Li Family's Response

Inside the secluded cultivation chamber, Li Xinge sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, refining the medicinal power of the Blood Spirit Fruit.

"Family Head, the First Elder requests an urgent audience. He says it concerns the survival or destruction of the lineage, so please emerge from seclusion at once!"

Outside the stone chamber, the guard cultivator spoke anxiously.

Li Xinge suddenly opened his eyes and strode out of the stone chamber.

The moment he emerged, his gaze fell upon the Second Elder.

At that moment, the Second Elder's complexion was ruddy, and the Qi and Blood power throughout his body was exceptionally solid and vigorous.

His appearance had also suddenly become more than twenty years younger.

Clearly, with the aid of that Blood Spirit Fruit, the Second Elder had successfully taken that step!

Seeing Li Xinge emerge from seclusion, the First Elder and Second Elder could not help but sigh in relief. They hurried forward. "Family Head!"

"What happened?"

Li Xinge asked with a puzzled look. I only went into seclusion for a few days. How did the lineage suddenly reach the point of life and death?

"Family Head, many things happened to the lineage during your seclusion. Allow me to summarize them briefly."

In the time it took to drink a cup of tea, the First Elder told Li Xinge everything that had happened over the past three days.

As the First Elder recounted the events, Li Xinge's expression grew increasingly grim.

"That Song Family is courting death!"

Li Xinge spoke furiously.

First, they had ambushed the new blood of the Li Family, heavily wounded the Sixth Elder, and killed many Li Family cultivators.

Now they had even formed some so-called alliance, intending to destroy the Li Family.

This was truly more than a scholar could endure.

Originally, because he feared that old monster from the Song Family, he had not planned to fall out with them just yet. Unexpectedly, the Song Family had lost its nerve first.

"Family Head, the Five Great Families have joined forces. They cannot be underestimated. Our Li Family is truly in danger."

The First Elder spoke with a solemn expression.

The five-family alliance had six Qi and Blood Realm Cultivators in total. Among them was the Song Family's Old Ancestor, a great expert at the Qi and Blood Realm Minor Accomplishment.

Although the Chen Family was acting as an inside agent, no matter how one looked at it, the Li Family was at a disadvantage.

Even though Li Xinge had also broken through to the Qi and Blood Realm Minor Accomplishment and was confident he could hold off the Song Family's Old Ancestor,

the two Qi and Blood Realm elders of his own family had only broken through recently. They still could not perfectly control the use of Qi and Blood power. In a fight against old hands like Song Tianbo, who had immersed themselves in the Qi and Blood Realm for many years, they would most likely be no match.

But if the Song Family could form an alliance, the Li Family was not without allies either. Now was the time to see whether that elder brother of his could be relied upon.

Of course, Li Xinge would not place all his hopes on one person. If Zheng Lingjun refused to help, he had a backup plan as well, though it would make him pay a certain price.

But the one who would certainly hold victory in his hands was Li Xinge!

"Bring me brush and ink!"

"Yes."

After the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Li Xinge blew the ink dry on the letter and handed it to the First Elder.

"First Elder, sorry for the trouble. Please personally go to East River Town and deliver this letter to Zheng Lingjun!"

The First Elder accepted the letter and placed it inside his sleeve.

"Return as quickly as possible, and be extra careful on the road!"

Li Xinge did not forget to remind him.

The First Elder nodded and turned around, vanishing from Li Xinge's sight.

After the First Elder left, Li Xinge turned back and ordered the Second Elder, "Second Elder, take my token and go to the Hao Family and Jiang Family. Recruit the cultivators of both families for my use. If anyone refuses, execute them on the spot!"

"Yes!"

The Hao Family had originally been a vassal of the Li Family.

As for the Jiang Family, after reporting the remnants of the Su Family last time, it had taken advantage of the opportunity to establish ties with the Li Family and become its vassal lineage.

In Li Xinge's eyes, so-called vassals were naturally cannon fodder for the sovereign lineage at critical moments.

Now was precisely the time for them to play their part.

"Someone come!"

Li Xinge called out softly.

"Family Head!"

Two black-robed cultivators entered and bowed with clasped fists.

"Pass down my order to the Third Elder and Fourth Elder. Have them gather the cultivators of the lineage and strengthen our defenses!"

"Sor--"

"Pass down my order to the Fifth Elder and have him return to Green Maple Valley!"

"Yes!"

East River Town, Zheng Family residence.

Zheng Lingjun opened Li Xinge's letter and quickly skimmed through it. By the time he finished, his brows were already furrowed.

