When the sky was just beginning to grow dim, Li Tongyan and Li Changhe hastily set up the ceremonial table, kneeling before it together with Li Yunping.
On the table lay the first sheaf of newly harvested wheat from the summer solstice, several varieties of melons and fruits, three cups of clear tea brewed with summer solstice rain, and in the center, a precious mirror stood upon a coiling dragon mirror base, faintly gleaming with flowing light in the dimness.
The three exchanged glances and spoke in unison:
"Li clan disciples Li Changhe, Li Tongyan, Li Yunping, respectfully welcome the Mysterious Spirit's divine method, governing fate and calming the spirit, submitting to the Great Dao."
"We shall diligently cultivate, not failing our sacred covenant, following the register to return to truth, our bodies returning to the Greater Yin."
On that precious mirror, colored radiance swirled and white light flickered repeatedly. Three white orbs suddenly rose from the mirror's surface and flew toward the three individuals.
The three quickly sat cross-legged, guiding the spirit seeds and accepting the method according to the teachings of the Invocation Technique.
Watching the white orbs fall into the three people's upper elixir field, Li Chixi withdrew his gaze, sat cross-legged, and entered deep meditation. Gazing at the silvery lunar essence within his qi sea, he mused:
"Relying entirely on the precious mirror's refinement, eighty-one strands of lunar essence have been cultivated. On the day of summer solstice, yang energy flourishes while yin energy wanes—this is the perfect moment for a breakthrough!"
Young bulls fear no tigers. With a thought, Li Chixi formed seals with both hands. Within his qi sea, waves surged violently as the eighty-one strands of lunar essence rapidly gathered, chasing one another in the qi sea, swimming tail-to-tail in a chain.
"Rising to the upper elixir field at the crown to merge into one, passing through the twelve passes of the upper double staircase... hence the rising appearance, with living energy coiling upward, through the twelve passes of the upper double staircase, ascending from the aperture beneath the tongue..."
Silently reciting the method from the Mysterious Yin Cycle Scripture for condensing the Lunar Radiance Wheel, Li Chixi watched the lunar essence leap over the twelve passes, gather above, condense into liquid within the elixir field, then flow down and gather into a clear pool within the qi sea.
"Rise!"
He cried out softly. A bright silver arc emerged from the pool like the moon reflected in water. This arc was crystal clear, resembling an extremely fine crescent moon—beautiful indeed.
"The twelve passes connect to the qi sea, the clear pool emerges, the Lunar Radiance Wheel takes form."
Beholding this sight, Li Chixi could not help but exclaim. He then urged the technique to solidify the Lunar Radiance Wheel, straining to constrain its form.
Yet time passed slowly, and the Lunar Radiance Wheel remained unfixed. The translucent crescent moon drifted gently in the pool, shimmering with rippling light, floating and unsteady, appearing as though it might dissipate at any moment.
Li Chixi was already exhausted, desperately maintaining the Lunar Radiance Wheel's form. Large droplets of sweat slid down his handsome face, soaking his pale blue robes.
Just as he found himself at an impasse, the clear pool in the qi sea parted with a rushing sound, and a white talisman bead suddenly flew up.
That talisman bead was round and radiant. It fixed itself upon the Lunar Radiance Wheel, and the translucent crescent moon immediately stabilized its form. The spiritual power within the pool gradually settled. Li Chixi exhaled long and deep, gathered his qi, and concluded his practice.
The Lunar Radiance technique succeeded. The lunar essence spiritual power within Li Chixi's body transformed into lunar essence spiritual force. Li Chixi had become a cultivator of the Embryonic Breathing realm!
He slowly opened his eyes, gazing at the precious mirror now half-hidden within the moon's halo on the ceremonial table. He bowed reverently.
"Bestowing the immortal method, condensing the lunar essence, the Lunar Radiance technique succeeds. The Li family is endlessly grateful. From this year forth, every month, our incense shall burn unceasingly, our offerings never ending."
Though his voice still carried a hint of childishness, it was exceptionally solemn. This boy, who had always sheltered beneath his brothers' wings, had distinctly become a youth.
"Chixi."
Li Gengye stood quietly in the moonlight, gazing gently at his youngest son.
"Father, I have condensed the Lunar Radiance Wheel."
Li Chixi rose and smiled at his father, his left hand opening gently. A creamy white spiritual force materialized in his palm.
