Li Guanqi and Meng Wanshu did not linger long. Bringing Jiuxiao and Pengluo along, they sped off toward the Shenbao Domain.
Moreover, the two of them carried plenty of teleportation scrolls, making their pace remarkably swift.
Fortunately, the journey from the Shenbao Domain to the Luoxia Domain was not particularly far, and within the Meng clan's own domain realm was a teleportation array leading directly to the Luoxia Domain.
Spending a few days at the Meng clan before heading to the Luoxia Domain would also make the next leg of their trip much more convenient.
*Buzz!*
Pengluo had mostly recovered by now, and the aura about it was much stronger than before.
Jiuxiao remained coiled around Li Guanqi's wrist, showing no sign of waking yet.
It seemed that watching the Qilin Clan wield the power of lightning spirit comprehension had granted Jiuxiao immense gains.
As Meng Wanshu put it, if Jiuxiao could completely step into the realm of spirit comprehension this time, the formidable strength it could unleash would definitely surpass that qilin phantom.
During their journey, Li Guanqi and Meng Wanshu sparred a bit as well. Even under the suppression of his flame seal, he fought Meng Wanshu to a virtual standstill.
Yet Li Guanqi's strength always managed to hold a slight edge over hers.
After all, Li Guanqi's level of spirit comprehension power was higher, and the destructive force he could bring forth was far more potent.
Through sparring with him, Meng Wanshu gained an even deeper understanding of the essential power of spirit comprehension.
*Buzz!*
High above the Meng clan, a long fissure was suddenly torn open!
Li Changqing frowned slightly as he sensed two extraordinarily powerful auras rapidly approaching from within.
His expression grave, the old man led the Meng clan guards in strict readiness. Under everyone's tense gazes, two figures stepped out shoulder-to-shoulder from the rift in the void.
Seeing who it was, a sharp gleam flashed in the elder's eyes. Lowering his head, he bowed. "Welcome home, Young Miss, Young Master-in-law."
*Clatter!*
The sound of armor resounded as the Meng clan guards dropped to one knee in midair, their voices deep and resonant.
"Welcome home, Young Miss! Welcome, Sword Venerable!"
Li Guanqi smiled, turned his hand over, and produced a top-grade rank-seven spirit herb—a three-thousand-year-old Sky Profound Purple Iris—and handed it to the elder.
Li Changqing's eyes lit up. In the outside world, a spirit plant of such an age was extraordinarily difficult to find.
If refined into a pill, it would be enough to equal several centuries of bitter cultivation for him!
The wrinkles on the old man's face deepened into a broad smile. He accepted the spirit herb and voiced his thanks without excessive ceremony.
Acting this way showed that he truly regarded Li Guanqi as one of their own.
Li Changqing had never expected that the young lad he had paid little mind to upon their first meeting would now surpass him in both strength and realm.
"Young Miss, Young Master-in-law, now that you're back, I shall go inform the Master. If there is anything else you need, just summon me."
Meng Wanshu smiled, nodding gently. "Grandpa Li, please go attend to your duties. Don't worry about us."
Li Changqing nodded with a smile, then departed with the Meng clan guards.
Nowadays, nearly everyone in the Meng clan recognized Li Guanqi and knew that his status as a future son-in-law of the Meng clan was set in stone.
Not to mention Li Guanqi's own illustrious renown—as the Pavilion Master of the zenith-rising Guanyun Pavilion, who wouldn't want to curry favor with him?
Many Meng clan elders wanted to come over and exchange pleasantries, but seeing Meng Wanshu's frost-clad expression, none dared to disturb them.
Li Guanqi chuckled. "Let's go. Time to find my mother-in-law."
Hearing this, Meng Wanshu rolled her eyes and couldn't help muttering softly, "All talk!"
Hearing that, Li Guanqi rubbed his nose in some embarrassment. Regarding the two of them, he deeply wanted to give her proper status as his wife.
Yet at present, he didn't even have the qualifications to enter the Seventh Domain, and he still wished to have his grandfather preside over his wedding.
