Translator: AnubisTL
The iron ring hanging from the young woman's wrist was no rare or precious spiritual material; it was merely forged from mortal iron, devoid of even a trace of spiritual energy.
Yet this very ring sent a subtle tremor through Li Qing's heart, stirring faint ripples of emotion within him.
Memories surged, flipping through the pages of his past. In an instant, his mind's eye returned to the days when he was just a cowherd, still known as Er Niu—"Second Ox"—a rustic nickname earned from being the second son in a family that raised two oxen.
Gazing at the iron ring, Li Qing found it increasingly difficult to maintain his composure.
For when his elder brother had first become engaged, Li Qing had clumsily forged two iron rings as a wedding gift. Though humble, they were imbued with heartfelt sincerity.
As these memories flooded back, Li Qing unconsciously clenched his fist.
He recognized the iron ring on the thunder spirit root girl's wrist—it was one of the very rings he had personally forged!
There could be no mistake. Though rusted and worn, the character "Li" he had carved into the ring remained unmistakable.
"Where did you get those iron bracelets on your wrists?" Li Qing asked calmly.
The girl with the thunder spirit root paused, then answered openly, "These are mementos my mother left me before she passed! Does Ancestor have any questions?"
Li Qing nodded slightly, then shook his head. "No, no questions. Could you tell me your name?"
"Reporting to Ancestor, my name is Li Yuhuan!"
So she really was a Li!
With this confirmation, Li Qing was now ninety percent certain of the thunder spirit root girl's identity and origins.
However, he didn't reveal his suspicions. After a moment of silence, he said slowly, "Over the years, I've never considered taking on a disciple. But due to certain circumstances, I've occasionally accepted registered disciples."
"You possess a thunder spirit root, a truly exceptional talent. Any other core formation realm cultivator would eagerly accept you as a Personal Disciple."
"But with me, you would remain a registered disciple. Would you still be willing to accept such a position?"
Li Qing still wasn't particularly keen on taking on a disciple.
For cultivators, disciples or even biological children were essentially extensions of their own lives or the inheritance of their daoist arts.
Such choices were typically made only by those nearing the end of their lives or those who knew their dao path was bleak.
Li Qing, however, was different. Although he had recently lost a significant portion of his lifespan, compared to other cultivators, his remaining lifespan was still astonishingly abundant. He wouldn't need to worry about his great limit approaching for quite some time.
Therefore, the idea of taking a disciple had never even crossed his mind.
Upon hearing this, Li Yuhuan fell into deep thought.
Meanwhile, the onlookers began whispering among themselves:
"Tsk, tsk, tsk! A disciple of a core formation true lord! Even if it's just a registered disciple, I'd accept immediately if I were her!"
"That's because you're you. Li Yuhuan possesses an extremely rare variant spirit root. Her aptitude is beyond question. Even a core formation true lord would be eager to take her as a Personal Disciple, or even a close-door disciple!"
"Exactly! A thunder spirit root! Even among variant spirit roots, thunder spirit roots are renowned for their formidable combat prowess!"
"..."
The crowd's murmurs grew louder, reaching Li Yuhuan's ears and further complicating her decision.
Registered disciple...
After pondering for a long while, Li Yuhuan finally made her decision. She clasped her hands in a fist salute and declared, "Disciple Li Yuhuan greets Master!"
Li Qing smiled. "Very well," he said. "Though you'll be my registered disciple, you won't receive any special treatment within the sect. Your own efforts will be your greatest asset."
The white-robed youth who had just fought Li Yuhuan stood nearby, his eyes burning with envy.
This is the advantage of exceptional talent, he thought. Even during the ascension conference, the woman I defeated has already become a registered disciple of a core formation true lord. It's truly enviable.
Soon, the other elders and visiting cultivators joined in unison:
"Congratulations, Ancestor Limitless, on finding such a promising disciple!"
"Congratulations, Limitless True Lord!"
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the Lingyun Sect's ascension conference—the first since its reconstruction—gradually drew to a close.
