Grand Elder's Breakthrough

Riding at full gallop all the way, Li Xinge and his group did not return to Green Maple Valley until the afternoon of the next day.

During the days Li Xinge had been away, nothing major had happened within the Lineage.

Other than the Fourth Elder, who had gone out to inspect the Lineage's territory, the remaining Elders were all summoned by Li Xinge to the Council Hall.

Everyone took their seats in turn.

Seeing the Elders looking as though they wanted to speak but hesitated, Li Xinge laughed heartily and took the Sandalwood Box containing the Qi and Blood Pill from his robes.

"Elders, this is the Qi and Blood Pill."

Everyone's breathing suddenly grew heavier.

Li Xinge opened the wooden box.

The instant the box was opened, an incomparably rich medicinal fragrance drifted out from within.

In moments, the pill fragrance filled the entire Council Hall.

Everyone greedily inhaled its scent.

The Second Elder exclaimed in amazement, "Worthy of a second-grade precious pill. Just one whiff is worth three days of my bitter cultivation."

The others clicked their tongues in wonder as well.

"The pill is good, but it is far too expensive. This single pill has emptied the Li Family's coffers."

The Third Elder said with a pained expression.

The Third Elder, Li Xuanyong, oversaw the Lineage's finances. He was the Li Family's famed miser and penny-pincher.

"So what? If it can give the Lineage one more Qi and Blood Realm Cultivator, then no matter the cost, it is worth it."

The Fifth Elder, Li Xuanqi, said with a smile.

The Grand Elder, meanwhile, was widely experienced. He had once been fortunate enough to see a Qi and Blood Pill, but its fragrance had been nowhere near as potent as the one in Li Xinge's hand.

"Patriarch, could this be a Superior Qi and Blood Pill?"

The Grand Elder asked, furrowing his brow.

Li Xinge raised his brows, looking somewhat surprised.

"The Grand Elder has sharp eyes indeed. That is right—this is a Superior Qi and Blood Pill. It can increase the chance of a breakthrough by forty percent!"

At those words, everyone sucked in a sharp breath.

"A Superior Qi and Blood Pill? Then the money we brought probably would not have been enough..."

The Third Elder said dryly.

"Haha, this Qi and Blood Pill did not cost us a single coin."

Seeing the Third Elder like this, Li Yanzhao, seated nearby, finally could not hold it in any longer and burst out laughing.

"It did not cost money?"

Everyone was utterly baffled.

"Then where did this Qi and Blood Pill come from?"

Seeing their puzzled gazes, Li Yanzhao did not keep them in suspense. He proceeded to recount everything that had happened along the way.

After hearing him out, everyone applauded and cheered.

"The Mangshan Su Clan spent such a fortune to purchase a Qi and Blood Pill. It seems they truly are desperate."

The Grand Elder said as he stroked his beard.

"Who would have thought that in the end, they would lose both the lady and the troops—left with neither men nor wealth?"

The Third Elder wore a look of undisguised delight at their misfortune.

"Fortunately, the Patriarch broke through to the Qi and Blood Realm and turned the tide. Otherwise, if we had faced the Mangshan Su Clan, our Li Family would have had no chance of survival."

The Fifth Elder said with a sigh.

Li Xinge hurriedly waved his hand.

He said humbly, "The Lineage gave birth to me and raised me. This is what I ought to do. Without the Lineage's nurturing, how could there be the Li Xinge of today?"

Those words came entirely from the bottom of his heart.

After saying that, he changed the subject.

"I said before that if we obtained a Qi and Blood Pill, it would be given to the Grand Elder for use. Does anyone have objections now?"

"We have no objections."

Everyone answered in unison.

Li Xinge nodded in satisfaction, then handed the Qi and Blood Pill in his hand to the Grand Elder.

The Grand Elder accepted it with utmost care. At that moment, even his hands were trembling.

This Qi and Blood Pill carried the hopes of far too many people.

"Patriarch and clansmen, please rest assured. This old man will certainly not fail your expectations."

The Grand Elder declared firmly.

After that, the Grand Elder entered secluded cultivation.

During the days of the Grand Elder's seclusion, the clouds of war silently drew near.

The Mangshan Su Clan began gathering its forces, waiting only for the Grand Elder to emerge from seclusion before fighting the Li Family to the death.

Naturally, the Li Family would not sit still and await death. Cultivation resources within the clan were supplied without limit, all so that the clansmen could gain another measure of strength before the great battle.

Besides that.

