Green Maple Valley.
At the summit of the rear mountain.
The daylight was perfect, and a sea of clouds surged.
In the distance, the tip of the Nine-Layered Spirit Gathering Tower disappeared into the clouds, leaving only a corner of its upswept eaves visible.
Wind blew up from the depths of the valley.
It carried the fresh scent of grass and trees.
Li Xinge, the King of Chu, stood atop the mountain in a white robe threaded with gold, his hands behind his back, his gaze lowered toward the Li Family grounds below, which resembled an earthly paradise.
First Elder Li Xuantong stood half a step behind him, keeping him quiet company.
Neither spoke for a long time.
Only the wind at the summit could be heard, snapping their robes.
As Li Xuantong gazed at the Li Family grounds at the foot of the mountain, a sudden sense of unreality washed over him.
A little over twenty years ago, the Li Family had been nothing more than an insignificant little clan.
Yet now...
Ten thousand miles of mountains and rivers lay within the Li Family's grasp.
"First Elder."
Li Xinge suddenly spoke.
Li Xuantong came back to himself.
"Patriarch."
Li Xinge did not turn around.
His gaze remained on the foot of the mountain.
"Is our fallback ready?"
Li Xuantong's expression grew solemn.
Their fallback.
He knew what that meant.
Of course, very few in the Li Family knew about it.
Only the Li Family's core elders were aware.
That fallback...
Was the Heavenly Martial Continent in the Lower Realm.
The Northern-Southern War was imminent.
Although Li Xinge believed victory was certain...
At his position...
He had to look a hundred steps ahead for every step he took.
Even if there was only the slightest chance of defeat...
He still