The grand meeting hall of the Li family was a far cry from the opulent chambers of the great cultivation clans, yet it held an air of solemn dignity. The elders sat in their seats, exchanging cautious glances as they waited for Li Bao to speak. The young clan head stood before them, calm and collected, radiating a quiet authority that belied his youth. The room was filled with an air of expectancy, the tension almost palpable. Everyone knew that the recent changes in Li Bao weren't normal, but they were too respectful—or too wary—to openly voice their concerns.
Li Bao cleared his throat, and the room fell silent. "Thank you all for coming on such short notice. I know we met just yesterday, but there have been some... developments that need to be addressed immediately."
He began pacing slowly in front of the elders, his hands clasped behind his back. "As you know, the Li family has always stood at the fringes of power, lacking the resources and strength to rise above our current station. But that is about to change."
The elders leaned in slightly, their curiosity piqued.
Li Bao continued, his tone measured. "Through a fortunate encounter, I have been taken as a disciple by a sage of extraordinary power. This sage saw potential in me and, through their guidance, I have been able to break through to the peak of the Qi-Condensation realm. As you guys saw yesterday."
The elders nodded.
"That's not all," he said, his voice calm and unwavering. "I have also awakened a bloodline."
The silence that followed was absolute. Bloodlines were rare and coveted in the cultivation world, typically belonging only to the most powerful Tier 9 clans. The idea that someone from a lower-tier family like the Li clan could awaken a bloodline was nearly inconceivable.
"Clan Head... did you say a bloodline?" one of the elders finally asked, his voice trembling with disbelief. "But how is that possible? Bloodlines require... at least a Sage Realm cultivator to initiate. And... the resources... the power required..." His voice trailed off as his mind struggled to reconcile this impossibility with the boy they had seen grow up before their eyes.
Li Bao smiled, his expression one of calm confidence. "I understand your confusion. It is rare, unheard of even, for a family like ours. But my master is not just any cultivator. Their power far exceeds anything we have known, and through their guidance, I have been granted this bloodline. While I cannot reveal all the details of my master, I can assure you this: the Li family is no longer bound by the limitations of the past."
The elders exchanged looks, still skeptical but unable to deny the power they could feel radiating from Li Bao. The sudden surge in his cultivation, the way he carried himself—something had indeed changed. They couldn't argue with results, even if they didn't fully understand the source.
One elder, a wizened old man with a long white beard, spoke up. "What does this mean for the future of the clan, Clan Head? How do you intend to use this bloodline?"
Li Bao nodded. "A good question. This bloodline will grant our family immense power, but it is not just for me. I intend to awaken it with the clan. As part of this opportunity, I have also received an Earth Rank cultivation technique and a number of high-quality cultivation pills. I plan to distribute these to all of you, so that each of you can break through to the peak of Qi-Condensation within the next month."
The room erupted into murmurs. Earth Rank techniques were extremely rare, especially for a clan of their size. To give such techniques and pills to the elders was an unprecedented move.
"With this training," Li Bao continued, "we will fortify our position and take the necessary steps to protect and expand our influence. Our goal will be to first solidify our standing by absorbing two neighboring families under our banner. These families have long been thorns in our side, but with our newfound power, they will be little more than stepping stones."
The elder with the white beard furrowed his brow. "You mean to conquer them?"
Li Bao's eyes hardened. "Yes. Their ambitions have long threatened our survival, and I will not allow them to strike while we are in transition. We will take them under our rule swiftly and decisively. Once that is done, we will turn our sights on the Dawn Sect."
The murmurs turned into a stunned silence once more. "The Dawn Sect?" another elder asked, incredulous. "But they are a Tier 3 power, Clan Head! They control not only Maple City, Coral City, and Dawn City but many other mortal cities. They are not an opponent to be taken lightly."
Li Bao nodded. "I am well aware of their strength. But we are not aiming to destroy the Dawn Sect. What we need is control over this region—the Southern Continent is vast, and even the greater sects have limited influence over all of it. Dawn Sect's grasp is secure, but not unshakable. Our goal will be to slowly, carefully, challenge their dominance in our area. We will begin by securing the cities under their rule, one step at a time. "
The elders fell silent once more, processing the gravity of his words. Li Bao's plan was ambitious, bold even, but it was also logical. By uniting their region under the Li family's control, they could grow powerful enough to resist any outside threats. And with the bloodline, Earth Rank techniques, and cultivation pills, it was no longer just a dream.
After a long pause, the white-bearded elder stood. "I must admit, Clan Head, that your words fill me with hope for the first time in many years. The Li family has stagnated for too long, content to remain small and hidden while the world around us grows stronger. If you say this is the path to our future, then I will follow it."
One by one, the other elders stood in agreement, bowing their heads toward Li Bao. They were skeptical, yes, but Li Bao's strength and the opportunities he presented were undeniable.
Li Bao smiled. "Good. Then we are agreed. The elders will enter seclusion immediately. For the next month, I expect each of you to focus on mastering the Earth Rank technique and reaching the peak of Qi-Condensation. With the pills I provide, you should be able to break through in no time. This month will also give me time to fine tune plans."
The elders nodded, determination now lighting their eyes. The atmosphere in the room had shifted—from doubt to belief. They could feel the winds of change, and they were ready to ride them.
{ Time Skip: A week Later }
In the days that followed, word quickly spread throughout the clan and beyond: the Li family's young clan head had broken through to the peak of Qi-Condensation. As they thought the two families stopped harassing Li clan.