Li Jiman rode to Lijing Town on horseback but was carried back to Wutu City in a carriage. The punishment handed out in the Clan Head Courtyard of the Li Family was carried out by a Fetal Breathing Cultivator, and even though he possessed cultivation level, it was of no use; he was still beaten until his skin split and flesh burst.

Several unsmiling Clan Elders had a discussion in the Clan Head Courtyard and rendered a judgment of "negligence of duty and indulgence towards the hopeful clans," which not only led to Li Jiman being relentlessly paddled seventy times but also saw his reputation soundly smacked.

Naturally, the people from the Tian Family also rushed to the Clan Head Courtyard. Tian Zhongqing stepped forward and apologized repeatedly. Although Li Jiman appeared to laugh it off on the surface, Tian Zhongqing felt a chill in his spine.

Even though the other side of the Clan Head Courtyard and Li Yuanping’s Central Hall issued no specific directives against his family, it was still enough to send them into a sweat.

As the very epicenter of the storm, Tian Zhongqing, the Family Head of the Tian Clan, felt his breath caught in his throat. The joy of his recent advancement in Qi cultivation vanished entirely. He rode through the night back to Eastern Shanyue, furious enough to smash all the porcelain in the courtyard and had to restrain his uncle Tian Youdao from killing Tian Rong with a single slap.

"Get out! You beast!"

Following Tian Youdao’s fierce shout, Tian Rong scurried away, clutching his swollen cheek. Only then did Tian Zhongqing let go of the old man’s hand. Inside, he truly didn’t want to stop Tian Youdao; it would have been clean and simple to just kill him with a slap...

But when the old man’s slap only made Tian Rong stumble, Tian Zhongqing knew that his uncle still cared for his only son. He went along with the act and, with a heavy voice, said,

"Uncle... what should we do now?"

Tian Youdao, also a senior member of the Li Family, had progressed from Fetal Breathing to Qi Cultivation and held a high status within the clan. He sighed heavily and said dully,

"Li Jiman is narrow-minded, he was always dissatisfied with our family—now with this incident, we’ve made a serious enemy..."

With both uncle and nephew being Qi Cultivators, their family was the largest outside force within the Li Family. They were always careful and meticulous; Tian Zhongqing had never imagined that while he was in seclusion and Tian Youdao was away, Tian Rong would run off and cause such a disaster.

Tian Zhongqing sighed and whispered,

"I had strict orders in place, how could he have run off? Now, with Li Jiman having the support of many Shanyue nobles... if there are any changes in the future..."

Tian Youdao took a seat at the head, already in his seventies, having seen much in his life. He stroked his beard, deep in thought, and mused,

"This matter is strange, I’ll speak to the Family Head, state our case. Whatever the clan decides to do, we’ll cooperate accordingly!"

Tian Youdao, being a direct uncle to Li Xuanfeng, held a high position within the family and thus had the right to say these words. Seeing this, Tian Zhongqing couldn’t help but lament in his heart,

"In the clan, only uncle can say this..."

"Zhongqing!"

Tian Youdao called out softly, and Tian Zhongqing immediately looked up. The uncle and nephew exchanged glances, and Tian Youdao, with a solemn face, said with gravity,

"Speaking of this matter... Our family’s current influence seems to come from us, uncle and nephew, breaking through to Qi Cultivation in succession, producing numerous Spirit Apertures, becoming a pillar of the community and gaining the trust of the main house, restraining the Shanyue. But Zhongqing..."

He looked at his nephew and whispered,

"You must understand that our family’s position and influence rest solely on me!"

Tian Zhongqing nodded solemnly. He, too, was now a family man, mature and with many children, and said quietly,

"The Ren Clan and Dou Clan are related through our elders, and with the advent of Master Ximing, they eagerly follow him. The Liu Clan is in decline, and the Xu Clan dedicates themselves as pure ministers to the military, not allying themselves with others, so there’s nothing to worry about."

"And for our Tian Clan..."

Tian Youdao, Li Xuanfeng’s direct uncle, had always led the Tian family based on his seniority; the fact that Li Xuanfeng went to Yi Shan City at the Southern Border, and had no heirs, left the Tian family without support.

Li Xuanfeng was said to have gone to guard Yi Shan City, but few who went there ever returned. Everyone knew not to speak of it, assuming he’d never come back. The rest of the hopeful clans were indifferent, but the Tian Clan had internal concerns.

"Indeed."

Tian Youdao shook his head and answered,

"My only fear is that if one day I meet with misfortune, the Tian Clan will be dismembered, just like the Liu Clan." 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Tian Zhongqing paused for a moment and then whispered,

"Uncle, what do you think... about the eldest son?"

Among the Li Jiaxi generation, Li Xihong was the oldest and thus the Eldest Son. Li Xizhi was the third, and Li Ximing and Li Xijun were respectively the seventh and eighth. The other three sons and one daughter were ordinary people and dismissed from the mountain’s concerns.

Li Xihong was now administering affairs in Shanyue and was the only son of the Li Family who did so. He was from the line of Li Tongya, and Tian Zhongqing, having had many interactions with him, had some understanding. He explained,

"The Eldest Son is very magnanimous and generous in friendship. If the Tian Clan marries our daughter to him, and I wholeheartedly foster relations with him, leaning towards his line, perhaps we could find a strong ally."

"His line was once in decline, lacking maternal family support. It truly is the best option!"

Tian Youdao sipped his tea and responded,

"Go and give it a try; first, establish a good relationship. I see that he has an abundance of magnanimity but lacks firmness, making him a good candidate for alliance. If we can gain his trust, there will be no worries for generations."

────

In the heavily guarded main hall, Li Yuanping sat cross-legged in a brocade robe, with a cushion underneath him emitting beams of white light to aid in concentration and ward off disturbances.

"Family Head! There’s a message from the west."

A clan soldier from below, seeing Li Yuanping cultivating in the main hall, hesitated to approach.

Recent relaxation had afforded Li Yuanping some time to cultivate. Although the gains were minimal, it was better than nothing.

"Bring it here."

Li Yuanping exhaled and reached out to take the message, using a specific technique to unlock the seal and unfolded it to read:

"Donghe has reached the western desert known as Valley Smoke. Accompanied by two respectful followers, we dwell under the rule of the Jin Yu Sect at Valley Smoke Temple. With the three of us working together, it will take seven years to gather enough qi to return."