Qing Jifang was incredulous, watching as the golden light hurled towards him, the surrounding Great Void momentarily sealed by the Metal Nature, he only vehemently exclaimed,

"Even if it costs me my life!"

————

November, heavy snow.

The white snow topped the mountains of Wutu, piled up on the stone table, and blanketed the courtyard’s bluestones; a youth in brocade clothes and a white fur coat leaned back on a mahogany armchair, holding a jade cup between two fingers, silent and motionless.

"Xizhi."

The woman sitting at the head of the table, her willow brows framing phoenix eyes and donning a red gown, had a weary look in her eyes as she said warmly,

"Is everything ready?"

"Mhm."

Li Xizhi softly affirmed, then asked,

"What about Father?"

"Your father has gone to Lijing Town. With the Immortal Master’s impending arrival, many things need to be prepared; a carriage will come for you shortly."

Xiao Guiluan, noticing the frustration in his heart, explained in a comforting manner. Li Xizhi’s expression remained unchanged as he focused on his cup and murmured,

"Qing Sui Peak is sparsely populated despite its great reputation; as the Peak’s eldest disciple brother, I’m afraid troubles will be incessant in the future."

Although his words conveyed his concerns, his heart was filled with bitterness that he dared not confess to his mother.

Upon hearing that Yuan Tuan was approaching, Li Yuanjiao ultimately decided to show his son the family’s historical records. Li Xizhi read them through the night, his expression changing several times. The intrigues between Chi Wei, Chi Zhiyun, and even Yuanwu Peak and the tragic end of Li Chijin left him feeling oppressed and speechless,

"So many entanglements within the sect... burdened with a great reputation, I fear I will become a pawn subjected to pressure from all sides."

He silently gripped the sword at his waist, put down the jade cup, and answered,

"I’m about to join the sect; all I can do is fulfill my humanly duties."

Li Xizhi was deep in thought when suddenly a plainly dressed man hurried up the aisle with snowflakes on his shoulders, looking harried.

He eagerly brushed the snow off himself, greeted Xiao Guiluan at the head with respect, and called out cheerfully,

"Brother Xizhi!"

Li Xizhi quickly stood up to meet him, saying,

"Brother Xihong, what brings you here?"

Li Xihong, looking travel-worn and thinly clothed without any adornments, cheerfully took out a jade pendant from his chest and said with a smile,

"Hearing that you’re about to enter the sect, I found some fine things for you!"

Ignorant of the family’s many secrets and having not received a Talisman Seed, he considered progressing towards the Green Pond Sect as an entirely beneficial and splendid occasion. He brought out the jade pendant, which emitted flashes of green light, and shoved it into Li Xizhi’s hand, explaining as he smiled,

"This is a Fetal Breathing Realm magic artifact that helps condense Spiritual Energy. Consider it a congratulatory gift from your older brother!"

Li Xizhi was stunned for a moment; his father was Li Yuanjiao, and his grandfather was Li Xuanxuan, both heads of the Li Family generation after generation, and in fact, he lacked for nothing, least of all such trinkets. Yet seeing Li Xihong’s face brimming with joy, he couldn’t help feeling a bit choked up inside.

Li Xihong’s father lacked a Spirit Aperture, and his grandfather passed away early, making life much harder for him. This jade pendant was already a rare treasure to this older brother as he kept pushing it into Li Xizhi’s hand.

Seeing Li Xihong’s plain appearance, without a hint of Dharma Light yet still looking kindly and gently at him, Li Xizhi’s fingers tensed on the jade pendant as if it were a red-hot coal, not knowing what to say, his voice slightly strained,

"Brother Xihong... you shouldn’t have!"

"Hey."

Li Xihong, who had become more open-minded after spending the past few months supervising Spirit Rice in the Shanyue, boasted more self-confidence in his speech, and laughed,

"Your brother now holds a position in the family, with a stipend; don’t be so formal with me!"

His tone was warm, and Li Xizhi felt an uncomfortable mix of emotions. He grabbed Li Xihong’s hand, filled with words to share, and said in a quiet voice,

"I’ve heard that you have been running short on expenses, with an empty purse, dividing family provisions and the stipend given, half given and half lent to the clan brothers. Is this true?"

"This..."

Li Xihong momentarily faltered, stumbling over his words,

"It’s just lending a helping hand to the brothers... In recent years, the family has been living tight; everyone has had a hard time."

"Geez."

Li Xizhi couldn’t help but smile wryly, embracing his older brother and giving him a big hug, as he reminded him with a chuckle,

"You should spend more cautiously, lest the family elders accuse you of being too wasteful and a big spender."

Li Xihong gave a muffled laugh, whether he took the advice to heart or not. A servant approached and announced respectfully,

"Young Master, the carriage has arrived."

At the servant’s words, Li Xizhi nodded slightly, looking at Li Xihong’s beaming smile, and all the previous heaviness vanished, leaving only determination and anticipation in his heart.

————

Lijing Town.

Dressed in black, Li Yuanjiao stood silently in the snow, with snowflakes drifting onto him, only to fall off in bits and pieces. Beside him was Li Xizhi, gazing intently at the horizon, lost in thought.

