In a courtyard residence within the most prosperous area of Merit City's outer city, the warm August wind blew as maidservants served tea.
Li Dalong was discussing matters with a luxuriously dressed old man who came from the Qilin Mountain Lin family and sat in the secondary seat. This person was named Lin Yuanshan, the Eighth Elder of the Lin family, at the mid-Nascent Soul stage realm.
Coming from the Eternal Sun Prefecture, he spoke calmly—even though he knew full well that Li Dalong had once fought the Wu Clan's Apostle, Lei Dong. "Ah, Dalong," he said casually, "you're still young. And the Li family has only been on the rise for two centuries. Arrogance is to be expected."
"Elder Yuanshan hits the mark with a single comment." Li Dalong smiled faintly. He didn't care what the elder said, just agreeing politely; anyway, it cost no spirit stones.
Lin Yuanshan frowned slightly and gracefully put down his teacup. "This Elder has repeatedly wanted to help your Li family, yet you refused every time. A mere tree demon, you were unwilling to give up; mere evil methods, you were unwilling to share. Do you know why the Dynasty doesn't come to assist?"
Li Dalong smiled faintly and shook his head.
Seeing this, Lin Yuanshan felt anger burning in his heart with nowhere to vent it. He could only continue, "Naturally, it's because your heart isn't sincere, and you are arrogant and proud. A temperament like yours still needs tempering. It's only because my Qilin Mountain Lin family considers your Li family's meritorious service in resisting the Wu Clan that we have frequently come, out of compassion, wanting to help Azure Cloud region and help your Li family overcome this difficulty."
"But do you really think that just because Azure Cloud region blocked the Wu Clan once, you can block them a second time? You underestimate the Wu Clan too much! They are accumulating strength; next time they come, it won't just be those same experts from last time. Admittedly, General Wang Jinhu and Senior Shanchen act righteously, but without Eternal Sun Prefecture, how could the territory of a mere single Region possibly resist a Wu Clan siege?"
Li Dalong laughed heartily. "Elder Lin, there are words within your words. Dalong is slow-witted; please just speak plainly."
Lin Yuanshan said with a sigh, "Sigh, my Lin family holds some status in Eternal Sun Prefecture, and we also have some influence in the Dynasty. There are even family members holding office under the Imperial Preceptor. Recently, it was heard that in the Imperial Preceptor's household, an elder's lifespan has reached its end, and it is precisely the time requiring a grand funeral."
"Ah, Dalong, the Imperial Preceptor has toiled his entire life; we should share his burden. Do you understand?"
Li Dalong's fingers tapped lightly on the tabletop. If one knew Li Dalong well, they would know he was truly angry now.
This Lin Yuanshan, coming from Eternal Sun Prefecture after all... look how obscurely he speaks!
Someone in the Imperial Preceptor's household's lifespan is ending, needs a grand funeral, and needs the burden shared. This is... they want his Heaven-Piercing Coffin!!!
But Lin Yuanshan didn't know Li Dalong's temperament. Seeing Li Dalong's 'hesitant' appearance, his heart stirred. This is... promising!
He hastily said, "Brother Dalong, if the Imperial Preceptor is pleased, just a few words from him can resolve the Li family's predicament. The Li family might even receive the Lord Imperial Preceptor's appreciation, and from then on, it will be like the carp leaping over the dragon gate..."
But before his voice could fall.
Li Dalong's mocking voice interrupted his words, causing Lin Yuanshan's expression to freeze.
"Lin Yuanshan, I have no grievance or enmity with you. Why do you treat me like an idiot?"
As soon as these words were spoken, Lin Yuanshan's smile completely vanished. He looked stiffly towards Li Dalong, "You... What did you say?"
"Bastard!"
The two attendants who had accompanied him were Lin's family juniors. One of them, a handsome youth, slapped the table and shot up, "Li Dalong, you dare address the Eighth Elder directly by his great name..."
"Who the hell do you think you are?!?!"
"You fucking dare to call my dad by his name? Where did you get such dog's guts!"
This Lin family junior's pupils began to dilate, his mouth still opening and closing silently. A shadow enveloped him as a hand as large as a cattail fan fiercely clamped around his throat, lifting his feet off the ground. He flailed instinctively, yet unexpectedly couldn't muster the slightest bit of his early Golden Core stage spiritual power!
"You... Let me go!"
He saw a fierce, large bald head. The man's silver hand was ice-cold, and his entire body emanated killing intent.
It was Li Yaotie!
How could a junior from the Qilin Mountain Lin family have ever experienced this kind of killing intent, born from fighting and slaughtering since childhood? Just moments ago, relying on the influence of the Qilin Mountain Lin family and the presence of Lin Yuanshan, he had dared to challenge Li Dalong. But now, only fear remained for him. Instantly, he sank into a mire of killing intent, as if witnessing the slaughter of millions of soldiers!
While Li Dalong raised his eyebrows, still smiling, Lin Yuanshan frowned, but felt Li Dalong's aura locking onto him, making him not dare to move an inch.
Li Yaotie's killing intent continued to spread. The other Lin family junior, who had originally stood halfway up, now plopped right back down onto his seat.
"Li Dalong, what is the meaning of this?" asked Lin Yuanshan.
Boundless fury filled Lin Yuanshan's heart. He hadn't expected that Li Dalong, who had always been polite and courteous to him over the years—at most just slamming the table—would allow this. But now, Lin Yuanshan discovered he had far underestimated Li Dalong's tolerance, and far underestimated the madness of these barbarians.
He sensed it. At this moment, from Merit City, and even from the direction of the border city, aura after aura was locking onto him. As long as Li Dalong gave the command, he wouldn't even know how he died.
This bunch of barbarians have lost their minds!
"What is the meaning of this?! You fucking come here every once in a while, demanding this and that! What do you take our Li family for?!?!"
Li Yaotie glared furiously, his eyes wide. "While the war was on, you lot hid in Eternal Sun Prefecture! Fine! We're still fighting the war, and you come demanding things! Is it because you think we've won too many victories, is that it? Fuck your Qilin Mountain Lin family! Your grandpas here dare to fight the Wu Clan, and we're not afraid to fight your Qilin Mountain Lin family either!"
"You..."
Lin Yuanshan glared at Li Yaotie, but he also knew Li Yaotie's reputation—famously hot-tempered—so he simply didn't speak to him. He turned his gloomy face towards Li Dalong, "Li Dalong, have you thought about the consequences of your actions today? Angering my Lin family... if the people of Azure Cloud region are defeated by the Wu Clan, your only path of retreat is through Eternal Sun Prefecture!"
As he spoke.
The corners of his mouth turned up slightly. He glanced at the struggling child grabbed by Li Yaotie, and even felt somewhat joyful inwardly. He had always been unable to find an excuse to forcibly take the Li family's artifact, but now he occupied the moral high ground—the Li family had made the first move against their Qilin Mountain Lin family!
His voice softened somewhat, "Li Dalong, ah, Li Dalong, you should be more rational. You wouldn't want today's incident reported to Eternal Sun Prefecture, leading to the Azure Cloud region being attacked from both front and rear, would you? I want that treasure of yours! Hand the item over now, and my previous words still stand; my Eternal Sun Prefecture forces will immediately come to relieve the siege of Azure Cloud region!"
"Hooo."
Li Dalong exhaled a long breath, staring expressionlessly at Lin Yuanshan, staring so intently that Lin Yuanshan's scalp tingled.
"My Azure Cloud region, my Li family... if we needed trash like you to relieve our siege, that would truly mean we were at the end of our rope, and our ancestors would be disgraced."
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