Chapter 36: Reactions of the Great Families
“What’s going on?”
Old Hei wielded his Dark Iron Battle Axe, focusing intently and standing on guard. A powerful surge of primal energy enveloped him as he swung the several-hundred-pound axe down with fierce force.
Bang!
A tremendous counterforce knocked the Dark Iron Battle Axe flying. Old Hei’s arms naturally fell; both had been shattered by the impact.
“Second Miss, Uncle Chen, run now!” Old Hei shouted loudly, attempting to blow his whistle, but his broken arms rendered him helpless.
Upon hearing this, Li Chenxi and Uncle Chen hurried out. They looked up at the night sky, where a formidable wave of primal energy manifested as a rapidly descending cloud wall, suffocating in its oppressive presence.
Li Chenxi called out loudly, “Who are you to dare cause havoc in the Li family?”
A weathered voice echoed from above: “Second Miss Li, please calm yourself. We are servants of the Tang family, dispatched to protect the Li family with no ill intent. Please, do not overreact. Second Miss Li, please step aside to allow us to set up a protective barrier.”
Li Chenxi and Uncle Chen supported Old Hei and quickly moved aside. Lightning crackled across the Li family estate’s sky, illuminating it like daylight. A dragon surged overhead, casting radiant halos that descended to form a massive luminous dome, securely enveloping the Li family residence.
Several figures then descended, bowing respectfully. “Second Miss Li, we have been sent to protect the Li family. Henceforth, the Tang and Li families shall forge a bond as strong as Qin and Jin, with the son-in-law and daughter growing old together.”
Li Chenxi was momentarily stunned. “This… this…”
“Second Miss, we take our leave!” With that, the figures melted into the night.
“Xuan’er, what exactly happened?” Li Chenxi’s heart cried out; surely Li Xuan had agreed to some terms with the Tang family.
“Miss, please don’t be anxious. Let’s wait until the young master returns and ask him directly. For now, we should treat Old Hei’s injuries,” Uncle Chen said.
Li Chenxi nodded and turned to Old Hei. “Old Hei, are you alright?”
Enduring the pain, Old Hei blamed himself. “Second Miss, Old Hei is incompetent. I failed in my duty to protect the estate.”
Li Chenxi did not blame him but instructed Uncle Chen to tend to his wounds.
“Hmph, that bastard Tang Mingchen is in such a hurry to act!” Kong Linghui, seeing the luminous barrier in the night, seethed with anger. “Sheng’er, what’s your take?”
Kong Sheng’s pupils contracted sharply. “Sima Zhao’s intentions are clear to all. The Tang family’s rush signals a grand scheme. They must be appeasing Li Xuan to focus on becoming a crucible! It’s clearly a transaction, and behind this deal lies a significant plot.”
Kong Linghui’s deep eyes fixed on the light screen. “Sheng’er, at this point, will you finally tell me the truth?”
Kong Sheng hesitated, wanting to speak but holding back.
“Sheng’er, you are the one I rely on most, yet Li Xuan is an outsider. From what I gather, the one who faced the tribulation was Li Xuan. You went out with him—what did you encounter? Speak!”
Kong Linghui’s face was grave. “And who is that fire spirit formed from the flaming phoenix?”
Knowing he could no longer hide the truth, Kong Sheng confessed everything.
Kong Linghui slammed his palm on the table, shouting, “Sheng’er, you’ve lost your mind! It seems Li Xuan is the one who slew the Golden Feather Eagle King. That terrifying sword energy—he must have the primal pattern formation. Otherwise, how could he slay a King-class beast like the Golden Feather Eagle? Its primal crystal can grant even an old creature a second life…”
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Kong Sheng immediately knelt on one knee. “Sheng’er begs for punishment!”
---
Kong Linghui exhaled deeply. “Rise. Well, this might be for the best. At least someone acted before us. According to your account, the assassin leader must be Xiao Ning, ranked fiftieth on the Night Emperor’s List, meaning that young man has many enemies. Someone bribed the assassins to kill him!”
Kong Linghui analyzed thoroughly: “This also shows the young man’s skills border on the supernatural, even forcing peak Xuan Realm experts to retreat. We must be cautious dealing with Li Xuan. Now that the Tang family has taken the initiative, we can only lie in wait like a mantis stalking a cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. If the Tang family can use a beauty trap, why can’t the Kong family?”
Sweat beaded densely on Kong Sheng’s forehead.
“Sheng’er, inform Kong Lingying to find a way to contact Li Xuan and tell her to obtain the clue to the Golden Feather Eagle King’s primal crystal at all costs! Also, the marriage between you and Yueyue must be arranged soon. Begin preparations at tomorrow’s Elders’ Assembly.”
Kong Sheng intended to protest, but Kong Linghui waved him off sternly: “This matter is non-negotiable!”
At this moment, Wang Youming stared at the luminous dome above the Li family, confused. “Damn it, that old fox Tang Mingchen is up to something. To be tangled with a fallen family like the Lis… could it be…”
“Men, quickly spy on the Li family’s movements!”
Wang Youming seemed to have had a sudden realization, agitated like ants on a hot pan. “Go fetch that good-for-nothing Wang Teng!”