A total of 301 new disciples were accepted, one more than anticipated. This extra disciple was Li Qing's registered disciple, Li Yuhuan.
Among the other 300, several outstanding talents emerged.
Some excelled in body refinement, others wielded formidable magical arts, and still others specialized in artifact refinement, talisman crafting, and various other skills. In short, the group was a diverse mix of individuals with varying strengths.
However, no one else possessed the exceptional thunder spirit root aptitude of Li Yuhuan.
This outcome was entirely predictable.
Powerful Dao Cultivation Physiques like the Exquisite Treasure Physique and Pure Yang Physique, or cultivators with exceptionally fast cultivation speeds due to heavenly spirit roots, were exceedingly rare.
It was unrealistic to expect to recruit such exceptional talents at every ascension conference.
In truth, even securing a cultivator with a thunder spirit root to join the sect was already a remarkable achievement.
With proper nurturing, Li Yuhuan stood a high chance of achieving core formation in the future.
The ascension conference concluded, and the guests from across the Azure Ridge Domain dispersed, no longer lingering to observe.
The mountain gate of the Lingyun Sect finally returned to its usual tranquility.
"Master! I've received the sect's provisions!"
Li Yuhuan arrived at the foot of the spirit peak where Li Qing resided and shouted loudly upward, her voice ringing with earnest effort.
Moments later, a black tiger descended from the peak with overwhelming momentum.
Fan Tong radiated intense malevolent energy. His massive size and deep black fur made his presence utterly awe-inspiring.
Below, Li Yuhuan's cheerful smile quickly faded, her face turning pale with fear.
Though she recognized the Black Tiger as her master's mount, her heart still pounded with unease.
"Aow!"
Fan Tong let out a low growl before slowly lowering its head, signaling Li Yuhuan to climb aboard.
After a moment's hesitation, Li Yuhuan mustered her courage and leaped onto Fan Tong's back.
At first, she remained timid, Fan Tong's current appearance was so ferocious that she feared provoking the demon beast and being swallowed whole.
But her worries proved unfounded. Fan Tong possessed remarkable spiritual intelligence and would never resort to such an act.
Soon, Li Yuhuan's apprehension dissolved as she discovered riding Fan Tong's back was surprisingly comfortable.
Though its dark fur appeared coarse, it was remarkably soft!
As they swiftly ascended the mountain, Li Yuhuan felt no jolting or discomfort.
Before long, Fan Tong reached the summit.
Before the cave abode lay a vast open space. In the center, a tall, upright figure stood watering plants with an ordinary kettle.
After setting Li Yuhuan down, Fan Tong let out a mighty roar: "Aowu!"
Then, it turned and resumed its patrol of the Lingyun Sect's mountain gate.
Having followed Li Qing for so many years, this was the first time it had truly enjoyed such expansive freedom.
The area boasted not only mountains and seas but also an abundance of spiritual energy, which greatly pleased Fan Tong.
Initially, some Lingyun Sect disciples were wary of the third-tier Black Tiger, fearing it might harm them. They would tense up whenever they saw it, but soon grew accustomed to its presence.
Word quickly spread throughout the sect: the third-tier Black Tiger was raised by Ancestor Limitless, possessed extraordinary spiritual intelligence, and would not attack unless provoked. As long as one avoided provoking it, there was no danger.
"Disciple Li Yuhuan pays respects to Master!"
Arriving before Li Qing's cave abode, Li Yuhuan bowed respectfully without hesitation.
Li Qing slowly lifted the watering pot, his gaze lingering on the damp earth he had just watered.
In the moist soil, a blood-red lotus seed had already begun to take root!
"Hmm, Yuhuan, there are still a few questions I need to clarify," Li Qing said, turning slowly with his hands clasped behind his back.
"Master, please ask anything. Yuhuan will answer truthfully and completely!" Yuhuan replied, respectfully cupping her fists.
Li Qing nodded. "Is your father named Li Shan?"
!!!
