The Future Martial Ancestor

Phoenix Tower City, Li Family.

Li Feifei had sent word back several days ago: the Tuo Yin Family's first-rate martial art manual would be presented to Zhang Yu, champion of the Azure Eagle Tournament.

In her letter, Li Feifei called Zhang Yu a martial arts prodigy seen once in ten thousand years. He would surely become a Gang Qi Realm martial artist in the future, perhaps even break through into the Upper Three Realms.

The letter's meaning was clear: as long as the Li Family attached themselves to Zhang Yu, not only could they preserve their status as a third-rate martial arts family, but becoming a first-rate martial arts family in the future would no longer be a dream. The opportunity was right before them, and she hoped the family elders would seize it. If possible, they should directly offer the Li Family's Yellow-grade martial art, the Ninefold Ripple Palm.

Li Shouyuan, Li Feifei's father, was the Li Family's patriarch. Ever since receiving his daughter's letter, he had summoned the family elders several times for discussion.

As for the first-rate martial art manual, everyone agreed to make a copy and forge a good relationship with Zhang Yu.

Shi Cangyue's disciple and the champion of the Azure Eagle Tournament was fully worthy of the Li Family's investment. However, the Yellow-grade Ninefold Ripple Palm was the foundation upon which the Li Family stood, and more than half the elders opposed giving it to Zhang Yu.

Li Shouyuan actually agreed in his heart, but as patriarch, he could not act arbitrarily, especially when the matter concerned the family's very foundation.

The Li Family's ancestor had built their three-hundred-year legacy with the Ninefold Ripple Palm, allowing them to gain a foothold in Phoenix Tower City and become a third-rate martial arts family.

Today, he had once again gathered five family elders to discuss whether they should give away the Yellow-grade Ninefold Ripple Palm.

Just as they were discussing it, Li Feifei's voice came from outside.

"Father, Senior Brother Zhang Yu is here! Hurry out and welcome him!"

Hearing his daughter, Li Shouyuan's face darkened a shade. That crazy girl, it's enough for her to curry favor with him. Why drag her father into it? Do I not care about my dignity?

"Father!"

"I'm coming, I'm coming. You come home and start shouting without a shred of manners." Li Shouyuan led several elders out of the council hall.

Li Shouyuan first shot his daughter a glare, then looked toward Zhang Yu standing beside Li Feifei.

Sword-like eyes, starry brows, heroic bearing, and a faint air of pride emanating from him.

Zhang Yu was also sizing up Li Shouyuan.

In his forties, with a face like carved jade and long, refined features—a handsome middle-aged man.

"Young Master Zhang, I have long admired your name. You rose to fame in a single battle at the Azure Eagle Tournament, and your renown has spread across the land. Now that I see you in person, you truly are..." Li Shouyuan said with a smile, offering polite pleasantries.

"Father, Senior Brother Zhang Yu has traveled all day and is tired. Quickly have someone arrange the best room and prepare food," Li Feifei interrupted.

Li Shouyuan glared at his daughter. "You crazy girl."

Still, he quickly arranged Zhang Yu's lodging and assigned two maidservants to attend him.

"There's no need to arrange maidservants. I'll personally serve Senior Brother," Li Feifei said.

Li Shouyuan's face was about to lose all composure. He grabbed his daughter by the arm. "Young Master Zhang, please wash up first. The meal will be ready shortly."

Zhang Yu nodded and followed the two maidservants away.

"Father, what are you doing?" Li Feifei glared at him.

"Come inside with me." Li Shouyuan dragged Li Feifei into the council hall, and several elders followed them in.

"Feifei, tell Father: is this Zhang Yu truly worth the family investing everything in?" Li Shouyuan stared at Li Feifei with a solemn expression.

The elders also looked grave.

The Li Family was swaying in the storm, with little foundation left. One wrong step, and they would be doomed beyond redemption.

"Father, the Li Family has been declining more and more over the years because we fear wolves before us and tigers behind us. We seek stability in everything. We may have remained safe, but we have accomplished nothing."

