However, Li Han was by no means a simple character. He reined in his smile and scrutinized the Senior Elder before bursting into laughter, saying, "Well then! Since the Senior Elder has spoken thus, if Yi'er fails to show some capability in three months, it indeed won't do. But I hope the Senior Elder won't forget what was said today when that time comes!"
Sarcasm appeared on the faces of several elders. A moment later, the Senior Elder waved his hand, saying, "If Li Yi really has some ability, then us old ghosts would be willing to support him as the family head. But if he lacks such qualifications, then when the time comes…"
Here, the Senior Elder glanced meaningfully at Li Yi and coughed, "At that time, I think, Master Han, you should consider other options. Our Li family has a thousand-year heritage, and there are no shortages of talents within the clan. I implore you not to ruin the Li family's legacy just for the sake of a worthless son!"
With a "crack", the jade cup in Li Han's hand turned to dust.
The atmosphere in the hall instantly tensed, and the eyes of the four elders on the dais simultaneously fell on Li Han, curious to see what he would say next.
"Senior Elder, are you suggesting that I, Li Han, favor my private interests over public duties, and am unfit to manage the Li family?" Li Han's voice carried a hint of veiled threat.
Perceiving the thinly veiled threat in Li Han's words, the Senior Elder coughed slightly and shifted his gaze, "Whether what I said is right or wrong, everyone here in the hall can judge. You should know, the Li family does not belong to just you and your son… If you, Li Han, are unfit to be the family head, then you should step aside…"
Li Han frowned and scanned the hall. Most people quickly lowered their heads when they met his gaze, while a small number showed respect. Even so, Li Han was slightly surprised, realizing that in just a few years of loosening his grip, these four old ghosts had managed to cultivate their own influence.
His gaze then fell on Li Yi, observing his seemingly amused expression, which unexpectedly raised a sense of astonishment in his heart.
Is his own good-for-nothing son really as rumored? In an instant, Li Han made a decision. He looked at Li Yi and suddenly smiled, "Yi'er, the four elders are doubting your qualifications as the heir. I can't say much about this, but what do you have to say? Feel free to speak to the elders."
Li Yi, initially prepared to sit back and watch, was caught off guard by these words. Seeing the expression on Li Han's face, he internally cursed him for being a sly fox. Despite Li Han's seemingly impulsive nature, he cleverly deflected the focus from the issue of inheritance. Under these circumstances, the elders likely couldn't press too hard.
Yet, setting aside everything else, this seemed like an opportunity for Li Yi. The previous Li Yi was too incompetent. If he continued in that manner, many things would likely remain unachievable. It might be better to use this chance to change the image of that wasteful and privileged heir.
With this thought, Li Yi smiled and said, "Father, didn't the elders just mention it? There will be a family conference in three months... How things will turn out then is unknown to any of us. Instead of discussing this issue now and harming our harmony, why not wait and see in three months?"
This statement stunned everyone in the hall. The Li family members were well aware of Li Yi's nature; infamous for his bullying and womanizing, he was indeed the worst in the Li family. But to speak these words was a stark contrast to the previous Li Yi.
Sensing the astonishment of others, Li Yi smiled slightly and finally said something that dispelled all doubts, "After all, if I can't become the head of the Li family, I wonder how many in Wanchao City would come to settle accounts with me?" He then respectfully bowed to Li Han and said, "Therefore, Father, I request you to teach me the art of Qi cultivation."
The hall erupted in astonishment at his request to cultivate Qi. Previously, Li Han had tried many ways to get him to cultivate, but to no avail. He eventually gave up, but who would have thought...
The elders, too, were taken aback. They had expected Li Yi to voluntarily give up his position as heir under pressure, but this was unforeseen.
Li Han was the first to recover, laughing heartily, "Good! Since Yi'er is willing, I'll teach you our family's cultivation method! As for the Mo family matter, Elder Three, please convey that I will give them a satisfactory explanation in three months!"
The elders exchanged glances, finally nodding helplessly. The rules of the Li family were strict, and although the elders held some power, they couldn't say much with the head of the family speaking.
Li Han stood up, clapped his hands, and said lightly, "Well, that concludes the family meeting. Yi'er, come with me." He then turned and walked towards the back hall.
Li Yi followed with a smile, bowing to the elders before catching up quickly.
The elders were left in shock, and after a while, one whispered, "Who would have thought that the slap from that Mo family girl didn't kill him but woke him up instead. What now?"
Elder Three smiled faintly, "Don't worry, Elder Two. Him being alive is even better. The Mo family isn't easy to deal with. Let Li Han handle this big trouble. We need to watch Li Yi... If he really becomes a fighter, our long-term plans..."
Their expressions changed slightly, but the eldest elder suddenly opened his eyes and laughed, "Are you all senile? A fighter? Even if Li Han gives him the most profound family technique, it's delusional to think he can become a fighter in three months. Even the most talented individuals couldn't achieve this, let alone a wastrel drained by wine and women."
With that, all four elders laughed together. Yes, on the Dou Shen Continent, although there were many geniuses, which one of them hadn't been trained from a young age? How could someone like Li Yi achieve anything significant?
In the Li family courtyard, within a secluded small building, Li Han stood with his hands behind his back, gazing out of the window, lost in thought. After a moment, he pointed to a chair and said, "Sit."
Li Yi, frowning, took a seat. He wondered what was on his adoptive father's mind. From the moment he entered, Li Han had barely spoken. After a lengthy silence, Li Han finally sighed slightly and said, "Yi'er, do you truly wish to cultivate Qi? If you want to back out now, I can still arrange for you to manage the family's external businesses. But if you're set on cultivating Qi, the path ahead might not be so easy."
Li Yi pondered for a moment before responding with words that best suited his current role, "Father, I've come to a realization. I've wasted so much time in the past, failing the responsibilities you entrusted to me. From today onward, I will double my efforts. Besides, if I had strength, would those from the Mo family dare to collude with those old immortals to pressure you? They would probably be eager to marry their daughter off to me!"
Hearing Li Yi's initial words, Li Han remained somewhat doubtful. However, the latter part of Li Yi's statement elicited a burst of laughter from him, "Good! Very good! Worthy of being my son, Li Han, to see through those old immortals' intentions. It seems they are in for a surprise this time."
Staring at Li Yi, Li Han said emphatically, "Listen well, Yi'er. You're just starting to cultivate Qi, so becoming a fighter in three months is an incredibly difficult task. With all the techniques collected by our Li family over generations, I can't think of any that could achieve this. So..." Pausing, Li Han's ring flashed, revealing a white bone piece in his palm, which he solemnly handed to Li Yi. "Before your mother passed away, she instructed that if you ever decided to cultivate Qi, our Li family's inferior techniques would only waste your potential. Therefore, she had prepared a set of techniques tailored for you. I'm not sure what this technique is, but given your mother's strength, which even surpassed mine, it must be extraordinary. Since you're determined to cultivate Qi, start today. Go to the secluded back mountain and focus on your cultivation. If you can't become a fighter in three months, don't bother coming back."
"Snap—"
Li Yi gently tapped the white bone piece, feeling intrigued for the first time since arriving in this world... Qi, what kind of existence would it be?