Within the Void Refining Space.
Zhao Tingyu was already under the control of the formation, suppressed in mid-air in a spread-eagled posture.
Behind him lay a formation resembling a spiderweb; his body was covered in wounds, and his clothes had been stripped clean off.
Grand Elder Puci stared in astonishment at the three members of the Li family as they expertly stripped the items from another person.
Their skill in seizing treasures had truly reached the realm of perfection, to the point where even the treasures Zhao Tingyu had hidden within his Divine Soul were stripped away completely.
[Congratulations. You have obtained loot.]
[Mid-grade Dharma Treasure: Spirit-Guarding Storage Ring.
It can be used to guard the mind and spirit, resisting all techniques below the Void Refining realm that affect the mind or Divine Soul.
Possesses a shield capable of withstanding a full-strength strike from a Peak Early Void Refining cultivator. (Contains a vast amount of natural treasures.)]
[Supreme-grade Dharma Treasure: Venerable-Reaping Voidcleaver Saber.
This saber can transform into a rainbow to slay enemies.
It was forged by Zhao Tingyu through sixty thousand years of tempering within the "Destruction Void" space.
Possesses the "Destruction" characteristic; it can sever souls and shatter the void.
With a single slash—unless obstructed by a formation—it can shatter the void to facilitate travel through space.
Contains the Void Refining technique: "Voidrain Saber Technique."]
[Mid-grade Dharma Treasure: Sky-Earth Voidstride Boots.
When worn within a Domain or Void Refining Space, this treasure connects the two, increasing spiritual power by 30%.
Contains the Essence Soul technique: "Treading Earth Like Roaming the Sky," allowing one to travel underground as easily as flying through the sky.]
[Fragments of various Dharma Treasures * 12]
"Yaozu, take the Spirit-Guarding Storage Ring.
Refine away Zhao Tingyu's Divine Soul Imprint to avoid falling victim to charms again.
Remember, you must not rely too heavily on treasures; in the future, you must cultivate your mind and soul more diligently before passing this item down to the younger generation."
Li Wei casually handed the Dharma Treasure over to Li Yaozu.
Receiving the storage ring bestowed by the Old Ancestor, Li Yaozu's old face flushed red.
As expected, Sister Fang's inquiring voice drifted out from the sword box: "A-Zu, why did the Li Family Old Ancestor say you fell victim to charms?"
"I did not!"
Ignoring Li Yaozu's sudden, startling denial, Li Wei casually handed the boots and the long spear from before to Li Dalong.
He then began to stroke the "Venerable-Reaping Voidcleaver Saber."
The blade of this saber reached all the way to his waist.
Its body was azure, reminding Li Wei of the "Dragon Slaying Saber" from those incredibly annoying advertisements he used to see.
After erasing the Divine Soul Imprint within it, Li Wei smiled.
"From now on, I'll call you the Zhao-Slaying Saber."
Li Wei was overjoyed with this Zhao-Slaying Saber.
Zhao Tingyu's "Voidrain Saber Technique" was contained within this long saber.
This was the very saber technique that had managed to shatter the divine statues even when Li Dalong and Grand Elder Puci had joined forces to resist it.
This saber's shadows forming a rainbow bridge—its lethality was extreme.
With the North Star Spirit-Breaking Spear to break and the Zhao-Slaying Saber to slaughter enemies, they were simply a perfect match.
As Li Wei's voice fell, violent fluctuations radiated from the Artifact Spirit within the Dharma Treasure.
It was clear that, having accompanied Zhao Tingyu for many years, it was unwilling to recognize a new master.
That was simply the nature of Dharma Treasures; once an Artifact Spirit gained sentience, it often refused to accept another master.
But it didn't matter. Once sent to Li Yaotie, it would become obedient within a few years.
"As for you..."
With the loot distributed, Li Wei held the divine spear in his left hand and the divine saber in his right, with the divine pagoda floating above his head, and fixed his gaze upon Grand Elder Puci.
This gave Grand Elder Puci quite a fright.
Li Wei's hoarse voice drifted out from the black mist.
"Your contribution to this battle cannot be ignored.
Three of your ten immortal mountains were destroyed; The Li Clan will naturally repair them for you.
Furthermore, after this battle concludes, you shall also receive a High-grade Dharma Treasure."
"Thank... thank you, Your Excellency!" A look of joy appeared on Grand Elder Puci's face.
His greatest fear had been that the Li family would burn the bridge after crossing the river.
However, Li Wei's next words forced a bitter smile onto Grand Elder Puci's face.
"Some words are better left unsaid.
Li Wei continued evenly.
There is an old saying among mortals, 'A wayward son who turns back is worth more than gold.'
That logic may apply to you, but for my Li Clan, that reasoning does not stand.
We of the Azure Cloud Region will not easily forget your wavering indecision."
Li Wei's words made Grand Elder Puci's face turn pale.
"Fellow Daoist Ming Tai has been in the Duravia Trade Prefecture Immortal City for many years.
Years ago, he was the Sect Master of the Ethereal Immortal Sect; it is time he returned to preside over it.
The younger generations of the Duravia Trade Prefecture will have their own fortunes.
You might as well concentrate on your cultivation.
In these chaotic times, opportunities are abundant; perhaps you can try to catch a glimpse of the Dao of Body Integration."
"This poor Daoist understands." Grand Elder Puci shook his head and sighed.
This was a command to completely strip him of his power.
The former Sect Master, Daoist Ming Tai, had spent over a century in Duravia Trade Prefecture Immortal City and had long since become indistinguishable from the Li Clan—he had even taken a daughter of the Feng Family of the Azure Cloud Region as his Dao Companion.
Now that Ming Tai was to become the Sect Master of the Ethereal Immortal Sect once more, from this day forth, the disciples of the sect would effectively serve the Li Clan!
And since his heritage lay with the Ethereal Immortal Sect, no matter what happened in the future, he would never again have the chance to sit on the fence.
However, Grand Elder Puci also saw clearly that from the moment Zhao Qingxia began slaughtering the common people, the Zhao Clan was destined for failure.
In this chaotic world, ever since the defeat and death of Prince Qian, he had been unable to find such a wise liege to serve.
"The dream of becoming an Imperial Preceptor or Grand Preceptor... has ultimately come to nothing."