216: declaration

Li Xiangyun nodded, then looked at Li Zhongwen: "Zhongwen, tomorrow you will spread the news—in ten days, I will personally go straight into Great Zhou Imperial City, and in front of all the civil and military officials, I will seek justice for the harm the Li Family has suffered over the years."

"This..." Mo Lingfeng interjected at this moment, his tone carrying a hint of concern, "Brother Li, the Great Zhou Dynasty has been entrenched in this region for many years; although it has no Soul Transformation Cultivators, it surely has many Nascent Soul Cultivators, and its Foundation should not be underestimated.

Although you are now in the Nascent Soul Late Stage, charging into the Imperial City alone like this seems too risky. Even if we are to declare war, shouldn't we first ally with Misty Swamp, or gather the Family's strength, before making a decision?"

"Brother Mo, you worry too much!" Deng Qi immediately retorted, his voice booming, "Back then, when Oldest Brother was only at Golden Core Peak, he was able to defeat a Nascent Soul Middle Stage Prodigy. Now he is in the Nascent Soul Late Stage, and his strength is even more unfathomable!

That Great Zhou Dynasty can't even produce a Soul Transformation Cultivator, so what kind of formidable figures could it possibly have?

Oldest Brother going to seek justice is giving them Face!"

His conviction in Li Xiangyun stemmed from witnessing miracles repeatedly with his own eyes; he simply didn't believe there was any risk in this matter.

Li Xiangyun also looked at Mo Lingfeng, his tone calm yet firm: "I understand Brother Mo's concerns, but this battle must be fought by me personally.

To clear the Li Family's name, what's needed is precisely this deterrent force.

As for danger... with the jade talisman given by Senior Baize, even if I encounter something truly tricky, I can protect myself."

Li Xiner, standing nearby, also spoke softly at this moment, her voice filled with barely suppressed excitement: "Revered Master, I... I also think we should declare war! Didn't we have to leave Purple Cloud Lake back then precisely because they coveted my Phoenix Bloodline and pressed us relentlessly? This debt should have been settled long ago!"

Li Xiner's hands trembled slightly. For years, she had lived in guilt, feeling that it was because of her that Li Xiangyun's whereabouts were unknown, that Li Hentian ran away from home, and that other Family members met their demise.

If it came to revenge, Li Xiner's hatred for the Great Zhou Dynasty was absolutely the greatest.

Seeing that Li Xiangyun had made his decision, and that Deng Qi and Li Xiner's attitudes were very clear, with Li Zhongwen's Face full of excitement, Mo Lingfeng said no more, only nodding: "Since Brother Li has a plan, we will naturally obey. However, in ten days... I wish to accompany Brother Li."

"No need." Li Xiangyun shook his head, "You all stay within the Family, guard the territory, and comfort the Family members; that will be my greatest help.

"Oldest Brother, I..." Seeing that Li Xiangyun intended to go alone, Deng Qi immediately became anxious. How could such a major event proceed without him?

Li Xiangyun guessed Deng Qi's thoughts, so he took out a bronze mirror and said, "This is the Profound Sky Mirror. If you wish to watch the battle, you can do so through this treasure and will not be affected by the conflict."

Li Xiner's Face lit up, and she quickly took it. She could already imagine Li Xiangyun displaying his Divine Might to avenge her.

Li Zhongwen had already stood up at this point, bowing in response: "Seventh Uncle, rest assured! Tomorrow morning, I will spread the news, making sure the entire Great Zhou knows that our Li Family has returned!

In ten days, the former Ice Peak Zhenren will flatten Great Zhou Imperial City and reclaim all justice!" His voice was filled with resolve and passion, as if he could already see Li Xiangyun standing atop the Imperial City in ten days.

The atmosphere in the room, due to this declaration of war, became thoroughly invigorated.

Any previous slight doubts about alliances were now replaced by an eagerness for impending revenge; a fire burned in everyone's heart.

It was time to reclaim the Li Family's glory, little by little, with their own hands.

The next day, at the first hint of dawn, Li Zhongwen, accompanied by several capable Disciples, spread Li Xiangyun's declaration of war to every corner of the Li Family's territory.

The declaration, confirmed by Li Xiangyun, was shouted by Li Zhongwen from the highest drying ground in the Family, his voice amplified by spiritual Qi.

"I am Li Xiangyun. Ten years ago, the Great Zhou Dynasty coveted the Li Family's Purple Cloud Lake treasure ground, and furthermore sought to seize the Phoenix Bloodline of my Family's Disciple, forcing my Li Family into displacement and scattering its members.

Now I have returned, establishing a Foundation with the remaining Li Family Disciples, and have allied with Misty Swamp; my wings are now fully grown.

In ten days, I will enter Great Zhou Imperial City alone.

Not for slaughter, but to ask the Great Zhou Imperial Family, in front of all civil and military officials and the common people: When will the injustice of the unprovoked attack on my Li Family be redressed? When will the stolen Family secret treasures be returned? When will the blood debt of the Family members who died in the pursuit be repaid?

The Li Family does not seek trouble, but it is never afraid of it. Ten years of forbearance was not cowardice, but accumulation of strength. I declare war here today, to let the world know: The Li Family still exists, and we will seek justice ourselves!"

A declaration, after all, is meant to package oneself as a victim, and then righteously condemn the opponent. Therefore, Li Xiangyun had no objection to these words.

Although this was a world of cultivation where strength was paramount, and there was no need for ancient warfare tactics, if it could be packaged, why not? It was merely a bit of effort.

Indeed, as the declaration ceased, the Li Family Disciples were silent for a moment, then erupted in a thunderous roar.

Most of the younger Disciples had grown up migrating with their Family elders; perhaps they were too young to understand then, but they had heard countless times the blood and tears behind the four characters "Great Zhou Dynasty."

Now, hearing that the Old Ancestor was personally going to declare war and seek justice, they all rushed to the drying ground with red eyes, the veins on their hands, clutching their weapons, throbbing: "Old Ancestor is mighty!"

"It's about time we settled this debt with them!"

"In ten days, I'm going to watch from outside the Imperial City! See how Old Ancestor makes those Great Zhou Imperial Family members bow their heads!"

Some, amidst their excitement, also harbored slight concerns. A middle-aged Cultivator with frosted temples pulled someone next to him and whispered, "Although Old Ancestor is in the Nascent Soul Late Stage, Great Zhou Imperial City is, after all, a Dragon's Den... What if the other side sets a trap?"

Before he could finish, he was interrupted by a Disciple beside him: "Have you forgotten how powerful Old Ancestor was back then? With Golden Core cultivation, he could contend with a Nascent Soul Cultivator!

Old Ancestor has been in the Nascent Soul Late Stage for these ten years, what is there to be afraid of?"

Another Disciple chimed in: "Don't overthink it, just trust Old Ancestor!"

The middle-aged Cultivator was choked by their words, then his Face reddened, and he nodded vigorously: "Right! Trust Old Ancestor! We'll guard our home and wait for Old Ancestor to return with justice!"

In secret, Li Xiangyun watched this scene and nodded. Although he had been away for ten years, it was fortunate that the Li Family Disciples' spirit had recovered.

At this moment, the entire Li Family territory was like a lit bonfire; the roaring of Disciples practicing their punches was three times louder than usual, the patrolling footsteps were more urgent, and even the force used to chop wood in the back kitchen carried a fierce determination.

It was the resentment suppressed for ten years, finally about to crash into the enemy's heart, following the Old Ancestor's footsteps.