Just as Lu Jiangxian released the two strands of talisman qi, the aura radiating from the two youths surged noticeably. Both Li Yuanjiao and Li Qinghong were overjoyed, quickly sitting cross-legged to stabilize their cultivation. Beside them, the gathered members of the Li family were pleasantly astonished, and Li Xuanxuan cried out involuntarily:
“Two strands of talisman qi!”
“Our juniors have truly done us proud.”
Li Tongya nodded with a warm smile. The group finished the remaining rituals of the ceremony before stepping down from the platform one after another, waiting for the two juniors to finish assimilating their talisman qi.
Before long, Li Qinghong was the first to open her eyes. Her spirited gaze swept across her surroundings; seeing that Li Yuanjiao remained seated cross-legged beside her, she stepped down from the platform with light, careful footsteps, cupped her hands toward her elders, and said with a smile:
“I have received a talisman called ‘Perilous Sparrow of the Vast Sky.’ My cultivation has now reached the peak of Embryonic Breathing, and I can begin preparing for my breakthrough into Qi Refinement!”
“Splendid!”
Li Xuanling answered with a broad smile and pulled his daughter into an embrace. Li Qinghong then recounted the various effects of the Perilous Sparrow of the Vast Sky Talisman. After listening intently, Li Tongya laughed heartily and replied:
“Your talisman qi excels at combat. Our Li family already possesses a bow, and now we have gained a spear. We need not fear magical combat anymore!”
The others naturally offered their warm praises as well. Only then did Li Yuanjiao slowly open his eyes upon the platform. Stepping down, he said with delight:
“Honored elders, Yuanjiao has obtained a white talisman called ‘Circulate Qi and Devour Spirit.’”
“A Foundation Establishment white talisman!”
Having sacrificed a Foundation Establishment demon beast, a white talisman ought to have been bestowed, but it was also common for the magical mirror to devour an offering and grant only talisman pills rather than talisman qi. They had all been somewhat apprehensive, so hearing this brought them immense joy. Li Yuanjiao continued:
“My cultivation has reached the peak of Embryonic Breathing, lacking only that single breath of heaven-and-earth spirit qi. I can feel that the talisman qi still holds power in reserve; once I break through into Qi Refinement, it should provide a further boost to my cultivation!”
“This talisman qi is adept at aiding cultivation, riding clouds and mist, commanding wind and rain, and provides many benefits when gathering qi…”
Li Yuanjiao recounted everything he had learned from the talisman qi one by one. Only then did Li Tongya nod and instruct:
“In a few days, Xiao Guiluan will marry into our family. Once the wedding rites are concluded, you may enter seclusion to make your breakthrough!”
“Understood!”
Seeing Li Yuanjiao obediently agree, Li Tongya nodded, then asked with a touch of apprehension:
“Have you decided which cultivation method you wish to practice?”
“This junior intends to cultivate the River Unity Qi Formula.”
“Good! Very good!”
Hearing Li Yuanjiao’s reply, Li Tongya breathed a sigh of relief. He had feared that Li Yuanjiao might share Li Qinghong’s temperament in relentlessly pursuing the Dao, choosing likewise to cultivate that immensely powerful Purple Lightning Secret Origin Method and leaving this branch without an heir. Since Li Yuanjiao harbored no such desire, Li Tongya was spared the trouble of trying to dissuade him. He nodded repeatedly, smiling:
“Good, very good.”
***
The Xiao Family.
A sea of red draped the small peak, creating an exceptionally festive scene. From time to time, figures descended from the sky, and a bustling crowd exchanged congratulations. Xiao Guiluan’s courtyard was lavishly adorned. Outside, someone called out in congratulation:
“Congratulations, congratulations! The Li family is a lineage of sword immortals—the young lady is truly blessed with good fortune!”
“You are too kind! Many thanks, Clan Uncle.”
A deep male voice answered. Xiao Guiluan instantly recognized it as her elder brother, Xiao Guitu. She could not help but furrow her brows and ask:
“Is Father truly refusing to come?!”
The attendants standing below kept silent in fear. Xiao Guiluan let out a soft sigh, tinged with indignant anger:
“Utterly hopeless!”