Wang Teng’s insistence on marrying Li Chenxi was not voluntary—it was an order from Wang Youming. Though the Li family had declined, they still survived thanks to a certain artifact.
Ten years ago, the Li family heads had fled, leaving their children behind to seek the key to unlock the artifact. Their fate remains unknown.
Wang Youming’s bloodline was drying up, and he faced imminent decline. He obsessively searched ancestral records for clues and even allied with the Tang and Kong families to hunt the Golden Feather Eagle.
Cunning by nature, Wang Youming coveted the Golden Feather Eagle’s power and targeted Li Chenxi, forcing Wang Teng to marry her.
“Elder Worshipper, what do you need with me?” Wang Teng trembled as he entered Wang Youming’s study, fearing a misstep would invite disaster.
Wang Youming, unusually in good spirits, said, “Sit. Have you seen Li Chenxi? When will your wedding be?”
Wang Teng’s heart leapt. “Uncle, Teng plans to wed in six months. I also want to…”
Wang Youming waved his withered hand, “Very well. How’s the progress with the Tianlan Doukou? This must be done quickly. That girl insists on it as her dowry. Hurry and retrieve it—don’t delay!”
Wang Teng knelt on one knee. “Understood!”
Wang Youming said slowly, “Go now. After marrying Li Chenxi, behave yourself. Keep her happy, or…”
A fierce gleam flashed in Wang Youming’s eyes. “If I find you disobedient, I’ll cripple you so you’ll never be a man again! Go!”
Wang Teng shuddered, knowing the Elder Worshipper’s words were law. He dared not linger and quickly left.
“Hmph, the Tang family may have the upper hand, but I have backup. Who wins the battle is uncertain. That artifact will likely fall to the Li family’s descendants. Catch one, and you catch them all!”
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At this moment, within the Forbidden Palace of the Shengyue Imperial Court:
“Action has begun!” Gong Jinglin’s beautiful eyes narrowed slightly as she murmured.
“Lin’er!” A stern voice echoed from inside the palace. Gong Jinglin hurried in. “Father, are you well?”
The old emperor, Gong Shanyan, reclined in the gilded dragon throne, eyes half-closed. His pale hand caressed an ancient scroll, on which was emblazoned the character “Li” as if written in blood, faintly glowing.
“Lin’er, have the old ones finally lost their patience and begun to act?”
Gong Shanyan was spirited, contrary to rumors of his imminent death.
“Yes, Father, you were right. The Tang family has taken the initiative…”
Gong Jinglin spoke without concealment. The relations between the great families and the Imperial Court were delicate and could erupt into war at any moment.
“Lin’er, do you truly believe Li Xuan is of the Source Master lineage? Or is it because his primal energy can heal Mo’er’s Soul Devouring Curse?”
Gong Shanyan never fully trusted that Li Xuan belonged to the Source Master line or that he could heal Mo’er, but the facts before him left no choice but belief.
Gong Jinglin nodded slightly. “Indeed. That mysterious primal stone was opened by Li Xuan through the Three Talents Primal Formation. He bore the killing aura alone and survived. For this, I have given him the Li family’s financial support. The Soul Devouring Curse within Mo’er was forced back to its origin. That black lotus, no larger than a palm, is proof.”
Gong Shanyan nodded. “Lin’er, it’s not that I don’t believe you, but Li Xuan’s methods are beyond imagination. If it’s as you say, then opening the ancient scroll must fall to him as well.”
Gong Jinglin nodded demurely, analyzing, “Correct. Out of respect for the four great families, we cannot…”
At this moment, Gong Shanyan sat upright. His sharp eyes deepened. “Lin’er, are you fond of Li Xuan?”
His gaze was earnest. For the dynasty to continue, sacrifices must be made.
Gong Jinglin immediately knelt, cheeks flushed, but her tone resolute: “I shall obey your arrangement, Father.”
Gong Shanyan nodded. “Lin’er, come here.”
Gong Jinglin obediently approached. The old emperor grasped her delicate wrist, and a majestic imperial aura surged forth. A golden dragon burst from the inner palace, swirling sovereign energy above the Li family estate. Then a commanding voice thundered:
“By imperial decree: The eldest princess Lin’er, now of marriageable age, shall wed Li Xuan, the Qilin son of the Li family. On the wedding day, Gong Jinglin shall ascend the throne as empress! So be it!”
Golden dragon energy surged into the Tang family’s barrier, and palace elite immediately took up residence at the Li estate.
Roar!
“Get lost!” A shadow suddenly appeared in the night sky, slapping down a massive palm.
Suddenly, a towering man charged forward, dragon energy billowing as he confronted the giant hand.
Boom!
Primal energy scattered, the roaring wind shook the Li family’s dome fiercely.
“My royal daughter must marry as she wishes!”
The elder, clad in sacred robes, radiated imperial dragon energy and stood firm against the shadowy figure.
“I strike first; no one else may touch her!”
Though he declared this, the shadow quickly retreated—not yet time for open conflict.
The elder coughed, then quietly departed in the form of dragon energy.
The imperial edict spread far and wide, across rivers and mountains. The Shengyue Imperial Court was about to welcome its first empress—a truly unprecedented and unparalleled event.
Yet, Li Xuan became the subject of legend and whispers.