"Li Qin..."
She was the second-strongest disciple of the younger generation in the Black Paradise Sect—ranked just below Li Lian. Few knew it, but Li Lian herself was aware that Li Qin had never revealed her true strength during their mock tournament.
Clad in white robes, Li Qin’s presence felt serene, almost unreal. When she moved, the air around her seemed to distort slightly, as though she existed half a step out of reality.
"Don’t get up," Li Qin said gently. "I know you’re still injured."
She continued, "I received word from my father. The Song Family clan have been causing more trouble for us. I’m returning to our Li family clan to assist them in case a war between our two clans breaks out."
Li Lian was no stranger to the Song Family Clan. Not only were they one of the four major families of the QiGon Province—alongside the Zhao, Gao, and Li clans—but they were also the very clan responsible for the annihilation of Xun Wei’s Xun Family nearly 20 years ago.
"Take me with you," Li Lian said immediately. This wasn’t only a trip to support her family clan, but an opportunity to see Xiao Fang. "We’ll head back together."
Li Qin hesitated. "You’re still badly hurt."
"I’ll heal on the way," Li Lian replied. "I’ll be fine by the time we get there."
After a moment, Li Qin nodded. "Very well. I’ll prepare the carriage. Meet me outside of the East Gate in an hour."
"I will."
Li Qin offered a small nod and departed.
’Fang...’ Li Lian thought. ’He must be there by now.’
When she’d heard about the incident at the South Gate the previous day, she hadn’t hesitated for even a moment—she had known it was Xiao Fang. Killing a Heavenly Realm cultivator from the Heavenly Fate Sect was something even she couldn’t imagine accomplishing.
And that was after he had infiltrated the Chaos Sect to search for his mother—despite his own sect being at war with them.
To slay a Heavenly Realm disciple of the most powerful sect in the country, then slip deep into the territory of the second-strongest sect and emerge alive... all within a single month.
In her mind, there was nothing Xiao Fang couldn’t do.
If he accompanied her to the Land of the Dead Trials, her chances of surviving and killing Chen Li—would rise significantly.
That was why she had to return home. She needed to tell Xiao Fang exactly what she intended to do.
"You’re going home?" Matriarch Shi asked, her voice pulling Li Lian from her thoughts as she stepped back into the room. "Li Qin informed me."
"Mn," Li Lian replied. "But I won’t be gone for long. I must return."
"I understand," Matriarch Shi said calmly. "If there are issues within your family, I won’t stop you. However, since you’re leaving, leave the book I gave you here. You can deliver it to Long Wang when you return."
Li Lian hesitated, then spoke honestly. "Matriarch... the truth is, Long Wang is currently visiting my family clan. His guildmates told me he would be there."
"I see."
Matriarch Shi fell silent. She didn’t want to risk the Dual Cultivation manual falling into the wrong hands—but there was no telling when Long Wang would return, and she couldn’t afford to have Xiao Fang miss more missions. For all she knew, Xiao Fang might already be waiting at the Li Family clan for the book.
"Very well," she said at last. "Give it to him when you see him. I’ll have someone accompany you, just to be safe."
Li Lian bowed slightly. "Thank you."
After gathering her belongings, Li Lian made her way to the East Gate, where Li Qin was already waiting beside a carriage. The moment Li Lian stepped inside, she sensed it immediately—another presence.
The moment Li Lian stepped into the carriage, she sensed it, there was another presence besides Li Qin.
Seated within was a woman Li Lian had never seen before. Her age was impossible to judge. Though her face bore no wrinkles, her presence carried the weight of countless years. Similar to her hair, she wore robes that were as white as fresh snow, unadorned save for a few hair ornaments that appeared simple at first glance—yet radiated an ancient, restrained dignity.
Li Qin spoke first.
"Li Lian, you’re here. Greet our Ancestor first. She’ll be accompanying us on this journey."
"Ancestor?" Li Lian’s expression tightened slightly as she turned fully toward the woman.
The woman opened her eyes.
They were calm—so calm they felt bottomless.
"This junior greets Ancestor," Li Lian said immediately, bowing deeply.
The woman studied her in silence for a breath longer than necessary, her gaze passing over Li Lian’s injuries, the turbulent remnants of her aura, and the faint traces of Heavenly Flame being emitted from her soul.
At last, she nodded.
"Rise," the woman said softly. "My name is Li Xianyu."
Her voice was neither loud nor imposing, yet it carried effortlessly, as though the world itself leaned closer to listen.
"I’ve heard quite a bit about you, child," Li Xianyu continued.
Li Lian straightened, her posture respectful but unyielding. "I’m honored, Ancestor."
Li Xianyu’s gaze flickered briefly—approval, perhaps, or mild amusement.
"You’ve stirred up quite the storm recently," she said. "And I heard you’re also planning on going to the Land of the Dead Trials in 2 months."
Li Lian did not deny it.
"I intend to walk that path," she said plainly.
Li Qin inhaled sharply, but Li Xianyu merely smiled faintly.
"So I sensed," the Ancestor replied. "That is why I will accompany you—to your family clan, at least. After that... your road will be your own."
The carriage began to move.
The wheels rolled forward in silence, their steady rhythm the only sound within.
Li Xianyu leaned back, eyes closed, as though resting. Yet Li Lian could feel it—an invisible pressure, subtle but vast, like standing at the edge of an endless sea. This was not the aura of someone bound to a single sect or country, but of a cultivator who had witnessed ages pass.
After a long moment, Li Xianyu spoke.
"Li Lian," she said softly, "how large do you believe this world is?"