33: As the year draws to a close, the second son plots rebellion.

Time seemed to accelerate here, yet all clamor was stilled.

Since Li Yinglong led his Disciples to establish their Foundation here and cultivate diligently, unknowingly, half a year had passed with the changing seasons.

On this particular day, the sunlight was just right, and a gentle breeze rippled across the mirror-like lake surface, stirring tiny golden scales.

Li Yinglong did not sit quietly by the lake as usual; instead, he gathered all ten of his Disciples.

Everyone stood solemnly, their Auras having undergone a complete transformation compared to half a year ago.

Their eyes held a contained brilliance, their figures were as straight as pines, and a composed demeanor, refined by Spiritual Qi, flowed around them.

Li Changyun's Spear Intent was even more magnificent, Li Changyu's calculations became more profound, Thunder Frost's gaze was as sharp as an eagle, Stone Iron Ox's lower body was as stable as a mountain, and Lin Xiaowan's fingertips subtly flowed with the fresh breath of plants and trees... Even Li Changxing, who had made the slowest progress, had lost some of his timidity and gained a certain calm certainty after careful observation.

Li Yinglong's gaze slowly swept over these young and vibrant faces, and he spoke in a deep voice:

"Time flies; it has been almost half a year since we left our hometown to forge our Dao."

"You have all cultivated diligently and made remarkable progress, which greatly pleases this old man. The nourishment of the Spiritual Vein here, coupled with its immunity to external demons, truly makes it a treasure land for cultivation."

His tone shifted slightly:

"However, the Dao of Cultivation is not merely about sitting in secluded meditation and absorbing Spiritual Qi, nor is it about being heartless and treating kin as strangers."

"The Foundation of our Li Family lies in Bloodline connection and mutual assistance. Your arduous cultivation today is so that you may protect the Clan in the future, bring glory to our name, ensure the well-being of your parents, and the peace of mind of your younger brother and sister, not to seek personal transcendence."

"A Sect might only concern itself with eternal life, but a Family needs to maintain human relationships. This is the fundamental difference between our Clan and the great Immortal Sects, and it is also where the cohesive power of our Clan lies."

The Disciples held their breath, their hearts seemingly stirred.

Having been away from home for a long time, though immersed in cultivation Breakthroughs, who among them had not thought of their parents, brother and sister in the quiet of the night?

Li Yinglong took in the subtle expressions of everyone:

"The New Year is approaching, a time for Mortals to reunite, and also an opportunity for us Cultivators to reflect on our worldly ties and temper our Dao Heart. Excessive arduous cultivation can easily lead astray and go against the harmony of nature; a balance of work and rest, with appropriate intensity, is the long-term Dao."

"Therefore, this old man has decided: all matters on the island will be suspended, and we will set off immediately to return to Linhai City!"

"Firstly, to allow you to reunite with your relatives and celebrate the New Year, fulfilling filial piety and easing the pain of longing."

"Secondly, Linhai City is where our Li Family's Foundation lies; worldly affairs need to be managed, and the Clan's destiny needs to be maintained. This return also requires inspecting our properties, reassuring the people, and selecting a group of loyal, reliable, or potentially talented new Bloodline members to bring back to the island for cultivation, strengthening our Clan's cultivation Foundation."

As soon as these words were spoken, it was like a giant stone thrown into a lake, causing a strong reaction!

Return home! Reunion! New Year!

These few words instantly ignited the long-suppressed homesickness of the young people.

Everyone responded almost in unison, excitedly:

"We obey the Clan Chief's command!"

Their voices were filled with joy and anticipation.

However, in this surging atmosphere, a faint, hesitant voice sounded:

"Clan Chief..."

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice, only to see Li Changxing timidly step forward half a step.

"Changxing... Changxing wishes to implore the Clan Chief to allow him to remain on the island."

Instantly, all eyes focused on him, filled with surprise and incomprehension.

