Undercurrents Surge, Hidden Dragons Lurk

On the fifth day, before dawn had broken, a faint, almost imperceptible sword intent silently swept out of the heavily guarded Heavenly Phoenix City toward Azure Stone Town. It was Li Tianwu, sent to receive them. With the cultivation of a level ninety-eight Super Douluo, his movements were naturally concealed beyond measure. Not until evening did Li Tianwu quietly return, accompanied by Ye Qi and his parents. The plain couple looked uneasy as they stepped into the imposing Li Family residence for the first time, their rough hands tightly clutching the corners of their clothes. Ye Qi stood before his parents. Though nervous as well, his eyes remained clear as he tried to stay composed.

Upon receiving the news, Li Yuanhui personally came to the front hall, greeting them with a gentle smile.

"You must be Brother Ye and Sister-in-law Ye. You've had a hard journey." Li Yuanhui spoke warmly, without the slightest airs of a family head. "I'm Li Yuanhui, Xuansheng's father."

Father Ye hurriedly tried to bow, but Li Yuanhui caught him at once. "You mustn't, Brother Ye. We're family. There's no need to stand on ceremony."

Mother Ye stammered, "City Lord, we... we come from a humble family. It's already an enormous blessing that Qi'er has earned the Li Family's favor. We're just afraid... afraid of causing trouble for your household."

Li Yuanhui smiled. "You're being too formal, Sister-in-law. Ye Qi possesses extraordinary talent and will surely achieve great things in the future. His joining our Li Family is our good fortune. We've already arranged a residence for you, a small courtyard in the eastern part of the inner city. It's quiet and safe. Someone will deliver your daily necessities, so just settle in without worry."

He looked toward Father Ye and continued, "Elder Tianwu told me that you're skilled in carpentry, Brother Ye?"

Father Ye quickly nodded. "Yes, yes. It's a craft passed down through my family. Just enough to make a living."

"Perfect." Li Yuanhui clapped his hands. "One of the family's workshops happens to need an experienced master like you to guide the apprentices. The work won't be demanding, and your wages will be paid according to a master craftsman's rate. What do you think?"

Father Ye's lips trembled with excitement. "Th-this... how could I possibly accept..."

"It's only right." Li Yuanhui waved a hand, then turned to Mother Ye. "Sister-in-law, just stay home and look after the household. If you get bored, you can also help tend the flowers and plants in the rear garden. There are plenty of older sisters there to chat with."

After arranging matters for Ye Qi's parents, Li Yuanhui turned his gaze to Ye Qi, his expression becoming even gentler. "Ye Qi, this will be your home from now on. Xuanchang and Xuanmeng are in the rear courtyard. I'll have someone take you there. You're close in age, so get along well. If you have any questions about cultivation, come ask me whenever you like. You can also ask Brother Xuansheng or any of the elders."

Ye Qi nodded hard, his eyes brimming with gratitude. "Thank... thank you, Uncle Li! I'll definitely work hard!"

Before long, a maid led Ye Qi's parents to their assigned courtyard, while Ye Qi was taken to the rear courtyard to meet Li Xuanchang, Li Xuanmeng, and the other younger members.

After seeing off Ye Qi's family, the warmth on Li Yuanhui's face faded somewhat. He turned to Li Xuansheng beside him. "This child has a pure heart, and his talent is even more astonishing. Nurture him well. In the future, he may become your right-hand man."

Li Xuansheng nodded. "Don't worry, Father. I understand."

The maid led Ye Qi to a spacious courtyard in the rear of the Li residence, specially used by the younger members for exchanges and sparring. At that moment, Li Xuanchang, Li Xuanmeng, Li Xuanyan, Li Xuanbei, and Li Xuanyao were in the courtyard, either exchanging moves, discussing their insights, or... like Li Xuanyao, trying to use a "Vitality Phoenix Fruit" produced by her Phoenix Tree Martial Soul to "bribe" Li Xuanyan into practicing with her. Naturally, she was rebuffed.

