That was always how it went in the stories, and Li Baotuo had heard enough tales to believe it. Immortals soared far above the mundane. He figured he wouldn’t see much of Shuwan in his remaining years. While he was pleased, he also couldn’t help but feel a tinge of sorrow.
But he soon pushed those thoughts aside and began planning with his sons. They were planning on how to set the banquet table, as well as how to notify friends and kin. Now that Li Shuwan possessed a spiritual orifice, even those who once looked down on them would be all smiles. Cultivator-related branches close to the family would surely send people, and those were the ones worth forging ties with for Li Shuwan’s sake.
His anxiety only deepened while he waited, until a shout came from outside the courtyard, "Good nephew! I’ve brought the guest cultivator!"
Li Baotuo leaped up from the table. His sons all jumped up in unison and followed behind him as they all rushed to the courtyard. They all bowed respectfully and called out, "Greetings to both seniors!"
The man in the lead was Family Uncle Li Chengzhen. Though merely a mortal, he had a noble bloodline. Li Baotuo’s ancestors had been close as brothers with Li Chengzhen’s forebears. He had even met the man in his childhood.
He called out warmly, "It’s been so many years, Family Uncle! I’ve missed you dearly!"
Li Chengzhen laughed heartily. He was a shrewd operator and a direct son of Li Ximing. Though a mortal, that lineage had helped him form ties with many cultivators. He had always held a good opinion of Li Baotuo and thus had brought the cultivator along without hesitation.
He pointed to the elderly man beside him, who was dressed in brown robes, and said with a smile, "This is Guest Cultivator Hu! A high-tier cultivator in the Qi Cultivation Realm!"
Qi Cultivation Realm! Li Baotuo was immediately startled. He was no stranger to such matters. A figure of this caliber held real power even in the regional peak offices. The fact that Li Chengzhen had managed to invite someone like this thrilled him.
He quickly said, "Greetings, Senior! This place is modest... please do forgive us."
Guest Cultivator Hu was very polite toward Li Chengzhen, but he was far less courteous to someone like Li Baotuo, whose bloodline had long fallen to a minor sect.
Still, for Li Chengzhen’s sake, he gave a small nod and replied lightly, "No need for formality."
Li Baotuo didn’t take offense; he kept nodding and personally led the guest into the courtyard. Just then, he caught the meaningful look in Li Chengzhen’s eyes and paused briefly before understanding, So this is about finding a backer for my Shuwan! But... is this really the right move...?
If he were just a typical minor sect descendant, he’d be fawning over the opportunity by now. But he had some heritage, and some understanding of the power struggles within the regional peak offices. The sixteen prefectures were anything but harmonious.
This is the Lijing Prefecture, and territory of the old Four Great Surnames. If we’re pledging allegiance, it should be to one of them. This Hu fellow... I don’t even know which region he’s from. Getting involved with him might offend the Four Surnames... thought Li Baotuo.
More importantly, Li Baotuo knew his own background. He might appear to be from a minor sect at the moment, but he was actually from the major sect lineage. If the younger generation proved exceptional, they could very well return to the major sect one day, so why bother entangling themselves with factional disputes at all?
As countless thoughts raced through his mind, he reached out and gently pulled the girl forward with a smile, "Shuwan, greet the two seniors!"
Li Shuwan tilted her head and looked up. She noticed six flickering points of light on the brown-robed man. Slightly chaotic streams of energy swirled around him; it was very different from those she had seen flying through the skies before. She couldn’t help stealing a few more glances.
Guest Cultivator Hu merely gave her a passing glance, nodded, and stepped forward with a silent sigh, Li Baotuo’s whole family has been mortal for generations, and only now they’ve produced a cultivator. How good could her talent really be? Li Chengzhen wants me to offer guidance? What a bother.
Maintaining his composed demeanor, his eyes swept over the dishes on the table. He quietly remarked, "Tea will suffice."
The lavish meal Li Baotuo had prepared went untouched. He led the guest in, sweating nervously. Once they were in the inner hall, Li Chengzhen tried to make light conversation at first, and Guest Cultivator Hu responded a bit. But the moment Li Baotuo spoke, the brown-robed man fell silent.
Even a fool could see the guest cultivator's clear disdain. The food on the table grew cold as Li Baotuo's wife stood helplessly at the end of the hall. In the end, Li Baotuo was just a mortal, what could he even talk about with a cultivator? The awkward silence made it impossible to speak.
Though only six, Li Shuwan saw everything and felt sorrow welling in her chest. She said softly, "I’ll be heading out now."
Li Baotuo let out a breath and was just about to stop her when Li Chengzhen waved her off with a smile. After she left, Guest Cultivator Hu, sensing the dissatisfaction in Li Chengzhen’s tone, casually asked, "How long did it take your daughter to condense her first wisp of spiritual qi?"
The question gave Li Baotuo a small reprieve. He replied quietly, "I think... about two hours."
Guest Cultivator Hu froze for a moment. When he saw the blank look on Li Baotuo’s face, a wave of alarm rose within him, "What?"
As the adults chatted in the hall, Li Shuwan wandered into the back courtyard. She walked slowly to the loquat trees planted in the barren yard, thinking of her parents’ helpless expressions, and quietly wiped away her tears.
This person... thought Li Shuwan.
After a few steps, she suddenly bumped into someone standing in the courtyard and jumped in fright.
"Ah..."
Li Shuwan was startled for a moment, but her gaze was instantly drawn to the woman before her. Her eyes locked on the figure and couldn’t move away.
The woman wore a long feathered robe, her black hair coiled into a bun with a tiny white flower pin nestled within. Faint violet light shimmered on the green patterns at the hem of her dress, and a misty purple glint flickered in her eyes as she smiled warmly at the child.
"You..." Li Shuwan was so stunned she couldn’t speak. The woman casually reached out to touch her cheek and let out a laugh.
Her voice was crisp and clear, like bells in the spring air, "Li Shuwan?"
"Yes..." replied Li Shuwan. She nervously clasped her hands behind her back. She knew this woman must be a cultivator and dared not move carelessly. She stole a glance and realized the woman didn’t seem to have any points of light, only a field of soft violet waves that were like ripples on still water.
The immortal-like woman simply nodded, her violet eyes gazing past her toward the main gate. Her tone turned slightly cold, "This Hu Jingye... quite the schemer. As soon as he discovered your innate ability, he’s trying to coerce and entice. He’s already pushing for an engagement with his son..."
Strangely, she didn’t raise her voice but she merely stopped smiling. Yet that faint chill transformed her completely. An awe-inspiring majesty radiated from her being, and it felt as if thunder had rumbled in the clouds overhead.
Li Shuwan looked up and thought she saw a faint violet hue in the clouds above. She quickly whispered, "But my father said that person’s very powerful... someone important from one of the peak offices..."
The woman froze for a beat at her words. The frost on her face melted instantly. Her almond-shaped eyes softened like ice thawing under spring sun, and she let out a bright, amused laugh, "A very powerful man, huh?"