Upon hearing this, Li Yaotie's body trembled. "Min Youguo... sent Tian Xing to destroy my Li family?!!"
"It was a strategy for the two sides to destroy or weaken each other," the Ancestor stated plainly.
The Heavenly Light Ancestor shrugged. "Your Li family has someone capable of deterring the Wu Clan. Min Youguo likely had no idea what trump cards your family truly held, and I suspect he also had no idea what trump cards Tian Xing possessed. Moreover, with Tian Xing based right in Eternal Sun Prefecture, it was inevitable that he would clash with your Li family sooner or later. And thus," he concluded, "that incident was set in motion."
"And so came the great calamity of your Li family."
"I suspect that not even Min Youguo himself expected Tian Xing to invade your family's home so easily, nor did he anticipate that Tian Xing would win with such devastating ease."
As he spoke, the Heavenly Light Ancestor smiled faintly. "But what he also never expected," he continued, "was that after only a few years, your Li family would actually possess the strength to rise up and strike back. And now, in doing so, you have once again fulfilled his original wish."
"So that's how it was... so that's how it was!"
For a moment, it was as if all the strength had drained from Li Yaotie's body.
After so many years, today, he finally understood everything!
So it turned out that back when they were in the Azure Cloud Region, they had been so naive, truly believing they could stand apart and remain untroubled by relying solely on the strength of a single Region.
Never had they imagined that the Azure Dynasty was like a great abyss, poised to swallow them whole, bit by bit.
Thinking of this, Li Yaotie's expression suddenly changed.
"Master," he asked urgently, "then the Heavenly Light Sect..."
"What of it?" the Ancestor replied.
Seeing that his disciple was now actually worried that the Heavenly Light Sect might be drawn into this vortex, the Heavenly Light Ancestor stroked his long beard, feeling a bit gratified.
Verbally, however, he said, "This power struggle, how could it possibly affect my Heavenly Light Sect? Jinhu dared to defy an imperial edict, yet upon returning to the Imperial City, he remains safe and sound.
Today, I, as your Master, have merely accepted a disciple. Tell me, what can they possibly do to me?"
"It is just that..."
The Heavenly Light Ancestor suddenly sighed.
"Disciple, I must advise you, and your Li family as well, to no longer think of taking revenge. This struggle for the dynasty... even I, your Master, cannot easily interfere. That Tian Xing is no simple character. It is best to just let him be."
"Just let him be?!!"
In an instant, Li Yaotie's face flushed a deep crimson.
Seeing his disciple's reaction, the Heavenly Light Ancestor knew in his heart that this child would never be able to let go of his enmity.
"Disciple," he tried to reason, "Min Youguo will not allow Tian Xing to grow powerful unchecked. That man is far too ambitious; otherwise, he would not have spread his avatars throughout the entire dynasty. Now that you all have forced his hand and exposed him, even the Human Emperor himself will eventually eliminate Tian Xing for the sake of his own sons."
Yet, as his words faded, the Heavenly Light Ancestor grew even more worried.
He watched as Li Yaotie before him gently stroked the storage ring in his hand, the very one left to him by Li Tianshuang. And in that gesture, the Ancestor knew. The Li family would never, ever let this matter rest.
...
And so, these matters that had transpired behind the scenes also came to be known by all the members of the Li family.
So it turned out that they had never truly escaped the vortex of the dynasty's power struggles.
Those high and mighty royals and officials had merely been using them as chess pieces; even Tian Xing... was just another piece on their board.
They had been watching the Li family and Tian Xing fight, as if observing trapped beasts tearing each other apart for their amusement.
But at this moment, the Li family could no longer concern itself with such things.
They continued to dedicate themselves to their cultivation, waiting for the day, one hundred years from now, when they would face Tian Xing in a final, decisive battle in Eternal Sun Prefecture.
And among them, the ones whose cultivation was advancing the fastest were, without a doubt, the members of the younger generation: Li Xinghuo and the father-son duo of Li Chang'an.
[The Northern Region]
There stood a military barracks, the likes of which were entirely different from the military camps they had known back in Azure Cloud.
Great spirit arks could be seen stationed just outside the bounds of the Endless Forest, where it stretched into the Northern Regions.
Upon their decks, numerous cultivators clad in silver armor were arranged in perfect, orderly formations, appearing even more impressive than the Azure Cloud Army of Azure Cloud Region. These soldiers were truly worthy of the name "Immortal Soldiers."
In particular, one could see a great many Dharma Treasures, talismans, and array formations; there were even one-hundred-meter-tall giants among their ranks.
High in the sky floated a palace.
At this moment, a young man was present here, it was none other than Li Xinghuo of the Li family!
He was currently standing beside an old man who was in his study, holding a book and reading. Though this elder's hair was streaked with grey, his face was firm and resolute, and his every move exuded an air of extreme dignity. This was the Grand Tutor, Lin Jiu!
"Lord Lin," Li Xinghuo said respectfully.
Li Xinghuo's expression was one of deep respect. "On this expedition into the Demon Race's territory for training, I owe you my life for the rescue. Otherwise, this junior would have surely perished."
"Owe this old man your life for the rescue?"
The old man lowered his book slightly and glanced at Li Xinghuo, a faint smile gracing his wrinkled face.
"Young friend, you jest. You encountered the pursuit of a Golden Core-level demon beast right within my own military encampment. After being rescued, you immediately declared yourself a member of the Li family and, moreover, claimed to have an old connection with me. Was that not all just a little too deliberate?"
Upon hearing this, Li Xinghuo scratched his head, the full embarrassment of a young man whose clever little trick had just been exposed written all over his face.
"Nothing escapes the Grand Tutor's discerning eye," he said sheepishly.
"This old man is also aware of the Li family's circumstances," the Grand Tutor said, his tone softening.
"The struggle within the dynasty... in the end, it did not allow the Li family to remain aloof. In a way, it is also related to this old man."
Grand Tutor Lin Jiu did not concern himself with such trivial matters.
His voice was grave as he said, "Speak. For what purpose have you sought this old man out?"
"Grand Tutor," Li Xinghuo declared, "this junior wishes to cultivate under your command!"
[Your descendant, Li Xinghuo, after many years of training, and with his family clan about to face Tian Xing in a life-or-death battle in Eternal Sun Prefecture, is eager to strengthen himself. He decided to come and find Grand Tutor Lin Jiu to try his luck.]
[Technique Bestowed by Grand Tutor Lin Jiu Acquired. Earth-Rank Cultivation Method: Heavenfire Tempering Scripture.]
[Effect: Uses spiritual power to summon heavenly fire to temper one's root bones, meridians, and spiritual power.]
[Treasure Bestowed by Grand Tutor Lin Jiu Acquired. Low-Grade Dharma Treasure: Divine Fire Banner.]
[Due to his diligent cultivation, he has gained the favor of Grand Tutor Lin Jiu. New Identity Acquired: Adopted Son of the Grand Tutor!]
One night, Li Xinghuo stood at the prow of a spirit ark, gazing intently at the great hall where Grand Tutor Lin Jiu was reading. A dangerous glint appeared in his eyes.
"Adoptive Father," he murmured to himself, "it would be for the best if your venerable self had no connection to the matter of Merit City."
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