[Special Event—Establish an Alternative Immortal Suppression Department]
[Duanmu Qi of the Eternal Immortal Sect is about to succeed as the Sect Master.
In light of the persecution of the former Sect Master, elders, and disciples by Commander Wu Neng, he hopes to unite the Five Great Forces. Leveraging the Li Clan's connections with the dignitaries of the Imperial Dynasty, they intend to petition the Crown Prince to establish a separate Immortal Suppression Department.
The five forces will jointly hold authority over this new department to monitor the realm and seek mutual profit.]
Listening to Duanmu Qi's proposal, Li Wei, who had been observing from the side, scratched his head. "So we're just building another Immortal Suppression Department to keep the first one in check..."
In the high clouds, Duanmu Qi said in a deep voice,
"Does Family Head Li still intend to serve the Immortal Suppression Department? Since a rift has already formed between us and the Department, there is no turning back."
At this moment, Li Chang'an had also arrived.
Seeing his grandson look toward him for guidance, Li Chang'an spoke indifferently, "Elder Duanmu, what benefit does offending Wu Neng bring to my Li Clan?"
"This..." Duanmu Qi furrowed his brows slightly.
Li Chang'an continued,
"The Eternal Immortal Sect only joined the Immortal Suppression Department ten years ago; you seem a bit too eager for the Department's authority.
If my prediction is correct, your Sect resides in Westfall Prefecture and is likely facing quite a few troubles. Secluded sects are prohibited from interfering in the secular world, making it increasingly difficult for you to occupy industries like Spirit Mines and Spirit Fields.
However, if you were to obtain the authority of the Immortal Suppression Department, things would become convenient. Holding the Immortal Suppression Token, your cultivators above the Divinity Transformation realm could go anywhere they please."
"My Azure Cloud Li Clan is already a subject of the Imperial Dynasty, so why go through all this unnecessary trouble? If we truly do not wish to comply, Wu Neng has no power to order my Li Clan around regardless."
Duanmu Qi shook his head with a bitter smile. "I see I cannot pull the wool over your eyes. However, this arrangement is not without its benefits for the Li Clan as well."
"Oh?" Li Chang'an raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Ancestor Lan has performed a divination using his Daoist arts: a time of Great Chaos is imminent."
Duanmu Qi's words caused the expressions of both Li Chang'an and Li Xinnian to change instantly.
Duanmu Qi continued,
"This is precisely why our Sect Master sought to enter the Imperial Court in the first place. Gaining the Court's protection offers an extra chance of survival and the opportunity to profit amidst the chaos.
While we cannot trust Wu Neng, we can cooperate sincerely with one another and watch each other's backs."
"This 'Great Chaos'... may I ask where it will originate?"
Li Chang'an looked solemn.
However, Duanmu Qi shook his head.
"Ancestor Lan only saw the Emperor Star shine with a momentary brilliance, before its light gradually faded away.
I ask that you two trust in the Old Ancestor's cultivation; he has devoted himself to the Dao for ninety thousand years, and his divinations have never been wrong.
It is his foresight that has allowed my Eternal Immortal Sect to survive until today."
"If that is the case, my clan will also need to discuss this matter."
Li Chang'an furrowed his brows, unable to distinguish whether Duanmu Qi's words were true or false.
...
Meanwhile.
High above the clouds, the members of the Li family returning from Goldflow Prefecture
had also heard Duanmu Qi's words.
"The great trends of the world are not subject to human will. Whether it is true or false, we cannot stop it."
Li Dalong had effectively made his peace with it.
He had never been one to drift with the tide; originally, he had wished only to guard Green Valley Village and watch the children grow up slowly.
But as the years passed, he realized that the affairs of the world are unpredictable. Even he had become an overlord of the Hell Layer I: The Silence Maw.
"However, Wu Neng truly went too far.
The zombies and evil spirits Grandpa brought along were all wiped out at the Mountain of Esoteric Stratagems. If we continue to serve under him, Chang'an will be in deep trouble."
Li Yunbing pondered for a moment.
"It is acceptable for us to establish our own Immortal Suppression Department; it serves as the perfect opportunity to break free from the current one."
"Mn."
Having made up their minds, the group traveled together toward the Thunderfire Demon Cave.
As they moved and arrived within their own territory—and after Ancestor Lan had departed with Li Jianning—they finally felt at ease to hand over the spoils obtained during this journey.
"What excellent swordsmanship!"
The Earth Tier Shadowless Void-Crossing Sword Scripture naturally fell into Li Yaozu's hands. He was incredibly delighted with this cultivation technique.
That sword technique, imbued with "Spatial Laws" and possessing neither form nor shadow, was exceptionally compatible with his Sword Dao.
The battle at the Mountain of Esoteric Stratagems had left him feeling quite frustrated; both He Hao and Zhen Wu were among the elite of the Void Refining Realm.
His Trickster Flashstrike and his Dharma Treasure, the Soul-Enrapturing Heart-Unraveling Bell, had been completely useless against them.
"Once I master this Sword Scripture, I will challenge Senior Martial Emperor to a battle.
If I can defeat Senior Martial Emperor, then I might have a fighting chance if I encounter such a great battle again."
While Li Yaozu was rejoicing.
The clansmen were gazing at a necklace featuring nine small gates held in a hand.
Li Dalong said, "This is the Nine Life-Siphoning Gates that Zhen Wu used. Only if one's physical body is strong enough can one utilize the Spiritual power of those sealed within.
Currently, there are three corpses inside: two at the Early stage and one at the Mid-stage of Void Refining. I tried it out; with my physical body, integrating the Spiritual power of just two of them is already a bit too much."
"Yaotie, you have been forging artifacts for years. Your physical body and meridians are no weaker than those of a Body Cultivator. Combined with your Artifact Body, this item suits you perfectly."
Li Yaotie took the necklace. He was already shirtless, so when he put the necklace around his thick neck, it draped over his chest.
Li Yaotie rubbed his bald head and muttered, "Dad, this looks a bit girly."
Li Dalong rolled his eyes.
Meanwhile, the Three Thieves were standing by, looking utterly bored.
Suddenly, a golden slip floated before them.
"This is the Golden Jade Slip of Formations and Talismans. It records the Dao of numerous talismans and formations. Even for ordinary tomb raiding, one must cultivate these arts with care."
The eyes of the Three Thieves instantly lit up.
Li Tianyi said in a deep voice, "Yes! In the future, this child will raid tombs while letting the Seniors study this. When Tianqi and Tianming have mastered the Great Dao of Talismans and Formations, we will definitely not disappoint Great-Grandfather."
"Big Brother, what about you?" Li Tianming blinked his eyes innocently. "Why are you slacking off again?"
Li Tianyi replied with a straight face, "That is precisely why I am the Big Brother."
"As for this Enlightenment Golden Chapter, it is an Innate Spirit Treasure."
A golden metal plate drifted into view, floating toward Li Yaoqing.
"Yaoqing, your Divine Art is unique, and you possess ancient pill refining techniques. Whether the family can produce Fourth Grade Spirit Pills and Spirit Medicines depends entirely on you."
Hearing this, Li Yaoqing clutched the Enlightenment Golden Chapter in a death grip.
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