Good fortune brings high spirits. Since his youngest daughter had been tested with spiritual roots, Li Fang stood taller, his legs no longer ached, and every wrinkle born from hardship on his face smoothed out, making him look younger. Remembering how the once arrogant tax collector had come to his door with humble apologies, practically kowtowing, Li Fang felt as exhilarated as if he'd smoked strong tobacco and drunk fine wine.
Yet his commoner mentality lingered—he hadn't yet adapted to his changed circumstances. Faced with "officials," he still cowered, enduring scolding and beatings meekly, and accepting gifts modestly without daring to take more. Upon receiving a hundred taels in compensation, he immediately thought of Li Rongzhou—without Brother Rongzhou's righteous help, they'd never have reached this carp-leaping-through-the-dragon-gate moment.
Li Rongzhou found this both amusing and exasperating—he'd never helped others expecting repayment. He repeatedly declined, but stubborn as an ox, Li Fang swiftly stuffed the money into Li Pingcan's arms before fleeing home and bolting his door. Li Pingcan held up the hundred-tael note, spreading his hands. "Father, what should we do?"
"Keep it. Further refusal would hurt our families' bond." Li Rongzhou sighed helplessly—who'd have thought two taels would yield a hundred in return? "Your Uncle Li Fang isn't short of money now."
Li Pingcan nodded in agreement. From his courtyard gate, he'd seen not just Peach Blossom Village, but even the town's prominent figures lowering themselves to visit Uncle Li Fang, nearly wearing out his doorstep. Some offered fields, others shops; some proposed marriage matches for Li Yuan, while others even sent women, coveting his family's "genetic mutation"!
Li Dahu and Li Wang had also wanted to curry favor, but couldn't even squeeze through the crowd. Li Qian's celestial qualifications far surpassed the shock of her second brother passing the imperial exams. "Being an immortal is wonderful—heaven's favored, with endless resources rolling in," Li Pingcan mused briefly without discouragement—soon he'd become an immortal too!
In the bitter cold season, icy winds howled. Though no snow fell, lingering dew on withered grass had frozen into frost. The Li Rongzhou family and relatives close to the Li Fangs gathered at the village entrance to bid farewell to Li Qian.
After becoming an immortal, Li Qian hadn't entered the Great Yu Dynasty's Celestial Palace Academy, instead choosing the Seven Stars Sect nearest Peach Blossom Mountain. "Near" was relative—for immortals. Mortals could never traverse tens of thousands of miles across treacherous terrain on foot.
Disliking this advice, Li Qian responded perfunctorily. Spotting the Li family, she trotted over, beaming as she hugged Xie Yuan: "Yuanyuan, I'll miss you." "Me too," Xie Yuan said tearfully, tying a newly-made peace knot around Li Qian's waist. Villagers said becoming an immortal meant bliss, but Xie Yuan thought—how could being bullied far from home with no one to confide in be bliss? She'd rather stay with family than have immortal qualifications.
"Don't cry." Li Qian wiped tears away, gazing tearfully at Li Pingcan. "Now no one will compete for your Brother Can." This parting marked their diverging fates—immortal and mortal. A young girl's first love buried under the ruthless path of immortality. Unaware of any "fierce competition" over himself, Li Pingcan smiled faintly—who didn't have childhood fantasies?
From his robe, he produced a small mushroom. "This glows beautifully at night—a gift for you." The Glowshroom's main function was emitting dreamy luminescence any girl would love—nature had similar mushrooms. As for using Mark, firstly the glow faded within minutes after plucking, secondly he wouldn't dare play tricks before immortals. This was simply a sincere gift. Li Pingcan genuinely liked this straightforward sister, hoping she'd go far on her immortal path—perhaps future connections too.
Li Qian accepted it delightedly. "Thank you, Brother Pingcan."
Just then, a sapphire figure rode the wind atop a sword across the sky—jade-like features, extraordinary handsomeness, gentle demeanor, his sword humming beside him. A sword cultivator. Li Pingcan saw colorful spiritual lights shimmering around him, slowly absorbed into his body. This Seven Stars Sect guide seemed remarkably young—but immortal ages were deceptive; he might be some sixty-year-old geezer!
Seeing the immortal, villagers prostrated en masse. Though appearing gentle, the immortal ignored everyone except Li Qian, not even glancing at mortals. He transmitted voice coldly: "The auspicious hour arrives. Peach Blossom Village's Li Qian, accompany me to the sect."
"Yes." Bravely wiping tears, Li Qian stepped onto the sword, waving farewell. This parting might last years—who knew when she'd return home? As the immortal soared through clouds, the sword's black speck dwindled until Li Qian vanished from sight. Only then did Li Fang and his wife finally weep aloud.
"Immortal Venerable, why stop here?" Li Qian whispered. Bold at home from family pampering, she remained cautious in unfamiliar settings. The hovering sword in desolate wilderness, with rising winds and layered shadows, felt inexplicably ominous.
"Don't panic, junior sister. Your superior spiritual roots are too conspicuous, attracting calamity... Let me handle this tail." The immortal, named Duan Xiuya, manipulated his sword with godlike skill. Hand-seals formed as he chanted—the sword hummed like thunder, stabbing toward a mountain shadow.
"As expected of Seven Stars Sect—you noticed." The lurking cultivator's eyes gleamed sinisterly as he cackled, dodging. "Leave the superior roots and I'll spare you!" "Noisy." Duan Xiuya's cold words accompanied his sword erupting with metallic qi—spiritual energy surged as the blade suddenly tripled in length, beheading the evil cultivator. "Such skulking vermin can't withstand one strike."
"So amazing, Venerable!" Li Qian gazed admiringly, yearning to someday match Duan Xiuya's power. Instantly, the sword pierced her chest—blood bloomed shockingly red. Staring wide-eyed at Duan Xiuya, she gasped. "Ah, as I said—your superior roots attracted calamity."
"How hypocritical—killing her then pretending remorse," a woman's mocking voice sounded. "But this girl's roots suit my son perfectly. After long waiting, we can use secret arts to complete his roots while she replaces her in Seven Stars Sect."
Disliking shrews, Duan Xiuya frowned. "No time to waste—harvest the roots while the body's warm." "Why should bumpkins have superior roots anyway?" The woman glanced disdainfully at Li Qian. "What's the brat muttering? Cursing me?" Listening briefly, Duan Xiuya said indifferently: "Nothing. Just calling for her parents."
Days later, from crimson soil emerged a tiny glowing mushroom, shining under night's mantle.