Family Cultivation: I Become a Mirror-Chapter 248 - 229: Cultivation Technique

Xiao Yongling's expression shifted minutely upon hearing this, he hesitated for a moment, then said in a low voice:

"Wouldn't this… be belittling your noble family? I fear it would not be proper."

Li Tongya naturally understood Xiao Yongling's point—it was merely a formality—so he cupped his fists and replied:

"The matter between our two families has yet to be made public, and my breakthrough to Foundation Establishment has not been announced either. If I were to brazenly sit in an honored seat, it would be no more than losing the initiative for nothing. Yongling, you need not overthink it. The friendship between our families is sincere; let us not be bound by mundane etiquette."

Xiao Yongling nodded repeatedly. How could he not see the nuance? He only feared that assigning the lowest seat without reason would sow discord between the families. Thus, he came early to find Li Tongya, pointedly mentioning the Li Family's seat, precisely awaiting these very words from Li Tongya, so he cupped his fists and said:

"Brother Tongya understands propriety well. I had already arranged your seats on the other side, and deliberately staggered them from the various families of Wangyue Lake, placing them away from the lowest seats. When the clouds and mist gather, none will rudely extend Spiritual Sense to seek about, so there shall be no disturbance."

Xiao Yongling handled matters cleanly, and Li Tongya smilingly nodded and accepted, then voiced his thanks and made his way to the lowest seat. Xiao Yongling personally escorted him, only then returning to the honored seats. The surroundings were still mostly empty; at his back, Xiao Jiuqing praised:

"To see brother's rapport with Senior Tongya is like mountains calling to valleys and moonlight washing over a clear stream—truly astonishing."

Xiao Yongling let out a laugh, patting him on the shoulder, and jested:

"Your tongue! If there's anyone better at flattery, I've yet to meet them."

Xiao Jiuqing laughed and repeatedly apologized, to which Xiao Yongling chuckled as well. Only then did he sober slightly and reply:

"You overstate it. Both Li Tongya and I are men of much caution and subtle speech, hence we find our words agree. Had it been Li Xuanfeng who came today, I'd go over all the pros and cons with him the night before, and seat accordingly—no such risky maneuver would take place then."

Xiao Jiuqing nodded in haste, then spoke again:

"I am enlightened, but I have heard that the Green Pond Sect is once more facing demon trouble in the Southern Border, conscripting men to Yi Shan City. Is this rumor true?"

Xiao Yongling shook his head and replied:

"The Southern Border's Demon King and the Green Pond Sect have always colluded; it's nothing but yet another scheme of Chi Zhiyun's. Fortunately, our family is no longer under Green Pond's jurisdiction, so we need not fret."

The Xiao brothers were still conversing when, on Li Tongya's side, he had found his seat and sat. He waited three quarters of an hour; only then did people trickle into the upper seats. The place beside him was taken by a white-haired old man, who looked around before glancing at Li Tongya, then revealed a look of astonishment and respectfully spoke:

"Greetings, Senior..."

This entire section beside Li Tongya was for Fetal Breathing and Qi Cultivation seats. For a Foundation Establishment Cultivator like himself to sit alone among them, those beside him all shrank back in awe. This person, too, only dared greet him, fearing he might be some eccentric loose cultivator, and did not dare try further conversation, choosing instead to quietly drink his wine.

Li Tongya was happy to have it so. He raised his head and watched as the upper jade dais filled with people; only then did he hear someone sing out a name.

"Xiuyue Sect, Shangyuan Perfected Person has arrived—"

"Of the Three Sects and Seven Doors, the first to arrive is actually Xiuyue Sect."

The place burst into hushed discussion. Li Tongya looked up; there was already a figure atop the high seat. That Perfected Person was garbed in white, loose robes, a pendant of green jade at the collar, features indistinct, a sword swaying at his waist. Sitting solemnly atop, his fingers pure as jade holding a jade cup to gaze at quietly, he seemed unremarkable at first glance.

"To trouble Senior for coming so far and bestowing your precious invitation, my humble peak is honored. Chuting is deeply grateful."

Xiao Chuting's voice echoed atop the peak. Li Tongya listened, his expression growing solemn, as the Perfected Person on high placed down his jade cup, nodded faintly in reply, and could not help but think:

"Xiao Chuting has set his stance so low… That man must be late-stage or even peak Zifu. Though Xiuyue Sect is always low-key, it is still one of the Three Sects, with profound foundations!"

Below, the crowd was in fervent discussion. Xiuyue Sect, though counted among the Three Sects, was the most inconspicuous; not only was its Mountain Gate always shrouded in mist and nowhere to be found, it let its noble clans run free and seemed content to watch the turmoil from afar—also, it was the only sect under whose authority there existed a Zifu Immortal Clan.

Li Tongya was still listening to the surrounding whispers when a sudden flash of red light appeared above—the arrival of another Zifu monk, with white hair but youthful face, holding a jade ruler, white beard floating.

"Xuan Yue Sect, Changxi Perfected Person arrives—"

"Changxi pays respects to Senior!"

As Changxi Perfected Person appeared, he hastily cupped his hands in salute. The white-robed, green-jade-pendant Shangyuan Perfected Person atop replied softly. Only then did Changxi dare lift his head and turn to congratulate:

"Congratulations, Taoist Fellow, on breaking through to Zifu."

Below, Li Tongya watched carefully, inwardly apprehensive. He lingered on the sword at Shangyuan Perfected Person's waist, then hurriedly lowered his head, not daring to look further, mused to himself:

"This Shangyuan Perfected Person must be a Sword Immortal, or how else would even these distinguished figures show such deference?"

"Tangjin Sect..."

"Changxiao Sect..."

The Zifu monks of the honored seats all successively arrived, each offering a cupped-fists greeting to Shangyuan Perfected Person atop before taking their seats. Except for Xiuyue Sect's Shangyuan Perfected Person, all others brought their Foundation Establishment disciples. Li Tongya looked carefully—beyond the Three Sects and Seven Doors, there were also several Zifu Immortal Clans in attendance.

"Green Pond Sect, Buzi Perfected Person arrives!"

With the arrival of the Green Pond Sect's Perfected Person, the upper seats filled. Xiao Chuting greeted smilingly with some polite words, whereupon celestial music began to waft, the scene so peaceful and abundant.

Li Tongya, for his part, looked up for a time and, among the faces at the Ziyan Sect table, spotted a familiar face—a man twirling his beard with one hand, contentedly sipping wine, jade chopsticks sifting among the dishes and cheerfully humming a tune.