Family Cultivation: I Become a Mirror-Chapter 235 - 218 Qinghong’s Aspiration

After dozens of exchanges, Li Tongya sheathed his sword, and the surging river water transformed into dozens of clear water swords that quietly hovered in the air, with the remaining waves floating beside him, enveloping him in their midst. The cold weather caused tiny crystals of ice to form on the river water beside him, occasionally falling off in powdery clusters.

Fei Wangbai also ceased his spear work, standing with his cape transforming into numerous strips of brocade before rapidly dispersing into spiritual energy and disappearing. The snowfall gradually lessened, and the water control technique employed by Li Tongya began to dissipate as well, with the river water falling like a deluge, turning into a hailstorm before it hit the ground, and pattering down the mountainside.

"Brother Wangbai, what excellent spear technique," Li Tongya said, his aura slowly withdrawing as he returned to sit beside the jade table, while Fei Wangbai landed with a joyful smile, saying in a soft voice:

"Everyone knows Brother Tongya is adept in swordsmanship, but few realize your water control technique is no less remarkable."

With their exchange of blows, both men gained understanding of each other's abilities. This would prepare them for fighting side by side in the future. A real exchange of moves was much more efficient than mere verbal introductions, understanding the reality and the mystery of each other's skills in their hearts.

The two complimented each other, and Li Tongya laughed and shook his head before suddenly looking up with a smile:

"My Qinghong is coming."

With a flick of his finger, Fei Wangbai opened the door to the small pavilion with a creak, and up walked a person in white, carrying a spear and with a smile as curved as the autumn moon—naturally, it was Li Qinghong.

"Greetings, Master!"

"Greetings, Uncle! Congratulations on your breakthrough to Foundation Establishment!"

"Mm."

Both responded, and then a young boy peeked out from the building, giving a respectful greeting to the two before bowing his head and standing to one side.

"This is my eldest grandson, Fei Tongxiao."

Fei Wangbai introduced him with a beaming smile before asking:

"How is it?"

However, Li Qinghong and Fei Tongxiao, standing aside, seemed oblivious to the question. They simply watched the two elders sit opposite each other, not speaking, clearly under the effects of a spell or illusion technique Fei Wangbai had cast, unknowingly.

Li Tongya merely glanced at each and knew what Fei Wangbai meant, shaking his head in response:

"My Qinghong is a seed for Foundation Establishment, and I would be reluctant to see her married off anywhere. Unless she herself consents, our family would not agree to it."

Fei Wangbai shook his head regretfully. Over the past three years, he had watched Li Qinghong grow up and held her in high regard. He apologized for the overstep and changed the subject.

After talking for a few more moments and setting down his cup, Li Tongya smiled and said:

"Thank you for the care these past few years, Qinghong, and thank you, elder."

Li Qinghong respectfully offered her thanks and knelt down, after which Li Tongya took several jade boxes from his storage bag and said softly:

"Brother Wangbai, please take care of this child. This is a small token of my gratitude, though it does not suffice to show my respect."

Unable to refuse, Fei Wangbai rolled up his sleeve and accepted the gifts. After chatting with Li Tongya for a moment longer, they finally bid farewell, with Li Tongya and Li Qinghong riding the wind away, leaving Fei Tongxiao standing in the pavilion, lost in a daze.

"Tongxiao."

Fei Wangbai sipped his tea and spoke in a low voice:

"Go and practice when you have the time. Don't get left too far behind, and don't harbour any lingering thoughts."

Fei Tongxiao nodded respectfully and departed. Fei Wangbai then softly set down his cup, expressing his sentiment in a low voice:

"It's a pity that the girl is too talented."

————

Li Tongya flew over the lake, riding the wind, with the deep azure waters beneath glistening in the light. It was getting late, and the pale moonlight draped down, while beside him, Li Qinghong was in high spirits, unable to keep a smile from naturally curling at the corners of her mouth.

On one hand, an elder at home had established their foundation, providing a pillar of support, and on the other hand, she was able to see long-missed family members. In a moment of elation, if not for Li Tongya beside her, she might have burst into song.

