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Chapter 258: Such Should Be the View
Chapter 258: Such Should Be the View
"Is there really no other way?" Wang Xiangru, sitting below, asked with a pale face.
Beside her, her husband Li Fenghua had just returned from leading troops from Cangzhou. He had nearly fallen during the previous battle to defend Qingzhou and was now severely injured, still not fully recovered, looking haggard.
Li Xiaoran gave her a cold glance and ignored her, instead focusing his gaze on Li Tiangang.
Li Tiangang's expression was grim, not expecting the Li Family to have fallen into such dire straits in just over a month.
"I will go and summon the Ancestor's blood!"
Li Tiangang clenched his jaw slightly and stood up to speak.
He glanced at Li Xiaoran, wanting to say something to his fourth uncle, but the other man's eyes were extremely cold, looking at him as if he were a stranger. This made Li Tiangang feel a sharp pain in his heart.
He knew the reason.
When he had brought his wife Ji Qingqing back, he had also confessed to everyone about Li Hao's fate. He had failed to bring Li Hao back, and Li Hao had died because of him.
This news stunned Li Muxiu, Li Xiaoran, and the others. That day, the Divine General Manor erupted with angry shouts, and several rooms in the Mountain and River Courtyard were shattered, except for the one where the young man had once lived, which remained intact.
After that night, Li Muxiu seemed to have aged by a decade, and he never spoke another word to Li Tiangang. Li Xiaoran also looked at Li Tiangang with cold eyes, as if seeing a stranger, which caused Li Tiangang great pain.
As Li Tiangang moved forward, Li Xiaoran only slightly turned to let him pass, without a word.
The others remained silent, having grown accustomed to this. In recent days, whenever Li Xiaoran came to see Li Tiangang, it was only about the Liangzhou battle reports, and each time his tone was icy.
The day they learned of Li Hao's death, the events that unfolded in the Mountain and River Courtyard were still vivid in their minds. The Master, who had the hottest temper and was closest to Li Hao, disregarded the Li Family's Divine Soul Oath and injured himself to give Li Tiangang several harsh slaps, coughing up blood in the process.
They knew then how deeply the Second Uncle cared for that child, to the point of disregarding the entire situation.
However, it wasn't just Li Muxiu who was grief-stricken; many of them were also disheartened. Although the child was not their own, he was still of the Li Family's blood and a source of glory. Due to some misunderstandings in the past, they could no longer make amends or bring him back.
"This time, we'll see if your precious children will return when the Ancestor's blood is summoned!"
He Jianlan looked at Wang Xiangru with cold eyes.
If it were another day, she would have maintained some decorum, considering her position as the First Lady and avoiding the appearance of bullying other wives. Moreover, the clans behind these wives held positions in the court, and there were many mouths to speak.
But since learning of Li Hao's death and the current situation in Qingzhou, the pent-up anger in her heart could no longer be concealed.
After that incident, she often felt heartache and regret. Reflecting on it, she realized that while she could blame Liu Yuerong, the most hateful thing was Wang Xiangru's indulgence of her children.
Wang Xiangru had never allowed her children to train with others on the Training Grounds, being domineering and indulgent. This led to her children having no emotional connection with their peers like Li Hao, Li Yuanzhao, and Li Zhining, and it also caused her daughter to lack proper upbringing, leading to her offending Li Hao's mother, who then slapped her in anger.
During the peak of the conflict in the courtyard, Li Rumei's tearful appeals were the final push that tore the father and son apart, driving them to become enemies.
This all stemmed from Li Tiangang's bizarre stubbornness, Liu Yuerong's foolish malice, and Wang Xiangru's indulgence of her children. All these factors led to the outbreak of the great battle, and ultimately, the one who bore the brunt of it all was that helpless child.
Every time He Jianlan thought of this, she felt tears welling up, regretting not having done more to stop it.
However, the events had been too sudden, one after another, catching everyone off guard, and no one could have predicted the outcome.
Now, hearing He Jianlan's cold words, Wang Xiangru's face changed. Since Li Tiangang brought back the news of Li Hao's death, her status in the Divine General Manor had become like that of a second Liu Yuerong. Liu Yuerong was imprisoned, while she was still outside, having to constantly face the disdain of others, which had built up a great deal of anger inside her.
"Elder Sister-in-Law, what do you mean? If Jiang Ying and Rumei are summoned by the Ancestor's blood, they will definitely return, unless something is holding them back."
Wang Xiangru said angrily.
He Jianlan sneered, "We'll just have to wait and see!"
