Wind from beyond the hall pierced through the formation, buffeting everyone and causing them to tremble involuntarily. Feng Mi's eyes were bloodshot, and the veins on her hand bones bulged.
"A person like him would never genuinely sacrifice for anyone, let alone offer something as precious as the Human Emperor's blood! I've awakened my Heavenly Eye and can even see events from after my birth. Back then, my maternal grandfather didn't intend to drown me; he wanted to see if my life was truly strong enough to withstand the fortune bestowed by the Human Emperor's blood, a fortune he himself couldn't accept."
"He was waiting. Waiting for me to fully absorb the Human Emperor's blood, for my aptitude to far surpass his. Once I ascended to the position of Feng family head, I would effectively become him. Unfortunately for him, he miscalculated far too much. He underestimated us. The Li family is far more formidable than he anticipated."
"All these years, he has been relentlessly sending people. Not only did he want to capture Yaoyao, but his true target was me. However, he never expected that I would remain within the confines of our home, day after day, decade after decade. He never had a chance. He even sent stunningly beautiful women. But alas, my Heavenly Eye allowed me to see through his schemes. I trusted no one."
Bang!
For the first time in her life, Feng Mi, known for her gentle nature, erupted in fury. With a single palm strike, she shattered the table. Eyes bloodshot, she knelt before Li Dalong. "Great-grandfather," she implored, "please, give the order to strike!"
Her voice rang with such determination that even if the Li family chose not to confront Feng Qingyang, she would embark on a solitary crusade to fight for justice!
The rest of the Li family shared her sentiment.
They gazed at Li Changsheng, who had recounted his experiences with an air of detachment. They hadn't known, not until this moment, the extent of his suffering throughout his life.
Yet this young man, who appeared so indolent, who seemed to do nothing but sleep all day, who remained indifferent to worldly affairs, who never ventured outside, who sought neither power nor wealth, who even disregarded matters of the heart – this very person had silently endured Feng Qingyang's covetous schemes all these years.
"Brother," Li Changyao said, her eyes reddening, "why...why didn't you say something?" Heaven knew how long her brother had lived in fear!
"....."
Li Changsheng waved his hand dismissively and then patted Li Changyao's head. "I'm not like father, blabbering about everything. Never follow his example. He always expects handouts. Your brother almost fell for father's tricks."
"You brat! Get over here!"
"Ow! Father, go easy on me! You can dish it out, but you can't take it?"
Enraged, Li Kuangren grabbed Li Changsheng and gave him a thrashing. He didn't dare use too much force, and as he struck his son, a hint of pride flickered across his face.
Everyone watched the father and son, and even Feng Mi, still kneeling on the ground, couldn't help but smile through her tears.
Li Dalong then turned his gaze towards Li Yunbing, his expression grim. "Go," he commanded, "make all the necessary arrangements. I'm eager to see if he can still outmaneuver us this time!"
"Yes!"
A cold glint flickered in Li Yunbing's eyes.
Soon after, Li Changsheng went back to sleep. The others watched his retreating figure, their expressions a mix of emotions. In Li Changsheng, they saw a faint reflection of Li Kuangtu.
He concealed his emotions, enduring silently.
Li Yaoqing's expression softened. "Father," he said, "Changsheng...he probably didn't dare speak up before. Back then, we couldn't afford to provoke the Feng family."
Li Wei mused. "The children in the family... they've all grown into remarkable individuals."
Before the screen...
Li Wei stared at Li Changsheng, stunned. Even he hadn't known about this. He never imagined that Feng Qingyang's moral boundaries could be so depraved, far worse than he could have ever conceived.
Up on the Primordial Blood Tree, Li Changsheng lay curled into a ball, his small frame trembling.
Then, finally, he drifted into a peaceful sleep, his breathing steady, a smile gracing his lips. It seemed as if he were sleeping soundly for the first time in his life.
"That son of a b... Feng Qingyang!"
...
At the Prince's Mansion.
Feng Qingyang sat upon the head seat, basking in the joyous atmosphere. Outside the mansion, servants and clan members alike were in a state of jubilation. With his Nascent Soul cultivation, he could even perceive the echoes of their laughter.
"Hahahaha! We've won! The Wu Clan has been completely driven out of the Azure Cloud region, and the imperial rewards are upon us!"
"I knew it! While it seemed like the Prince wasn't doing anything, he must have been working diligently behind the scenes."
"We can even unify Azure Cloud region and launch a counteroffensive against the Wu Clan! Our territory will expand, and we'll gain vast resources! I shall establish illustrious merits within the Prince's Mansion!"
"....."
People's joys and sorrows are different.
Feng Qingyang was distraught, and muttered in a trembling voice, "How... How is this possible? How could you have won?!"
No one knew of his grand scheme for the future. The Heavenly Secrets Pavilion, the Li family, even the Wu Clan – they were all mere pawns in his game!
He had long been aware of Feng Chunlin's true identity, and Yu Xian's as well.
While the major powers of the Azure Cloud region might perish, the Azure Dynasty would remain. Their agreement with the Wu Clan ensured that even after the war, the Azure Cloud region would retain half of its territory. With the Li family destroyed, he would obtain Li Changsheng. Within the next thousand years, he could even attempt to reach the Deity Transformation stage!
Through Li Changsheng, he could even gain control of the Li family and uncover the secrets behind their remarkable rise to power over the past century.
He could acquire Li Changyao, forge alliances...
Given enough time, he would even dare to plot against the entire Azure Dynasty!
But now, with the Wu Clan expelled from the Azure Cloud region, all his schemes had crumbled to dust. The Li family had become the undisputed rulers of the Azure Cloud region, fulfilling the prophecy from thirty years ago – the era of the Azure Cloud region belonged to the Li family.
The Li family could bare their fangs at any moment, employing various methods to eradicate him, just as Li Yaowen had constantly tormented him in his spare time!
"No. I still have a chance."
Feng Qingyang narrowed his eyes. "Everyone in the world is my pawn. I can always…"
Just as he uttered those words, a Golden Core cultivator from the Feng family arrived from afar, his expression panicked. "Prince," he stammered, "the Wu Clan… the Wu Clan is attacking again!"
"What?!"
Feng Qingyang abruptly stood up, a gleam of delight in his eyes. "The tides of fortune shift like the wind and clouds, unpredictable and ever-changing. An opportunity! This is my chance!"
But his expression shifted once more.
"Prince," the cultivator reported, "the situation has changed. They haven't come to attack. In fact, it's great news! The Li family has captured them and brought them here! They've come to claim credit and discuss a joint offensive against the Wu Clan with our Feng's Mansion!"
"....."
The smile gradually faded from Feng Qingyang's face. He sank back into his chair, his spirit crushed. The familiar surroundings of the grand hall suddenly seemed bleak and lifeless.
---
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