Li Xinnian remained at the Eternal Immortal Sect for a day before the Spirit Boat departed.
It was noon in high summer, and the sunlight beating down on the Eternal Immortal Sect was intense.
Li Chuyuan, who had been hiding within the sect for a full day, finally dared to step out.
Seeing the Spirit Boat fly away, he breathed a sigh of relief.
Suddenly, the sound of robes flapping in the wind rang out beside him.
Li Chuyuan hurriedly turned and bowed.
"This disciple pays respects to the Master."
He Hao was also gazing at the departing Spirit Boat.
He smiled and said,
"Disciple, your family held its Grand Ceremony. Now that your elder has come personally, why did you not return with him?
By not allowing you to meet with him properly this time, I fear he might think that I, your Master, am detaining you against your will."
Hearing this, Li Chuyuan hurriedly knelt down.
"This disciple's heart is solely dedicated to the Dao; I seek only the Great Dao and its methods. I beg you, Master, please do not force this disciple to return."
"This disciple came to pay respects and learn the arts at the age of sixteen.
Now that I have grown older, I am aware that Master fears this disciple might be a spy for the clan, secretly stealing the Immortal Sect's techniques.
Heaven is my witness, this disciple has absolutely no such intention!
If Master does not believe me, you are welcome to search my soul!"
"Alas." He Hao let out a long sigh and helped Li Chuyuan up.
"Your aptitude is extraordinary. The Eternal Immortal Sect has always been fair; as your Master, I will teach you everything I should.
However, for you to estrange yourself from your family because of my Sect is a grave mistake.
In the future, for major family events such as the Grand Ceremony, it would be best if you returned more often."
Having said this, seeing his disciple keeping his head lowered, He Hao furrowed his brows, shook his head, and departed.
Twenty years ago, this Li Chuyuan had concealed his name and identity to come here and seek a master.
This child was truly extraordinary: possessing a Heavenly Ice Spirit Root.
Perhaps because he was born within the Li Clan's Immortal Martial Grotto-Heaven, he possessed a natural-born Profound Spirit Physique.
What a fine seedling for cultivation.
At first, He Hao had harbored many suspicions, but later he realized that all his guesses were wrong.
This boy, Li Chuyuan, was simply a classic case of "Human struggling upwards, just as water flows downwards."
After his Master departed.
Li Chuyuan clenched his fists tight, gritted his teeth, and whispered,
"I was cultivating perfectly fine here; why did the Clan Head have to come? It only caused Master to question me.
The Eternal Immortal Sect is such a colossal entity; only here can my level of talent be truly utilized.
Once I have achieved success in my studies, I would naturally return, so why must he come and upset me?"
...
On the Spirit Boat.
Li Xinnian wore a rare expression of displeasure, and a trace of desolation lingered between his brows.
Having managed the family estate for many years, he had always maintained fairness and impartiality.
He rewarded every clan disciple who possessed excellent aptitude or contributed to the family; even when it came to dipping into his own personal savings to fund these rewards, he would hesitate for no more than a single night.
Over these years, whenever the family elders bestowed treasures upon him, he would quietly have Yuanshang record them in the ledger, marking them as deductions against his future annual stipends.
Yet, twenty years ago, the most talented member of the 'Chu' generation chose to leave, despite this environment of clear rewards and punishments.
At that time, Li Chuyuan had left behind the Ancestral Spirit Tablet meant to protect him, as well as his Hidden Edge's Sword, right there at home.
Li Chuyuan's father had met with an accident during an experience trial, so the boy was raised by his grandfather, Jianning of the Immortal Martial lineage, and his wife.
Back then, fearing the child had met with misfortune, the entire clan petitioned the Old Ancestor for days, finally awakening him from his secluded meditation.
Who could have known that Li Chuyuan had actually apprenticed himself to the Eternal Immortal Sect?
It reached the point where even when his grandparents went to visit, they could barely catch a glimpse of him.
"What exactly did I do wrong? Or did the family fail him in some way?"
Li Xinnian exhaled a long breath.
He had investigated the matter thoroughly.
Li Chuyuan possessed extraordinary natural talent, and because Li Jianning felt he owed a debt to his grandson, he doted on him exceptionally.
