Prefect Li Ke

The figure flickered, and the middle-aged man exuding a powerful presence arrived in the pavilion.

With his hands clasped behind his back, a faint smile of appreciation on his face, he appraised Li Qingyun.

"Qingyun greets Senior."

Li Qingyun's heart skipped a beat. He bowed and said humbly, "Senior is too kind. I was merely fortunate!"

He could feel the powerful cultivation aura emanating from the middle-aged man in the black robe with gold threads. It was at least Dao Foundation Realm, no, it should be Opening Mansion Realm!

Last night, that Golden Light Seal had blasted open the Yin Cloud Great Formation, and then an Opening Mansion Realm expert had led people to pursue Old Ghost Tushan. That formidable figure had streaked across the sky above the Zhou Mansion, and Li Qingyun had only caught a distant glimpse.

The middle-aged man in the black robe with gold threads before him was none other than that Opening Mansion Realm expert!

"Haha, are you truly unfazed by praise and criticism, or do you just like to play the pig to eat the tiger?"

The middle-aged man in the black robe chuckled and cursed, his posture relaxed as he sat on a stone stool. "My name is Li Ke. Since you are the son of Marquis Qinghe, have you heard my name?"

It was Li Ke!

Respect appeared on Li Qingyun's handsome face. "So it's the Prefect himself. Qingyun is deeply honored!"

This middle-aged man with a majestic and domineering aura, who called himself Li Ke and was an Opening Mansion Realm expert, must be the Great Prefect of Pingyang Commandery!

With the Azure Blood Talisman appearing, even the Prefect had rushed over personally!

"Since you know my name, why are you still so reserved and formal, boy!"

Li Ke looked at the handsome and composed youth before him, the expression of admiration for an outstanding junior becoming more apparent in his eyes.

He waved his hand and said with a smile, "Stop putting on airs! Since you are Li Jiuling's son, by seniority, you should call me Uncle!"

"This!"

Seeing the Prefect becoming increasingly amiable, Li Qingyun felt a bit awkward and hesitated.

He knew that Prefect Li Ke was definitely a member of the Li Imperial Clan of the You Kingdom, and his status was not low, otherwise, he wouldn't be governing a region.

The authority of a Prefect was immense, equivalent to a powerful regional governor in ancient times of his previous life.

Such important positions had historically been mostly held by disciples of the Li Imperial Clan.

Compared to Li Ke before him, Li Qingyun's cheap old man, Marquis Qinghe, was far inferior in both strength and position!

Li Ke claiming to be Li Qingyun's "Uncle" was clearly an acknowledgment of the lineage and inheritance of Marquis Qinghe's branch.

Strictly speaking, Li Qingyun could barely be considered a descendant of the Li Imperial Clan.

However, even his cheap old man, Marquis Qinghe Li Jiuling, would never dare to claim himself as part of the Imperial Bloodline.

After so many generations, the branch in Qinghe County had long since moved away from the center of the imperial family, becoming ordinary nobles. They could only stay in Qinghe County, meticulously managing their affairs, barely maintaining a shred of their ancestors' dignity.

At this moment, Li Qingyun suddenly recalled an old matter:

About two years ago, the heir of the Marquis's Estate, Li Shiqi, for some unknown reason, lacking self-awareness, insisted on entering the Daoist Academy in You Capital.

Marquis Qinghe, tired of the Cui family mother and son constantly bringing this up, shamelessly set off for You Capital.

But later, his cheap old man returned dejectedly. On the day he returned to the estate, he severely beat the heir and told him never to mention the Daoist Academy again...

According to the regulations of the Li Dynasty, any disciple with Imperial Bloodline could enter the Daoist Academy.

Of course, those without talent, even if they had "gilded" themselves at the Daoist Academy, would still not receive resources or be reused later.

"Qingyun, at your young age, you are already at the third layer of Qi Refining. I heard from your Senior Brother Zhao that you only recently joined Lingbao Temple. I find it a great pity!"

