In three hundred years, this was the first time He Hao had entered the territory of the Azure Cloud Prefecture.
As the spirit boat advanced, the Sect Master of the Eternal Immortal Sect remained low-key, bringing only a few disciples with him.
Yet, the moment they arrived, they sensed probing gazes from every direction.
"Truly insolent!" An Outer Sect Elder at the Divinity Transformation stage sensed a Nascent Soul cultivator approaching to interrogate them and snorted coldly.
"This is already the eighth probe, followed by yet another interrogation. Is there no end to this?"
To the side, Li Chuyuan spoke fearfully, "Please, Elder, do not take offense. These people of Azure Cloud likely do not know our true identities."
"Hmph!" The Elder snorted coldly.
Since Li Chuyuan was the Sect Master's personal disciple and had already offered an apology, it was not his place to complain further.
Hearing this, He Hao frowned slightly.
"You cannot blame the people of Azure Cloud.
It is rumored that the Azure Cloud Prefecture has endured great wars throughout its history, suffering countless attacks over the centuries. Anyone in their position would be cautious.
As for you..."
"Master." Li Chuyuan bowed respectfully.
A trace of displeasure flashed across He Hao's face.
"You are of the Li bloodline; you should hold respect for the people of Azure Cloud.
Back then, considering how weak the Azure Cloud Prefecture was, and what a colossal behemoth the Zhao Clan they faced was."
"At that time, even my Eternal Immortal Sect dared not tread lightly into the Azure Cloud Prefecture.
The six Void Refining experts of the Longevity Zhao Clan—every one of them a supreme powerhouse in their realm—did they not all lose their lives here in the Azure Cloud Prefecture?
Do not underestimate this place.
You may say the Azure Cloud Prefecture's strength is average, but remember this: they emerged victorious from such desperate straits, surviving predicaments that ordinary men never encounter."
"Yes, this disciple will bear that in mind." Li Chuyuan lowered his head, answering perfunctorily.
Seeing this, He Hao could not say much more.
During the great war in the Azure Cloud Prefecture all those years ago, his Divine Soul had sensed fragments of what occurred.
The Ancestor of the Zhao Clan had transformed into a colossal heart, from which countless cultivators were resurrected from death.
It was a sight that would make even him tremble in fear. Yet, with the Li Clan in control, the Azure Cloud Prefecture did not decline because of that war.
Instead, they led the entire prefecture to thrive day by day, eventually establishing ties with the Imperial Court years later.
This alone was enough to demonstrate the potential of the Li Clan and the Azure Cloud Prefecture.
Otherwise, he would not have sought good relations with them; after all, since when does a lion associate with a rabbit?
Before long, the group saw the Li Clan's spirit boat approaching.
At the bow stood an elderly man, immaculately dressed, his bearing neither humble nor arrogant.
Upon seeing them, he cupped his hands in greeting from the prow.
"Hahaha, I am the Li Clan Steward, Huang Xiujin.
The repeated investigations were truly a necessity due to past events—we had no choice but to be on our guard.
If we have disturbed our distinguished guests in any way, I ask for your understanding."
Huang Xiujin laughed heartily.
"Early this morning, the Family Head heard reports of auspicious signs in the heavens.
It turns out it was presaging your arrival!
We have hastily prepared a banquet at the residence to welcome our guests.
Please, follow this humble one home."
Huang Xiujin was incredibly seasoned in these matters; even the Elder who had looked displeased just moments ago was now beaming with delight.
In an instant, the group was chatting happily.
However, Huang Xiujin paid not the slightest attention to Li Chuyuan; on the rare occasion he glanced his way, it was as if looking at a complete stranger.
As soon as they arrived at the Li Clan's Grotto-Heaven Blessed Land...
He Hao's eyes lit up.
The Li Clan's Merit City presented a scene of pastoral beauty, a veritable paradise beyond the mortal world.
It was filled with the warmth and bustle of human life, yet possessed a rare tranquility.
Despite the presence of over two hundred thousand people, it did not feel crowded.
The thatched cottages did not appear impoverished; there were even Nascent Soul cultivators willing to carry manure to tend to spiritual plants.
This Li Clan was truly not the heretical, demonic path described in the rumors, nor did they show a shred of warmongering intent.
