Chapter 18: Envy Not the Immortals, But the Pair of Mandarin Ducks

Li Chen and his companions accelerated their flight, reaching the sky above the manor in an instant. Li Chen and Lin Ying both let out long sighs of relief; it was merely Li Qing and Uncle Zhang engaged in an intense sparring match. Both had reached the peak of the Inner Elixir stage, which explained the earth-shaking commotion. With their deep martial foundations and the common principles shared with immortal cultivation, the two had mastered their techniques and progressed with remarkable speed.

In truth, both Li Chen and Lin Ying felt heavy-hearted. The group from the Kunlun Immortal Sect’s ancestral space, who had used threats and coercion to turn young cultivators into mere slaves, were clearly not benevolent. Their immense power made them formidable foes; if they were to pursue them, tracking them down to this manor would be effortless. Haunted by his inability to protect his family, Li Chen felt a crushing weight, like a ten-thousand-ton boulder suspended over his head, ready to fall at any moment.

Lin Ying stepped forward to cast the sealing spell, revealing the entrance. As they entered, the gate sealed itself behind them. The two sparring men ceased their combat to greet the group. Ling Tian had already manifested his spirit avatar—a charming, porcelain-like ten-year-old boy. Li Chen’s parents stared at Ling Tian, wide-eyed and silent for a long moment, lost in their own thoughts. Soon, accommodations were arranged for both Ling Tian and Xiao Hua.

Zhang Lan pulled Lin Ying into a small room and closed the door. Seeing her mother-in-law’s mysterious behavior, Li Chen asked his father, "What is Mom doing?" Li Jing smiled enigmatically and replied, "You’ll know soon enough."

A short while later, Zhang Lan emerged beaming with joy, followed by a blushing Lin Ying, who kept her head down, nervously fiddling with the corner of her dress. Zhang Lan cleared her throat and announced loudly, "After discussion between us elders and the parties involved, Li Chen and Lin Ying shall be wed as husband and wife starting today!" Li Chen stammered, "Mom, how could you? We are still young, and Xiao Ying hasn't agreed..." Zhang Lan interrupted, "Xiao Ying has already agreed! You are both twenty years old; it is time to marry. We are getting old and want to hold our grandchildren."

Lin Ying stood to the side, gripping her dress tightly, her eyes darting toward him, her face pale with nervousness. Seeing this, Li Chen walked over, gently took her hand, and with a tender, radiant smile, declared, "Let us be husband and wife from this day forward!" Tears of joy welled in Lin Ying’s eyes as she nodded repeatedly. "Yes, yes, I would love that!"

Cheers erupted from everyone around them. Zhang Lan, the commander-in-chief of the wedding, declared, "I announce the start of the ceremony setup!" Firecrackers popped as Ling Tian played a melody on his celestial flute—a piece titled "The Harmony of the Phoenix," which was so enchanting and joyful that it left everyone mesmerized. Xiao Hua danced with a fan, her movements graceful and ethereal.

As it turned out, Zhang Lan had been preparing for this moment, waiting only for the couple’s return. The group bustled about, bringing out red silks and decorations. The ceremony began, and eager to see her family grow, Zhang Lan quickly ushered the newlyweds into their bridal chamber, leaving the rest of the group laughing heartily.

Life for the young couple was filled with warmth and affection. Lately, however, their cultivation progress had slowed, as if they had hit a bottleneck. Outside of their regular practice, they spent their time refining pills. Their skills were well-matched, and through constant exchange, they perfected their craft. For a full year, they refined pills until the meditation room was overflowing. Their skills reached a high level, yet they had used less than half of the spiritual herbs gathered from the ancestral space, leaving a vast reserve of high-grade materials. Weary of alchemy, they decided to take a break.

Another Mid-Autumn Festival arrived, and the silver moon rose in the silent sky.

Chapter 19: Reaching the Heavens in a Single Step

The night of the Mid-Autumn Festival was perfect for moon-viewing. Just as the group was immersed in joy, the sky above the manor shifted. A brilliant light pierced the firmament, and an ancient jade slip drifted down from the void, landing steadily in Li Chen’s hand. Carved with archaic runes, it emanated a heart-stopping aura. Li Chen and Lin Ying exchanged glances, their eyes filled with surprise and curiosity. Li Chen looked solemn and signaled for silence. As he touched the slip, a massive surge of information flooded his mind—clues to a lost secret realm said to contain the peerless opportunity for one to ascend to the heavens in a single step.

Grasping the slip, Li Chen felt an unprecedented surge of excitement. He looked at Lin Ying with determination. "Xiao Ying, it seems our journey has only just begun. This secret realm may be the key to breaking through our current limits and pursuing a higher path." Hope ignited in Lin Ying’s eyes; she squeezed his hand, their mutual understanding absolute. Just as they prepared to set off, the jade slip flared with light, and a phantom figure emerged—the guardian of the secret realm, declaring that only those who passed his trials could truly set foot on the legendary path of the immortals.