Chapter 661: Jiangque Receives the Talisman

"Your child really took only one hour? Ha ha, do you think she's a crown prince or An Jingming?"

Hu Keqing chuckled to himself, mentally mocking Li Baotuo for not understanding the realities of cultivation. He simply asked, "I just want to know, after you gave her that cultivation method, how long did it take her to cultivate the first wisp of spiritual energy, according to her own words?"

Li Baotuo was taken aback by the question. After a moment's thought, he replied, "Begging your pardon, Senior, it was two days and one night."

"Two days and one night!" Hearing this, Li Chengzhi, who was standing nearby, finally straightened up, a look of surprise on his face. He softly remarked, "Although Lijing Prefecture is a foundation for esteemed families, its spiritual veins rank among the lower nine prefectures. Two days and one night is already a remarkably high aptitude!"

He spoke half his thought, the other half stuck in his throat as he pondered, "If she had enough spiritual resources, she could contend for the intra-province selection in five years. If Li Baotuo's family could be brought back into the main clan... I would gain several solid connections within the province!" As Li Chengzhi's thoughts raced, Hu Jingye's reaction was equally swift. He immediately thought of his own favored son and murmured, "Oh? Her talent is quite acceptable."

Hu Jingye was a Qi Cultivator, and fortunately, his youngest son possessed good talent. If Li Shuyuan could ascend to become a Great Sect cultivator, Hu Jingye would undoubtedly profit immensely. He immediately composed himself and spoke softly, "It's very difficult for your esteemed daughter to return to the province, but her talent is quite good for the surrounding prefectures..." His tone had become much gentler, yet fearing Li Baotuo would discover his ulterior motives, he maintained a stern expression. He continued gravely, "Chenghzhi is here now; we are all family, so I won't beat around the bush. Once Shuyuan's talent is reported, the clan will provide corresponding resources and cultivation methods... There is still some gap before she can return to the province, but I can make up for it for Baotuo... It just depends on her effort."

He maintained his authoritative stance, and the shift in his demeanor seemed somewhat natural. However, Li Baotuo had studied in the manor during his youth and had seen much while ferrying boats along the riverbanks, so he immediately understood. "Damn, the old man changed his tune, didn't he? My Shuyuan's talent is really high; he's quite good at feigning ignorance." Li Baotuo responded cheerfully, an innocent farmer's look on his face, nodding and smiling in agreement without giving any direct answer. Seeing him feign ignorance, Hu Jingye was not deterred. He stated directly, "My youngest son is eight years old and his talent is quite good. If you, Baotuo, wouldn't mind giving me some face, let's arrange a child engagement. I have some savings that can support Shuyuan's cultivation, and I will personally take care of your family's return to the province."

After all, he was a Qi Cultivator; in his presence, the other two were little more than ants. For him to lower himself and make such a direct offer left both Li Chengzhi and Li Baotuo cornered. Li Baotuo looked to Li Chengzhi, who awkwardly gritted his teeth. The terms weren't overly exploitative, so he found it difficult to speak, hesitating as he reached for his tea. Moreover, the clan rules were strict, and the direct lineage of the Li family most feared the accusation of abusing power. Li Chengzhi was always polite to everyone, and his interactions with Hu Jingye entirely depended on the latter extending courtesy. That courtesy was as thin as paper, making it truly difficult for him to interject.

Seeing no help from Li Chengzhi, Li Baotuo resorted to a delaying tactic, muttering, "This humble one knows nothing about returning to the province... I am afraid of wasting your resources, so how dare I rashly agree? My child is playful, and I fear she might still..."

"Baotuo, what are you saying!" Hu Jingye frowned slightly and said softly, "Although my Hu family is not among the old four surnames, we are still well-regarded in Wutu Prefecture. The resources we promise will certainly be provided; you need not worry."

Seeing Li Baotuo lower his head, he took a step back and said softly, "I'm not trying to pressure you. Let's just settle this matter for now. If there are any changes in the future, or if Shuyuan has other aspirations, this is merely an engagement. It can always be dissolved, but at least the goodwill would remain, wouldn't it? By then, if Shuyuan is a Great Sect disciple, would she truly fear not being able to break a small engagement?"

'Oh no!' As he said this, Li Chengzhi indeed saw a hint of wavering in Li Baotuo's expression. His heart sank, and he sighed, 'It's not that simple!'

Li Chengzhi himself was a Great Sect disciple and deeply understood the strictness of the Clan Justice Hall. If Li Shuyuan were to become a Great Sect member and then annul the engagement, she would be in the wrong, which would greatly affect the Hu clan and also tarnish Li Shuyuan's reputation. It might even spread to Qingdu... What would the various elders think if they heard just this one remark! Li Baotuo remained silent. Li Chengzhi, growing increasingly restless, looked away with a frown, subtly indicating his lack of support.

"My Lord... my family truly cannot presume to associate with such high status!" Whether Li Baotuo understood the hint or simply never intended to agree, he sighed, shook his head, and finally delivered his refusal. This statement brought both surprise and delight to Li Chengzhi, while Hu Keqing's smile faded, and he remained silent for a long time.

