Chapter 28: Wanjia

On the peak of Qinghui Peak stood a small, ethereal pavilion with windows that seemed to open to the clouds and mist, exquisitely crafted as if carving the moon and tailoring the clouds. Gentle morning light flowed over the pavilion, bathing its interior in a golden glow.

Li Chijing, seated on a bluestone in front of the pavilion, slowly exhaled a breath of clear air. He opened his eyes and gazed at the boundless sea of clouds before him, his handsome eyebrows rising slightly as he thought to himself:

"The Azure Origin Wheel is finally cultivated!"

"My family's cultivation technique is truly extraordinary. What I've cultivated isn't ordinary Azure Origin spiritual power, but Moon Essence Azure Origin. Not only is this spiritual power more solid, but its potency far surpasses that of ordinary cultivation techniques."

He stood up, smoothing his green robe, and stepped into the pavilion. From the wall, he took down a gleaming, cold-lighted sword, and with a flick of his wrist, performed a sword flourish.

"I've also made initial progress on the Profound Water Sword Art my senior brother gave me. Although a third-grade technique usually requires the Qi Refining stage to master, fortunately, the technique itself isn't difficult and is very easy to learn."

"I wonder if Father is doing well, and if my brothers have cultivated the Universal Cycle Wheel. I've heard that the Tangjin Sect to the west has been stirring recently. Our two families' territories share a border stretching for thousands of miles, so I wonder if my Li family will be affected."

Thinking of these worries, Li Chijing lost his desire to practice swordplay. He lay sprawled over the desk, idly flipping through a jade slip, his thoughts having already wandered a thousand miles away to his Li family.

"Junior brother!"

A cheerful shout, full of laughter, rang out. A broad-browed, big-eyed man walked in from outside the pavilion. It was his senior brother, Xiao Yuansi. He smiled, looked at Li Chijing by the desk, and said:

"Junior brother, guess what good news I've brought!"

"Senior brother, you must be joking."

Li Chijing shook his head with a wry smile, put away the jade slip in his hand, and assumed an attentive posture, ready to listen.

"Master is sending me to Lixia Commandery for a task!"

Xiao Yuansi raised an eyebrow, then asked:

"Do you have any family letters you want me to take?"

"Yes, yes, yes! Thank you, senior brother! You're the best!"

Li Chijing instantly became excited, thanking him repeatedly. He fetched writing brushes, ink, paper, and an inkstone, and immediately began to write.

Xiao Yuansi smiled and said softly:

"Take your time writing; you can give it to me tonight."

Dawn was breaking. Li Xiangping slowly awoke from his meditation, pondering:

"My Qi Sea is already full. If I cultivate for another half a year, I can attempt to condense the Universal Cycle Wheel."

Calculating the time, he, Li Xiangping, had been stuck on this Universal Cycle Wheel for nearly four years. His cultivation speed was appallingly slow. By now, Jing'er had probably already begun attempting to condense the Azure Origin Wheel.

Stepping out of his room, Tian Yun was at the doorway, basking in the sun. Seeing Li Xiangping approach, she started to rise.

"Hey, slow down, slow down."

Seeing this, Li Xiangping repeatedly waved his hand, helped Tian Yun by her hand, and said softly:

"You are pregnant now, so please be extra careful; don't harm the fetus's vitality!"

Tian Yun smiled gently, looked into Li Xiangping's eyes, and replied softly:

"Ever since I became pregnant, my body always feels a bit sluggish."

She yawned, then spoke with a hint of worry:

"I hear that child Qiuyang's cultivation has progressed remarkably fast. I often think, if our child doesn't have a spiritual aperture, I fear that in a hundred years, the main branch will be weak while the side branches are strong, which would not be a fortunate thing for our Li family."

Li Xiangping was momentarily stunned by her words. He affectionately stroked her head and burst into laughter:

"Don't worry, our child will also have a spiritual aperture. I'll handle matters concerning the family; you don't need to worry."

