"The plan remains unchanged."
Zhang Yu's voice was resolute:
"The three Progenitor, according to the original plan, will continue to carry out the task of opening up the passage between the Soul Refining Sect, and must clear away the obstacles as quickly as possible."
As for me, I will lead the reorganized soldiers to immediately set out and conquer the former territory of the Sacred Dragon Divine Dynasty.
He had his own plans.
Although Xiang Yu was extremely domineering, he also had his own principles and pride.
After all, he and I have some past ties. As long as I don't provoke him or touch his fundamental interests, he might not turn against me immediately.
Moreover, Xiang Yu has just killed Zhou Xuanqing and is currently enjoying unparalleled success, but he will inevitably become the target of everyone's criticism and needs time to digest his victory and deal with pressure from all sides.
"Soul Refining Sect?"
Li Yuansheng was taken aback.
He had been busy gathering the surrendered soldiers and hadn't heard Zhang Yu's earlier revelation; now, hearing this, he looked puzzled.
Zhang Yu glanced at him, then remembered that Li Yuansheng was unaware of the situation. He then briefly explained that he was actually the mastermind behind the Soul Refining Sect and had already taken control of five sects, including the Crimson Flame Sect.
Li Yuansheng was stunned and utterly shocked.
It turned out that Zhang Yu's background and strength were far more profound and terrifying than they had imagined.
His gaze toward Zhang Yu held a mixture of awe and an indescribable complexity.
After processing this astonishing information, Li Yuansheng composed himself, but a deeper worry appeared on his face.
He hesitated for a moment, then cupped his hands and said:
"Li... Zhang Yu, never mind, that's not a proper way to address him."
"Why don't you formally succeed as the head of my Li Family? That would be more legitimate and easier to govern all sides."
Upon hearing this, Li Tian and the other two exchanged a glance and slowly nodded.
Li Tian began to speak:
"Yuan Sheng's words make sense; if the name is not correct, the words will not be proper."
Zhang Yu, you carry the Li Family Bloodline, and now you are the greatest reliance and hope of our Li Family. The position of head of the family belongs to you alone.
Only in this way can the hearts and minds of the entire Li Family be truly united, and internal and external forces be integrated to lay the foundation for a great future.
They also have their own considerations.
The Soul Refining Sect was Zhang Yu's "old kin," so he was naturally close to it.
By placing Zhang Yu in the position of head of the Li Family, the core position of the Li Family in Zhang Yu's future power structure is clearly defined.
Only when the Divine Dynasty is established in the future will the Li Family be able to occupy the most advantageous position and obtain the greatest benefits.
After a moment's thought, Zhang Yu understood the crux of the matter.
Now that things are about to get serious, a formal authority is indeed needed to unify forces and reduce internal friction.
The position of head of the Li Family allows him to mobilize the Li Family's resources more smoothly and makes it easier to completely bind the Li Family to his cause.
"Good."
Zhang Yu stopped refusing and nodded decisively.
"In that case, I shall become the head of this household."
Greetings, Lord!
Li Tian, Li Di, Li Ren, and Li Yuansheng immediately bowed in unison, their demeanor and forms of address already quite different.
After the ceremony, Li Yuansheng straightened up, his worried expression still lingering, and spoke again:
"My lord, I still believe that sending troops to Shenglong at this time and clashing with Xiang Yu's forces is too risky."
Xiang Yu's strength was unfathomable, and the War Souls under his command were exceptionally fierce.
Our newly reorganized army would probably be no match for them.
Should we... reconsider?
At least, once the three Progenitor have opened up the passage, the rear will be more secure, or perhaps we should first try to make contact with Xiang Yu...
Zhang Yu shook his head slightly, interrupting him:
"Yuansheng, I understand your concerns."
But the opportunity is fleeting. By the time the rear is fully secured, the Holy Dragon's former territory will likely have already been divided up by Xiang Yu or other forces.
He paused, looking at the surprised and uncertain expressions on Li Yuansheng, Li Tian, and the other two's faces, and slowly uttered words that once again shook the four of them:
"As for the friction with Xiang Yu... there's no need to worry about it."
I have some past connection with Xiang Yu.
As long as my Li Family doesn't provoke us or touch his core interests, his War Souls will still give us some face.
"What?"
"Old flame?"
"My lord... you actually have a past relationship with Xiang Yu?"
Li Yuansheng, Li Tian, Li Di, and Li Ren almost simultaneously gasped in shock, their eyes wide with disbelief and horror.
They had considered that Zhang Yu might be hiding his strength or have a complicated background, but they never expected that he would have a past connection with Xiang Yu, the Xiang Yu -Hegemon-King of Western Chu, who had killed Xiang Yu, the unparalleled ruler of Western Chu, with Half-step Supreme spear thrust!
This is simply a fantasy!
Before Zhang Yu merged with the Li Family Sword Formation, he displayed considerable strength, but it was only at the peak of the Heavenly Immortal Peak level. Perhaps with his Divine Ability Formation, he could contend with ordinary Half-step Supreme beings.
But who was Xiang Yu?