Li Changxing took a deep breath, trying to keep his voice from trembling too much:

"Clan Chief, I... I have no elders in my Family and no one to worry about... And... And the Evergreen Art you taught me a few days ago, this Disciple is dull-witted, but recently seems... seems to have made a small inch of progress, occasionally gaining a subtle sense of Qi. I fear that the fatigue of travel might disturb this minor progress... Furthermore, the houses, the herb garden, and even this Spiritual Vein area on the island still need someone to watch over them to prevent... to prevent any loss."

His words were earnest, and his reasons seemed sufficient, but deep within his evasive eyes, there was a hint of fear and detachment from rejoining crowds.

He was an orphan who had been picked up, and reunion was not a good thing for him.

The tranquility of the island and cultivating alone made him feel safe and at ease.

Li Yinglong gazed at him for a moment, seeing through his thoughts.

He pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded:

"Hmm, not coveting vanity, enduring loneliness, devoted to cultivation, and mindful of practical matters, this heart is commendable. Since your decision is made, I grant your request; you may remain on the island."

Li Changxing felt relieved:

"Thank you, Clan Chief!"

Just then, Li Qingzhu, who was nearby, also spoke softly:

"Uncle, Qingzhu also wishes to stay."

Everyone was astonished again.

Li Qingzhu's cultivation had now reached the Fourth Level of Qi Refining, making her the person with the highest Realm on the island, even Li Yinglong was only at the Great Perfection of the Qi Refining Third Layer.

Li Yinglong gave her a deep look.

He instantly understood Li Qingzhu's deep meaning—she was not at ease leaving Li Changxing, this "special" existence, alone in the Spiritual Vein area.

Her staying was both supervision and precaution, and also a cautious investment in the Family's future.

"Good."

Li Yinglong never engaged in unnecessary arguments and made a quick decision:

"Since that is the case, you two shall remain together. Qingzhu, you will be in charge of everything on the island, with Changxing assisting you. Be cautious in all matters, and prioritize stability."

"Yes, Uncle (Clan Chief)!"

The two responded in unison.

With arrangements made, Li Yinglong acted decisively and without delay:

"The rest of you, pack your belongings immediately, taking only necessary items. In half an hour, gather at the dock; we set sail for home!"

"Yes!"

The Disciples responded with a roar, suppressing their excitement, and quickly dispersed, returning to their residences to pack.

Half an hour later, the sailing ship set sail, cutting through the blue waves, heading in the direction of Linhai City.

Li Changxing and Li Qingzhu stood side by side on the dock's reef, silently watching the sail fade into the distance, eventually disappearing into the horizon where sea met sky.

However, at this very moment, Linhai City was brewing an earth-shattering storm capable of completely overturning the Li Family's Foundation!

...Linhai City, Li Clan territory.

The once bustling gateway, filled with visitors, was now shrouded in a suffocating atmosphere of Killing Intent and deadly silence.

The setting sun, like blood, spilled across the high walls and vermilion gates, but it reflected no warmth, instead adding a touch of bleakness.

Outside the Clan territory, the long street was empty, and people's doors and windows were tightly shut. Occasionally, a bolder person would peek through a crack, only to quickly recoil in terror, their face pale.

A dense mass of black-armored cavalry, like an iron barrel, surrounded the entire Li Family mansion, making it impenetrable!

Their armor was chilling, their swords and spears gleamed with cold light, and banners embroidered with the character "Xia" and the insignia of the Linhai City Guard rustled menacingly in the desolate wind.

In front of the cavalry formation, City Lord Xia Donghai sat atop a magnificent warhorse, clad in brocade over soft armor, his face as still as water.

In his hawk-like eyes, there was no longer a trace of his usual false warmth, only bone-chilling Killing Intent and long-suppressed greed.

And what was even more alarming was the person riding alongside him—

It was Li Yinglong's second son, Li Qingchuan!

At this moment, Li Qingchuan's face was pale, tinged with a sickly excitement, his eyes evasive, yet he forced himself to straighten his back.

"Beast! You beast!"

A cry of desperate rage came from inside the Li Family's main gate.

