In immortal cultivation, the years lt away unnoticed. Li Tongya sat cross-legged atop the mountain's blue stone, reading the "Moon Que Sword Manual"; light and shadow intermingled upon him, dewdrops fell, and in a single distracted mont, two months drifted past like a dream.
"The further I go, the harder it becos..."
Li Tongya murmured to himself. He had read about a fifth of this "Moon Que Sword Manual", yet already found it difficult to persist, growing ever more perplexed.
He shook out his robe and put away the jade slip. Li Tongya gazed upon the dew-soaked earth, secretly pondering:
"Foundation Establishnt cultivators enjoy long years, yet already they neither hunger nor eat. Ti spent cultivating truly passes like a fleeting horse's shadow."
He descended a few steps; at the side, upon a stone table rested an erald jade pot and a white jade cup. The jade pot was a Fetal Breathing level luxury, warm to the touch, and the tea within still stead. Xuanxuan was thoughtful, sending a servant with fresh tea every day.
"Xuan'er is already over forty; by the looks of him, he won't make it to Foundation Establishnt..."
Li Tongya gazed at the jade pot for a mont, silently musing:
"The child is indeed sensible, simply plunging wholeheartedly into the Talisman Path. The family needs such people too; if everyone sought Foundation Establishnt, chasing hope however slim—if they failed, they'd perish. Where then would we find the backbone of our fighting strength..."
Dispelling his thoughts, Li Tongya walked down the stone steps. A small cottage appeared before his eyes. An old woman sat quietly, cradling a tabby cat; her hair was white, her cheeks gaunt, several letters laid out before her.
Li Tongya paused in surprise, sighed, and wiping his face, his forty-sothing visage aged in an instant, appearing more like soone close to seventy. Only then did he approach, speaking softly and gently:
"Madam."
Liu Rouxuan turned her head, weariness and age marked her brows, a tinge of surprise stirred as she rose, saying:
"Husband, so soon returned from seclusion?"
Seeing Li Tongya silent, Liu Rouxuan felt so guilt, lowered her voice:
"This ti I have failed again, and wasted your spiritual dicine."
Liu Rouxuan was now only at Fetal Breathing fourth layer; after two failed attempts to condense her fifth Yujing Wheel, her lifespan decreased further. Li Tongya had found her much spiritual dicine, but cultivation grew ever harder; even becoming a Miscellaneous Qi cultivator now seed impossible.
Li Tongya pressed two fingers together, touching Liu Rouxuan's wrist, closed his eyes for several breaths, then drew a jade bottle from his storage bag, instructing softly:
"The healing dicine is to be taken over three days; later I shall condense so talisman water—take it twice daily for three days..."
"Husband!"
Liu Rouxuan coughed softly, cutting Li Tongya off, then smiled:
"At this point, husband need not force it further. Twice my lifespan is diminished; I have only a few remaining years. If I persist bitterly with cultivation now—it would be too cruel."
Li Tongya paused painfully, a stab of ache in his heart; his hand halted. Looking at Liu Rouxuan's faded youth, he replied gently:
"Very well."
They spoke quietly for a few monts. Liu Rouxuan's lifespan and mana had only just declined, and she was now weary. Li Tongya led her inside, then turned; upon the stone steps stood a middle-aged man in grey, who bowed and greeted softly:
"Father."
"Take care of your mother."
Li Tongya instructed gently; Li Xuanling nodded and entered the cottage. Only then did Li Tongya ride the wind, drifting eastward.
————
Xiao Chuting's ceremony was set at Xianyou Peak, a mighty mountain with profound earth veins and abundant Spiritual Energy. Clouds and mists veiled its heights; shadows flitted now and then through the air, riding the wind to land. Yue River ran past, its clear waters carrying countless boats.
Li Tongya set his feet before the mountain. At its foot stood a blue stone gate, carved with many formation patterns, Dharma Light streaming thickly above. Below, two youths stood left and right, each clad in brocade clothes. Seeing Li Tongya descend, they stepped forward respectfully and greeted:
"Greetings, Senior. May we know from which Immortal Sect you hail, which clan of He County, or which Immortal Mountain you cultivate in seclusion?"
Li Tongya nodded lightly and answered:
"I dare not style myself as Immortal Clan—Li Tongya of the Li Family of Lijing."
The youth on the right, dressed in brocade and silver boots, brightened at once, saluting respectfully:
"Greetings, Senior Tongya. I am Xiao Guitu; Guiluan is precisely my younger sister. Our two families are soon to unite; please show us much favor in the future!"
The youth on the left wore a gentle smile, courteously adding:
"So, a Sword Immortal Family! Please, Senior, ascend; the great-uncle has awaited you for so ti!"
Li Tongya nodded slightly; the Fetal Breathing cultivators to both sides stepped back, making way for a Qi Cultivator to lead the way—it was, after all, a Foundation Establishnt cultivator, a guest of considerable status.
Thus, he passed through the blue stone gate; winding stone steps appeared ahead. Li Tongya walked awhile upon them; at his side, the Qi Cultivator smiled broadly and said:
"Greetings, Senior Tongya. Decades have passed since we t; now you are Foundation Establishnt, and it truly stirs the heart."
"Oh?"
Li Tongya paused in slight surprise, curiosity in his gaze. Seeing the man's cultivation was only Qi Cultivation second layer, he asked in wonder:
"You have t , but I do not recall you."
The Qi Cultivator smiled and replied:
"I am of a collateral Xiao branch, closest in blood to Brother Yongling. That year, only after forming my Xuanjing Wheel did I serve beside Brother Yongling, working near Guanyun Peak."
"That year the snow fell heavy, spring turned cold. I accompanied Elder Yongling as he inspected the family enterprises, led by a steward to lodge at a public house. Two n there wore plain garb, yet bore a noble air. Yongling was delighted and drank with them, while I hid among the attendants, my heart stirred mightily."
Li Tongya now recalled suddenly, and nodded lightly; the Qi Cultivator laughed:
"Those two were Wan Yuankai and you, Senior. At the tavern it was but a brief eting; afterward I returned with Brother Yongling to the family. I asked him, 'Brother, that Wan Yuankai is so young and has already ford his Qingyuan Wheel. He speaks with poise—surely no ordinary fish in the pond.'"
"Brother Yongling laughed and told , 'Wan Yuankai's talent is fair, but he's too calculating. Good as a friend, never as a partner; he's only middling.'"
"Afterwards, he shook his head with admiration, saying, 'Only Li Tongya knows when to advance and when to yield, his temperant is profound. If given ti, he will surely accomplish great things.'"
Li Tongya couldn't help but smile, genuinely moved by this man. The Qi Cultivator chuckled, voice low:
"I didn't believe it then—but today I see that Brother Yongling's insight into people was truly astounding."
Li Tongya shook his head, lips curling in a faint smile. He grew fond of the man: this flattery was as subtle as an antelope's horns, leaving no trace—evidence of refined thought. At once he laughed:
"So fate has granted us this eting."
The Qi Cultivator nodded repeatedly and, after a few more words, asked sowhat uncertainly:
"But we haven't seen Wan Yuankai these many years; I wonder how he fares now?"
Li Tongya paused, then sighed:
"Back then, when Tang Jin Sect swept south, the Wan Family was exterminated; Brother Yuankai died with them. Thirty years have passed since then."
The Qi Cultivator halted abruptly, his gaze darkened; he opened his mouth, but could not speak a word.
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