talisman seeds and received the incantations.

Watching the white orbs enter the Mud-Pill Palaces of the three, Li Chijing withdrew his gaze, sat cross-legged, and entered a meditative state, settling his breath. Gazing at the shimmering white moonlight energy in his Qi Sea acupoint, he mused:

“Thanks entirely to the purification by the enchanted mirror, eighty-one strands of moonlight energy had already been refined. With the Summer Solstice ushering in new energy, and the Yang energy dispelling darkness, it was the perfect time for a breakthrough!”

Fearless as a novice, Li Chijing's thoughts stirred. He formed hand seals, and within his Qi Sea acupoint, energy surged like waves. The eighty-one strands of moonlight spiritual energy rapidly converged, chasing and intertwining with each other within his Qi Sea.

“Enter the Mud-Pill Palace at the crown and merge into one, then descend through the twelve-layered tower… thus manifesting a rising state, with vital energy spiraling upwards through the twelve-layered tower, ascending from the orifice beneath the tongue…”

Li Chijing silently recited the method for condensing the Profound Scenery Wheel from the Taiyin Breathing and Wheel Nourishing Scripture. The moonlight energy leaped over the twelve-layered tower, converged in his Mud-Pill Palace to form a liquid, and then flowed downwards, gathering into a clear pool within his Qi Sea acupoint.

“Rise!”

He softly commanded. A shimmering silver arc of light, like the moon reflecting on water, emerged from the clear pool. This arc was crystal clear, resembling a delicate crescent moon, and utterly beautiful.

“Twelve-layered tower pierces the Qi Sea, the clear pool reveals the Profound Scenery Wheel.”

Gazing at this sight, Li Chijing couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, and immediately activated his incantation to solidify the Profound Scenery Wheel, striving to maintain its form.

However, as time slowly passed, the Profound Scenery Wheel still failed to fully settle. This crystal-clear crescent moon gently drifted in the pool, shimmering and unstable, appearing as if it could dissipate at any moment.

Li Chijing was now exhausted, barely managing to maintain the Profound Scenery Wheel's form. Large drops of sweat ran down his handsome face, dampening his light blue robe.

Caught between advance and retreat, the clear pool in his Qi Sea acupoint receded with a gurgle, and a white talisman orb suddenly flew upwards.

The talisman orb, round and glowing brightly, settled onto the Profound Scenery Wheel, and the transparent crescent moon immediately stabilized its form. The magical energy in the clear pool also gradually stabilized. Li Chijing let out a long breath and ceased his cultivation.

With the Profound Scenery Wheel successfully formed, the moonlight spiritual energy within his body transformed into moonlight magical power. Li Chijing had officially become an immortal cultivator of the Fetal Breathing realm!

He slowly opened his eyes, looking at the enchanted mirror on the table, faintly visible in the moonlight. He bowed deeply.

“For bestowing upon us the immortal method, for refining the moonlight essence, and for the successful formation of the Profound Scenery Wheel, the Li family is immeasurably grateful for this grace. From this day forward, year after year, month after month, our incense offerings shall be continuous, and our worship never-ending.”

Li Chijing's still-youthful voice was nevertheless exceptionally solemn. The boy, who had always been protected under the wings of his older brothers, had suddenly matured into a young man.

“Jing’er.”

Li Mutian stood quietly in the moonlight, gazing gently at his youngest son.

“Father, I have successfully condensed the Profound Scenery Wheel.”

Li Chijing stood up, smiling at his father, and gently extended his left hand. A milky white stream of magical energy appeared in his palm.

“The first step of cultivation is called Fetal Breathing. In the Fetal Breathing realm, one must condense six wheels, named Profound Scenery, Inherited Brilliance, Circulating Path, Azure Essence, Jade Capital, and Spirit Genesis. This Profound Scenery Wheel is the gateway to the Dao.”

“Good, good,” Li Mutian said repeatedly, his heart greatly comforted.

Waving his hand to disperse the magical energy, Li Chijing sat cross-legged again to consolidate his cultivation.

“What a great incantation!”

Li Xiangping was the first to open his eyes. He stretched with a smile, then stood up and took a long swig from the teapot on the table.