Wang Xiangru, hearing the mockery in her words, angrily retorted, "Sister-in-Law, are you hoping they come back to die together? In this situation, they haven’t even reached the Tianren Realm. Even if they returned, what good would it do?"
As soon as these words left her mouth, the other madams' faces darkened, and they glared at her coldly.
Since the Li Hao incident, they were not fools. Reflecting on this major event, they all realized the devastating impact of Wang Xiangru’s daughter’s accusations in that environment.
Her family was one of the driving forces behind Li Hao’s departure, and Wang Xiangru’s notorious indulgence of her children over the years had long been a source of silent resentment. While they might have tolerated it before, it now seemed to have brought about a greater disaster. Wang Xiangru’s words were even more problematic in this context.
"If everyone thinks like you, then all the soldiers could disband, and you can leave as well."
He Jianlan looked at her with icy eyes.
"My Li Family bloodline, we live and die together, regardless of cultivation", Xiao Yujing glanced at Wang Xiangru and said coldly.
"Xian'er, as a member of the Imperial Clan, is willing to stand with the Li Family until the end. This has nothing to do with cultivation", Gao Qingqing added, though her tone was more reserved.
Jiang Xian'er was Li Junye’s fiancée, bound by a betrothal contract but willing to remain a widow for Li Junye’s sake. In Qingzhou’s dire situation, Li Muxiu had suggested that Jiang Xian'er leave, given her royal blood and the fact that she and Li Junye had not even consummated their marriage. However, Jiang Xian'er firmly refused.
Hearing Gao Qingqing’s words, Wang Xiangru’s face turned pale, realizing her mistake.
"That’s not what I meant. I just heard the bitterness in Sister-in-Law’s voice, as if she wishes ill on my children. I, Wang Xiangru, am a member of the Li Family. If the city falls, I will die with everyone else. Why must you torment me?"
Wang Xiangru gritted her teeth as she spoke.
The others glanced at her but said nothing more. Words were easy to say, but true loyalty was shown through actions. Her indulgence of her children over the years suggested otherwise.
Her children were not close to their in-laws but rather to their maternal family, the Wangs, which was directly related to Wang Xiangru’s influence.
"Marrying the wrong wife brings disaster for three generations."
Li Xiaoran snorted, glancing at the silent Li Fenghua, knowing her situation was also difficult.
All the madams present were his sisters-in-law, and even if their words were harsh, he could not argue back, especially since they were right. He could not control his own wife; defending her would make him seem unreasonable, not defending her would make him appear weak, and not defending his children would make him a neglectful father. He was caught in a bind, so he remained silent.
Hearing Li Xiaoran’s words, Wang Xiangru’s face turned even paler, but she dared not argue with this elder.
Li Xiaoran had not yet established his soul in the Ancestral Hall, but his reputation was high even in his youth, and his authority was even greater now.
"Unfortunately, that child will never return. Perhaps it’s for the best. According to what you’ve said, the Li Family has wronged him so much that even if he were alive, he would have no reason to return, nor should he."
Li Xiaoran crossed his arms, his gaze fixed on the direction of the Ancestral Hall in the back mountain, his eyes dim.
The others fell silent at Li Xiaoran’s words.
Indeed, even if he were alive, he should not return, given that the two Great Peace Dao Realm Demons outside were each a formidable opponent.
Now, using the Ancestor Blood Summoning to call back all the Li Family members was not because they hoped for a Dao Realm match but to harness the collective power of all Li Family members to form a military formation. This would be supplemented by the Sacred Heart Celestial Treasure and other precious resources from the Li Family’s Secret Vault, in a desperate battle.
After all, if these treasures were not used in the battle, they would fall into the hands of the Demons.
Thus, this battle would see the Li Family bleed its last drop of blood and exhaust all its resources.
Combined, these resources might match the power of a Great Peace Dao Realm.
This was the strength of a three-thousand-year-old lineage!
Shortly after, a blood array rose from the Ancestral Hall on the back mountain, covering half of the Divine General Manor.
Many within the manor who possessed Li Family blood felt their blood stir, as if boiling within them.
Simultaneously, they sensed a guiding and summoning force in their blood, a call from an ancestor who had sacrificed their divine soul, dispersing to summon all Li Family bloodline members!
The Blood Summoning Array, a ritual involving the sacrifice of an ancestor’s soul, was a last-resort measure.
The madams, who were from outside the family, did not feel this, but they saw Li Xiaoran’s body seemingly engulfed in divine flames. Due to his powerful cultivation, his aura fluctuated as his blood was called upon.
In the hall, the previously angry group now felt a wave of sorrow.