Xiao Guiluan had been sent up the mountain at a young age. Her father had never shown her any care or affection, only hoping she would quickly break through to Qi Refinement and come down the mountain to serve his interests. Xiao Guiluan had once regarded him as her pillar within the clan. Who could have foreseen that the man was spendthrift, harsh, and devoid of gratitude? Xiao Guiluan had no choice but to extinguish that hope, relying on her own efforts to display her wit and sharpness before several elders of the main branch.
Fortune favored her: after years without marrying any daughters out of the clan, the Xiao family finally made a move. Xiao Guiluan was unsurprisingly chosen as the daughter to be married out. Yet that man was dreadfully foolish; upon hearing the news, he had flown into an uncontrollable rage, acting as though he wished to sever ties with her entirely…
Xiao Guiluan felt no anger, only an inescapable pang of sorrow. If her maiden family offered no backing, her life in the Li family would not be easy either.
Composing herself, Xiao Guiluan smoothed down her red dress, its golden borders shimmering softly in the bright sunlight. She gazed into the bronze mirror before her for a moment, pressed her red lips gently together, and applied a touch of rouge. The young woman’s already striking features looked breathtaking enhanced by her attire and rouge.
“With Miss’s beauty, scarcely anyone in the entire commandery can compare!”
The maidservant beside her clicked her tongue in admiration. Xiao Guiluan merely shook her head slightly and said softly:
“Cease your flattery…”
“Younger Sister.”
Xiao Guitu stepped slowly into the courtyard. Though a son of the primary wife, he treated his younger siblings well and had come today to see Xiao Guiluan off.
“Thank you, Elder Brother!”
Xiao Guiluan expressed her gratitude. Xiao Guitu naturally understood what weighed on her mind, shook his head, and replied:
“You need not worry about matters at home. This union between our two families was personally overseen by the Real Man. I will do my part to support you here.”
“The Real Man took a personal interest?”
Xiao Guiluan’s heart jolted, instantly replaced by immense joy. Her thoughts raced like lightning; gaining confidence and certainty, she said happily:
“Thank you for telling me, Elder Brother!”
While the two were conversing, a boy of about ten years old approached from behind. He was likewise dressed in red trimmed with gold thread, holding in his hands a translucent, pale white jade ring. In a childish voice, he said:
“Madam, it is time to depart.”
This jade ring symbolized joyous union, a custom native to the Lixia region. It required the bride’s maiden family to send a young boy carrying a jade ring alongside the carriage procession, to present it personally into the bridegroom’s hands. In return, the groom’s side would offer valuables, gold, and silver as gifts of gratitude; among immortal cultivators, these gifts took the form of spiritual items and magical implements.
The boy was one Xiao Guiluan had chosen herself: Xiao Jiuqing’s eldest legitimate son, named Xiao Xian. Xiao Jiuqing had contributed some spirit stones to fill out Xiao Guiluan’s dowry, and Xiao Guiluan did not wish to remain indebted to him. By choosing Xiao Xian for this role, whatever gifts the Li family offered would certainly match the value of those few spirit stones, settling the favor between them.
“Very well.”
Xiao Guiluan answered with a smile. Having learned that the Real Man had taken a personal interest in this marriage, her confidence had grown, and her countenance bloomed with joyful radiance. When her phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, they sparkled with captivating charm. Taking young Xiao Xian by the hand, she walked out of the courtyard—only to discover another person standing before the bridal sedan.
This person possessed a gentle aura. A string of medicine pouches hung from his waist, and he held an alchemy manual, perusing it quietly. Looking up at Xiao Guiluan, he chuckled:
“Dressed up splendidly. Get into the sedan!”
“Greetings, Clan Uncle!”
“Greetings, Senior!”
The surrounding crowd instantly dropped to their knees in a rustling wave, bowing low. Xiao Guiluan’s mind went blank for an instant, her heart bursting with astonished delight:
A Foundation Establishment cultivator escorting the bridal sedan… What incredible prestige…
Seeing everyone around trembling with reverence, Xiao Yuansi raised his eyebrows and shook his head. He had learned from the Li family that Li Yuanjiao had been secretly adopted under his junior martial brother, which made him care all the more about this marriage. Since he was staying with the Li family anyway, it was only natural for him to come along to receive the bride.
Xiao Guiluan nodded repeatedly. She hurriedly gathered young Xiao Xian into her arms and took her seat in the sedan, her heart filled only with anticipation and fluttery apprehension.
Chapter 265