The Ancestral Ceremony Begins, the Clam and the Crane Clash!
Luo Heaven Dragon Fruit!
It was a spirit fruit that grew in the Nine Dragons Secret Realm!
It was shaped like a purple dragon, with five claws.
Among heavenly treasures, it ranked close to the saint grade.
Because the Luo Heaven Dragon Fruit required extremely harsh conditions to grow and existed only in the Nine Dragons Secret Realm, it was an exceedingly rare spirit fruit. Even profound sects generally had difficulty obtaining one.
It was nothing short of a miracle that Li Tianxing had obtained one.
However, the Luo Heaven Dragon Fruit placed extremely stringent demands on anyone who consumed it. Only someone connected to the dragon race could swallow it; anyone else would die on the spot.
The Holy Dragon Bone met that requirement perfectly and could greatly strengthen the physique.
Overturning Rain Peak.
Li Tianxing had slightly graying temples and a handsome face. Though he had reached middle age, he was still full of charm.
At that moment, however, his face was somewhat pale, and he looked utterly weak.
To obtain the Luo Heaven Dragon Fruit this time, Li Tianxing had narrowly escaped death and almost failed to return.
"I'll have Daochen swallow the dragon fruit tomorrow, before a long night brings too many dreams!"
Li Tianxing understood all too well that an innocent man became guilty by carrying a treasure. After obtaining such a precious treasure, he should have taken it in secret.
However.
Several others knew he had seized the Luo Heaven Dragon Fruit, though he had schemed to trap them in the Nine Dragons Secret Realm.
Those people were also cultivators from lower spirit sects, but if they escaped and joined forces, they would pose a tremendous threat to the Battle Sect.
Therefore, the Luo Heaven Dragon Fruit had to be consumed as soon as possible!
Once he swallowed the Luo Heaven Dragon Fruit, Li Daochen's physique should be able to advance to the King Physique level.
A King Physique was enough to make even a profound sect take notice, and Li Daochen would have a chance to cultivate at one.
That was Li Tianxing's greatest hope for Li Daochen. It was far better than staying in a lower spirit sect as its eldest senior brother.
When the time came, presumably no blind fool would dare come after the Battle Sect!
As for why he was making such a show of it, the Luo Heaven Dragon Fruit had a layer of bone membrane on its skin that ordinary cultivators simply could not break through.
Li Tianxing himself was injured and pressed for time, so he had decided to use everyone's strength to break the bone membrane at tomorrow's ancestral ceremony.
News of Li Daochen's strengthened physique could spread immediately as well, killing two birds with one stone.
Li Tianxing had thought it through carefully, setting a trap at every step. Yet for all his calculations, he could not have anticipated that his own son had been replaced.
The night was black as ink.
Overturning Cloud Peak.
This was the peak where the first elder, Luo Beiyue, resided.
Lately, the disciples on this peak had all been trembling with fear, because Luo Beiyue's most beloved adopted son had died.
In a secluded study, Luo Beiyue sat alone at his desk, his eyes cold.
Suddenly.
Yang Chen appeared.
Luo Beiyue frowned. "Li Tianxing has already returned. You shouldn't have come to see me."
"Naturally, I came because I have important business." Yang Chen smiled casually, his eyes sharpening. "At tomorrow's ancestral ceremony, Li Tianxing will bring out a Luo Heaven Dragon Fruit! When he does, you must do everything you can to oppose my taking it."
"What! A Luo Heaven Dragon Fruit?" Luo Beiyue shot to his feet in shock.
"That's right. Put on a convincing act tomorrow, so Li Tianxing doesn't grow suspicious. Once I succeed, the position of Battle Sect master will be yours and no one else's!" With that, Yang Chen vanished.
Luo Beiyue stood there for a long time, shaken by belated fear.
What a Li Tianxing!
If not for Yang Chen, would he, Luo Beiyue, still have a place in the Battle Sect after tomorrow?
Azure Cloud Peak.
Li Daochen, disguised as Qi Bei, gazed toward Sword Battle Peak.
Behind him, the third elder approached.
"My disciple, Li Tianxing has returned. He is meticulous and extremely suspicious. You must be sure not to be careful in what you do from now on; don't let Li Tianxing notice anything amiss," the third elder cautioned.
Li Daochen gave the third elder a long look.
That settled it!
This old dog really was in cahoots with Yang Chen and the others.
