Chapter 406: Chapter 406
"Old man," Li Tianyuan muttered, stroking his chin with a bemused smirk. "You always were a master of the dramatic."
A snort of laughter escaped Li Shenwu. "And you’ve always had a knack for stating the obvious."
Ling Li, still chuckling from earlier exchanges, wiped a glistening tear from her eye. "You two have hardly changed at all."
Shi Min, deeply moved, turned to Four Eyes with a mixture of admiration and concern. "Paps... are you alright?"
In that rare moment of softness, Four Eyes managed a faint smile. "I’m fine."
Shi Min’s eyes widened in astonishment. "You smiled."
"I did not," Four Eyes replied, his voice as flat as a calm lake.
"You did," Mushu chimed in from the side, nudging Mushu, who nodded vigorously in agreement.
Even Xiao Ren, Li Tianyuan’s assistant, let out a giggle. "He did!"
Four Eyes sighed, though the warmth flickering in his eyes betrayed him, revealing the flicker of emotion beneath his stoic façade.
The tension that had once gripped the room dissolved into soft laughter and gentle murmurs. Servants wove through the gathering with trays of tea, the rich aroma of chrysanthemum and ginseng blooming in the air, an inviting embrace of warmth and comfort. The bamboo leaves rustled once more, animated by a gentle breeze that whispered through the pavilion.
Above it all, stars began to pierce the velvet night, bright and sharp, celestial sentinels observing the unfolding lives below. And somewhere in the vast expanse of the heavens, the ’Eye’ stirred, an omen of things yet to come.
A Rare Declaration and a Ripple of Surprise
As the moon ascended majestically over the Verdant Bamboo Pavilion, its silvery light danced across the lush, green bamboo leaves and gleamed on the polished stone floors. Li Shenwu, an elder whose age hinted at the weight of many lifetimes, leaned back in his elegantly carved chair, a quiet yet momentous announcement escaping his lips.
"I’ll stay to witness the opening of the ’Eye.’"
His words fell like a heavy stone into tranquil waters, rippling through the room with an unexpected force. Even Li Tianyuan, a man who had shared countless seasons with the old ancestor, blinked in astonishment, his brows arching in disbelief as he turned to Shenwu.
"As I recall, the last time he witnessed the opening of the ’Eye’ was during Ling Ling’s time... when she entered. Because Ling Ling had a mishap."
His tone was casual, yet the shadows of memories loomed heavily in the air, weaving an unspoken history into the ambiance.
Ling Li’s Embarrassment and the Family’s Teasing
"Great-grandpa, can we please not dwell on that anymore?" Ling Li interjected, her cheeks flush with a vibrant hue, betraying her embarrassment. She waved her hand dismissively, an attempt to scatter the lingering memory, though her smile belied her discomfort.
“Ha ha ha ha! We absolutely must tell that story tomorrow when everyone gathers. It will be not only entertaining but enlightening," Li Tianyuan declared, clearly reveling in the moment.
Shi Min chimed in with a playful chuckle, nodding enthusiastically. "Definitely! It’s a gem of a story. It might even help the younger ones brace themselves for what’s to come."
From across the bustling room, Four Eyes tilted his head slightly, his curious gaze fixating on Ling Li, brows knitted as if grappling with the elusive pieces of a puzzle he’d never known existed.
Catching the look, Shi Min’s grin widened.
"Paps, did you know Mom was trapped inside the ’Eye’ for two whole years?"
Four Eyes blinked in surprise, processing the revelation.
Ling Li’s eyes widened in mock shock as she playfully pinched Shi Min’s arm.
He erupted into laughter, nimbly dodging to the side as his immortal aura glinted with youthful mirth. "But it was a mishap in disguise! Mom gained incredible benefits from it. Let’s save the full story for tomorrow, shall we?"
With a flourish, he bent his body as if to armor himself from another playful jab, giggling like a mischievous child who had successfully skirted a reprimand.
A Joyful Night, Simple and Sacred
Despite the unpretentious nature of the meal — steamed lotus root, delicately braised tofu, and a fragrant wild herb soup — the atmosphere was rich with warmth and laughter. The vegetarian feast was prepared with deep reverence for the tranquility that followed the storm, transforming the meal into a sacred gathering.
Servants moved gracefully through the space, their presence almost ethereal as they silently refilled cups of steaming tea and deftly cleared away empty dishes. The elders, their voices low and hushed, shared stories that flowed like ancient rivers, their words fueling the flames of nostalgia. Meanwhile, the younger disciples lingered at the periphery, wide-eyed and absorbed, soaking in every crystalline tale.
Outside, the bamboo whispered softly in the gentle night breeze, its leaves rustling like secrets shared between old friends. The stars twinkled above with a brilliance that seemed to repaint the night sky.
And at the heart of the pavilion, embraced by the love of family, legends, and laughter, Shi Min sat — no longer merely a cultivator, but a resplendent symbol of a legacy reborn, glowing with the promise of stories yet to unfold.
Return to Peonies Castle: The Storm Has Passed
The imposing gates of Peonies Castle creaked open slowly, their heavy weight echoing through the stillness, carrying with it a palpable air of expectation. Moonlight poured into the courtyard like liquid silver, casting an ethereal glow upon the anxious faces gathered at the entrance — devoted disciples, watchful attendants, and concerned family members, all of whom had spent the day ensnared in a silence heavy with dread, their eyes glued to the tumultuous sky that roared with the wrath of thunderous storms.
As soon as El Padre and El Capitan emerged from the darkened passageway, the tension shattered, dissipating like the final notes of a plucked string.
"El Padre, is Shi Min alright?" Shun’s voice broke the spell, tight and taut with worry, his wide eyes sparkling with fear. Beside him, Ren and Lily stood frozen, fingers intertwined like delicate vines, waiting for an answer that could either fragment their hopes or wrap them in solace.
"I ascended. I survived. I still get pinched by my mom. If you laughed, cried, or clenched your fists, vote and comment. Recommend me to your sect. Power Stones and Golden Tickets are like spiritual pills. Gifts? I’ll accept them with honor."