Li Wei stood at the edge of the central courtyard, his eyes wide as he took in the grandeur of the scene before him. The Celestial Bloom Festival was finally here, and the clan grounds had transformed into a spectacle of light, color, and energy. The festival, a grand event that occurred only once every five years, was something he had heard countless stories about, but never experienced himself.
Vibrant golden lanterns floated in the sky, casting a warm, almost magical glow across the courtyard. Their flickering lights intertwined with the glowing blossoms of the celestial flowers that had been specially cultivated for the occasion. Crimson banners, embroidered with the Li Clan's sigil, fluttered in the breeze, proudly displaying the clan's strength and heritage.
The air was thick with anticipation. People were everywhere—disciples, guests, and visitors from other powerful clans—all bustling around, either making last-minute preparations or admiring the festival decorations. The excited chatter blended with the sound of distant drums, signaling the beginning of the festival's opening ceremonies.
Li Wei had never seen the estate like this before. While he had heard about the grandeur of the festival, the sheer scale of it was something that could only be fully appreciated in person. There was an energy to the atmosphere, a buzz that seemed to seep into the very air itself, heightening the excitement of everyone present.
As Li Wei took a deep breath, trying to absorb the vibrant atmosphere, his father, Li Qiang, clapped him on the shoulder.
"Quite the sight, isn't it?" Li Qiang said with a grin, his eyes scanning the crowd.
Li Wei nodded, his eyes still wide. "It's... incredible. I didn't expect it to be this grand."
Before Li Qiang could respond, a loud, resounding gong sounded throughout the grounds, signaling the arrival of the Thirteen Elders. Li Wei turned to the sky, where a dark shadow cut through the golden glow of the lanterns.Their figures surrounded by a palpable aura of strength that seemed to cause the very air to hum with energy.
One by one, the Thirteen Elders of the Li Clan began to emerge from the clouds among them, Among them was Li Zheng, Li Wei's grandfather, and a member of the Thirteen Elders. Li Zheng, towering over most, appeared as a solid pillar of strength in his robes of dark jade, his gray hair blowing gently in the wind. Despite the intimidating force that radiated from him, his eyes softened when they landed on his grandson.
Li Wei stood in awe, watching the Elders float down, their robes billowing like ethereal waves. Their collective power rippled through the air, each one more imposing than the next. Their dignified silence was broken only by the soft sounds of their robes and the gentle thud of their landing.. The sight was breathtaking—each of the elders exuded an aura of immeasurable strength, their presences undeniable. They were all Absolute Realm Masters, the pinnacle of Transcendent mortal martial prowess, and their arrival marked the beginning of the festival's official commencement.
At the forefront, Patriarch Li Jian, the leader of the Li Clan, descended slowly, his presence commanding. Patriarch Li Jian was an imposing figure—tall, with sharp, angular features that gave him a look of absolute authority. His robes were made from deep azure silk, and they shimmered slightly, as if the fabric itself held power. The patriarch possesed sparkling silver hair, his eyes a piercing shade of grey, scanned the crowd with an almost regal detachment, but there was no mistaking the strength that emanated from him. Even as the patriarch moved through the air, his movements were deliberate and graceful, each step seemingly calculated to reinforce his towering presence.
The Patriarch's voice rang out, strong and clear as he raised his hand in the air.
"Let the Celestial Bloom Festival commence!" Patriarch Li Jian declared, his tone brokering no argument. The crowd went silent for a brief moment before erupting in cheer. His gaze swept across the estate, and Li Wei could sense the unmistakable weight of his authority. The Patriarch didn't need to say more—his presence alone was enough to command the room.
As the festival's opening ceremony continued, the arrival of external guests began. Li Wei's attention shifted to the distant horizon where several figures approached on various forms of transport. Unlike the Thirteen Elders, these were visitors from other powerful families, including his maternal family.
Li Wei turned his attention to the arrival of his maternal family. This would be the first time he would ever meet them in person, and a mix of anticipation and nervousness filled him.
From the distance, he saw a massive flying carriage approach, pulled by a pair of twin winged serpents their white scales glinted in the sunlight. The vehicle touched down lightly on the ground, and the first to step out was his maternal grandfather, Elder Xian, an absolute realm master with a towering figure who exuded a quiet yet undeniable authority. His robes were deep blue, and the intricate silver embroidery on them shimmered in the light. Elder Xian's features were sharp, his face marked with the wisdom of years, but when he turned to face Li Wei, his eyes softened with a fondness that made Li Wei feel immediately at ease.
