The cold morning sun filtered through the worn windows of the Li Clan estate, casting long rays of light across the courtyard. Li Wei sat beneath an old tree, the remnants of his bandaged wound stinging as he practiced slow movements with his sword. His body was healing, but the fight with the masked leader still weighed heavily on his mind.
He couldn't stop replaying the battle. He had been so close to unlocking the deeper power of the Heavenly Sword Art, but his lack of experience had cost him. The masked leader had been stronger, faster, and far more precise. It wasn't just skill—it was cultivation level. Li Wei could feel it in every clash of their blades. The leader's Qi had been overwhelming.
I need more time, Li Wei thought. But time is something I don't have.
The memory of the masked leader's cold voice echoed in his head: "You're still too weak."
He wasn't wrong. Despite his natural talent and all his training, Li Wei knew he was not yet ready to fully wield the Heavenly Sword Art. The technique, a Heaven Rank art, required a level of cultivation far beyond where he currently stood. The Heavenly Sword Art demanded mastery over Qi and spirit that only those in the Spirit Lord Stage could handle, but Li Wei was still in the Core Formation Stage—a step below the true mastery needed to control the technique.
Li Wei had been pushing himself to grasp its fundamentals, practicing with all his strength and discipline, but his current cultivation level wasn't enough to unlock its full potential. He could feel the energy flow through him, but it wasn't stable—it was like trying to contain a storm with bare hands.
I'll get there, he thought, determination burning in his chest. But for now, I need to grow stronger. Both myself and the clan.
He sheathed his sword, standing tall despite the weight of his thoughts. If the Heavenly Sword Art was the key to rebuilding his clan, then he would unlock every secret it held, no matter the cost. But strength alone wouldn't be enough. He needed a plan. He needed allies.
Rallying the Clan
Li Wei found his grandfather, Li Xuan, seated at the head of the main hall, his old but sharp eyes scanning a weathered scroll. The lines of worry etched into Li Xuan's face hadn't faded since the masked men's attack, but his posture was still as firm and dignified as ever.
"Grandfather," Li Wei said, stepping into the room.
Li Xuan looked up, his gaze softening when he saw his grandson. "How's your arm?"
"Healing," Li Wei replied. "But it'll take more than a wound to stop me."
Li Xuan nodded approvingly. "Good. What's on your mind?"
Li Wei hesitated for a moment before speaking. "The attack the other night—it made me realize something. I can't rebuild the Li Clan alone. Even if I master the Heavenly Sword Art, it won't be enough. Our enemies are organized, powerful, and determined to see us fall. If we're going to stand against them, I need to rally the clan. We need to train together, become stronger as one."
Li Xuan's expression grew thoughtful. "You're right. The Li Clan was once a force to be reckoned with because we stood united. But since our decline, many have left or given up. We're not the clan we once were."
"Then we'll rebuild from the ground up," Li Wei said firmly. "I'll train our remaining clanmates, teach them what I've learned, and together we'll grow stronger. The Heavenly Sword Art may be my path to power, but the strength of the Li Clan will come from all of us working together."
Li Xuan studied him for a moment, then nodded slowly. "It won't be easy. Many of our remaining clanmates have grown complacent, disheartened by our decline. You'll need to remind them of what we're fighting for."
Li Wei's eyes gleamed with determination. "I'll do whatever it takes. We need to be ready for when they come back."
A Call to Arms
Later that day, Li Wei gathered the few remaining members of the Li Clan in the main courtyard. The group was small—only a dozen or so clanmates, each of them hardened by years of struggle, but their spirits had been worn down by the constant decline of the clan.
Li Wei stood before them, his posture straight, his eyes filled with purpose. "We were attacked the other night," he began, his voice carrying across the courtyard. "Our enemies came for us, thinking we were weak. And while we survived, it's clear that they will come again. Stronger. More prepared."
The clanmates murmured among themselves, unease spreading through the group. They had all felt the weight of the attack, the fear that their already fragile clan might finally break.
"But I refuse to let that happen," Li Wei continued, his voice hardening. "The Li Clan is not finished. Our ancestors built this clan with their blood, their strength, and their wisdom. We may have fallen from grace, but we will rise again. I swear it."
His words seemed to stir something in the clanmates, their eyes lifting from the ground, flickering with faint hope.
"I've begun practicing the Heavenly Sword Art," Li Wei said, his tone resolute. "It's the key to our resurgence. But it's not something I can master overnight. The technique requires a level of cultivation far beyond where I am now, and it will take time for me to reach that point. But even at my level, I can begin to use its principles. And together, we can make the Li Clan strong again."
A tall, broad-shouldered man named Li Huang, one of the few remaining warriors of the Li Clan, stepped forward, his face grim. "The Heavenly Sword Art? That's dangerous, Li Wei. You know what happened to those who tried to master it before."
Li Wei met his gaze without flinching. "I know the risks. I'm still in the Core Formation Stage, but I'll keep training. Even if I can't unlock its full potential yet, I'll learn what I can. And I'll teach you all to fight alongside me. Together, we will rise."
Li Huang studied him for a long moment, then nodded. "If you're willing to lead us, then I'll follow."
Another voice rose from the crowd. Li Yan, a skilled archer who had served the clan loyally for years, stepped forward as well. "If Li Wei is willing to fight for us, then I will too. We've been living in the shadow of our ancestors for too long. It's time we fought to reclaim what's ours."
Slowly, the rest of the clanmates began to murmur their agreement. The spark of hope had been reignited, and with it came a renewed sense of purpose.
Li Wei felt a swell of pride as he looked at the faces around him. This was just the beginning, but it was a start. Together, they would rise.
New Training, New Challenges
For the next several days, the Li Clan estate became a hive of activity. Under Li Wei's leadership, his clanmates began rigorous training, pushing themselves harder than they had in years. Li Wei shared what he had learned of the Heavenly Sword Art, teaching them the basic movements, the control over Qi that the technique required. While they couldn't directly use the Heavenly Sword Art themselves, the principles behind it could be applied to their own cultivation techniques.
Li Huang and Li Yan proved to be invaluable allies, both of them working tirelessly to ensure the clanmates improved their skills. As the days passed, Li Wei could feel the energy of the clan shifting. They were growing stronger—slowly, but surely.
But Li Wei knew that training alone wouldn't be enough. The masked leader had made it clear that their enemies were watching, waiting for the right moment to strike again. And the next time they came, they wouldn't be testing Li Wei's strength—they would come to destroy the Li Clan for good.
One evening, as the training wound down, Li Xuan approached Li Wei. "You're doing well," he said, his voice filled with quiet pride. "The clan is starting to come together again."
Li Wei nodded, though his mind was elsewhere. "It's a start. But we need more than just training. We need allies. We can't fight this war alone."
Li Xuan's expression darkened. "That will be difficult. Many of our former allies have distanced themselves from us, and the rivals we once held at bay have grown stronger in our absence."
"I'm not asking for old allies," Li Wei said. "I'll find new ones. There are sects and clans out there who could benefit from an alliance with the Li Clan. I just need to show them that we're worth fighting for."
Li Xuan studied him for a long moment, then nodded. "It's a dangerous path, but I trust your judgment. If you think alliances can be made, then pursue them. But be careful. Not everyone will have our best interests at heart."
Li Wei's gaze hardened. "I know. But if we don't act now, we won't stand a chance when the next attack comes. I won't let the Li Clan fall."
End of Chapter 4