Chapter 121: A Lantern Festival Encounter with Jing Qiyuan

Chapter 121 – A Lantern Festival Encounter with Jing Qiyuan

“Happy Lantern Festival, Shishu! Want to go see the lanterns together?”

The next day, Xiao Chen was practicing the Seven Stars Sword Technique in the courtyard when Su Wanning came running over again, inviting him to join her.

Since she’d deliberately suppressed her cultivation realm, she’d suddenly found herself with plenty of free time. Today, she’d even styled her hair into twin buns and worn a red mink-trimmed cloak—clearly prepared for the occasion.

“Are the lanterns really that amazing? You’re so eager to see them every year.”

“Of course! Once you see them, Shishu, you’ll never forget it.”

“Fine then. Let’s go take a look.”

Cultivation required balance. After days of relentless practice to prepare for his breakthrough, a little relaxation was well deserved. Besides, he’d never actually seen the lanterns before.

The pair entered nearby Lihuo City, the largest metropolis within the Lihuo Sect’s territory. While many cultivators lived here, the city also housed countless ordinary folk. Xiao Chen had learned that in Lihuo, there were no human kingdoms—only villages, towns, counties, and cities. These settlements were managed by local sects or powerful cultivation families.

Some areas treated their commoners well, especially since sects needed to conduct annual selections to recruit children with spirit roots. Food production, however, was less of a priority. That said, a region’s prosperity often depended on luck. If a sect or family was too lazy to govern directly, they might send representatives to rule in their stead—often leading to hardship for the locals.

“Wow! Candied hawthorn! Want a stick, Shishu?” Su Wanning darted toward a snack vendor, grabbed two skewers, and bounced back.

“I don’t like candied hawthorn,” Xiao Chen declined, his attention drawn to the lanterns lining the streets.

Everywhere he looked, vibrant lanterns adorned the roads—colorful, intricate, and mesmerizing. Lifelike dragon and phoenix lanterns mingled with lotus-shaped ones symbolizing good fortune, while cleverly designed revolving horse lanterns transformed the main street into a dreamlike spectacle. Delicate orchid and plum blossoms in vases added elegant touches.

The lights stretch like falling stars, the lanterns hang like moons above the city.

“See? Isn’t it beautiful?” Su Wanning grinned, holding a steaming roasted sweet potato.

Her mouth hadn’t stopped moving since entering the city. She’d already devoured two hawthorn skewers, a bowl of hot oil tea, a handful of malt candy, osmanthus cake, dragon-beard candy, and a box of steamed milk curd sweets. Even now, she nibbled on a piece of poria cake.

Xiao Chen, who’d had no appetite earlier, found himself getting hungry watching her. “Can I try your poria cake?”

She handed him a piece. “Here! This shop makes the best.”

He took a bite. The sweetness was delicate, the texture soft yet non-sticky—melting instantly on his tongue.

“This is good. It’s not like ordinary cooking. Could a spirit chef have made it?”

Spirit chefs were one of the hundred cultivation arts. The White Jade Restaurant in Lihuo Bazaar ranked first precisely because it employed one.

Su Wanning shook her head. “No cultivators in that family. They’ve made poria cakes for generations, perfecting their craft over centuries.”

Xiao Chen felt a pang of admiration. “If that’s true, they’re truly remarkable.”

“And wait till you see the fireworks! They’re amazing too!” Su Wanning’s eyes sparkled. “It’s almost time—we should grab a good spot!”

Fireworks held little novelty for Xiao Chen. He’d seen grander displays, and with his spell arts, they seemed trivial. As he glanced around, a familiar face caught his eye—Jing Qiyuan, head of the Jing family.

Though Xiao Chen had met him only once, he remembered clearly. Jing had once visited as Jiang family’s representative, claiming to deliver a message before Xiao Chen drove him away. Whether subjective or not, Xiao Chen now saw him as Jiang’s lackey.

Now, Jing stood chatting with a Foundation Building cultivator. Xiao Chen immediately suspected collusion.

Fate brings people together, he mused. With cultivation taking precedence, he’d nearly forgotten this man. But today’s encounter was too valuable to miss.

He decided to work overtime—on behalf of Chu Mo Dian—to investigate whether Jing Qiyuan had consorted with demons.

After sending Su Wanning back with an excuse, Xiao Chen donned his Cloak of Hidden Tracks and shadowed Jing from afar. With his spiritual sense, his pursuit became nearly undetectable.

To his surprise, Jing and his companion left the city, heading deeper into remote wilderness. At first, Xiao Chen worried he’d been spotted, but soon saw Jing meet another Foundation Building cultivator in a secluded valley.

There, bound cultivators lay scattered, guarded by Jing family members. Black-cloaked figures dragged in more solitary cultivators.

“Brother Qiyuan, the rest is up to you,” the stranger said. “Leave it to me,” Jing replied.

Once a hundred captives were gathered, Jing ordered his men to pack them into barrels and load them onto carts heading northwest.

Xiao Chen let the Jing family depart first—no need to alert them. Instead, he turned his focus to the other group.

As they transported their captives back, Xiao Chen intercepted them near a bridge, unleashing a Golden Radiance Technique.

A hooded figure blocked their path.

The clan leader raised a hand, halting his men. “Esteemed cultivator, we are from the Lihuo Zhu family. Why do you block our way?”

Oh? Using Lihuo Sect’s name to intimidate me? Wrong move.

Unfazed, Xiao Chen drew the Treasure Gourd of Hidden Flame and unleashed the Lihuo Demon Purge.

Thirty-six Scarlet Flame Bombs erupted, engulfing the Zhu family cultivators.

Zhu Xiuguo, the leader, hastily conjured a spirit shield, but when he turned, he saw his entire group lying in charred ruins—no one left intact.

Eyes bloodshot but mind sharp, Zhu Xiuguo realized retreat was his only option.

“Dare you commit atrocities in Lihuo Sect’s territory? Our elders will never spare you!” he roared, flinging a talisman from his sleeve.

The paper talisman transformed into a nine-meter-long serpent, jaws wide as it lunged at Xiao Chen.

Using the distraction, Zhu Xiuguo fled on his sword, desperate to escape.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end