Chapter 660: Two

After Li Zhouwei finished his prayer, a clear light enveloped the hall. White mist billowed from the Chongming Dongxuan Screen, and two points of white light emerged from the void. They circled once, then settled into two white flowers, which hovered in the air, forming two lines of golden characters.

One flower read: “Li Jiangqian.”

The other read: “Li Shuwan.”

Li Zhouwei and the others expressed their gratitude. He raised an eyebrow and glanced at Li Qinghong, seeing her visibly moved. The two white flowers drifted down, and she immediately reached out to catch them.

“Two talisman seeds…”

Li Jiangqian's name brought a sense of relief to some, but the other name was completely unfamiliar, surprising all three. Only Li Xuanxuan showed a hint of recognition.

Li Qinghong’s expression was complex, while Li Xuanxuan frowned deeply. He had already taken out a jade slip from his storage pouch to consult it. The elder, prone to nostalgia, often had to consider which family lines had died out and which could be used to replenish them. Therefore, he possessed the annual records.

After a full two seconds, Li Xuanxuan's face brightened as he replied, “It turns out she’s one of my descendants… though quite distantly related. She belongs to a minor branch now.”

He chuckled, then inverted the jade slip and handed it to the two, whispering, “Couldn’t be better!”

Li Qinghong breathed a sigh of relief, took the jade slip, and quickly found Li Shuwan's name. Tracing the lineage upwards, she frowned and read, “Li Yesheng… Li Xiewen… Li Pingyi… Hmm? Isn’t this Uncle Xiewen’s branch? Did Elder Brother make a mistake?”

At the mention of this, a hint of pain flashed in Li Xuanxuan's eyes. He softly said, “This matter… involves your elder brother!”

Li Qinghong immediately raised her eyebrows, murmuring, “Brother Yuanxiu?”

Li Xuanxuan sat down beside her, gathering his thoughts, and gently explained, “Uncle Yesheng didn’t have many descendants, mainly Xiewen. The others were troublesome; they opened gambling dens and engaged in illicit affairs. Your elder brother caught them, killed one, and expelled the rest from the town after giving them a severe warning, also removing their names from the clan register. So, only Xiewen remained…”

“Xiewen had three daughters and one son, Li Pingyi. He was still very young when he, due to…”

Decades had passed, but Li Xuanxuan still choked up when speaking of it. He sighed, “He took his own life out of shame because of the Yu family’s thunder-fire incident… thus ending that line.”

“Xiewen had no sons, and his brothers had committed serious crimes and were no longer in the clan. Out of consideration for our past connection, and because my seventh grandson’s second son was a mortal who had already become part of a minor branch—since both were minor branches anyway—I arranged for him to be adopted into Xiewen’s line.”

“I see…”

Li Qinghong was silent for a moment, then softly said, “Since there’s now a spiritual aperture child, let’s bring her back to the main branch!”

Li Zhouwei listened quietly nearby. Li Xuanxuan simply said, “I will go and bring her back now.”

Li Qinghong smiled and nodded. She said, “I’ll go. This shouldn’t be delayed. Considering the time… she’s only six. We shouldn’t attract unwanted attention. I’ll visit her under the cover of night to see what the little girl is like.”

Li Zhouwei assented, replying, “I’ll go bring Jiangqian here.”

Li Qinghong vanished from the hall in an instant. Li Xuanxuan picked up the two white flowers, not daring to hold them directly, but levitating them with his spiritual power, his spiritual sense subtly active.

The flowers each had twelve petals, all pure white. Their cores flickered like ethereal light, brightening and dimming, emitting a strong osmanthus fragrance. The elder felt his heart and spirit refreshed by the scent. He looked up and asked, “Minghuang, do you know what these are?”

Li Zhouwei shook his head. Sensing the abundant Lunar energy within the flowers, he took out two jade boxes and placed them inside, saying softly, “These are likely another type of extinct spiritual material. When I have the opportunity, I will search for ancient records of spiritual objects among the Dragon or Fox clans to identify them.”

The Li family actually possessed more Lunar treasures than just these. There was also a branch of osmanthus and white flowers that had fallen when the Immortal Mirror rioted during Yu Muxian’s visit to the lake. Li Yuanjiao had carefully collected them, but despite the Li family’s preservation methods, the items could not be entirely preserved and had been dissipating year after year.

A small portion of these items had been used for Li Wushao’s cultivation compatibility, while the rest had long since dissipated over several decades. Li Zhouwei carefully put the new flowers away, whispering, “They seem very difficult to preserve. Perhaps they are treasures that cannot be exposed. If we cannot identify them, or if their traces are too valuable, it would be better to use them. The White Ape suffered too many injuries in his early years; using these two items for his cultivation compatibility should help him restore his foundation.”

“Hmm…”

Li Xuanxuan wasn’t uncaring about his old friend, but listening to this, he still felt a pang of regret. He feared these items were far more precious than Mingfang Celestial Stones in Lunar Daoist traditions like the Pure Unity Dao.

