After several dozen exchanges, Li Tongya sheathed his sword. The surging river water resolved into dozens of clear, gleaming water swords floating silently in midair. The remaining waves drifted around his flanks, enveloping him; the freezing air caused tiny ice crystals to blossom across the water around him, periodically rustling as trails of icy powder dusted downward.
Fei Wangbai also brought his spear to a halt and stood upright. The cloak behind him dissolved into countless silk ribbons before rapidly dispersing into spiritual energy and fading away. The wind and snow gradually subsided, and the flowing water-control art Li Tongya wielded also dispersed. The river water cascaded down like torrential rain, but before touching the earth, it turned into a shower of hail, clattering and pattering down across the mountains.
"Brother Wangbai, splendid spearplay."
Li Tongya's aura steadily receded as he descended beside the jade table. Fei Wangbai drifted down with a genial smile as well, murmuring, "The world knows that Brother Tongya's swordplay is superb, yet none knew your water-controlling art was just as remarkable."
After this bout, the two had gained an understanding of each other's methods and would be far better prepared when facing enemies together in the future. A genuine spar was far more telling than verbal descriptions; where each was feigning or genuine, and where each was profound, were now clear in their minds.
After trading compliments, Li Tongya chuckled and shook his head, then suddenly looked up with a smile. "My Qinghong is here."
Fei Wangbai flicked his finger, and the small door of the pavilion creaked open. Someone climbed up with brisk footsteps—dressed in white robes and holding a spear, her eyes crinkling like crescent moons with her smile. Naturally, it was Li Qinghong.
"Disciple greets Master!"
"Greetings, Grandfather! Congratulations on breaking through to Foundation Establishment, Grandfather!"
"Mm."
Both men acknowledged her. From the stairway, a youth emerged, cupping his hands to greet them both before standing respectfully to one side with his head bowed.
"This is my grandson of the direct lineage, Fei Tongxiao," Fei Wangbai introduced with a smile, before asking, "How about it?"
Beside them, Li Qinghong and Fei Tongxiao seemed completely deaf to his words, seeing only the two elders sitting opposite each other without speaking. Evidently, Fei Wangbai had cast a spell, lulling the two into an illusion without their noticing.
Li Tongya merely glanced at each of the youngsters and immediately understood the meaning behind Fei Wangbai's words. Shaking his head, he replied, "Our Qinghong is a Foundation Establishment seed. I could hardly bear to marry her off anywhere. Unless it is of her own will, our family will never arrange a marriage for her."
Fei Wangbai shook his head in regret. Having watched Li Qinghong grow over these past three years, he held high expectations for the girl. He could only murmur an apology for his forwardness and turn the conversation to other topics.
Li Tongya chatted with him for a bit, then set down his teacup and smiled. "We have troubled you over these past years. Qinghong, give thanks to Senior."
Li Qinghong bowed gracefully and offered her thanks. Only then did Li Tongya retrieve several jade boxes from his storage bag and say softly, "For troubling Brother Wangbai to watch over this child, a small token of our regard—scarcely adequate to express our gratitude."
Unable to decline, Fei Wangbai swept his sleeve and accepted them. Li Tongya made brief small talk before finally cupping his hands in farewell. Riding the wind with Li Qinghong, he departed, leaving Fei Tongxiao standing despondently in the pavilion.
"Tongxiao," Fei Wangbai murmured after taking a sip of tea, "find time to cultivate. Do not let yourself be left too far behind, lest you lose even the barest hope."
Fei Tongxiao bowed respectfully and withdrew. Only then did Fei Wangbai gently set down his cup, murmuring with some emotion, "A pity this girl's talent is simply too high."
***
Li Tongya rode the wind over the lake. Beneath him, the deep teal water rippled and shimmered. The hour was late, and faint white moonlight draped down. Beside him, Li Qinghong was in remarkably high spirits, the corners of her mouth curling upward unawares.
On one hand, an elder of her family had achieved Foundation Establishment, granting them a solid backer; on the other hand, she would soon see the kin she had not seen for years. Li Qinghong was practically bubbling with delight. Had Li Tongya not been beside her, she would have hummed a tune out loud.
"Qinghong."
