Li Shouzheng did not notice the shock on his father's face. He had already immersed himself completely in the sword technique. Compared to the technique itself, what he cared about more was his connection with the Emperor Xuan Sword.
Under Li Sifeng's gaze, he executed the entire set of sword techniques flawlessly. Every single move was identical to what Li Sifeng had performed earlier, without the slightest deviation.
After the initial shock, Li Sifeng was overwhelmed with ecstasy. He had never imagined that he would father such a peerless genius.
Even Jiang Zhaoxia, in his childhood, had been far inferior to Li Shouzheng.
"This boy…"
Li Sifeng muttered to himself, his voice trembling.
Pei Miao'er smiled. "Both he and Shoumin are geniuses. It's just that Shouzheng's Comprehension is higher. Eldest Senior Brother also said that Shoumin's cultivation talent will surpass Shouzheng's."
When she first discovered her sons' talent, her reaction had been no calmer than Li Sifeng's.
Rumors had already spread within the sect that Li Shouzheng and Li Shoumin would become the next Zhao Zhen or the next Jian Du. News had also circulated that the Sect Master had recommended the two to Zhang Yuchun, only to be rejected. The disciples all marveled at the Sect Master's keen eye.
Hearing Eldest Senior Brother's evaluation of his sons made Li Sifeng even more delighted. Yet after the delight came a trace of melancholy.
He could clearly feel that the two boys were resistant toward him.
Such prodigies—would they mature too early?
Would they become difficult to discipline in the future?
While Li Sifeng was lost in wild thoughts, the Emperor Xuan Sword in Li Shouzheng's hand suddenly let out a resonant sword cry.
In his grasp, the sword looked enormous, yet when he wielded it, it appeared remarkably light and agile.
Li Sifeng could tell that Li Shouzheng had not yet truly begun cultivating by drawing in qi. Despite being so young, he displayed an extraordinary presence of strength.
An inexplicable sense of awe even rose within Li Sifeng.
The feeling struck him as absurd—he was actually in awe of his own 4-year-old son?
"You should just stay in Qingxiao Sect and teach your sons from now on. The sect is developing too quickly these days. You must firmly hold onto your position as Hall Master of the Training Hall. That is far more important than an imperial throne."
Pei Miao'er spoke again. After being separated from Li Sifeng for several months, she had constantly felt uneasy. She did not wish for him to descend the mountain again. As for royal power and grand ambitions, she felt they were not so important.
After having sons, her resolve had grown stronger. She could now withstand the pressure from her family.
Li Sifeng nodded, his mind filled with thoughts of Li Shouzheng's future achievements.
He suddenly felt that obtaining the Emperor Xuan Sword had been for Li Shouzheng's sake.
This sword suited him perfectly, as though it had been born for him.
After the time it takes for one incense stick to burn, Li Shouzheng finally stopped. He planted the sword against the ground, panting heavily, drenched in sweat. Yet his face was brimming with excitement. It was the first time Pei Miao'er had seen such an expression on him.
"Brother, you're amazing!"
Li Shoumin rushed over excitedly. The two brothers were the same height and of similar build.
Li Shouzheng wiped the sweat from his face and smiled. "How am I amazing? I couldn't even bring out one-tenth of this sword's power. This afternoon, accompany me to visit Senior Sister Yun Cai."
"Senior Sister Yun Cai? Your father is already back. Why seek someone else?" Li Sifeng walked over, looking displeased.
Li Shoumin turned to him and said, "Father, you may not be as strong as Senior Sister Yun Cai."
Li Sifeng's face shifted between green and red upon hearing this.
…
At noon, after finishing their meal, Li Shouzheng and Li Shoumin wanted to leave, but Li Sifeng called them back.
He decided to teach them how to draw in qi and begin cultivation.
"That won't do. To cultivate the Supreme Purity and Primordial Harmony Sutra, we must first obtain Grand Senior Uncle's approval. Father, you cannot teach us on your own," Li Shouzheng said seriously as he looked at Li Sifeng. Li Shoumin nodded in agreement beside him.