Shock flashed across Li Yuhuan's eyes. Her eyes widened in disbelief—she never imagined her master would ask such a question.
She had assumed he would inquire about her cultivation techniques or other related matters!
What truly stunned her was how her master knew her father's name.
Could it be that her father had a hidden, earth-shattering past? Perhaps he was once a renowned cultivator who, due to some unavoidable circumstances, had retreated to the mortal world, concealing his true identity and living as a humble farmer?
In that brief moment, Li Yuhuan's mind conjured a whole host of bizarre scenarios!
"Master, how do you know my father's name?!"
"Could it be that my father was a legendary figure in the immortal cultivation world? Someone whose name everyone knows?"
"Hiss! My father must have been hiding his true identity incredibly well—I never suspected a thing!"
"But he never could have imagined that I would eventually stumble into the immortal cultivation world by sheer chance!"
"Wait, if that's the case, why would my father hide his name and live as an old farmer? Could it be that some formidable enemy in the cultivation world forced him into hiding?"
Li Yuhuan rattled off a torrent of wild speculations at breakneck speed.
Standing beside her, Li Qing couldn't help but chuckle silently, thinking to himself, This niece of mine—who's also my registered disciple—certainly has a vivid imagination!
"Ahem, it's not as complicated as you think!"
"Your father isn't some renowned expert in the immortal cultivation world. He's just a mortal."
Li Qing spoke with a slightly conflicted expression, pondering how to explain his true identity to Li Yuhuan.
How could the master I just acknowledged suddenly turn out to be my uncle?
No matter how I look at it, this seems rather strange!
But Li Yuhuan was not one to keep her doubts to herself. She blurted out, "Then, Master, how did you know my father's name?"
After a long silence, Li Qing sighed.
"Speaking of which, the pair of iron bracelets you're wearing on your wrist... I personally forged them long ago. I never imagined they would end up in your hands."
Li Yuhuan froze, suddenly recalling what her mother had said when passing down the bracelets:
These bracelets were a gift personally crafted by your uncle, whom you've never met!
Could it be...?
Li Yuhuan's eyes widened. "Master, are you saying you forged these bracelets yourself?"
"But my mother said they were made by my uncle, whom I've never met!"
Li Qing remained silent for a moment before replying softly,
"I share your surname, Li!"
Boom!
A thunderclap in clear skies echoed through Li Yuhuan's mind. Li Qing's final words finally resolved all her inner doubts.
A surge of overwhelming happiness welled up within her, nearly causing her to faint from sheer bliss.
The master she had just sworn to was actually her own uncle!
"Uncle! Your niece has missed you so much!" Li Yuhuan exclaimed, her face radiant with emotion, showing no trace of shyness.
Seeing his niece and disciple so unafraid, Li Qing finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Ahem, speaking of which, how did you enter the world of cultivation?"
"And how is the family doing?"
These were the questions that truly concerned Li Qing, each thought stirring a faint tremor in his heart.
Li Yuhuan answered his questions truthfully.
Later, the Li Family had followed the residents of Crouching Ox Ridge southward to Maple Country, seeking refuge. They eventually settled in a random city.
With the four silver ingots they had mysteriously acquired, the family lived a relatively comfortable life.
Later, Li Qing's elder brother had a son. More than a decade passed before Li Yuhuan was born.
Before Li Yuhuan's birth, both her paternal grandparents had passed away, so she had little memory of them.
Due to Li Shan having a daughter late in life, both her parents died within two years of her birth.
It was when she turned eleven that her mother entrusted her with the pair of iron rings, explaining their origins.
Though still young at the time, Li Yuhuan never forgot the story.
Fortunately, the Li Family still had some resources, and Li Yuhuan's elder brother had become capable of managing affairs independently. As a result, their lives were not particularly difficult, far more prosperous than when Li Qing was young.
"After that, an old daoist passed by our door and asked if I wanted to become an Immortal."
"And just like that, I embarked on the immortal dao!"
(End of the Chapter)