The quietest ones in the distance were the "Kuang" generation and Li Changsheng.
They were truly arrogant at the Azure Cloud Martial Pavilion, arrogant even towards the younger generation under fifty. But now...
"Amitabha."
Hearing their elders talking about the past, recounting their transgressions against Buddhist precepts, Li Kuangshi and Li Kuangcai began chanting scriptures loudly.
They had been cultivating both the demonic and Buddhist paths in the Thunderfire Cave for so long, and only now did they learn about some of their elders' past deeds. Buddha would certainly not forgive them, and even demon cultivators... probably wouldn't accept them either.
The other four also sat up straight, listening attentively.
They listened to their elders whispering amongst themselves.
"We're not leaving this time after we return," one said.
"Won't that be boring? But there's no other way. It's all Wu Clan territory now. We can occasionally go out and play with the Wu Clan."
"What do you mean, boring? Don't we still have the younger generation? Remember how the older generation tormented us? It's time to get our revenge on the youngsters!"
"Hehehe."
"..."
Cold sweat trickled down their foreheads as memories of those years spent adventuring with their elders flooded their minds. These elders truly risked their lives for fun... and very few of them were normal.
Then, everyone's gaze fell upon Li Changsheng, who was holding an infant with disabilities.
At this moment, the child was still innocent and ignorant of the world.
"Kuangren, what are you doing?" Feng Mi looked at Li Kuangren, who had abruptly stood up, with a puzzled expression. At this time, the two were not yet married.
Li Kuangren gave Feng Mi a reassuring smile.
Then, with a determined expression, he announced, "Elders, I have something important to say."
"Hmm?"
Everyone looked towards the children of the fifth generation.
Li Kuangren pointed at Li Changsheng and declared, "I think this boy has been in the Jun Prince's Mansion for too long. He's become a spoiled noble brat, his temperament is undisciplined, and he's incapable of being educated."
"Ah?"
Li Changsheng looked at his father with a dumbfounded expression. Just the day before yesterday, his father had praised him for his excellent aptitude and good nature, calling him a first-rate boy.
Under everyone's gaze, Li Kuanghua also stood up, her expression serious. "Yes, I heard he's been bullying men and women in the city. We have a responsibility to properly discipline him."
"I..." Li Changsheng's eyes grew wider and wider.
He had never done such a thing!
"Agreed!"
Li Kuangtu sat up straight and raised his hand.
Li Kuangming, who had rushed back from the Gu family with his people after today's battle, also said in a deep voice, "We've already discussed it. We really can't do anything with him, so we have no choice but to hand him over to you elders."
"???"
Li Changsheng looked at this uncle in disbelief. He had met Li Kuangming for the first time today.
Then, looking at the elders who seemed to be eyeing him like prey, and then at his parents who sat down with a sigh of relief, Li Changsheng's face turned into a mask of despair.
At this moment, he understood.
'Spoiled noble brat' was their lie. He guessed that his parents didn't want to be taken away for cultivation by the older generation like they had been for the past twenty years, so they threw him out as a shield.
"Ahem, I'm going to the bathroom."
Li Changsheng couldn't stand the gazes of the elders any longer. He stood up, handed the baby in his arms to his mother, and figured explanations were useless now; the elders seemed quite interested in this situation.
Farewell, my family. Today, I, Li Changsheng, will embark on a long journey...
"Where are you going?"
Suddenly, the entire dining hall fell silent. Li Changsheng, who was about to run away from home, froze. A hand rested on his shoulder.
He slowly turned his head and caught sight of the hand on his shoulder, which was emitting black mist.
Looking back at the elders, he saw that everyone was momentarily stunned, then their eyes widened in disbelief, until finally, they were overcome with uncontainable joy and fervor.
"Ancestor!"
"Your descendant greets you, Ancestor!"
"Ancestor has appeared again! You have descended from the Upper Realm once more!"
...
[Ancestor Time]
[Countdown...]
Back in the game world again!
Li Wei looked at the eyes of his clan members. He had been watching them talk and laugh; this was the scene he had dreamed of for many years!
The descendants of the Li family were all gathered together.
He could have a meal with his clan members, watch them laugh and chat happily, and see them with his own eyes.
For this, he was willing to spend a lot of "incense value," just like someone who works hard all year round and is willing to spend their hard-earned savings to go home for the New Year.
No matter how far the journey or how much it costs, they want to see the changes in their family with their own eyes, return to a true safe haven, and feel the warmth of family and the lack of deception that they don't have in the outside world.
Li Wei felt it; he was even a little teary-eyed.
Li Dalong and his wife, Li Yaozu, Li Yaotie, Li Yaoqing, Li Yaowen... they were all so real. They were looking at him with excitement, just like the excitement he felt in his heart.
And the silly Seven Ironclad, along with the Yun brothers, Yunlin and Yunbing, who have weathered the storms of time.
The fourth-generation kids, who were like a bunch of madcaps, and only survived to this day because of his careful protection, always loved to stir up trouble.
And these six fifth-generation children who have worked so hard to grow up.
And Li Changsheng, this little fool who had a tough time being acknowledged by the family, yet seems wise beyond his years.
He gently released Li Tianyi and Li Tianming, and seeing their speechless excitement, he pulled them back to their seats.
Then he walked over to Li Dalong's table and found a seat.
He had just sat down when these children, whom he had watched grow up little by little, suddenly stood up.
Li Wei widened his eyes and said with a chuckle, "Why are you all standing? Sit down! You've all been out in the world for so long, and now that we're finally together, don't bother with all this formality and hierarchy with your old ancestor."
"Come on, let's eat, drink, and chat."
"Your old ancestor is happy today."
Hearing this, While the elders remained motionless, Li Changsheng's eyes lit up, as if he had seen a lifeline. He ran over and hugged Li Wei's leg, crying, "Ancestor! You must have seen it, right? My father and the others are wrongly accusing me! Please, elder, you have to stand up for me!"
He cried with snot and tears.
Li Wei rolled his eyes and kicked Li Changsheng away, just like how the Li family members would treat their juniors. "Dalong," he said, "Tomorrow, throw him into the Heaven-Piercing Coffin."
"Yes, Ancestor! He won't be getting out for a whole year!"
"I..."
Li Changsheng stared in disbelief.
"Yes, he's just making excuses!"
Li Kuangren quickly agreed, having just seen the elders' suspicious glances.
Just as he finished speaking.
Li Wei narrowed his eyes. "Throw these little bastards in there too."
"Hahaha!"
Under the moonlight, the Li family members, looking at the despair in the eyes of the youngest two generations of children, burst into laughter together.
They resumed eating and drinking, chatting and laughing in front of their ancestor.
Li Wei gazed at the night scene.
He smiled sincerely. He hoped that he could stay in this world forever, able to occasionally hear the echoes of the children's laughter in his ears...
Inside the screen, their family, under the night sky, with the crimson leaves of the Primordial Blood Tree fluttering down around them, gathered together, sitting in scattered groups, whispering to each other. Li Wei's black mist seemed so out of place, yet it blended into this breathtakingly beautiful scene.
Perhaps this was the most beautiful scenery in the world, the most beautiful scenery in Li Wei's heart.
---
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