Breaking Through and Returning Home

The shockwaves caused by the Skywood Village massacre and the fall of the Bone-Eroding Douluo continued to ripple through Heavenly Phoenix City and the surrounding powers over the following days.

Within the Li Family estate, the atmosphere was grim and tense. Under Li Yuanhui's strict orders, every Li Family member away from home, regardless of their mission, was urgently recalled with the highest priority. At the same time, the city's defenses were raised to their highest alert level. Patrols watched every corner with sharp eyes day and night, and an invisible tension filled the air.

As the center of this storm, Li Xuansheng announced his seclusion on the second day after returning home.

Inside the quiet chamber, Li Xuansheng sat cross-legged. His life-or-death battle with Qiu Wanhe, Gu Yi's sacrifice alongside so many clansmen, the impact of memories from his past life, and the system's awakening... all of it had blended together into immense pressure and motivation. Driven by that force, the soul power within him surged and circulated at an unprecedented pace. The barrier at level forty-nine had already begun to crumble beneath repeated assaults.

Gu Yi's resolute back as he stood before him flashed through his mind from time to time, along with scenes of his clansmen fighting in blood until they fell.

"Strength... I need greater strength!"

This thought burned through his will like a blazing flame.

Finally, late at night on the seventh day of his seclusion.

"Boom!"

An invisible roar seemed to resound within the quiet chamber. The surging soul power around Li Xuansheng suddenly contracted, then poured into his body like countless rivers flowing into the sea, becoming denser and more profound. An aura far stronger than before rose from him, while the Divine Phoenix Halberd and the hidden Heavenly Heart Ring within his spiritual world emitted pleased hums at the same time.

Level fifty!

After being tempered by life and death and transformed in spirit, he had finally broken through the bottleneck in one stroke and reached the threshold for obtaining his fifth soul ring!

[ Ding! Host's soul power has risen to level 50. Reward obtained: 100 Summoning Points. ]

[ Ding! Side quest: Breakthrough completed. Reward: 100 Summoning Points issued. ]

[ Current Summoning Points: 400. ]

The system notifications sounded at just the right moment. Li Xuansheng slowly opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing through them before they returned to calm. He felt the surging power within his body, yet he felt no pride. He knew that level fifty, in this perilous situation, was merely a new beginning.

Meanwhile, outside Heavenly Phoenix City, several groups of travel-worn people passed through the heavily guarded gates under the careful protection of family escorts and returned to the Li Family estate one after another.

Among them were the outstanding younger members of the Li Family who had rushed back from their respective academies or training grounds after receiving the urgent notice.

Li Xuanqing, fifteen years old, a level forty-eight assault-type battle Soul Ancestor. He was handsome and sharp-eyed, and though covered in travel dust, his fighting spirit remained high.

Li Xuanmeng, fourteen years old, a level forty-five control-type battle Soul Ancestor. She was delicate and beautiful, with a trace of worry between her brows, though determination outweighed it.

Li Xuanyan, thirteen years old, a level forty-one assault-type battle Soul Ancestor. He had a cold temperament and spoke little, but the faint chill radiating from him revealed his considerable strength.

Li Xuanzhong, fourteen years old, a level forty-one assault-type battle Soul Ancestor. He was steady by nature and efficient in his actions.

Li Xuanbei, sixteen years old, a level fifty control-type battle Soul Ancestor. He held an ancient book in his hand, his gentle bearing carrying an air of mystery.

Li Xuanyao, thirteen years old, a level thirty-six food-type Soul Elder. She was the youngest, and some childishness still lingered on her face, though her eyes were lively.

These were the Li Family's future hopes. In their family's time of crisis, every one of them had chosen to return and live or die alongside the family.

Outside Heavenly Phoenix City, within a hidden stronghold.

"Useless! A bunch of useless fools!"

Qiu Miehun, the Qiu Family's patriarch, listened to his subordinates' report of no progress and smashed the stone table beside him to pieces with one slap.

"One week! A whole week! Other than seeing those Li Family brats scurry back to their nest like frightened rabbits, what else have you found?! Where is the mysterious expert who killed Elder Wanhe? His identity, strength, background—don't you have even the slightest lead?!"

Several intelligence chiefs kneeling below fell silent in terror, cold sweat soaking their backs.