“For our family to use them for cultivation compatibility… it’s like using Lunar Essence to cultivate the Profound Scenery Wheel back then…”

The elder was torn between laughter and tears, yet he meticulously examined the jade box in his hand before carefully tucking it into his robes.

***

**Lijing Prefecture, Lichuan Estuary.**

The night wind was slightly cold. The loquat trees in the estate drooped, and rain dripped steadily. Li Baotuo shivered from the chill, adding two more layers of clothing. Several children were laughing heartily in the courtyard.

“What’s all that shouting about!”

He buttoned his clothes, pushed open the door, and rubbed his hands. The weather was indeed getting colder by the day, yet Li Baotuo’s heart was as warm as glowing embers.

“Heaven bless us… After generations of mortals, we finally have a cultivator…”

His daughter, Li Shuwan, had read the cultivation method distributed by the clan the day before and managed to gather a wisp of spiritual energy, causing Li Baotuo to be overjoyed.

Li Baotuo’s lineage had never produced a cultivator, so they were far down the list when cultivators came to examine spiritual apertures. There were simply too many mortals like his family, and even more six-year-olds, making it difficult to check each one individually. Typically, the simplest Qi Circulation method would be distributed for people to take home and try themselves.

Li Baotuo’s ancestors had been glorious, so he wasn’t lacking this item. When Li Shuwan turned six, he didn’t even bother to queue; he just took the cultivation method to try it himself. This attempt almost made Li Baotuo faint with joy.

“Shuwan!”

Seeing his daughter approach, his face immediately lit up with a smile. His children gathered around the table. He sat down with a dignified air and gravely said, “This is a serious matter. I went to find Clan Uncle Cheng Zhi… and through him, found a cultivator to examine Shuwan! The time is approaching, so everyone pay attention.”

Li Shuwan rested her elbows on the table, her eyes darting around the meatballs in her bowl—this meal was truly a rare treat.

While Li Baotuo’s ancestors had been glorious, that was long in the past. Their current life was actually quite humble. They owned a large house, but anything marketable had been sold off by previous generations. If they sold this large house, they would truly have nothing left.

The whole family relied on Li Baotuo and his eldest son operating a few boats on the lake. These livelihoods were still viable, and when the Clan Elder’s court occasionally checked, Li Baotuo naturally had a clear conscience.

“But how could that compare to cultivating immortals?”

To be blunt, if Li Shuwan’s talent was sufficient, the whole family could even move to the lake. The stipend provided would be enough for the family to live comfortably for the rest of their lives.

“As for Shuwan… after decades of cultivation, when she returns to see us, she probably won’t recognize us.”

Plays always said this, and Li Baotuo had heard many rumors: immortals were transcendent beings. He estimated he wouldn't see Li Shuwan much for the rest of his life. While comforted, he also felt a touch of sadness.

Li Baotuo quickly put these thoughts aside and discussed with his sons how to set the table, how to notify relatives and friends, and how to host a good banquet. Since Li Shuwan possessed a spiritual aperture, everyone, whether they had previously respected or disdained them, would now come to offer smiles. Several closely related cultivation branches would also send representatives—this was key to building good connections for Li Shuwan.

He waited for a while, growing increasingly anxious, until finally, he heard a shout from outside the courtyard: “Good nephew! I’ve brought the honored guest!”

Li Baotuo leaped up from the table. His sons scrambled to their feet, one, two, three, four, all following him in a rush to the front of the courtyard, where they respectfully greeted, “We pay our respects to the two elders!”

The leading figure was Clan Uncle Li Cheng Zhi. Although he was a mortal, his bloodline was extremely precious. Li Baotuo’s ancestors had a deep bond of brotherhood with his own ancestors, and Li Baotuo had even met him as a child. He called out repeatedly, “Clan Uncle! It’s been so many years! Your humble nephew has missed you greatly!”

Li Cheng Zhi laughed heartily. He was accustomed to scheming and was also Li Ximing’s direct son. Though a mortal, he had used this connection to befriend many cultivators. He had a good impression of Li Baotuo, which was why he had immediately invited the cultivator.

He pointed to the old man in brown clothes beside him and chuckled, “This is Honored Guest Hu! He’s a high-level cultivator at the Qi Condensation stage!”

“Qi Condensation!”

Li Baotuo was instantly startled. He was quite knowledgeable, and such figures held high positions of power within the Prefectural Peak. That Li Cheng Zhi could invite such an individual excited him greatly. He respectfully said, “Greetings, Senior! This place is humble… please forgive our inadequacies!”

Honored Guest Hu was very polite to Li Cheng Zhi, but not so much to Li Baotuo, whose branch had been reduced to a minor mortal lineage for who knew how many years. Out of respect for Li Cheng Zhi, he merely nodded slightly and softly said, “No need to be so polite.”

Li Baotuo didn’t mind, nodding repeatedly as he led him into the courtyard. He then met Li Cheng Zhi’s meaningful gaze, paused, and immediately understood: “He’s looking for a patron for our Shuwan!”

