[Your descendant Li Chang witnessed the dignitaries in the royal court treating the Li Clan as meat on a chopping block.
Feng Tu, the City Lord of Highsun City, spoke out for justice but was killed by Empress Wenren Xianyi. Acquired Trait: A Gentleman's Wrath]
[A gentleman's wrath is hidden in his heart, unspoken, but as the fury burns, he becomes stubbornly resolute, treating his conviction as absolute truth.
When pursuing a specific goal, cultivation speed increases by 20%, and comprehension of the rules of heaven and earth is enhanced.]
Li Chang was sent to the Heavenly Prison.
He couldn't be more familiar with this place.
The jailers in the Heavenly Prison were stunned to see Li Chang being escorted in.
They couldn't understand how this young master, who was always gentle and elegant toward lowly soldiers like them, had fallen into such misfortune.
Some had already secretly gone to the Merchant Lineage to report the news.
However, once inside the Heavenly Prison, deep within the small green bamboo courtyard, the Imperial Preceptor—who was also enduring his own misfortune—had already used his privileges to summon Li Chang into the courtyard.
"I told you, this place is the most peaceful spot in the entire royal court."
Min Youguo waved his hand slightly, gesturing for Li Chang to sit on the bamboo chair opposite him.
Li Chang sat down numbly, his mind still fixated on Feng Tu's death in the royal court.
Between them sat a bamboo table holding cups of fragrant tea, while Void Refining realm felons from the Heavenly Prison served them.
Regardless of Li Chang's current state, Min Youguo laughed,
"This was bound to happen sooner or later. Human hearts are unpredictable.
It took your Li Clan less than a millennium to build such a profound foundation; let alone them, even I want a piece of the pie.
If I possessed a foundation like yours, I would definitely remain completely hidden. A lack of forbearance in small matters upsets great plans."
Li Chang finally snapped back to his senses.
Having known Min Youguo for hundreds of years, they couldn't be considered intimate confidants, but exchanging a few words about trivial matters gave him a place to vent.
This dynamic had existed ever since they met at Mount Changxing.
Li Chang took a deep breath and smiled bitterly.
"The affairs of the world are so complex and filled with contradictions.
If we hide and do not fight, the world thinks us cowardly, and our clansmen die as a result.
If we display our strength to deter the world, we draw covetous eyes and attract snakes and rats."
"Oh?" Min Youguo raised an eyebrow.
Li Chang said, "To not fight is to not advance; to fight is to stir up trouble.
If the Imperial Preceptor were a member of my Li Clan, how would you choose now?"
"Are you asking me for a path of survival?" Min Youguo laughed.
"If it were me, I would offer up heavy treasures and seek an almighty expert for protection—I think I would be a good choice.
Then, I would retreat to my homeland, strictly abide by the rules, and wait until the world's grand situation is no longer in turmoil, thereby standing in an invincible position."
Li Chang pondered for a moment. Wouldn't that just turn us into someone like Supreme Elder Pu Ci?
Seeing that Li Chang wasn't the least bit panicked, Min Youguo casually said,
"Looking at you, you're not afraid at all. Do you of the Li surname have your own methods to survive this calamity? Yet you come asking me."
He then watched Li Chang calmly take a sip of tea.
Now, Min Youguo panicked.
"You people surnamed Li... you aren't planning to let the Wu Tribe in through the Southern Border, are you?"
Li Chang wore a peculiar expression.
"Imperial Preceptor, your words are unfair. Min Tiange clearly already did this; why are you so nervous when it comes to my Li Clan?"
These words made Min Youguo blush.
He took a sip of tea to ease the awkwardness and asked, "I am rather curious to know how your Li Clan will survive this calamity."
Li Chang's voice was calm.
"As the Imperial Dynasty descends into chaos, almighty experts from all sides are coveting us.
The Emperor Realm experts also want to eradicate our Li Clan to prevent us from becoming a threat.
But they never taint themselves with karma, or at the very least, they won't personally take the field."
"The Great Mahayana realm experts who wish to seize the Emperor's throne will simply watch coldly from the sidelines, and might even secretly assist my Li Clan."
"Therefore, these two are not threats."
Min Youguo's grip on his teacup tightened, and he immediately blew on the hot steam rising from it.
"Those who covet us are none other than Body Integration, Void Refining, and Divinity Transformation cultivators.
Only the major sects and Immortal Clans drool over my Li Clan.
However, most of them hide in the dark, waiting for things to unfold.
After all, my Li Clan slew enemies in the Western Border and doesn't even fear Body Integration cultivators.
If they truly fight a certain faction to the death, they themselves will decline as a result."
"That is why this 'ten deadly sins' scheme came to be. They know that only by multiple factions acting together can they completely take us down."
Min Youguo narrowed his eyes slightly.
"The Empress has already ordered an investigation into the Li Clan. Now, the various factions have already surrounded the Li Clan from all four corners of the Imperial Dynasty."
"Correct. Starting with our Li Clan's major Grotto-Heavens."
"For instance, the Merchant Lineage. I don't know how many people want to devour this piece of meat."
"They know that only by exterminating us completely can they eliminate future troubles."
Li Chang exhaled a breath of stale air.
"But they forgot something. I've heard my elders talk about this kind of situation. Back when we were in the Azure Cloud Region, our family already had a countermeasure."