Li Kuangtu and Li Kuanghua's eyes gleamed with anticipation. Li Kuangtu extended his hand. "Eldest Great-uncle," he asked, "don't... don't you have any instructions for us juniors?"
Seeing Li Kuangtu subtly curling his four fingers, Li Yaozu frowned. "Who taught you to beg for things?" he questioned.
Hearing this...
Li Kuangtu and Li Kuanghua exchanged glances, their expressions turning awkward. No one had taught them, but they had indeed taught this to their junior, Li Changsheng.
Li Yaozu didn't pay much attention to this. He silently tossed all the swords into his sword case behind him, not giving them anything, and started walking towards the Azure Cloud Pavilion with his four juniors. "Our family is poor," he said. "You've all reached the Fake Core Formation stage. You should know to bring things back to the family, not beg for them."
"When we return to the family," he continued, "I'll hand these over to your Fourth Great-grandaunt for safekeeping. You can earn them back through your own efforts."
The four youngsters watched Li Yaozu's retreating figure, their faces darkening. They couldn't understand how the Eldest Great-uncle could make being stingy sound so righteous.
On the back of Eldest Great-uncle's head, who just moments ago seemed like an immortal descended from heaven, were written two large characters —
"Exploit others."
However, the corners of their mouths still curved upwards slightly. They had heard it.
"After returning to the family"!
Their eyes were filled with anticipation. They were finally going home!
...
In front of the Azure Cloud Martial Pavilion, heavy snow was falling, already burying Li Dalong's knees, yet he remained unmoved.
The Li family's repeated acts of aggression had long since caused the Azure Cloud Pavilion to lose face. Today, they still didn't dare come out to fight, and the disciples of the Azure Cloud Pavilion were utterly demoralized.
Over the years, the Pavilion, which once boasted thirty thousand disciples, had dwindled to just over two thousand.
They had already changed Pavilion Masters three times.
Today, the Azure Cloud Pavilion had intended to take advantage of the Jun Prince's Mansion's martial arts competition at the foot of the mountain to remind the world of their existence.
They had even prepared a grand entrance, with thousands of Azure Cloud cultivators soaring on their swords, filling the sky. The Pavilion Master would then summon his Dharma Body with his hands clasped behind his back, showcasing the Azure Cloud Pavilion's enduring strength.
But...
They couldn't even get out.
"Reporting to the Pavilion Master and elders," a disciple announced, "at the Azure Cloud Martial Pavilion, all the geniuses have been defeated by the Li family descendants. Li Kuangren of the Li family has been taken away with the young princess of the Jun Prince's Mansion!"
A disciple of the Azure Cloud Pavilion delivered this report, causing the many elders and the current Pavilion Master, Elder Tianqing, to turn pale.
The Li family hadn't even attacked the Azure Cloud Martial Pavilion itself. The only person killed by the Li family there was Xiao Huang.
But with just this, their once lofty Azure Cloud Pavilion was now like one that had been completely destroyed, existing in name only.
"Why is your Li family so aggressive towards our Azure Cloud Pavilion?!"
Elder Tianqing was furious. "The people from the major sects have already left the Azure Cloud Pavilion," he said. "Do you truly intend to destroy the Azure Cloud Pavilion, which has made great contributions to the entire Azure Cloud region?"
"Time and time again! Xiao Huang is dead, and my Azure Cloud Pavilion has paid the price for our actions. What kind of justice is this?!"
"Just give my Azure Cloud Pavilion a chance to start anew..."
Elder Tianqing, nearing the end of his lifespan, seemed to have exhausted all his strength. He had never yielded to anyone in his entire life. He looked up at the sky and sighed deeply, two tears sliding down his cheeks. "Li family," he pleaded, "spare my Azure Cloud Pavilion. From this day forward, we no longer desire to be the symbol of the Azure Cloud region, nor do we crave power. All past transgressions have been cleansed. Just let my Azure Cloud Pavilion live in seclusion."