"Senior Brother Zhang Yu is only sixteen this year. On the surface, his strength appears to be merely at the early stage of Transforming Force, but no one can see through what realm he truly stands in. Father, on the way back, we encountered an assassination attempt by a Grade-A assassin from the Withered Soul Hall."

"What?" Li Shouyuan was greatly shocked.

"The other party stabbed Senior Brother Zhang Yu twice. Senior Brother only suffered a little broken skin, then killed him with a single move."

"Father, elders, you all know the weight carried by a Grade-A assassin of the Withered Soul Hall. The one who came to assassinate Senior Brother Zhang Yu was at least half a step into the True Qi Realm, yet he could not withstand even one move from Senior Brother."

"If you want me to say it, forget a single Yellow-grade martial art manual. Even if we had to stake the entire Li Family on him, it would be worth it."

"If we want to become a first-rate martial arts family, or even surpass one, we must dare to be the first under heaven. We can't pinch pennies while hoping for the greatest benefits. There's no bargain like that in this world." Li Feifei's words rang with force.

Li Shouyuan looked at his daughter and suddenly felt that Li Feifei had grown up. There was a ruthless edge to her now.

Buzz...

Several elders began discussing among themselves.

Li Shouyuan pulled Li Feifei aside and asked in a low voice, "Since you think so highly of him, between the two of you..."

"Father, I'd like to, but I haven't won him over yet. Still, Father, don't worry. In the future, I'll definitely bear his child and bind him completely to our Li Family," Li Feifei said.

"Is there really any need to sacrifice so much? What if we misjudge him, and he isn't as formidable in the future as we imagine..."

"Father, you're far too indecisive. Who can see the future? If you want to win the greatest gains, you must go all out. Even if you crash into the southern wall, you must not turn back. You must stake your very life on it, fighting until death." Light shone in Li Feifei's eyes.

Li Shouyuan looked at his daughter without speaking.

"Father, you'd better reach a decision before the meal. I'll go check on Senior Brother Zhang Yu first." Li Feifei strode out of the council hall.

Li Shouyuan watched his daughter's retreating back. Thinking of her words just now, he reached a decision in his heart.

Listening-Rain Lodge.

The quietest guest courtyard in the Li Residence.

After washing up and changing clothes, Zhang Yu felt refreshed, the fatigue of the journey swept away.

"Senior Brother!" Li Feifei walked in.

She drove the two maidservants out, then personally tied up Zhang Yu's hair.

Zhang Yu had gradually grown accustomed to Li Feifei attending him and no longer felt the discomfort he had at the beginning.

"Senior Brother, I just told my father to let you make a copy of the family's Yellow-grade martial art, the Ninefold Ripple Palm. My father didn't object, so there should be hope." Li Feifei did not dare state it too definitively.

"Mm." Zhang Yu responded indifferently.

"Senior Brother, why do you need so many martial art manuals?" Li Feifei asked in confusion.

Zhang Yu thought for a moment, then said, "In the future, I will spread martial arts throughout the Western Desolate Continent and break the martial arts order that has stood in the Western Desolate Continent for a thousand years. If your Li Family wants to rise, make your decision quickly."

Hearing Zhang Yu's words, Li Feifei's eyes widened. She had considered Zhang Yu's ambitions, but she had never imagined they would be this vast.

To break the martial arts order of the entire Western Desolate Continent that had endured for a thousand years.

This...

If he succeeded, Senior Brother Zhang Yu would become the Martial Ancestor of the entire Western Desolate Continent.

If their Li Family pledged themselves to Senior Brother Zhang Yu now, could they become one of the great families under the Martial Ancestor in the future?

Hiss...

Li Feifei thought of one possible future. As for failure, she automatically cast it aside. At worst, it meant death.

That night in Rat Alley, she had already prepared herself to die.

Thud!

Li Feifei suddenly knelt before Zhang Yu with utmost solemnity.

"I am willing to follow Senior Brother unto death, to serve before horse and behind carriage, and never shrink even from ten thousand deaths. Should I break this oath, may heaven strike me down with thunder."

Li Feifei directly swore a vicious oath, staking her life completely on Zhang Yu. It made Zhang Yu deeply unaccustomed to it.