"P-Patriarch, please calm your anger! The Li Family is guarded as tightly as an iron barrel now. Our people simply cannot infiltrate it. That expert has not appeared in public again since that day, as though he has vanished... This subordinate... this subordinate suspects that the Li Family may possess some special formation or soul tool capable of concealing auras..."

"Excuses!" Qiu Miehun was furious. "I want results, not guesses! I'll give you three more days. If you still fail to uncover any useful information, report to the punishment hall and accept your punishment yourselves!"

The next morning, after consolidating his cultivation, Li Xuansheng emerged from the quiet chamber. Warm sunlight fell over him, dispersing some of the gloom that had lingered for days. He strolled toward the training grounds in the family's core district.

Before he even drew close, he could already hear the howling of colliding soul power and the cries of training.

Several young figures were training diligently in the vast training grounds.

Li Xuanqing wielded the Sky Phoenix Halberd. His halberd techniques were fierce, and the scorching wind of his strikes warped the air slightly. Clearly, his soul power had improved again.

Li Xuanmeng swung the Fate Phoenix Staff, and streams of green radiance filled with life energy flickered across the grounds. Sometimes they condensed into vines that bound training dummies; other times, they transformed into halos that healed the minor injuries suffered during sparring. She possessed both control and support abilities.

Li Xuanyan's Ice Phoenix Halberd radiated an entirely opposite chill. Every thrust brought forth biting frost, leaving streaks of white across the ground.

Li Xuanzhong used the Sky Phoenix Halberd with precision and discipline. His foundation was solid, and every strike was heavy and powerful.

Li Xuanbei did not spar with anyone. Instead, he sat cross-legged at the edge of the grounds, with the Book of Nature floating before him. Its pages turned without wind, and the surrounding flowers and grass swayed along with them, releasing strands of natural energy that flowed into his body. His cultivation method was rather unique.

Meanwhile, the youngest, Li Xuanyao, continuously activated her martial soul, the Phoenix Tree, condensing golden fruits known as "Vitality Phoenix Fruits." They gave off an enticing fragrance and ripples of soul power, and she distributed them to her older brothers and sister whose soul power had been greatly depleted after sparring.

When they saw Li Xuansheng arrive, everyone stopped training and gathered around him.

"Brother Xuansheng!"

"Young Master!"

The forms of address differed, but they carried the same concern and closeness.

Li Xuanqing spoke first, his tone holding lingering fear and relief. "We rushed back the moment we received the news. We all heard about what happened in Skywood Village. Thank goodness you're all right!"

Li Xuanmeng carefully examined Li Xuansheng and softly asked, "Brother Xuansheng, your aura seems stronger. Did you break through?"

Li Xuansheng nodded with a smile. "Yes. I just broke through to level fifty."

Everyone was startled by his words, then immediately revealed joyful expressions. Reaching level fifty at fourteen—such talent was considered top-tier throughout the entire East!

Li Xuanyan coolly spat out two words. "Impressive."

Li Xuanzhong patted Li Xuansheng on the shoulder. "That's great! Once you obtain your fifth soul ring, our high-end combat strength will increase again."

Li Xuanbei closed the Book of Nature and smiled gently. "Perfect timing. I've just reached level fifty as well, so we can obtain our soul rings together. Xuansheng, your talent truly is remarkable."

Li Xuanyao immediately ran over carrying two freshly condensed blue Vitality Phoenix Fruits, both brimming with vitality. "Brother Xuansheng, eat these! They just formed, so they're the best for replenishing vitality!"

Looking at these blood-related brothers and sisters with their exceptional talents, feeling their sincere concern and unity, a warm current rose in Li Xuansheng's heart. The family's hardships might be unavoidable, but as long as these people remained, the Li Family's spirit would remain, and so would hope.

"It's wonderful that everyone has returned." Li Xuansheng accepted Li Xuanyao's fruits and took a bite. Sweet juice and gentle soul power flowed through his limbs and bones. "The Qiu Family still wants to destroy us. The days ahead probably won't be peaceful. We must seize every moment to improve ourselves."

His gaze swept over everyone, his eyes firm. "Together through storm and rain—the Li Family will not fall!"

The boys and girls looked at one another and saw the same determination in each other's eyes.

"Together through storm and rain!"

Their young yet resolute voices echoed above the training grounds, as though foretelling the unyielding will this family would unleash in the face of despair.

(End of Chapter Three)