The night wind was slightly cool, rustling the old tree in the courtyard. Li Yunping was keeping watch at the front of the hall with Li Chixi and Li Tongyan when he suddenly felt a majestic spiritual pressure descend from the sky. The brilliant galaxy above seemed to dim in that instant.
A green-clad figure floated in the air without warning, sleeves fluttering, with flowing light circling his body—he was truly a being among immortals.
Li Yunping’s heart gave a violent jolt, and he subconsciously looked at his two older brothers. Though Li Chixi and Li Tongyan tried to feign calmness, their fingers gripping their sword hilts had turned white; clearly, they were also shaken by this sudden pressure.
"This is bad. I fear the owner of that ancient mirror has come knocking!"
Li Yunping felt his mouth go bitter, and a layer of cold sweat instantly broke out on his back. Such means were far beyond the reach of them, cultivators who had merely glimpsed the threshold of the "Xuan'guang Lun."
"I am the Lord of Qingluan Peak of the Qinglan Sect."
The green-clad man swept his gaze over the three. Seeing that they did not kneel and kowtow like ordinary mortals but instead stood on guard, he couldn't help but smile slightly, a flash of appreciation in his eyes.
"There is no need to be nervous. This Guyun Dao belongs to my Qinglan Sect. Since you have cultivated the Immortal Dao, you naturally fall under the jurisdiction of the Qinglan Sect."
Hearing this, Li Tongyan's tight shoulders relaxed almost imperceptibly. If he wasn't here to collect a debt or seize treasure, there was still room for maneuver. He stepped forward, cupped his fists, and said respectfully:
"We are humble country folk, ignorant and ill-informed. We unintentionally became Xuan'guang Lun cultivators. We do not know what kind of great sect your noble sect is, and we have been remiss in welcoming the Envoy."
Siyuan Qing was stunned, then understood. No one had been sent to manage the Guyun Dao for hundreds of years; these villagers didn't even know the name of the Qinglan Sect. So, he pinched a spell sign, and a lifelike map of the Wu Dynasty appeared before everyone.
This move instantly awed the Li family. Li Chixi and the others had learned spell formulas and could summon magic power, but even shaping it was difficult, let alone controlling it so exquisitely to conjure a map.
"This is the Wu Dynasty."
Siyuan Qing moved his mind, pointing to the south of the map. Immediately, a green patch appeared, occupying about a quarter of the Wu Dynasty's territory.
"This is where my Qinglan Sect is located."
"So it is the Qinglan Immortal Sect." Li Gengye cupped his hands and spoke up:
"When I was young, I followed General Yang to attack the Mountain Barbarians. That talisman should have been issued by the Qinglan Immortal Sect."
"By no means can it bear the name of Immortal Sect."
Siyuan Qing waved his hands repeatedly, addressing Li Yunping and the other two:
"Since you have entered the gate of the Xuan'guang Lun, the few villages on the edge of this Guyun Dao are under your jurisdiction. You only need to remember to supply the resources and grain required by the Sect annually."
"There are a few other families on this Guyun Dao. Your foundation is shallow; yield where you can in all matters, and do not dispute too much. The Sect sends people to collect disciples every five years. If an outstanding figure emerges from your clan, it will be of great benefit to the family."
Li Tongyan's expression changed slightly, and he asked in a low voice:
"May I ask about these resources..."
"Once every five years. Ten White Origin Fruits and two hundred catties of Spirit Rice each time."
Siyuan Qing said solemnly:
"These resources must not be lacking. It is best if you can have a disciple bow at the mountain gate; otherwise, deductions are inevitable..."
Siyuan Qing had spoken to this extent; how could Li Tongyan not understand his meaning? The group exchanged glances. Li Gengye thought to himself:
"This person comes neither early nor late, but appears precisely when Chixi breaks through. He most likely wants Chixi to enter that Qinglan Sect."
"This is actually good. Chixi has outstanding talent; staying in these deep mountains truly wrongs him. Better to let him go to that Immortal Sect to spread his wings, and the family will have support inside and out."
