Hunting Saints?

At night, the moon shone bright and the stars were sparse.

In the Li Lineage's main courtyard.

To celebrate the recovery of Li Yan's legs, the Li Lineage held a banquet.

Li Xiao and the others sat at the tables, which were laden with fine wine and delicious food.

"Xiao, let your eldest uncle offer you a toast. My legs recovered entirely thanks to you."

Li Yan solemnly raised his wine cup toward Li Xiao.

"You're being too formal, Uncle. We're family. There's no need for this."

Li Xiao replied,

"But Uncle, your legs..."

Li Yan's expression grew serious. He hesitated, then slowly spoke.

"Xiao, now that you have the strength of a peak Saint, there are some things you should know."

Everyone sat up straight, their eyes fixed intently on Li Yan.

A thousand years ago, Li Yan had gone out, and when he returned, both his legs had been crippled.

No matter how Li Kuangfeng and the others probed, Li Yan had refused to speak of it. Now, the truth was finally about to be revealed.

Li Yan gazed into the distance and slowly spoke.

"A thousand years ago, I noticed that people had been watching me for some time. To avoid involving the Li Lineage, I went out alone, hoping to lure them out."

"Just as I expected, once I reached a deserted place, several people in black robes with covered faces emerged."

At this point, hatred surfaced in Li Yan's eyes.

"Even the weakest among them was an early Saint. I knew I was no match for them. Dragging my badly wounded body to a cliff, I jumped. While I was in midair, they struck with several palm attacks. I couldn't dodge in time, and both my legs were crippled."

Li Yan clenched his fists, wishing he could kill those black-robed figures.

Hearing Li Yan's words, Li Xiao sank into thought.

His eldest uncle had always treated others kindly. He couldn't have made enemies.

Besides, several Saints had appeared at once. He had never heard of any sect capable of such a grand undertaking.

In the seat of honor, Li Yijian's expression changed, and he spoke gravely.

"Li Yan, now that you mention it, I understand. When I entered the Saint Realm back then, I also noticed someone watching me."

"But after some time, those presences disappeared for some reason. I hadn't thought much of it, but hearing what you've said, I feel this isn't so simple."

Li Kuangfeng's expression changed at those words.

"Ancestor, do you think someone could be specifically hunting Saint Realm experts? Or hunting geniuses?"

At Li Kuangfeng's words, the gathering fell so silent that a falling pin could have been heard.

Li Xiao narrowed his eyes slightly as a wild thought surged into his mind.

No wonder all the Saint Realm experts in this plane had disappeared. Someone was behind it.

Was everyone who broke through to the Saint Realm being watched?

But why was the ancestor unharmed?

And what was their purpose in doing this?

Question after question hammered at Li Xiao's heart.

"Xiao, you must be careful. With your current cultivation, I'm afraid..."

Li Xiao's mother looked at him worriedly.

"Your mother has a point. You should be more careful, or your mother and I will have to level an alt."

Li Chen chimed in sheepishly.

The corners of Li Xiao's lips curled slightly.

"Mother, there's no need to worry. Before absolute strength, every scheme is a paper tiger."

With his current peak Saint strength, if things went as expected, he would probably be targeted very soon.

He wouldn't even have to take the initiative. Those people would deliver themselves right to his door.

At that thought, Li Xiao's expression turned cold.

When the time comes, I'll wipe them all out.

"Xiao, there's one more thing. God-Worshipping Mountain will open in three months."

Li Kuangfeng was the first to break the silence.

Li Xiao paused, then understood.

God-Worshipping Mountain opened once every hundred years, and each major sect and great clan sent one disciple as its representative.

Rumor had it that gods would bestow blessings upon those who reached the summit, and those with the right fate could obtain quite a few opportunities on the mountain.

Li Xiao shook his head. He had the system and had never lacked resources. He had no interest in such things.

"The Li Lineage doesn't lack resources now. Why take part in such a pointless contest? Besides, wouldn't I just be bullying people if I went? If someone has to go, Grandfather, take someone with you. I'm not going."

"You're the head of the Li Lineage now. I won't go. It wouldn't be appropriate."

Something seemed to occur to Li Kuangfeng, and he spoke with a sheepish smile.

"Fine, I'll take Li Dan."

Li Xiao reluctantly agreed.

Being the family head really wasn't easy. It would be best if I could just be a hands-off boss.

After the banquet, Li Xiao sat on the rooftop, gazing into the distance.

"System, who do you think those people are? Why are they doing this?"

"No need to worry, little master. Those clay chickens and pottery dogs can't compare to your little system's power. Your path to invincibility has only just begun."

Li Xiao smiled.

"System, do you have any cultivation techniques suitable for me? Something of a higher grade."

The moment Li Xiao finished speaking-

A passage of obscure, complex text appeared in his mind.

Nine Nether Underworld Fire: compressed spiritual power into a dark red flame. Whatever the flame touched was reduced to ashes. The power of Nine Nether Underworld Fire increased along with the cultivator's cultivation.

"This is good. Another growth-type cultivation technique. I like it."

Li Xiao turned his palm over, and a dark black flame surged wildly like ghost fire, radiating a terrifying presence.

Li Xiao tossed it toward a spot nearby.

The courtyard there instantly turned to ashes.

"You little brat! Was this your doing? That was the house your ancestor just built!"

Wearing a pair of floral shorts, Li Yijian walked out, cursing, but Li Xiao was already nowhere to be seen.