Rebuilding and Dark Schemes

As the clamor of the night banquet gradually faded, the Li Family estate returned to the tranquility of late night, with only the rhythmic footsteps of patrols echoing through the courtyards. Yet Li Xuansheng lay awake in bed, tossing and turning without the slightest hint of sleep.

The scene of Qiu Qianchen and Xie Miaojiang retreating replayed endlessly in his mind. Their "clean and decisive" departure grew increasingly suspicious, standing in stark contrast to the usual conduct of the two deities. More importantly, the dormant system in his mind had yet to issue a notification that the mission was complete. It was like a sword hanging overhead, clearly telling him—the crisis had not been resolved.

"No, I can't just wait like this." Li Xuansheng abruptly sat up, his gaze turning resolute. He had to tell someone with the authority to act about his concerns. The most suitable person was naturally his master and ancestor, Li Yunming, who had just become a god and trusted him completely.

He quietly rose and went to the meditation chamber where Li Yunming was recuperating in seclusion. Before he could knock, a clear voice came from within. "Is that Xuansheng? Come in."

Li Xuansheng pushed the door open and entered. Li Yunming was not deeply meditating, but stood by the window, gazing into the heavy night outside as though he too were contemplating something. His aura was even more condensed than before, clearly showing that he was rapidly stabilizing his God Rank cultivation.

"Master." Li Xuansheng respectfully bowed.

Li Yunming turned around with a gentle smile. "Why are you still awake so late? Is something troubling you?" He greatly valued this disciple and blood descendant of his, especially his composure and intelligence, which far surpassed those of his peers.

Li Xuansheng did not beat around the bush. "Master, I feel uneasy. I keep thinking that Qiu Qianchen and Xie Miaojiang's retreat was far too suspicious."

"Oh?" Li Yunming gestured for him to continue, his eyes focused.

"The Qiu Family suffered grievous losses. With Qiu Qianchen's vengeful nature, how could he truly retreat willingly just because Seniors Luo and Lin said a few words? And Xie Miaojiang is treacherous and cunning. Without absolute confidence or a greater scheme, he would never have appeared so easily—so how could he leave so easily?" Li Xuansheng analyzed the matter methodically. "Their apology and promises seemed sincere, but they felt more like an act meant to secure a temporary escape. I suspect they have not truly given up. They are waiting for an opportunity, or... planning an even deadlier attack."

He did not mention the system. That was his secret alone. Yet this analysis alone was enough to warrant attention.

After listening, Li Yunming fell silent for a moment. Approval and gravity flashed through his eyes. He gently patted Li Xuansheng's shoulder. "Your concerns happen to align with what Fellow Daoist Dongyue, Yuan Hui, and I discussed in private."

Li Xuansheng was slightly taken aback. "Master, you also..."

Li Yunming nodded. "With Senior Luo and Senior Lin present, there were some things we could not discuss openly. But Qiu Qianchen and Xie Miaojiang are certainly not the sort to let matters rest, and we know that well. I just did not expect you to see through it so clearly." He paused before continuing, "Your reminder is important. I will speak with the seniors again and strengthen our defenses. We absolutely cannot let a momentary victory make us lower our guard. In particular, we must watch for them bypassing us from the front and launching a sneak attack or sabotage."

Hearing that Li Yunming had already been on guard and was willing to accept his advice, the heavy stone hanging over Li Xuansheng's heart finally dropped halfway. "Yes, Master. Then this disciple will take his leave."

"Go. Get some proper rest. The family's future will depend on your younger generation." Li Yunming looked at him with eyes full of expectation.

After leaving the meditation chamber, Li Xuansheng let out a long breath. At least the higher-ups were prepared now. They would not be caught completely off guard.

The next morning, beneath the reverent and grateful gazes of countless Heavenly Phoenix City residents, Luo Wuya, ancestor of the Astral Sect, and Lin Jingshen, ancestor of the Thunderstorm Sword Sect, transformed into two dazzling streaks of divine light and departed directly from Heavenly Phoenix City, vanishing beyond the horizon. Their departure seemed to carry away the last trace of gloom weighing on everyone's hearts, and the entire city fully entered its postwar recovery phase.

