"So, what are young ones getting up to these days, I wonder?" Li Wei mused, preparing to check on their latest progress.
Li Wei then turned his attention to the three youngest scions of the Li Clan. As his focus settled upon the father-son pirate pair, Li Chang'an and Li Xingchen, Li Wei did a mental double-take.
For before his mind's eye was not the open ocean, but a solid expanse of land.
[Location: Spirit Continent]
[Geographical Context: The landmass currently inhabited by the Azure Dynasty, the Wu Clan, and the Spirit Beast Clan constitutes the primary continent of this cultivation world. Beyond its shores, across the boundless ocean, lie various splintered landmasses and other, more recently emerged, territories.
Spirit Continent is one such place. Its development spans a mere hundred millennia; the ambient Heaven and Earth Spirit Qi there is notably thin, and the most powerful cultivators it has produced have not surpassed the Nascent Soul realm.]
"Ah, so it's one of the new continents," Li Wei mused, a flash of understanding in his mind.
He had indeed heard tell of such 'new continents' before. Apparently, there were even cultivators from the mainland who made it their specialty to venture to these nascent territories for 'harvesting' – plundering their untapped resources and nascent civilizations.
His attention returned to Li Chang'an and Li Xingchen.
To the long-lived Li family elders, a decade might pass in the blink of an eye. But for these two younger descendants, Li Chang'an and Li Xingchen, ten years was a significant span, a substantial portion of their lives thus far.
When Li Wei had last checked in on them a decade ago, the father-son pair were still fledgling pirates, their primary asset being that Rank 8 'Undead Pirate Ship.'
Yet here they were now, boldly commanding that same vessel, locked in a fierce engagement with a group of cultivators near the coastal frontier of Spirit Continent!
Back in the Azure Cloud region, even in its heyday, a Foundation Establishment cultivator was hardly considered exceptional.
Yet here, on this Spirit Continent, cultivators of that same realm appeared to be figures of almost unattainable might and status. Aboard their pirate vessel, Li Chang'an and Li Xingchen were in the thick of it, directing their undying crew in a pitched battle against these Spirit Continent cultivators.
It was also readily apparent that the spiritual techniques employed by the Spirit Continent natives were rather rudimentary; among their entire force, fewer than twenty individuals even possessed the ability of sword flight. The engagement was, from start to finish, an absolute raw!
[Descendant Update (Li Chang'an & Li Xingchen): Following several years of commanding their pirate vessel and diligently cultivating throughout the ocean territories, your descendant Li Chang'an has successfully advanced to the Peak Stage of Foundation Establishment.
Your descendant Li Xingchen has likewise progressed to the Mid Stage of Foundation Establishment.]
[Further Update: The father-son pair subsequently discovered the Spirit Continent and resolved to undertake a period of exploration within its borders.]
[First Contact: No sooner had their vessel made landfall than they were accosted by local cultivators with covetous intent. Upon discovering that their primary antagonist was a City Lord of some standing, they found themselves with no alternative but to engage in battle.]
"So that's the situation," Li Wei mused, understanding the context of their battle now.
Seeing their current engagement, Li Wei decided not to intervene directly for the moment. After all, the apex cultivators on Spirit Continent barely reached the Nascent Soul realm, and he knew Li Chang'an and his son had their own Nascent Soul-level guardians watching their backs.
His focus then shifted to Li Xinghuo.
While Li Chang'an and his son had ventured into the "vast oceans and starry skies" of piracy, Li Xinghuo had taken a different path.
Following the Li Clan's decision to enter widespread secluded cultivation, he alone had opted to become a wandering swordsman, making his way through the world.
The young man was, at this moment, amidst a large gathering of people. He was surrounded by a multitude of other young cultivators, all gathered at the foot of a large mountain, expectantly awaiting the activation of a great protective formation that sealed its interior.
Presently, a Golden Core cultivator rose into the air above them.
"Treasure Mountain unseals itself but once a century!" his deep voice boomed. "On this occasion, the prodigies of Blackwater Region shall vie for the honor of being named the foremost talent of the new generation..."
Li Xinghuo, by this point, could certainly count himself as someone who had seen a fair bit of the world.
He watched the posturing Golden Core cultivator with a thoroughly unimpressed, deadpan expression, muttering under his breath, "Anyone who didn't know better would almost mistake you for Tian Xing with all that pomp."
[System Update (Li Xinghuo): Under the guidance of Li Yaowen, your descendant Li Xinghuo has journeyed through diverse territories, cultivating and pursuing fortuitous encounters.
Notable Activities: He has vied for treasures within the ruins of Golden Core cultivators, endured pursuits by Golden Core experts, and attracted recruitment overtures from significant powers.
Current Cultivation: False Core stage.
Spoils Acquired: A Low-Grade hidden weapon Spirit Artifact, Mid-Grade Spirit Artifact - 'Cloud Phantom Beast Pendant', Profound grade Spiritual Technique - 'Earth Deity Summoning Technique', ....]
[System Update (Li Xinghuo): Your descendant Li Xinghuo is currently taking part in the 'Blackwater Youth Chieftain Competition'. This contest is being held on Treasure Mountain; the participant who successfully acquires the greatest number of tokens will be declared the victor and earn the title of 'Chief'...]
Witnessing the development of these three young descendants (Li Chang'an, Li Xingchen, and Li Xinghuo), Li Wei found himself momentarily lost in thought.
Once, their Li Clan had boasted countless young talents just like these three.
Their lives, too, should have been filled with the same vibrant potential, the same opportunities to shine.
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