The Immortal Martial Lineage had spared no expense in grooming him with medicinal pills and heavenly treasures; while merely in the Qi Refining stage, Li Chuyuan was already equipped with Top-grade Spirit Tools for protection.
The next Primordial Blood Fruit was originally scheduled to be consumed by High Ancestor Yunlin, yet they had been preparing to grant it to Li Chuyuan instead as an exceptional boon.
Taking first place in this year's Grand Competition was practically a foregone conclusion for him.
"Clan Head Li."
Grand Elder Pu Ci suddenly appeared beside Li Xinnian.
Even though Li Xinnian had plastered a smile back onto his face, Grand Elder Pu Ci still discerned the trace of sorrow that lingered, unable to be fully dispelled.
He smiled.
"It is best to take some matters lightly.
We who have lived for a long time have seen people of ten thousand different varieties; having such a person appear within one's bloodline is actually quite common.
If all matters in the world truly aligned with our heart's desires, that would be far too fanciful."
Huh? Am I being lectured by a fence-sitter?
Just then, Grand Elder Pu Ci let out a long sigh.
"Back in the beginning, was I not also the Old Ancestor of an Immortal Clan? Later, within the clan, there was also... Hmm?
Clan Head Li, this old man has not finished speaking yet; are you not being a bit too lacking in etiquette?!"
"..."
Held fast by Grand Elder Pu Ci, Li Xinnian stood there expressionless, listening as Pu Ci recounted the stories of those past years.
By the time they returned to the family estate, Grand Elder Pu Ci bade Li Xinnian a reluctant farewell.
Li Xinnian took a deep breath and headed toward the Immortal Martial Grotto-Heaven.
"Father."
Li Zhiheng and the clansmen of the Immortal Martial lineage had been waiting for some time.
Li Xinnian looked toward the clansmen and walked up to a middle-aged man whose face was etched with the vicissitudes of life.
That was Li Chuyuan's grandfather, Li Jianning.
"Great-Grandfather." Li Jianning looked downcast. Even his Great-Grandfather had failed to bring the child back this time.
Li Xinnian recounted the details of his meeting with Li Chuyuan.
Li Jianning lowered his head and sighed.
"Great-Grandfather, it is this child who is a disappointment. Let it be; let us simply pretend the clan never gave birth to that child."
No one felt more desolate than Li Jianning.
His aptitude was mediocre. At over seventy years of age, he was merely at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment.
He was inferior to his grandson and could not offer him anything. What right did he have to discipline Chuyuan?
"Who says you are a disappointment?"
Li Xinnian furrowed his brows and placed his heavy right hand on Li Jianning's shoulder.
"In all the years the Li Clan has existed, we have never produced such a rebellious descendant. It is not you who are a disappointment, nor have we committed any fault."
"From this moment forth, Li Chuyuan is no longer a member of my Li Clan.
We have endured the cold stares of the world before; why should we waste our spirits grieving over the cold attitude of a single junior?"
"He thinks that staying in the Li Clan was a waste of his natural talent? Hah, natural talent?
Jianning, the Old Ancestor, is summoning you. Let us show your grandson just what true natural talent looks like!"
The spirit tablet hanging at Li Jianning's waist shone brightly.
Li Xinnian narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Human struggles upwards, just as water flows downwards."
"Everyone in the world knows this truth."
"But what the world does not know is that my Li Clan is simply keeping its strength hidden.
My Li Clan has long since stood on high ground, and yet we are still marching toward the very peak of the mountain!"
Li Jianning's gaze turned firm.
Li Zhiheng nodded slightly.
That child, Chuyuan, only knew that the Eternal Immortal Sect was powerful, but he did not know how the family had climbed step by step to reach where it was today.
He only knew the Eternal Immortal Sect was powerful, yet he failed to realize that the Li Clan had never relied on the strength of any single individual to achieve the glory it possessed today.
---
Donate on Ko-fi ➡️ [https://ko-fi.com/darktea] ⬅️
Get Early Access to 90 Chapters: Search for "Dark Tea" on Ko-fi (Explore tab) and join my membership to read ahead!