The Great Xia Sword Sect at Its Zenith

Counting Li Qingchan, Li Guanqi's party boasted a full seven Tribulation Transcendence cultivators and one in the Ascension realm. Such a lineup could only be described as magnificent. Across the entire world, not a single power or clan could afford to underestimate them. Chatting and laughing along the way, time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, they were nearing the Great Xia Sword Sect. Throughout the journey, Li Qingchan had been nervously clutching Ye Feng's hand. Upon learning that Ye Feng also had a younger sister, her anxiety only intensified. Li Guilan had also come along to the Great Xia Sword Sect. Originally, Li Guanqi had intended to take her back to the Shenbao Domain first. Yet Li Guilan had insisted on coming with them. Assuming his mother-in-law simply wanted to catch up with the former residents of Fulong Village, Li Guanqi had refrained from pressing the matter. Meng Wanshu had also seemed downcast along the way, even a little wistful. Her melancholy eyes brimmed with unspoken thoughts. Li Guanqi wanted to offer some comforting words, but he felt that now was not the time to speak. He knew she was feeling heartache on his behalf. All he could do was hold her hand firmly in his own. *Hum!* Above the Great Xia Sword Sect, the teleportation passage suddenly flared with a brilliant, dazzling halo. A tremendously powerful spatial ripple expanded outward. In an instant, dozens of figures within the sect soared into the sky! Dressed in a splendid azure robe and crowned with a jade cap, Lu Kangnian had groomed himself meticulously, fully living up to the image of an elegant, dignified gentleman. Qin Xian and the others had likewise changed into fresh robes, looking sharp and spirited. *Hum!* Several silhouettes materialized within the passage. The moment Li Guanqi and his companions emerged, they were enveloped in a rush of dense spiritual energy of heaven and earth. The Great Xia Sword Sect had long since been restored to its former glory. Lanterns and banners hung everywhere, a grand red carpet stretched toward a high dais, mist drifted between the peaks, and immortal cranes cried out. It was the very picture of an immortal sect. "We welcome the Grand Elder and his companions home!" "We welcome the Grand Elder and his companions home!" The shouts merged into a thunderous chorus, the ringing voices seeming capable of overturning the heavens. Nearly twenty thousand disciples made up the Great Xia Sword Sect today, and all of them were currently gathered within the sect grounds. Not only newly admitted disciples, but also those who had been out for experiential training, as well as senior disciples of the past, had all returned. Observing that most were now at the Core Formation realm, with quite a few in the Nascent Soul realm and far more Soul Formation cultivators than before, Li Guanqi felt waves of emotion stirring in his heart. Recalling the old days, a Core Formation senior brother or sister could teach on a master's behalf in the Great Xia Sword Sect. Those at the Nascent Soul realm were the lords of the Seven Peaks. Now, the sect flourished, grew by leaps and bounds, and was united as one. How could such a sight not make his blood surge with pride? Every disciple gazed up at the group in the sky with burning eyes. Seven full Tribulation Transcendence experts, and the Grand Elder was a peak Ascension cultivator. Figures at the very pinnacle of the realm's pyramid! Ye Feng, elder of Tianjin Peak, Tribulation Transcendence. Cao Yan, guest consecrated elder of Dan Peak, Tribulation Transcendence. Xiao Chen, likewise a guest consecrated elder, Tribulation Transcendence. The Grand Elder's fiancée, daughter of the Domain Master of Shenbao Domain, possessor of a Saint Grade ice spirit root, a mighty Tribulation Transcendence cultivator. Gu Li, the supreme talisman master of the Six Domains, Tribulation Transcendence. Tang Ru, Heaven's Diviner, Tribulation Transcendence. Because of this, the Great Xia Sword Sect possessed the absolute confidence to face any sect or clan in the world! Don't talk to the Great Xia Sword Sect about heritage or foundation! If you want to fight, just say the word! Witnessing this, Li Guanqi felt deeply moved. Leading his brothers forward a step, he cupped his fists and bowed, saying in a resonant voice, "Li Guanqi of the Great Xia Sword Sect pays his respects to the Sect Master!" As his words fell, everyone behind him bowed in unison! This sight stirred deep admiration in anyone watching from the wider world. From beginning to end, no matter what heights Li Guanqi and his companions reached, they always considered the Great Xia Sword Sect their home. Sect Master Lu Kangnian and the others were like their true kin. This was precisely what countless clans and powers envied most. In most sects across the world, once disciples left, they rarely retained any connection. The bond between sect and disciple was more like employment and exploitation. *I provide you with resources to cultivate, and in return, you run missions and risk your life for the sect.