Family Cultivation: I Become a Mirror-Chapter 132 - 123 Qing Sui Sword Immortal

Li Xuanfeng made arrangements for Jiang, the fisher girl, and spent a few days with her leading an ordinary life in the town. However, the day had come to present tributes at Guanyun Peak, so he had no choice but to pat her head, take out a brocade pouch, and instruct her,

"Here is a hundred taels of silver for you to use. Go hire two reliable servants and live peacefully. I have other important matters to attend to, and it will be at least a month, or at most three, before I come to see you again."

"Yes."

Jiang, the obedient fisher girl, responded without daring to say more. Li Xuanfeng tied her clothes properly and examined her carefully before saying,

"Wait here."

No sooner had he spoken than he squinted up at the sky with his bow in hand, after a while he pulled the bowstring taut without fitting an arrow, and suddenly released his grip, filling the courtyard with the buzz of the bowstring.

Having shot an arrow into the emptiness, Li Xuanfeng waited for a few moments before catching a wild goose that fell from the sky and handing it to Jiang, the fisher girl, with a smile,

"Try this wild goose! Since there's been no formal engagement between us, let this goose stand in for now. We can make it up properly when there's a chance."

After demonstrating such a miraculous skill, Li Xuanfeng slung the long bow over his shoulder, rose into the air with the wind, and left Jiang standing dazed in the courtyard, clenching the corner of her dress as if in a dream. She gripped the unconscious goose tightly, then slowly walked back into the house.

Having flown for a while, Li Xuanfeng landed at the foot of Guanyun Peak and saw Xiao Ruyu sweeping the stone steps with a broom, wearing a hat. The seventeen-year-old boy's handsome appearance managed to exude a touch of nobility despite his shabby clothes.

"Brother Ruyu!"

Li Xuanfeng greeted him with cupped hands and, somewhat surprised, inquired,

"What are you doing here?"

"Oh."

Xiao Ruyu shook his head with an embarrassed look and hesitated,

"Brother Xuanfeng might not know, but my Xiao Family has a rather odd rule. During the times of tribute presentation on Guanyun Peak, I, as the Young Master, must sweep here. If by chance I encounter any exceptional disciples from other families, I should seek guidance and spar with them, and the other families are willing to grant this favor and have a bout."

Li Xuanfeng suddenly understood and chuckled, thinking to himself,

"The Xiao Family is onto something here. Now they know the strengths and weaknesses of all the other families and they have to just nod and take it—what can they do, not come to Guanyun Peak to present their tribute? The Xiao Family is dominant, and who would dare to refuse them if they did show up?"

After considering Xiao Ruyu for a moment, Li Xuanfeng said with a smile,

"Does Brother Ruyu want to test my mettle?"

"Not at all, it's merely a friendly exchange."

Xiao Ruyu quickly shook his head and ventured,

"It's just... the archery technique you use, Brother Li, is a bit too overpowering for close combat. How about I back off a mile, and then we can cross hands?"

"There's no need!"

Li Xuanfeng laughed heartily. He had not fully exerted himself since his advancement in Qi cultivation and was feeling rather eager. The bow, as tall as a man, was held across his body as he drew the bowstring, not needing to nock an arrow, as a burst of sharp, golden Gang Qi surged forth from the string, aimed directly at Xiao Ruyu.

Xiao Ruyu lightly lifted his broom, and pale-colored Protective True Essence swirled around him. Yet, the pain at his brow was a telltale sign of impending danger, which took him by surprise. He realized he had underestimated Li Xuanfeng and thought to himself, "Oh no! His skill in Bow Control is far beyond that of a regular Qi cultivator—it's a skill that stays silent until it strikes thunderously. I should have closed in before he drew the bow; I was overconfident!"

In the midst of his realization, he took several steps forward. As Li Xuanfeng released the bowstring, the golden Gang Qi surged forth, and Xiao Ruyu stepped back twice as another wave of Gang Qi formed.

Xiao Ruyu, wrapped his broom in True Essence, not daring to be distracted, knowing that the impact of the Gang Qi would leave a gaping hole in him. He shattered the incoming golden Gang Qi with a frontal strike, turning and smashing through successive waves. As he got closer to Li Xuanfeng, he felt as if he were facing a bitterly cold wind head-on, his movements growing slower and slower.

"What's happening?"

Xiao Ruyu exclaimed in shock. Only when he extended his Spiritual Sense around him did he discover that the shattered Gang Qi had transformed into several streams of golden energy, flowing over his Protective True Essence like an incurable ulcer, steadily devouring his True Essence.

Even though Xiao Ruyu's movement technique, inherited from his family, was originally much faster than Li Xuanfeng's, he was gradually slowing. Watching as Li Xuanfeng quickly widened the gap with the recoil force, Xiao Ruyu had no choice but to pinch a spell and conjure a few Taoist Spells to counter, trying to disrupt Li Xuanfeng.

Little did he know, Li Xuanfeng swept his pitch-black longbow, shattering those spells. He stopped and waved his hand saying,

"Brother Xiao's cultivation level is profound, let's stop fighting!"

