Chapter 647 478: A Lesson from the Past_2

"Although our two families are allies and the Yuan Clan has rendered much assistance, such a thing would naturally be impossible!"

"Good! If there's a chance, we can lend a hand or two. It's in times of adversity that true feelings are remembered."

Li Xizhi feared it wasn't safe and added a sentence, quickly lowering his voice, and said solemnly:

"Has the family taken note of this rain? It has been pouring for two years now, and it's already beyond the power of someone at the Foundation Establishment stage."

"No matter what, Yuan Licheng is just a Foundation Establishment cultivator who failed to breakthrough, and this prolonged rain is too excessive! According to my grandson's speculation, there's likely someone pushing the wave and adding to the momentum behind the scenes."

His face was tight as he spoke solemnly:

"Besides, I saw the Xia Yao on the way, a creature that descends with great waters. It should belong to Heshui or Lu Shui, but I vaguely remember my master saying that Yuan Licheng practices Mansion Water!"

Li Ximing was slightly shocked and replied in a low voice:

"Do you mean... behind the scenes, Green Pond is using Divine Ability Spells to deliberately bring down the rain?"

Li Xizhi nodded and explained:

"I have some speculations. They are deductions from the way of techniques. It's a long story, so I'll keep it simple."

He brought the two of them to the desk and drew a circle on it. The rainbow light flowed, revealing a white hue.

"Each place has its own Spirit Mechanism, and Yue Country is now in a '"Delicate Equilibrium of Qi,"' very weak. That cultivator Xiuyue is highly skilled, and with the hard efforts of Chi Wei and Chu Yi, they managed to bring it out—the most suitable for the Sword Immortal of Xiuyue to breakthrough during Shangyuan."

"The 'Delicate Equilibrium of Qi' is inherently fragile, affected by the Dragon Clan of Heshui and Cave Heaven along the way, and it's on the verge of collapse. But now, looking at the situation, if this spiritual rain doesn't stop, I'm afraid it will dissolve the 'Delicate Equilibrium of Qi.'

Li Xuanxuan frowned and said:

"If that's the case, Xiuyue won't just sit and wait for death."

"I think Xiuyue has also noticed that something is wrong."

Li Xizhi nodded and continued:

"I'm afraid there will be big events to come... The family must keep a wise low profile and act according to the situation!"

"Good!"

Li Xuanxuan and his grandson nodded in agreement, and Li Ximing, who was unusually serious, seeing that they understood, Li Xizhi said:

"With the 'Water Descends, Thunder Rises' in the East Sea, it's perfect for Auntie to be in charge. Grandfather has given me a map of Sect Spring Island, which I will visit when I have time."

Li Xuanxuan naturally complied, and Li Xizhi did not linger any longer. After discussing carefully with his wife, he turned to say:

"Xiao'er will stay at home to accompany Huai'er. I will take my leave first!"

Li Xuanxuan quickly pulled him aside and transmitted his voice through mana:

"Seek out a Foundation Establishment demon beast... don't forget to receive the talisman!"

Li Xizhi nodded and the two saw him off at Wangyue Lake, their hearts settled. They landed on the peak together, and Li Ximing said:

"The people in the clan are well-informed, always prepared for everything. It seems that in these years at the Immortal Sect, you have attained a noble immortal bearing."

Li Xuanxuan shook his head and replied:

"The clan has its difficulties too. Xizhi, you are the most outstanding of your generation. If you hadn't gone to the clan, your brothers wouldn't have to work so hard."

Li Ximing was startled and sighed:

"If Grandfather says so, I must feel ashamed..."

Li Xuanxuan waved his hand, and the old man stroked his white beard, patting the child behind him softly, and said in a gentle voice:

"The brothers all do their best in their own ways, you..."

He showed a look of nostalgia and said softly:

"When I was young, my brothers and elders were either insightful or steady or brave and strong. Only I took the lead, always feeling guilty... Later, as I grew older and saw more of the world, I realized that sometimes it's not that you're weak or incompetent..."

The old man paused, then laughed:

"It's just that they were too outstanding. If you, Li Ximing, were in other Noble Families, you might well be a prominent figure in a new era."

Li Ximing shook his golden robe with a chuckle and shook his head, replying:

"When I met great-uncle, I was astonished to find him godlike in armor and robes, his eyes fierce as those of tigers and wolves. A formidable figure of his generation, never before having seen such a person. Yet, I've heard he's not as great as great-great-uncle, who severed Maha with his sword and suppressed Fei Yu."

"Every time I think about it, it seems unbelievable. Such characters, I wonder how long I will live before I see another."

