Everyone burst into laughter. Though Li Xun didn't find it particularly amusing, he still curled the corners of his lips slightly—a polite response, at least.
Environment shapes the spirit, and nourishment molds the body. In just a few days, Li Xun's mindset had already undergone a significant transformation.
Indeed, in the Tongxuan Realm, Li Xun was merely a beginner—a newly initiated disciple barely through the gates of cultivation. Compared to those powerful experts and grandmasters there, he was insignificant, a mere servant to be summoned and dismissed at will. That was the natural order.
But here, in the mortal world, he was the disciple of the National Preceptor, a trusted confidant of the Emperor. Princes, lords, and ministers all fawned over him as if he were the moon surrounded by stars. Many lives now depended on his slightest favor or frown.
He knew the court was rife with shadowy schemes and hidden daggers. Friends of today could easily become mortal enemies by tomorrow. Yet, he wasn't afraid—he was utterly confident.
In this realm, no one—no one—could threaten him.
Looking down at people from above... it felt really good.
When absolute strength is guaranteed, whether you want to maintain your dignity and authority or not is almost irrelevant. But since it can be used to earn others' respect, awe or fear, why not do so?
Unconsciously, his demeanor toward others began to shift subtly. Especially in situations like this, a measure of reserve became a strategic necessity.
And so, when it came to so-called "hearsay," he absolutely would not stoop to inquire.
Fortunately, Li Cong was with them today. The youth, just fourteen or fifteen, was sharp-eyed and quick-witted. Spotting an opportunity, he spurred his horse to Li Xun's side.
"Daoist Li," he said with a grin, "you mustn't take things too seriously today. We're not just out here for the snow—we're here to appreciate a different kind of scenery as well!"
Li Xun gave him a look of mild confusion, just enough to play along.
Li Cong seized the cue and explained cheerfully. "Today's the day of the River God Festival. All the young ladies of the capital—our fairest flowers—will be heading to the banks of the Taikang River to make their offerings and wishes. Normally, they're hidden away in their boudoirs, barely seen. But on days like this… the whole city gets a rare glimpse!"
Suddenly, it all clicked for Li Xun. Of course—the capital did have this tradition. So that was the real reason these princely youths had planned this outing.
Still… why bring him along?
Drag a Daoist along to ogle girls? What, were they planning to have him read birth charts?
What he didn't realize was that this, too, was a subtle maneuver from the political playbook.
In the past few days of mingling with capital officials, Li Xun had shown impeccable tact and cleverness. But just as notable was the air of mystery surrounding his personal likes and dislikes.
In court politics, everyone had a tell: some craved wealth, others women; some sought fame, others power. Wine, women, riches, and influence—every official could be targeted through one of these. Once that weak point was known, others could act with precision.
But with Li Xun, officials in the capital were baffled.
He had status and power already, backed by the National Preceptor—those weren't things he lacked. So that left just money and women.
Many had tried offering treasures and fine gifts. If you gave them, he'd accept politely; if you didn't, he made no fuss. He clearly had no particular hunger for material wealth.
Some tried gifting rare Daoist texts and arcane scriptures. But what hadn't he already seen on the mountain? He had the Lingxi Art, the Netherworld Record, the Blood God Child—each a peak-tier cultivation technique in the Tongxuan Realm. These worldly texts? He'd flip through a few pages, then chuckle and set them aside.
This only left officials more confused.
If wealth couldn't tempt him, then within their power, only one thing remained.
Hence, today's snowy outing.
The banks of the Taikang River would be filled with beautiful maidens from noble households. If the young Daoist showed even a flicker of interest—then they would know: he was not untouchable.
Only two or three among their party knew the real reason behind today's trip.
As they traveled, they passed several elegant carriages and jade coaches heading in the same direction. It was clear: the beauties of the capital were already on the move.
These young scions of nobility—each more daring than the last—raced along the roads with shrill whistles, delighting in startling or attracting the beauties within the carriages. If their antics managed to draw out even one or two curious young ladies, that would be the ideal outcome!
Watching their antics along the way, Li Xun found himself at a loss to define the feeling in his heart.
On one side is the fleeting bitterness of youth.
On the other, the long, arduous path of immortality...
How could a frog in a well fathom the vast ocean? How could a summer insect speak of winter ice?
He couldn't quite say which way of life was inherently inferior than the other. After all, for most people, the dream of eternal youth and immortality was the supreme aspiration—if only the path to it were smoother, more attainable, Li Xun would gladly embrace it.
