[Your descendants, Li Changsheng and Li Changyao, together with the Old Tree, captured the weakened Huan Gui and Taotie, suppressing them within the Old Tree's body. Inside, they discovered Tian Xing, who had been suppressed for hundreds of years...]
[Your descendants, Li Changsheng and Li Changyao, intercepted Imperial Concubine Ji halfway as she attempted to escape.]
"Brother."
Li Changyao looked towards the Thunder-Fire Devil Cave, now teeming with powerful experts following the events at the Mountain of Esoteric Stratagems.
It was truly a miracle that these fellows were mixed together without fighting.
"If Min Tiange knew that we siblings had ruined his plans, he would surely hate us enough to want to tear out our tendons and bones."
"It is fortunate that Li Yuanshang went to seek out Zhao Guang, allowing us to learn that the Dao Seed originated from Azure Mist Mountain."
Li Changsheng chuckled,
"Since the source is Azure Mist Mountain, then even without the Dao Seed in hand, Tian Xing must know the method to dispel it, having inherited Baimei's Daoist legacy.
No matter how profound Min Tiange's schemes may be, he would never anticipate that a wretch like Tian Xing is still breathing."
With a shift of vision.
Within the internal world of the Old Tree, amidst that vast and desolate expanse, Tian Xing lay in anguish, enduring an eternity of loneliness and torment.
He had divulged the method for removing the Dao Seed; his sole reward was three bowls of utterly ordinary noodles placed beside him. Perhaps having lain there for ages, he scrambled up in a hurry.
A single mouthful of noodles left his face streaming with tears—the sensation of food was the only tangible proof that he was still alive.
At this moment, Imperial Concubine Ji was inquiring of Li Yaoqing.
Feeling as if she had been reborn, Imperial Concubine Ji saw that Li Yaoqing remained silent and hurriedly added,
"Medicine Master, after I encountered Min Tiange, the Dao Seed was planted within me, and I was sent into the Imperial Palace.
Aside from the palace, the world is vast, yet I know not where else to go. By a stroke of fortune, I met your clan's Changsheng and was able to have the Dao Seed removed.
I owe the Li family a debt of gratitude. If I return to the palace, I can pass on intelligence to your clan."
Imperial Concubine Ji's flight served another purpose—she was the first test subject for Tian Xing's method of removing the Dao Seed.
Furthermore, it was because she had contacted the Grand Tower that Holy Monk Yidian was able to cease hostilities with the True God and lead the members of the Grand Tower to escape.
Li Yaoqing pondered for a moment. "Imperial Concubine Ji, do you truly intend to return to the Imperial Capital? And after you denounce them, what then?"
"This..." Imperial Concubine Ji froze.
Li Yaoqing continued, "Can you truly evade the eyes and ears of the Peerless Hall? Even if you manage to denounce them, can the current Human Emperor still suppress Min Tiange or Min Youguo?"
Imperial Concubine Ji fell silent.
She had served the Human Emperor for twenty thousand years. When she last saw him—that supreme figure of the mortal world—he no longer possessed the majestic bearing of the past; he seemed to have aged overnight.
"If you reveal yourself, there is no escape. We do not even dare to take you back to the City of Merit."
Li Changyao's expression was cold.
"We were only able to break your Dao Seed by seizing a moment of Min Tiange's negligence.
Now that the seed is broken, Min Tiange will inevitably be on guard.
He has cultivated for tens of thousands of years and is a monstrous existence rarely seen in this world. We absolutely cannot take the risk of being discovered by him again."
"Amitabha. The Benefactor speaks the truth."
A deep, resonant voice rang out.
It was Holy Monk Yidian. The monk pressed his palms together and cast a grateful look at Li Changsheng.
"I thank the Benefactor for removing these shackles from this poor monk. Through this karmic fortune, this poor monk is certain to attain the Bodhi Fruit in the future."
Imperial Concubine Ji required persuasion, but Holy Monk Yidian needed no such counsel.
This old monster had lived for countless years; if he didn't know how to handle this situation, that would be the real anomaly.
Li Changsheng felt more curiosity than anything else. He returned the gesture, pressing his palms together, and asked:
"Holy Monk, with your profound cultivation, how did you also fall victim to Min Tiange's Dao Seed? Is Min Tiange truly so powerful that he has reached such a level?"
"Alas." Holy Monk Yidian sighed deeply.
"This poor monk has served His Majesty for many years. Long ago, I suffered an injury, and Min Tiange seized that opportunity to strike.
On one hand, I held the status of a Commander in the Immortal Suppression Department; on the other—precisely because the Department has such a thorough grasp of intelligence across the world—I became the Master of the Grand Tower, carrying out dirty work on Min Tiange's behalf."
"So that explains it." Li Changsheng came to a sudden realization.
"Then, during the battle at the Mountain of Esoteric Stratagems..."
Holy Monk Yidian nodded slightly.
Hearing this, Li Yaozu raised a brow.
He suddenly understood why Holy Monk Yidian had disregarded the Immortal Suppression Department's orders and charged in first during the battle at the Mountain of Esoteric Stratagems.
He was trying to give the Mountain a chance to survive—signaling the Department's arrival early so they could flee.
At the same time, he did not wish for the people of the Immortal Suppression Department to step into Min Tiange's trap.