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The countdown for the new disciple competition of the Immortal Sect has begun. Beneath the surface, there are hidden currents and heavy concerns, yet outwardly, everything appears joyful and harmonious.
Seventeen disciples are desperately consuming Elixirs to absorb their potency, and finally, even the one with the lowest cultivation level has officially entered the Cautious Phase. The most outstanding disciple, Chu Xi, has made remarkable progress and reached the Mid Stage of Cautionary Practice, while Chu Huai has also broken through to the Mid Stage of Cautionary Practice, making them the two highest cultivators among this group of disciples.
Li Hong goes without saying; on the surface, he is at the Initial Stage of Caution, but in reality, he is already at the Late Stage of Heart Refinement, undoubtedly a master among these disciples. However, this secret is known only to Ling Xuzi and Spirit Stone; even Chu Huai is unaware.
Once all disciples entered the Initial Stage of Caution, Spirit Stone personally led those without magical artifacts to the Artifact Hall. Each disciple selected a Flying Sword, with none being lower than High-Quality Magical Artifact level; some even chose complementary artifacts, which was quite generous.
Next came the training with these artifacts and familiarizing themselves with sword techniques. Time was tight, and as rumors about the Ancient Celestial Field gradually spread, everyone practiced desperately—partly to not fall behind their sect and partly for survival. At this moment, every drop of sweat might increase their chances of survival.
They practiced day and night without rest. Li Hong was also busy. However, since Chu Xi was always at Nine Purple Peak training hard with Ling Xiangzi, he had no opportunity to present his coming-of-age gift and had to hold onto it for later.
During this time, he stopped practicing swordsmanship and instead learned to activate Mid-Level Spirit Talismans. After Spirit Stone returned to the mountain, there was a significant advantage: he now had a source for practicing Mid-Level Spirit Talismans. Spirit Stone went all out to expend spiritual energy to draw various Mid-Level Spirit Talismans for him to try out, providing guidance on their intricacies and even promised to enter seclusion to create many more for him to take along as backup.
It should be noted that these are genuine Mid-Level Spirit Talismans with extraordinary effects. With Spirit Stone's hand-drawn Mid-Level Spirit Talismans in hand, Li Hong felt more confident about obtaining those two main herbs in the Ancient Celestial Field.
From beginning to end, Li Hong never took this competition seriously; initially intending to teach a lesson to Emei's people, he now focused on how to acquire those two herbs.
As time drew closer day by day, on the last day before departure, Spirit Stone called Li Hong and Chuxiong aside. The two were permitted to descend the mountain to visit their sister-in-law and Aunt but were limited to just two hours for a meal before returning immediately.
Chuxiong was overjoyed; having been at Nine Li Sect for four years, this was his first time being allowed down the mountain for a family visit.
Spirit Stone kindly said, "Go ahead; your master permits you to bring back something special for them."
Chuxiong was still somewhat bewildered while Li Hong's eyes lit up as he exclaimed loudly, "Thank you, Master!"
Before long, the two brothers stood at the entrance of Azure Oil Temple.
It has been a long time since I have seen the scenery of the Mortal Realm. The Luliang Mountains still stand tall, and at this time of late summer, the greenery is lush while the flowers are sparse. The hot wind blows, causing the verdant forests to dance in response. In the distance, cicadas chirp lightly, their calls sounding particularly familiar.
The two brothers do not use magical treasures; with a light touch of their toes, they gracefully descend along the mountain path.
Two years ago, Li Hong had come down the mountain to visit family. He knows the way, so he walks ahead. As he sees the Farmstead getting closer, his heart races, and his palms begin to sweat slightly.
The feeling of homesickness! Wanyi, is she... doing well?
Stepping out of the forest, a vast network of paths appears before them, with neatly arranged fields of rice and wheat. The unique scent of farm fertilizer wafts through the air. Li Hong takes a deep breath, and a sense of homecoming washes over him.
At that moment, a series of lively suona sounds drift through the wind. Li Hong listens closely; it comes from behind the walls of the Farmstead. Who is celebrating? Could it be... Li Hong is momentarily stunned.
Chuxiong also hears it clearly but pays no mind. His thoughts are solely on seeing his mother and sister-in-law. He gives Li Hong a push and leaps over a row of rice and wheat, his tall and mighty figure immediately standing like a deity atop the highest point of the Farmstead wall.
Inside the Farmstead, everyone seems stunned by Chuxiong's sudden appearance; there is a moment of silence before an uproar ensues. A steady male voice rises above the noise: "Welcome, Ancestor! Today is a joyous day for your descendants; it is a great fortune to have you descend upon us!"
It really is Yao Shu's wedding! Li Hong is taken aback.
"Stop wasting time! I am Chuxiong, the seventh disciple under Elder Brother of Nine Vermilion Peaks! I want to see my mother!" Chuxiong's voice booms like thunder as he turns to Li Hong and says, "Eldest Brother, no, Sixth Senior Brother, hurry up! What are you dawdling for? We only have two hours!" With that, he jumps down from the wall and his massive figure disappears in an instant.
Li Hong feels as if his feet are weighed down by a thousand pounds as he sees a figure adorned in red rush out from behind the wall, swiftly approaching him.
Yao Shu runs up breathlessly and bows: "I pay my respects to Ancestor."
