Chapter 114: Settled

As they drew near, Li Yunfei clasped his left thumb with his right hand, then folded the other four fingers of his left hand over his right fist, and respectfully cupped his fists toward He Ming, bowing slightly. “Junior disciple Li Yunfei pays respects to Senior He.”

Clasping the left thumb in the right hand while cupping the fists in this manner forms the pattern of the Taiji yin-yang fish at the fist’s core—a special salutation among Taoist brethren.

He Ming returned the gesture with the same motion, smiling warmly. “Young brother, your cultivation realm seems not inferior to ours. As for calling me ‘senior,’ I dare not accept.”

Li Yunfei chuckled softly. “Where do you get that, senior? I’m on equal footing with Brother Bin; rank and cultivation have nothing to do with it.”

This modest attitude greatly pleased the two men. He Ming nodded approvingly. “A young man neither arrogant nor impatient, humble and courteous—rare indeed.”

“Though I heard from my junior apprentice that your cultivation was in the mid-Yin Spirit stage, Yunfei. Yet now, it seems…”

Li Yunfei lowered his head slightly, smiling with restraint. “It was indeed mid-Yin Spirit originally, but in recent days I’ve made progress. Moreover, yesterday I cultivated in tandem with Yingzi, gaining greatly, thus breaking through. The Qingcheng technique truly lives up to its reputation.”

Zhang Ziying was slightly taken aback inwardly. What was going on? When they last spoke, he had just recently broken into the mid-Spirit stage; how was it that in only a few days he had advanced to late Yin Spirit? He was actually at late Yin Spirit, and she hadn’t noticed last night—this fellow…

At the side, Wang Zhiwu could no longer hold back his admiration. “The Qingcheng Sect’s ‘He Bi Tian Ji Cai Bu Great Art’ is indeed wondrous. But if not for your exceptional talent and brilliant gifts, how could one so young reach such a realm? Your future is boundless!”

Only then did Li Yunfei turn to Wang Zhiwu, bowing again. “Senior, you flatter me. I suppose you must be Director Wang of Xiangshan Academy?”

He Ming seized the opportunity to introduce. “This is Director Wang Zhiwu, direct disciple of Master Si Hang from Wudang.”

Li Yunfei’s eyes lit up, smiling. “So you are a disciple of Master Si Hang. I am a loyal admirer. I used to love watching videos of Master Si Hang demonstrating Wudang kung fu. Unfortunately, those are no longer available.”

Wang Zhiwu smiled wryly. “My master was helpless as well, always telling fans to believe in science—there’s no such thing as true lightness skill. That was quite a blow to the ego.”

Laughter erupted among those present, unable to suppress their amusement.

The Si Hang joke had become a running gag in the cultivation world, often brought up by sect leaders to tease and jest.

He himself didn’t mind; rather, he was glad to be proven wrong. After all, without the revival of spiritual energy, he could never have experienced true Wudang mastery.

This laughter greatly eased the atmosphere, drawing everyone closer.

Seizing the moment, Li Yunfei gestured toward the refrigerated truck. “Recently, I intended to visit Master Si Hang at Wudang Mountain. Passing through Nan Commandery, I heard that wild boars were rampant in the Shennongjia forest area, causing great suffering to local residents.”

“Suspicious, I went to investigate and found that the boar overpopulation was due to a demonic beast among them. I slew it and cleared out the wild boars to relieve the people.”

“On leaving the forest, passing by a chaotic burial mound, I encountered a pack of weasels that had attained sentience. Their leader had transformed into a human-like demon and tried to confuse me with illusions to take my life, but I eliminated it as well.”

“I offer the meat of these yellow-immortal weasels and wild boar demon beasts to your esteemed academy as a token of my respect.”

Li Yunfei’s words not only explained the origin of the beast meat but also subtly conveyed his dedication to the nation and its people. Naturally and gracefully, he introduced his sponsorship, achieving three effects at once—a masterful use of rhetoric.

Wang Zhiwu’s eyes shone with admiration as he nodded. “Concerned for the safety of the people, possessing great power at such a young age, yet upholding the righteous path of cultivators—it is truly rare. The Great Xia is fortunate to have such a promising young talent.”

Zhang Ziying’s gaze toward Li Yunfei shifted as well, tinged with reverence.

Though many questions lingered in her heart, his deeds alone deserved respect from anyone.

After Wang Zhiwu’s remarks, he glanced at the refrigerated truck, his smile broadening. Bowing slightly, he said, “I accept your kind gift on behalf of all the students. Our sincere thanks.”

Li Yunfei quickly reached out modestly. “Senior, you are too kind.”

Seeing this, He Ming realized that Zhang Ziying’s early graduation was settled. He then turned to the little girl beside Li Yunfei. “This young one’s cultivation seems extraordinary as well. May I ask—?”

Hearing this, Li Yunfei affectionately ruffled the black hair atop the little girl’s head, smiling. “Her name is Li Xiaohong, my younger sister. Honghong, greet the two uncles.”

The girl smiled obediently and sweetly, chirping, “Hello, Uncle He, Uncle Wang.”

“Oh, hello,” both men returned warm smiles. The little girl was charming and endearing.

Li Yunfei explained, “Her situation is unique; her cultivation level is roughly equal to mine.”

Seeing that Li Yunfei was reluctant to elaborate, they did not press further. In this great era of spiritual energy’s revival, who doesn’t have their own fate and secrets?

Though young, and her cultivation astonishingly high for her age, there was no need for undue surprise.

Compared to elders in their seventies or eighties who still retain cultivation aptitude, isn’t that more remarkable?

They merely needed to know the young girl was a peer-level expert.

He Ming turned to Wang Zhiwu. “Brother Wang, having accepted such a grand gift, shouldn’t we invite them inside for tea?”

Wang Zhiwu stepped aside and gestured with a laugh. “Naturally. Please, everyone.”

“After you, seniors.”

The group proceeded into the island. The beast meat inside the refrigerated truck would be handled by instructors under Wang Zhiwu’s command—no need for him to manage personally.

…

At the dormitory area of the academy, converted from Yunmeng Hotel, Wang Zhiwu’s residence.

Li Yunfei, Zhang Ziying, and He Ming each took their seats, with Xiaohong sitting snugly between Li Yunfei and Zhang Ziying.

Wang Zhiwu personally brewed a pot of kung fu tea and poured for everyone, smiling as he said, “Thanks to the revival of spiritual energy, tea leaves across the lands have gradually evolved into spirit tea, growing more robust.”

“This Da Hong Pao from Wuyi Mountain has a much higher yield than previous years. I managed to finagle a bit from my master.”

Speaking of which, he glanced enviously at He Ming. “But it can’t compare to you, Brother He! Your old man’s share of Da Hong Pao spirit tea must have all gone into your belly, huh?”

He Ming sighed. “There’s no other way. You know my situation. This spirit tea is a supreme material for refining soul and spirit. Without it, I couldn’t even condense Yin Spirit.”

Then, turning to Li Yunfei and the others, he said, “Have a taste. This Da Hong Pao, whether in the past or now, is not something everyone can drink.”

“It greatly benefits the soul and spirit. Your senior, Brother Wang, is quite generous, hehe…”

Li Yunfei and the others quickly lifted their teacups, thanking Wang Zhiwu, then each took a delicate sip.

Truly worthy of top-grade spirit tea. Even before the aroma was considered, the moment the tea touched their tongues, a rush of cool clarity surged to their spiritual core, invigorating their minds and benefiting their souls.