Chương 1007: Chapter 1005: A Gathering of Peace

Zhan Tian smiled at his grandson and ruffled Li Yu's hair with a heavy hand.

"I am heading out to see some old friends across the cosmos," Zhan Tian announced with a bright grin.

"I have no interest in going to such a gathering and with my family going there, I will instead visit some old faces." Li Yu rubbed his sore shoulders and offered a grateful nod.

"I think my arms will appreciate your absence.

""Absorb as much knowledge as you can during this upcoming convention. The Myriad Realms hold many secrets and you never know where your next breakthrough will come from." The Worldkeeper raised a hand in farewell before stepping into a swirling void and vanishing from the serene lakes. Tielan watched her father leave with a fond shake of her head and turned to face her husband and son. She brushed a stray leaf from her robes and crossed her arms.

"Do not expect me to sit through hours of dusty academic lectures," Tielan stated with a firm but cheerful tone.

"I spend my life fighting on the front lines and I crave a different kind of relaxation. I plan to find my old friends within the Li Clan estate to drink rare things and enjoy the quiet gardens. You two can immerse yourselves in the scheduled events without me." Canghai agreed with a warm laugh and gently placed a hand on her back.

"Enjoy your rest, Tielan. You have earned it more than anyone else here." He then turned his attention to his son and gestured toward the edge of the water.

"Gather your belongings, Li Yu. We depart for the clan headquarters now. I have several presentations to give and I need to prepare." Canghai waved his hand and a pillar of silver light enveloped them and they crossed the vast distance separating the quiet sanctuary from the main Li Clan estate in a matter of seconds. Upon arriving at the pristine courtyards, Li Yu noticed an immediate shift in the atmosphere. The usual quiet elegance of his father's clan was replaced by a bustling and vibrant energy.

Large banners representing countless different organizations fluttered in the crisp mountain breeze. The Li Clan enforcement troops stood at every major intersection with imposing auras to ensure strict order.

"The rules here are incredibly strict this week," Canghai warned his son as they navigated the crowded pathways.

"This gathering is designed to foster an environment of continuous learning and relationship building rather than competition."

"What is the daily schedule like?" Li Yu asked while looking around at the diverse sea of arriving cultivators.

"Every morning will feature lectures from senior masters detailing the intricate mysteries of the Sword and Qi paths," Canghai explained patiently.

"A communal lunch will follow in the outdoor gardens so the different factions can mingle and share their thoughts. The afternoons are reserved for technical demonstrations where seasoned experts will showcase their arts without any lethal intent." Canghai stopped walking and looked at Li Yu.

"Dinner provides another opportunity for socializing before the evening sessions begin," his father continued.

"The nights are dedicated to open forums where eager students can ask specific questions for all to answer. You must remember that no one is allowed to fight under any circumstances. Any disruption of the peace will be met with swift justice from our enforcement elders."

"I understand," Li Yu replied with a respectful nod.

"I am just here to listen and perhaps find the missing step in my laws. Why do you think I will cause trouble?" Li Canghai only looked at him again with a look that said, 'are you really asking me that?' They parted ways near the grand central pavilion as Tielan headed toward the residential gardens to find her friends while Canghai walked toward the speaker staging area to prepare his opening remarks. Left to his own devices Li Yu strolled through the expansive courtyards to observe the arriving factions.

"Li Yu! Over here!" A loud and boisterous voice called out over the ambient chatter. Li Yu turned and saw Lead Envoy Ren waving enthusiastically from a nearby courtyard. The Freeblade Alliance members swaggered through the estate without a single care for formal etiquette. They wore a mismatched assortment of leather armor and simple tunics while carrying blades and jagged weapons. Li Yu smiled and walked over to greet the rugged mercenary.

"It is good to see you, Ren. I was hoping your alliance would attend."

"We would never miss a chance to drink free wine and listen to orthodox cultivators argue over the sword and in this case Qi as well," Ren laughed loudly while clapping Li Yu on the shoulder.

"Besides, we heard your father speaking at times through this event. We respect power and the Sword Saint has earned our ears." The two of them leaned against a polished railing and watched the various delegations enter the main plaza. Ren pointed toward a group walking in unison near the eastern gate. They wore unadorned white robes and carried an air of rigid dogma.

