Li Xinghuo and Zishu Wandong stood within the room, observing Qiu Xundao as he headed toward the Grand Tutor's residence.
But the true observer was Li Wei.
As long as he remained near his descendants, even without manifesting a physical form, he could move freely within a certain range.
Moreover, as his strength increased, this range continued to expand—allowing him to even descend directly within that domain.
Ordinarily, the family used this method to uncover secrets, and it rarely failed.
This was not his first time appearing near the residence of Grand Tutor Lin Jiu.
Of course, this was also due to Li Xinghuo gaining increasing favor in Lin Jiu's eyes.
His bloodline was the absolute bane of demons and monsters.
Even if Lin Jiu merely kept Li Xinghuo at his side as an ornament, this ancient trait alone could bring fortune and prosperity—a rare and auspicious sign.
Raising his gaze slightly, Li Wei couldn't help but marvel at the sheer grandeur of the Grand Tutor's military stronghold.
The Asura Army was merely an assassin-like force under his command.
The Grand Tutor—who had forged the Northern Border into an unbreakable fortress—held the very core of power firmly in his grasp.
Above the palace, massive phantoms loomed, blotting out the sky and sun.
These were the "Qi signatures" Li Wei could perceive after years of cultivation.
A ten-thousand-meter golden dragon soaring through the clouds, celestial soldiers and divine generals brimming with killing intent, an ancient and mysterious black bell…
Beneath these overwhelming presences, even Li Xinghuo's Half-Step Void Refinement aura felt like that of a mere ant struggling beneath the feet of towering giants.
With such forces at his command, the Grand Tutor was not only the pillar of the Northern Border—but one of the ancient "gods" of the entire Imperial Dynasty.
Qiu Xundao pushed open the door to the Grand Tutor's chamber.
Lin Jiu wore no armor. Dressed in a simple black robe, he held a calligraphy brush, writing the four characters: "Beast's Heart at Present." Yet each time, he crumpled the paper and began anew.
Seeing this, Qiu Xundao immediately stepped forward to grind ink for him.
"Emperor Realm."
Li Wei's gaze sharpened.
There were only twenty-four Emperor Realm experts in the world, and Lin Jiu was one of them.
These twenty-four were the true rulers of the realm.
At times, Li Wei couldn't help but wonder—if the Li Clan possessed an Emperor Realm expert, wouldn't they be able to act without restraint?
Yet such figures—these living gods among mortals—either remained hidden from the world or acted with great restraint, operating through others from the shadows.
Within the chamber, Qiu Xundao silently ground ink until Lin Jiu finally spoke.
"I am already aware of the matter between Qiu Xunfa and the Li Clan. It is good that you came to me first."
"Adoptive Father, he is my only remaining blood relative." Qiu Xundao immediately dropped to his knees. "I beg Adoptive Father to spare Xunfa's life."
Lin Jiu continued to write.
Though his brush moved across the paper, not a single trace of ink appeared.
He maintained this for a long time. Then, with a slight shake of his head at the kneeling Qiu Xundao, he simply turned and left.
Qiu Xundao abruptly rose to his feet.
Seeing the blank sheet—untouched by ink—and recalling the fleeting disappointment in Lin Jiu's expression, Qiu Xundao's face turned deathly pale.
"Twenty thousand years… I have risked life and death for him for twenty thousand years, and yet he won't even leave me a path to survive?"
"If only he would speak—just one word—a mere Li Clan…"
After a long silence, Qiu Xundao suddenly froze, then picked up the crumpled calligraphy.
"No… that's not it. Every action Adoptive Father took carried meaning.
He saw me arrive, yet continued what he was doing—this means his resolve to fight the Demon Race remains unchanged. That is still the true priority.
At the same time… it means no matter how I clash with the Li Clan, he will not intervene."
"'Beast's Heart at Present.' Adoptive Father often said that all people harbor a beast's heart—and that using others as one's opportunity is the key to breaking through.
The Li Clan… they are my opportunity to step into the Body Integration realm. Opportunity… opportunity… The Li Clan captured Nun Dairou in the Western Frontier!"
"And then—he wrote, yet left no trace. The words exist in his heart, but not on paper.
The true players shape the world without leaving a mark. Their moves influence everything, yet remain unseen.
In other words… Adoptive Father wants me to understand that anyone in this world can be used."
"As expected of Adoptive Father—profound and unfathomable. Thank you, Adoptive Father. I already know what to do."
With that realization, Qiu Xundao's eyes lit up. He hurried off, his expression filled with excitement.
"..."
Li Wei watched in stunned silence as both Lin Jiu and Qiu Xundao departed.
Whether Lin Jiu truly intended any of this, Li Wei had no way of knowing.
But one thing was certain—Qiu Xundao, the Second Commander of the Asura Army, had just experienced a sudden epiphany.
It was as though his meridians had cleared, and he now sought to become a hidden mastermind manipulating the board from the shadows.
The mention of Nun Dairou meant he had already formed a plan.