Prefect Li Ke looked at Li Qingyun as if he were a shining piece of jade. Suddenly, a hint of anger surfaced. "Your Marquis Qinghe's Estate is also strange. Since you are so outstanding, why didn't you send him to the Daoist Academy in You Capital!"

"Our dynasty, our own Daoist Academy, is no worse than Lingbao Temple. Marquis Qinghe is truly muddled!"

Speaking of this, Li Ke's expression became somewhat complex, and he sighed softly, "Our old Li family has relied on the Biyou Sect to hold the You Kingdom's Royal Authority for three hundred and thirty-four years. The younger generation is getting worse with each passing year, and the dynasty is filled with senility and corruption. If we don't produce some truly talented individuals to step up, the end of the dynasty won't be far off..."

This, Li Qingyun was aware of.

Historically, the You Kingdom had seen constant dynastic changes. The longest-reigning "imperial clan" lasted no more than five hundred years, while the shortest-lived dynasty lasted even less than a hundred years.

The Li Dynasty had endured for three hundred and thirty years, which was already quite commendable.

But who, upon holding such a position, would be content to be replaced by the next "great aristocratic family"!

And all of this came down to strength.

The sects hidden behind the secular world played games at the highest level. Who would sit on the throne depended on whether the sect backing the family was powerful enough!

The Li Dynasty was a "puppet" supported by the Biyou Sect, supplying the Biyou Sect with countless resources and benefits every year.

"Prefect, the rise and fall of dynasties, the changes of the world, this is the way of things. I am merely an illegitimate son of the family, and I can barely establish myself in the Marquis's Estate. I had no choice but to join Lingbao Temple, seeking only the company of a green lamp. How could I possibly have the qualification to advise on state affairs!"

Li Qingyun chuckled self-deprecatingly.

He did this intentionally, to avoid being led astray by this cheap uncle by accident.

"How is that possible? The vast Marquis Qinghe's Estate cannot accommodate someone with your potential? Li Jiuling, has his brain turned to mush!"

Li Ke was greatly surprised, his anger flaring, showing an intention to roll up his sleeves and find Marquis Qinghe for an explanation.

Li Qingyun said with a faint smile, "Actually, I don't have the so-called Dao Bone Spiritual Root. This was tested after my birth. The reason I am still cultivating and have entered the path is purely due to good luck and possessing this spirit cat!"

As he spoke, he pointed a finger towards the big black cat sunbathing and sleeping on the rockery in the courtyard.

"After joining the Lingbao Temple, this big black cat one day brought back a red fruit exuding a rich fragrance. After I ate it, a surging hot current filled my body, leading to my current cultivation..."

He thought to himself: This story was originally prepared to fool Senior Brother Zhao and the others at the Lingbao Temple, but now he'd use it to fool this cheap uncle first!

"So that's how it is!"

Li Ke exclaimed in surprise, then suddenly reached out and patted Li Qingyun's head and body a few times.

Then, with a look of loss, full of regret and pity, he couldn't help but sigh twice.

"Nephew Qingyun, your aptitude is indeed..."

He revealed a bit more sympathy and patted Li Qingyun's shoulder as if to comfort him. "Don't be discouraged. Since you've still managed to start cultivating the Dao, it means your luck is good, and you might go further. Being recognized by that spirit cat is also part of your luck!"

At this point, Li Ke was already getting restless, and the closeness in his expression began to fade.

The rune ring on his hand flashed, and three white jade pill bottles flew out, landing gently on the stone table.

"These were originally intended as extra rewards from me, the Prefect, to you! The True Essence Pill is the best medicine for the Qi Refining Realm, and it will definitely help you reach the next level!"

"Keep up the good work!"

With that said, the smile on the Prefect of Pingyang Commandery's face had faded, and his demeanor returned to that of a powerful expert in the Opening Mansion Realm.

His expression was distant and unapproachable.

With a light leap, he flew out of the Zhou Mansion, disappearing like a speck of black light.