"What's with that look?" the third elder asked with a frown.
"I understand. You need to stay hidden too," Li Daochen said meaningfully.
The third elder was momentarily taken aback and deeply displeased. Still, he knew full well that his disciple had latched onto Yang Chen and had been growing increasingly arrogant lately.
"Just take care of yourself!" The third elder snorted, turned, and left.
Li Daochen paid him no mind.
His father, Li Tianxing, was indeed suspicious by nature, so he had not gone directly to lay his cards on the table, lest Li Tianxing read too much into it and ruin his plan for tomorrow.
Once tomorrow came, everything would become clear.
The night was cool as water, but a raging fire burned in Li Daochen's heart!
The next day.
The first light of dawn appeared.
The Battle Sect gradually came to life.
Many people were heading toward the central area.
There was an enormous square there, where the ancestral ceremony would be held.
A stone statue as tall as a mountain stood ahead.
Its features were indistinct, but it was a magnificent sight.
Some said it was a stone statue of the Battle Sacred Emperor, but it was so old that there was no way to verify the claim.
Many people treated it as a joke. After all, even a mere stone statue of a great emperor possessed immense power, and the statue before them fell far short!
The Battle Sect, however, had always worshipped it as the Battle Sacred Emperor!
By the time Li Daochen arrived, the place was already buzzing with voices.
Yang Chen, Mu Qingqing, Luo Beiyue, and the others had already arrived.
This was the first time Li Daochen had seen Yang Chen since his rebirth, and he felt little stir of emotion.
He had raged helplessly too many times in his previous life. Now that they met again, he could naturally regard him with indifference.
From now on, it was simply a fight to the death!
Besides, the current Yang Chen was not yet the peerless monster who would later keep Li Daochen from raising his head and suppress an entire generation of heaven's chosen!
The worship had already begun, and strange phenomena appeared beside the stone statue, drawing the attention of everyone present.
Yang Chen, Mu Qingqing, and their companions chatted and laughed, standing in clear opposition to Luo Beiyue's faction.
Quite a convincing act!
Just then.
Li Tianxing arrived as well.
Under Li Daochen's gaze, he and Yang Chen put on a display of a loving father and a filial son.
Yang Chen's performance was flawless.
Li Tianxing noticed nothing amiss.
Watching them, Li Daochen could not help feeling a pang of sorrow.
He truly could not imagine how much despair Li Tianxing must have felt when he discovered the truth in their previous life.
Ever since Li Daochen's mother died, Li Tianxing had devoted all his thoughts to him. He regarded him as his pride and joy, and even in his dreams hoped he would achieve great things.
Yet in the end, he had helped a villain grow stronger, and he himself had died without a burial place.
Father, watch closely what happens next, Li Daochen thought silently.
Just then.
Li Tianxing brought out the Luo Heaven Dragon Fruit, immediately causing an uproar.
Luo Beiyue promptly jumped out to object, declaring that such a precious treasure should not be consumed lightly and should instead be used to strengthen the sect. His words were thoroughly hypocritical, and his acting utterly convincing.
"Li Daochen is indeed our sect's eldest senior brother, but what if he swallows the dragon fruit and it has no effect? Besides, as the eldest senior brother, he should be thinking of the sect!" Luo Beiyue spoke with righteous conviction.
Li Tianxing's eyes turned cold. "I seized this on my own. What business is it of yours?"
"You are the Battle Sect's deputy sect master. How can you claim you acted on your own? If you still remember your position, you should be thinking of the bigger picture! I'm putting my foot down today. No matter who speaks up, it won't make a difference," Luo Beiyue said coldly.
Li Tianxing sneered repeatedly. He had long known Luo Beiyue would jump out and had a way to deal with him.
But just then.
A commotion arose in the crowd. The people parted, and a middle-aged man as gentle as jade walked forward.
Mu Qingqing looked at Yang Chen as if seeking credit.
Li Tianxing was surprised as well.
The newcomer... was none other than Mu Qingqing's father, Mu Cheng, the Jade Water Sect's third elder!
Li Daochen's eyes flickered as he fixed a deep gaze on him.
And then.
After giving Li Tianxing a slight nod, Mu Cheng looked at Luo Beiyue. "Elder Luo, if I were to ask that Daochen be allowed to consume this Luo Heaven Dragon Fruit, would you do me that favor?"