[ Year 500 ]
"In the blink of an eye, five hundred years had passed?"
After handling some trivial matters and enjoying a hearty meal cooked by Yuexian, Li Wei returned once more to the game world.
The five-hundred-year Great Ceremony had arrived.
Descendants gathered in Merit City. The city itself was now even more transcendent and otherworldly, and the children of the Li family had, one by one, forged their own legends in the world.
Incense smoke curled within the Ancestral Hall. Li Wei sat cross-legged upon the sacrificial altar.
Li Dalong led the family members in kowtowing and offering worship.
Bit by bit, using the ceremonial address, they recounted the family's long journey through the past.
"Heaven sent down the Old Ancestor, commanding our Li family to cultivate the "Qi Refining's Cultivation Manual". We began as simple farmers in a mountain village…"
Listening to Li Dalong's words, Li Wei's gaze drifted, seeming to return to the scene from long ago when he was worshipped in that small thatched hut.
Back then, he had still been sitting in front of his computer, watching the little figures in the game grow bit by bit, and watching his descendants grow up quickly.
But now, he could actually appear in this world and live alongside his descendants.
He thoroughly enjoyed his current state.
Nowadays.
The descendants of the first two generations rarely appeared before the eyes of the world anymore.
Li Yunlin and Li Yunbing had gone to the Duravia Trade Prefecture to preside over its affairs.
Meanwhile, the Eternal Sun Prefecture was led by Li Kuangren and Li Chang'an.
The Three Great Families and Six Great Sects of the Azure Cloud Region had become subordinate powers of the Li family.
The four great powers of the Eternal Sun Prefecture also grew ever closer to the Li family.
This was a tremendous achievement that Li Wei had once never dared to imagine.
After the Great Ceremony ended.
The members of the Li family gathered together and began discussing their current situation.
Li Yunbing, serving as the Prefecture Lord in Duravia Trade Prefecture, spoke gravely:
"So many years have passed, yet I still find it difficult to make any headway in the Duravia Trade Prefecture.
Big Brother's Skyveil Sect and the many powers we brought with us, find it hard to gain a foothold in the Duravia Trade Prefecture.
They remain withdrawn in the southwest, advancing and retreating together with the Perennis Immortal Palace, while conversely, the Aeternus Sect grows ever stronger."
"In the twelve Regions of Duravia Trade Prefecture, the two most powerful families, the Sun and the Ding, have extensively formed marriage alliances with other clans over these years.
Their alliance is unbreakable. However, they are quite obedient, merely preventing us from interfering in the affairs of the Duravia Trade Prefecture, which is understandable.
But in my view, they remain a hidden danger."
Hearing this, Li Kuangren spoke:
"I hold the authority in Eternal Sun Prefecture. Fortunately, Grand-uncle Yunbing managed it well in the past, so everything is under control.
The Three Great Families and Six Great Sects of the Azure Cloud Region have begun dividing the resources of Eternal Sun Prefecture.
The four great powers have all submitted to our Li family; their disciples have joined our Azure Cloud Army and various sect powers.
The relationships between them are significant, and they can be utilized by us."
"As for the remnants in the Ten-Direction Ancient Ridges, some decent individuals have emerged over the years, but they are nothing in our eyes. Leaving them there serves as a training ground for our people from Azure Cloud."
"Chang'an, how are the internal affairs of Eternal Sun Prefecture being managed? "
Li Chang'an grew up without a father.
After returning to the family, Li Chang'an had always respected Li Kuangren like a father.
In Eternal Sun Prefecture now, Li Kuangren was the top authority, while Li Chang'an, due to his quick mind and skill in understanding people, had become the second-in-command, wielding significant power in Eternal Sun.
A few years ago, Li Dalong had reviewed the overall situation in Eternal Sun Prefecture and greatly appreciated Li Chang'an, saying that with Chang'an present, Eternal Sun Prefecture would surely enjoy long-term peace and stability.
Hundred Treasures Mountain's business had expanded throughout the entire Dynasty.
At the same time, he presided over all matters concerning taxes, land, and mediation between the major powers in both the Eternal Sun Prefecture and the Duravia Trade Prefecture.
Li Chang'an respectfully said:
"The world faces great calamities. Our Eternal Sun Prefecture currently has many specialized cultivators, such as artifact refiners, pill refiners, apothecaries, and talisman masters.
Coupled with the wars raging in all the major prefectures of the Dynasty, business is naturally good, yielding significant Spirit Stone income each year.
These Spirit Stones greatly satisfy the major powers, allowing them sufficient means to rest and recuperate."
"Our major powers in the Azure Cloud Region have ample Heavenly Materials, Earthly Treasures, and Spirit Stones.
In recent years, a new generation of outstanding young talents has continuously emerged, their strength far surpassing that of the Azure Cloud Region in the past."
"Although the heavy snow continues, the major sects, with our help, have all constructed Grotto-Heavens and Blessed Lands.
Vast quantities of Spirit Stones are used to cultivate Spirit Grass.
Common folk with Spirit Roots can enter these places to cultivate Spirit Plants and support their families. As for the ordinary common folk..."
At this point, Li Chang'an let out a long sigh.
The members of the Li family felt the same.
Although the Li family had been helping the common folk all these years, many still froze to death, buried in the snow.
Many common folk hoped their families would produce a child with a Spirit Root, so they could receive aid from the sect powers and at least support their households.
However, there was nothing to be done about it. This world was far larger than the real world, filled with countless common folk—how could they possibly save them all?