Late at night.
Darkness shrouded the land.
The Clan Martial Pavilion.
Inside a quiet chamber, candles blazed and sandalwood incense curled through the air.
Dressed in black robes, Li Xuanzong sat upright at his desk.
His features were stern, and a murderous severity lay between his brows.
Over a hundred dossiers were stacked on the desk.
The Night Owl Hall had delivered them that afternoon.
Each dossier contained information on a talented Li Family Disciple who had already caught the attention of the family's upper ranks.
Maintaining records on the family's disciples and assessing them was one of the Clan Martial Pavilion's duties.
These assessments would, to a great extent, determine the disciples' prospects and futures.
Li Xuanzong picked up the steaming spiritual tea a servant had just brought him.
He blew on it gently, then took a sip.
After setting down the teacup.
He picked up the topmost dossier and began reviewing it.
After reviewing more than a dozen in succession.
A name caught Li Xuanzong's eye.
Li Qiren.
Li Xuanzong opened Li Qiren's file.
A member of the Li Family's Main Branch, grandson of Li Mao, a chief steward of the Internal Affairs Hall. Sixteen years old, qi and blood great accomplishment.
With that talent and cultivation, he stood out among his peers.
And Li Xuanzong remembered Li Mao.
Back when the previous family head was still in charge.
He had already been a longtime member of the Internal Affairs Hall.
Over the years, as the rising tide of the family's fortunes lifted all boats, Li Mao's standing had risen with it.
From an ordinary disciple of the Internal Affairs Hall, he had become one of its chief stewards, wielding real authority.
He had always worked conscientiously and never made any mistakes, earning considerable regard from Third Elder