Moongaze Lake lay beneath a cloudless sky, its rippling waves reflecting the dark-blue pavilion that stood upon the water. A long causeway stretched to the island at the heart of the lake, where several stone lotus lanterns glimmered with shifting light.
The pavilion had eight corners, each painted with a rune in cinnabar, and it faced west toward Mount Xiping. A jade plaque inscribed with large characters hung above, Vermilion Bud Pavilion.
A woman in a light-red silk gown was seated within, silver ornaments gleaming at her neck, as she leafed through an ancient book. She was none other than Li Quewan.
Vermilion Bud Pavilion was Li Quewan's place of cultivation. She practiced the Whole Pill Dao, where progress was not determined by the abundance of spiritual energy but by observing the transformations of matter itself. Thus, Li Zhouwei had searched the lake for the site most suited to changes and built Vermilion Bud Pavilion for her.
In truth, the lake had little to do with the Whole Pill Dao. The pavilion's location had once been chosen as the site of a formation where White Lightning had been summoned to dispel the great forbidden formation over the island. Thus, it could only just barely be considered a place of transformation.
Originally, Mount Wu would have been the most suitable site, since it had once been the cultivation ground of Duanmu Kui, the Supreme Shaman. Unfortunately, Li Ximing had attained his divine ability there, transforming the entire mountain into a treasured land of Bright Yang, rendering it no longer the same.
The family still needs to rename Mount Wu, but I wonder how they will decide it, thought Li Quewan.
The attainment of the Purple Mansion Realm was a joyous occasion, yet Li Quewan's face carried a trace of worry. All the matters of the family were well in hand, but her personal affairs remained unsettled.
Her father, Li Baotuo, now lived happily on the island, spending his days with hunting dogs and fighting birds. But her elder brothers managed the shipping business, ferrying goods between the two shores.
Her brothers were skilled and, bolstered by her reputation, business naturally thrived. Yet their success obstructed another family's trade, and in their anger that rival accused them before the family chief, claiming they had exploited their influence for profit. That very night, her brothers had been summoned to Mount Qingdu.
Li Quewan, well-versed in family affairs, knew her brothers would not be in immediate danger. But her father, Li Baotuo, was so anxious that several blisters had formed at the corners of his mouth, and he had already come to her several times.
She was fortunate that it had coincided with the Purple Mansion Realm celebration, when the family's focus was elsewhere. Family Uncle Li Zhouluo of Qingdu had also refrained from making an immediate judgment, otherwise, who knew what chaos might have ensued!
She let out a sigh, and moved to set down the ancient book. After calculating the time, thought to herself, Three months have passed in a blink. The various sects will soon arrive at Moongaze Lake; I must go to receive them.
Li Quewan and Li Jiangqian were now the new generation's prodigies of the Li Family. Now that Li Ximing had achieved the Purple Mansion Realm, the Li Family had risen to the rank of a Purple Mansion Realm immortal family. Their status had immediately transformed, if not as different as heaven and earth, then at least several steps higher than before.
Li Quewan’s heart was filled with both joy and unease, In the eyes of the sects, Brother Jiangqian and I are now likely regarded much like Chi Fubo and Si Tongyi once were. It is certain that we must go to welcome them.
The way of the world was always like this. Family affairs, large and small, had likely already spread to the ears of the sects. Li Quewan guessed that in the eyes of those families, her family head Li Zhouwei was probably already being compared to Tuoba Chongyuan.
Great renown brings great trouble...
She rose from the pavilion and flew toward the clouds. She was just in time to see Li Minggong standing in midair, clad in a crimson Dharma robe, and riding upon a cloud of fire. Practicing the True Flame Dao, Pheasant Li March, akin to that of the Fire Luan's Dao lineage, she appeared all the more dignified, standing poised and graceful in her red attire.
Li Quewan bowed respectfully and greeted, "I greet you, honored one!"
Though Li Minggong had long been stationed at the northern shore and the riverside, and seldom met Li Quewan, she was the eldest sister of the first lineage and among the closest Foundation Establishment Realm kin. Moreover, being one of the rare female Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators, Li Quewan naturally felt close to her.
