The scent of blood and fear from Li Feng's courtyard faded with every step Li Wei took, replaced by the cool, fragrant air of the estate's night gardens. The moon cast long shadows across the manicured paths, and the only sounds were the soft rustle of his own robes and the near-silent footsteps of Mei and his guards behind him.
As they rounded a bend in the path, passing a tranquil koi pond, Li Wei's eyes narrowed. A figure stood under a blossoming Spirit Peach tree, her form illuminated by the moonlight. She wore the silver-trimmed blue robes of an Empyrean Sword Sect core disciple, a stark contrast to the Li Clan's gold and black attire.
It was Li Suying, a woman six years his senior from a side branch of the clan. Her cultivation was plain to see—the dense spiritual energy of a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator. For someone not yet twenty-five, this was not just remarkable; it was astonishing. The path of cultivation grew exponentially more arduous with each stage. One needed only to consider Jiao Long achieved Golden Core at forty yet, even at eighty, remained struggling in its late stages. For Li Suying to be this close to that threshold so young was a testament to both her prodigious talent and the immense resources of a major sect, resources that dwarfed even a powerful clan like theirs.
Li Wei stopped, his expression unreadable. 'Li Suying.'
Li Suying turned and offered a respectful but not overly deep bow. 'Young Master Wei.'
'You should be at the sect,' he stated, his tone flat.
'My Master, Elder Feng, will be leading one of the recruitment teams to Azure Province this year,' she replied, her voice calm and steady. 'He granted me leave to visit my family beforehand.'
Her gaze swept over the familiar gardens, a subtle, almost imperceptible shift in her demeanor. 'Being back here… it reminds me how truly remarkable the sect's environment is. The natural qi density is at least twice what we have here, even with our estate's qi gathering arrays. A cultivator's progress can truly leap forward in such a place.'
'Young Master Wei,' Li Suying began, a hint of curiosity in her tone. 'Will you be participating in the Soaring Dragon Assembly this year?'
Li Wei's lips curved into a faint, cold smile. 'Of course. The winner's prize alone makes it worth the effort.'
'I see. It will be interesting to watch.' Li Suying nodded and stepped aside, allowing him to pass.
Li Wei continued on his way without a backward glance. The Soaring Dragon Assembly was the greatest stage for young talent in Azure Province, held once every three years for cultivators under twenty. All major sects would send teams to observe, scouting for hidden dragons and crouching tigers from ancient families. The prize for the champion, backed by the Grand Xia Royal Family, was said to be extraordinary.