"The Heavenly Sword Sect arrives," Ren noted with a subtle smirk.

"Still treating the path of the blade like a strict religion. I see their elders are maintaining those stern expressions as usual." Li Yu remembered his unique honorary status within their ranks and offered a polite nod to a passing elder. The elder paused and returned a respectful bow before guiding his disciples toward the main lecture hall.

Li Yu had not collected any of the resources they promised him because he didn't feel like he earned any of it or wanted to intertwine their fates anymore than needed currently. So while he held that status, he had not used or benefitted from it in any way currently. However, it wasn't a bad thing to have for when he did.

"They have their own strengths," Li Yu replied.

"Rigid forms offer a very sturdy foundation. A firm belief gets you quite far." A sudden gust of wind signaled the arrival of the Violet Gale Clan. These cultivators wore pale green robes that fluttered constantly even when the air around them was still. If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

"Violet Gale," Ren said while taking a sip from a leather flask.

"They prioritize blistering speed over raw power. Their leader Feng Mian is over there. He moves fast but he hits like a gentle breeze compared to a heavy broadsword." Walking a short distance behind them was the Frostmoon Empire delegation. They donned elegant pale blue silks and radiated a chilling aura that noticeably lowered the ambient temperature of the courtyard.

"The Frostmoon people are the exact opposite," Li Yu observed as he watched them move with calculated precision.

"They focus on continuous parrying techniques and defensive arrays to exhaust an opponent."

"A boring way to fight if you ask me," Ren chuckled.

"I prefer to end things quickly." Li Yu continued his observation and noted the arrival of several vassal organizations aligned with his father's lineage. He pointed toward a group wearing flowing water colored robes and carrying intricate wooden staffs glowing with restorative energy.

"Those are the Jade Stream Pavilion representatives," Li Yu informed Ren.

"They are masters of Qi manipulation and healing arts. They can mend shattered meridians and cure spiritual ailments."

"Always a good people to know after a brutal campaign," Ren agreed.

"And who are the ones in the spotless white robes accented with silver thread?"

"The White Jade Clan," Li Yu answered.

"They dedicate their lives to refining rare spiritual herbs and crafting foundation pills to build pure Qi pathways. They are scholars more than warriors but that doesn't mean they can't fight." A subtle shift in the surrounding spiritual energy drew their attention back toward the eastern archway. The Eversong Clan made their entrance with a quiet grace. Li Yu scanned their ranks hoping to see Lian but the dense crowd made it hard to spot individual faces among the shifting veils.

It was unlikely she would take part in such an event though.

"They use soul arts and illusions," Ren commented in a hushed tone.

"You never want to fight an Eversong cultivator in the dark. You will be dead before you even know they drew a weapon." As more groups poured into the grand central plaza, Li Yu encountered several factions he had never seen before. The true scale of the Myriad Realms became apparent as he observed their unique aesthetics and auras alongside the mercenary.

"Who are the cultivators in the teal robes?" Li Yu asked while pointing toward a group radiating an aura that matched the Heavenly Sword Sect.

"The Ethereal Lotus Sect," Ren replied with a hint of genuine respect in his voice.

"They practice an elegant fusion of Sword and Qi that looks beautiful but possesses a highly deadly undertone. Look at those blooming lotus motifs on their clothes. They carry thin blades that hum with vibrant energy and they will cut you to ribbons before you even see them draw." Standing in stark contrast to that flowing elegance was another new delegation. These sturdy cultivators carried dense wooden weapons infused with thick nature Qi.

They walked with heavy deliberate steps and possessed an earthy resilience.

"That is the Elderwood Valley delegation," Ren explained as he gestured toward their hardened bark armor.

"Stubborn as rocks. They focus on absorbing impacts and redirecting external force through the ground rather than relying on sharp metal edges."

"That is an interesting philosophy," Li Yu mused.

"Their techniques might offer insights into my own defensive staff forms." A group wearing dark red armor marched into the plaza next. They brought a fierce intensity to the peaceful convention and their movements simulated the crashing of violent ocean waves.

"The Scarlet Tide Clan," Ren warned with a serious expression.