His words were filled with sorrow. The falling snow seemed to be blowing away all the glory of the Azure Cloud Pavilion, leaving it like a withered tree.
Li Dalong's expression finally softened, a flicker of pity flashing in his bright eyes.
In truth, what Elder Tianqing said wasn't wrong. Xiao Huang was dead, and the Azure Cloud Pavilion had paid the price for their complicity.
Those who remained in the Azure Cloud Pavilion now were mostly those who had been neutral before, not members of any major faction.
Suddenly, he boomed with laughter, "Hahaha, Elder Tianqing, you speak so righteously. Do you dare open your sect-protecting formation and let me, Li Dalong, in for a discussion?"
"Those with righteous hearts have nothing to fear. Why are you keeping me, Li Dalong, out? Why did you expel my Li Tianyi?!"
"Open the gates!"
Elder Tianqing gritted his teeth. He seemed to have made a decision.
Hearing this, the elders and disciples of the Azure Cloud Pavilion changed their expressions.
"Sect Master, we can't do that!"
"There might be Li family members lying in ambush outside. If we open the gates, they'll come pouring in!"
"Yes, Sect Master, I've heard that the Li family used this tactic to destroy another faction before."
"None of the Li family are trustworthy. If they come in, it won't be for anything good!"
"...."
Despite their protests, Elder Tianqing remained stubborn. He roared at his disciples, "Open the gates! After so many years of cowering like turtles, what's left of our Azure Cloud Pavilion's spirit? Haven't we been ridiculed enough? Are you going to let your inner demons haunt you for the rest of your lives?"
Everyone fell silent.
Soon after, the gates of the Azure Cloud Pavilion opened. Li Dalong, his eyes narrowed slightly, walked into the Pavilion. Elder Tianqing waited for him at the entrance. A tense atmosphere filled the entire Azure Cloud Pavilion.
To their relief, Li Dalong, carrying his coffin, didn't attack. He simply stepped onto the thick layer of snow and walked, step by step, into the Azure Cloud Pavilion, stopping beside Elder Tianqing.
He didn't even look at Elder Tianqing, his face turned to the side as he spoke in a low voice.
"You made the right choice," he said. "Now, I want to know everything about the former Pavilion Master, Yu Xian."
Hearing this, Elder Tianqing's body trembled slightly, his pupils dilating. He seemed to suddenly understand something.
"Who... who is that?!"
Cries of surprise came from the disciples on the walls of the Azure Cloud Pavilion.
They saw Li Yaozu, who had arrived with the four Li family youngsters, stepping through the snow. He stood where Li Dalong had just been standing. Li Yaozu smiled as he watched his father enter the Azure Cloud Pavilion. Li Kuanghua and Li Kuangtu had vigilant expressions, while the two young monks continued chanting Buddhist sutras in some unknown Sanskrit dialect.
Between the two groups, another figure approached. He bowed to Li Yaozu and said, "Lord Sword King, you traveled thousands of miles across the world and finally found me in Starfall Region. We had an agreement, remember? After today, please don't come looking for me again."
Li Yaozu nodded slightly.
Only Elder Tianqing's expression changed drastically. "It's you?" he exclaimed.
The one who had fled shortly after taking over as Pavilion Master—
The head of the Gu family, Gu Cangsheng!
Gu Cangsheng shrugged helplessly at Elder Tianqing. "Let's go, Elder Tianqing," he said. "Tell Brother Dalong everything about Yu Xian."
"Oh, and make sure the formation is activated. Don't let anyone out of the Azure Cloud Pavilion."
"Don't worry about what's happening outside. I've experienced the Sword King's skills firsthand. Unless a Nascent Soul cultivator appears, no number of Golden Core cultivators can do anything."
"Understood."
Elder Tianqing led Gu Cangsheng into the Azure Cloud Pavilion. He had a vague feeling that a conspiracy was brewing in the Azure Cloud region.
And it... was all connected to the Azure Cloud Pavilion!
---
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