Everyone gathered around the large round table in the backyard. Li Guilan bustled about, her face beaming with smiles.
It was as if what she was doing now was truly what she loved most.
Having finished cooking, Li Guilan did not sit at the table—an inexplicable habit seemingly carried over from her days in Fulong Village.
Yet seeing that she had not taken a seat, how could any of the others dare to start eating?
Su Xuan went so far as to invite her to join them, and unable to resist their coaxing, she simply sat down with everyone.
They drank wine and savored the long-missed home-cooked dishes.
The whole table was lively and bustling, just like a big family.
The clamor in the small courtyard blended seamlessly with the town outside, where cooking smoke curled up lazily from every household.
Had it not been that looking up revealed a firmament made of twinkling stars and spiritual radiance, they might have truly believed they had returned to an ordinary mortal life in a mundane town.
At the table, no one spoke—because Su Xuan ate far too quickly!
Clang, clang, clang!
Every face around the table turned utterly grave. Chopsticks clashed in midair, moving so fast that not even afterimages could be seen.
Li Guilan sat off to the side holding her bowl and chopsticks, an expression of sheer impatience on her face.
"Are you going to eat or not?! If you're not eating, get the hell out of here!"
The moment her lioness roar rang out, everyone instantly behaved themselves.
In the end, Su Xuan smugly picked up a drumstick and dropped it into his bowl.
The others could not help but smile. Just now, they had all inexplicably felt the urge to compete.
Meng Wanshu watched the scene with a gentle smile, especially the sight of Li Guanqi and Su Xuan fighting over the chicken leg.
After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, nobody left; instead, they lingered in the courtyard, continuing to drink wine or play chess.
Li Guanqi, however, went over to Su Xuan, who was sitting by the doorway.
In town, children who had finished dinner were running all over the place, greeting Su Xuan with bright smiles whenever they saw him.
"Grandpa Su!"
"Grandpa Su, have you eaten too?"
Su Xuan smiled and nodded, his eyes crinkling into slits.
Li Guanqi walked up to the doorway and plopped down beside him, the voice of the sword spirit constantly ringing in his ears.
Seeing him sit down, Su Xuan shifted his backside away.
"What do you want?"
Li Guanqi chuckled slyly, grinning so much that Su Xuan felt his hair stand on end. Glaring at him, Su Xuan scolded, "Speak up if you want something, brat! The way you're looking at me is giving me the creeps."
With a deadpan, serious face, Li Guanqi began, "Grandpa, you haven't looked after me all these years. Your grandson's life has been so bitter and impoverished..."
The old man's mouth twitched, and he smacked Li Guanqi on the back of the head.
"You brat aren't brewing anything good. If you've got business, spit it out."
"Uh... I haven't even said anything yet."
"Hmph, I know what kind of crap you're going to push out the moment you stick your tail up."
Li Guanqi grinned, then his expression turned solemn.
"Regarding cultivation—the Tribulation Transcendence Realm and the Ascension Realm—that lady has already told me."
Su Xuan puffed on his pipe, plumes of smoke veiling his features.
Yet his eyes, gleaming with warmth and amusement, gazed into Li Guanqi's as he murmured softly, "She has acknowledged you."
Li Guanqi grinned broadly.
Su Xuan then said in a deep voice, "Speak. What is it?"
Li Guanqi shrugged and stated plainly, "I need some very special, extremely precious materials!"
Su Xuan said nothing, merely nodding.
"She wants them?"
Li Guanqi nodded.
Su Xuan pondered for a moment and said quietly, "Give me a list of everything needed."
Li Guanqi took out a blank jade slip and inscribed everything the sword spirit had listed into it.
Not to mention having seen any of these items, Li Guanqi had never even heard of most of them.
After three full breaths, Li Guanqi handed the jade slip to the old man.
Su Xuan took the jade slip and swept it with his divine sense; his expression shifted slightly at once.
Yet the old man showed not the slightest trace of heartache, even though any single material listed inside would be enough to trigger a storm of blood and slaughter in the outside world!
Instead, the old man simply asked in the end, "Is there anything else you need?"