Xiao Ruyu deeply looked at him, dissipated the Protective True Essence from his body, and cupped his hands with a smile:

"Please, Brother Xuanfeng, go ahead."

Li Xuanfeng nodded his farewell, secretly thinking to himself:

"In a life-or-death battle, if I'm more than five miles away from him, he's surely doomed, within one mile the outcome is uncertain, but if we meet face-to-face I fear I might not be his match."

Although Li Xuanfeng had the upper hand just now, rapid firing had already left him physically and spiritually exhausted. Fearing further disadvantage, he quickly called a halt to the fight.

On the other side, Xiao Ruyu watched as Li Xuanfeng climbed the mountain and was secretly alarmed, knowing that Li Xuanfeng was not easy to deal with. Still pondering over their fight, a young man approached him. Xiao Ruyu asked:

"And who might you be?"

"Lu Yuanlu of the Lu Family! What are you that dares to obstruct this young master's path!"

Xiao Ruyu stared at the arrogant young man before him and was momentarily stupefied, his expression a bit weird.

-------------

As Li Xuanfeng reached the mountaintop, he saw a small courtyard. Not recognizing anyone, he simply sat in a corner to watch. Soon, a man with a bruised and swollen face walked up, sparking his curiosity. He wondered:

"What kind of grudge does this man have with Xiao Ruyu to have ended up in such a state."

After waiting for a while, the rosy clouds boat already passed over the sea of clouds, slowly descending onto the mountaintop. A middle-aged man in a Taoist robe disembarked with the Qi Cultivation of the peak of Qi Refinement, wearing a jade crown and exuding some dignity.

The middle-aged man first paid his respects to Xiao Chuting, then closed his eyes to rest. The Immortal Sect servants started calling names one by one. Li Xuanfeng waited for a while and when it came to the Li Family from Lijing, he came forward to present his tribute. The jade-crowned middle-aged man's ears twitched, he opened his eyes politely and nodded towards him, saying:

"I have long admired the great name of the Li Family from Lijing, such a reputation doesn't come without substance. To have a Qi Cultivator at fifteen is rare even within the sect!"

Li Xuanfeng hesitated slightly, uncertain when his family's fame had begun to spread within the sect. He had no choice but to cup his hands and reply:

"The senior overpraises me. I'm merely fortunate and come from a humble family in a remote area—it's surprising that it has reached the senior's ears!"

The middle-aged man shook his head and insisted on interrupting the roll call to chat with him, smiling and saying:

"The noble Qing Sui Sword Immortal Li Chijin broke through to Foundation Establishment in Yi Shan City not long ago, defeating Chi Jiuyun with the Moon Que Sword Intent. His mastery in the Sword Path outshines many, and the news has reached the entire sect—who doesn't know the great name of the Li Family from Lijing!"

As these words spread, everyone present was astonished. Li Xuanfeng's expression brightened. Although he was young and had no recollection of Li Chijin, who had returned to the sect before his birth, he was still extremely pleasantly surprised, basking in the glory and thanking him profusely.

Xiao Chuting, who was sitting nearby with slightly opened eyes, knew the weight of this Sword Immortal more than the rest below and thought to herself:

"Qing Sui Sword Immortal... So Li Chijin really has grasped the Sword Intent. Truly a heaven-sent prodigy. I've heard Yuansi say before how talented he is—his talent indeed reaches such heights!"

Then, after a moment's reflection, she sighed inwardly:

"What a pity that he's fallen into the hands of the Qing Chi Demon Sect. With such an exquisite Taoist Foundation, he's bound to meet a bad end sooner or later, reduced to nourishment for that old demon... such a waste..."

The middle-aged man, however, grew more and more excited as he spoke, saying:

"We fellow swordsmen have thought to seek the guidance of the Upper Immortal Yue in the Southern Border, but we learned that the senior had been dispatched deep into the border to search for medicine for the sect, and would not return for decades. We could only return disheartened!"

With a sigh of regret, the middle-aged man looked at Li Xuanfeng quite warmly, repeatedly saying:

"Before leaving the sect, I specifically went to check the register. The Li Family was still listed among the Fetal Breathing small clans—clearly, some people aren't doing their jobs thoroughly! You also have a Qi Cultivation Level, how about changing it on the spot?"

Li Xuanfeng agreed repeatedly. The middle-aged man took out a brush and ink and started doing the work of a servant, striking off the old name in the registry and upgrading it to a great clan, and lamented again:

"If it weren't for the sect's rules that only disciples who have achieved Foundation Establishment can be listed as Noble Families, this would have been the most convenient to correct at once!"

Li Xuanfeng took the new spiritual object seeds and salary requests, chatted a few words with the middle-aged man, and quickly stepped down. The interrupted name-calling ceremony continued, and he stood proudly at the forefront, enjoying the astonished and envious gazes from around. His image of his admired elder soared, as if he could see a graceful and elegant Sword Immortal.

"Once I achieve Foundation Establishment, I will definitely have a good spar with my elder Uncle. I'll see if my archery is faster, or his swordsmanship!"