This public rejection was a resounding slap in the face. Hu Jingye could no longer maintain his composure. His face darkened, and he abruptly stood up, declaring, "You invited me here just to see your daughter. Now you've seen her, and in return, you dismiss this old man with contempt! How can anyone act like this? It's utterly unreasonable!" "I, Hu Jingye, have cultivated between Wutu and Lijing for many years; who doesn't show me some respect! Li Baotuo, you are incredibly rude!"

Li Baotuo had not anticipated such sharp words and panicked, quickly rising to reply, "I invited Your Excellency to see my humble daughter, but I never imagined you would immediately wish to settle a marriage, My Lord! Though I am but a mortal, I still have a father's love for my daughter... How could I rashly agree when I know nothing of your esteemed son? Parents only fear their children falling into a fiery pit!" In his urgency, he misspoke. Hu Jingye flew into a rage and shouted, "The boy is implying my Hu family has no proper upbringing!"

After all, he was a Qi Cultivator, and his anger, once unleashed in a shout, was like a clap of thunder. Immediately, sand trickled down from the ceiling beams, raining onto everyone with a rustling sound. Li Baotuo's sons, standing outside, were furious but dared not speak.

"How audacious!" Li Chengzhi and Li Baotuo were both paralyzed by his display of power. Hu Jingye furiously flung his sleeves and stormed out. Li Baotuo's legs trembled with fear, while his wife knelt despairingly by the doorway, afraid to move.

Seeing everyone's fear, Hu Jingye finally released his pent-up embarrassment and anger. He strode to the front of the house, leaving only his back visible. Li Chengzhi quickly jumped from his seat and exclaimed in alarm, "Are you mad! What nonsense are you spouting!" He pulled Li Baotuo aside, seeing his old nephew scrambling out of the house. Noticing that Hu Jingye had not yet ridden the wind away, he understood that Hu Jingye was still putting on a show, merely exerting subtle pressure. So, lifting his robes, he hurried out, calling, "Hu Keqing! It was an unintentional remark!"

Li Baotuo, after all, had not seen much of the world and was truly panicked now. He stumbled and crawled outside, his breath coming in short gasps, his vision darkening. Yet, from mid-air, a clear voice drifted down: "How imposing you are, Master Hu!"

The chilling sarcasm in that voice almost took half of Li Baotuo's life. He stiffly straightened his legs, only to see a woman standing at the doorway, holding his beloved daughter's hand. His mind went blank. He saw that the woman was an immortal in a blue and white feathered robe, her black hair like ink, adorned with a white flower hairpin, and her eyes a hazy violet. Before he could fully take her in, he heard a soft thud.

"Thud!" The expression on his clan uncle Li Chengzhi's face, which had shown no trace of alarm from beginning to end, shattered like a broken porcelain vase, revealing boundless horror. His legs seemed to lose all bone, softening beneath him, and his head hit the ground with a thud, colliding with Li Baotuo's waist. The two tumbled into a heap.

The world spun for Li Baotuo. He saw his clan uncle leap past him like a frog, then kneel before the woman, wailing, "Chenghzhi greets Your Excellency!" Li Baotuo was a step too slow, just in time to catch Hu Jingye's expression. The old man's angry, bristling look had vanished, replaced by utter bewilderment, and he lay limp on the ground like a pile of mud.

Hu Keqing had, of course, seen Li Qinghong before. He had watched from afar on the shore when Li Qinghong activated the array lightning to open Huzhongzhou, doubting he could even withstand a single bolt from her. He had never imagined any interaction with this esteemed person, much less hearing words like, 'How imposing you are, Master Hu!' This was undoubtedly like a bolt of white lightning, striking him with such force that he soiled himself. He seemed to have lost his mind, slumping limply to the ground.

But Li Qinghong did not spare him even a glance. She looked at the profusely sweating Li Chengzhi, pondered for a moment, and said softly, "Chenghzhi?" Li Chengzhi respectfully replied, "This junior's father is Lord Ximing."

"Oh, so it's Ming'er."

Li Qinghong's casual "Ming'er" was what truly terrified Li Baotuo. With his head pressed to the ground, his eyes wide and unfocused, he finally believed she was the thunder from Qingdu Peak. He heard her understated remark: "I was merely passing by, but I got to witness quite a show!"

Hu Jingye finally regained some composure, his lips trembling, unable to speak, his face as white as paper. "Your Excellency... Your Excellency has misunderstood."

'It's a good thing it was me who came. My eldest uncle cherishes the clan members most. If it had been him just now, this Hu fellow would have lost his head...' Li Qinghong's voice was light and ethereal: "This child pleases my eye, so I stopped for a chat. Yet you were already thinking of having her marry your son, Hu Jingye. You truly calculated well, daring to meddle in the marriage affairs of my Great Sect. It seems my Clan Justice Hall has been too strict... and you've come to believe my direct lineage are all spineless cowards, hmm?"