When they saw the maid arrive with an unfamiliar and somewhat reserved young boy, all of them turned to look.

The most lively among them, Li Xuanchang, was the first to leap over. Wearing a dazzling smile, he curiously sized Ye Qi up. "Hey, you're Ye Qi, right? I'm Li Xuanchang. Brother Xuansheng is my real older brother! I heard you're already level thirty-one even though you're only ten? My heavens, that's incredible!" His tone was exaggerated, but the admiration in his eyes was sincere. He did not look down on Ye Qi in the slightest because of his background.

Ye Qi was a little embarrassed by his enthusiasm. His face reddened slightly as he said softly, "Hello, Brother Xuanchang... I-I was just a little lucky."

"That can't be explained by luck alone." The gentle-tempered Li Xuanmeng stepped forward and said softly, "I'm Li Xuanmeng. Welcome to the Li Family. Don't be nervous. We'll be companions from now on." Seeing Ye Qi's restraint, she softened her voice even more. "You obtained your third soul ring in the Azure Jade Forest, didn't you? I heard it was quite dangerous. Can you tell us about it?"

Li Xuanmeng's gentleness effectively eased Ye Qi's nerves. He nodded, just about to speak, when a figure bounced in front of him like a little rabbit and nearly crashed into him.

"Wow! Are you really only ten? You look so tiny! I'm Li Xuanyao, the youngest in the family!" Li Xuanyao tilted her head up, her round eyes full of curiosity and mischief. "What's your Martial Soul? Hurry up and summon it so we can see!" As she spoke, she stuffed a newly condensed, golden Vitality Phoenix Fruit into Ye Qi's hand. "Eat this. It's delicious, and it can restore Soul Power!"

Ye Qi was left at a loss by the sudden enthusiasm. Holding the fruit in his hands, he looked at the quirky Li Xuanyao and stammered, "Th-thank you, Sister Xuanyao. My Martial Soul is... the Five-Element Elf." With a thought, the blurry phantom of a tiny elf appeared on his shoulder, radiating a soft five-colored glow as it curiously surveyed its surroundings.

"The Five-Element Elf?!" Even Li Xuanyan, who had been standing aside with his arms crossed and a cold expression, could not help raising an eyebrow. Surprise flashed through his eyes. "A very rare top-tier Martial Soul." His concise assessment counted as an expression of approval.

The steady Li Xuanbei also walked over. He first gave Li Xuanyao, who was still trying to crowd closer to Ye Qi, a light pat to signal her not to make such a fuss. Then he smiled amicably at Ye Qi. "I'm Li Xuanbei. We've met before. Talent is important, but temperament and diligence matter just as much. Reaching this level at ten years old must have taken no small amount of effort. If you have any problems in cultivation later on, we can discuss them together."

Li Xuanchang threw an arm around Ye Qi's shoulders and said with a grin, "Exactly! Don't be fooled by Xuanyan's poker face all day—he knows a lot! Brother Xuanbei's Book of Nature has the keenest energy perception! Sister Xuanmeng is unmatched in healing and control! And little Xuanyao... well, she's in charge of snacks and livening up the atmosphere!" He deliberately drew out his words, making Li Xuanyao pout unhappily and wave her little fists in protest.

"Brother Xuanchang!" Li Xuanyao shouted indignantly, drawing laughter from everyone.

Amid the relaxed and friendly laughter, Ye Qi's initial anxiety and unease gradually faded. Looking at these "older brothers and sisters," each with a different personality yet all sincerely kind, he felt a long-lost warmth and acceptance among peers. He nodded hard, and the first truly relaxed, shy smile he had shown since arriving at the Li Family appeared on his face. "Mm! From now on... please guide me, brothers and sisters!"

The setting sun cast its lingering glow across the courtyard, stretching the youths' shadows long as laughter and cheerful voices filled the air. A new friendship and bond of fighting side by side was quietly beginning to take root.