They felt the aura emitted by the Li Family bloodlines outside the courtyard, from both the Main and Secondary Lineages, like the glow of fireflies, lighting up various parts of the Divine General Manor.
This was the final light!
"Ancestor is calling…"
Inside the courtyard, Li Yuanzhao and Li Zhining, among others, looked up and saw the blood array rising to the sky from the Ancestral Hall.
They felt the call in their bloodlines, touching their chests with a sorrowful look in their eyes, but soon their gazes turned resolute.
Similarly, in the Training Grounds and other courtyards, many Li Family descendants looked up, the call in their bloodlines making them realize that the Li Family was facing a life-or-death moment!
...
...
Wuliang Mountain, Vairocana Pure Land.
Mountain ridges and ranges were shrouded in ethereal mists, resembling a holy land on earth.
At this moment, among several majestic peaks.
"My body…"
"Father said this is the Ancestor Blood Summoning. The Ancestor is calling me…"
"Is the family in trouble?"
On the peak where the Inner Disciples of Wuliang Mountain practiced, several Li Family Secondary Lineage disciples were also training here.
At this moment, they all felt their bodies burning hot, as if a call and guidance were coming from within. This sensation was indescribable, a silent call that filled them with urgency and a sense of sorrow.
"I can't stay. I have to go home!"
"Master, I need to leave the mountain!"
These few Secondary Lineage disciples, though not as talented as the Main Lineage prodigies, were still considered geniuses among the Inner Disciples of Wuliang Mountain, with the potential to become Grandmasters.
As for the Three Eternities Realm, besides Insight, it also depended on opportunity.
At this moment, they quickly rushed to the mountain gate, explained the situation to their masters, packed their belongings, and hurriedly set off down the mountain.
In the Spirit Realm of Wuliang Mountain, where the Buddhist Master lived in seclusion.
On the majestic Spirit Mountain, a young man sat cross-legged, wearing a snow-white robe, looking devout and ethereal.
Suddenly, his eyes opened, and he looked down, feeling his heart grow hot.
"Is this the bloodline guidance?"
The young man was taken aback, his face changing. What was going on? The family had used the Ancestor Blood Summoning to call him?
He couldn't continue his cultivation and quickly stood up, rushing to the Buddhist temple at the top of the mountain.
Upon reaching the temple, he quickly reported his request to meet the Buddhist Master. Before the two protectors could relay the message, the Buddhist Master's voice came from inside, allowing the young man to enter.
Li Qianfeng immediately ran into the temple and saw the Buddhist Master seated on a high dais. He immediately knelt down and said, "Master, my Li Family is in trouble. I want to leave the mountain."
The Buddhist Master's expression was compassionate, and he slowly said, "Qiankun Protector, don't be hasty. Although you have reached the Tianren Realm, your cultivation is still too low for this great calamity. Even if you go down the mountain, you will only add another soul to the Li Family's loss."
Li Qianfeng was stunned, his body trembling. He knew all too well that the family using the Ancestor Blood Summoning meant they were in great danger. His cultivation could only offer a meager contribution.
"Master, please lend a hand to help my Li Family overcome this crisis!"
Li Qianfeng knelt down urgently, pleading.
The Buddhist Master said gently, "Your Li Family's fate is not yet sealed. There is still a glimmer of hope. There will be no problem. You should stay here and cultivate peacefully."
Li Qianfeng looked up at him, dazed. "But the family is in great danger, I, I…"
"If your mind is not at peace, how can you transcend?"
The Buddhist Master said, "You have already reached the Great Perfection of the Tianren Realm at the age of twenty. This is a remarkable achievement, the result of your hard work. As long as your bloodline remains, the Li Family will not perish. This crisis is also an opportunity for you. After the disaster passes, you can go down the mountain and return, inheriting the True Dragon Position and leading the Li Family to rebuild from the ruins."
Li Qianfeng was stunned, a figure flashing through his mind. "But my mother…"
"I will send Bodhisattva Pujie to bring your mother here and help the Li Family through this calamity."
The Buddhist Master said gently, "Your mind should not be on this. You have not yet completely severed ties with the mundane world. How can you achieve the Three Immortalities? You should enlighten your Dao Heart and pursue what you truly desire. That can only be one thing, for which you must abandon all distractions."
"Remember, all conditioned things are like dreams, illusions, bubbles, and shadows, like dew and lightning. They should be viewed as such."
Li Qianfeng was taken aback for a moment, feeling the boiling blood within him gradually calm down. He fell silent for a while before speaking softly:
"I understand, Master."
(End of Chapter)
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