Back in [Family Year 520], the family had already begun refining the materials for the "Void-Soul Exchanging Dao Technique."
Now, it was [Year 650].
As Li Yaoqing and Li Yaotie's refining techniques became increasingly proficient, the process that once took fifty years for a single portion could now be completed in forty.
The three portions of Rule Power from Planet Yinwater were sufficient for the family to create three "False" Void Refining cultivators.
[Your descendant, Li Yaozu, has used the "Void-Soul Exchanging Dao Technique" to break through to the Void Refining realm (False). Acquired Technique: Extreme Cold Seal!]
Yet, his true strength lies not merely in his power.
[Your descendant, Li Yaozu, has traveled the world with Fang Linglong for many years.
Aided by the family's vast supply of spirit medicines, Fang Linglong has gradually recovered a faint trace of her spiritual power.
Having been companions for years, they understand each other perfectly and coordinate without a flaw.]
Some people appear to be solitary figures, but in truth, they are never truly alone.
"No wonder Yaozu dared to storm the Imperial Capital all by himself."
Inside the Ancestor Space, Li Wei and the older generation of clansmen were gathered together.
Watching Li Yaozu's battle through Li Yaowen's technique, they breathed a collective sigh of relief upon seeing Demon Lord Fang Linglong come to his aid within the Void Refining Space.
Ultimately, there is a gap between an ordinary "False" Void Refining cultivator and a true Void Refining expert, let alone an old monster like Zhao Wan, who has lived for one hundred and sixty thousand years.
"Zhao Wan employs Charm Techniques.
With Fang Linglong protecting Yaozu's mind, Zhao Wan's strength is roughly on par with the Martial Emperor.
The outcome is already determined."
Even so, Li Wei's expression did not relax.
The clansmen looked equally solemn.
Li Dalong said in a deep voice, "News of the events in the Imperial Capital will reach the Immortal Zhao Clan before long."
"Make preparations."
From Li Wei's body, which was wreathed in black mist, a wisp of red light drifted from his head.
"They will soon learn that Zhao Wan is only the beginning."
"Yes, Old Ancestor!"
The members of the Li family dispersed one by one.
Their expressions were calm.
They had been waiting for this battle for over a hundred years.
They had once been suffocated by the sheer weight of the words "Void Refining Realm."
And now, they would make the Zhao Clan understand that the Li family relied on more than just their backers!
They also had... themselves!
[Your descendant, Li Yuanshang, following the command of the First Ancestor Li Yaozu, sought out assassins in the Imperial Capital.
Mobilizing the Min family and numerous powerful nobles, he moved to eradicate the officials and clansmen of the Zhao Clan within the capital.]
[He spent lavishly through the Li Clan Chamber of Commerce, exhausting the Spirit Stones earned by the Merchant Li family.
The sheer scale of his wealth shook every faction in the Imperial Capital.
Acquired Trait: Dominion of Riches.]
[Probability of obtaining external aid through wealth increased by 10%.]
[Your descendant, Li Jianguo, witnessing the immense power of his family for the first time, watched from afar as the Old Ancestor ascended the Heavenly Palace alone.
Filled with envy, in his capacity as the Min family's son-in-law, he secretly vowed to earn enough Spirit Stones in the future to build a magnificent edifice like the Heavenly Palace for the Merchant Li family.
He immediately took the Min family's mason as his master.
Acquired New Identity: Architect Apprentice.]
...
Inside the Immortal Domain.
Zhao Qingguang, having been driven out of the family's main tower, walked toward the family's Ancestral Hall, where the Longevity Tablets of the clansmen were kept.
He had knelt for many days, but no one would listen to a word he said.
Meeting a clansman on the road, Zhao Qingguang grabbed him.
"Is there news from Azure Cloud Prefecture? Has that Li Xinnian made any moves?"
"No... nothing. There is only a group of monks chanting sutras in Azure Cloud Prefecture.
Monks from the Duravia Trade Prefecture have also come to our Immortal Domain to chant, saying they are reciting the Rebirth Sutra for Li Qiukong."
The clansman had lost count of how many times he had seen Zhao Qingguang this anxious.
Seeing the old Family Head so panicked, he offered words of comfort,
"It's fine, old Family Head. The Li family is clearly swallowing their broken teeth in silence. They aren't even as active as those chanting monks..."
"Scram! Scram! SCRAM!"
Zhao Qingguang's eyes were bloodshot as he shouted those three words.
As the clansman fled in panic, looking at him as if he were a madman, Zhao Qingguang walked toward the Zhao Clan Ancestral Hall with vacant eyes.
This Zhao Clan Ancestral Hall was filled with the Longevity Tablets of the clansmen.
Over a million Longevity Tablets—what a magnificent sight, stretching endlessly as far as the eye could see.
"The dog that intends to bite does not bark.
This is the truth I have realized over the past hundred years from Li Xinghuo and Li Chang'an.
If they truly didn't intend to wage a major war, the Li clan would have sent people to cause a scene long ago. But they haven't."
Zhao Qingguang knelt before the Longevity Tablets. The spirit tablets of the family's seven most ancient ancestors stood at the very front.
[Zhao Wan], [Zhao Feimeng], [Zhao Tingyu]...
"Old Ancestors, if you have awareness in the netherworld, please listen to this child's counsel."
But just at that moment, Zhao Qingguang's expression changed.
The Longevity Tablet of the Old Ancestor [Zhao Wan] before his eyes... was shattering!
At the same time.
Inside the Zhao Clan Tower, Fairy Bai, Zhao Buqun, and Zhao Jingmiao all felt a sudden jolt in their hearts in unison.
The three exchanged glances. Fairy Bai's face had already turned pale. She shook her head as if she dared not believe it.
"Impossible. The Li family has no Void Refining realm experts, and Grandfather Wan is favored by Crown Prince Sheng. It is impossible for something to have happened to him!"
"Call Feimeng and Tingyu back, quickly!"
...
At this moment.
At the end of the world's Western Coast, in a region where the light of day is rarely seen, a blurred figure walked slowly out of a hazy black mist.
Within that black mist, streaks of eerie green and dark red light flickered, resembling fireflies gathering in the night.
"Go back!"
With a furious shout, those lights went out like extinguished flames.
Li Dalong's figure dispersed the black mist as he stepped onto the surface of the ice and snow.
The sound of bells rang out behind him, and a small zombie followed close on his heels.
This man and zombie took only a light step forward, yet instantly appeared a thousand meters away!
A cube appeared in Li Dalong's hand; it was the very space loaded with the power of Rules for the "Void-Soul Exchanging Dao Technique."
However, the space was now empty. Li Dalong gave a gentle squeeze, and the cube shattered.
The corners of his mouth turned up slightly.
"A true Void Refining expert—my Li clan has one too!"
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