The former Clan Chief Li Yinglong's eldest son, Li Qingshan, was currently being held back by several loyal servants. His eyes were bloodshot, veins bulging on his forehead, as he stared intently at Li Qingchuan on horseback outside the gate, heartbroken and almost spitting blood:

"Li Qingchuan! You actually colluded with outsiders, poisoned your Clansmen, and led troops to surround our home! You... do you live up to Father's entrustment? Do you live up to the Li Clan's ancestors?!"

Li Qingchuan trembled at the shout, instinctively wanting to shrink back, but a cold glance from Xia Donghai made him immediately force himself to maintain his Aura, and he retorted shrilly:

"Big Brother! Don't blame me! You forced me! Father was biased! The Li Family wronged me first!"

His words were chaotic, filled with accumulated resentment and distortion:

"Why? Why is the position of Clan Chief destined to be yours? Even that illegitimate child Li Qingzhu, who knows where she came from, climbed above me! I am the legitimate son! I've given so much to the Family, what have I received? House arrest! Neglect! No one cares!"

He grew more agitated as he spoke, as if finding an outlet for his emotions:

"And Father! He clearly has such heaven-defying abilities, why did he never truly cultivate me? He must have disliked my dull Aptitude and long considered me an abandoned child! He left with that group of juniors and never returned, did he ever think about whether I lived or died? If so, then let this Li Family fall apart!"

"You... you scoundrel!"

Li Qingshan trembled with rage, but the poison had taken effect, paralyzing his entire body, leaving him powerless to act.

Li Qingchuan had actually taken advantage of the monthly meeting to secretly drug all the participating Clansmen with an anesthetic!

The reason he didn't use a deadly poison was that he wanted to capture everyone and force them to hand over the keys to the various Family secret vaults they managed!

If they hadn't been poisoned, with their skills, they would never have been so passive.

Xia Donghai's lips curled into a cruel and triumphant arc, and he slowly raised his hand:

"The Li Family colluded with demonic Cultivators, plotted against the city, and moreover, exploited the local people; the evidence is conclusive! This City Lord, by imperial decree, will thoroughly investigate and punish them severely! Li Qingshan, if you are sensible, open the gates and surrender, hand over all property deeds, and perhaps your entire Clan can retain some dignity!"

"Otherwise, where our iron hooves tread, not even a chicken or dog will be left!"

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

The black-armored cavalry behind him roared in unison, their voices shaking the heavens, and a fierce Killing Intent surged forward.

Li Qingshan looked at the dense enemy troops outside the gate and his own younger brother, who was acting like a madman, and his heart plummeted into an ice abyss.

He had never expected that Xia Donghai, after months of patience, had secretly mobilized a batch of Xuanjia Army from the imperial capital.

These Xuanjia Army were the regular troops of the Imperial City.

He had even less expected that the most fatal blow would come from his own Family!

"Xia! Even if you can kill all my Clansmen, as long as my Father returns, he will surely take your heads!"

Li Qingshan's voice was hoarse, filled with resolute determination to die.

"Hmph hmph~ That old man Li Yinglong, who knows if he's alive or dead? I've already sent ships to search the outer seas for months, and there's no trace of them on any island."

"After half a year of probing, I've already confirmed that the old man is probably long dead at sea!"

Xia Donghai sneered, stating his conviction.

Upon hearing this, Li Qingshan and the others showed expressions of grief and despair, yet none retreated. They all gripped their weapons tightly and quickly retreated into the mansion, the heavy main gates slowly closing with a dull, despairing thud.

A cold glint flashed in Xia Donghai's eyes; he had run out of patience.

"Stubborn fools! Attack!"

His horsewhip swung down fiercely!

"Boom!"

The battering ram heavily impacted the mansion gates!

Arrows, like a swarm of locusts, shot into the courtyard walls!

The sounds of fighting, screams, and clashing weapons instantly erupted, shattering the twilight silence of Linhai City!

Flames began to leap up in the courtyards on the edge of the Li mansion, thick smoke billowing, reflecting Xia Donghai's cruel face and Li Qingchuan's twisted and terrified profile.

The remaining forces of the Li Family appeared so weak in front of the well-equipped and numerous City Guard, their defenses being rapidly torn apart.

The danger of the nest being overturned was already upon them!