Li Xuanxuan laughed heartily, rarely showing such a bold spirit, and said:

"I fear you might have to wait in vain for a lifetime!"

...

Lijing Mountain.

Li Chengliao hurried out of the hall, having dealt with clan affairs, as the sun was gradually setting.

He was in charge of the Clan Head Courtyard, and his daily tasks were not numerous. At the Qi Cultivation Stage, he did not need to spend whole years in seclusion; it took no more than the time to drink a few sips of water to sketch something out, and he had already finished all the matters at hand.

Li Chengliao's talent was comparatively decent among others, but it paled significantly when compared to those of Ximing's generation. It was much like his father's, with little hope for Foundation Establishment, so he wasn't in a rush to cultivate.

In Li Chengliao's eyes, cultivation was not something he chased after for his whole life. It was nothing but a tool for ruling; closing off for days was less valuable than teaching his children or chatting with his wife.

Upon entering his own courtyard, he heard talking from the inner chamber. As he stepped inside, he indeed saw his father, Li Xihong, clad in brocade clothes, sitting beside a desk.

Opposite him sat a little boy, barely two years old, his hand holding several jade rods, arranging them on the desk, utterly focused.

"Father!"

Li Chengliao first greeted him, only to see Li Xihong smiling and waving his hand, gesturing towards the little boy.

This child, not yet fully grown, had a round face and amber-golden eyes. Hearing the noise, he looked at Li Chengliao and gently said,

"Daddy."

Li Chengliao nodded, seeing him arranging jade rods on the desk, laying out six in a row from top to bottom, watching silently, while Li Xihong, with a slightly lowered voice, softly said,

"Your uncle has come back for a visit and left in a hurry. I was in seclusion then and did not know the news."

"Uncle Xizhi..."

Li Chengliao suddenly understood, then saw his father pondering and saying,

"What he means is... there's no need to keep the Yu Family around anymore. Disbanding it earlier means less change."

Li Chengliao nodded slightly, father and son looked at each other, and Li Chengliao said with a smile,

"Then let's disband it. I'll take care of it."

Li Xihong held a teacup in his hand, gently placed it down on the desk, and asked,

"Do you have a method? It would be best not to leave any traces."

Li Chengliao sipped tea,

"That's easy. These people are out of the loop; they probably wouldn't believe the news of Yu Muxian's death anyway. Plus, a few Clan Elders blocking the news... just letting them know will suffice."

He called someone over and immediately had Jade Courtyard Guards come up. Li Chengliao instructed,

"Bring that 'Six Stone Cloud Disk' from the storeroom, and have Elder An come over."

An Zhiyan arrived quickly. As he grew older, his temperament became even more amiable. With a bow, he courteously accepted the task.

Li Chengliao took the worn spiritual artifact from a guard's hand and softly said,

"Please trouble Elder An to take a trip to the Yu Family and say that they once attempted to harm our family head, and now karma has befallen Yu Muxian. As a heroic figure, we present this spiritual artifact for his burial, so his body does not end up without a resting place."

He paused, worried An Zhiyan might not grasp his meaning, and with a meaningful glance, softly added,

"With things as they are now, you can make a bigger scene. The Hook Serpent is still in the lake, and should not yet be in seclusion. Have it accompany you. With a Foundation Establishment as backup, there's no fear of any mishaps."

An Zhiyan nodded with feeling, took the spiritual object, and led a large number of Jade Courtyard Guards out. Li Chengliao then summoned another person and instructed,

"Have those members of the Yu Family who secretly support us among the East Bank families, rise up tomorrow and sever ties with them."

Li Xihong nodded silently at the side, while Li Zhouwei quietly lifted his head to look at his father, a deep familiarity in his eyes. Li Chengliao then called another person and instructed,

"When dispatching the Jade Courtyard Guards... make it loud, let Lu Kexing's men be aware."

This person was none other than Dou Yi, who by now was an old man. He hurriedly nodded and went off to carry out the order. Li Chengliao said softly,

"That Lu Kexing who harmed Yu Mugao... seems to have reached out to us several times in private, doesn't he? We have delayed responding, but he's a smart man; if he learns of this in advance, he will surely act."

"Then, even if something were to happen later, and people from Yu Muxian's side went mad and came to the rescue, no matter how they search for souls, they won't be able to find any fault with our family!"

He gently picked up Li Zhouwei and said with a beaming smile,

"This is what you call... an open conspiracy."

Li Zhouwei blinked and nestled against his father's chest, murmuring the two words over to himself.