"Your... Your Ex-ce-llen-cy..." The softer Li Qinghong spoke, the more Hu Jingye perceived her anger. Li Qinghong was famously good-tempered; no one in the Li family had ever truly angered her before, and Hu Jingye was the first. He was utterly terrified. He stammered, unable to form words, his eyes rolling back as if about to faint. Li Qinghong flicked her finger, sealing all of the old man's cultivation. She said softly, "Chenghzhi, send him to Chenghuai."

Li Chengzhi hastened to call people to carry him away. Li Qinghong then said, "This branch of Baotuo's family has not returned to the clan for many years, and my eldest uncle misses them greatly. Let's go see my eldest uncle together." Li Chengzhi respectfully assented. Li Qinghong, holding the girl, disappeared amidst thunder. Li Baotuo remained kneeling on the ground, while Hu Jingye lay still, cold all over, staring blankly at the sky.

"Congratulations, Baotuo!" Li Chengzhi stepped over Hu Jingye as if he weren't there and smilingly helped Li Baotuo to his feet. Streaks of light shimmered in the sky, one by one descending towards their location. Li Baotuo felt as though he were in a dream, distantly hearing a chorus of congratulations.

***

Pingya Province.

When Li Shuyuan landed on the peak, her face was somewhat pale. She had heard of large lakes since childhood, but she never imagined Wangyue Lake was so vast. In the blink of an eye, she had traversed countless waves and landed on this province.

It was her first time seeing such a palace. Before she could examine it closely, an old man sat within the hall, with seven points of green light emanating from him. He looked very kindly and came forward cheerfully, smiling, "Wan'er is here..."

Li Shuyuan politely responded, then noticed a young man standing on the other side of the main hall. He wore dark red with gold, and his face was turned sideways towards her. Sunlight spilled onto him. Li Shuyuan took just one look and felt a sharp pain in her eyes, tears involuntarily streaming down her face.

Li Xuanxuan merely thought she was frightened and offered a few comforting words. Li Qinghong sighed softly, recounted the events that had just transpired, and began, "Eldest Uncle, the clan's discipline is indeed a bit strict. While it's fine for the main clan within the province, the minor clans in the prefectures often suffer greatly."

Li Zhouwei thoughtfully glanced at the girl, then looked up and replied, "What Your Excellency mentioned... Uncle-Grandfather has also brought up. However, these regulations are like tight bands and cannot be easily loosened. Li Baotuo, after all, is a member of a minor clan. If it weren't for these rules, how could someone like Hu Jingye have been invited? Would anyone else even dare to speak a word in front of Hu Jingye? When special privileges are granted, certain restrictions must be imposed to prevent them from oppressing others."

Li Xuanxuan placed a bamboo scroll into Li Shuyuan's arms, comforting her to go to the side hall to memorize it. In his heart, he still felt pity for the clan members and leaned towards supporting Li Qinghong, so he didn't say much. Li Zhouwei then gravely stated, "The chasm between cultivation levels is difficult to bridge. If we relax these rules, while they might not be bullied by ordinary cultivators, they will instead seek to oppress other mortals. This would create another clear hierarchy among mortals, which is not a good thing."

Li Qinghong nodded and replied, "You decide. Our family has always tried to be as fair as possible, though it's inevitable that some will feel wronged. We also shouldn't let the disciples lose heart. My purpose for this trip was also to invigorate the various branches, hence my stricter approach."

The discussion among the three came to an end. Li Shuyuan had already emerged from the side hall and said softly, "Your Excellencies, I have memorized it."

"So fast!" Li Xuanxuan nodded with a smile. The selection of rune seeds was becoming increasingly stringent, and the children chosen were progressively more outstanding. He tested her with just two questions, and Li Shuyuan answered both correctly. Li Zhouwei then turned and said, "Please bring the Eldest Young Master here."

Li Jiangqian soon arrived in the hall. The child warmly greeted all three elders, then called Li Shuyuan "little sister." Li Qinghong smilingly brought out the Chongming Cave Profound Screen, and the two children began reciting the incantations.

Li Zhouwei's gaze lingered on Li Shuyuan. Watching the two children sit cross-legged to receive the rune seeds, he took a step forward, his dark red and gold robes faintly gleaming. He softly said, "This child's soul seems unusual; she can glimpse the secrets of others."

"Indeed." Li Qinghong had also sensed it and assented. The three waited expectantly. After a night passed, a point of light emerged from the screen's glow. Both children simultaneously opened their eyes, a distinct look in each.

Li Jiangqian's expression was more one of enlightenment. He clapped his hands, stood up, and bowed, saying, "Qian'er has received the rune. Thank you, elders, for your guidance!" Li Shuyuan, filled with shock and curiosity, watched her older brother bow, then quickly followed suit, expressing her thanks. When she looked up, she found all four people staring at her blankly.

Li Qinghong abruptly stood up. A glowing orange light, shaped like a flower petal and as large as a pearl, was slowly appearing on the girl's brow. It shimmered with a clear radiance, flashing three times before gradually dimming.