Tending Wounds and Rallying the People, Dark Undercurrents Rise Again

The fishy-sweet night wind swept through the Li Family estate in Heavenly Phoenix City, carrying away the smoke of battle but unable to dispel the tragedy and killing intent lingering in the air. The thunder of combat had ceased, replaced by stifled sobs, urgent commands, and hurried footsteps.

As the defeated remnants of the Qiu Family fled into the distance, no one in the Li Family relaxed in the slightest. Under Li Yuanhui's orderly command, the enormous machine that was the family began operating at full efficiency. Every family member above Soul Ancestor rank who could still move threw themselves into the tense post-battle efforts.

Groups of guards endured their wounds as they patrolled every corner outside the estate with sharp eyes, remaining alert for possible spies or a second attack. More people, led by elders and stewards, cleared the devastated battlefield. Cracked walls, scorched earth, and deep craters all spoke of the savagery of the battle that had just taken place. Most importantly, they had to deal with the bodies of both comrades and enemies.

The bodies of Li Family members were carefully collected, covered in clean white cloth, and neatly arranged in the square before the ancestral hall. Dedicated personnel washed and prepared them for the solemn memorial rites to come. Every fallen warrior's name was meticulously recorded. Their families would receive the family's most generous compensation and everlasting respect. Meanwhile, the Titled Douluo corpses left behind by the Qiu Family were sealed away separately. They were not merely spoils of war—their flesh and soul bones might hold value and could even serve as bargaining chips in future negotiations.

Although Li Yunming, Li Yuanhui, Chen Jianjun, and the other top fighters had not suffered fatal injuries, their Soul Power and mental strength had been greatly depleted after consecutive fierce battles against opponents of equal or greater strength. After taking restorative pills preserved by the family and meditating briefly where they stood, they forced themselves to remain alert and began handling the countless matters left in the aftermath.

The family council hall was brightly lit.

Although some decorations in the hall had shattered during the earlier tremors, the central area remained solemn. All elders at the Titled Douluo level, along with several core stewards at the Soul Douluo level, had gathered there. Everyone looked exhausted, yet their eyes shone with unusual brightness.

Li Yuanhui sat in the seat of honor. Though his face was somewhat pale, his back remained straight. He swept his gaze around the room, his voice steady with a faint, almost imperceptible rasp. "Everyone, the preliminary count is complete. In this battle, forty-three members of our family died heroically. Among them were one Soul Sage, three Soul Emperors, nine Soul Kings, while the rest were Soul Ancestors and Soul Elders. More than a hundred were wounded, mostly due to Soul Power shockwaves or collapsing buildings. Fortunately, none are in mortal danger."

He paused, his tone turning grave yet powerful. "Their sacrifice secured the survival of our Li Family and won us this glorious victory over a powerful enemy! In this battle, we killed or wounded ten Titled Douluo of the Qiu Family! Four were slain, four severely injured, and the rest fled with wounds! This is the Li Family's greatest victory against the Qiu Family in decades!"

A wave of suppressed gasps rose in the council hall. Though many had taken part in the battle themselves, hearing the exact results still made their blood surge.

"The First Elder deserves the greatest credit!" a Soul Douluo steward said excitedly, looking reverently toward Li Yunming, who sat below Li Yuanhui.

Li Yunming slowly shook his head, his expression calm and unruffled. "It was not my achievement alone. Without Elder Jianjun holding off two mighty foes and restraining powerful enemies; without Elder Tian Wu sweeping through the enemy with her sword and severely wounding their leaders; without Elders She Long, Longbow, Tian Cheng, and Tian Ji fighting bloody battles with all their strength; without Elder Nangong delivering the decisive blow at the crucial moment; without Patriarch Yuan Hui's skillful command and personal example; without every member of our family risking their lives without fear of sacrifice... even if I possessed heaven-reaching abilities, I alone could not have turned the tide."

His gaze passed over everyone present before finally settling on Nangong Yi, who sat at the very end of the table, still clad in dark golden armor. "We must especially thank Elder Nangong. Had you not remained hidden in the shadows, waited for the right moment, and slain Qiu Tianxie in one strike to break the deadlock, the outcome of this battle would still have been uncertain."

Everyone's gaze focused on Nangong Yi. This newly pledged elder had displayed astonishing strength and battlefield instinct tonight.

Nangong Yi rose to his feet and gave a slight bow to Li Yunming and Li Yuanhui, his voice ringing with conviction. "First Elder, Patriarch, you praise me too highly. Since Yi has joined the family, the Li Bloodline flows within me as well. At a time when the family's survival is at stake, I should naturally give everything I have and never shrink from death! It was simply my duty. I dare not claim credit."

A sincere smile appeared on Li Yuanhui's face. "Elder Nangong is too modest. The family will remember your contribution. From this day onward, you shall officially enter Heaven Hall as a core elder of the Li Family and receive the highest offerings! Once the situation stabilizes, we will hold a formal ceremony welcoming you into the family."