These words left Li Sifeng feeling stifled with anger, yet he could find no grounds to refute them.
As Pei Miao'er cleared the table, she smiled and said, "Sifeng, there's no need to rush this matter. Eldest Senior Brother is very fond of them and will surely teach them personally."
Li Shoumin waved his little fist and declared, "That's right! Grand Senior Uncle has already set a plan for us. In the future, we will take first and second place in the Fighting Technique Assembly to prove that Grand Senior Uncle's judgment was correct!"
Li Shouzheng nodded, his face filled with anticipation.
Li Sifeng said gloomily, "You are the sons of the Hall Master of the Training Hall. In the future, you must bring honor to the Training Hall."
"We are disciples of the Sect Master's lineage. We only strive to bring honor to Grand Senior Uncle. Father, please conduct yourself with dignity," Li Shoumin said earnestly.
Li Sifeng glared at him, realizing that his second son truly had a knack for infuriating people.
This won't do!
If he didn't give them a beating, they wouldn't know whose blood flowed in their veins.
When he was young, Eldest Senior Brother had taught him the same way—often beating him into submission.
Just as Li Sifeng was about to make a move, a voice sounded from outside the courtyard.
"Brother, have you rested well? Your little sister has come to see you."
Li Sijin had arrived!
Upon hearing this, Li Sifeng immediately broke into a smile. He stepped out of the room at once and went into the courtyard to welcome Li Sijin.
The siblings had been apart for a long time and were both excited. Li Sifeng led Li Sijin into the courtyard. When Li Shouzheng and Li Shoumin saw her, they bowed. She liked the two boys very much and reached out to rub their heads.
After taking their seats, Li Sijin began to complain about how Li Sifeng had caused the sect to worry.
"For your sake, Eldest Senior Brother even personally went down the mountain to the northern border to look for you. Brother, you're already grown up. In the future, you must think things through before acting!" Li Sijin scolded Li Sifeng.
Li Sifeng froze and asked in astonishment, "Eldest Senior Brother went to the northern border?"
Pei Miao'er was equally surprised. The matter had not been made public—only the upper echelons knew.
Li Shouzheng and Li Shoumin had been about to leave, but upon hearing their aunt mention Grand Senior Uncle, they came closer to listen.
"Of course. The ghost that harmed you hid within a disciple of the Training Hall and returned to Qingxiao Sect. Fortunately, Eldest Senior Brother saw through his trick at a glance. Otherwise, who knows how much trouble would have followed," Li Sijin said, still shaken at the thought.
Hearing this, Li Sifeng was equally frightened. He knew better than anyone how terrifying the Desolate Nether Ghost King had been.
He had never imagined that the evil ghost could be so vicious.
The moment he realized that the Desolate Nether Ghost King had already set his sights on Qingxiao Sect and might seek revenge in the future, a chill ran down his spine. Fear surged uncontrollably from the depths of his heart. His body trembled, and his face turned pale.
Seeing him so terrified, Pei Miao'er immediately imagined countless terrible possibilities. She hurriedly grasped Li Sifeng's hand and asked, "Sifeng, what exactly did you experience in the northern border?"
Li Shouzheng and Li Shoumin circled around to the side. When they saw their father so afraid, they exchanged a glance.
Li Sifeng took a deep breath and said, "I'll find another time to tell you…"
"What's there to hide? That evil ghost has already been killed by Eldest Senior Brother. His soul was even seized and confined within the Soul-Refining Banner. Don't be afraid. The matter has been settled. Tsk, tsk, Li Sifeng—after roaming outside for so many years, how did you become so timid?" Li Sijin mocked.
She harbored some resentment toward Li Sifeng as well, feeling that he had been too selfish. While they had all been busy building the sect, he had gone into the mortal world chasing vanity and prestige.
How many times over the years had Li Sifeng made them worry?