The two families frequently reached out to other major powers, hoping to win over some allies. But what ruler of a major power was not a cunning old fox?

All of them chose to sit atop the mountain and watch the tigers fight.

The Su and Li Families were about to fight to determine life and death. They were more than happy to see it happen; they could hardly be happier. Why would they interfere?

No matter who won or lost, both families would suffer grievous losses.

That would bring them nothing but benefits, and no harm at all.

Several more days passed.

This day.

Within Green Maple Valley, at the Patriarch's residence.

Li Xinge was handling clan affairs.

Suddenly, as though sensing something, Li Xinge lifted his head and looked toward the back mountain. Seeing the surging blood energy shooting into the sky, a smile curved across his lips.

With his hands behind his back, he slowly walked out of the Patriarch's residence.

Then, after several leaps, he vanished from the spot.

A few minutes later.

Li Xinge had arrived before a sealed stone chamber and waited quietly.

At the same time.

The Lineage's Elders had clearly sensed the changes in the back mountain as well and arrived one after another.

Half a quarter-hour later.

Inside the stone chamber, a powerful, uncontrolled surge of blood energy erupted violently. With a thunderous boom, it smashed through the solid stone door.

The heavy stone door was blasted into countless pieces, sending dust flying through the air as broken stones scattered across the ground.

The Grand Elder slowly emerged from the dust.

When everyone saw him clearly, the Grand Elder's aged face had become noticeably younger, and his once-hunched back had straightened.

The aura he had yet to rein in after his breakthrough bore down upon everyone except Li Xinge, leaving them unable to breathe.

Seeing their faces flush red, the Grand Elder finally realized what was happening and hurriedly withdrew his aura.

With an embarrassed smile, he said, "Patriarch, Elders, this old man has not failed your expectations. I have successfully broken through the Qi and Blood Heavenly Pass!"

Everyone immediately clasped their fists in congratulations.

"We congratulate the Grand Elder! Congratulations to the Grand Elder on advancing to the Qi and Blood Realm and strengthening our Green Maple Li Clan!"

Li Xinge also smiled and said from the bottom of his heart, "Congratulations, Grand Elder!"

The Grand Elder swept away his previous air of twilight and old age, saying spiritedly, "Without the Patriarch and the Lineage's full support, this old man would never have dreamed that such a day would come."

At that, everyone burst into hearty laughter.

"Now that the Grand Elder has emerged from seclusion, it is time to settle certain matters."

Li Xinge said with a smile.

The Grand Elder's expression turned solemn. Naturally, he understood what Li Xinge meant, and he nodded.

The scene shifted.

The Li Family Council Hall.

"Patriarch, Grand Elder, according to reports from the informants we planted in the Su Family, the Su Family's Grand Elder, Su Changqing, has not shown himself for a long time. He is suspected to have entered secluded cultivation. Now, under our suppression, the Su Family has abandoned all its businesses. The Su Family and its affiliated forces have all withdrawn into Mangshan, where they are holding a strict defense."

The Fifth Elder, Li Xuanqi, said with a grave expression.

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions could not help but grow solemn.

"Patriarch, if Su Changqing has truly entered secluded cultivation, there may be unforeseen changes."

"Su Changqing is a veteran Qi and Blood Realm Cultivator. Rumor has it that he is only one step away from Qi and Blood Minor Accomplishment. This time, he must be in seclusion to break through that bottleneck."

"Although we all know that this realm is not so easily broken through, it is better to be safe than sorry."

"If Su Changqing truly takes that step, then our Li Family will be in danger."

The Grand Elder said in a deep voice.

"The Grand Elder's concern is not without reason."

Li Xinge nodded in agreement.

If Su Changqing had not broken through, the two of them working together could still handle him.

But if he had broken through, then the balance between attack and defense would likely be reversed.

"What should we do now?"

The Third Elder asked.

"What should we do?"

Li Xinge's expression turned cold. He slammed his palm down on the table and said fiercely, "Then we will destroy him before he breaks through!"

Li Xinge was a decisive man.

Having made up his mind, he immediately ordered, "Elders, immediately gather every expert in the clan. In one hour, we will launch a surprise attack on Mangshan. The situation is urgent; not a moment can be delayed! If anyone causes a delay, do not blame the clan rules for showing no mercy."

"Yes."

The six Elders solemnly clasped their fists and accepted the order, then turned and left the Council Hall.

The great battle was on the verge of erupting.

At the request of our many readers, we now offer an ad-free VIP membership feature.

Click to view