"Thank you, Patriarch!" Nangong Yi saluted once more before taking his seat steadily. At last, he had truly integrated into the core of the Li Family's power.

"There are several matters that must be handled immediately." Li Yuanhui's smile faded as he spoke solemnly. "First, give the fallen family members grand burials and compensate their families according to the highest standards. Second, reward all who participated in the battle according to their merits with Gold Soul Coins and cultivation resources. The wounded shall receive double. Third, fully open the family treasury and prioritize healing pills and medicines that restore Soul Power. Ensure that every injured person recovers as quickly as possible. Fourth, raise the city's defenses to the highest level, double the patrols, expand the alert perimeter by thirty li, and guard strictly against a Qiu Family counterattack or covert surveillance."

Order after order was issued clearly. Everyone accepted their assignments and departed to carry them out.

At the same time, the Qiu Family's ancestral grounds hundreds of li away presented an entirely different scene.

Oppressive grief, indignation, and unbelievable humiliation shrouded the family's core territory. The Titled Douluo who had escaped back were all wounded and dispirited. In particular, First Elder Qiu Qianchi, who had lost an arm and had his martial soul destroyed, looked pale as gold paper. He immediately entered seclusion, and whether he could return to his peak was now unknown.

Inside the family council hall, the atmosphere was so heavy it seemed capable of dripping water. The current patriarch, Qiu Wanhe, wore a livid expression as he listened to the elders below report the casualties, his fists clenched until they cracked.

"Ten went... four died, four were severely wounded, and two suffered light injuries... Good. What a Li Family! What a Li Yunming!" He practically forced the words through clenched teeth. The vicious aura radiating from him seemed to lower the temperature in the hall by several degrees. "Cancel the general assault planned for the seventh day! Recall everyone outside. The family is entering wartime control!"

"Patriarch! Are we simply letting this go? This hatred is irreconcilable!" an irascible elder roared, his eyes red.

"Let it go?" Qiu Wanhe suddenly slammed his palm against the armrest of his chair. The hard black ironwood armrest instantly crumbled into powder. "How could we possibly let it go! This is the greatest humiliation the Qiu Family has suffered since its founding! But tell me, how do we fight now? The First Elder is severely wounded. Elder Qiansha must remain at the ancestral grounds in case of unforeseen events. Nearly half of our top fighters have been lost. How are we supposed to attack a Li Family that has Li Yunming and is at the height of its momentum?"

He drew a deep breath and forcibly suppressed his fury, a venomous light gleaming in his eyes. "Pass down my order! Open the family's secret treasury and take out every treasured healing medicine, including all those spare Blood Jade Lingzhi and Nine-Heart Snow Lotus. No matter the cost, ensure that the severely wounded elders regain their fighting strength in the shortest possible time! At the same time, requisition supplies and soul masters from all affiliated forces. Activate every war Soul Tool and formation disk stored in the family treasury!"

He looked around at the crowd, his voice icy. "This time, it will no longer be a minor skirmish or a decapitation raid. We will gather absolute power and crush Heavenly Phoenix City and the Li Family beneath us like Mount Tai, erasing them completely from this continent! Let them know the price of angering a family of gods!"

Heavenly Phoenix City, Li Family.

Night fell once more, but unlike the tense, murderous atmosphere of the previous night, the Li Family estate now carried a trace of warmth and renewed spirit after surviving the disaster.

The family held a small-scale victory banquet. There was no extravagant display, but plenty of meat and wine had been prepared. Every family member who had fought, regardless of rank, was allowed to attend. Bonfires were lit in the square, and the scent of roasted meat mingled with wine, dispersing much of the gloom that had hung over them in recent days.

Li Yuanhui and several core elders personally toasted those who had rendered meritorious service, their words of encouragement never ceasing. Seeing the renewed vitality on the faces of their clansmen and the hope burning in their eyes, the higher-ups felt somewhat relieved.

After the victory banquet, Li Xuansheng accompanied his father, Li Yuanhui, through a slightly deserted corridor.

"Father, your injuries..." Li Xuansheng asked with concern.

"It is nothing. A few days of meditation will be enough." Li Yuanhui waved his hand. Looking at the family members still busy reinforcing the defensive works in the distance, he spoke deeply. "Xuansheng, though we won this battle, it was a costly victory. The Qiu Family will never let this rest. Next time may be the true battle for the extermination of our family."

Li Xuansheng's gaze was resolute. "I know. But after this battle, the family's morale can be put to use, and the elders have coordinated better with one another. We still have time. We still have the system..." He lowered his voice for the last few words.

Li Yuanhui nodded and patted his son on the shoulder. "Yes. Seize every opportunity to increase your strength. The storm has only just begun."

The father and son said nothing more. They looked up at the pitch-black night sky, as if they could sense the even more violent undercurrents gathering from afar. After the brief celebration came harsher challenges and waiting.

Chapter 23 Complete