The Li clan estate was steeped in a somber atmosphere, as a sense of loss hung heavy in the air. The grand halls, usually bustling with the daily activity of clan members and servants, were eerily quiet. Today was the day of the ex-clan head Li Wuhao's funeral—a day that would mark the end of an era for the Li family.
Li Bao stood at the entrance of the grand chamber where Li Wuhao's body lay. The room was filled with incense smoke, the smell of which was faintly bitter. It curled upward, disappearing into the wooden beams of the ceiling. Around the room, the elders of the Li clan had gathered, their eyes downcast, the weight of their sorrow evident in their expressions.
Li Wuhao, though no longer clan head, had been a figure of stability and wisdom for the family. He had led them through turbulent times and had earned the respect of all within the clan. Li Bao's gaze fell on the old man lying peacefully on the bed, his body covered in fine silk robes. Though Li Bao had no personal connection to the man, he felt a deep sense of respect for him. After all, Li Wuhao had cared for the previous owner of this body, showing him kindness in a world where such acts were often a rarity.
The elders gathered around the bed, their expressions heavy with the weight of loss. For them, Li Wuhao had been a mentor, a guide, and a symbol of their clan's perseverance. They had known him far longer than Li Bao, and his death represented more than just the passing of an old man—it marked the close of a chapter in the Li clan's long history.
Li Bao turned to face the elders. They had all undergone tremendous changes in recent weeks, and he was proud of what they had achieved. With the help of the Tier 9 Spirit Vein he had acquired from the system, along with the Qi-Condensation Realm pill and Earth Rank cultivation techniques he had bestowed upon them, their cultivation realms had soared. Each elder had reached the peak of the Qi-Condensation realm, a level of power that would have been unthinkable for most of them just a month ago.
He, too, had progressed significantly. While the elders were powerful enough to crush any of the rival clans, Li Bao had broken through to the Foundation Establishment realm. This was the first step toward true mastery in the world of cultivation, and with it came a profound sense of security. He no longer feared the Zhou or Peng families. His newfound strength, combined with the power of the elders, was more than enough to repel their threat.
Li Bao's thoughts shifted to the recent past. During this time of rapid progress, he had also taken steps to strengthen the rest of the clan. Those members of the family still stuck in the Body Forging realm had been given Black and Green Rank cultivation techniques. Many of them, with the boost from these higher-level techniques and Tier 9 Spirit Vein, had broken through to the Qi-Condensation realm themselves. The once-weak Li clan was now a force to be reckoned with, and their enemies would soon learn that the tides had turned.
But not all was smooth progress. During this period of growth, one of the clan members—a man at the peak of the Body Forging realm—had tried to pass information about the clan's newfound strength to their enemies. Li Bao had discovered the betrayal through the defense array's surveillance feature, and the traitor had been swiftly dealt with. His execution had served as a grim reminder to the rest of the clan: loyalty was paramount, and treachery would not be tolerated.
The elders, who had once been weary and doubtful of their future, now stood tall and confident. The loss of their ex-clan head was a bitter moment, but in the broader context of their resurgence, they knew this was not a time for weakness. The future of the Li family had never been brighter, and they owed much of that to Li Bao's leadership.
By mid-afternoon, the courtyard of the Li estate had filled with clan members, servants, and even a few distant relatives who had traveled from nearby cities. The funeral procession was about to begin, and the entire family had gathered to pay their respects to the man who had guided them for so long.
Li Bao stood at the forefront of the procession, his face a mask of calm. Despite the solemn occasion, his mind was sharp and alert. He had to maintain his composure, both for the sake of the ceremony and for the benefit of those watching. While the clan mourned the loss of Li Wuhao, this day also served another purpose—it was a chance to show the world that the Li family was not weak, even in the face of such a significant loss.
The casket, simple yet dignified, was carried out of the grand hall and into the courtyard, where an altar had been prepared. It was a traditional ceremony, one that had been carried out for generations in the Li family. As the casket was placed before the altar, incense was lit, and the mourners bowed their heads in reverence.
Li Bao approached the altar, his movements slow and deliberate. He lit a stick of incense and placed it before the casket. The rising smoke seemed to carry with it the spirit of Li Wuhao, and for a moment, Li Bao allowed himself to think about what the old man might have said if he could see the clan now.
Despite the grief, the mood among the elders was one of quiet pride. In just a few weeks, they had transformed from a group of aging cultivators with little hope for advancement into powerful warriors who now stood at the peak of the Qi-Condensation realm. Li Wuhao, despite his age and declining health, had lived long enough to witness the beginning of the Li clan's resurgence.
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{ Flashback : 1 day back }
A month passed, and once again, Zhou Chu and Peng Ruo met in the same dimly lit meeting hall. The air between them was heavier this time, the weight of indecision hanging like a dark cloud over the room.
Zhou Chu spoke first, his tone grim. "The spies have found nothing conclusive. The Li family has been quiet. Too quiet. No one has seen Li Bao since the announcement."
Peng Ruo leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with barely concealed excitement. "Then we move tomorrow. The silence is proof enough—they're hiding something. This is our chance. If we wait any longer, they might actually manage to escape."
Zhou Chu hesitated. "I don't like this. There's something off about the whole situation. But... we do need those resources. If we can take them by surprise—"
"We will take them by surprise," Peng Ruo interrupted. "They won't see us coming. We crush them before they even have a chance to fight back."
Zhou Chu took a deep breath, his mind racing. He had always been a cautious man, but now, the weight of his clan's future rested on this decision. If they succeeded, the Zhou clan would have the resources they desperately needed to strengthen the next generation. If they failed... it could mean their end.
"Very well," Zhou Chu finally said. "We will prepare the attack. But we do this carefully, Peng Ruo. We don't rush in blind."
"We will leave at dawn, be ready" Zhou chu said and left.
The next day when they were preparing to attack they heard that a funeral will be conducted for the Ex-clan head and they were sure now that there would be no surprises. And their confidence soared, they decided to attack once the funeral is over.