The Great Battle Is Imminent

Great Li Imperial Family, a bedchamber.

"Third Brother, although Great Li is a mortal realm, these women are tender indeed!"

A table was laden with various delicacies. Li Wencheng sat in an armchair, two beautiful, well-figured consorts attending his meal.

With a casual glance, one consort placed a cup of fine wine from the table to Li Wencheng's lips for him to taste.

Li Wencheng frowned slightly, and the other consort fetched a spirit fruit, feeding it into his mouth.

Back in the Taixu Profound Realm, Li Wencheng had never enjoyed such treatment; for a moment, he felt as if he were floating among immortals.

Seeing Li Wencheng so debauched, Li Yiting frowned deeply. For the past three days, Li Wencheng had spent all his time carousing with the consorts of the Great Li Imperial Palace, with not a shred of mind left for serious matters.

"Wencheng, don't forget the real business."

"Third Brother, rest assured. Your clan brother knows his limits. The clan's discipline is strict; days of such free indulgence are rare."

As the two chatted, Li Lianying appeared silently in the bedchamber.

"Two Young Masters, all the orphan girls near the Imperial Capital who meet your requirements have now been gathered in Taihe Hall."

"If you two have finished your meal, you may go to Taihe Hall to see if any of these orphan girls are the ones you seek."

"All the orphan girls near the Imperial Capital have been assembled!"

Li Yiting marveled at Great Li's efficiency. Without much hesitation, he immediately asked Li Lianying to lead the way.

Inside Taihe Hall, women were packed densely together, their expressions varied, all looking very frightened.

Qiuyue squeezed among the crowd, her expression grave.

Three days ago, her Young Master had warned her so seriously that she felt today's trip might bring trouble.

She clutched the Sword Talisman tightly in her hand, her heart uneasy.

As Qiuyue fretted, two richly dressed youths walked in. She kept her head low, hiding her body among the crowd, afraid of being noticed.

"Manager Li, are you certain all the orphan girls near the Imperial Capital are here?"

Li Yiting stood on the high platform of the hall, afraid of any slipping through the net, and confirmed once more with Li Lianying.

Li Lianying knew what Li Yiting was thinking and explained, "Please rest assured, Young Master Li. The population and household registries of the Imperial Capital are all recorded in the Ministry of Revenue. These orphan girls have been triple-checked by the Ministry—no omissions."

"Moreover, this matter is of great importance. How would I dare be the least bit negligent?"

Hearing Li Lianying's explanation, Li Yiting finally relaxed. This Innate Dao Body was a matter of utmost gravity. If he could find it and deliver it to the Ye Imperial Clan, not only would he ascend to immortality himself, but his entire family's status in the Eastern Continent would rise several tiers. He had to be cautious.

He took out the Blood Jade Bead from his bosom, tossed it into the air, and performed a Mystic Method to activate it.

Suddenly, the Blood Jade Bead shook violently in the air, emitting a brilliant light. It then flew around the hall before finally stopping in front of Qiuyue.

"Ha ha ha ha! This Young Master's fortune is truly heaven-sent. I never thought that right after arriving in Great Li, the Innate Dao Body I've been searching for so hard would be found by me."

Seeing the changes in the Blood Jade Bead, even the always calm and composed Li Yiting couldn't help but laugh uproariously.

Li Wencheng, watching Li Yiting, still had disbelief in his eyes: "Third Brother, this... this is it?!"

"Isn't this... a bit too easy?!"

Li Yiting's eyes were full of confidence, utterly certain: "Wencheng, no mistake. The Blood Jade Bead contains Li Changqing's blood essence. That Innate Dao Body is of his bloodline."

"When the Blood Jade Bead senses that Innate Dao Body, it emits a brilliant light."

Qiuyue closed her eyes tightly. Suddenly, a flash of light passed before her. She opened her eyes and saw a bead radiating brilliant light floating in front of her.

Hearing the two men's conversation, her face instantly turned grim.

She didn't care whether she was an Innate Dao Body, but from Ye Jing's earlier troubled demeanor, she knew these people meant her no good.

As Qiuyue pondered, Li Yiting had already teleported in front of her.

"This girl indeed bears some resemblance to Li Changqing."

Seeing Qiuyue's features, Li Yiting was even more certain.

"As expected of Li Changqing's daughter—truly a heavenly beauty."

A flash of admiration passed through Li Yiting's eyes.

Seeing Li Yiting so fortunate, completing the task so easily, Li Lianying's face was also full of joy.

"Congratulations, Young Master Li, on finding the Innate Dao Body so quickly. Those two Pine Crane Pills..."

"Rest assured, Manager Li. Once this Young Master returns to the Taixu Profound Realm, I will surely deliver the two Pine Crane Pills to the Great Li Imperial Palace."

With Li Yiting's promise, Li Lianying fell silent, quietly retreating to the side to watch the drama unfold.

Having found the Innate Dao Body, Li Yiting feared delays and immediately instructed Li Wencheng: "Wencheng, hurry. Let's take this Innate Dao Body and rush back to the Taixu Profound Realm as fast as possible."

With that, a divine light shot from Li Yiting's sleeve, sealing all of Qiuyue's acupoints. Then, carrying Qiuyue, he flew through the air toward the Taixu Profound Realm.

At the Ye Manor, it was a day of rest, and Ye Jing was cultivating at home.

As his spiritual energy completed its final cycle, Ye Jing just opened his eyes when his expression suddenly changed drastically. A terrifying aura burst forth from his body.

Just now, Ye Jing sensed that Qiuyue was rapidly moving away from the Imperial Capital.

Things were heading toward his worst-case scenario—it seemed these two had come for Qiuyue.

Watching the direction Qiuyue was fading into, a fierce killing intent flashed in Ye Jing's eyes.

The next moment, his figure vanished from Ye Manor. Channeling his Mystic Art, he flew through the air, chasing after Qiuyue's departing path.

High in the sky, seeing Li Yiting suddenly halt mid-flight and stand aloft, Li Wencheng's eyes flickered with surprise.

"What's wrong, Third Brother? Why did you stop?"

Li Yiting's expression was grave. He didn't look at Li Wencheng but kept his gaze fixed on the horizon. "A powerful aura is rapidly approaching through the air. I don't know if it's hostile."

"Wencheng, the Innate Dao Body concerns our clan's rise or fall. This is too important. To avoid any mishap, take this Innate Dao Body and hide first."

"Once I've dealt with this unknown visitor, we'll return to the Taixu Profound Realm."

"Understood, Third Brother."

Li Wencheng knew the Innate Dao Body could not afford the slightest mistake. Without hesitation, he immediately took Qiuyue and descended from the sky, finding a hidden spot to conceal themselves.

Seeing that Li Wencheng had hidden himself, Li Yiting finally set down the heavy stone in his heart.

He turned his gaze back to the distant horizon, where a Dark Shadow was rapidly approaching.