Meanwhile, Heavenly Phoenix City's war preparations had reached a fever pitch. The city walls were reinforced, Soul Tools stood in dense rows, patrols moved without pause, and the entire city was like a taut bowstring.

Inside a quiet chamber, Li Xuansheng communicated with the system through his thoughts.

"System, use 150 Summoning Points to summon someone!"

[ Ding! 150 Summoning Points consumed. Summoning successful! ]

[ Congratulations, Host! You have successfully summoned the level ninety-four Titled Douluo—Nangong Yi! ]

"System, add the Li Bloodline to Nangong Yi and rationalize his identity! Set it as follows: his mother was my grandfather's biological younger sister. She married an independent cultivator in her early years, but both parents died early, leaving him to grow up alone. Now that his cultivation has succeeded, he sensed the crisis facing his mother's family and came specifically to help!"

[ Ding! 50 Summoning Points consumed. Identity rationalization complete! Bloodline successfully added! ]

[ Current remaining Summoning Points: 25. ]

As the summoning fluctuations subsided, a broad-shouldered, powerfully built man appeared in the quiet chamber. He wore simple fitted clothes, his face resolute and his eyes sharp as an eagle's. His aura was heavy and condensed, carrying the iron-blooded air of one long tempered by battle. He was Nangong Yi, the eighth War God of the War God Hall, a Titled Douluo known as Resisting Dragon!

Looking at Li Xuansheng, a slightly complicated yet gentle smile appeared on Nangong Yi's resolute face. "You must be Xuansheng. By seniority, you should call me Uncle Cousin. My name is Nangong Yi, and my mother's surname was Li. I heard the family was in trouble, so I came back."

Li Xuansheng understood at once. This arrangement made their relationship feel far more natural and close. He immediately cupped his hands in salute, observing the etiquette of a younger generation member. "Xuansheng greets Uncle Cousin Nangong Yi! The entire family is deeply grateful that you returned at such a crucial time!"

Nangong Yi stepped forward and patted Li Xuansheng's shoulder, his strength steady. "We're family. No need for formalities. Half the blood in my body belongs to the Li Family. When it comes to the family's survival, I, Nangong Yi, will not shrink from my duty! I sensed some of what's happening outside and already understand the situation. Tell me directly what you need me to do."

His attitude was crisp and decisive, carrying the forthrightness and sense of responsibility of a soldier.

Li Xuansheng did not beat around the bush. He explained the situation facing the family and his plan to keep Nangong Yi hidden as a surprise force.

Nangong Yi nodded without hesitation, a sharp light flashing in his eyes. "Good! Then I'll be an invisible man. At the critical moment, this Haotian Axe of mine will definitely give the Qiu Family a surprise!"

The Li Family kept Nangong Yi's return under the highest level of secrecy. Only a handful of people, including Li Yuanhui and Li Yunming, knew of it. He was quietly settled away, like a sharp blade hidden within its sheath.

That very night, as Nangong Yi quietly took up residence, the system's prompt sounded in Li Xuansheng's mind with a murderous chill.

[ Ding! Detected that the Host and its affiliated force are about to face an all-out war of life and death. Ultimate Campaign Mission triggered—Family Survival! ]

[ Mission Requirements: No specific requirements. Settlement will be based on the final outcome of the war. ]

[ Mission Rewards: No fixed rewards. Determined by campaign results. Basic evaluation criteria: the more enemy forces killed and the fewer core members lost on your side, the higher the final evaluation and the greater the rewards. Rewards include, but are not limited to, massive amounts of Summoning Points, high-level summon cards, God Rank items, Martial Soul Evolution opportunities, and more... There is no upper limit to the rewards! ]

[ Message: Survive, or be destroyed. Use the enemy's blood and bones to pave the family's path to the heavens! ]

Li Xuansheng clenched his fists, battle intent and determination intertwining in his eyes. The final trial was about to begin.

(End of Chapter Seventeen)