The fifth generation of the Li family, hovering above the Azure Cloud Martial Pavilion, dominated the geniuses of the entire Azure Cloud region.
Before the gates of the Azure Cloud Pavilion, Li Dalong, just like Li Yaowen years ago, stood alone with his coffin, intimidating the entire Azure Cloud Pavilion into stillness.
With the appearance of these two, the entire Azure Cloud region was thrown into turmoil.
It was as if beneath the temporary tranquility of these two locations, boundless killing intent was hidden!
News spread like wildfire to every corner of the Azure Cloud region!
...
The Long family.
As the only Nascent Soul family in the Azure Cloud region besides the high and mighty Jun Prince's Mansion, their clan occupied an entire mountain. It had a pyramid structure resembling a propeller. At the foot of the mountain were countless spiritual fields, towns established by the Long family's descendants, and areas where various demonic beasts were raised.
In the middle section of the mountain were the Immortal Pavilion, the Alchemy Pavilion, the Spiritual Herb Garden, and the Artifact Refinery, where the talented disciples of the Long family cultivated. Experts above the Foundation Establishment Stage were flying around.
Reaching the top, there were pavilions, terraces, and towers, with spiritual energy swirling like morning mist. A golden dragon phantom even soared through the air.
In the deepest part, within the golden lake water.
A paper kite with the character "heaven" inscribed on it descended from the sky, its origin unknown. Long Xuankong, the head of the Long family, who had once besieged Li Wei outside the Skyveil Sect, emerged from the lake's surface. The paper kite vanished into thin air.
Long Xuankong's expression gradually darkened.
"Thirty-two years have passed," he muttered. "Does the Li family truly believe that after defeating us outside the Skyveil Sect, they can become the rulers of the entire Azure Cloud region?"
He still couldn't forget that day.
That mysterious figure shrouded in mist, wielding a hidden weapon crafted by some unknown divine artisan, had severely wounded him and forced him to flee in disgrace. His Natal Spirit Weapon, which had accompanied him for six hundred years, was also destroyed that day. It took him a full thirty-two years to fully recover!
He emerged from the golden pool.
A dragon's roar echoed, and the hundreds of thousands of members of the Long family all raised their heads!
"The era of great conflict has arrived!" he declared. "From this day forward, my Long family will soar through the azure clouds!"
...
On the streets of some unknown town, a nine-foot-tall monk walked barefoot, staff in hand. His monastic robe was tattered and worn, and he limped with each step.
"Benefactor," he asked, "Can you spare some alms for this poor monk?"
He then knocked on a door. The family inside, cursing and grumbling, invited the poor monk in and offered him food and alms. The woman of the house, a notorious shrew in the neighborhood, saw that her husband had brought home a penniless monk and began spewing vulgarities.
A moment later, the monk walked out of the house, closed the door, and continued on his way, paying no attention to the blood flowing from under the door of the house behind him.
"Amitabha," the monk chanted. "The world is filled with impurity. Without Buddhist teachings, how can people behave with propriety?"
Abbot Wuyou sighed with compassion. "Buddha is merciful," he said, "yet this poor monk has once again sent someone to Hell."
As he walked, he heard elderly women gossiping in the streets and alleys.
Just as he was about to beg for alms at the next house.
A paper kite flew towards him. Abbot Wuyou, with utmost devotion, declared, "Only where the Buddha's light shines can there be a true world. This Azure Cloud region should be filled with Buddhist temples. If the Li family doesn't go to hell, who will?"
With that, he continued on his way.
He glanced at his right leg. His limp was gone.
That day, in front of the Skyveil Sect, despite his swift escape, his right leg had been severed.
For the last thirty years, the accumulated merit from all the temples in the Azure Cloud region had greatly increased his spiritual power.
Truly worthy of Buddha's blessings.
At this moment, throughout all the Buddhist temples in the Azure Cloud region, the temple bells rang one hundred and eight times, a sound of auspiciousness and good fortune in Buddhism.
"Amitabha."
All the monks from the temples emerged, wielding their precious vajras, wooden fish drums, and vajra staffs.
...
Azure Cloud's twenty-four districts comprised twelve major forces: one clan, one Buddhist authority, two sects, three mountains, and five major factions. All of them were mobilizing today!
Most of them had received letters.
It was like a long-planned conspiracy, waiting for the Li family to make a move!
At the Jun Prince's Mansion, located on the outskirts of Azure Cloud region's main city.
Feng Qingyang stood atop the wall, his eyes scanning the surroundings, his ears attuned to every sound. It was the heart of winter, with heavy snow falling and tranquil mountains and rivers. He narrowed his eyes slightly.
An elderly man arrived on a flying sword from afar and knelt before Feng Qingyang on one knee.
"Father!"
This was Feng Qingyang's only son, Feng Chunlin. The man was over four hundred years old, and standing together, it was difficult to tell who was the father and who was the son. With a wave of his hand, he revealed a cage containing a paper kite that seemed ready to vanish at any moment, its wings flapping. "It's the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion again," he reported. "All the forces in Azure Cloud region are mobilizing today. Their target is the Li family."
Seeing Feng Qingyang's impassive expression, Feng Chunlin's brow furrowed with worry. "Father," he said, "for hundreds of thousands of years, our Feng family has not interfered in the affairs of the Azure Cloud region. Now, more than ever, we should mediate the situation. This is the way our Feng family has governed Azure Cloud."
"With the twelve forces present, the Azure Cloud Pavilion as the orthodox authority, and our Jun Prince's Mansion, although Azure Cloud region is weak, no one dares to offend us."
"What do you think, then?" Feng Qingyang asked in response.
"I believe our Jun Prince's Mansion should withdraw from this situation and not interfere with the various forces besieging the Li family. Alternatively, we could step out from the shadows and openly declare Li Kuangren as our son-in-law. Surely, no one would dare offend our Feng family then. This would be the best course of action."
"Empty words."
Feng Qingyang looked at his son with disappointment. "The Li family has become a thorn in the side of all the major forces in the Azure Cloud region," he said. "As long as the Li family exists, they will not have a moment of peace. Do you really think that our Mansion stepping in can make them let go of their grudge?"
Feng Chunlin became anxious. "But Father," he argued, "this bloodshed will result in rivers of blood. No matter which side wins, they will become the new Azure Cloud Pavilion. But what about our Feng family? Azure Cloud region will lose a significant number of experts, and no matter what, our Feng family will be the losers!"
"The reason the Azure Cloud Pavilion could exist and become the symbol of the Azure Cloud region was because the dynasty needed them. They needed them to unite the experts of Azure Cloud region to face the demon races and barbarians surrounding the region..."
"This is a trap set by the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion! They aim to harm our Jun Prince's Mansion!"
Before he could finish, Feng Qingyang shook his head. "For one hundred and thirty thousand years," he said, "every generation of Jun Prince's Mansion has been wary of the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion, fearing their schemes. Today..."
"...my Jun Prince's Mansion will enter the game!"
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