Spring Festival arrived.
The sound of firecrackers heralded the passing of another year.
These firecrackers used bamboo as containers filled with explosive material that would go "bang" when lit, shooting skyward.
Wealthy families enjoyed their own explosions while poorer folks listened to others'. There were even competitions about whose firecrackers flew higher - the loftier the cracker, the more prosperous that household would be this year.
No one would admit their firecrackers flew low, either accusing others of being "blind" or "talking nonsense," leading to heated argunts.
Children bundled in thick clothes watched firecracker displays with fearful fascination, then scampered between houses. Finding a rice cake or atball would make them jump for joy before calling friends to watch the opera troupe Old Chief had paid for.
The nimble actors' ethereal performances as immortals drew thunderous applause, villagers fantasizing about "what if" they were celestial beings.
There were also traditional lion dances and fire performances.
Truthfully, had Li Qian's ascension to immortality not beco local legend, these perforrs wouldn't have bothered coming to mountain villages - they were just chasing "immortal vibes" now.
The festival atmosphere felt authentic this year. Li Pingcan enjoyed it thoroughly, helping Lady Qin prepare vegetables and chop at while snacking on her freshly fried crispy fish.
Mmm, crunchy and fragrant - delicious!
He gave a thumbs up, making Lady Qin cover her mouth in laughter as she sneakily fed her husband a piece too.
Share the blessings!
Co evening, an extravagant feast appeared - so abundant that even after "sampling" dishes all day, Li Pingcan found himself hungry again.
Mandarin fish, pork knuckle, sliced lamb leg, mushroom soup... lavish indeed.
Between the two hundred taels intercepted from Wang Li and another hundred gifted by Li Fang, the family's finances had never been better.
"Father, let toast you."
"Eldest brother, my turn to toast you."
"Second brother..."
Li Ping'an laughed: "Little brother, you take tiny sips while making others drink full cups? Such shrewd calculation!"
"Will you drink or not? Is second brother scared?"
"Drink." Li Ping'an downed his cup in one go. With his impressive alcohol tolerance, he remained clear-headed despite nurous rounds.
After feasting, the family gathered around the hearth for New Year's vigil. Li Rongzhou and Lady Qin reminisced about their courtship, wedding festivities, and perilous refugee days.
Listening, Li Pingcan seed to see those bygone scenes reflected in the fire's amber glow.
"We've truly built this family from nothing," Li Rongzhou smiled. "May our lineage flourish evermore."
"Don't worry father, life will only get better."
Li Pingcan poked the firewood, making flas leap higher.
......
New Year's leisure gave way to busy routines.
Studying the Mystical Records of Blessed Lands, Li Pingcan learned to trap spiritual energy - using it like "blue potions" that let him cast forty-plus spells without ntal fatigue.
Though the stored energy dissipated after three days unless replenished.
This technique resembled array formations. Using five elental vessels - a twig, water, etc. - arranged correctly created miniature "hotspots" that attracted ambient energy.
"Better materials in proper five-elent arrangents could form spirit-gathering arrays."
"Reverse the setup for concealnt arrays."
Beyond his current ans, of course. Without cultivation channels, such arrays offered little practical use beyond skill practice.
Which suited him fine - he obsessively leveled Enchanted Stone, Earth Shaping, and Restoration spells toward mastery.
......
Post-festival, seven-year-old Xie Yuan received her customary protective charm from Lady Qin while Li Rongzhou divined an auspicious date for her spiritual root test.
The household bustled with nervous energy.
Xie Yuan noticed, growing visibly despondent.
One night, Li Pingcan awoke abruptly to a raven's cry just as a small figure crept into his bed.
"Yuan Yuan?" His hand t tear-dampened cheeks. "Why are you crying?"
"Brother Can... Qian Qian left . Are you abandoning too?" Xie Yuan stifled sobs to avoid disturbing others. "Can I skip the test?"
Understanding her insecurity from early separation, Li Pingcan sighed. The unfamiliarity of cultivation terrified her.
"Of course not. Li Qian went to live blissfully as an immortal."
He reassured: "Even with spiritual roots, you can stay with us if you prefer."
Precedents existed. Childhood fears shouldn't forfeit future opportunities she might regret.
Better test first, decide later.
"Really?"
"Truly, truly."
Only after prolonged comforting with a handkerchief did Xie Yuan finally sleep.
......
Test results ca swiftly.
Xie Yuan lacked immortal aptitude.
The Lis tread softly, avoiding ntion - yet Xie Yuan seed relieved, her spirits visibly lighter.
"One man's at is another's poison," Li Pingcan mused, recalling her test's peculiarity: jade stone glowing brightly for wood affinity like his own.
True mortals elicited no reaction at all.
Speaking of roots...
"I wonder how Li Qian's faring."
He hoped the vivacious girl thrived wherever she was.
Her departure sohow intensified his ti-sensitive urgency, driving him to plant more trees, research spell synergies, and contemplate nature's mysteries.
......
Ti flowed like mountain streams.
That year, Li Pingfu broke through to Bone Realm, gaining modest renown in Flat Peach Town.
Li Pingcan reached at Realm, quietly expanding his arboreal domain across hillsides.
Two years later, Li Pingfu beca a Blood Qi martial artist, drawing enthusiastic recruitnt from dojos while dominating underground fights for silver and his "Tiger Tyrant" moniker.
Another two years passed.
At peak Blood Qi matching Zhou Enxian's level, Li Pingfu's formidable reputation attracted loyal followers wherever he strode.
That sa year, Li Ping'an passed provincial exams as the youngest laureate.
The Li family's status soared - descendants thriving, household flourishing like unstoppable wildfire.
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