Chapter 99: Cao Feng’s Wedding Banquet (Please Subscribe)
Li Guanxuan stepped out of the cultivation chamber as dusk settled, golden light bathing his tall, upright figure, his skin naturally shimmering with a golden hue. The glow also touched half of his handsome, unpretentious face, accentuating his sharply defined features. His warm, jade-like peach blossom eyes remained clear, yet a subtle sharpness flickered within them—both inviting and commanding a hint of reverence.
Wen Rongxin and Song Zhiqiao were both captivated. After all these years together, it was the first time they saw the aura of a swordsman emanating from their husband. Previously, Li Guanxuan had always been mild-mannered, appearing the sort easily bullied.
“Has Ji Yue gone out?” Li Guanxuan glanced around, noticing Qin Jiyue’s absence, and asked.
However, Song Zhiqiao was deeply drawn to the new aura radiating from Li Guanxuan. She stepped forward, linking her arm through his, and coquettishly said, “Congratulations, brother, on breaking through to mid Foundation Establishment. I don’t even know how formidable a swordsman at this stage can be. I want to taste it.”
Wen Rongxin was momentarily stunned but quickly recovered, blushing as she hurriedly moved aside, saying, “I—I still need to cultivate…”
Li Guanxuan stretched out a hand across the air, pulled her back, and laughed heartily. “Wife, flying side by side is also cultivation; don’t run away at the crucial moment!”
“Exactly, sister! Look at you, all hot and flushed—surely you’re unwell. It’s perfect for brother, the alchemist, to treat you properly. After all, you’re so delicate and dependent… ah!”
Before Song Zhiqiao finished, a firm smack landed on her rounded hip, making her cry out in surprise.
Li Guanxuan said with a teasing tone, “Want me to serve you again?”
Song Zhiqiao’s cheeks flushed deeply, “Please, brother, don’t hold back.”
“…”
…Half an hour later.
Qin Jiyue returned.
Wen Rongxin and Song Zhiqiao, both in the initial stage, had long since exhausted their endurance. Seeing their mid Foundation Establishment sister (or elder sister) return, they finally exhaled in relief.
The enraged swordsman finally had an outlet for her fury.
The white-haired enchantress, aware of what was coming, did not evade but gave the swordsman a sharp glare, then dutifully began to remove her armor, saying, “This family… really can’t do without me.”
The white-haired enchantress bore the swordsman’s fierce onslaught, panting heavily, yet a broad smile remained on her face.
The swordsman wielded the Push-Thorough Sword Technique, drenched in sweat but invigorated.
“Of course.”
Li Guanxuan demonstrated precise sword techniques and asked, “Have you gathered any intelligence about the Red Needle Mountain range?”
“T-temporarily… no.”
The white-haired enchantress replied intermittently, “They’re hiding deep… I’m still searching with effort…”
Hearing this, Li Guanxuan realized that for gathering intelligence, Qin Jiyue wouldn’t suffice; professional contacts were necessary.
Two hours later.
The white-haired enchantress was finally defeated. Li Guanxuan, red sword flashing in and out, left the chamber feeling refreshed.
Stepping outside, he headed straight to the Wanxiang Pavilion in the Third Ward Market to meet with Zheng Huangjin.
When he mentioned his desire to inquire about Chen Yinshan and Fang Xingzhi, Zheng Huangjin readily agreed.
Then Zheng Huangjin smiled, “By the way, you were secluded breaking through to mid Foundation Establishment recently. There’s something I didn’t get to tell you.”
“What is it?” Li Guanxuan asked curiously.
“Lord Cao is marrying his twenty-sixth concubine and holding a grand banquet. I wanted to inform you but heard you were in seclusion, so I didn’t bother.”
Zheng Huangjin explained, “Now’s perfect. In five days, we’ll attend together and give him a surprise.”
“Alright, no problem.”
Li Guanxuan nodded.
After some polite exchanges, Li Guanxuan returned home.
While refining and absorbing the ethereal energy within his body to consolidate his foundation, he suddenly recalled something.
The sect master of Joyous Mountain had a good relationship with Cao Feng. For such a joyous occasion as the marriage of a twenty-sixth concubine, Cao Feng would surely invite the Joyous Mountain sect master.
Thinking of this eminent peak Foundation Establishment cultivator, who shared a deep connection with him, Li Guanxuan felt a surge of emotion.
Back when he was only at the second level of Qi Refining, the Joyous Mountain sect master was already a well-known late Foundation Establishment cultivator around Qing’an City.
By the time he reached mid Qi Refining, the sect master had become a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Now, as he stood at mid Foundation Establishment, the sect master remained at the peak...