"As for Li Qiuyang, he merely cultivated the Profound Scenery Wheel earlier than others; there's no need to pay too much attention to it."

Tian Yun saw her husband Li Xiangping's confident demeanor, leaned gently against his chest, and murmured:

"As long as you know what you're doing."

As the two were sharing a tender moment, Liu Linfeng hurriedly rushed into the front courtyard. Upon seeing the scene, he immediately halted, his face flushing red, unsure whether to advance or retreat.

Tian Yun chuckled softly and was helped away by Madam Ren. Li Xiangping, somewhat surprised, stared at Liu Linfeng, and asked with a smile:

"Uncle, what has you in such a hurry!"

"One of my subordinates, a young man from the Liu family, went out past Lidao Pass and traveled dozens of miles along the Old Li Path. He happened to see a hunting farmer who was extremely cautious. When he saw our people, he immediately ran. My subordinate didn't dare to pursue him; he just noted the location and came back to report."

Liu Linfeng, panting, quickly told Li Xiangping.

Li Xiangping frowned. Just as he was about to speak, another figure hastily rushed in from outside the door. Both of them looked closely and saw it was Li Yesheng.

Li Yesheng was also red-faced and panting, clearly having rushed from one end of the village to the other. Without daring to catch his breath, he blurted out:

"Patriarch! Someone from Lichuankou came to report that an immortal, claiming to be a cultivator from the Wan family under Qingchi's jurisdiction, has come to visit."

"Oh no! They've most likely tracked us down through that child!"

Liu Linfeng slapped his thigh, and in utter regret, slapped himself across the face.

Li Xiangping rubbed his temples, let out a long breath, and said gravely:

"Don't panic yet. The visitor is also under Qingchi's jurisdiction, so they won't act directly."

He looked up at the people gathered around, and Li Xiangping called out:

"Where's Second Brother?"

"The immortal master went to the mountain early this morning and hasn't come down yet."

"Uncle, go up the mountain, inform Second Brother of the whole situation, and tell him to stay in the back mountain and not come down. Yesheng, you come with me to Lidao Pass."

Liu Linfeng acknowledged with a "Yes," and hurried up the mountain.

Li Xiangping took Li Yesheng, followed by a few village guards from Lijing Village, and headed along the country path towards Lidao Pass.

Upon reaching Lidao Pass, they ran into Xu Wenshan's attendant. As they walked, Li Yesheng asked the man:

"What did that person say?"

"That immortal master is quite quiet. He's sitting in the boss's courtyard, not saying a word, just meditating with his eyes closed."

Just as he finished speaking, Li Xiangping and the others had arrived at the entrance. He tidied his clothes, stepped forward, and looked at the person seated in the principal position.

The boy looked very young, around his mid-teens, with a delicate face. He wore a moon-white robe, and at that moment, he opened his eyes and looked at Li Xiangping.

"I am Li Xiangping, under Qingchi's jurisdiction."

Li Xiangping had not yet cultivated the Jade Capital Wheel, nor had he developed spiritual consciousness, so he could not discern the boy's strength. He humbly cupped his hands and spoke.

Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, the boy seemed to relax. He quickly stood up and said respectfully:

"Wan Yuankai of the Wan family, under Qingchi's jurisdiction, greets the Li family patriarch."

"Not at all, not at all. I am merely a minor cultivator of the Li family. The patriarch is my father."

Li Xiangping waved his hands repeatedly. Seeing how humble the young man was, a great weight lifted from his heart, and a smile immediately appeared on his face.

"A few days ago, my father heard that the venerable one from Qinghui Peak had dispatched people to guard the area west of the Old Li Path. He was greatly surprised and delighted, so he sent this junior cultivator to scout to the west, hoping to make acquaintances with esteemed friends. Then I happened to run into someone from your esteemed village, so I came unannounced. Please forgive my intrusion."

Wan Yuankai, however, was clearly excited. He politely apologized and smiled faintly:

"However, my father did instruct me to bring a congratulatory gift."