"The first step of cultivation is called Embryonic Breathing. Within the Embryonic Breathing realm, one must condense six wheels, called respectively: Lunar Radiance, Bearing Brilliance, Circuitous Journey, Azure Origin, Jade Capital, and Spirit Beginning. This Lunar Radiance Wheel is the gate to the Dao."
"Good, good." Li Gengye was greatly comforted, repeating his approval.
Waving away the spiritual force, Li Chixi sat cross-legged once more to consolidate his cultivation.
"Excellent technique!"
Li Yunping opened his eyes first and stretched lazily.
"What an excellent technique!"
"I got a spell too," Li Yunping said with delight. "It's called the Evil-Dispelling Charm."
The two younger brothers chatted for a while before Li Changhe finally opened his eyes as well. Looking at his three younger brothers staring at him eagerly, he said helplessly:
"Mine is called the Cleansing Garment Spell."
Only after all three older brothers had awakened did Li Chixi finally say excitedly:
"I've already condensed the Mysterious Light Wheel!"
"That fast?" Li Yunping cried out in surprise, turning his head in confusion.
"It's all thanks to the power of the treasure mirror."
Li Chixi looked toward the mirror on the altar and said sincerely:
"This Mysterious Mirror gathers moonlight on its own. Using it to refine moonlight power truly gives twice the result for half the effort."
Only then did the others understand. Li Changhe rubbed Li Chixi's head and said with a smile:
"I've heard the books say the human body has spiritual apertures, and once magical power flows through the body, their locations become known. Xi'er, help us take a look."
Li Changhe had struggled terribly during the attraction ceremony, far less smoothly than his two younger brothers, and had begun to suspect his own aptitude for immortality.
Li Chixi swept his gaze across his three elder brothers, then placed his left hand on the shoulder of Li Yunping, who stood closest to him, closing his eyes as he searched for the aperture.
"Its qi rises and surges, its breath unceasing, like a fish leaping..."
Reciting the description from the breathing method, Li Chixi guided his magic power through Li Yunping's meridians in a full circuit.
About the time it took an incense stick to burn later, he opened his eyes in shock and murmured:
"There isn't one..."
He froze, then hurriedly laid his hands on the shoulders of his other two brothers and sent his magic power probing in.
"There isn't one. How can there be none?!"
Li Chixi's face went pale. He sat cross-legged on the spot and entered meditation, circulating his magic power through his own body. Sure enough, there was no so-called spiritual aperture.
"The Xuanyin Wheel Sutra clearly states that the spiritual aperture is the foundation of the Great Dao. No matter what immortal art or wondrous method it is, without a spiritual aperture there can be no cultivation..."
"This... this..."
Li Chixi's emotions churned so violently that he could not even maintain meditation. His lips trembled as he looked toward Li Gengye, who was slowly stirring tea leaves, and cried softly:
"Father!"
"You were right. This treasure mirror is also the doom of our family."
"If true cultivators were to learn of this thing, not only would we die with body and soul destroyed, our spirits bound in another's hands, but all the villages of Lixi Village and even the entire Guyun region would be reduced to ashes."
"I have already condensed the Mysterious Light Wheel, and my magic power flows through my whole body. Unless I cripple my cultivation, no Qi Refining cultivator would be able to use spiritual power to detect where my aperture lies."
Li Chixi sprang to his feet in alarm and solemnly warned them:
"As for the Li family, any disciple who has received the Mysterious Pearl spirit seed but has not yet formed the Mysterious Light Wheel must absolutely not show themselves off in public!"
"Exactly so."
Li Gengye took a sip of tea and looked at them gravely.
"Back then, when Xi'er alone could cultivate, I only thought he was uniquely gifted. Han Wenyuan once said that among a thousand people there might not be even one born with a spiritual aperture. I thought perhaps Xi'er was that one."
He gave a self-mocking smile and continued:
"Now it seems this treasure mirror is truly an extraordinary immortal object. It can turn decay into wonder. After receiving this spirit seed, even mortals can catch a glimpse of the immortal path."
The brothers were at once rejoicing and terrified. They stood in silence, watching their father.
"Enough. Go cultivate. I'll head out and have a look at the fields," Li Gengye said after a long silence.
"Yes."
The brothers naturally bowed their heads in assent and each returned to cultivate.
Li Gengye respectfully put away the treasure mirror, cleared the altar, and then went out to the fields with his hands clasped behind his back.