Li Minggong was generous and composed, and had long ago received praise from Li Xijun. Her bright and striking demeanor naturally made her well-liked. When Li Quewan greeted her warmly, Li Minggong replied, her tone light and cheerful, "Wan'er, you've come. Just follow behind me. Jiangqian will accompany Chenghui on the other side to receive the guests."
"Aunt, you are truly beautiful." Li Quewan covered her mouth with a laugh
Li Minggong remained calm, glancing at her once before smiling. "I'm hardly comparable to your youth."
As the two spoke, Li Zhouluo arrived leading a group of people who rode on surging golden qi. He wore splendid robes of blue on the outside and white within, golden qi surging around him. With a cultivation at the sixth stage of Qi Cultivation Realm, he was now the head of the youngest generations.
His status in the Li Family was already quite high. For him to personally lead the way meant that those behind him were surely of extraordinary standing.
Li Minggong's expression showed satisfaction upon seeing him, but Li Quewan glanced at her uncle and felt a sudden tightness in her chest, Uncle Zhouluo oversees the family's Qingdu affairs. My brothers' case must pass through his hands...
Unaware of her thoughts, Li Minggong smiled as she welcomed the newcomers, "So it is the Profound Peak Immortal Gate! I am Li Minggong..."
"Congratulations, congratulations!" The man before them wore the golden robes of the Profound Peak Gate, and was clearly a sect master-level figure. Pale-faced and beardless, he offered polite congratulations before continuing, "I am Kong Guxi of Profound Peak. Greetings, Fellow Daoist!"
The man was courteous, but beside him stood an old man, face brimming with joy. His beard jutted out as he tugged at his sleeve with a laugh and said, "I am Kong Yu! Fellow Daoist, do you know me? Li Xuanxuan is an old friend of mine, and we've shared many years of friendship. Tell me, how fares my old companion?"
Kong Yu was a lively, sentimental sort, full of joy and excitement. It was almost as if he had achieved the Purple Mansion Realm.
Li Minggong laughed in reply, "I have indeed heard your esteemed name. My elders have spoken of you many times. He is already waiting on the mountain. Please, come inside first!"
These words gave respect to Kong Yu. The little old man immediately lifted his chin in pride, deeply satisfied, while Kong Guxi smiled and added, "I prepared a few gifts along the way. I ask that Fellow Daoist Minggong kindly accept them!"
These were offerings from Profound Peak Gate to congratulate the Li Family. They were mostly treasured panaceas and dharma artifacts. Matters concerning Daoist Master Changxi and Li Ximing's Purple Mansion Realm were separate, though they too likely maintained ties.
The cultivators at Kong Guxi's sides quickly presented jade boxes. Li Quewan thanked them repeatedly and respectfully accepted the gifts. Li Zhouluo then invited the Profound Peak Gate cultivators into the Milin Mountain range, while Li Minggong and Li Quewan remained hovering in the clouds.
Li Minggong watched the figures of the Profound Peak Gate cultivators recede into the distance, silently pondering to herself, I've heard that Daoist Master Changxi of Profound Peak Gate only has a little lifespan left, though I don't know if it's true. For Profound Peak Gate to come this time... perhaps they have their own designs.
When Li Ximing had broken through to the Purple Mansion Realm, Daoist Master Changxi was the first to arrive with congratulations. Though it could be as simple as geographic convenience, his words and tone had shown genuine sincerity.
As Li Minggong glanced sideways at Li Quewan, she saw the young woman distracted, and knew exactly what weighed on her mind. The matter of Li Baotuo's children might seem minor, but since it concerned Li Quewan, she had long since taken note.
It truly was not a serious issue; it simply depended on how Li Quewan chose to handle it. Li Minggong said solemnly, "Quewan, do not worry. The family will settle things clearly in due course."
Li Quewan came back to herself and hurriedly expressed her thanks, only to see Li Minggong smile and add, "Jiangqian doesn't know yet, otherwise someone would already be in trouble."