[System Notification: Congratulations! Your descendant, Li Yaowen, by employing her Fate Techniques in synergy with Your Ancestral Spirit Tablet, has successfully carved out a unique dimensional space accessible only to descendants of the Li Clan. You have acquired the Skill: Li Clan Space.]
[Skill Details: 'Li Clan Space' – Annual Upkeep: 1 Ancestor Will. Effect: Enables Li Clan descendants to enter a shared spiritual nexus for the purpose of direct communication.]
[Personal Gain: Through your descendant Li Yaowen's actions, you have gained a glimpse into the deeper workings of Fate Techniques, thereby acquiring a single strand of the Rule of Destiny.]
"This..." Li Wei reacted, a look of dawning comprehension on his face.
As this unique space fully manifested, Li Wei was overcome with awe. It was as if he had suddenly grasped a deeper understanding of the intricacies of Fate Techniques, and with it, a more profound insight into the interwoven destiny that binds a bloodline together!
Li Wei observed that from Li Yaowen's position, luminous threads extended from each of the surrounding Li family Life Tablets. These threads converged upon the primary Spirit Tablet – the one imbued with his own lightning tribulation power – and then radiated outwards, stretching to the far corners of the world, pinpointing the current location of every surviving Li descendant.
The encroaching black mist he had witnessed earlier – that was indeed the power of Venerable Tian Xing. That adversary, too, was clearly attempting to divine heavenly secrets, to hunt down the whereabouts of any remaining Li family members.
"So that's it," Li Wei realized. A deeper comprehension dawned in Li Wei's heart. Setting aside further speculation for the moment, he allowed his consciousness to enter the newly formed Li Clan Space.
Inside, the spirits of the 'children' were already deep in conversation, sharing with one another all that had transpired in the intervening years. Whenever the discussion turned to 'that fateful year', however, a shadow of profound grief would invariably cross each of their faces.
Yet, upon entering, Li Wei froze. For all the 'children' – his descendants – were looking directly at him...
"Huh?" Li Wei thought in astonishment. "They can see me?!!"
And indeed, it was so. One by one, all the assembled Li descendants turned towards him, their faces alight with excitement, and prostrated themselves in a deep kowtow.
"We greet the Old Ancestor!" Their voices rang out in unison.
It had to be the Fate Techniques! That strand of the Rule of Destiny he had grasped thanks to Li Yaowen's efforts...
That was what made it possible! Within this unique domain, he was the master! This was a space intrinsically his own, much like the pocket dimensions wielded by Divinity Transformation stage masters!
In this very moment, a startling thought flashed through Li Wei's mind: perhaps, just perhaps, on some distant future day, it might even be possible for him to achieve true, lasting existence in this world.
This was just a fleeting thought. A mere instant later, Li Wei was jolted back to his present reality. He was still naught but an ephemeral wisp of black mist; only within this unique spiritual domain could his descendants perceive his form, and even then, he remained intangible, unable to physically interact with any of them.
He looked upon his kin. Following their recent emotional reunion within this space, they were now a whirlwind of conflicting emotions: elation at seeing each other once more, shared grief for the devastating losses of five years past, and yet, a burgeoning, complicated hope for what the future might now hold.
"Excellent," Li Wei's voice resonated with newfound strength. "Now that our people have found each other again, now that we are reunited... Then the next step is— To fight! To rise! And to exact our Vengeance!"
As Li Wei's resolute words died away, the spirits of every Li clansman present soared!
....
Following a period of intense discussion amongst the descendants, it became clear that the fundamental issue remained a lack of overwhelming power.
They were dispersed across vast distances, each branch of the family contending with its own dire circumstances. Take Li Dalong and Li Yaotie, for instance; their predicaments were so severe that merely extricating themselves would be a monumental task.
As for those still within the Tian Xing Abode, they remained trapped, utterly unable to leave. And should they somehow manage to exit, they would undoubtedly face immediate pursuit from Venerable Tian Xing.
Then, their attention turned to Li Yunbing...
"Yunbing, what exactly is your current status?" As Li Dalong posed the question, all eyes turned to Li Yunbing, studying him intently.
When he had first materialized within this spiritual conclave, he had borne the exact likeness of Jiang Chenghuan. For a discomfiting moment, it had nearly led them all to the awkward conclusion that the Old Ancestor must have, at some unknown point, sired Jiang Chenghuan as his own secret progeny...
