Mournful cries echoed throughout Northguard City.
Li Zhijing, who had returned brimming with joy, suddenly felt a wave of dizziness wash over her. Her vision dimmed, the world spinning for a brief moment.
When she had suffered at the hands of Qiu Xunfa, all she felt was anger. But now, seeing her father wailing as though grieving at a funeral, a delayed, lingering fear surged through her heart…
Watching Li Xinri thrash and cry out wildly in broad daylight before a gathered crowd, Li Zhijing's eyes reddened.
Aside from a trace of embarrassment at her father's undignified display, what remained was a sharp sting in her nose—an overwhelming swell of emotion.
Her grandfather was stationed at the frontlines.
Her father held no authority before him, nor any standing within the main branch of the family.
Perhaps the only way her father could think of to seek justice… was to cast aside his dignity entirely—using this spectacle to win sympathy and broadcast their grievance to the world.
"Go to your father." Li Wei waved his hand, deciding it was best to stop this farce from continuing.
Li Zhijing immediately flew toward the city and called out to him.
Li Xinri turned his head—and froze.
He turned away, then snapped his head back again, his face instantly lighting up with overwhelming joy.
A flicker of embarrassment crossed his expression. He quickly changed his tone and shouted,
"Those Qiu bastards dared harm my daughter! I, Li Xinri, now have an irreconcilable feud with them! Do they think bearing the surname Qiu makes them the Heavenly King? My Li Clan fears no one!"
Seeing Li Zhijing return completely unharmed, the people of Northguard City collectively let out a breath of relief.
Most of the residents were relatives of Li Xinghuo's subordinates.
If Li Zhijing had died, they would have been forced to intervene. It was fortunate she was safe.
The Qiu Clan possessed no fewer than three Void Refinement experts, not to mention a Second Commander.
When facing such a terrifying immortal clan, it was always better to turn major conflict into minor grievances.
On the city wall, Li Zhijing explained everything to Li Xinri.
But when they turned to look for the Ancestor again, he had already vanished.
...
Li Wei appeared within Northguard City like a shadow.
Year after year had passed. Most of his time was spent resolving enemies in the Western Frontier or cultivating in seclusion. Only in rare moments of leisure did he observe his other descendants.
In the Demon-Suppressing Grotto-Heaven alone, the Li Clan's bloodline had grown to over two thousand members.
Within the demon-suppressing branch, many had risen to prominence—Li Zhijing among them.
Others were leveraged by their maternal families, while still serving the demon-suppressing branch.
After all, the branch's trade in demonic beasts and their materials had expanded into a massive enterprise.
"Clan ties are built on bloodline, interests, and kinship," Li Wei murmured.
Even the Li family could not escape worldly constraints.
To reproduce meant marriage. Marriage meant in-laws.
Even within the clan, factions would inevitably form.
Yet their family was also different.
As Ancestor, he could observe every clansman, maintaining the purest thread of the core bloodline.
He watched Li Zhijing and Li Xinri return to the Grotto-Heaven.
The clan gathered to discuss, opinions sharply divided.
Some of the older members immediately suggested swallowing the grievance in silence.
Meanwhile, Li Xinri and Li Zhijing remained calm, saying nothing about what had happened within the Qiu Clan's immortal mountain.
"A former playboy and a spoiled young lady… Time truly tempers people."
Li Wei felt a trace of satisfaction. They were handling matters properly.
Over the years, while he had been absent, much had changed across the family.
[Your descendant Li Xinri concealed his true abilities for many years, remaining in seclusion.]
[When the Monster Race pressed the borders, Li Xinghuo led the Asura Army to war alongside the Grand Tutor.]
[As the eldest son, Li Xinri was forced to take over the Northguard City's affairs.]
[With the support of his daughter, Li Zhijing, he gradually secured his position.]
[Acquired Trait: Father Rises by Daughter's Fame — When his daughter is present, his prestige increases by 80%.]
[Your descendant Li Xinri obtained a Tier-5 Earth Fire obtained a Tier-5 Earth Fire from the Heavenly Fire Divine Tree of Azure Cloud Prefecture.]
[Li Xinri cultivated the Great Sun Holy Fire Scripture.]
[With his single Metal spiritual root refined through Fire, his bloodline purity increased.]
[Combined with years of cultivation and the Primal Blood Fruit, his Profound Sun Physique evolved into the Heavenly Sun Flame Physique.]
[Before Divinity Transformation, cultivation speed +50%. Fire comprehension +50%.]
Among the Xin generation, Li Xinri's aptitude was far from mediocre.
With the Heavenly Sun Flame Physique, his Metal root rivaled a Heavenly-grade spiritual root. Combined with Fire cultivation, his talent even surpassed Li Changyao.
And beyond that—he possessed another trait:
[Hidden and Unreleased].
"…Damn."
Li Wei couldn't help but curse inwardly.
Li Xinri was nearly 332 years old, yet in all that time, he had never fought.
Every clansman of that age had blood on their hands—except him.
In everyone's eyes, Li Xinri had long been nothing more than a useless waste.
Even Li Wei himself had once believed it.
It seemed the entire Northguard City saw its ruler as… invisible.
Looking again at Li Zhijing—standing beside him, intimidating the clan members—Li Wei felt a strange expression form.
The so-called "number one Corporate Wage Slave" of the Northguard City had spent her life supporting her father…
Yet she had no idea that this very father might be the true hidden pillar of the entire branch.
Meanwhile, Li Zhijing was silently memorizing the names of every opposing clansman.
Even at over 300 years old, she retained her unruly temperament—at least in Li Wei's eyes.
To the others, however, she was a domineering and unyielding authority.