On the other hand, among the juniors, that unruly and willful girl Li Zhijing stood frozen in place.
Under normal circumstances, she would likely be clinging to the elders one by one, currying favor to get to the bottom of things.
But right now, she had no time to busy herself with fawning over the elders.
Inside the Ancestral Space.
Dressed in black warrior attire, she had lost the unruly and cute energy she usually displayed in Northguard City.
Kneeling before the Old Ancestor, who was shrouded in black mist, she couldn't suppress her inner nervousness.
This was her first audience with the Old Ancestor.
She thought to herself: If I can see him, then Father might have a chance to see him too.
If he gains the Old Ancestor's approval, let's see if the clansmen still dare to look down on Father.
Yet now that the Old Ancestor was right before her eyes, despite having a thousand words to say, she couldn't utter a single syllable.
In that moment, overwhelmed by a sense of grievance, Li Zhijing burst into tears.
"..."
This made Li Wei's toes curl inside his shoes from the awkwardness.
He couldn't understand why this girl was crying.
Heaven and Earth be his witness, he hadn't done a single thing to provoke her!
He immediately asked, "Why are you crying?"
Li Zhijing sobbed, "I miss my dad."
Hearing this, Li Wei frowned, suddenly realizing the situation.
It was likely due to that wastrel, Li Xinri.
Li Wei hadn't paid much attention to Li Xinri recently, but with a single spiritual scan, Li Wei's face instantly turned black.
It was a prosperous area in the Northern Border, a scene of song and dance, fine wine, and singing courtesans.
Li Xinri sat with a girl in each arm, boasting wildly and drinking excessively with a group of hedonistic scions—truly having the time of his life.
"Xinri is in a brothel."
Li Wei mentioned it casually.
Li Zhijing stopped sobbing instantly and stammered in panic,
"Old Ancestor, Father... Father isn't being lazy or unambitious!
He... Grandfather isn't in the North right now, so Father needs to socialize with the scions of the noble houses.
He's doing it to manage the family business!"
Seeing Li Zhijing try to make excuses for him, Li Wei sighed.
"Zhijing, oh Zhijing. The reason your father is the way he is today is because you indulge his unruly behavior too much. You have completely spoiled him."
"Yes, Old Ancestor, this child knows her mistake.
I beg the Old Ancestor not to blame Father.
When I return to the Northern Border, I will discipline him strictly."
Li Zhijing became even more frantic.
"Do not be anxious. The situation Xinri finds himself in today... We elders also bear some fault.
The situation on the Northern Border is complex. However, Xinri's inherent nature is not bad.
I am aware of these matters; he has a clever streak in his bones.
Destiny depends on the individual; perhaps he has his own reasons for acting this way."
After Li Wei's words, a look of joy appeared on Li Zhijing's face.
Li Wei continued, "Your aptitude is extraordinary, and you are skilled in Beast Taming.
Within the Azure Cloud Prefecture lies the Ethereal Immortal Grove, inhabited by many Great Demons brought from the Northern Border.
You might as well spend some time there refining your cultivation."
Li Zhijing's mouth twitched.
She had just escaped her cousin trying to force her to cultivate, and now the Old Ancestor was trying to catch her for the same purpose.
Just as she was about to refuse, the Old Ancestor's voice rang out again.
"The Demon-Suppressing Lineage of the Northern Border is filled with numerous illegitimate children and collateral branches.
They originate from various Great Clans.
Your grandfather, Xinghuo, could not go against the Lord Grand Preceptor's will to deal with them.
Currently, in the Northern Border, only you, your father, and your Uncle Xinjue in Silver Moon City remain unswayed by those Great Clans.
Only by suppressing them can you truly live up to the name of 'Demon Suppressing,' and presumably, Xinri's situation would improve greatly as well."
"Yes, Old Ancestor, this child will definitely cultivate diligently."
...
With the stripping of the Immortal Domain Grotto-Heaven underway, the family members settled down inside.
This was, after all, a foundation accumulated over one hundred and sixty thousand years.
In the words of Li Yaotie, his hammer might just be worn down to nothing in the days to come.
The cultivators of the Azure Cloud Prefecture also received their deserved share of the spoils; on this point, the family had never been stingy.
Elder Puci returned to seclusion.
Daoist Ming Tai, who had once taken refuge in the Duravia Trade Prefecture Immortal City, returned to the Ethereal Immortal Sect to resume his position as Sect Master.
The Sun family became the largest Clan in the Duravia Trade Prefecture; with the Li family's recommendation, Sun Haotian even went to the Royal Court to serve as an official.
Everything presented a scene of flourishing prosperity.
In just one short month, the important treasures within the Immortal Domain Grotto-Heaven were all transported back to Merit City.
Outside, Li Changsheng had gone back to sleep atop the Old Tree; it seemed he was settling in for another long, peaceful slumber.
The Old Tree had sprouted new branches and foliage, even more vibrant and crimson than before.
As the wind blew, its leaves swayed wildly, clearly brimming with joy.
Hanging from a branch was a small snake, blowing bubbles from its nostrils in its sleep.
The pair of sharp horns on its head and its four newly grown legs were particularly distinct.
Young Master Fei Heng arrived from the farmlands.
He had likely searched for the Li family elders but found no one—not even the old steward was present—so he had to seek out Li Changsheng on the Old Tree.
"Brother Changsheng, do you know where your family elders are?"
A human face emerged on the trunk of the tree, and the Old Tree asked, "What is the matter?"
"I am going to the Imperial Capital. To become the Crown Prince."
The Old Tree pointed out the direction to Young Master Fei Heng.
Watching Fei Heng leave, Li Changsheng, who was up in the tree, finally opened his eyes.
He patted the trunk of the Old Tree and teased, "Old Tree, do you reckon this Crown Prince can succeed to the throne?"
The Old Tree thought for a moment. "I think he will."
"What makes you say that?" Li Changsheng was surprised this time.
The Old Tree replied seriously, "That kid has been farming the fields for three hundred years.
The spiritual seedlings in the ground told me that when he swings a hoe, he puts real force into it. He is a determined man with the terrifying perseverance needed to rule an empire."
"Then let's make a bet."
"Bet on what?" The Old Tree blinked its eyes.
"Bet your entire head of leaves. I bet he can become the Human Emperor."
"You're on!"
The Old Tree got fired up in an instant, but right after agreeing to the bet, it froze.
"Wait a minute. You little scoundrel, I was betting that he would win too!
If you bet on him becoming the Human Emperor, then what am I supposed to bet on?"
"You agreed to it yourself. It has nothing to do with me."
"I... You..."
A gentle breeze blew past, lifting Li Changsheng's hair and ruffling the Old Tree's branches and leaves.
---
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