"This child..." Li Yunbing began.
Li Yunbing paused for a beat, then simply shook his head at the expectant clansmen.
Perceiving his reluctance to elaborate, they tactfully refrained from further questions.
Indeed, after these five harrowing years, who among them didn't carry burdens from the past best left unspoken?
"Old Ancestor." Li Yaowen performed a deep obeisance towards Li Wei.
"Old Ancestor," she began respectfully, "There are some matters this child wishes to address, though I am unsure if this is the proper time or place."
Li Wei arched an eyebrow almost imperceptibly. "Proceed."
"Yes, Old Ancestor." Li Yaowen took a slow, deep breath.
"This child believes, Old Ancestor," she stated, her voice firm, "that the clan's traditional methods, the ways we have operated in the past... they are no longer tenable."
At her words, many in the group frowned uncertainly.
Li Yaowen continued, her voice unwavering, "When our clan first established itself in the Azure Cloud region, we never imagined that very place would eventually become our cage. Within the Azure Cloud region, too many individuals, too many worldly concerns, became our bonds. And it was these very entanglements, though we were blind to it then, that ultimately forged a karmic link between our clan and Venerable Tian Xing."
"It was our home, true. And indeed, there were countless methods by which we could have ensured its protection. Doing so need not have compromised our ability to remain somewhat aloof, to transcend the mundane. But for the Azure Cloud region, we sacrificed far too much. We gave what we could ill afford to lose – ultimately, we gave everything."
Her words struck Li Wei like a physical blow, his heart constricting violently; a similar wave of pained understanding washed over the other Li members.
It was true.
Indeed. For the past two centuries of the clan's growth, they had never truly broken free from the confines of the Azure Cloud region, never truly looked beyond Merit City as their center.
This, in turn, meant there were countless ventures they dared not undertake, countless opportunities they could not pursue. And in their unwavering focus on protecting the Azure Cloud region, they had shackled themselves, unable to venture to more distant lands.
As the clan's strength burgeoned day by day, their roots in the Azure Cloud region only deepened, for they mistakenly believed it to be their ultimate sanctuary. But this very attachment became their bonds; a single, unforeseen disaster proved sufficient to bring about their utter ruin.
This time, a remnant had managed to escape. But what of the next catastrophe?
"Provided we ourselves are powerful enough," Li Yaowen's voice resonated with conviction in the spiritual space, "then regardless of how the world shifts and transforms, Azure Cloud region can always remain our Azure Cloud region. Indeed, if we but will it, the Eternal Sun Prefecture itself could become our Azure Cloud region! The entire Azure Dynasty could be made so! And so,"
She concluded, "It is this child's fervent wish that our clan might henceforth stand aloof from the mundane, unburdened by worldly entanglements. For that, and that alone, is the true Path of Immortality."
"To stand aloof, detached from the mundane; to observe the rise and fall of worldly tides with serene composure!"
"A viable path." Li Wei inclined his head slightly towards Li Yaowen, his tone serious.
"At present, our family is widely dispersed. Those in the Azure Cloud region believe us all to have perished. This, as it happens, provides an excellent opportunity for us to fade from public view, to become as ghosts among the living. However, even now, we face a shared, formidable foe. And I know each of you is contending with your own hardships. What I require now is for you all to aid one another, to offer mutual support. First, overcome your individual predicaments. Only then can we discuss what comes next."
"Yes, Old Ancestor!" the Li descendants affirmed in unison.
Thereupon, one by one, the assembled descendants began to lay bare the dire straits each of them currently faced.
Li Kuangren, imprisoned in Eternal Sun Prefecture, had to be rescued.
Li Dalong's Heaven-Piercing Coffin had to be recovered.
The people of Merit City had to be truly reawakened from their illusion; the descendants trapped within the Tian Xing Abode needed to be freed...
All these objectives would require immense patience and a great span of time. And the time, they resolved, unless they were overwhelmingly certain of victory, they would absolutely not make a premature move.
Only when they possessed unshakeable confidence would they finally act to drag Venerable Tian Xing from the shadows and settle the score!
[System Notification: Your descendants, after extensive deliberation and strategic planning, have resolved to adopt a path of deep concealment within the wider world. They will proceed with utmost caution, step by painstaking step, to free their kin from their current predicaments. Family Trait 'Azure Cloud Region War Clan' has undergone a transformation, evolving into: 'Transcendent Immortal Clan'.]
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