In his hurried run, Yao Shu's golden flower decoration on his hat tilts precariously. Li Hong reaches out to help him up and adjusts the flower on his hat—taking this opportunity to steady his own emotions before calmly saying with a smile: "Let's go."
Li Hong walked slowly, quietly examining Yao Shu's face. Yao Shu's expression was calm, his eyes sparkling, looking happy and serene. Li Hong felt a twinge of jealousy.
No matter how long the road is, there comes a time to reach the end.
All the residents of Farmstead were attending Yao Shu's wedding. The banquet stretched from Yao Shu's yard all the way out to the long street, with the aroma of food and drink filling the air, and both adults and children wore expressions of joy and satisfaction.
Yao Shu led Li Hong into the main courtyard, where the bride had already been informed and was being brought out. She stood on the altar wearing a bright red wedding veil and a red ceremonial dress, facing outward on the red carpet, waiting to pay respects to the Ancestor.
Li Hong's mind went blank as he mechanically followed Yao Shu through the crowd to stand before the bride. Seeing her in that bright red dress brought back memories of when she married into the Li family years ago.
How young and beautiful his sister-in-law had been back then...
Li Hong mechanically watched as the newlyweds bowed to him, uttering meaningless blessings in response. Finally, he sat down at the Host's Table and poured himself a large cup of wine.
He downed it in one go, tears streaming down his face.
This wine is really strong!
His mind was in chaos, surrounded by festive red. Li Hong lowered his head to quietly wipe away his tears. Suddenly, a soft hand rested on his back, and someone behind him said, "Li Hong, I told you before that strong liquor is harmful; why are you drinking so heavily?"
Li Hong turned around to see a beautiful and gentle face, just like before.
He felt as if struck by lightning.
Wanyi was dressed in casual clothes with an apron tied around her waist, just coming from the kitchen, smiling at him.
The bride is not Wanyi!
********
This homecoming meal was held at Yao Academy. Wanyi and Aunt saw their "Li Hong" and "Bear Kid" return together, and they were so happy that tears often welled up in their eyes.
Li Hong was in high spirits, constantly pulling Yao Shu to drink and repeatedly congratulating him. The bride was brought back by Yao Shu from Jiangnan, elegant and beautiful, it seemed that Yao Shu was indeed fortunate.
Chuxiong stuffed all the prepared items into his mother's hands before taking out two exquisite small jade bottles: "Sister-in-law, these two are specially brought for you by my brother. The 'Forget-Me-Not Butterfly' perfume is used by the Female Cultivators of the Nine Li Sect; it not only smells wonderful but also calms the spirit and wards off evil spirits. This other jade bottle contains Soul Maple liquid; as long as one is not dead, a drop on the tongue will bring them back to life. These two items are very precious, so please take good care of them."
Wanyi's eyes narrowed into crescents as she glanced deeply at Li Hong.
Li Hong seemed oblivious. He had a small, somewhat faded Red Velvet Flower stuck in his hair.
********
Early the next morning, everyone gathered under Nine Separation Peak at the Heaven and Earth Platform.
This time, Ling Xuzi would personally attend the grand competition for new disciples of the Immortal Sect, accompanied by twenty elders and guards, along with Spirit Stones and Ling Yi Zi. In total, there were more than forty participants including eighteen competing disciples.
The male disciples were all dressed in neat White Robes and Fire Rat Robes, their hair styled in topknots adorned with white jade hairpins, looking sharp and spirited. The only female disciple, Chu Xi, wore a specially made white Fire Rat Robe over a skirt and added a Silver Moon Robe. Her hair was styled in twin buns with a pair of bright red Fire Jade Hairpins, standing out elegantly among the crowd.
The Spirit Stone and Spirit Artifact duo wore black and white crane cloaks, topped with black high crowns, dressed in the attire of the Nine Li Sect Master. The Elders were uniformly clad in brand new crimson robes with matching crimson crowns.
Finally, Ling Xuzi made his entrance in a grand red high crown and red crane cloak, appearing as if wrapped in a blazing inferno, even holding a ball of roaring flames in both hands.
“Vermilion Bird Nine Li Blade!” someone in the crowd exclaimed.
This strange flame was actually the Vermilion Bird Nine Li Blade! It was the symbol of the Nine Li Sect leader, a renowned treasure, and one of the eight Celestial Artifacts of the Immortal Sect!
He actually brought the Vermilion Bird Nine Li Blade this time. Li Hong's gaze flickered as he pondered what this meant.
Ling Xuzi slowly walked up to the high Heaven and Earth Platform, facing the crowd, and calmly said, “Let’s set off!”
A strong red light flashed, and Ling Xuzi along with the elder guard disappeared from the Heaven and Earth Platform, being the first batch to be teleported away. Then came the second batch, followed by the third... Li Hong was in the last group.
Stepping up the white jade stairs to the high Heaven and Earth Platform, facing the towering Jiu Li mountains, Li Hong took a deep breath and closed his eyes, waiting for that familiar sensation of spinning to arrive. Yet, his mind was occupied with other thoughts. What kind of magical place would the Ancient Celestial Field of Heavenly Grain be? How did Yun Jiuzi manage to sneak in? Would he be able to successfully find those two immortal herbs?
Suddenly, he felt as if he was falling into a void, spiraling down towards the Bottomless Abyss. But he knew this was just a sensation from the teleportation.
Feelings can often be deceptive.
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