A Great Battle Was on the Brink

In a bedchamber in the Great Li Imperial Family's palace.

"Third Brother, though Great Li is merely a worldly land, its women are as tender as fresh shoots!"

A table laden with all manner of delicacies stood before them. Li Wencheng sat in an armchair, while two beautiful, voluptuous consorts attended to his meal.

With a slight glance, one consort lifted the wine from the table to Li Wencheng's lips, letting him taste it.

Li Wencheng furrowed his brow, and the other consort brought over a spirit fruit and fed it to him.

Back in the Taixu Profound Realm, Li Wencheng had never enjoyed such treatment. For a moment, he felt as though he were floating among the clouds.

Watching Li Wencheng indulge himself so wantonly, Li Yiting knitted his brows. For the past three days, Li Wencheng had spent all his time frolicking with the consorts in the Great Li Imperial Palace. He had no mind at all for their real business.

"Wencheng, don't forget what we came here to do."

"Don't worry, Third Brother. I know my limits. Our clan keeps us under strict discipline; I rarely get days like this to enjoy myself."

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

"Young Masters, all the orphaned women around the Imperial Capital who meet your requirements have now gathered at Taihe Hall."

"Once you've finished your meal, you can go to Taihe Hall and see whether the people you're looking for are among them."

"All the orphaned women around the Imperial Capital have been gathered!"

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

Taihe Hall was packed wall to wall with women, each wearing a different expression. They all looked terribly frightened.

Qiuyue stood among the crowd, her expression grave.

Three days ago, her young master had warned her so earnestly that she had a feeling something would go wrong with today's visit.

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

As Qiuyue fretted, two richly dressed young men entered. She lowered her head and hid herself among the crowd, afraid of attracting anyone's attention.

"Manager Li, are you certain every orphaned woman around the Imperial Capital is here?"

Standing on the raised platform in the hall, Li Yiting feared someone might have slipped through the net, so he asked Li Lianying to confirm once more.

Li Lianying knew what Li Yiting was worried about and explained, "Please rest assured, Young Master Li. The Ministry of Revenue has registered every resident of the Imperial Capital and its surroundings. The Ministry has checked these orphaned women repeatedly, and none have been overlooked."

"Besides, this matter is of the utmost importance. How could your servant dare to be even the slightest bit negligent?"

Only after hearing Li Lianying's explanation did Li Yiting relax. The Innate Dao Body was of immense importance. If he could find it and deliver it to the Ye Imperial Clan, he would ascend to greatness, and his entire clan's standing in the Eastern Continent would rise by several tiers. He had no choice but to be cautious.

He took the Blood Jade Bead from his breast, tossed it into the air, and activated it with a Mystic Method.

Suddenly, the Blood Jade Bead trembled violently in midair, shining with dazzling light. It then darted around the hall before finally stopping in front of Qiuyue.

"Ha ha ha ha! Fortune truly smiles on me! I never imagined I'd find the elusive Innate Dao Body as soon as I arrived in Great Li!"

Seeing the Blood Jade Bead's reaction, even Li Yiting, who had remained calm and composed until now, couldn't help throwing back his head and laughing.

Watching Li Yiting, Li Wencheng still looked incredulous. "Third Brother, we... we found it just like that?"

"W-wasn't that a little too easy?"

Li Yiting's eyes brimmed with confidence as he declared, "Wencheng, there's no mistake. The Blood Jade Bead contains Li Changqing's blood essence. The Innate Dao Body is his bloodline."

"When the Blood Jade Bead senses the Innate Dao Body, it shines with dazzling light."

Qiuyue squeezed her eyes shut. A sudden flash of light appeared before her, and when she opened her eyes, she saw a dazzling bead floating in front of her.

Hearing the conversation between the two men, her face darkened at once.

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

While Qiuyue was lost in thought, Li Yiting had already appeared in front of her in an instant.

"This girl really does look a little like Li Changqing."

After taking a good look at Qiuyue, Li Yiting felt even more certain.

"As expected of Li Changqing's daughter. She truly is a peerless beauty."

A flicker of admiration crossed Li Yiting's eyes.

Seeing how fortunate Li Yiting was, and how easily he had completed the task, Li Lianying's face also filled with delight.

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

"Rest assured, Manager Li. Once I return to the Taixu Profound Realm, I'll send the two Pine Crane Pills to the Great Li Imperial Palace."

With Li Yiting's promise, Li Lianying fell silent. He quietly withdrew to one side, waiting to watch the show.

Having found the Innate Dao Body, Li Yiting feared complications if they waited too long. He immediately instructed Li Wencheng, "Wencheng, hurry. Let's take the Innate Dao Body back to the Taixu Profound Realm as quickly as possible."

With that, a streak of Divine Light shot from Li Yiting's sleeve, sealing the acupoints throughout Qiuyue's body. He then took her and soared toward the Taixu Profound Realm.

At Ye Manor, it was a bath day, so Li Yiting was cultivating at home.

The spiritual energy completed its final circuit. Just as Ye Jing opened his eyes, his expression suddenly changed as a terrifying aura erupted from his body.

Just moments ago, Ye Jing had sensed Qiuyue moving farther and farther from the Imperial Capital at tremendous speed.

Events were unfolding exactly as he had feared. It seemed these two men had indeed come for Qiuyue.

As he watched the direction in which Qiuyue was disappearing, a murderous glint flashed in Ye Jing's eyes.

In the next instant, he vanished from Ye Manor. Ye Jing activated the Mystic Art within him and soared through the air toward the direction Qiuyue had gone.

High above, Li Wencheng looked surprised as Li Yiting suddenly stopped flying and hovered in the sky.

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

Li Yiting's expression was grave. He didn't look at Li Wencheng, keeping his eyes fixed on the horizon as he said, "A powerful aura is racing this way. I don't know whether it's friendly."

"Wencheng, the Innate Dao Body is vital to our clan's rise or fall. This matter is too important. To avoid any mishap, take the Innate Dao Body and hide somewhere."

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

"Yes, Third Brother."

Li Wencheng knew the Innate Dao Body couldn't suffer the slightest mishap. Without hesitation, he took Qiuyue and descended through the air, seeking a secluded place to hide.

Only after Li Wencheng had hidden safely did the weight finally lift from Li Yiting's heart.

He turned his gaze back to the distant horizon. A dark shadow was racing toward him through the sky.