Chapter 364: Yuan Tuan Arrives (II)

Chapter 364: Yuan Tuan Arrives (II)

As Li Xizhi pondered, someone arrived from below. This person wore simple clothes and had some snowflakes on his shoulders, and he appeared to be in a hurry.

He hastily brushed the snow off his body, first bowed to Xiao Guiluan at the top, then called out loudly, "Brother Zhi!"

Li Xizhi quickly stood up and walked over to greet him, asking, "Brother Cheng, what brings you here?"

Li Xicheng, covered in dust and wearing thin clothes without any accessories, cheerfully took out a jade pendant from his chest pocket and smiled. "I heard you are about to join the sect, so I found something good for you!"

He had not received the talisman seed and was oblivious to many family secrets. He only saw joining the Azure Pond Sect as an immensely beneficial thing and proudly presented the jade pendant, which glowed with a green light. He placed it in Li Xizhi's hand while explaining with a smile, "This is an Embryonic Breathing Realm dharma artifact, capable of condensing spiritual qi. Consider it a gift from your elder brother!"

Li Xizhi was momentarily stunned. His father was Li Yuanjiao, and his grandfather was Li Xuanxuan, the leaders of the Li Family for generations. He lacked for nothing of such trinkets, but seeing Li Xicheng's joyous expression filled him with mixed feelings.

Li Xicheng's father had no spiritual orifice, and his grandfather had died early, making their lives much harder. This jade pendant was a precious item to his elder brother, who forced it into Li Xizhi's hand.

Looking at his brother's simple attire without any mana light, yet still looking at him warmly, Li Xizhi held the jade pendant tightly as strong emotions surged in his heart. Feeling as if it were a burning coal and not knowing what to say, he stammered, "Brother Cheng... you shouldn't have!"

Li Xicheng, who had spent the past few months overseeing Spirit Paddies in the mountains, had gained some experience and spoke more confidently. He laughed and said, "Your elder brother now holds a position in the clan and receives stipends. Do not refuse my gift!"

His tone was warm, but Li Xizhi felt even more conflicted. He grabbed his brother's hand, having long wanted to speak with him, and said softly, "I heard that your expenses are tight, and your pockets are empty. The family's resources and your stipends are half given away and half lent to the clan brothers... Is that true?"

"Well..." Li Xicheng hesitated, stammering, "I'm just helping out the brothers... The clan has been going through tough times lately, and everyone is struggling."

"Oh," Li Xizhi had no idea what to say. He embraced his elder brother firmly in his broad chest as he jokingly reminded him, "You should be more frugal. Be careful, or the clan chief might accuse you of being a spendthrift and a big spender!"

Li Xicheng chuckled softly, but Li Xizhi wasn't sure if he heeded the advice. A servant stepped forward and respectfully informed, "Young master, the carriage has arrived."

Upon hearing this, Li Xizhi nodded slightly. He looked at Li Xicheng's beaming smile, and all his previous frustration vanished, now replaced by determination and anticipation.

————

Lijing Town.

The Li Family members listened silently. Yuan Tuan raised her eyebrows, glanced at Li Yuanjiao, and asked, "Since you wearing this sword at your waist... you must be the head of the Li Family?"

Li Yuanjiao had rehearsed his response many times. He answered respectfully, "Lord Chejing had no descendants. I, a junior of the Yuan generation named Jiao, am considered his successor and thus wear this sword."

"No descendants, huh..."

Yuan Tuan barely maintained her expression, standing in place for two full breaths before following Li Yuanjiao's lead to the seat of honor. She silently scanned the faces of the crowd, and then asked warmly, "Why do I not see Daoist Tongya?"

Li Yuanjiao lowered his head slightly and said in a deep voice, "The ancestor is in seclusion and has yet to emerge."

"Oh..." Yuan Tuan nodded, then saw Li Yuanjiao signal with his eyes.

Li Xizhi stepped forward and said respectfully, "Junior Li Xizhi greets Senior!"

"Good!"

Yuan Tuan finally showed a hint of a smile. She scanned him with her spiritual sense, observing for a while, carefully examining his Qihai, Shenyang Mansion, and Juque Court acupoints, and then closed her eyes without saying a word.

This sight made everyone in the hall silently tense up. Li Xizhi forced himself to stay calm, feeling the Profound Pearl Talisman Seed in his Qihai acupoint, his heart pounding.

After more than ten breaths, Yuan Tuan finally opened her eyes and nodded.

"Not bad, you should join my Qingsui Peak!"

She then smiled brightly at Li Xizhi and said, "Good child, there is no need to be nervous."

With these words, everyone finally relaxed and felt relieved. Li Xizhi respectfully thanked her as Yuan Tuan looked at him with a smile and said softly, "Raise your head!"

Li Xizhi's face, similar to Li Yuanjiao's, showed a gentle and peaceful demeanor when he lowered his eyes. But when he raised his head, his ambitious look appeared, making Yuan Tuan smile lightly and say, "Your appearance does resemble your father... You have quite a fierce look and the potential to lead. It seems I have indeed picked up a treasure."

"Senior is too kind to my son..." Li Yuanjiao responded quietly and said, "Being able to join Qingsui Peak is a blessing for the Li Family."

"Yes..." Yuan Tuan nodded, then asked, "I heard your family has a young alchemist. Is he here?"