Li Wei watched Li Changsheng on the Primal Blood Tree.
As the Li family's power grew and the world descended into chaos, the surrounding regions had also grown restless. Within Eternal Sun Prefecture, the major factions were subtly seeking to break free from the Li family's control, and the burden on Li Dalong mounted with each passing day.
Yet, to the Li family, nothing was more important than Li Changsheng on the Primal Blood Tree.
Li Changsheng had consumed the Human Emperor's Blood early on and was cultivating the "Great Dream Human Emperor Scripture".
In the beginning, the Heaven-rank scripture had left even Li Wei, their Old Ancestor, excited for a long time; he had even considered having every member of the Li family practice the technique.
But after the calamity with Tian Xing occurred, they finally understood what this cultivation method truly represented.
Venerable Tian Xing's desire to break free from his predicament was also because he had once cultivated the "Great Dream Human Emperor Scripture". As for whether Venerable Elder Baimei was aware of this, the Li family had no way of knowing.
What they knew even less was what those eyes truly intended, or to whom they belonged. Li Changsheng was cautious by nature. In truth, his cultivation of the "Great Dream Human Emperor Scripture" could have progressed much faster, for his innate aptitude was truly extraordinary. Yet, all these years, he had been suppressing his own talent, precisely because he did not want to cultivate the technique to its final stage. But now... it was too late.
Only the Primal Blood Tree, using its innate ability to shield heavenly secrets and the essence Qi it had plundered from Tian Xing, was resisting the invasion of those eyes into Li Changsheng's divine soul.
Possession.
The word hung over the Li family members like a dark cloud. Even Li Yaowen, with her Arts of Fate, had been unable to investigate the origin of those blood-red eyes. All she could say was that the mastermind behind them was an existence that neither the Li family, nor the Venerable Tian Xing of that time, could ever hope to match.
"Dalong, rest assured."
The Primal Blood Tree's ancient voice rang out, "As long as Changsheng has not broken through his mortal shell, those eyes lack the power to invade his divine soul. And as long as Yaowen and I still draw breath, they can forget about causing any trouble."
"But, Grandpa Divine Tree... my brother... when will he get better?"
Li Changyao's voice trembled. Two years had passed. Li Changsheng had lain on the tree for two full years. Though she knew he was safe within the clan, she had still endured the ordeal alongside him for two years.
Scarcely had her voice faded.
Upon the Old Tree, Li Changsheng's eyebrows twitched. "It's alright, Grandfather, Changyao. Don't you know my temperament? I won't give it the slightest opportunity. It just means I can't personally lead the Hall of Heavenly Principle's Shadow Division on missions."
Although he needed the Old Tree's protection, Li Changsheng could still perceive everything. The Master of the Hall of Heavenly Principle's Shadow Division was still in control of the family's covert affairs.
"Grandfather, this child just received intelligence from the Shadow Division. The Duravia Trade Prefecture wants a marriage alliance with our family. Our people… it seems they saw an old acquaintance in Duravia Trade Prefecture."
"Perhaps that is the source of their confidence."
Hearing this, Li Dalong gave a slight nod. "I am already aware. Changsheng, you rest well. Before the matter within your divine soul is resolved, the Hall of Heavenly Principle will be managed by Changyao."
"Changyao won't do," Li Changsheng's voice was full of disdain. "She's clumsy."
"You… Given your condition, I won't stoop to your level!" Li Changyao stood with her hands on her hips, her cheeks puffed out in a pout.
Duravia Trade Prefecture.
Also situated in the south of the Imperial Dynasty, the Duravia Trade Prefecture was about as prosperous as the Eternal Sun Prefecture.
In truth, Eternal Sun Prefecture was also a land of complex circumstances; if not for the Qi Luck and Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures plundered from the Azure Cloud region over many years, it likely wouldn't have earned the title of 'Land Favored by Spirit Dragons.'
Duravia Trade Prefecture was different. Its environment was simply superior.
Duravia Trade Prefecture governed a total of twelve regions, a testament to its vast territory. Its powers consisted mostly of Immortal Clans, because the sect powers of the Duravia Trade Prefecture were almost completely monopolized by the 'One Sect and Two Palaces.'
This One Sect and Two Palaces were precisely the ones who had sent the message to the Li family: the Aeternus Sect, the Perennis Immortal Palace, and the Myriad Dao Immortal Palace.
These three all maintained a reclusive status, and all pursued the Immortal Dao. Aside from their disciples venturing out for training and seeking out disciples of extraordinary aptitude every thirty years, they rarely interfered in worldly affairs.
When Li Wei had first heard of them, he had truly thought these three sects were transcendent and otherworldly. Now, it seemed that in this age of great chaos, all manner of monsters and demons had come out of the woodwork.
As for the cultivation families of the Duravia Trade Prefecture, they all followed the lead of the Eighteenth Prince. The prince, Chang Geng, was known to outsiders as 'Prince Qian.'
It had to be said that these imperial princes were all quite capable. In a place like Duravia Trade Prefecture, where aristocratic and immortal clans were numerous, Prince Qian had made them all follow his lead in a very short time, a testament to his ability.
However, according to the Li family's intelligence, behind Prince Qian were the 'One Sect and Two Palaces'; they were the ones who truly controlled the entire Duravia Trade Prefecture.
Basically, eighty percent of the Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures in the entire prefecture would flow continuously into those three great powers.
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