A gleam flashed in Li Guanqi's eyes. Opportunities to fleece him did not come often!
Rubbing his hands together, he asked directly, "Grandpa, does our Seventh Domain have anything that can elevate spiritual root quality? Apart from Cao Yan and me, could we figure out a way to raise all my brothers' spiritual root qualities to Saint Grade?"
The moment Li Guanqi finished speaking, he saw the old man's cheek twitch.
"There are... I'll figure something out later. Anything else?"
Li Guanqi licked his lips, clutching the old man's arm almost coaxingly. "Well, Grandpa... have you prepared anything for your beloved grandson?"
Hearing this, the corners of Su Xuan's mouth curled upward. Glancing at Li Guanqi beside him, he chuckled, "I've prepared something for you, but it requires you to be stronger first."
Li Guanqi paused, filled with curiosity as to what kind of thing could possibly require him to raise his strength even further.
His curiosity was thoroughly piqued.
"Grandpa, what on earth is it? Is my current strength still not enough? What kind of strength and realm do I need to reach?"
Su Xuan rose with a chuckle, tapped his pipe against Li Guanqi's head, and laughed heartily. "This thing has long been prepared for you. I just didn't expect you to arrive so quickly. However... a late Mahayana realm cultivation truly isn't quite enough. At the very least, you have to wait until you reach the Tribulation Transcendence Realm."
Li Guanqi scratched his head, knowing the old man had no intention of telling him what it was.
Still... if they could truly upgrade everyone's spiritual roots to Saint Grade spiritual roots, coupled with the bracelets Su Xuan had condensed for them using celestial spiritual energy earlier, everyone's cultivation speed would experience a qualitative leap!
Holding the jade slip, Su Xuan said softly, "In a bit, head back to the White Jade Tower first. All the things you need, as well as the items to raise their spiritual root quality, I will prepare for you. Going forward... you must strive with all your might to raise your strength and cultivation realms! Most likely, in just a few days, the Immortal Realm's assault will become even more ferocious and intense!"
Hearing this, Li Guanqi's expression hardened, and he answered in a deep voice, "Understood."
As soon as the words left his mouth, the old man's figure vanished from the spot.
Li Guanqi had no idea what his grandfather had prepared for him, but judging from his tone, it was bound to be extraordinary.
Taking a deep breath, Li Guanqi called everyone to return to the White Jade Tower.
After bidding farewell to Qin Wushang, Qin Xiao, and the others, Meng Jiangchu stayed behind to keep Li Guilan company.
Meng Wanshu did not leave either; having just broken through, it was the perfect time for her to consolidate her cultivation at home.
With the family of three together again after so long, Li Guanqi did not make Meng Wanshu come with him.
After the six brothers returned to the White Jade Tower, a familiar figure arrived shortly after.
Xiang Huaizhi!
Xiang Huaizhi sought out Li Guanqi carrying a very special storage ring.
The purplish-black storage ring crackled with faint traces of thunder power across its surface; evidently, only Li Guanqi could open it. Moreover, the storage capacity inside was immense, showing that the person who forged it possessed extraordinary skill.
Li Guanqi smiled and slipped the ring onto his finger.
Looking up at the visibly weary man before him, he hesitated briefly before having Pengluo take out some of their stash.
Handing it to Xiang Huaizhi, he said softly, "Senior Xiang, please pass this to Senior Nangong and Senior Chan Kongzi for me."
A sharp glint flashed in Xiang Huaizhi's eyes, and he did not decline. "Thank you. The two of them were indeed injured quite severely this time. By the way, the Realm Lord asked me to check with you whether you need my help."
When he said this, Xiang Huaizhi was clearly puzzled; it seemed he had no idea what Li Guanqi intended to do either.
Li Guanqi smiled. "No need to trouble Senior. I can handle it myself."
Xiang Huaizhi nodded. Eager to return, he took his leave as soon as the delivery was done.
Once Xiang Huaizhi departed, Li Guanqi raised a hand and laid down an immensely powerful barrier around the White Jade Tower!
Infusing his voice with divine sense, he said in a solemn tone, "Everyone, wait for me in the cultivation chamber!"
Chapter 1222