"For over a hundred thousand years, the Zhao Clan has passed down its line, huddled away inside their Grotto-Heaven and Blessed Land."
At this moment.
Li Yaowen led her clansmen out of the room.
The Old Tree's red leaves and branches swayed in the wind.
The group from the Li family floated into the air, looking down upon Merit City, which was like a paradise beyond the mortal world.
Li Yaowen's gaze was as deep as a sea of stars. "They likely have a million clan members by now. For over a hundred thousand years, they have endured several clan exterminations, yet they have still survived. Their history is ancient; no one knows just how powerful they truly are."
"The Human Emperor has grown old, and it is also their time to enter the world, just like the other reclusive powers from all corners of this land.
From the day my avatar was born in God-Hunter Village, I came to know many, many secrets, and I also knew that one day, we would encounter something like this.
"I regret to say this, but I must tell you: we are not the Immortal Zhao Clan's match."
Hearing this, all the members of the Li family lowered their heads, their hearts filled with unwillingness.
But they had no choice but to accept this reality.
The Immortal Zhao Clan, for one hundred and sixty thousand years... they may have been like rats, barely surviving under the Human Emperor's suppression for over a hundred thousand of those years, but that vast expanse of time was already enough to illustrate the Zhao Clan's power.
"But what we have experienced... is not necessarily less than what they have."
High in the sky above Merit City, a gentle breeze blew, lifting the long hair of the Li clansmen.
Everyone was looking at the gentle smile on Li Yaowen's face—a smile that held a trace of unyielding defiance in the face of a powerful, approaching enemy.
"We must fight them, and we must defeat them!
Only then can we defeat those cowardly turtles who were so suppressed by the Human Emperor that they dared not even show their heads.
Only then can we survive in this chaotic age!"
"The Great Dao must be fought for, and the Li Clan must fight!"
"I want you to stand before the members of the Zhao Clan and tell them that whether it is Azure Cloud, Eternal Sun Prefecture, or Duravia Trade Prefecture—none of them are places they should have set foot!"
As Li Yaowen's voice fell, the gaze of every clan member turned resolute.
In the fierce wind, the Old Ancestor's spirit tablet floated into the air, and lines of black characters streamed down from it.
[Those who offend my Li Clan shall die!]
...
"Those who offend my Li Clan shall die!"
The clansmen returned to their respective posts. Li Xinnian repeatedly murmured the Old Ancestor's words, his mind also dwelling on the words of Ancestor Li Yaowen.
But he also understood the reality. He feared that a powerful aristocratic family like the Zhao Clan didn't even take their Li family seriously.
It was just like how he would never pay any mind to a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator, only to find that cultivator had a Nascent Soul stage expert backing them.
This was the situation the Li family and the Zhao family were currently facing.
"This is a good thing."
The corners of Li Xinnian's mouth turned up slightly. "A power from one hundred and sixty thousand years ago... yet it seems my family's elders don't take them seriously at all."
As he mused to himself, Li Xinnian had already arrived at a farming courtyard in the Outer City.
He saw Heaven and Earth Spirit Qi frantically surging into the courtyard, where the figure of Su Chen, sitting cross-legged, entered his sight.
"Yo, little one, you must be Li Xinnian, right? That brat Su mentioned you when he was in Bright Spirit Valley. You truly are a fine-looking talent."
He lowered his head.
Li Xinnian saw a bald little old man. The old man was 'completely bald,' though his beard and eyebrows were very long.
"Senior Martial Emperor."
"Hehe." The Martial Emperor rubbed his hands together.
"Kid, I am a great expert at the mid-stage Void Refining realm. I see your bone structure is marvelous, and I have a fine spiritual art to teach you. Are you willing to learn?"
Hearing this, Li Xinnian still wore a simple and honest expression.
"Thank you, Senior, but this junior already has a Master.
Master said that my cultivation method must not be tampered with recklessly, or I will destroy my own foundation.
This junior came here looking for Brother Su, so I will not disturb Senior any further.
Please, Senior, feel free."
Having spoken, Li Xinnian walked toward Su Chen.
"Hey, junior!"
The Martial Emperor was instantly anxious. He had been tricked into coming to Merit City by that sanctimonious-looking sword cultivator from the Li family.
It had been promised that an Imperial Physician was here who could treat his hidden injury—and that it would be done quickly.
But as a result, half a month had passed, and he hadn't seen a single hair of them.
He had originally wanted Li Xinnian to help him find that physician, but he never expected this kid to be so able to resist temptation.
He instantly gritted his teeth. "Who is your Master? He's ruining a disciple's potential! I'll go find him!"
Li Xinnian rolled his eyes and pretended not to hear.
The elders had said that when the Martial Emperor couldn't hold out any longer, that would be the time to state their conditions.
Meeting again after half a month, Su Chen's serious injuries had still not healed. He was sitting cross-legged, circulating his energy to heal.
As if sensing Li Xinnian's arrival, Su Chen stopped meditating. Gazing at the faint smile on Li Xinnian's face, a trace of guilt couldn't help but flash in his eyes.
"Junior Brother..."
He had already come to his senses and knew what had happened half a month ago.
When he went to the Duravia Trade Prefecture all alone, his Master rushed there without a second thought.
If the Li family hadn't decisively sent experts, I'm afraid Wuyazi would have lost his life in the Duravia Trade Prefecture trying to save him.
And Senior Martial Emperor also nearly didn't make it out of the Duravia Trade Prefecture.
Thinking back, his one reckless decision had almost brought harm to so many people.
"Brother Su, you don't have to call me Junior Brother anymore."
Li Xinnian always wore a gentle expression. "Brother Su, you've already become my Great-Uncle's godson. I suppose that makes me your sworn younger brother, so I should call you 'Big Brother' too."
"Xinnian." Su Chen's eyes grew moist. He hadn't expected Li Xinnian not to mention what happened that day at all.
The two chatted for a moment, but Su Chen saw that Li Xinnian constantly looked worried.
He instantly furrowed his brow. "Xinnian, is there something that has you so preoccupied?"
"Big Brother."
Li Xinnian hesitated for a moment before finally saying,
"Since we're family, I won't hide it from you. The elders seem to have encountered some major event, but they won't tell me.
However, I can feel that a powerful enemy seems to have come to our two prefectures.
Later, I asked some of the guest retainers and seniors, and only then did I find out that we've encountered a reclusive aristocratic family—the Immortal Zhao Clan!"
"A reclusive aristocratic family, the Immortal Zhao Clan?"
Su Chen's eyes narrowed slightly. "A bit interesting."
At this moment, Li Xinghuo was also watching Li Xinnian and Su Chen—this godson of his—conversing. Dressed in his armor, his eyebrow twitched slightly.
"I think I'm starting to understand why Adoptive Father likes taking godsons so much. I wonder if he also saw me as a 'Su Chen' back then?"¹
Nearby, hearing Li Xinghuo's murmur, Li Wei's mouth twitched.
On the panel before his eyes, new words appeared.
[Your descendant, Li Xinghuo, by rescuing the 'Child of Destiny,' has earned his heartfelt respect and been acknowledged as 'Adoptive Father.'
Acquired Trait: Adoptive Father of Destiny]
"..."
Li Wei was stunned for a long time.
He glanced at Li Xinghuo, then glanced at the two juniors inside.
Then what am I?
Destiny's Old Ancestor?
---
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