NOVPUBHis reaction was entirely justified—in this world, spirit beasts could only communicate with their bonded person.
Li Wei laughed at his brother's stunned expression. "It was my exact reaction as well," he admitted, sharing a knowing glance with his sister. "But Little Firefly is indeed exceptional—he's a divine spirit beast."
"How?!" Li Hao's attention whipped back to Li Hua, curiosity instantly transforming into wonder. "How did you form a bond with a divine spirit beast? I understand you've always had exceptional talent, but divine beast contracts are vanishingly rare! Their inherent spiritual intelligence typically resists subordinate bonds with any cultivator below the Deity Phase. Unless it's an equal but even then..."
Her brother was right, divine spirit beasts were not merely powerful but sovereign entities in their own right, rarely acknowledging mortal cultivators as worthy companions. Such a bond would typically require extraordinary circumstances that couldn't be explained, which in her case is correct.
Li Hua began to formulate a response, but before she could craft an appropriate explanation, Li Wei intervened with the smooth answer.
"It's a privileged matter," he stated with uncharacteristic firmness, his voice carrying an edge of finality that even their impulsive brother would recognize. "Our sister has exceptional spiritual affinity, and certain achievements are best not discussed in detail. That's all you need to know for now."
Li Hao's mouth dropped open as he glanced between his siblings, clearly recognizing the unspoken communication passing between them. Unlike normal situations where he might have pressed for details about cultivation techniques, the combination of Li Wei's authoritative tone and Li Hua's subtle head shake conveyed the genuine sensitivity of the topic.
He cleared his throat after a moment of uncharacteristic silence. "Fine, fine," he conceded with a sigh of resignation. "But you'll owe me an extra dish of these ribs!"
Li Hua smiled, grateful for both Li Wei's intervention and Li Hao's willingness to respect boundaries despite his natural curiosity. "Deal. Next visit, I'll bring you a whole months worth."
Li Hao chuckled, "Great!"
The siblings continued their meal, conversation shifting naturally to Li Hao's recent refinement techniques.
As they finished the last of their meal, Li Hua suddenly recalled another formation from her celestial knowledge—one that could be adapted to solve Li Hao's food access problem.
She rose to her feet and quickly retrieved a talisman from her pocket space. Scanning her brother's workshop-like quarters, she identified a clean area beneath his workbench—a location discreet yet accessible..
Crouching down, she produced a brush and ink from her storage ring. With precise movements, she began inscribing characters on the talisman.
"Sister, what are you—" Li Hao began, his curiosity immediately piqued by the unfamiliar formation patterns.
Li Wei silently placed a restraining hand on his brother's shoulder, hushing the question before it could disrupt Li Hua's concentration. The eldest brother crouched beside her, his eyes studying each brushstroke with intense focus—memorizing patterns that he doesn't recognize.
Li Hua completed the inscription with a final flourish, returned her materials to her storage space, and channeled a precise measure of spiritual essence into the completed formation. Her hands formed several complex gestures activating the array with a pulse of refined energy.
The formation responded immediately, glowing with golden light as a spatial distortion formed above it. A outline of a rectangle approximately the size of a large footstool materialized briefly in the distortion before vanishing with a subtle ripple of displaced air.
She smiled with satisfaction, rising to her feet. "There. A transportation array, complete and stabilized."
"A transportation array?" her brothers echoed in simultaneous shock, the implications immediately clear to both scholar and craftsman.
"Yes," Li Hua confirmed casually, as if she hadn't just created a formation that would qualify as a guarded secret. "I'll send you meals, cultivation supplies, and materials through this connection. I just need to create a corresponding array in my quarters to establish the paired link."
Li Hao stared at the seemingly ordinary floor beneath his workbench, then back at his sister with newfound wonder.
"Sister," Li Hao whispered, with brotherly affection, "this is the most perfect gift possible!"
Without warning, he swept her into another enthusiastic embrace, lifting her off her feet as he had done since childhood.
