Ye Feng and the others stood not far away, watching the scene.
Every one of them was genuinely happy for Li Guanqi.
In this moment, all past misfortunes melted into tranquil happiness.
Li Guanqi and Meng Wanshu spoke for a long time before the mounds.
At last, Meng Wanshu slowly stood up and waved to everyone behind them.
The others had already changed into black robes, white mourning silk bound around their arms, their expressions solemn.
With Ye Feng in the lead, the five of them walked forward and slowly knelt before the graves.
They laid out offerings and lit sandalwood incense.
Smiling, Li Guanqi softly introduced each of them to the earthen mound before him—their names, their temperaments, and how they had met.
Just like a proud child telling his mother all about his best friends.
After a long time, he said, "Mother, you see? Every one of these guys is wonderful."
Behind him, Ye Feng and the others felt a stinging in their noses. Suddenly, Xiao Chen called out, "Godmother! Don't you worry. Big Brother treats us wonderfully too!"
"That's right, Godmother! You've got quite a few godsons now, so please don't find us a nuisance."
"Godmother, Big Brother is doing great now. Don't worry about a thing."
"Godmother, you won't mind having so many extra godsons, right?"
Tears welled up in Li Guanqi's eyes, and he couldn't hold them back at all.
In this moment, the heartfelt warmth of his brothers reached straight into his heart.
Hearing his brothers banter with playful grins, much of the sorrowful atmosphere dispersed.
In the end, the seven of them stood upright and bowed solemnly to the two grave mounds.
When Ye Feng and the others looked back toward the mound bearing the name Li Cuiwei, they involuntarily exchanged glances.
Perhaps before this, they hadn't felt much about the theft of Li Guanqi's sister's ashes.
But now, they knew Li Guanqi's sister was named Li Cuiwei.
They had seen her tombstone.
It was as if in this moment...
Li Cuiwei was no longer wind across the wilderness or a blank sheet of paper.
When something once distant gained a name, it gained ties of affection.
Deep down, they resolved that if they ever found any clues in the Immortal Realm, they would spare no effort to take her ashes back!
While everyone was lost in thought, Pengluo had slipped out at some point.
He crushed a dried radish, pouring its juices at the base of the locust tree, and squatted beneath the roots, muttering under his breath, "Master's Mother, my name is Pengluo. Don't look down on me just because I'm a radish—I'm actually really amazing! Um... I hope this tree grows tall and strong to shelter you from wind and rain. I'm a spirit, but Master treats me very well."
Watching this, everyone couldn't help but smile.
Jiuxiao exhaled dragon breath, bestowing protection over the area.
Li Guanqi flickered over to Li Guilan's side, taking her arm and gently supporting her as they walked toward the graves.
Everyone parted to make way, then stepped back a short distance.
Looking at the crooked characters carved on the tombstone, Li Guilan's eyes reddened. She turned to Li Guanqi and Meng Wanshu and said softly, "You two step back too. I want to talk to my sister alone."
Li Guanqi nodded and led Meng Wanshu over toward Ye Feng and the others.
Raising a hand, he gently wiped away the tears of the woman beside him and spoke softly, "Why are you crying? Mother will ache for you if she sees. Anyone who didn't know better would think I mistreat you."
Meng Wanshu chuckled through her tears and playfully thumped Li Guanqi's chest, scolding, "You do mistreat me."
The group sat on the grass, caressed by the gentle breeze, their hearts relaxing completely.
Cao Yan, Xiao Chen, and a few others sprawled out on the grass, spread-eagled.
"You know what... resting here by Godmother, it feels really peaceful."
"Right? I feel it too. Grounding."
Gu Li grew curious and lay down beside the two of them, closing his eyes.
The corners of his mouth curved upward. "It really is..."
Li Guilan looked at the tombstone, gently pulled out a handkerchief, and wiped it down.
Sitting before the tombstone, she arranged the fruit offerings and lit three sticks of incense.