"My grandson," Elder Xian greeted, his voice deep and steady, with just the faintest hint of affection. "It's good to finally meet you."
Li Wei bowed respectfully. "Grandfather, it's an honor to meet you."
Next, Li Wei's maternal grandmother stepped forward, a graceful figure whose soft smile immediately put him at ease. She was a woman of striking beauty, her silvery hair arranged in an elegant bun. Despite her age, there was a youthful energy about her, and the warmth in her eyes spoke volumes of her love for her family.
She immediately enveloped Li Wei in a tight hug, her voice soft but warm. "Oh, my dear boy! How you've grown!" Her smile was radiant, and Li Wei couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort in her embrace. "You remind me so much of your mother at your age."
Li Wei chuckled, a little embarrassed by the attention. "Grandma, you're too kind."
As he looked around, his maternal uncle and aunt arrived, both bickering in their usual playful way.
His uncle, a tall and boisterous man, stepped forward first, a wide grin on his face. "Li Wei! You've grown as tall as a mountain!" he exclaimed, reaching forward to ruffle Li Wei's hair. " Your father's taught you well, hasn't he? Show me what you've learned!"
Before Li Wei could respond, his aunt—a composed and elegant woman—interrupted, her voice gentle but firm. "Please, don't embarrass him in front of everyone," she said, her tone affectionate but exasperated. "You've been waiting to see him, and this is how you greet him?"
Li Wei couldn't help but laugh, watching his uncle and aunt in action. They had a dynamic that felt both familiar and loving.
Finally, his maternal grandmother and uncle stepped aside as his parents, Li Qiang and Lin Mei, moved forward to greet their relatives.
"Mother, Father," Li Qiang greeted with a deep bow, his voice calm yet respectful. "It's been a long time."Li Wei stood by, watching as his parents exchanged pleasantries with his maternal family, a part of him feeling an unfamiliar but welcome sense of unity among all the factions coming together.
Finally, Li Wei noticed his grandfather Li Zheng moving through the crowd toward him. The dignified air of an Absolute Realm Master still surrounded him, but there was a noticeable difference in the way he approached his grandson. Gone was the usual serious, commanding presence, replaced instead by a softer, more playful demeanor as he reached out to pull Li Wei into a tight hug.
"Look at you!" Li Zheng's voice was full of affection, and his smile was genuine. "My little Wei has grown into a fine young man. Your progress is remarkable."
Li Wei felt his heart warm at the sight of his grandfather's soft, proud expression. It was a stark contrast to the formidable aura Li Zheng exuded during the arrival of the elders. This was the Li Zheng that only family got to see—the affectionate, doting grandfather.
As he pulled back from the hug, Li Wei smiled sheepishly. "I've been trying my best, Grandpa."
"Keep it up, and you'll surpass me in no time," Li Zheng chuckled, his voice carrying a hint of mischief as he playfully ruffled Li Wei's hair.
The air buzzed with the beginning of the festival. People gathered around, cheering, and the Celestial Bloom Festival officially began. The festivities were grand—the lanterns floated higher into the night sky, casting a soft glow across the estate. The music became louder, the sound of flutes, drums, and string instruments blending in a harmonious symphony that seemed to energize the crowd. The smell of food and flowers filled the air, adding to the sense of celebration.
For those gathered at the Li Clan estate, this was more than a festival—it was a momentous occasion. Every five years, the Celestial Bloom Festival marked the beginning of a new cycle, a time for families, clans, and external visitors to come together and celebrate. This was a time for games, competition, and camaraderie, with each event held under the watchful eye of the clan's Thirteen Elders.
As time passed, the excitement in the air seemed to grow. The patriarch stood at the center of the grand platform, his presence alone commanding attention. He held his hands up, the crowd falling silent as his voice rang out across the estate.
The Patriarch Li Jian, dressed in regal robes, his silver hair flowing like a river of starlight, raised his hand, signaling the beginning of the most awaited event of the festival. His voice, deep and commanding, echoed across the estate.
"People of the Li Clan, guests from afar, it is with great pride and anticipation that I declare the start of the Celestial Bloom Tournament!"
The crowd erupted in applause, excitement and cheers filling the air.
Li Wei's heart raced as he stood beside his father and mother. It was finally time—the tournament, a spectacle that would decide the most talented among the clan's youth. As the Patriarch spoke, the other elders hovered nearby, their auras radiating quiet strength, though they remained an unobtrusive presence, watching with keen interest.
Li Jian announced his voice echoing across the arena "Let the Preliminary Rounds begin!"