* Many sects did not even permit their disciples to leave. Some spent their entire lives confined within sect borders. After all, having poured boundless resources into raising you, how could a sect easily let you walk away? Yet the Great Xia Sword Sect was entirely the opposite... No matter which generation of disciples departed, they would always keep their identity jade slip on their person, treasuring it above all else. The Great Xia Sword Sect was like a selfless father, holding up the sky to shield them, only to let them spread their wings and soar when the time came. Perhaps... Only a sect like this could inspire everyone to stand by its side through thick and thin of their own free will. Lu Kangnian burst into hearty laughter. Flying before Li Guanqi, he opened his arms wide. The two embraced briefly. Turning to Li Guilan, Lu Kangnian smiled and said, "Sister Li, you look younger and younger by the day! Would you like me to arrange for someone to take you to see the folks from Fulong Village?" Li Guilan replied with a touch of bashfulness, "Well... that would be fine. But Guanqi, make sure you take me along when you leave." Li Guanqi blinked in surprise. Before he could ask, Li Guilan spoke softly: "I want to... go with you to Beiliang City." A surge of warmth rushed through Li Guanqi's heart. He smiled and nodded. "Don't worry, Mother. Go ahead and visit. I'll come get you when it's time to set out." Hearing this, Li Guilan beamed and nodded happily. Qin Xian then personally escorted Li Guilan toward a scenic sanctuary in the mountains. Lu Kangnian looked at Li Guanqi with a smile. "What are your plans next?" Looking at the bustling disciples, Li Guanqi thought for a moment and said quietly, "We'll sit and catch our breath first, then head out once Mother finishes catching up over there. "Besides, Ye Feng and the others haven't been home in a long time either. "Oh, right, let me make an introduction." Li Guanqi stepped aside, leading Lu Kangnian toward Li Qingchan, and said softly, "This is Li Qingchan, a sword cultivator at the peak of the mid-Tribulation Transcendence Realm." Lu Kangnian had already sensed that this woman was no ordinary figure, and that her ties with Ye Feng were anything but casual. He had never imagined that she was also a Tribulation Transcendence cultivator—and one with such profound cultivation at that! Cupping his fists, Lu Kangnian smiled and said, "Senior Li, I am Lu Kangnian, Sect Master of the Great Xia Sword Sect. "An elegant guest pavilion has already been prepared for you. Someone will show you there shortly. Please come to me directly if you need anything at all." Li Qingchan hastily returned the courtesy with a gentle smile. "Sect Master Lu is far too polite. Please, feel at ease. Such warm hospitality makes me feel quite unworthy." Lu Kangnian breathed an inward sigh of relief; it seemed she was easy to get along with. "Haha, not at all, not at all! It is only right that I look after an esteemed guest from afar. "In that case, how about everyone heads home to look around?" Xiao Chen had long been rubbing his palms together in anticipation. He muttered under his breath, "Second Brother... good brother... let's go, let's head home." Ye Feng shot him a glare, never imagining that he would one day feel so anxious about going home. He cast a pleading look at Li Guanqi, who feigned ignorance and sent a voice transmission: "What are you afraid of? Lady Li is wonderful. Are you really worried Uncle and Aunt won't like her?" After sending the transmission, Li Guanqi turned to the others and said in a clear, steady voice, "Third and Sixth, come with me. The rest of you, go take care of whatever you need to, and come find me this afternoon. "Tang Ru, you should go see Uncle Tang as well." Tang Ru nodded with a smile. It truly had been a long time since he had been home, and he wished to visit. Pausing for a moment, Li Guanqi added via voice transmission: "This afternoon... you're coming with me back to Beiliang City." Xiao Chen and Ye Feng, who had already turned to leave, froze. A moment later, quiet words of agreement sounded one after another beside Li Guanqi's ear.