Moreover...
Without resolving the matter regarding Ye Feng, it would always remain a knot in his heart.
Furthermore, the people from the Immortal Realm were making more and more moves, leaving him inevitably anxious.
However, he would not easily show these worries in front of Meng Wanshu.
Flying ahead through the air, Meng Wanshu seemed to sense his mood. Turning around with a radiant, blossoming smile, she softly chuckled.
"Don't carry any burden. I was only teasing; I don't really care about all those formalities."
Li Guanqi smiled, picking up speed to come beside her. Taking her hand, he murmured softly, "Thank you."
*Whoosh!*
The Meng clan's back mountains.
This entire mountain range was Li Guilan's private domain.
At the entrance of a small courtyard residence, Li Guilan—now a cultivator—wore comfortable hemp clothes.
With her sleeves rolled up, she carried a half-person-tall stone and placed it inside a water vat to press down on the contents.
As the clean stone settled into the vat, the pickled vegetables inside immediately began pressing out excess brine.
Li Guilan smiled with utter delight. Wiping her hands on the apron around her waist, she muttered to herself, "Heh, my strength is greater than most grown men now. Cultivation really is good for something after all."
Hearing this, Meng Wanshu and Li Guanqi couldn't help exchanging an amused glance.
It seemed the scenes within the Trial of True Self weren't entirely true to life; the present Li Guilan was no longer as resistant to cultivation as she once was.
The two quietly walked up to the main gate.
Li Guanqi smiled and reached out to knock.
*Knock, knock, knock.*
Li Guilan's eyes brightened. Peering toward the doorway from inside, she craned her neck and shouted in a booming voice, "Who is it? The door's unlocked, come right in!"
*Creak!*
Smiling, Li Guanqi brought Meng Wanshu inside. Looking at the woman standing by the inner doorway with a beaming smile, he couldn't help saying, "Mother-in-law, Wanshu brought me back to scrounge a meal!"
Looking at the handsome youth and the graceful, slender young woman standing at the doorway, Li Guilan couldn't hold back the reddening of her eyes.
With tears brimming in her eyes, she lifted the corner of her apron to dab them away, laughing heartily as she said, "You wretched child, coming back without even a word beforehand! Wait right here. I'll call someone to catch a couple of pullets right now."
The corners of Li Guanqi's lips curled up. With a wave of his hand, chickens, ducks, geese, and sheep filled the small courtyard.
Li Guilan's eyes shone brightly as she watched the flock of poultry clucking and quacking, her smile as delighted as a child seeing a rattle drum.
"Aiya, where did you catch all of these? There are so many! Hahahahaha, these two chickens are plump. We'll have them for dinner tonight!"
Watching her mother happily chase after the chickens, a joyous smile graced Meng Wanshu's face, her heart swelling with warmth.
She tilted her head slightly toward Li Guanqi, her gaze soft and alluring as she pressed close to his ear and sent a voice transmission: "I'll reward you well tonight."
Hearing this, Li Guanqi's eyebrows twitched, his heartbeat quickening slightly.
Looking down at Meng Wanshu, he asked gently, "What kind of reward?"
Her cheeks flushed crimson, she rolled her eyes at him and chided teasingly, "You'll find out tonight."
Li Guanqi burst out laughing. "Mother-in-law, let me block this side! The two of us can herd them into the corner so they're easier to catch!"
"Mm-hmm, hurry up! It's running over to your side!"
"Wanshu, don't just stand there daydreaming! Go inside, start the fire, and boil some water!"
Night fell. Li Guilan beamed at the two sitting across the table, completely unable to suppress the smile at the corners of her lips.
"Guanqi, when are you and Wanshu planning to get married? I've got nothing to do all day, and I can't just raise chickens and ducks every day, can I? I'm still young and strong enough to help take care of your children."
Li Guanqi nearly choked on his food, but Meng Wanshu chimed in, "Aiya, Mother~ I'm in no rush. Let's wait a couple more years."
Chapter 978