“But… is this suitable…?”

If Li Baotuo had been an ordinary member of a minor branch, upon receiving such a hint, he would have shamelessly welcomed it. But he, by chance, had some inheritance and knowledge of matters within the Prefectural Peak. The Sixteen Prefectures were not entirely harmonious.

“This is Lijing Prefecture… the territory of the Old Four Clans. Any allegiance should be to these four clans. This Honored Guest Hu, who knows which prefecture he’s from? If we get involved with him… it might offend the Four Clans.”

Moreover, Li Baotuo knew his own family’s circumstances. Although they appeared to be an ordinary minor branch, they were actually adopted from a major clan. If the younger generation proved exceptionally talented, they might even strive to return to the main clan, in which case there would be no need to contend with any factions or sects!

Many thoughts raced through his mind. He had already pulled the girl closer, and chuckled, “Shuwan! Greet the two seniors!”

Li Shuwan tilted her head to look and noticed six flickering light points on the man in brown. Slightly chaotic currents of air swirled around him, which was somewhat different from the people she had seen flying in the sky before. She couldn't help but take a second look.

Honored Guest Hu merely cast a fleeting glance at her, nodded, and stepped forward, sighing inwardly, “Li Baotuo’s family have all been mortals for generations. This is their first cultivator. How good could her talent be? Li Cheng Zhi wants me to give some guidance… What a bother.”

Maintaining his demeanor, he scanned the table and found nothing appetizing. He softly said, “Tea will suffice.”

Li Baotuo’s meticulously prepared feast went untouched. Sweating profusely, he welcomed the guest inside, where they sat in the inner hall. At first, Li Cheng Zhi exchanged a few words, and Honored Guest Hu responded somewhat. But the moment Li Baotuo began to speak, the man in brown immediately lowered his head and fell silent.

Even a fool could see Honored Guest Hu’s reluctance. The food in the hall gradually grew cold. His wife stood somewhat helplessly at the end of the room. After all, Li Baotuo was a mortal; what could he possibly discuss with a cultivator? He was too embarrassed to speak.

Although Li Shuwan was only six, she saw it all and felt sad. She softly said, “Daughter will go now.”

Li Baotuo exhaled, just about to stop her, but Li Cheng Zhi smilingly let her go. Once Li Shuwan had left, Honored Guest Hu noticed Li Cheng Zhi’s displeasure and casually asked, “May I ask how long it took your esteemed daughter to gather her first wisp of spiritual energy?”

Only then did Li Baotuo feel his embarrassment lessen slightly. He whispered, “It seemed to be one hour.”

Honored Guest Hu froze, then seeing Li Baotuo’s bewildered expression, a shock spread through him. “What?!”

While the others chatted in the hall, Li Shuwan simply wandered all the way to the back garden. Several loquat trees stood in the desolate courtyard. As she strolled, she remembered her parents’ helpless expressions and couldn’t help but wipe away tears.

“That guy…”

After taking a few steps, she suddenly bumped into someone standing in the garden and was startled.

“Ah…”

Li Shuwan was startled for a moment, then was immediately captivated by the woman before her, her eyes fixed intently, unable to look away.

The woman wore a long feathered robe, her black hair coiled into a bun with a small white flower hairpin. Her skirt, patterned with blue lines, shimmered with faint purple light, and her eyes held a hazy purple glow as she smiled at Li Shuwan.

“You…”

Li Shuwan was momentarily dumbfounded, unable to speak. The woman naturally caressed her cheek and let out a laugh. Her voice was clear, crisp, and pleasant to the ear: “Li Shuwan?”

“Yes…”

Li Shuwan’s hands were nervously clasped behind her back. She knew the woman before her must be a cultivator and dared not move rashly. She secretly glanced at her but noticed that the woman did not have those six light points, only a wave-like expanse of purple.

The ethereal woman merely nodded, her purple eyes looking towards the garden gate behind Li Shuwan, her tone slightly cold: “This Hu Jingye… he truly plays his cards well. Seeing your extraordinary talent, he immediately resorted to coercion and enticement, trying to arrange a marriage between you and his young son…”

Strangely enough, the white-robed woman simply stopped smiling, and her voice became tinged with coldness. Her entire demeanor transformed drastically; a terrifying majesty appeared on her face, and it seemed as if thunder rumbled and rolled within the clouds.

Li Shuwan looked up, faintly perceiving a hint of purple in the clouds above. She quickly whispered, “But I heard my father say this person is very powerful… some big shot from the Prefectural Peak…”

The woman was momentarily taken aback by her words. The coldness on her face immediately vanished. With her apricot-shaped eyes, she smiled clearly, as if spring had arrived and melted the ice, chuckling, “A very big shot indeed!”

***

**Acknowledgments to the Alliance Masters:**

* Student Who Dropped Out* Silent Soloist* Pig Longing for the Mortal World* I Am Little Ye Wen* Miscellaneous Books Pavilion* Slender Immortal