The air inside the grand hall was thick with shock and disbelief. The elders of the Li family stood frozen, their eyes wide and their jaws slack as they tried to process the incredible event that had just unfolded before them. Li Bao had entered the hall as a young man carrying the weight of their family's potential downfall, but now, before their very eyes, he had ascended to a realm of power they hadn't even dared to hope for.
Li Bao, still standing on the floor, slowly opened his eyes. The surge of power from the system's cumulative absorption left him feeling invigorated, his body buzzing with the newfound strength of the Qi-Condensation realm. However, the dazed expressions of the elders brought him crashing back to reality. They were gawking at him as if they had seen a ghost.
"What... what just happened?" Elder Li Jun stammered, breaking the stunned silence that had fallen over the hall. His voice, usually steady with authority, now wavered with uncertainty.
Li Bao blinked a few times, allowing the magnitude of what had transpired to settle within him. The rapid surge in his cultivation was unlike anything he had ever experienced. In mere moments, he had advanced through three entire levels of the Qi-Condensation realm, reaching its very peak. He could feel the energy pulsating within him, like a river of power ready to be unleashed at his command.
"I... I found an opportunity," Li Bao said finally, choosing his words carefully. He knew that revealing the existence of the system to the elders wasn't an option. "I encountered a chance that allowed me to make rapid progress in my cultivation."
The elders exchanged glances, their faces a mix of awe and skepticism. They were seasoned cultivators, each having spent decades nurturing their strength, and here stood Li Bao, who had just jumped several levels in a matter of minutes. It was unheard of.
"A chance? What kind of chance could cause such an advancement?" Li Leyue, one of the most experienced elders, asked with her brows furrowed in disbelief.
Li Bao stood, his posture now brimming with a quiet confidence that hadn't been there before. "There are opportunities in this world beyond our understanding," he replied, avoiding the specifics. He needed to divert their attention from his sudden rise in cultivation. "But this is not the time to focus on my breakthrough. We have a much more pressing issue at hand—the survival of our family."
His words had the desired effect. The elders, though still visibly shaken by what had transpired, began to remember the dire situation they were in. The looming threat from the Zhou and Peng families, who had been circling like vultures, was still very real.
But then, as if by some collective realization, the mood in the hall began to shift. The tension in the elders' faces softened as they fully absorbed the fact that Li Bao was now at the peak of the Qi-Condensation realm. They started murmuring among themselves, and slowly, smiles began to appear.
"He's stronger than our previous family head…" Elder Li Jun muttered, his voice filled with hope. The implications of this newfound strength began to dawn on them.
"If Li Bao were to reveal his cultivation…" Elder Li Leyue said slowly, her eyes lighting up with realization. "We could change the balance of power entirely. They wouldn't dare strike if they knew we had a cultivator of his strength leading the family."
One by one, the elders broke into relieved smiles, their expressions lifting as if a heavy burden had been suddenly removed from their shoulders. The Li family had been teetering on the edge of extinction for months, constantly fighting off external threats and internal strife. But now, with Li Bao's breakthrough, they had hope—real hope that they could not only survive but also reclaim their standing among the powerful families in the region.
"We could easily repel any attack," Li Jun said with renewed vigor. "If Li Bao releases his cultivation and shows his realm, no one would dare challenge us. We could launch a counterattack and drive the Zhou and Peng families back!"
The idea sparked a murmur of agreement among the other elders. For the first time in months, they felt the possibility of turning the tide in their favor. But not everyone was so quick to embrace the idea of immediate retaliation.
Li Leyue, always the strategist, raised her hand to silence the growing enthusiasm. "Attacking now might be premature," she cautioned. "Yes, Li Bao's strength is formidable, but we must not forget the state of our clan. Our numbers are still depleted, and an outright conflict could result in unnecessary casualties. We must tread carefully."
The room quieted as the elders considered her words. They were eager to show their newfound strength, but they couldn't ignore the fact that the Li family had been weakened over time, their ranks thinned by relentless attacks and betrayals. A misstep now could cost them dearly.
Li Bao, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke. "Elder Leyue is right," he said, his voice calm but authoritative. "We need to be cautious. While my breakthrough gives us an advantage, it does not guarantee the lives of all the clansmen."
The elders looked at him, waiting for his decision. Despite their differing opinions, they all recognized that the ultimate choice rested with Li Bao. He was their leader now, and his power demanded their respect.
After a brief pause, Li Bao continued, "For now, I believe the best course of action is to showcase my strength but not engage in direct conflict. If we can send a message to the other families, letting them know that I have reached the peak of the Qi-Condensation realm, it will buy us time. They will be hesitant to attack, and we can use that time to rebuild and strengthen our defenses."
Elder Li Jun frowned slightly. "So you suggest we let them know about your breakthrough but hold off on any retaliation?"
Li Bao nodded. "Exactly. If they believe we are stronger than before, they will reconsider their plans. It will give us at least a month to prepare, maybe more. We can use that time to recover, train our remaining forces, and formulate a proper strategy."
The other elders began to nod in agreement, understanding the wisdom in his words. They were eager for vengeance, but they also knew that their survival depended on careful planning, not just brute strength.
"This will also give us time to gather information," Li Bao added. "We can learn more about the Zhou and Peng families' next moves and adjust our plans accordingly. A direct confrontation should be our last resort."
Li Leyue smiled approvingly. "A wise decision, Head Li Bao. This approach will ensure that we maintain the upper hand while minimizing our risks."
Elder Li Jun, though still eager for action, grudgingly agreed. "Very well. We will follow your lead, Head Li Bao. But I do hope that when the time comes, we will strike back and show them the true power of the Li family."
Li Bao gave him a firm nod. "When the time is right, we will. But for now, we must be patient."
The elders fell silent, each lost in their thoughts as they processed the situation. The mood in the room had changed from one of despair to one of cautious optimism. Li Bao's rise in strength had given them hope, but the road ahead was still fraught with danger.