The members of the Li family had waited briefly when a green-robed cultivator arrived on a deer amid the swirling, heavy snow. The cultivator appeared to be in his thirties, exuding an attractive radiance.

The deer he rode upon was white as snow, sprinkled with specks of green, light and graceful, with spirited, lively eyes. The green-robed person atop the deer had the air of an immortal, a length of green silk tied around his waist, fluttering continuously in the wind.

This silk was intricate and refined, transparent and light, appearing also to be a fine magic artifact.

"Members of the Li family, we greet the Peak Master!"

The members of the Li family called out respectfully, and Yuan Tuan nodded happily in response. As soon as the white deer touched the ground, its hooves pushed off and it transformed into a patch of white snow, disappearing from sight.

This marvelous act left the members of the Li family and guest elders alike startled, silently marveling, as Yuan Tuan replied:

"No need for such courtesy."

Yuan Tuan was about the same age as Li Tongya. She had achieved Qi Cultivation by eighteen, a touch faster than her senior brother Xiao Yuansi, but for some reason, after reaching Qi Cultivation, she focused on Talismans and Spirit Plants, and as a result, her cultivation level fell behind.

Back then, their master, Si Yuanbai, was imprisoned, all the brothers were at the Southern Border, and Green Pond Peak was solely supported by Yuan Tuan. She endured many hardships, but fortunately, over the past decade, she broke through several barriers and achieved Foundation Establishment, making her life somewhat easier.

"Please come inside, Immortal Master..."

Yuan Tuan nodded softly and lightly treaded across the snow. The guest elders of other surnames all withdrew, leaving only a few of the direct lineage and Yuan Tuan to go inside.

Her gaze lingered for a moment on the sword at Li Yuanjiao’s waist, then she turned her head uncomfortably and asked warmly,

"Is that the Green Ruler Sword?"

"Indeed, it is!"

Li Yuanjiao’s waist no longer bore the Jiao Carved Pillar, having been replaced by the Green Ruler Sword. He had specifically removed the outer sack, shedding his usual low-profile demeanor, proudly displaying it.

"This sword..."

Yuan Tuan’s expression turned complex as she spoke softly,

"I followed my master to request it for him. Back then, our peak was in need, so it was only refined into a Qi Cultivating Peak magical instrument. Jing’er was nevertheless overjoyed and gave repeated thanks..."

"Never did I expect that later, as he slew demons and exorcised devils with the sword, acquiescing it with Sword Intent, this blade would break through without a whisper, becoming a Foundation Establishment magical instrument."

The members of the Li family listened in silence. Yuan Tuan raised her eyebrows, looked at Li Yuanjiao, and asked,

"Wearing this sword at your waist, are you the head of the Li Family?"

Li Yuanjiao had long rehearsed his answer, and respectfully replied,

"Jing’er has no descendants, and as I am his kinsman of the ’Yuan’ generation, named ’Jiao’, thus I wear this sword."

"Hmm, no descendants..."

Yuan Tuan barely maintained her composure, standing in place for a full two breaths, before following Li Yuanjiao’s lead to the seat of honor. She silently scanned the faces of those present and asked softly,

"Why do I not see Tongya Taoist Fellow?"

Li Yuanjiao lowered his head slightly and said somberly,

"The old ancestor is in seclusion for cultivation and has not yet emerged."

"Oh."

Yuan Tuan nodded, then saw Li Yuanjiao signaling slightly. Li Xizhi stepped forward and said respectfully,

"Junior Li Xizhi greets the senior!"

"Good."

Finally, a smile appeared on Yuan Tuan’s face. She swept her Spiritual Sense over him, examining him carefully, checking his Sea of Qi Acupoint, Shengyang Mansion, and throughout, without a word.

This silence from her caused everyone in the hall to tense up silently, with Li Xizhi especially forcing himself to stay calm, sensing the Mysterious Pearl Talisman Seed within his Qi Sea, his heart pounding in anticipation.

After more than a dozen breaths, Yuan Tuan eventually opened her eyes and nodded,

"Not bad. You should join Qing Sui Peak!"

Her face then beamed with a smile, turning to Li Xizhi and saying,

"Dear child, there’s no need to be nervous."

With her utterance, everyone let go of the tension and felt at ease. Li Xizhi humbly thanked her, and Yuan Tuan watched him with a smile and whispered,

"Lift your head!"

Li Xizhi shared a resemblance with Li Yuanjiao; they both had a gentle and placid appearance when looking down. But now, as he lifted his head, the ambitious spirit in him emerged. Yuan Tuan watched him and chuckled lightly, remarking,

"Your facial features do resemble his, full of dominance capable of overshadowing others. Indeed, you have the makings of a chief disciple. I had not anticipated I would be the one to gain such an advantage."

"He is my son, the senior is too kind..."

Li Yuanjiao responded instantly, saying softly,

"Being able to join Qing Sui Peak is a blessing for our Li family."

"Hmm."

Yuan Tuan nodded, then further inquired,

"I’ve heard your family has a young alchemist. Is he here?"