Dongyue Reinforcements and the Azure Jade Pact

On the training ground, the echoes of the youths' firm vows had yet to fade when a family steward hurried over and respectfully bowed to Li Xuansheng. "Young Master, the Patriarch requests your presence in the study."

Li Xuansheng knew that his father must have important business to summon him at this time. After nodding to his brothers and sisters, he turned and headed for the patriarch's study.

Inside the study, Li Yuanhui stood by the window with his hands behind his back, gazing at the bleak courtyard outside. Though his brows still carried a trace of gravity, he seemed far calmer than he had been a few days ago. Chen Jianjun sat in a grand chair to one side with his eyes half-closed, seemingly resting. Yet the faintly discernible sharp aura around him shrouded the entire study in an invisible barrier.

"Father, Elder Chen." Li Xuansheng pushed open the door, entered, and respectfully bowed.

Li Yuanhui turned around. His gaze fell upon his son, and he was briefly stunned before unconcealable delight burst from his eyes. "Level fifty! You actually broke through!" He strode forward and carefully sensed the steady, formidable aura around Li Xuansheng. Then he patted his son's shoulder hard. "Good! Excellent! A fourteen-year-old Soul King—throughout the eastern lands, how many can compare to my son? It seems this trial truly allowed you to rise anew after breaking apart!"

After the excitement passed, Li Yuanhui swiftly calmed down. His eyes gleamed as a thought instantly took shape. He looked at Li Xuansheng, his tone decisive. "Xuansheng, your breakthrough came at exactly the right time! Father's original plan needs to change."

He returned to his desk, tapping the tabletop lightly with his fingers as he spoke quickly. "Your mother sent word a few days ago. Your grandfather and uncle were furious when they learned of the attack on you, and they have made it clear that they will fully support the Li Family. Moreover, to give the Qiu Family a clear warning, the Dongyue Clan has deliberately altered its original arrangements."

"The original arrangements?" Li Xuansheng asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Yes." Li Yuanhui explained, "Your cousin Xuejian broke through to level thirty a few days ago. The Dongyue Clan had originally intended only to send a small team to escort her to the Soul-Hunting Forest to obtain her third soul ring. But after learning of the Li Family's situation, your uncle made a prompt decision. He changed this simple soul-hunting expedition into an official visit and exchange between the younger generations of the Dongyue Clan. On one hand, your cousins can come here and grow closer to all of you, deepening the bond between our two families. On the other, it shows the outside world—especially the Qiu Family—that the Dongyue and Li Families stand together through thick and thin, advancing and retreating as one!"

"Now," Li Yuanhui said, his eyes blazing as he looked at Li Xuansheng, "since you have reached level fifty, the plan can be adjusted so that you travel together with the Dongyue Clan's team! You will lead the Li Family disciples who also need soul rings and join forces with the Dongyue Clan to hunt soul rings together. This will not only address your need for soul rings, but also show the outside world—especially the Qiu Family—that our two families are closely united and cannot be provoked! With the Dongyue Clan's banner present, no matter how much the Qiu Family grits its teeth in hatred, they would never dare casually strike at such a joint force!"

With the plan settled, Li Yuanhui acted with swift efficiency. He immediately took out a specially made communication soul tool and contacted the Dongyue Clan Patriarch on the spot. He laid out Li Xuansheng's breakthrough to level fifty and his hope that the two families would act jointly and travel to a soul beast gathering ground to hunt soul rings.

At the other end of the communication, the Dongyue Clan Patriarch was clearly delighted by Li Xuansheng's breakthrough and strongly approved of the proposal. With the two families joining hands and their younger generations training together, not only would their bond deepen, but the deterrent effect would far exceed that of the Dongyue Clan acting alone. The patriarchs of both families promptly made their decision and quickly finalized the details of their cooperation.

After ending the communication, Dongyue Qingcang, the Dongyue Clan Patriarch, immediately gave an order. "Someone, summon the Third Elder to the study."

"Yes." Soon afterward, the sound of footsteps gradually faded away.

A little while later, the Dongyue Clan's Third Elder arrived outside the study and knocked softly on the door.

"Third Elder, come in."

"Patriarch, what instructions do you have for me?" The Third Elder entered and bowed.

Dongyue Qingcang gestured for the Third Elder to sit, then raised his teacup and took a light sip.

"I just contacted the Li Family. The plan has changed. I want you to take those boys to obtain their soul rings, but you will be going together with Xuansheng and the others. Xuansheng has broken through to level fifty, so it works out perfectly for them to obtain soul rings together."

"What? Level fifty? Xuansheng is already level fifty? I remember that boy is only fourteen. How is he already level fifty?"

Upon hearing this, the Third Elder could no longer remain seated.