"Qinghong."

Li Tongya suddenly spoke up, smiling as he asked:

"Qinghong, that lad from the Fei Clan seems to be quite interested in you, what do you think?"

"Ah."

Li Qinghong hadn't expected Li Tongya to ask this, and was momentarily taken aback. After pondering for a few moments, she stated with a determined look:

"I have no interest in love, nor do I wish to become someone's wife or concubine..."

Li Qinghong's almond-shaped eyes sparkled with animation, and her black hair, tied at the back of her head, was lifted by the evening breeze over the lake. The moonlight shone on her vermilion lips as she said in a clear voice:

"Although a woman's body is not that of a man's, she too harbors the ambition to cultivate the Six Wheels, refine her Divine Skills, to pursue immortals and eliminate demons, protect the land and provide peace to the people. Once the red tassel in my hand moves, heroes will shorten their breath, and immortals will bow their heads!"

Li Tongya had not expected such words from Li Qinghong, and it startled him. Looking at the smiling expression on her face, he fell silent for a few moments, then spoke in a low voice:

"Difficult."

Li Qinghong's expression became even more resolute as she took Li Tongya's hand and said quietly:

"I want that 'Purple Thunder Secret Essence Technique'!"

"No."

Li Tongya shook his head, rejecting her outright, and said in a gentle voice:

"The 'Purple Thunder Secret Essence Technique' is a Fourth Grade technique transformed into a secret technique. Though the thunderbolt is indeed the supreme law for obliteration, the technique is too tyrannical. It could cut off offspring and even reduce one's lifespan..."

"Great Uncle, I understand."

Li Qinghong nodded, her teeth gritted, and said:

"It is precisely because of its destructive power that I wish to learn it. And with the Foundation Establishment Spear Technique in the family, I have no desire to engage in marriage. This technique is exactly what Qinghong desires."

"Alas."

Li Tongya shook his head again, consoling her:

"You still have several years of Qi cultivation, so consider it further."

Li Qinghong acknowledged respectfully, and when she looked up, Lijing Mountain, enveloped by a pale golden formation, was already in sight far ahead. Anticipating the reunion with her parents and younger siblings, her spirits lifted. Li Tongya, however, still frowned, feeling a complexity of emotions he could not articulate.

"Qinghong's ambitions are lofty; whether this is a blessing or a curse, I do not know."

After settling Li Qinghong on the mountain, Li Xuanxuan and Li Xuanling, who had been waiting between the mountains, were already there. Father and daughter, having not seen each other for many years, were naturally tearfully excited. Li Xuanxuan then stepped forward and said in a low voice:

"Uncle, people from the Xiao Family have arrived. Elder Xiao Yuansi has already been waiting in the courtyard for quite some time."

Li Tongya was smiling cheerfully, but upon hearing this, he was taken aback and quickly turned his head, following Li Xuanxuan into the house. As he crossed the threshold, he saw Xiao Yuansi sitting aside, holding a jade slip. Li Tongya straightened his grey-robed sleeves and greeted with respect:

"Tongya pays his respects to the elder. Sorry to have kept you waiting for so long!"

Xiao Yuansi put away the jade slip and wore a rather complex expression as he sighed:

"Oh no, not at all, nowadays I should indeed call you Taoist Fellow."

Xiao Yuansi had witnessed Li Tongya's step-by-step advancement to the Immortal Foundation. When he first met him, he was but a minor cultivator at the Third Layer of Fetal Breathing. Now, Tongya had established the Immortal Foundation. He let out a sigh, only to see Li Tongya standing upright and bowing deeply, saying solemnly:

"Elder, you have been as a mountain of kindness to my family, instructing us like a teacher; such courtesy truly humbles me!"

Xiao Yuansi laughed, his mood considerably lightened, and he said:

"This is a moment of great joy; don't fret over it! Seeing your achievements pleases me, and it gives me something to report back to Chi Jing."

As Li Tongya took a seat at the lower end, he saw Xiao Yuansi smile and say:

"Our ancestors once arranged a happy event with your family, Tongya, do you remember it?"