Upon hearing that the Desolate Nether Ghost King had been slain by Eldest Senior Brother, Li Sifeng shot to his feet and asked in shock, "Truly?"
"Of course. Don't blame yourself too much. Eldest Senior Brother said that even if Xu Ning and Third Senior Brother had encountered the Desolate Nether Ghost King, they might not have been his match. You were simply unlucky," Li Sijin nodded.
Li Sifeng stood there in a daze.
When facing the Desolate Nether Ghost King, he had been utterly despairing, convinced that the evil ghost was invincible. He had never expected that Eldest Senior Brother would go north alone and slay it.
When he had seen Eldest Senior Brother yesterday, he had noticed that his complexion was excellent and that he bore no injuries.
Pei Miao'er noticed that Li Shouzheng and Li Shoumin were still listening nearby and immediately lowered her voice, telling them to go outside and play.
The two ran off at once.
Li Sifeng took another deep breath, striving to steady his emotions. He sat down again and murmured, "Just how high is Eldest Senior Brother's cultivation?"
Li Sijin snorted. "Stop worrying about Eldest Senior Brother's cultivation and think about yourself. Your cultivation is already inferior to Xue Jin's. Be careful not to lose your position as Hall Master to him."
She felt heartache as well. It was clear that Li Sifeng had gone through something truly terrifying, but she had to seize this opportunity to make him change. He could not keep descending the mountain at the slightest impulse.
Lost in memories of his horrifying encounter with the Desolate Nether Ghost King, Li Sifeng paid little attention to Li Sijin's reminder.
Meanwhile, outside the courtyard—
Li Shouzheng and Li Shoumin ran out.
"Brother, it feels like Father isn't that impressive," Li Shoumin could not help but say.
Li Shouzheng looked ahead and replied, "Father is a fierce general who dominated the battlefield, but that was the mortal world. Within the sect, it indeed amounts to little. You must take this as a warning. In the future, you cannot let other matters delay your cultivation. Grand Senior Uncle once said he hopes we pursue longevity and strive for greater goals."
Li Shoumin nodded. "Naturally. Before I pass the heavenly tribulation, I absolutely won't descend the mountain."
"By the time you face the heavenly tribulation, perhaps the Awakening Spirit realm will no longer seem so formidable."
"Then how about this? We descend the mountain only after you and I become the strongest in the sect."
"That's not a bad idea. Even if we do go down, we must make a name for ourselves. We can't wander for years without any achievement like Father."
"Exactly. He just came back and already wanted to discipline us. Who does he think he is? He didn't even raise us."
"Don't say that in front of Grand Senior Uncle. Be careful he doesn't give you a beating."
"Relax, I'm not that foolish."
The two 4-year-old children discussed matters like little adults.
Li Sifeng's return did not affect Li Qingqiu's life, nor did it hinder the development of Qingxiao Sect.
At the 6th layer of the Nurturing Essence realm, he truly could not keep up with the sect's first echelon.
Several days later, unable to suppress his emotions, Li Sifeng sought out Li Qingqiu. He broke down in tears before him. The Desolate Nether Ghost King had dealt him a tremendous blow. Fortunately, the Prison Qilin had survived.
After venting his feelings, Li Sifeng proposed personally teaching Li Shouzheng and Li Shoumin, but Li Qingqiu refused.
"Your abilities are insufficient. You would only delay them. I will teach them first. Later, you can pass on sword techniques to them and supervise their cultivation."
Li Qingqiu stared at Li Sifeng as he spoke. It was not that he was unwilling to let go of Li Shouzheng and Li Shoumin, but the talent of these two boys was such that only he could truly guide them.
Moreover, Li Sifeng was their father. No matter who taught them cultivation, that fact would not change.
Li Sifeng was stung. Although he had already realized that he was not strong enough, hearing it stated directly by Li Qingqiu still wounded him deeply. Thus, he entered secluded cultivation, preparing to raise his cultivation first.