"Hahaha, I had the same reaction when I first heard it. That boy is quite impressive. Given time, he may even become a god and lead the Li Family into becoming a top-tier power as well. The blood of my Dongyue Clan truly is exceptional."

His words were full of praise.

Once he finished speaking, the Third Elder accepted the order and left to begin preparations.

Two days later, on the third day after the Dongyue Clan's originally scheduled departure, a sizable party led by the Dongyue Clan's Third Elder arrived at the Li Family estate in Heavenly Phoenix City.

Li Yuanhui, Li Xuansheng, Chen Jianjun, and a group of family elders personally welcomed them at the entrance to the estate.

The Dongyue Clan's family customs seemed to lean more toward gentleness. The younger generation mostly looked at Li Xuansheng with curiosity and friendliness, lacking the arrogance often seen among the children of great families.

Li Xuansheng smiled and greeted them one by one. As his gaze swept across the crowd, it soon settled on a little girl whom everyone seemed to be subtly protecting in their midst.

The girl was around eleven or twelve years old. She wore a snow-white dress and had her hair tied into twin buns. Her skin was fairer than snow, her features picturesque, and her large eyes fluttered as she curiously studied Li Xuansheng. A pair of tiny, exquisite Heavenly Heart Ring phantoms floated around her wrists, shimmering with radiant light. She was Dongyue Xuejian, the youngest daughter of the Dongyue Clan Patriarch and Li Xuansheng's cousin.

"Cousin Xuejian." Li Xuansheng took the initiative to greet her with a smile. He had always had a favorable impression of this doll-like little cousin.

Dongyue Xuejian's small face reddened. She was somewhat shy, but she still obediently curtsied and said in a crisp voice, "Hello, Cousin Xuansheng."

The other youths of the Dongyue Clan also gathered around.

"Cousin Xuansheng, I heard you encountered danger a few days ago. Are you all right?" a slightly older youth of around seventeen asked with concern. He was the second son of Li Xuansheng's eldest uncle, Dongyue Ling. His martial soul was also the Heavenly Heart Ring, and his soul power was around level fifty-eight. Among the Dongyue Clan's younger generation, he was already outstanding.

"Thank you for your concern, Cousin Ling. It was a close call, but I escaped unharmed." Li Xuansheng clasped his hands in salute.

"Cousin Xuansheng, you broke through to level fifty? That's incredible!" another youth, who looked clever and mischievous, exclaimed. He was Dongyue Xuejian's biological older brother, Dongyue Yu. However, his martial soul was the mutated Rain Bell, which specialized in control and sonic attacks.

"I was merely fortunate. You flatter me, Cousin Yu," Li Xuansheng replied modestly.

Watching Li Xuansheng quickly get along with the Dongyue Clan's younger generation, speaking and acting appropriately without losing warmth, Li Yuanhui, Dongyue Qingyu, and the Dongyue Clan's Third Elder exchanged smiles. Satisfaction showed in all their eyes. Harmonious relations between the younger generations of the two families were the most solid foundation of their alliance.

The atmosphere between the two families was lively and harmonious. The oppressive feeling brought by the Qiu Family earlier seemed to have been greatly dispelled by this warm familial affection and the arrival of reinforcements.

The guests and hosts entered the hall. After exchanging pleasantries, they got straight to the point.

Li Yuanhui declared, "After discussion, we have decided that the location for this soul hunt will be the outer region of the Azure Jade Forest. We will conduct the hunt there."

At the mention of the Azure Jade Forest, the eyes of the younger disciples present—whether from the Li Family or the Dongyue Clan—lit up. Even Li Xuansheng's heart stirred.

The Azure Jade Forest was one of the continent's four greatest soul beast gathering grounds. Located in the east of the continent, it was vast and boundless, nurturing countless powerful soul beasts and heavenly treasures. Legend had it that the depths of the forest were ruled by the second-ranked beast on the Ferocious Beast Ranking, the Azure Emperor: Ancestral Tree of All Spirits. The forest was brimming with vitality, yet fraught with danger at every turn. Even in its outer regions, the quality and variety of soul beasts far surpassed those of ordinary Soul-Hunting Forests. For soul masters in need of high-quality soul rings, it was a sacred land where opportunity and danger coexisted.

"We chose the Azure Jade Forest because its outer regions contain a great variety of soul beasts, including many quality options suited to your martial souls." Li Yuanhui looked toward Li Xuansheng, Li Xuanbei, and the Dongyue Clan members who needed soul rings. "Elder Tian Ji and Elder Dongyue Qingxuan will lead this expedition. Of course, when you encounter opponents of ordinary strength, you young people will train on your own and work together."

"Good!" Li Yuanhui swept his hand through the air. "Since everything has been decided, everyone should rest well today. At dawn tomorrow, the team will depart for the Azure Jade Forest!"