"Sister, my name is Li Guilan. I'm Wanshu's mother. That child Guanqi... you raised him for seven or eight years, and I essentially raised him for seven or eight years as well. When that boy first arrived with his grandfather, he was so thin, it really broke my heart. Back then... all the old hens in my yard went into broth for him. The rascal was mischievous, but never wicked. He's grateful and cherishes bonds deeply. It's all thanks to your good teaching, Sister. He and Wanshu grew up together, and now they've finally found their way to marriage. I knew I had to come see you no matter what. Both of them are good kids. Rest easy, Sister. It's a pity... that I never got to meet you, never got to hold your hand while watching those two children bow to us."
Li Guilan went on murmuring by the tombstone for a long time.
After a long while, the woman slowly stood, bowed slightly, and only then walked away, looking back with every few steps.
Li Guanqi rose to support Li Guilan.
The others all stood and bowed together toward the distance.
Li Guanqi whispered, "Mother, we're leaving for now. We'll come back to see you next time."
The group withdrew from the barrier, each leaving a portion of their power within it.
They did not want anyone to disturb this place.
Li Guanqi reinforced the barrier to an unbelievable degree.
The space within could function entirely as an independent spatial domain—its spatial tenacity rivaling even the Realm of Celestial Spirits!
By the time they returned to the Great Xia Sword Sect, the sun was setting behind the western hills.
Li Guanqi brought everyone to the Ye family for dinner.
There was no grand banquet in the main hall of the Ye manor; they simply ate in Ye Feng's mother's side courtyard.
One in the Ascension realm, six in the Tribulation Transcendence realm.
Aside from Ye Feng's mother and Ye Tianying, no one else sat at the table.
Mother Ye sat in the seat of honor, and Ye Tianying's brows carried a rare ease and cheer.
Ye Feng was also in high spirits.
Li Qingchan sat beside Su Xi, her bowl piled high with dishes Su Xi had ladled for her.
Cao Yan and the others scarfed down their food, showering compliments between mouthfuls.
"Auntie Su's cooking is simply incredible! When will my own mother ever make food this delicious..."
"Oh right, Big Brother... can we go mooch a meal at Auntie Li's place later?"
Li Guanqi couldn't help laughing. "Even a full mouth can't keep you quiet."
Watching them, Su Xi smiled warmly, looking with tender eyes upon the young men who spent their days adventuring alongside Ye Feng.
She picked up a chopstickful of meat and placed it into Cao Yan's bowl.
"Look how thin you are, child. Eat more."
Looking at the meat in his bowl, Cao Yan felt as though sand had gotten into his eyes.
Looking up into Su Xi's gentle gaze, a warm current wrapped around his heart.
Smiling, he nodded and shoveled rice into his mouth in big mouthfuls.
Li Guanqi glanced at Ye Tianying, choosing not to meddle much in the Ye family's internal affairs.
Ye Feng knew what he was doing.
The Ye family's status was nothing like what it used to be. Certain attitudes were understandable, but one couldn't actually act on them.
Relying on people like Ye Wenshan to steady the clan's foundation was far too idealistic.
After finishing the meal, everyone lounged around the courtyard as if they were in their own home.
Some played chess, some drank wine, and some went for a stroll.
Xiao Chen was the only one moping.
There was nothing he could do—Ye Feng kept Ye Qing'er by his side wherever he went, terrified Xiao Chen might take advantage again.
Seeing this, Li Guanqi couldn't help chuckling. "You..."
Before he could finish, Li Guanqi noticed that something was off with Xiao Chen's mood.
Watching Ye Tianying and Su Xi bustling about, an unmistakable sorrow lingered in the depths of Xiao Chen's eyes.
Perhaps it was because he had witnessed so much family warmth today.
Xiao Chen hung his head, pressing his lips together.
Perhaps reminded of his deceased father, Xiao Chen stood up, looked at Li Guanqi, and said softly, "Big Brother, I want to go home and visit too."
Li Guanqi nodded.
Yet just as Xiao Chen turned to leave, Li Guanqi swept his gaze over the others, raised a hand, and called out, "Anyone want to visit Fourth Brother's home?"
At these words, everyone chimed in at once.
"Hahaha, count me in! Let's go!"
"I've never been there before..."
"Let's go, let's go! Time to raid Fourth Brother's place!"
Chapter 1513