“In the blink of an eye, it’s been forty or fifty years.”
Li Guanxuan sighed softly.
Had he not visited Joyous Mountain back then, he might not be who he was today.
Though he didn’t understand why the Velvet Flower Spirit Tree chose him, no matter what, he would use this opportunity to elevate his cultivation, attain immortality, and live well in this world.
…
Five days passed swiftly.
Li Guanxuan, accompanied by his entire family, journeyed to the city lord’s mansion. Along the way, Song Zhiqiao chattered incessantly, while Wen Rongxin listened patiently, occasionally responding softly.
Qin Jiyue stood on Li Guanxuan’s other side, arm linked with his, harboring some concern.
She had heard news that the Joyous Mountain sect master would also attend the wedding banquet.
Li Guanxuan noticed her thoughts, smiled, and patted the back of her hand. “No need to worry. Now, we have the qualification to face him directly.”
Though his cultivation was only mid Foundation Establishment, his mastery of alchemy, talisman crafting, and concealment arts had reached high second rank, and his array techniques were at the low second rank.
With such diverse skills, even Cao Feng must treat him with respect.
In the cultivation world where strength dictates respect, personal ability and power mattered most.
“Mm.”
Qin Jiyue nodded and snorted softly. “My brother is also a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator. With his talent, he’ll form a core within ten years at most. If the Joyous Mountain sect master dares to provoke us, I’ll have Qin Wuji destroy him!”
Li Guanxuan smiled knowingly. Having mingled in the cultivation world for years, he understood that having parents was not as good as having one’s own strength.
True power must be firmly grasped by oneself to act at will.
Many attended the city lord’s mansion, mostly Foundation Establishment cultivators; minor Qi Refining cultivators seldom had access.
Soon, Li Guanxuan met Zheng Huangjin and Li Kuangzheng.
“Congratulations! Manager Li has finally broken through to Foundation Establishment,” Li Guanxuan said cheerfully.
“…”
Li Kuangzheng was at a loss for words—he couldn’t even refute.
He had hoped to catch up with Li Guanxuan once he reached Foundation Establishment but was shocked to find Li Guanxuan already at mid Foundation Establishment!
Moreover, he sensed a change in Li Guanxuan’s aura, an intangible feeling that even if he unleashed all his cards, a single sword from Li Guanxuan would suffice to end him.
This meant Li Guanxuan’s advancement was not only in cultivation but in overall combat power.
“Li family truly lives up to its reputation as an ancient sword immortal lineage. Just one Foundation Establishment heart method can bring such change,” Zheng Huangjin sighed.
He himself had barely entered mid Foundation Establishment through alchemy but was far weaker in combat than Li Guanxuan.
Perhaps only the eldest, Liu Xiaoxian, could surpass him.
“I’ve heard of such Daoist families in the Transformation Spirit stage. Once bloodline power activates, combat power can multiply rapidly. Li the talisman master’s power now rivals late Foundation Establishment, even approaches the peak,” Li Kuangzheng added.
Zheng Huangjin sighed again.
When he first met Li Guanxuan, the latter was at Qi Refining third level while he was at Qi Refining peak.
Now Li Guanxuan could almost stand alongside peak Foundation Establishment, while Zheng had barely reached mid Foundation Establishment thanks to alchemy.
Of course, he owed his progress to Li Guanxuan, who had sold him alchemy pills and talismans for years, enabling his breakthrough with headquarters’ rewards.
Even the pills for breaking through to mid Foundation Establishment had been meticulously crafted by Li Guanxuan.
“Alright, stop analyzing. If you keep this up, you’ll see right through my pants,” Li Guanxuan said helplessly, shaking his head.
Zheng Huangjin laughed heartily.
Li Kuangzheng remained silent.
“Master Talisman Li, Shopkeeper Zheng, Manager Li…” Upon arriving at the city lord’s mansion, the steward Chen Bo’s eyes brightened upon seeing Li Guanxuan. He quickly approached, cupping his hands in respect.
Then he looked at the snow-white-haired Qin Jiyue and bowed, “Madam Qin.”
Qin Jiyue nodded lightly and introduced, “This is my elder sister and younger sister.”
“Greetings, ladies,” Chen Bo bowed deeply and gestured for them to enter. “Please, come in.”
Wen Rongxin and Song Zhiqiao returned the courtesy.
Zheng Huangjin and Li Kuangzheng presented their gifts.
Li Guanxuan had come prepared and handed over a small porcelain bottle adorned with red celebratory decorations.
