One year later: the Li Family's current strength and next expansion

Time flew like a shuttle.

A year had passed since the Li Clan Grand Competition.

Over that year, the Li Family had not grown complacent over its fame. Instead, like a towering tree rooted in fertile soil, its roots sank deeper and its branches grew more luxuriant.

Li Wu, the Li Family prodigy who had placed second in the competition, entered seclusion shortly afterward to break through to the Innate Realm.

Three months later, Li Wu emerged, having successfully advanced to the Innate Realm.

Not long afterward, he was promoted to Red Robe Elder and joined the Hall of Law Enforcement.

Over the six months that followed.

Good news came from both Eighth Elder Li Yanxiao and Ninth Elder Li Yanjing, like joyous announcements from a birthing chamber: both had successfully advanced to the Innate Realm.

Within a single year, the Li Family had gained three Innate True Persons.

Only Third Elder Li Xuanyong emerged from three months of seclusion with a calm expression but a few new streaks of frost-white at his temples.

His attempt to reach the Innate Realm had fallen short at the final hurdle.

His aptitude had always been mediocre. Reaching qi and blood great perfection had already required the Lineage to pour its resources into nurturing him.

After emerging, he continued managing the Internal Affairs Hall's affairs with his usual cheerful smile. Yet in his spare moments, he would stare blankly at the horizon.

Worth mentioning was Li Qingshi's older brother, Li Qinglin, who had demonstrated outstanding talent for internal administration in the Ancestral Land. Third Elder Li Xuanyong had taken notice and kept him at his side to teach him.

Deep within Green Maple Valley.

Inside a secluded Quiet Room.

The Soul Nurturing Bead hovered in midair, with Sage Xuanji's phantom manifesting