It was all remarkably serene and peaceful.
"I have long heard that Merit City is serene and peaceful. However, hundreds of years ago, there were already over a hundred thousand cultivators here. How is it that now..."
He Hao paused, unsure if he was overstepping by asking too many questions.
Huang Xiujin smiled faintly.
"Back then, the Great Snow arrived and lasted for two hundred years. The common people suffered terribly.
The citizens of our Merit City happened to know some farming techniques, so they traveled one by one to every corner of the Azure Cloud Prefecture to teach their methods."
"Later, accumulated grievances from years past surfaced; the unwilling dead transformed into demons, monsters, and ghosts, so our people went out to purge the evil."
"And later still, there were the great wars in the West, East, and North territories... But enough, let us not speak of these things. Sect Master, please follow me."
"Very well."
He Hao frowned slightly and nodded, a sense of solemn respect rising within him.
Huang Xiujin had merely spoken a sentence or two in passing, but if one were to truly recount the details, the bitterness and hardships contained within those words would take days and nights to finish telling.
When they arrived at the main hall, Li Xinnian had already risen to welcome them.
The atmosphere was harmonious.
Li Chuyuan was also permitted to take a seat, though the boy kept his head bowed low.
Years ago, at the Eternal Immortal Sect, Li Xinnian had asked him a question once; since that day, no one in the Li Clan had paid him any further attention.
Now, returning to Merit City after many years, he found that while the place remained unchanged, he was like a total stranger.
Li Xinnian did not spare him even a single glance.
After conversing for a long time, He Hao finally addressed Li Xinnian.
"Family Head Li, this seat has come here today to ask a favor."
"Oh?" Li Xinnian spoke in a soft, gentle voice.
"Sect Master, please speak freely. There is no need to use such a heavy word as 'favor' between us."
"It is like this: the matter of Ling Tian's Three Corpses is known to all.
Recently, I heard that the Immortal Suppression Department has once again located the Mountain of Esoteric Stratagems.
However, the Crown Prince has issued an order forbidding cultivators at the Divinity Transformation stage and above from unleashing great Spiritual power within the mortal world.
But your Li Clan is different; you hold the Crown Prince's decree and can act freely."
Hearing this, Li Xinnian rubbed his fingers together inside his sleeves.
"The Sect Master seems to know quite a bit about affairs in the Imperial Capital, doesn't he?
Even I only learned the day before yesterday that the Immortal Suppression Department had located the Mountain of Esoteric Stratagems."
He Hao spoke frankly and without reservation.
"I have my own eyes and ears within the Imperial Capital.
This seat is also aware that Fang Yunyu of the Sword Pavilion, Zhangsun Buhuo of the Zhangsun Clan, and Heavenly Lord Ning An of the Heavenly Monarch Dao Sanctuary are ostracizing the Li Clan at every turn.
There are bound to be immense benefits inside the Mountain of Esoteric Stratagems; surely the Li Clan does not wish to give up on this struggle?"
"Does the Sect Master intend to intervene?" Li Xinnian maintained his gentle demeanor, making it impossible for anyone to discern his inner thoughts.
He Hao was sincere in his reply.
"Methods leading to the Body Integration or even the Mahayana realm... This seat believes there is no faction capable of resisting such temptation.
I presume that in the coming days, it will not just be my Eternal Immortal Sect looking to force a hand in this matter."
Li Xinnian made no attempt to hide the truth.
"I have never had any contact with the three hidden powers. My Li Clan has never even heard the secrets regarding their seclusion."
"But Family Head Li, can you trust them?"
He Hao spoke in a grave tone.
"You know nothing about them, but at least we have been peaceful neighbors for over three hundred years.
Even during the great war between the Azure Cloud Prefecture and the Zhao Clan, my Eternal Immortal Sect never kicked you while you were down.
In fact, in recent years, we have engaged in mutual cooperation."
"The Li Clan holds the authority, while my Eternal Immortal Sect possesses the strength to stand toe-to-toe with the three major powers of the Immortal Suppression Department!"
A smile of immense confidence surfaced on He Hao's face.
"The Li Clan has long suffered their oppression. This seat guarantees that with the presence of my Eternal Immortal Sect, not a single one of them will be qualified to use their power to bully you!"
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