Chapter 28: Ten Thousand Homes

Atop Qingsui Peak sat a small pavilion, a cloud-windowed and mist-shrouded structure carved like the moon and clouds. The gentle morning sunlight flowed over the pavilion, bathing the space between the buildings in a golden hue.

Sitting on a bluestone in front of the pavilion, Li Chijing slowly exhaled a breath of pure qi. He opened his eyes to gaze at the boundless sea of clouds before him, raised a handsome eyebrow, and thought to himself

"The Azure Essence Wheel has finally been mastered!"

"The origins of my family's cultivation technique are truly profound. What I have mastered is not ordinary Azure Essence Qi, but rather the Lunar Azure Essence. Not only is the magic power condensed, but it also far surpasses that of ordinary techniques."

Rising to straighten his azure robes, Li Chijing stepped into the pavilion. He took a gleaming, cold sword from the wall, flicked his wrist, and danced a graceful sword flower.

"I have at least reached the entry level of this 'Mystic Water Sword Manual' given by my Senior Brother. Although a third-grade technique requires at least the Qi Refinement stage to wield, fortunately, the technique itself is not difficult and is very easy to learn."

"I wonder if Father's health is well, and if my brothers have mastered the Circulating Wheel? I heard that the Tangjin Sect to the west has been restless lately. With our family's borders stretching for thousands of miles, I wonder if the Li family will be affected."

Thinking of these worries, Li Chijing lost his appetite for sword practice. He leaned over the desk, absentmindedly flipping through jade slips, his mind already wandering to the Li family thousands of miles away.

"Junior Brother!"

A cheerful shout rang out, and a man with thick eyebrows and large eyes walked toward the pavilion. It was his Senior Brother, Xiao Yuansi. Smiling at Li Chijing at the desk, he spoke

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

"Senior Brother, please don't tease me."

Li Chijing shook his head with a bitter smile, put away the jade slip in his hand, and adopted an attentive posture.

"Master has sent me to Lixia County on business!"

Xiao Yuansi raised an eyebrow and followed up with a question

"Do you have any family letters to take with you?"

"Yes, yes, yes! Thank you, Senior Brother! You are the best!"

Li Chijing was instantly excited, thanking him repeatedly. He fetched brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, and immediately began to write.

Xiao Yuansi smiled and said softly

"Take your time writing. Just give it to me tonight."

————

As dawn approached, Li Xiangping slowly woke from his meditation, pondering

"My sea of qi is already full. With another half year of cultivation, I can attempt to condense the Circulating Wheel."

Calculating the time, he, Li Xiangping, had been stuck at this Circulating Wheel for nearly four years. His cultivation speed was frustratingly slow; by now, Jing'er had likely already begun attempting to break through to the Azure Essence Wheel.

Walking out of his room, he saw Tian Yun basking in the sun at the doorway. Seeing him approach, she moved to stand up.

"Ah, wait, wait."

Seeing this, Li Xiangping waved his hands repeatedly and supported Tian Yun's arm, saying gently

"You are pregnant now, so you must be extremely careful. Do not harm the fetus!"

Tian Yun gave a gentle smile and looked into Li Xiangping's eyes, answering in a soft voice

"Ever since I became pregnant, my body hasn't felt quite right."

Yawning, she spoke with a hint of melancholy

"I heard that the child Qiu Yang is making rapid progress in his cultivation. I often wonder if our child will lack spiritual apertures. If that happens, in a hundred years, the branches will be strong while the trunk is weak—that would not be a blessing for our Li family."

Li Xiangping was momentarily stunned by her words. He affectionately stroked her head and laughed loudly

"Don't worry, our child will also have spiritual apertures. I will take responsibility for the family matters; you need not worry."

"As for Li Qiuyang, he has merely mastered the Profound Landscape Wheel earlier than others. There is no need to dwell on it too much."

Seeing her husband's confident manner, Tian Yun leaned gently into his embrace and murmured

"As long as you have it under control, that is enough."

As the two were enjoying their moment of intimacy, Liu Linfeng rushed into the front courtyard. Seeing the scene, he skidded to a halt, his face turning red, unsure whether to enter or retreat.

Tian Yun smiled softly and, supported by Lady Ren, withdrew. Li Xiangping stared at Liu Linfeng with some surprise and asked with a smile

"Uncle, what is so urgent?"

"One of the Liu family children under my command left the Li Dao Pass and traveled dozens of miles along the Ancient Li Road. He happened upon a hunting farmer who was extremely vigilant; the man ran as soon as he saw our people. My boy didn't dare pursue him, so he noted the location and came back to report," Liu Linfeng said breathlessly.

Li Xiangping frowned, about to speak, when another figure rushed through the door. The two looked closely and saw it was Li Yesheng.

Li Yesheng's face was also flushed, and he was panting heavily, looking as though he had run from one end of the village to the other without stopping to catch his breath. He spoke

"Patriarch! Someone from Li Chuan Pass has reported that an immortal, claiming to be under the jurisdiction of Qingchi, has come to visit."

"Dammit! They must have followed that child here!"

Liu Linfeng slapped his thigh, giving himself a large, regretful slap across the face.

Li Xiangping rubbed his brow and let out a long sigh, saying deeply

"Don't panic yet. The newcomer is also under the jurisdiction of Qingchi; they won't attack directly."

Looking up at the crowd gathered around, Li Xiangping called out

"Where is Second Brother?"

"The Immortal Master went up the mountain early this morning and has not yet descended."

"Uncle, go up the mountain and inform Second Brother of the situation. Tell him to stay on the back mountain and not come down. Yesheng, you come with me to the Li Dao Pass."

Liu Linfeng complied and hurried up the mountain.

Li Xiangping led Li Yesheng, followed by several villagers from Lijing Village, as they hurried toward the Li Dao Pass along the country path.

Upon arriving at the Li Dao Pass, they ran into one of Xu Wenshan's workers. As they walked, Li Yesheng asked the man

"What did that person say?"

"That Immortal is very quiet. He is sitting in the boss's courtyard, not saying a word, just closing his eyes to regulate his breathing," the man replied calmly.

As he spoke, Li Xiangping and the others arrived at the gate. Li Xiangping straightened his clothes, stepped forward, and looked at the person sitting in the primary seat.

The boy looked very young, perhaps in his teens, with delicate features. He wore a moon-white robe and opened his eyes to look at Li Xiangping.

"Under the jurisdiction of Qingchi, Li Xiangping."

Since Li Xiangping had not yet mastered the Jade Capital Wheel and had not yet birthed spiritual sense, he could not gauge the boy's strength, so he cupped his hands modestly.

To his surprise, the boy seemed to breathe a sigh of relief upon hearing this. He stood up quickly and said respectfully

"Under the jurisdiction of Qingchi, Wan Yuankai of the Wan family, greets the Patriarch of the Li family."

"I wouldn't dare. 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 boy was, his heart settled, and a smile appeared on his face.

"A few days ago, my father heard that the one on Qingsui Peak had dispatched people to guard the area west of the Ancient Li Road. He was overjoyed and sent a minor cultivator to explore the west to make acquaintances. I happened to run into your village's people, so I came without prior notice. Please forgive me."

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

"My father actually sent me with a congratulatory gift."

(End of Chapter)