Upon arriving at the inn, Li Ye headed straight to the second floor and knocked gently on the door of a private room.
"Come in," a hoarse voice replied, laced with a faint pressure.
Hearing it, Li Ye's expression flickered briefly before he calmed himself and pushed the door open.
Inside sat an elderly man with white hair and a face that bore a clear resemblance to Li Ye's own. His withering aura was almost impossible to hide, but his eyes looked upon Li Ye kindly.
"Greetings, Patriarch! I'm truly honored that you've come to see me in person!"
Li Ye immediately bowed respectfully.
Although neither his past self nor he now held any fond feelings toward the Li clan, especially the main branches, he still had to show proper respect to the clan patriarch especially since this man was no ordinary elder but a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
That the old patriarch had personally come without bringing along the usual troublesome relatives was already a relief in itself.
"Hahaha… Good, good! Come, have a seat!"
The patriarch laughed heartily, his gaze sweeping over Li Ye with satisfaction.
"You truly are the most outstanding member of the younger generation in the Li family. Your cultivation is impressive, and your renown in alchemy is even more delightful than I expected!"
"I'm flattered, Patriarch," Li Ye said modestly as he took a seat.
Still, he could faintly feel the man's divine sense sweeping across his body, inspecting him thoroughly. It was unpleasant, but not surprising. Li Ye had grown sensitive to such intrusions after cultivating the Thousand Thoughts Divine Refinement Technique, and the old man hadn't made any effort to conceal it.
Maintaining a calm expression, Li Ye chuckled and said, "Truth be told, cousin Zongyin is probably the more talented one. I only have a low-grade dual earth-wood spiritual root, hardly worth comparing."
At that, the patriarch's smile faded slightly. With a trace of disappointment, he replied:
"Those fools in the other branches led him astray!"
"In contrast, you're the one who remains rational and steady you've come farther than any of them!"
He spoke with clear intent, "To think that you've managed to achieve such a level in alchemy using only the broken inheritance snatched from the third branch… It's unprecedented in Li's family history!"
Li Ye stayed silent.
"Come back with me, Li Ye!"
The old man's voice turned firm. "With how the Purple Profound Sect treats family disciples these days, the price of achieving Foundation Establishment through the sect is too high. Just for a single Foundation Establishment Pill, you'd be tied to them like a tool, risking your life for their gain. Do you want that?"
He looked sincere. "Return to the family and take up the alchemy mantle. I'll meet your needs be it spirit fields or other requests. Everything the other branches took from your family, I will see repaid double!"
"You know well that my own life is nearing its end. The clan needs a new Foundation Establishment cultivator. With your alchemical skill, achieving full Qi Condensation and reaching that realm is entirely within your grasp."
"As for a Foundation Establishment spiritual item… I won't make promises I can't keep, but even if we have to sell off everything, the Li family will make sure you have one!"
To be honest, Li Ye was tempted.
Not because of the status or compensation, but because of what the patriarch promised spirit fields.
Now that he'd gained mastery of many basic formations and was close to fully understanding the Green Vine Verdant Wood Formation, he was even starting to forge formation tools.
As long as he could lay formations over the spirit fields, no matter what those annoying clan members might think, they wouldn't be able to interfere with his plans.
Still, he knew full well that the patriarch was here for one reason: his alchemy.
If he returned to the clan, chances were they'd try to bind him before the Purple Profound Sect could. He might end up slaving away for Foundation Establishment Pills even sooner.
After some thought, Li Ye stood and bowed deeply.
"I'm truly honored, Patriarch. It would be my pleasure to return to the clan."
"However, as I am still a Purple Profound Sect disciple, and currently hold the post of alchemist for the Zimo Market, it would be difficult to leave right away. Might I ask for some time to settle my affairs?"
It was a polite way of saying: I'll think about it.
The patriarch's face darkened slightly, clearly displeased that even after his invitation, Li Ye still dared refuse. But he quickly calmed down and let out a sigh.
"It seems those fools back home did hurt your heart over the years…"
Shaking his head, he relented, "Very well. Take your time. My offer still stands."
Li Ye bowed again. "Thank you, Patriarch. I'm deeply grateful."
In truth, he felt little emotional sway.
The rift between his branch and the main family didn't arise from nothing and though the patriarch might not have played an active role, his tacit approval was clear.
He was only acting differently now because Li Ye had proven more valuable than those other branches.
"By the way…" the patriarch suddenly added, just as Li Ye seemed ready to leave. "I heard you acquired the recipe for the Longevity Pill?"
There was a flicker of eagerness in his eyes. "Do you happen to have one on hand? I'd be willing to purchase it at full market price."
But Li Ye shook his head without hesitation. "Patriarch, while I did win the recipe, I lacked the appropriate ingredients. I'm afraid not even one Longevity Pill is in my possession."
"Ah… I see."
Disappointment briefly flashed across the patriarch's face, but he still nodded.
"Well, should you refine one someday, be sure to come to me directly. I promise you won't walk away empty-handed!"
"If I do, I'll be sure to let you know," Li Ye said with a smile.
.....
Meanwhile…
On the frontlines, cultivators from both nations continued to clash in constant skirmishes.
The Purple Profound Sect was determined to reclaim the remaining territory, while the Flying Feather Sect, after reorganizing and drawing support from the Yue Nation, sought to strike back once more.
But today
As the two sides battled fiercely over control of the resource-rich Yan Yang Mountain, the conflict escalated rapidly.
Magical artifacts and spells flew wildly across the sky, targeting enemies but also spilling over into the surrounding terrain.
Eventually, the accumulation of destruction seemed to trigger something.
With a thunderous boom as if space itself had ruptured a colossal tree appeared, its towering, verdant form over a hundred meters tall forcing its way out of the void.
Moments later, visions began to shift and shimmer around it: dense jungles, strange and vibrant flora, elegant pavilions, interconnected formation barriers…
Everything seemed to revolve around the mighty tree at the center.
The phantom of the tree shimmered once more, and strands of rich, life-filled spiritual energy began to pour from the spatial rift. The surrounding plants and flowers rapidly bloomed in response, transforming the scorched battlefield into a lush, vibrant landscape.
Witnessing this, the cultivators who had moments before been locked in fierce combat froze, stunned for a heartbeat… and then broke out into cries of joy.
A secret realm! There was no doubt an ancient secret realm had just emerged!
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