Divine Blessing?

A secluded, towering pavilion.

Terrifying presences emanated from within it.

This was the headquarters of the Upper Realm's foremost assassin organization, the Shadow Killing Pavilion.

The Shadow Killing Pavilion did nothing but take money to take lives, quoting its fee according to the person to be killed.

The higher the cultivation realm, the higher the fee.

No one targeted by the Shadow Killing Pavilion could escape. Even if they were lucky enough to evade it once, they would face endless pursuit afterward, until they were dead.

At that moment, inside the pavilion.

"Lineage Head Xiao, according to our intelligence, that Li Xiao is at least in the Saint Realm. I'm afraid what you're offering isn't enough."

A man exuding a chilling, murderous presence spoke.

Hearing this, Xiao Dushui froze for a moment, disbelief crossing his face.

"No wonder. No wonder."

He had already sent people to investigate what had happened at God-Worshipping Mountain. Many people had been present, and Li Xiao had made no particular effort to conceal it.

He simply hadn't expected Li Xiao's cultivation to have actually reached the Saint Realm. How old was he?

"So he was the one who wiped out the Pan Lineage?"

Xiao Dushui continued asking.

"We can't rule out that possibility. The Li Lineage also has Li Yijian."

Xiao Dushui struggled inwardly for a long time, then hardened his heart.

His son couldn't have died for nothing. He couldn't swallow this indignity. No price was too great to avenge his son.

"I agree. I'll pay ten times the fee, but your Shadow Killing Pavilion must capture him alive. And that Li Dan, too. I want to kill them myself."

The killing intent in Xiao Dushui's eyes was impossible to hide. Clearly, his hatred for Li Xiao and Li Dan had reached its extreme.

Li Xiao, the instigator of it all, had no idea that someone had already set their sights on him. At that moment, he was gazing intently at God-Worshipping Mountain.

"Brother Dan, the summit is just ahead."

Bai Xiaolin spoke excitedly.

At that moment, Bai Xiaolin showed none of the airs of the White Tiger Sect's young sect master, eagerly trotting along behind Li Dan.

From that Nine-Pattern Origin-Returning Pill Li Dan had tossed out earlier, he had understood why these people wanted to follow Li Dan.

It also reminded him of what his grandmother had said earlier.

The Li Lineage was no simple lineage-or rather, Li Xiao was no simple man.

But that was fine. If you couldn't beat them, join them.

In less than an incense stick's time, they reached the summit.

Li Dan swept his gaze around. Quite a few people had already gathered at the summit, though far fewer than when they had first entered.

Many lineage disciples had picked up quite a few fortuitous opportunities along the way and withdrawn early.

Even more were lineage disciples who had died at others' hands while fighting over them.

He, however, had enjoyed a smooth journey, encountering no obstructions.

Suddenly, a faceless statue not far away emitted a burst of golden light.

The next moment, a translucent golden phantom appeared before everyone. It wore the same clothes as the statue, and its face was likewise indistinct.

Upon seeing this phantom, everyone knelt and bowed.

Li Dan narrowed his eyes, standing ramrod straight and looking especially conspicuous among the crowd.

At the foot of the mountain, Li Xiao chuckled.

"Very good. We of the Li Lineage kneel only to our parents. That spirit is quite admirable."

On the mountain, the phantom showed no displeasure at Li Dan's deeply disrespectful behavior.

With a sweep of his hand, five rays of golden light shot out and sank into five people present.

Aside from Li Dan and Bai Xiaolin, the other three rays sank into a young woman and two young men respectively.

"Bai Xiaolin, who are those people?"

Li Dan looked at the other three and asked.

Bai Xiaolin glanced in their direction and explained.

"Those three are the holy sons and holy maiden of the Azure Dragon Sect, Black Tortoise Sect, and Vermilion Bird Sect."

Hearing this, Li Dan nodded, then teased him.

"So all your Four Symbols Sects are here."

"Ah, not at all, not at all. Didn't you get one of these five divine blessings yourself? The Li Lineage is about to rise."

"What use is this divine blessing? It doesn't seem particularly special."

Li Dan frowned as he spoke.

"Rumor has it that people who receive a divine blessing cultivate much faster than ordinary people. After many years, they can all enter the Saint Realm, and may even reach the legendary Saint Realm."

Bai Xiaolin explained, seemingly remembering something.

"My grandmother said Li Yan of your Li Lineage was one of the geniuses who received a blessing back then. What a pity..."

Li Dan nodded.

As a member of the Li Lineage, he knew at least something of Li Yan's deeds.

Many years ago, Li Yan had been the only lineage disciple capable of contending with the other geniuses.

The position of Li Lineage head was originally supposed to pass to Li Yan. Who could have known that such a calamity would happen later?

At that thought, Li Dan said nothing more. He nodded to the members of the Four Symbols Sects and headed down the mountain.

At the foot of the mountain, Li Xiao had taken in everything that happened on God-Worshipping Mountain.

"System, what were those rays of light?"

"Little master, those rays of light were marks. After entering the body, they won't cause any discomfort. They merely leave a marker."

Li Xiao smiled coldly.

"Just as I thought."

Inside the Shadow Killing Pavilion.

At that moment, several masked assassins dressed in black and emanating terrifying presences sped toward Li Xiao.