As Li Yunlin sank deep into his cultivation, a gratified expression appeared on the old cat's face.
But its satisfaction was short-lived. Before long, its gaze shifted to the world outside the Skyveil Hall, where it saw a young kinswoman of Li Yunlin's approaching with a woman in red in tow.
"Why is she here again?" the cat muttered.
The old cat frowned. Ever since its master had begun cultivating at the Perennis Immortal Palace, that young girl, Li Kuanghua, was always bringing that woman over.
They would exchange insights on Daoist arts, taste fine wines, and admire everything from flowers and the moon to snowy landscapes.
What in the world could possibly be more important than its master's cultivation? The people of this world, with their greed, anger, and ignorance, their seven emotions and six desires—they were nothing but fools.
Suddenly, the old cat's eyes lit up. With a flash from Li Kuanghua's storage ring, a spirit fish shot through the air in a graceful arc.
"Meow!"
...
The old cat held the fish, licking it voraciously while pretending not to see Li Kuanghua and Fairy Hongxiu.
Li Kuanghua was very satisfied with the stupid cat's actions. When she first started bringing Fairy Hongxiu over, the old cat would always try to stop her. But then she discovered this trick, one that never failed.
"Kuanghua, Grand Elder Yunlin is in the middle of his cultivation. It would be best if we didn't disturb him."
Fairy Hongxiu was dressed in red robes, yet they were neither gaudy nor ostentatious. She wore no powder or paint, yet lost none of her exquisite grace.
Hearing this, Li Kuanghua replied with a nonchalant look, "What's there to worry about? My grand-uncle has a very good temper. Besides, he loves nothing more than cultivating and discussing the Dao with others. You're a cultivator at the half-step Void Refining realm; for him to have a chance to discuss the Dao with you is an opportunity he could only dream of."
Fairy Hongxiu nodded in deep agreement. "No wonder Ming Daozi insisted on speaking with Grand Elder Yunlin, even in his final moments."
"Let me tell you," Li Kuanghua said with a sigh. "This grand-uncle of mine has spent his entire life cultivating. If he does anything to displease you, please bear with him. That's just the way he is."
"You worry too much," Fairy Hongxiu replied, her brow twitching slightly.
Fairy Hongxiu knew what Li Kuanghua was up to.
These past few days, she had been constantly bringing her to interact with Grand Elder Yunlin. Her primary goal, she figured, was to have Hongxiu offer some guidance on his cultivation.
Beyond that, with their faction now rivals to the local powers in the Duravia Trade Prefecture, Li Kuanghua likely hoped these meetings would help the two sides become better acquainted and avoid potential friction.
Still, Fairy Hongxiu had to admit, Grand Elder Yunlin's comprehension of the Rules was profound. He truly was a peerless talent.
"Don't worry about it," Li Kuanghua said, slowly leading Fairy Hongxiu into the Skyveil Hall.
As they walked, she continued, "This grand-uncle of mine, he's been unlucky since he was a child. You don't know, but back when our family was still weak, he went to the Skyveil Sect all by himself. The moment he arrived, he was put in confinement for seven years... sigh..."
"Oh?" Fairy Hongxiu murmured, intrigued.
Fairy Hongxiu was, after all, a person of some sentiment. Listening to Li Kuanghua's story, she sighed repeatedly.
She had never imagined that the taciturn Grand Elder Yunlin had such a past, but she also recognized that if he hadn't possessed such a tenacious disposition, it would have been truly difficult for him to cultivate to this day.
The interior of the Skyveil Hall was vast. As they spoke, the two women had already entered the bounds of Li Yunlin's domain.
Sensing their arrival, Li Yunlin withdrew his spiritual power and retracted the spirit object he was cultivating. He rose to his feet within the hall's night-sky-like interior.
"Grand-uncle!" Li Kuanghua bowed, her expression earnest. "That stupid cat of yours said you were having some trouble understanding various techniques, so I invited Fairy Hongxiu to come help."
"Then it seems the old cat has indeed troubled you, Fairy Hongxiu," Li Yunlin replied politely.
Li Yunlin nodded slightly. He had thought another disciple had gotten into trouble in the Duravia Trade Prefecture, so he breathed a sigh of relief.
Greeting Fairy Hongxiu with a Daoist salute, he said, "Thank you, Fairy Hongxiu. This humble Daoist asked for your teachings on the art of Primordial Spirit transformation a few days ago, and I still have some lingering doubts. If you could offer a bit of guidance, it would be a great kindness."
"Fellow Daoist, you are too polite," Fairy Hongxiu replied, her demeanor natural and poised.
A smile touched the corners of Li Kuanghua's mouth, and just as she was about to take her leave, her grand-uncle stopped her.
"Kuanghua, a discussion of the Dao between Divinity Transformation cultivators will be of great benefit to you as well. You've been growing more and more irascible lately; a little more meditation would do you good."
"Me?"
Li Kuanghua quickly shook her head. "I'm a body cultivator. Instead of spending my time discussing the Dao, I'd be better off finding some medicinal cuisine to temper my physique. Besides, Uncle Tianyi already found a spirit spring and is telling me to go."
With that, she gave the two a smile and departed.
Watching Li Kuanghua's carefree and impatient manner, Li Yunlin could only offer a wry smile. "That girl can never sit still."
He didn't try to stop her. Instead, he immediately sat down cross-legged, facing Fairy Hongxiu, and began to earnestly ask for her teachings.
...
Having already moved a good distance away, Li Kuanghua sensed her grand-uncle inside immediately begin to ask about cultivation. She ruffled her hair, a troubled look on her face.
"Mrrow?"
The old cat ambled over, the fish still in its mouth, and stared intently at Li Kuanghua with its head held high.
It had heard what she'd said inside. It certainly hadn't told Li Kuanghua to invite Fairy Hongxiu over. A mere Fairy Hongxiu—how could she possibly know more than it did?
It would be terrible if Fairy Hongxiu ended up leading its master astray.
"Off to the side with you," Li Kuanghua said, unafraid of the artifact spirit. "And listen up, don't you dare disturb my grand-uncle and Fairy Hongxiu!"
"Mrow?! You dare speak to this old man like that—"
A pile of fish suddenly landed in front of the old cat. Dazzled and mesmerized, its tone changed instantly.
"Well, in that case, Fairy Hongxiu must certainly be a good teacher and a helpful friend."
Li Kuanghua walked proudly out of the Skyveil Hall.
But once outside, her proud demeanor vanished, replaced by a troubled frown. She murmured to herself, "He's already so old, how can he be so dense? I already made such a big promise back home... what am I supposed to do now?"
The words had barely left her lips when she saw several heavily injured disciples from the Perennis Immortal Palace returning in the distance.
Hurrying forward, she asked, "What happened?"
The disciples were in a miserable state, supporting one another as they dripped with blood.
One of them had even had his cultivation base crippled. Judging by their condition, their opponents had deliberately let them return.
One of them said indignantly, "It was the Ding family of Hongjiang! They claimed they spared our lives out of respect for our shared status as fellow cultivators!"
"Take them to be healed," Li Kuanghua said after a deep breath, ordering someone to lead them away for treatment.
She then put the matter out of her mind and went off to cultivate.
The Hall of Heavenly Principle would surely know about this, so there was no need for her to interfere.
In the Duravia Trade Prefecture, it had become the new normal for both sides to maintain a surface-level calm while dark undercurrents surged beneath.
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