"They specialize in aggressive water sword techniques mixed with the heavy pressure of blood Qi. Their weapons drip with a terrifying martial intent. They are highly aggressive but they adhere strictly to the rules. So there should be no issues in gatherings like this." Li Yu looked up as a shadow passed over the bright courtyard. A group of disciples floated lightly down from the sky. They barely touched the jade tiles as they landed softly near the lecture hall.

"Skyward Peak," Ren laughed while pointing upward.

"They wear sky blue garments and carry slender rapiers designed specifically for aerial skirmishes. Their mastery of the wind allows them to control the battlefield from above and avoid ground based attacks with ease. Hard to hit but they lack staying power in a prolonged physical clash." The final group to catch their eye was perhaps the most unusual faction present. They arrived with shaved heads and simple golden robes that shone in the bright sunlight.

"I do not see any swords or spears on them," Li Yu noted with deep curiosity.

"The Golden Bell Monastery," Ren said while crossing his arms.

"They do not carry traditional weapons. They wield large brass bells of varying sizes ranging from small hand chimes to heavy gongs carried on their backs. They resonate their Qi using sound waves to create offensive attacks and impenetrable defensive barriers." The deep ringing of their bells announced their arrival and settled the surrounding spiritual energy into a state of calm. Li Yu felt a deep sense of anticipation building in his chest.

He hoped that exposing his mind to the sound waves of the Golden Bell monks or the nature Qi of the Elderwood Valley might provide the missing catalyst he needed to push past his bottleneck.

"The Myriad Realms are truly vast," Li Yu stated softly while taking in the diversity of the gathered factions.

"That they are," Ren agreed with a smile.

"Now let us head inside before all the good seats are taken." A deep resonant gong echoed across the sprawling estate to signal the official beginning of the convention. The enforcing elders directed the vast sea of cultivators toward the main lecture hall, it was built from white stone and supported by towering jade pillars. Li Yu walked with the Freeblade Alliance and found a comfortable wooden bench near the middle of the expansive hall. He wanted to observe the proceedings clearly and absorb the shared wisdom.

The murmur of thousands of conversations died down quickly as Patriarch Li Muchen stepped onto the raised central stage. The Patriarch projected a warm and welcoming aura that washed over the diverse audience. He raised his hands to signal the start of the gathering and his voice carried effortlessly to every corner of the room.

"Welcome to the Li Clan." Patriarch Muchen announced with a genuine smile.

"Here we lay down our blades and open our minds. We gather not to prove our superiority through violence but to elevate our understanding through shared wisdom. Let peace and unity guide our interactions this week." The audience offered a collective murmur of respect as the Patriarch bowed and stepped back to allow the first speaker to take the stage. Canghai walked forward wearing his formal robes and carrying a commanding presence that demanded focus.

"A weapon is merely an extension of the soul, heart and mind." Canghai began as he looked out over the eager students.

"Many cultivators focus entirely on the physical edge of their blade or the density of their Qi. They neglect the internal intent required to guide that power. The true edge resides within the mind." Canghai raised his empty hand and demonstrated the concept. He projected a thin stream of invisible Sword Qi that sliced cleanly through a solid stone block resting on the stage without holding a physical blade.

"You must harmonize your internal pathways with your external goals," Canghai lectured.

"If your mind hesitates, your strike will falter. If your intent is pure, your Qi will flow like a raging river breaking through a dam." Li Yu listened intently as his father broke down complex concepts into digestible lessons. Li Yu watched how the different factions reacted to the teachings. The Ethereal Lotus Sect disciples analyzed the elegance of the Qi projection while the Freeblade mercenaries focused entirely on the lethality of the invisible strike.

The Golden Bell monks nodded along as Canghai discussed the internal resonance of energy while the Elderwood Valley cultivators discussed in low voices how they could apply the internal focus to fortify their wooden weapons. Every faction absorbed the shared knowledge through the lens of their own unique philosophies and tailored the lessons to fit their specific martial paths. The morning lecture progressed smoothly and the depth of the knowledge shared resonated with many.

The atmosphere of unity held strong as rival cultivators sat side by side in the peaceful pursuit of higher enlightenment.