"With utmost sincerity, I announce to the rivers, lakes, and seas..."
As Liu Yumei’s voice echoed, Li Zhiyuan, although still standing in the room, found his consciousness slipping into a strange trance.
In his sight, the lamp with the Golden Dragon lifting its head seemed to spring to life.
The Golden Dragon’s body detached from the lamp, first twisting, then coiling, the wick like fire, its breath bubbling forth.
It left the ground and flew toward him, then circled around.
It was as if something had been burned, yet there was no scent of scorching, only wisps of smoke and the faint crackling near his ears.
If one had to make a comparison, it was like a veil.
A layer, draped beneath one’s feet, covering the path, concealing the veil of fate.
The veil was thin, allowing light to pass through.
Just like over a year ago, when Li Zhiyuan first discovered the "Jianghu Chronicles" in his Grandmaster’s basement.
Wei Zhengdao summarized in this book all the Corpse phenomena he had encountered in his lifetime, making it an encyclopedia about Corpse phenomena.
This set of books was Li Zhiyuan’s enlightenment.
Since then, Li Zhiyuan had planned the path he would take in the future.
Return to high school, select a university, participate in math competitions, get admitted early.
The relationship with Mr. Luo was also to ensure that he could participate in major hydraulic engineering projects in the future.
Thus, the path beneath his feet was merely covered with a thin veil.
But some things, even slightly opaque, still hide turbulent undercurrents below.
He had indeed started his River Crossing long ago, but he did not proceed with clarity, decisiveness, or briskness.
The ritual and Liu Yumei’s announcement served to clear this last layer of fog for him.
It was a destined treacherous river, full of hardships and dangers, where one could easily capsize.
Compared to open-ended subjective questions, the youth preferred objective questions with defined conditions, no matter how complex or difficult they were.
Now, the problem lay before him, ready to be tackled.
Free from the enshrouding haze and confusion,
He felt light and at ease.
Even the Golden Dragon still circling him seemed somewhat adorable in Li Zhiyuan’s eyes, dopey and confused, like his own pet, Xiao Hei.
In reality, the lamp remained a lamp, the Golden Dragon still hanging on it, its wick flickering in its dragon mouth.
Most of the people in the room could not see the apparition that Li Zhiyuan was seeing at the moment.
In the eyes of Run Sheng and the other two, Li Zhiyuan seemed to have relaxed.
They had paid respects to the Dragon King and understood the significance of the second lamp, but to say they had a deep understanding and experience was naturally impossible.
Just now, amidst the anxious and unsettled reactions of Liu Yumei and others, they felt tension, but upon seeing Brother Xiao Yuan’s current state, all three felt a wave of relief.
Even the most serious matters, with a change of perspective and mindset, could be trivialized: "Huh, what’s the big deal?"
Uncle Qin’s eyes cleared of all other emotions, leaving only a sense of nostalgia.
He reminisced about when he had lit the second lamp, and his master was still young.
Faced with rows of tablets on the altar, facing the responsibility of revitalizing the Qin Liu family, he clenched his teeth, somber-faced, filled with trepidation and fear.
But the same scene, coupled with unexpected opportunities, cast upon the youth before him conveyed a sense of nonchalance.
This was no pretense, for in this atmosphere, anyone capable of pretense... lacked the need to pretend.
When you see someone better than yourself, you suddenly realize that your failures seem inevitable.
Aunt Liu’s perception was more straightforward; she felt that Xiao Yuan had gained a layer of charm, making the already handsome boy even more attractive.
This way, the young men and women seemed closer in temperament, and when together, appeared more harmonious.
Aunt Liu desperately needed the sweetness in her mouth to offset the bitterness that Yin Meng would soon cook for her with her own hands.
Liu Yumei watched Li Zhiyuan and gently waved her hand.
The youth did not move, as he was still immersed in his own feelings.
Uncle Qin walked outside.
Aunt Liu wanted to take Alii’s hand and lead her away, but Alii was motionless, still gazing at the youth.
She didn’t like to paint; she only liked painting Li Zhiyuan. She thought the youth looked very handsome now, including the Golden Dragon serving as the background, circling around him.
Aunt Liu looked at Liu Yumei, and Liu Yumei nodded slightly.
The ceremony of initiation and River Crossing had been completed, and it was time for the elders to give their instruction. Alii, representing the Qin family today, could stay, though she wouldn’t speak.
But Liu Yumei knew that for this brat, her granddaughter’s single glance was worth more than a thousand words of her own.
Seeing this, Run Sheng and the others also left.
In the room, only Liu Yumei, Alii, and Li Zhiyuan remained.
Finally, the Golden Dragon left his body and returned to the lantern.
In reality, the lamp extinguished.
To the average person, this wonderfully lit lamp went out abruptly.
But to Li Zhiyuan, it was as if the flame had already circled his body, leaving him feeling warm.
He couldn’t help turning his head to look outside. The thunder had ceased, but the wind and rain persisted.
At this moment, he really wanted to open the window and let in some wind and rain for a moment of coolness.
The window was pushed open by a hand, and the wind and rain entered.
The breeze blew, dampness brushed his face, and Li Zhiyuan fully awoke.
It was then that he realized everyone else had left.