Chapter 707 510 Integration_2

Li Xijun tread through the snow to enter, locating the cave mansion of Huo Luo E. He looked around twice and found only common items. Shanyue talked a good game, but in reality, they had left behind nothing of value.

The two of them rode the wind out, and all the disciples were still kneeling on the ground, their Cultivation Techniques merely of the First or Second Grade, of little strategic value. However, since the local area had just expanded its boundaries, there was some use for these people. Li Xijun ordered the Cultivators to rise and said softly,

"Now that you have joined my Li Family, you must be loyal and true. First, follow me back to Lijing."

The Cultivators complied, following the two as they rose on the wind. Those in Fetal Breathing could not ride the wind and were wholly supported by the two Foundation Establishment Cultivators. Li Xijun looked back at the lands of Shanyue under his feet, pondering silently,

"The Shanyue of the North Foothills have all fallen into hands of my family, and the entire southern shore of Wangyue Lake...now bears the name of Li."

...

Several months later, at the Royal Court of the Northern Shanyue.

Blood drip-dripped down the steps, the silver throne gleamed brilliantly, overturned lampstands were extinguished in the blood-soaked ground, and rows of clan soldiers stood silently.

After a great victory below the Huanyuan Border, Chen Yan and Dili Youjie split into two forces, sweeping through the whole of Northern Shanyue like a whirlwind, swiftly reaching the foot of the Royal Court.

The brilliant light from Huanyuan Border illuminated the skies, and anyone looking up within the territory of Northern Shanyue could see its radiance. As the troops of Eastern Shanyue and the Li Family attacked simultaneously, the already crumbling Northern Shanyue quickly fell completely.

Dili Youjie kneeled quietly at the foot of the steps, looking up at Li Zhouwei who stood facing the throne, and secretly pondered,

"I wonder which Prince will be supported for the throne... or if Northern Shanyue will be eliminated, handed over to Li Jiman… That would be far too cumbersome..."

As he was lost in his thoughts, he heard Li Zhouwei speak in a low voice,

"Dili Youjie, come forward."

The Shanyue man hurried to his feet, taking several steps up the stairs, a sudden strong premonition making his blood rush to his head, when he saw Li Zhouwei point to the silver throne with his Long Halberd and say quietly,

"Sit down."

Dili Youjie sat down stupefied, a lightning bolt of realization exploding in his mind, a myriad of thoughts racing through his heart. For a moment, he hallucinated several spears pointed at his neck. Looking up, he saw the bright light,

"Dili Youjie, it's been said that you are young and promising. Here's a chance for boundless wealth and honor. Catch it if you can!"

In just two months, Dili Youjie went from being a part of a poor clan outside the Great Jue Court to potentially taking the position as ruler of Northern Shanyue—a jump so wild not even the most fantastical imagination could conceive. He had only thought such 'boundless wealth and honor' was meant for nobility.

Li Zhouwei said nothing, simply watching him silently. Dili Youjie brushed away his tears and fell to his knees with a thud, proclaiming,

"The Dili Family will never betray its clan, the Dili Family is forever the loyal dog of Dahe Mingfang...!"

After murmuring these words, Li Zhouwei still did not seem convinced by the oath and remained silent, holding his halberd. Footsteps were heard in the courtyard, as several people entered. Among them were muscular men wielding Golden Hammers and white-haired elders, with a young man in wolf fur as their leader—their auras all formidable.

Li Zhouwei put his weapon away, gave them a glance, and commanded,

"Go down."

Dili Youjie watched dumbfounded, hastily descending. Then he saw Li Zhouwei sheathe his weapon, stride down from his elevated position, and salute,

"Minghuang has seen Father."

Lǐ Chengliao nodded. Before anyone else could speak, an underling reported,

"General Chen has arrived!"

Chen Yan, still with blood dripping from his sword, strode up hastily. Killing all the way there had changed his demeanor. On seeing the young man standing at the highest place in the hall, looking contemplative,

"Fetal Breathing Peak."

Chen Yan had broken through to the Fifth Layer of Fetal Breathing and developed his Spiritual Sense to such an extent that he could now sense others' Cultivation Levels. Seeing Li Zhouwei, he knew that the young man could begin Qi Cultivation in seclusion at any moment, and his heart skipped a beat.

He paused, and quickly noticed another figure on the dais, a man in wolf fur, standing with his hands behind his back—broad and sturdy—a Qi Cultivator.

"General Chen pays respects to the Family Head!"

Of course, Chen Yan recognized Li Chengliao in front of him and immediately bowed, responding respectfully. Dili Youjie was shocked for a moment but followed suit, bowing deeply, as Li Chengliao's eyebrows relaxed into a smile,

"Well done."