For a time, Heavenly Phoenix City and its surroundings became exceptionally lively. Craftsmen shouted as they began repairing damaged walls and houses, while nearly every member of the Li Family, regardless of cultivation level, joined the effort.

Li Xuansheng, Li Xuanchang, Li Xuanbei, and the other young disciples also changed into fitted outfits suited for labor and joined the rebuilding crews. They might not have been able to shoulder massive beams weighing thousands of pounds like their elders, but they handled transporting bricks and stones, clearing rubble, and assisting craftsmen in an orderly manner.

"Brother Xuanzhong, send over some more green granite!" Li Xuanchang shouted, wiping sweat from his brow.

"Coming!" Li Xuanzhong answered. Together with Li Xuanbei, he carried several heavy stone blocks over.

One of the elders from the Yuan generation, a Soul Emperor-level expert, was using his immense strength to steadily place a gigantic timber that would have required several people to wrap their arms around, drawing cheers from everyone nearby.

Li Xuanmeng and the other girls were responsible for distributing water and food, carefully tending to the exhausted family members.

Watching the bustling scene before him and feeling the atmosphere of unity within the family, warmth surged through Li Xuansheng's heart. This was his family—tempered by hardship, yet growing ever more resilient.

However, this busy peace was destined to be only a brief calm before the storm.

Meanwhile, in a secluded valley thousands of miles from Heavenly Phoenix City.

Qiu Qianchen, Xie Miaojiang, and an elderly man in a blue brocade robe were gathered together. The old man had a lean face, and his eyes carried traces of greed and arrogance. He was Du Yunhe, the Supreme Elder of the Southern Sea Whale Gang, a level 103 Divine Official.

"Brother Du, we have troubled you with this journey. The payment we promised will certainly not be withheld," Qiu Qianchen said in a low voice, though a trace of pain flashed in the depths of his eyes.

Xie Miaojiang's hoarse voice emerged from the poisonous mist as well. "Heh heh, old Du, Dongyue Xian's Heavenly Heart Ring and that brat Li Yunming's newly formed divine spear are both rare treasures. Once this is done, they will both be yours. We only want the Dongyue Family's and Li Family's territory and accumulated resources."

Du Yunhe rolled a spirit pearl radiating watery vapor between his fingers and chuckled. "Old Poison Xie, Old Qiu, if it were not for our past friendship and those two divine artifacts, this old man would not have bothered making the trip. But then again, the two of you really have grown more useless with age. You need to bring me in just to deal with a family that has barely established itself?"

Qiu Qianchen's expression darkened slightly. "Brother Du, you do not know the full situation. Although Li Yunming has only recently entered the God Realm, his combat strength is astonishing. His Heaven-Piercing Spear Intent is incomparably tyrannical. I could defeat him alone, but not without paying a considerable price. And with that old fool Dongyue Xian added to the mix, our plan will not succeed unless Brother Du restrains him."

Xie Miaojiang added, "Furthermore, those two old immortals, Luo Wuya and Lin Jingshen, have only just left. This is when the others are most relaxed. We need only wait another two days for Luo Wuya and Lin Jingshen to return to their sects, then strike with thunderous force! Brother Du, you will restrain Dongyue Xian. Brother Qiu will kill Li Yunming with all his strength, while this old man blankets Heavenly Phoenix City in a poison formation and destroys their foundation! We will end it swiftly. By the time Luo Wuya and Lin Jingshen react, we will already have succeeded. Would they truly fight the three of us to the death over two forces that have already been exterminated?"

A gleam flashed through Du Yunhe's eyes, and he nodded. "Not a bad plan. Good! We shall proceed accordingly! In two days, the Li Family and Dongyue Family will meet their end! I would like to see just what is so extraordinary about those two divine artifacts!" His words brimmed with determination to claim them.

Within the valley, the conspiracy of the three deities was quietly finalized. A denser killing intent, like an invisible dark cloud, slowly pressed toward Heavenly Phoenix City, which had only just begun to recover its vitality.

Within Heavenly Phoenix City, Li Xuansheng, drenched in sweat as he rebuilt his home, seemed to sense something. He raised his head and looked toward the distant horizon, his brows knitting slightly once more. That feeling of unease seemed to have grown... stronger.