One hour later, Li Family Village.
The lazy Unihorned Rhinoceros lay as usual in front of the water channel at the village entrance.
Only occasionally, when two or three children passed by, would he reluctantly open his eyes to make sure they didn’t fall into the water.
"You lazy bull, slacking off again!"
Silently, a fiery red Mountain Cat appeared and then leaped onto the back of the Unihorned Rhinoceros.
"Hmph, I call this a break, unlike a certain wildcat that disappears for years."
With his eyes still slightly squinted, the Unihorned Rhinoceros replied mercilessly.
"If the master hadn’t mentioned you often, I’d have thought you died in some remote corner!"
Clawing at the Unihorned Rhinoceros, Xiluo cursed grumpily.
"You stupid bull, it’s only been a few years and you’ve forgotten how fierce I am!"
Within the ecological hierarchy of the Hundred Lands Mountain Range, Xiluo was undoubtedly above the Unihorned Rhinoceros.
No matter the era, the Unihorned Rhinoceros would react like a mouse to a cat whenever he saw Xiluo, daring only to engage in a war of words.
This time was no exception. When Xiluo got serious, he naturally conceded.
"Ouch, ouch... Stop scratching, I won’t say anything more, okay?"
Satisfied, Xiluo licked her paw, wanting to say more.
Looking up, she noticed a little girl standing not far away, staring at her.
"Xi?"
Seeing the familiar face, Xiluo tentatively called out.
In the next second, Li Xi grinned and ran towards Xiluo and the Unihorned Rhinoceros.
Meanwhile, a few clay animals cautiously climbed onto Li Xi’s shoulder, curiously eyeing the unfamiliar red Mountain Cat.
"Mountain God Granny!"
As Xiluo jumped off the Unihorned Rhinoceros and transformed back into her Celestial Maiden form,
Li Xi spread her arms wide with a big smile seeking a hug.
"Haha, I didn’t expect you to grow so big!"
Picking up Li Xi, Xiluo showed an unprecedented warmth.
"Human children really do grow fast. I remember when I left, you were so tiny..."
Spinning in place a few times with Li Xi in her arms, Xiluo finally noticed the clay animals on her shoulder.
"You’ve really progressed with your ability."
"Did you ’see’ my return, is that why you’re here?"
Nodding obediently, Li Xi had indeed foreseen Xiluo’s return through the [Destiny Communication].
"Haha, you’re much more sensible than your brother!"
"Come, I brought you some gifts, let’s see if you like them."
Completely ignoring the frustrated Unihorned Rhinoceros, Xiluo carried Li Xi towards the village.
As they passed the shrine at the village entrance, the old village chief seemed to sense something, raising his eyes, but didn’t see Xiluo and Li Xi.
"Mountain God Granny?"
He called out tentatively, then shifted his gaze to the distant Unihorned Rhinoceros when no reply came.
Seeing the claw marks on its face, the old village chief suddenly smiled knowingly.
"It’s good to be back! Looks like things will get lively around here!"
...........................
By the time Xiluo carried Li Xi into the Li Family Village,
she realized what dramatic changes had occurred in her short few years away.
The clean, tidy streets were just the start.
The village’s territory had expanded several times over.
Nowadays, Li Family Village was more like Li Family Town, or even Li Family City.
For it now had all the prerequisites of a town or city, with an internal cycle system already in place.
Farmlands, merchants, factories, population, education...
Even without external supplies, Li Family Village could sustain itself for several years.
Along the way, Xiluo saw many novelties unseen in other parts of the Hundred Lands Mountain Range.
"Is that a bicycle?"
Pointing at the two-wheeled vehicles on either side of the lane, Xiluo asked in surprise.
The concept of a "bicycle" was drawn up by Li Boyang even before he started his cultivation.
But back then, there were no proper roads in the Hundred Lands Mountain Range, and with steel and rubber lacking, Li Boyang never produced an actual model.
But now, she saw dedicated bicycle lanes.
The central road was for the Bronze Horse Carriage, and the sides for bicycles.
This complex and aesthetically pleasing layout was clearly Li Boyang’s handiwork.
"Yes, the village revamped its roads over the past two years and added streetlights..."
"Uncle Chengfeng specifically went to Gaotun Village to buy some bicycles, sparking a cycling trend in the village."
"Brother Mu was the first to ride a bicycle..."
"But he’s stingy, never letting us near his precious bike."
Despite her young age, Li Xi replied earnestly to Xiluo’s questions.
This adorable scene made Xiluo laugh, even reaching out to pinch Li Xi’s cheek.
"Oh, is our little cutie upset?"
"Hehe, don’t worry, I’ll get one for you someday."
Hearing Xiluo’s promise, Li Xi eagerly looked up, stirring the clay animals on her shoulder with excitement.
"But... I’m too young... I can’t ride a bicycle yet..."
After a brief excitement, Li Xi lowered her head, sighing regretfully.
"Don’t mimic your brother, sighing like a little old lady,"
Xiluo playfully tapped Li Xi’s nose with a doting smile.
"Maybe you’re unaware, but your brother designed that bicycle. Your not-so-reliable aunt always wanted one as a kid."
"So don’t worry about not riding it, just ask your brother, he has a kid-sized version."
"I think he calls it... a child’s bike?"
Shocked to learn the bicycle’s origin was Li Boyang, Li Xi’s eyes widened.
"Your brother really, ignoring our little cutie’s feelings."
"Next time, tell him directly when you want something; don’t fear he’ll refuse."
With a cautious blink, Li Xi considered her seemingly always busy brother, but resolutely shook her head.
"No, brother’s busy with important matters, I can’t disturb him."
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