That night, people were chatting throughout the Li family estate.
Li Dalong and his daughter, Li Yaowen, stood beneath the Primordial Blood Tree, gazing at its blood-red branches and leaves swaying in the night breeze.
"Yaowen," Li Dalong said, his expression gentle, "do you remember this old tree from back then?"
A hint of nostalgia flickered in Li Yaowen's eyes. "I remember," she replied. "It was many years ago. Father, Mother, and my elder siblings went into the Silver Iron Forest together and brought back the divine tree. I could only wait patiently at home."
"The divine tree slowly grew, accompanying our Li family."
"Back then, none of us could have imagined that the divine tree would grow so large, that our Li family would develop so quickly."
"No one could have imagined that its leaves would become so red, that the path of our Li family would be stained with so much blood."
The cool night breeze swept past, and the father and daughter felt the wind against their skin, memories of the past flashing before their eyes.
A human face materialized on the Primordial Blood Tree.
Its crimson eyes stared at the father and daughter. "Do you need an omen?" it asked.
If it were the Li family's descendants, it could easily give them omens, which were also necessary for their growth after the Pig Demon King's death. But as time passed, the Primordial Blood Tree understood that it was better to use such omens later. They represented a glimpse into the children's future, be it about cultivation, death, or joy.
Seeing the Primordial Blood Tree's appearance, the father and daughter exchanged a smile.
"Old tree," Li Dalong said, "I was the one who dug you up and allowed you to take root here, so don't try to show off your fortune-telling skills with me. I was born a slave, spent many years as a farmer, then became a hunter. I carved my own path. No one can determine my future, except for our ancestor."
"And you?"
The Primordial Blood Tree simply ignored Li Dalong and turned to Li Yaowen.
It remembered how Li Dalong, back when it didn't have sentience, used to bring the children to urinate on it every day.
Li Yaowen also ignored the Primordial Blood Tree's offer of an omen. "Divine Tree," she said with a smile, "you've consumed so much blood over the years. I want to see the future of our family."
[The Primordial Blood Tree asks you if you wish to expend the lifeblood of living beings it has stored for many years to foresee a glimpse of the future.]
[Use it.]
Li Wei typed on the keyboard without hesitation. Although he agreed with Li Dalong's words, at least the omens from the Primordial Blood Tree had never been wrong. Knowing a glimpse of the future would make it easier for them to face what lay ahead.
As he finished speaking, the branches and leaves of the Primordial Blood Tree swayed, and a red light descended from the sky. As its eyes grew even more blood-red, two leaves fell onto the shoulders of the father and daughter.
The Primordial Blood Tree's ancient voice echoed.
"I have seen, and I have heard."
"Enemies come from all directions, but you advance bravely, you fight ruthlessly, you shout with all your might."
"Blood flows and dilutes in the rivers of Azure Cloud region, the earth is stained red, and there's only one word in the sky—"
"Li."
"That day will come soon, and the children of the Li family will return home."
As if having expended too much spiritual energy, the human face on the Primordial Blood Tree vanished into the night, as if it no longer wished to pay attention to Li Dalong and his daughter.
Soon after, both father and daughter furrowed their brows and departed separately.
They had already glimpsed the future through the Primordial Blood Tree. Now was the time to make battle preparations. They needed to inform every member of the Li family that war was imminent!
Later in the night, Li Yunlin emerged from the ancestral hall. He went to the Pig Demon King's grave, bowed in respect, and drank a cup of wine. Then, he went before the Primordial Blood Tree and drank more wine.
The Primordial Blood Tree opened its eyes again. Li Yunlin was clearly aware of its abilities.
But he shook his head and continued drinking with the moon as his companion.
Not long after, Huang Xiujin arrived with the three Li children, Feng Mi and Li Changsheng, and another woman.
Li Kuangtu rolled up his sleeves, revealing his toned muscles, and flashed a wide grin. "Divine Tree," he declared, "look at me! I'm a real man now. I died many times in the Heaven-Piercing Coffin, faced countless demon cultivators, and worked hard in the Thunderfire Cave. I'm no longer a coward!"
"Yes, Kuangtu will soon be a man and can marry his older sister." Qingyu, who had become his child bride when he was young, patted Li Kuangtu's head just like she used to. Her appearance hadn't changed over the years.
Li Kuangtu, who had already learned some things about men and women from the demon cultivators, blushed. However, he still adhered to the family rules and secretly decided not to be reckless like his elder brother.
"Hahaha, that's right!"
Huang Xiujin let out a hearty laugh. "The Cloudsea Pavilion can be entrusted to you now!" he declared.
"Grandpa Huang."
Hearing this, both Li Kuangtu and Qingyu lowered their heads, a hint of reluctance in their eyes.
In fact, Huang Xiujin had told them years ago that his end was near. This was unavoidable, a fate that almost all cultivators eventually had to face.
Seeing the children's sadness, Huang Xiujin said nonchalantly, "Alright, alright. I, your Grandpa Huang, have been calculating fortunes my whole life. How could I not know my own fate? I'm not afraid to tell you the truth, it was all for the continued existence of the Cloudsea Pavilion that I dedicated myself to helping the Li family."
"Now my goal has been achieved," he continued. "Qingyu, you and Kuangtu must ensure that the Cloudsea Pavilion exists for a thousand years, ten thousand years, even a hundred thousand years. Let the people of the Cloudsea Pavilion forever remember that I, Huang Xiujin, was the first Pavilion Master, a testament to my existence."
The three children had also grown up under Huang Xiujin's care in those years. Now, hearing his words, although they didn't fully understand, they gradually seemed to grasp a glimmer of his meaning and nodded toward him.
Li Wei, in front of the screen, also smiled slightly.
Indeed, everyone's talent and opportunities are different, and facing the end of one's lifespan is ultimately something all cultivators must confront. But at least Huang Xiujin had lived a fulfilling life. Now, as he approached his natural end, his legacy would continue to be passed down. This was perhaps something many cultivators longed for.
Under the moonlight, the wrinkles on Huang Xiujin's face seemed to multiply, yet the old man still smiled kindly.
Perhaps he wasn't a great hero, but he would live forever in the memories of those who came after him.
Dawn arrived.
On this day, Li Dalong returned to his coffin, Li Yaowen continued her journey through the world, and Li Yunlin, sobering up from his drinking, went back to the Skyveil Sect.
Huang Xiujin brought the three children, the young princess Feng Mi, and Li Changsheng back to the Jun Prince's Mansion.
Huang Xiujin was heading back to the Li family estate, preparing to return to the Cloudsea Pavilion and quietly await his passing.
Suddenly, Yu Xian, the former Pavilion Master of the Azure Cloud Pavilion, blocked his path, a friendly smile on his face.
"Pavilion Master Huang," he said, "we meet again. Do you wish to live?"
Under the rising sun, it seemed to record the traces of the Li family's journey through the world, along with the memories of their companions.
---
Loving the story? Fuel the adventure! 🔥
Unlock chapters: Donate on Ko-fi ➡️ /darktea] ⬅️ Progress: [Progress: [0/15]]
Get Early Access to 30 Chapters: Search for "Dark Tea" on Ko-fi (Explore tab) and join my membership to read ahead!