Beside him, the First Elder of the Li Family bowed with clasped fists. "I ask that Family Head Zheng lend our Li Family a hand. Once this is over, our Li Family will surely repay you generously!"

Zheng Lingjun hurriedly helped Li Xuantong to his feet and said with a smile, "Brother Xuantong, there is no need for this. Our two families are related by marriage. Now that the Li Family is in trouble, I naturally will not stand by and do nothing!"

Hearing this, Li Xuantong's tightly strung heart finally relaxed.

With Zheng Lingjun, an expert at the Qi and Blood Realm Minor Accomplishment, lending his aid, the Li Family had several more chances of victory in tonight's battle!

Seeing that his objective had been achieved, the First Elder, worried about the family's safety, hurried to return.

"Thank you, Family Head Zheng. There are still important matters in the lineage, so I shall take my leave first!"

Zheng Lingjun nodded. He knew that the Li Family's situation was urgent and did not try to keep him.

After the First Elder left...

The Old Ancestor Zheng's aged, stooped figure slowly emerged from behind the screen.

"Ancestor, what brought you out?"

Zheng Lingjun asked in surprise.

Old Ancestor Zheng chuckled. "I merely happened to emerge from seclusion."

"You heard everything?"

"Of course. That old monster from the Song Family still has the same boldness as ever."

Old Ancestor Zheng sighed emotionally.

"Indeed. Otherwise, the Li Family would not have hurriedly sent someone to ask me for help." Zheng Lingjun smiled bitterly.

"What do you plan to do?"

Old Ancestor Zheng asked with a smile.

"Since my Zheng Family has chosen to befriend the Li Family, we naturally must help them at this critical juncture! I plan to make the trip personally."

Zheng Lingjun's expression was utterly resolute.

"Is that all?"

Zheng Lingjun looked at Old Ancestor Zheng blankly.

The latter shook his head. "That is not enough! There is a very high chance that Li Xinge is the legendary Child of Destiny. Have you not noticed that ever since he emerged out of nowhere and took charge of the Li Family, the lineage's two elders at the Body Cultivation Grand Perfection Realm have both successfully advanced to the Qi and Blood Realm in a short span of time?"

"You and I know full well how difficult it is to advance to the Qi and Blood Realm. Li Xuantong and Li Xuanzong are already advanced in age, and their Qi and Blood have already shown signs of decline. For them to advance to the Qi and Blood Realm should have been as difficult as ascending to heaven. Yet despite that, the two of them still succeeded. Tell me, why do you think that is?"

Zheng Lingjun was stunned by this. He thought for a long while but could not figure it out. "This grandson is dull. Please enlighten me, Ancestor!"

Old Ancestor Zheng chuckled lightly, a trace of envy showing in his eyes. "It is because Li Xinge's destiny and blessings have spread to the entire Li Family!"

Zheng Lingjun's eyes suddenly widened.

"If Li Xinge were a junior of my Zheng Family, perhaps I could ride his east wind and advance to the Qi and Blood Realm Great Perfection. What a pity."

Old Ancestor Zheng sighed.

Before Zheng Lingjun could respond, Old Ancestor Zheng continued, "It is easy to add flowers to brocade, but difficult to send charcoal in the snow. The Li Family is at its most difficult moment now. Our Zheng Family must be the one to send them charcoal in the snow."

"Ancestor, you mean...?"

Zheng Lingjun drew a deep breath.

"You are not a match for that old monster from the Song Family. I will go with you."

Old Ancestor Zheng stroked his grizzled beard.

Zheng Lingjun's pupils suddenly contracted.

The last time his own ancestor had taken action was already forty years ago.

The sun set and the moon rose.

A chilling killing intent silently enveloped Green Maple Valley.

[Following reader feedback, the author has added explanations of realms and talent grades. They were originally placed on the first page, but many readers do not look back, so they are being added here again.]

[From lowest to highest, the realms are: Body Tempering Realm, Physical Body Realm, Qi-Blood Realm, Innate Realm, and Divine Mansion Realm (to be determined later). Each realm is further divided into: Initial Entry, Minor Accomplishment, Great Accomplishment, and Great Perfection. After breaking through to the Qi-Blood Realm, one's lifespan can extend to one hundred and thirty years; those at Qi and Blood Great Perfection can live for two hundred years.]

[Talent grades: first grade is the highest, and ninth grade is the lowest. Ninth-grade talent offers hope of advancing to the Qi and Blood Realm; eighth-grade talent offers hope of reaching Qi and Blood Great Perfection; seventh-grade talent offers hope of reaching the Innate Realm, and so on (to be determined later).]