"My experience tells me, this matter is definitely a scheme!"
The two men beneath the tree looked up at the sound.
Li Changsheng had already sat up on the Old Tree. He stretched, yawned, and then said:
"Even the Hall of Heavenly Principle can't investigate it, and it even evaded our family's eyes. Dad, Chang'an, do you still remember Peerless Pavilion?"
Hearing this, Li Kuangren and Li Chang'an both frowned.
Li Changsheng said in a deep voice, "Even a reclusive power like Peerless Pavilion has popped up. I reckon the Human Emperor truly can't suppress these genuinely formidable powers anymore.
When the Human Emperor was in his prime, everyone in the world had to follow his rules. The Human Emperor is old now—who cares about him? The big fish eat the small fish, and the small fish eat the shrimp. Our territory of two prefectures is just a hot commodity."
"Based on your guesses, I now suspect that behind Supreme Elder Puci, there are eight Peerless Pavilions! Hiss~"
A breath of cold air went down his throat, and Li Changsheng felt his throat go dry. He swallowed. "Dad, my 'Rat Digging a Hole' plan from decades ago... Dad... Dad?"
His words hadn't even faded.
The leaves and branches on the Old Tree had already bound him, forcefully pressing him back into his sleeping place.
Li Kuangren ignored his son. He found Li Chang'an much more pleasing to the eye right now. "Chang'an, what do you think?"
Li Chang'an cupped his fists toward Li Changsheng, a faint smile on his face.
"If brother's guess is correct, then the other party must have a reason that made Supreme Elder Puci submit.
The fact that they don't dare to move against us means they must have their own apprehensions. After all, our Li family also has a great backer."
"Chang'an believes that this situation with Su Chen is the perfect opportunity to make them reveal themselves!"
...
[Special Event—Lurking Greed]
[In this age of great chaos, the territory your family controls has become a hot commodity in the eyes of others. An unknown danger is drawing near to your family.]
Li Wei had already been listening at Li Kuangren's and Li Chang'an's side for a long time.
On the surface, the Li family had already taken control of the entire Eternal Sun Prefecture, and the Duravia Trade Prefecture had also become the Li family's territory in name.
The people of Azure Cloud had been continuously developing the Duravia Trade Prefecture.
But in reality, the troubles were also growing more and more numerous.
Events like this had actually been happening constantly over these past decades, but none of them had caught Li Wei's attention.
This special event also made Li Wei feel vigilant.
At the same time, a trace of eagerness flashed in Li Wei's eyes. "If it's an opponent like Baimei or Supreme Elder Puci, or even Ming Daozi..."
Immediately, he thought no more of it.
In an instant, he appeared at Li Xinnian's side.
That was the Duravia Trade Prefecture.
"Hm?"
He had thought Li Xinnian would go to the Aeternus Sect with Su Chen, but he didn't see Su Chen's figure.
"Xinnian, Junior Brother Su has gone to the Aeternus Sect. What should we do now?"
Nangong Qingya's fine brows furrowed. "I've already sent word to my family. The Clan Head said that without an order from your family, forget about one Su Chen—even if the border were breached, he wouldn't get involved."
"My family's elders have their own plans."
Li Xinnian narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Brother Su is no fool. If he dares to go to the Aeternus Sect, he naturally has something to rely on.
He has a proud heart. Three years ago, the Aeternus Sect and the Ding family didn't even give him a second glance. For him, I fear this is no longer just about Liu Rusi.
He wants to prove to the Aeternus Sect and the Liu family just how foolish their original choice was."
"Now that the Aeternus Sect is holding its younger generation grand competition, it is naturally the time for him to prove himself."
"Something to rely on?" A trace of doubt flashed in Nangong Qingya's eyes.
"These past three years, Junior Brother Su has been out adventuring for experience. It seems he had some kind of fortuitous encounter.
It must be that encounter that gives him the confidence to step into the Aeternus Sect. Otherwise, the experts of the Aeternus Sect wouldn't let him live. Even the legendary Supreme Elder Puci would strike him down."
"Mm."
Li Xinnian nodded slightly, but Nangong Qingya did not see the trace of displeasure that flashed in his eyes.
He had told Su Chen a long time ago that the family would help him as much as possible with the Liu Rusi matter; it was just that the time was not yet right.
But Su Chen was a bit too proud, always feeling he had the ability to resolve it himself.
Especially secretly hiding it from him and Nangong Qingya, finding help from who-knows-where, and secretly going to the Aeternus Sect.
But Li Xinnian was certain that, given his Master's temperament, he would absolutely not let Su Chen walk into a trap.
I'm afraid that right now, Master Wuyazi is already on the way to the Aeternus Sect.
For a woman and the pride in his heart, to place the sect and his friends in a dangerous situation...
Li Xinnian was about to lose the refined elegance he had maintained for so many years.
Li Xinnian took a deep breath. "Let's go, we'll go to the Liu family. Since the matter has already happened, we can only let it run its course."
Seeing Li Xinnian's tall, straight back, a trace of joy flashed in Nangong Qingya's beautiful eyes, and she followed without the slightest hesitation.
She couldn't help but complain inwardly; perhaps if Junior Brother Su Chen had just discussed it with Xinnian, things might have become simpler.
Li Xinnian, however, remained as tranquil as an ancient well.
"Brother Su wants Liu Rusi, so I'll help him this one more time. It will also be good to make him wake up and clear his head!"
Half a day later.
Inside the Liu family's Grotto-Heaven and Blessed Land, under Nangong Qingya's horrified gaze, Li Xinnian was seen cupping his fists toward the sky above.
A Thousand-Hand Bodhisattva image, radiating a powerful aura, floated up into the air.
Its voice was deep and resonant.
"Fellow Daoists of the Liu family, please come out and meet me. Don't make me lose my temper; that wouldn't be good for anyone!"
From within the Liu family's main gates—which Su Chen had spent many years unable to enter—Liu family cultivators walked out one by one.
Their expressions were respectful and nervous as they lined the path to welcome him.
One hour later.
Nangong Qingya watched blankly as the Liu family's Family Head and numerous elders followed respectfully behind Li Xinnian.
Among the many Liu family cultivators, a woman with a dejected expression also followed.
That was... the woman Su Chen had exhausted his mind trying to take away.
Liu Rusi.
---
Donate on Ko-fi ➡️ [https://ko-fi.com/darktea] ⬅️
Get Early Access to 60 Chapters: Search for "Dark Tea" on Ko-fi (Explore tab) and join my membership to read ahead!