Li Zhouwei stood to the side. Having led his troops this time, he was much livelier, no longer seeming like a soulless puppet, finally displaying the vigor of youth, his face bearing a smile.

Li Chengliao glanced twice, then sat down in the highest seat and softly said,

"Over the past few months, we've almost completely secured the Shanyue territories, so I'll keep this brief."

As soon as he entered, he had already noticed Dili Youjie seated in the Royal Court and understood that his eldest son intended to appoint Dili Youjie as the ruler of Northern Shanyue, so he immediately declared,

"I hereby appoint Dili Youjie as the ruler of Northern Shanyue. The national borders shall remain unchanged, the clan's cultivators may enter to survey the Spiritual Fields and investigate the Spirit Mechanism, all systems to follow the old precedents of Eastern Shanyue."

"All territories of the original Huo Luo'e and Fei Luoya shall be incorporated under Eastern Shanyue's command. As for the eight towns to the far east of Eastern Shanyue, most of which are already populated by eastern people, a new prefecture shall be established for them as locals, to be governed under Wutu Peak."

These matters had already been arranged before setting out on the campaign, but he repeated them for Li Zhouwei to hear. Seeing that he had no suggestions, Li Zhouwei gestured for everyone to proceed with the survey of the Spiritual Fields,

"You may all leave."

Dili Youjie, who was kneeling below, watched carefully for a while but did not see Li Jiman among them, which greatly relieved him.

Watching his future colleague, destined to be assigned the most fertile land, being excluded even from the qualifications to participate in clan deliberations, Dili Youjie felt quite comfortable and secretly proud,

"What era does Li Jiman think this is? Now the head of our… lineage, Dahe Mingfang himself designated me as king, the only advantage he has over me is perhaps just his cultivation level..."

No sooner had he taken his seat than his mindset had completely changed. He patted his robe, left the hall, and began to make calculations in secret.

After everyone else had left, only Li Chengliao and his son remained in the hall. A hint of worry finally appeared on Li Chengliao's face as he softly said,

"There are two matters I need to inform you about... One is that Elder White Ape has entered seclusion to prepare for his Foundation Establishment."

"Hmm?"

Li Zhouwei was slightly startled. White Ape had protected him since he was little and he had great affection for him. Now hearing this news, he asked,

"I suppose there is no Sui Origin Pill, is there?"

"Of course not."

Li Chengliao sighed and answered,

"That elixir has long been under the control of Green Pond, and even a powerhouse like the Xiao Family has to rely on connections to exchange for it from within their sect... It was not even certain that my grand uncle would have had this pill's assistance when he made his breakthrough..."

Li Zhouwei looked down for a moment but saw that Li Chengliao organized his words and then revealed an even bigger piece of news,

"Your great-grandfather... has entered seclusion for his Foundation Establishment, and several of your uncles have already returned to visit..."

Although Li Xihong did not possess the highest talent compared to his brothers, he was after all more than a decade older. With many years of refining, he had already reached the Qi Cultivating Peak and now it seemed he had decided to attempt Foundation Establishment in seclusion.

After hearing this, Li Zhouwei finally showed a look of worry on his face, slightly shaking his head, he asked,

"What did Seventh Great Uncle say?"

Li Chengliao gave a wry smile and answered,

"Without the Sui Origin Pill, I'm afraid it will be difficult."

Li Chengliao said this, but his heart was clear; it was just to prevent Li Zhouwei from being distracted. The difficulty of his father's breakthrough was more than just 'difficult'; he could only silently sigh.

Li Chengliao actually understood his father's thoughts.

The situation of Li Xihong was getting more and more awkward by the day. As the number of Foundation Establishment Cultivators in the Li Family grew, the value of Qi cultivation similarly diminished. On top of that, Li Chengliao had already taken over the family business, and Li Xihong, not knowing any particular cultivation arts, could only polish his cultivation level day by day.

Watching Li Xijun and Li Ximing's cultivation levels climb ever higher, seeing Qi cultivation become trivial compared to them, and witnessing his older brother struggle as the years passed,

It was quite possible that in these days of refining his cultivation level, he suddenly encountered the surge of a relevant Spirit Mechanism and found the opportunity to make a breakthrough. How could he stay idle? No wonder he wanted to try for Foundation Establishment.

These were matters Li Chengliao found difficult to speak aloud, and without clear information about the situation up on the mountain, he shifted topics and took a Jade Box from within his robe, gesturing for Li Zhouwei to come forward.

Li Zhouwei took the box with both hands, his Spiritual Sense quickly probing inside, and he immediately realized,

"Golden Sun Radiant Origin!"

Li Chengliao nodded and softly said,

"An Siwei has returned from the great desert, someone else has gone in his stead. This is the second portion of 'Golden Sun Radiant Origin' reserved by our family. You take it and prepare for your breakthrough in Qi Cultivation."