“This…” Chen Bo’s divine sense swept the bottle, discovering a premium Life Pulse Pill inside, and his expression changed immediately.
Such a gift was quite valuable!
“Just some extra pills, plus in gratitude for Lord Cao’s many years of support. A small token,” Li Guanxuan said, placing a hand to stop Chen Bo from returning it, smiling, “Don’t worry, we at Wanxiang Pavilion are prudent; we’ll earn it back at the banquet.”
“Please,” Chen Bo forced a smile and invited them in.
This matter was not his to decide; he’d have to notify Cao Feng.
Soon, when Cao Feng learned that Li Guanxuan had gifted a premium Life Pulse Pill, surprise flickered across his face.
A premium Life Pulse Pill helps a Foundation Establishment beginner break into mid Foundation Establishment.
One such pill meant the city lord’s mansion could boast another mid Foundation Establishment—a great gift indeed!
Previously, Li Guanxuan and Zheng Huangjin had offered him two Life Pulse Pills and two Detoxification Spirit Pills for assistance.
“This friend was worth making,” Cao Feng thought as he sensed Li Guanxuan’s mid Foundation Establishment aura, feeling moved.
Crafting a premium Golden Origin Pill within fifty years was no empty claim.
“Sister-in-law, this gift is too extravagant. Take it back; a simple token would suffice,” Cao Feng approached and lowered his voice.
“Brother Cao, do you look down on me?” Li Guanxuan joked. “Once a gift’s sent, there’s no taking it back.”
“But—”
Before Cao Feng could continue, Qin Jiyue smiled, “This is my husband’s heartfelt intention. Brother Cao, please don’t refuse.”
Having lived in Silver Maple City for so many years and with the relationship to Qin Wuji, she occasionally encountered Cao Feng.
“Alright then…” Cao Feng accepted it graciously.
“Brother Li?” At that moment, a towering two-and-a-half-meter muscular man appeared before Li Guanxuan.
Li Guanxuan was startled, “Brother Cao? What are you doing here?”
This was Cao Mang, his neighbor from the inner city residences years ago.
“Uh, I came to attend my cousin’s wedding banquet…” Cao Mang scratched his head, then looked at Cao Feng, “But it seems you two already know each other.”
However, Cao Feng frowned slightly and scolded, “Call him Brother Li? Can you? No respect! Call him Senior Li!”
“Uh, I’m used to calling him that…”
“Being used to it doesn’t count! You’re at Qi Refining peak, your brother-in-law’s mid Foundation Establishment. How can you be used to that?”
“…”
Seeing Cao Feng scolding Cao Mang so fiercely, Li Guanxuan finally came back to his senses.
He hadn’t expected Cao Mang and Cao Feng to be related.
“No matter…”
Before Li Guanxuan could finish, Cao Feng said, “Brother-in-law, some rules he must learn himself, or when this big guy ventures out, no one will know how he dies!”
Then Cao Feng jumped up and patted Cao Mang’s head, shouting, “Call him Senior Li!”
Cao Mang shrank back, muttering mentally that he was lucky Cao Feng hadn’t hit harder, or his head would have exploded.
“Si-Senior Li…”
Li Guanxuan smiled wryly, “Brother Cao, no need, really no need.”
“Our demon clan cultivators come to the Immortal Ruins to survive, so we must abide by the cultivation world’s rules here. When facing powerful cultivators, you must use honorifics and never break the rules.”
Cao Feng said, “Brother-in-law, don’t spoil him. Call him Little Mang or Little Cao from now on. When he breaks through Foundation Establishment, he can change how he addresses.”
When I reach Golden Core, should I call you Little Cao then? Li Guanxuan thought with amusement, seeing Cao Mang so frightened he tucked his head into his chest.
“Fine, Little Mang, have a seat.”
Li Guanxuan gestured with his hand.
Cao Mang glanced at his cousin; seeing Cao Feng nod, he sat down.
“Lord Cao, who is this fellow cultivator? Introduce him?”
At that moment, a middle-aged man in black and yellow Taoist robes approached, smiling warmly at Cao Feng.
Li Guanxuan turned and saw it was the Joyous Mountain sect master, falling silent.
Cao Feng laughed heartily and warmly said, “So it’s Brother Sang… What a coincidence. My brother-in-law once stayed in Qing’an City for a time; he probably knows you, though you don’t know him.”
“Oh?”
Hearing this, the Joyous Mountain sect master’s interest was piqued, his gaze burning as he looked at Li Guanxuan.
…
PS: Thanks to “Ren Fanghua” for the 100 Qidian coins.
(End of this chapter)