But unfortunately, even that modest wish… was beyond his reach now.
As he sighed inwardly, the sound of rushing water reached his ears. The mighty river surged eastward, swelling through a narrow upstream gorge before thundering down in a torrent. The waves and whitecaps crashed and roared before gradually calming across the broad river plain within ten li.
From their vantage point, they could already see several earlier arrivals had set up incense tables by the riverbank, kneeling in prayer.
Someone among the group suddenly called out, "Taopo! That's the best spot—don't let someone else claim it!"
The young men let out a cheer, wheeled their horses around, and galloped forward.
Li Xun looked into the distance and indeed saw a raised knoll—a naturally formed viewing platform. It offered an excellent vantage over the river.
Their steeds were swift. Within moments, they had charged up the earthen slope. A few, confident in their riding skills, even paraded at the edge, showing off and drawing cheers from the others.
Li Xun, uninterested in such contests, was nonetheless intrigued. He rode to the edge of the rise and looked down. Only then did he realize how high they were above the river: nearly ten zhang of vertical drop. The roaring waters below presented a grand and awe-inspiring sight.
Li Cong, who lacked his equestrian confidence, had long since dismounted for safety. He now approached with a grin. "We're early today—no need to jostle for the best spot! Just look, Brother Li. From here, we can see downriver for over ten li. Every family's carriages and horses are laid out before our eyes. And the mighty river flowing east… what a spectacle!"
Li Xun glanced down at him, but showed no sign of dismounting. Instead, he chuckled, "I, as a Daoist, come to admire the snow and water… You all, however, are here to admire beauties. If you're only looking from a distance, where's the fun in that?"
Liu Tai laughed boisterously from behind. "Daoist Li doesn't know the full plan! We're not just looking at beauties—we're finding them!"
Someone else chimed in: "there are so many carriages down on the riverside. We don't have time to check them all. And heaven forbid we waste time and end up entangled with someone unappealing—what a disaster that'd be!"
Amid the laughter, another voice added: "In the capital, each household's carriage and horse has its own signature style. Like the saying goes: 'The gentleman rides a blue steed; the lady rides a jade-green carriage.' Learning to judge people by their carriages—now that's an art!"
Li Xun raised an eyebrow at the speaker, who grew more pleased with himself, pointing down at several of the carriages near the city gates.
"That purple-tasseled, fragrant carriage belongs to the family of Sun, the Minister of Justice. That must be their second daughter's—she's a real beauty, I tell you.
"And that green-canopied one—that's from Chancellor Liu's family. Their daughters… well, rather ordinary…"
Li Xun had been listening at first, but as the distant carriages grew more numerous and the people below gathered like ants, a strange feeling welled up in his chest, and the voices around him faded into nothing.
So tiny.
He had just been pondering the brevity of mortal life—how ant-like these worldly people were. And now, standing high above, looking down… it struck him again.
If he stretched out his hand and spread his fingers, it felt like he could gather all those carriages and bustling crowds into the hollow of his palm.
Were those carefree cultivators—soaring across the heavens—looking down on mortals from the boundless blue skies, struck by this same thought?
To gaze across Jizhou's nine points of smoke, to hold a sea's worth of water in one teacup!
Only those who walked the clouds, those who rode the wind like gods, could truly experience such emotions!
Before he knew it, a powerful, almost arrogant thrill surged in his chest. Yes, he was still young, still just a junior among cultivators. But even so—he was one of them! One of the deathless and eternal!
He could soar by swordlight, traversing a thousand li in a flash.
He could dine on mist and dew, untouched by mortal sustenance.
He could raise a hand and overturn mountains, drain seas.
Mortals looked down upon ants as lesser beings. But what were mortals to a cultivator?
To ask a well-dwelling frog to imagine the vast sea—yes, that was delusional.
But to ask a great whale to ponder the frog's narrow well—was that not just as absurd?
Absurd indeed. So utterly absurd!
In a daze, he suddenly saw again that faint, mocking smile on Yin Wanderer's lips—clearer than ever.
And truly, not only would Yin Wanderer laugh at such folly—Li Xun himself had to laugh too.
And laugh he did. At first quietly, then with growing delight—until he was laughing aloud, head thrown back, the joy and exultation in his chest soaring skyward with his voice.
The river's thunderous roar gradually softened beneath that laughter… until it, too, faded into silence.