Li Tongya spoke up suddenly, asking with a slight smile, "Qinghong, that Fei lad most likely has feelings for you. What do you think?"
"Ah."
Li Qinghong had not expected Li Tongya to ask this. Slightly startled, she pondered for a few breaths, then replied with a resolute expression, "I have no heart for romance, nor do I wish to become anyone's wife or concubine..."
Li Qinghong's almond eyes shone brightly, her dark hair bound behind her head dancing in the evening breeze off the lake, the moonlight gracing her vermilion lips. She declared in a clear, resonant voice:
"A daughter may not be a man, yet I harbor no less ambition to fuse the six wheels and refine a divine ability! I want to pursue immortals and slay demons, defend our borders and bring peace to the people, and let the red tassel in my hand move so that heroes lose their pride and immortals lower their gaze!"
Li Tongya had never expected such words from Li Qinghong. Hearing them sent a tremor of awe through him. Looking at the bright, smiling countenance on her face, he fell silent for a few breaths before murmuring, "Difficult."
Li Qinghong's expression grew ever firmer. Taking Li Tongya's hand, she whispered, "Qinghong wants that *Purple Lightning Secret Origin Method*!"
"You cannot," Li Tongya shook his head, rejecting her without hesitation, though he said gently, "The *Purple Lightning Secret Origin Method* was adapted from a fourth-rank cultivation method, but it is a secret art after all. Although lightning is a supreme method of destruction, the technique is far too tyrannical. It severs one's posterity and even diminishes one's lifespan..."
"Grandfather, I know."
Li Qinghong nodded, gritting her teeth as she said, "It is precisely the supreme method of lightning's destruction that I wish to learn! Moreover, the family has that Foundation Establishment magical spear. I had no desire to serve another as a wife or concubine to begin with, so this method suits Qinghong best of all."
"Sigh."
Li Tongya shook his head and counseled, "You still have several years before Qi Refinement. Think on it further."
Li Qinghong respectfully assented. Looking up, Mount Lijing beneath its pale golden array had already appeared in the distance before them. Seeing that she was about to reunite with her parents and younger siblings, Li Qinghong's spirits brightened immediately. Li Tongya, however, remained with furrowed brows, a complicated sentiment stirring in his heart.
*Qinghong's pride and ambition run high. I know not whether it will prove a blessing or a curse.*
Descending with Li Qinghong onto the mountain, they found Li Xuanxuan and Li Xuanling already waiting on the mountainside. Having not seen each other in years, the reunion between Li Xuanling and his daughter was naturally filled with tears of emotion. Li Xuanxuan, meanwhile, stepped forward and whispered, "Second Uncle... someone from the Xiao family has arrived. Senior Xiao Yuansi has already been waiting in the courtyard for a long time."
Li Tongya had been watching with a fond smile, but started upon hearing this. Turning his head, he hurriedly followed Li Xuanxuan into the house. Crossing the threshold, he saw Xiao Yuansi seated to the side, holding a jade slip in his hand. Smoothing his cloud-patterned grey sleeves, Li Tongya bowed respectfully and said, "Tongya greets Senior. Forgive me for keeping Senior waiting so long!"
Xiao Yuansi put away the jade slip. His expression was somewhat complicated as he sighed, "Not at all, not at all. Nowadays, I must call you Fellow Daoist."
Xiao Yuansi had watched with his own eyes as Li Tongya ascended to the immortal foundation step by step. When he first met him, Li Tongya was merely a minor cultivator at the third tier of Embryonic Breathing, the Zhouxing Wheel; now, he had cast an immortal foundation. He sighed, only to see Li Tongya adopt a solemn demeanor, cupping his hands in a deep bow as he said earnestly, "Senior's benevolence toward our family is heavy as a mountain, and you have counseled us like a master and mentor. Addressing me thus truly shames this junior!"
Xiao Yuansi chuckled, feeling considerably more relaxed. Smiling, he said, "This is a joyous occasion; think nothing of it! With you proving so capable, I can also give a good account to Chijing."
Li Tongya took a seat below him, whereupon Xiao Yuansi smiled and said, "Years ago, our ancestor arranged a joyous match with your family. Does Tongya still remember it?"
Chapter 218