That was a peerless, ferocious god capable of slaying Zhou Xuanqing, who carried the National Destiny's most precious treasure, with a single spear thrust.
The difference in their strength was like heaven and earth; they simply couldn't connect these two seemingly worlds apart, let alone have any "past feelings"!
Li Yuansheng's throat was a little dry, and he asked cautiously, his voice trembling:
"Master... is this... truth?"
You really had a relationship with Xiang Yu...?
This news was too shocking; he had to confirm it.
If that's the case, then the situation facing the Li Family, no, Zhang Yu's faction, will undergo a dramatic change.
At least, when dealing with Xiang Yu, their most terrifying potential enemy, they had room to maneuver and might even receive unexpected assistance.
Would I lie to you?
Zhang Yu's expression was resolute, and his tone left no room for doubt:
"Everything is proceeding according to plan."
He paused for a moment, then added, as if it were just a casual remark:
"By the way, all the supplies and collections currently in the Li Family's treasury, as well as all income and spoils from future channels, should be sent to me for 'inspection' before being stored and sealed, and then disposed of accordingly."
Zhang Yu naturally wouldn't forget his system tasks.
Currently, his cultivation Cultivation only at the peak of the Early Heavenly Immortal. Although he has the terrifying Trump Card of the Exterminating Immortal Sword Formation, it is ultimately an external artifact and consumes a huge amount of resources.
Understanding one's own strength is fundamental; one must seize every opportunity to quickly exchange Cultivation and improve strength through system tasks.
Upon hearing this, Li Tian and the other two showed a hint of doubt on their faces.
Li Yuansheng went even further and spoke directly:
"My lord, these trivial matters of depositing and counting money and grain into the treasury have always been handled by designated people. Why do you need to personally oversee them?"
Your subordinates will arrange for a reliable person..."
"Do as instructed."
Zhang Yu interrupted him, his tone calm yet unequivocal, offering no further explanation.
The existence of the system and the "embezzlement" mission are naturally things that cannot be explained to outsiders.
Li Tian and the other two exchanged glances, their doubts growing even stronger.
They couldn't understand why the new head of the household was suddenly so concerned with such "mundane matters" as storing money and grain in the treasury.
Seeing his resolute attitude, they had no choice but to suppress their questions and bow in unison. "Yes, Your subordinates obey."
The four then took their leave, each busy with arranging to clear the passage, prepare the troops for battle, and... deliver the supplies to Zhang Yu for "supervision."
Once he was alone in the cave, Zhang Yu's confident and calm demeanor gradually faded, and his brows furrowed slightly.
The strength Xiang Yu displayed far exceeded his previous expectations.
He originally thought that it would take Xiang Yu a long time to recover his strength after escaping, but he did not expect him to be so fast, already able to kill Zhou Xuanqing, who was blessed by the National Destiny, with a single spear thrust.
"System,"
Zhang Yu silently recited in his heart:
Just how powerful was Xiang Yu in High Antiquity times?
"How long has it been since he escaped his predicament, and he's already able to kill Half-step Supreme?"
The system's cold voice, unusually, carried a hint of something indescribable, as if recalling some ancient scene:
Don't underestimate that brute.
"During the High Antiquity Three Realms period, the Confucianism secretly instigated a conflict between the Human Race and the Heavenly Court."
Xiang Yu, with his fiery temper and overconfident in his martial prowess, was provoked by words and actually dared to charge alone onto the South Heavenly Gate of Heavenly Court!
Zhang Yu's pupils contracted slightly.
Charge to the South Heavenly Gate?
That was the face of the Heavenly Court, the symbol of the High Antiquity Heavenly Court's dominance over the Three Realms!
The system continued, "At that time, the one guarding the South Heavenly Gate was none other than the True Lord Qingyuan Miaodao, Manifestation True Lord Erlang — Yang Jian."
"Yang Jian?"
Zhang Yu's heart skipped a beat.
This is the renowned God of War, Physical Body has achieved sainthood, Eighty-Nine Mysteries have reached their peak, and whose Three-Pointed Double-Edged Blade has slain countless Demons and saints. He is one of the Heavenly Court's top Combat Power.
"That's right,"
The system voice is low and deep.
"Xiang Yu fought Yang Jian for three whole days and three nights right outside the South Heavenly Gate!"
The battle shook the South Heavenly Gate archway, and none of the heavenly soldiers and generals guarding the gate dared to approach; even the stars in the heavens seemed to shift in place.
Although he was eventually forced back by the Heavenly Court reinforcements who arrived after hearing the news, Yang Jian was still unable to defeat him.
That battle cemented Xiang Yu's fearsome reputation as having "the strength to uproot mountains and the spirit to cover the world."
If it weren't for what happened later... hmph.
"He fought Erlang Shen Yang Jian for three days and three nights..."
Zhang Yu gasped, feeling a chill rise up his spine.
Who was Yang Jian?
That was a being who had truly Physical Body sainthood and was nearly indestructible, protected by the Eighty-Nine Mysteries, possessing overwhelming Combat Power.
How could Xiang Yu withstand him for three days without being defeated?