Li Hua laughed, the sound carrying genuine warmth as she returned the embrace. "I don't have anything prepared to send immediately," she admitted as he set her down, "but give me a few days to prepare. I'll create meals tailored to your specific needs."
Li Hao nodded eagerly, his grin bright with anticipation. "No rush at all! Just knowing I'll have access to your cooking again is worth celebrating."
Li Wei observed their exchange with quiet assessment before offering a subtle observation. "Sister, you seem to be holding back significant knowledge. These formations suggest capabilities far beyond what you've shared."
His words carried no accusation—merely the scholar's natural impulse to understand the boundaries of new information.
Li Hua laughed, appreciating his perceptiveness while deflecting deeper inquiry. "Don't worry, brother. I'll prepare additional scrolls for your personal study tomorrow. I need to sort through some materials first and determine which insights would complement your existing foundation rather than disrupt it."
The thoughtful explanation satisfied Li Wei's scholarly nature. He nodded in acceptance. "Take whatever time you need for proper organization. Knowledge improperly sequenced can create more obstacles than benefits." He glanced toward the window, noting how late it is. "However, we should begin our return journey soon."
Li Hua nodded. "Yes, let's get going. The Liang Cheng is still waiting."
She activated her Void Cloak technique and they exited Li Hao's quarters.
The Heavenly Smith Sect was quiet as disciples have retreated to their own quarters. The trio encountered no other practitioners as they made their way through the compound.
Once they reached a secluded courtyard, Li Hua materialized from her concealment. She adjusted her robes and gave her brother's and nodded to her brothers.
They proceeded through the sect and then exited through the imposing main gate. Outside, Li Hao accompanied them to the landing platform where Chen Liang waited with his silver eagle mount, exactly as promised.
Under the glow of early evening stars, Li Hua turned to her second brother for a final farewell.
"Take better care of yourself, Second Brother," she murmured, infusing the request with genuine concern. "Your body requires proper nourishment to sustain the demands you place on it. And check the transportation array daily. I'll send the first shipment tomorrow."
Li Hao returned the embrace with uncharacteristic restraint, momentarily assuming the serious demeanor he typically reserved for complex refining processes. "I will," he promised.
After releasing her brother from her embrace, Li Hua stepped back with a smile, surprised to see Li Wei step forward and initiate his own farewell. To her delight, her typically reserved eldest brother pulled Li Hao into a proper embrace rather than the formal shoulder clasp.
"We'll see you soon, Brother," Li Wei promised, a rare warmth suffusing his usually measured tone.
"Ah, Big Brother! I'm truly touched," Li Hao exclaimed with characteristic enthusiasm, squeezing Li Wei with enough force to make the eldest brother wince slightly. "The cold mountain is truly showing emotion today!"
Li Hua chuckled as she watched Li Wei roll his eyes at the teasing, though she noted the subtle smile he couldn't entirely suppress. "Whatever," he mumbled unconvincingly as they separated, adding a formal pat to Li Hao's shoulder as if to restore proper decorum after such an emotional display.
Chen Liang approached respectfully as the siblings completed their farewells and bowed slightly. "Miss, the meal you provided was truly delicious," he said with sincere appreciation. "I have never tasted such perfectly balanced ingredients."
Li Hua smiled, pleased that her simple gesture had been so well received. "Of course. I'm glad you enjoyed it. A proper journey requires proper sustenance." 𝑛𝘰𝘷𝑝𝘶𝑏.𝑐𝘰𝘮
"Indeed," he agreed. Then turned and raised his hand toward his magnificent silver eagle, which had been resting majestically on a nearby perch. "Please, honored disciples, we should depart soon."
The siblings climbed onto the eagle, settling themselves comfortably for the return journey. As the eagle's powerful wings spread in preparation for takeoff, Li Hua turned for a final glance at her second brother.
Though his farewell waves were more restrained than his enthusiastic greeting had been, he maintained the gesture until they rose beyond the clouds, ensuring his siblings would carry the image of his farewell with them.
