Seeing that the children were all advancing steadily under Li Changsheng's arrangements, and after confirming that Li Tianyi and Li Tianqi were also not acting recklessly, Li Wei returned to his cultivation once more.
Li Changsheng might not be the smartest person in the family, but he was definitely the most steady, and the one who best understood how to hide himself.
And this year was definitely not peaceful for the Azure Cloud region; it was also where Li Wei focused most of his attention.
[Special Event – Retake Starfall Region]
Clearly, the cooperation between Li Dalong and Mi Zhunqi had already begun. Starfall Region forces had been preparing for over a year, but just one year of preparation was far from enough. After so many years had passed, Starfall Region had long since become the Wu Clan's territory. Nearly half the land had already been transformed into forest by the Wu Clan people; only ruins remained in the Starfall Region.
Moreover, within the forests, the strength of the Wu Clan members increased. They seemed to receive the protection of the Endless Forest. In the forest, their already very strong recovery ability increased by at least thirty percent or more, and the same applied to their techniques.
According to Li Yunbing's plan, reclaiming the Starfall Region would require meticulous preparation. When the Wu Clan's defenses were at their weakest, they would launch a swift assault from the old borderlands of the Starfall Region. The objective: to carve a firebreak hundreds of miles long and strategically wide enough to halt the spread of the Endless Forest—just enough to strip the Wu Clan of their natural defenses. At the same time, fires would be set to consume the forest itself. Only by severing this protective barrier could they hope to seize victory.
At that time, the four Wu Clan divisions in the Starfall Region would be trapped there, and it would still require years of effort to thoroughly eradicate them.
"Brother Yunbing commands troops with divine skill! We will leave all of the Starfall Region to you."
In Azure Cloud region's border city, Mi Zhunqi bowed towards Li Yunbing. Previously, he had worried that if Starfall Region integrated with Azure Cloud region, his Mi family's Region Prince Mansion would no longer be able to freely control power. But over the past two years, he had come to terms with it. The Li family's strength was already irreversible; their family members were all exceptional like dragons. He couldn't even outplay Li Yunbing alone; there was nothing left for him to contend for.
Now, he didn't want to think about anything else. Anyway, might as well just hand everything over to the Li family's control; he could also enjoy some peace and quiet then. They just needed to fight and retake their homeland, and the Mi family would still be the Region Prince.
While listening to Li Yunbing lay out the battlefield arrangements, seeing that Li Yunbing also didn't intend to harm them, Mi Zhunqi felt relieved. He suddenly changed the subject, "Brother Yunbing, I wonder if the Li family is interested in taking the relationship with my Mi family... a step further?"
"Hmm?"
Li Yunbing was stunned for a moment. He glanced around at the leaders of the various powers, who wore knowing smiles. He looked questioningly at Mi Zhunqi, "Brother Zhunqi, are you proposing a marriage alliance with our Li family?"
Hearing this, it was Mi Shufeng, standing to the side, whose eyes went wide like copper bells. Originally just listening in, he immediately stood up, head high and chest out. The image of the woman who haunted his thoughts and dreams—the one who had defeated him holding a pink longbow, causing him to be too ashamed to face people for decades—appeared in his mind.
Li Yunbing thought for a moment, then smiled, "Naturally, it's possible. But because of the Feng Qingyang incident, my Li family does not permit intentionally sacrificing a child's happiness for a marriage alliance. However, if there is mutual affection, then there is no obstacle."
Feng Chunlin, standing to the side: ...
What's the point in dredging up my dead father's name every day just to curse him again?
After the time it took an incense stick to burn.
Mi Shufeng's face was full of grievance. "Grandfather, why isn't it me? Why do you want someone from my grandchildren's generation to go? Quickly, go ask them about me!"
Seeing his grandson's useless appearance, Mi Zhunqi kicked him and said fiercely, "You good-for-nothing! You saw Li Changyao but didn't even dare to get close, and you still want to marry her? You've already married three women! Don't give me that deep affection act, you despicable thing!"
"Sigh."
Mi Shufeng kicked to the ground and looked up at the sky. "I couldn't help thinking of her, Grandfather! Ever since being defeated, I've traveled all over the Azure Cloud region, and never again have I seen someone with a pink bow shoot me until I couldn't even lift my head! Marrying other women was merely driven by desire; Changyao is true love!"
"..."
Seeing Mi Shufeng still wallowing in sentiment, Mi Zhunqi had people lift him up and throw him into the lake to clear his head. Li Wei was completely speechless. Mi Shufeng, this kid, actually isn't bad [talent-wise], but he really is both despicable and trashy. Absolutely must not let him interact with Changyao again.
Unlike our family's Tianniu, who shows 'true love' to every single wife.
While war preparations were still ongoing over here, Li Wei frowned.
"It seems some uninvited guests have arrived at home again."
.....
Outside Merit City, a spirit boat flew over. The spirit boats commonly seen in the Azure Cloud region were mostly simple and unadorned, their main function being to transport large numbers of cultivators to avoid consuming spiritual power during long journeys; ones at the low-grade spirit artifact level were already considered quite good.
This spirit boat, however, came from the direction of Eternal Sun Prefecture and appeared extremely luxurious, emitting the powerful aura of a supreme-grade spirit artifact. At its front was a ferocious Qilin head carved with magnificent runes. It also had a pair of wings, and when the spirit boat flew, one could even see specks of light formed by spiritual energy. If flown at night, it would definitely attract much attention.
Hmm... At the same time, it would also become the enemy's most conspicuous attack target.
"Flashy but impractical idiot."
On top of Merit City's wall, Li Dalong had already received Daoist Shanchen's message long ago. These people arriving from Eternal Sun Prefecture had announced their visit before entering the Azure Cloud region, so Li Dalong came forward to receive them. With just one glance, Li Dalong made this very pertinent evaluation.
Although he was criticizing inwardly, Li Dalong still cupped his hands in greeting, "Hahaha, I was wondering why I heard orioles singing at the gate today! It turns out to be the esteemed members of the Lin family visiting. Your presence truly brings honor to my humble Li family home!"
Li Dalong was so enthusiastic.
But as the party of three floated down from the spirit boat, every one of them wore an arrogant expression. They did not reply; the otherworldly old man in the lead merely gave a slight nod. Those who didn't know better might have thought it was the Emperor showing consideration for the common people.
Despite this group's arrogant manner, Li Dalong still smilingly led them inside.
"The Lin family of Qilin Mountain, Eternal Sun Prefecture."
---
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