“I received the Taiyin Breathing and Wheel Nourishing Scripture and an incantation called the Water Evasion Spell.”

No sooner had he spoken than Li Tongya awoke from his meditation. He raised an eyebrow and spoke with satisfaction:

“I received an incantation called the Evil Dispelling Art.”

After they chatted for a while, Li Changhu finally opened his eyes, looking helplessly at his three brothers who were staring at him expectantly.

“The incantation is called the Cleansing Robe Art.”

Once all three of his older brothers had awakened, Li Chijing, who had been patiently waiting, finally spoke with excitement:

“I have successfully condensed the Profound Scenery Wheel!”

“That fast?”

Li Xiangping exclaimed in surprise, tilting his head slightly in confusion.

“It's all thanks to the power of the enchanted mirror.”

Li Chijing glanced at the enchanted mirror on the table and said sincerely:

“This mirror automatically gathers moonlight essence, and using it to refine moonlight power is truly twice the result with half the effort.”

Only then did Li Tongya and the others realize. Li Changhu ruffled Li Chijing’s hair and said with a smile:

“I've heard that Daoists in books possess spirit apertures, and once magical power flows through the body, their locations become known. Jing’er, perhaps you could check for us.”

Li Changhu, however, had felt immense difficulty when receiving the incantation, not as effortlessly as his two younger brothers, and secretly began to doubt his own aptitude for immortal cultivation.

Sweeping his gaze over his three brothers, Li Chijing placed his left hand on Li Xiangping’s nearest shoulder and closed his eyes to search for the spirit aperture.

“Its energy rises, breath ceaseless, like a leaping fish…”

Li Chijing silently recited the descriptions from the breathing technique, and magical energy circled through Li Xiangping’s meridians.

After roughly the time it takes an incense stick to burn, he opened his eyes in shock, muttering to himself:

“Nothing…”

He paused, stunned, then quickly placed his hands on his other two brothers’ shoulders, sending out a pulse of magical energy.

“Nothing? How can there be nothing?!”

Li Chijing’s face was somewhat pale. He sat cross-legged on the spot, closed his eyes, and entered meditation, allowing magical energy to flow throughout his entire body. Indeed, there was no so-called spirit aperture.

“The Taiyin Breathing and Wheel Nourishing Scripture clearly states that spirit apertures are the foundation of the Great Dao. No matter what immortal spell or wondrous method, without a spirit aperture, it is impossible to cultivate…”

“This… this…”

Li Chijing’s state of mind fluctuated ceaselessly; he couldn't even maintain his meditation. With trembling lips, he looked at Li Mutian, who was stirring his tea leaves, and softly said:

“Father!”

“You were right. This enchanted mirror is also the bane of our family.”

“If a true cultivator were to learn of this item, we would not only die and perish, our souls captured by others, but the entire Lijing Village, and even all the villages, large and small, throughout the Ancient Li Dao, would be utterly annihilated.”

“I have already formed the Profound Scenery Wheel, and magical power flows throughout my body. Unless I abandon my cultivation, those Qi practitioners will not be able to use their magical power to detect the location of my spirit aperture.”

Li Chijing stood up abruptly, a solemn expression on his face, and earnestly instructed:

“As for the disciples of our Li family, those who have received the Profound Pearl Talisman Seed but have not yet formed the Profound Scenery Wheel must absolutely not draw attention to themselves in public!”

“Indeed.”

Li Mutian took a sip of tea, his expression grave as he looked at the group.

“When Jing’er was first able to cultivate, I simply thought it was because of his extraordinary talent. Han Wenxu once said that a person with a spirit aperture is one in a thousand, and perhaps Jing’er was that one.”

He gave a self-deprecating laugh and continued:

“Now it seems this enchanted mirror is truly an extraordinary immortal artifact. It can turn decay into wonder, granting this talisman seed allows even mortals a glimpse of the immortal path.”

The group felt both relief and dread, silently watching their father.

“All right, you may go and cultivate. I will go check on the fields.” Li Mutian said after a moment of silence.

“Yes.”

The group naturally bowed their heads in agreement and returned to their respective rooms to cultivate.

Li Mutian, meanwhile, respectfully put away the enchanted mirror, tidied the altar table, and with his hands clasped behind his back, went out to the fields.