Thinking of this, Li Gengye nodded gently at Li Chixi. Seeing his father's expression, Li Chixi understood immediately. He bowed deeply to Siyuan Qing and spoke respectfully:
"Chixi is dull of talent, yet I admire the Peak Lord's demeanor. I hope to bow under the Peak Lord's door as a servant boy to sweep the floors and listen to immortal teachings."
"Not bad. You should enter my Qingluan Peak."
Siyuan Qing was not polite either, nodding with a smile. He patted his waist with his left hand, and two packages, one large and one small, appeared on the ground. Looking at their astonished faces, he explained:
"These are storage bags. You will be able to use them once you cultivate to the Yuhua Lun."
"These two packages: the large one contains the seeds of the Spirit Rice, and the small one contains the kernels of the White Origin Fruit."
Siyuan Qing flipped his left hand, revealing several wooden slips, and continued:
"There is no need for a servant boy. Since you have bowed under my door, you should know my name. Your teacher's surname is Si, name Yuanqing. I am the Lord of a Peak in the Qinglan Sect, so naturally, I will not mistreat you."
"These three scrolls are methods of rogue cultivators in the Wu Dynasty, for your family to reference. Another scroll is the cultivation method for the Spirit Rice and White Origin Fruit; you must study it with care!"
The group answered in low voices. Siyuan Qing smiled and asked:
"There is no need to be so nervous. What technique do you cultivate?"
Li Yunping and the others felt as if they were facing a great enemy. They looked at each other, and for a moment, no one spoke.
Seeing their hesitation, Siyuan Qing suddenly realized and waved his hands repeatedly:
"I understand, I understand. That senior must have instructed you."
Siyuan Qing had only succeeded in Foundation Establishment last year, so naturally, he regarded the one who established Foundation ten years ago as a senior.
Li Gengye heard this, coughed, stepped out from behind the group, and said in a low voice:
"More than ten years ago, this old man saved a senior. That senior recuperated in my home for a few years, left this technique, and instructed me not to reveal it, then drifted away..."
"Correct!"
Siyuan Qing nodded gently, feeling very proud of his wit, thinking:
"It is just a Wheel-Turning Technique at best; could it be some immortal technique of harvesting moonlight and absorbing yang essence? No need to force it, or it would hurt this disciple's feelings."
Looking at the old man with pity, Siyuan Qing flipped his palm, revealing a pale green jade seal. He gently stroked the seal; it slowly lit up with a golden light, floating out several large golden characters:
"Under Qinglan's Rule."
Siyuan Qing looked at everyone and said:
"This is the proof of subordination to the Qinglan Sect. I have already imprinted the magic seal. With this, you can draw boundaries with the surrounding families, and also use it to ask the Sect for help. Keep it safe."
His left hand held in the void, the jade seal slowly landed in Li Tongyan's hand. Watching Li Tongyan put the seal away, Siyuan Qing turned his head with a smile and said to Li Chixi:
"Good disciple, say your farewells to your family."
With reddened eyes, Li Chixi embraced his two elder brothers, then knelt and kowtowed several times before Li Gengye.
"Your child is unfilial. I can no longer remain at Father's and Mother's side to serve you. I only ask that you take care of your health."
Li Gengye coughed twice, hurriedly helped Li Chixi to his feet, and instructed him:
"Your two elder brothers are here to handle matters at home. Do not worry. Cultivate well in the sect and become a pillar our Li family can rely on."
After bidding farewell to his two brothers as well, Li Chixi walked reluctantly to Siyuan Qing's side and answered:
"Master, your disciple has already taken leave of his family."
Siyuan Qing nodded repeatedly. He did not bother with Li Tongyan and the others bowing low in respect, but merely laughed aloud and muttered to himself:
"Today I've taken in a fine disciple, so I'll spare that pig demon for once!"
With that, he took Li Chixi by the hand and lightly beckoned. A flying boat slowly appeared before them. Another hand seal later, the boat stretched several times larger. The two of them stepped aboard, and like a shooting star it streaked northward through the sky.