Chapter 206 - 205: They Came to Stop the Process

Chapter 206: Chapter 205: They Came to Stop the Process

"Old Li, your family has been rather lively lately."

The old ancestor Li smiled: "The children are just too noisy; there’s not much this old man can do about it."

"Brother Li, we happened to be passing by and noticed a beam of auspicious light rising from your estate," Patriarch Zhang said with a polite smile, probing carefully: "The spiritual pressure was so refined that we came to ensure everything was fine."

The old ancestor waved his hand casually: "Ah, you are too kind! It is nothing major. My grandson Xiao Jain has been experimenting with some new culinary techniques and refining some auxiliary spiritual pill dishes lately. He locked himself in his workshop, so it likely caused a slight leak of spiritual energy. Please, do not mind it."

The visitors blinked in surprise. A spiritual dish or a pill? old man, do you think we are dumb?!

While they knew the Spiritual Tavern possessed miraculous dishes, they felt the aura was far too pure for ordinary cooking. However, looking at Old Patriarch Li’s calm and imposing stance, nobody dared to press further or force their way inside.

"I see! Little Li’s talents are truly bound beyond ordinary means," Elder Bai said, chuckling as he cupped his hands: "Then we shall not disturb your family any further."

It was impossible to tell whether he genuinely didn’t know or simply refused to explain.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries and catching up on old times, the powerful figures politely took their leave.

Before leaving, one elder looked back and asked: "Old Li, are you sure someone in your family isn’t preparing to enter the Divine Power Realm?"

Old Li shook his head: "You all have descendants. Surely, you understand. Young people don’t report everything they do."

No one pressed on and left. However, as they left the Li estate, their eyes remained sharp. None of them fully believed the old ancestor’s casual explanation. They secretly placed people to keep a close eye on the Li residence, eager to see what they were hiding.

Whenever an important member of a major family prepares to enter a higher realm, enemies and threatened factions would interfere, this was normal. But he wasn’t going to let them succeed!

The old ancestor clasped his hands behind his back: "Pass down an order."

A clan guard immediately stepped forward: "Ancestor."

"Double the guards around Jain’s residence. No one enters without permission. Not even members of the Li family."

"Understood." The clan guard bowed before leaving to pass on the message.

...

The final stage of refining the Clear Heart Demon Pills lasted far longer than Li Jain expected.

Li Jain waited until the spiritual energy completely stabilized before withdrawing the flame. The golden flame slowly receded into his palm. The heavy copper lid of the pill furnace lifted with a crisp metallic sound, releasing a thick, translucent mist.

Inside lay over thirty shimmering, crystalline spheres, Clear Heart Demon Pills. Each was smooth and round, with faint patterns resembling thin clouds running across its surface.

Li Jain carefully inspected them one by one before placing them into several jade bottles. He had originally intended to refine enough for his breakthrough, but there were far more successful pills than he needed.

’These will be crucial for the others at the tavern,’ he thought calmly: ’Several of them have been stuck at the late stage of the Soul Palace realm. With these pills to clear their mental blockages and purify their spiritual energy, their chances of breaking through will increase substantially.’

He did not pause to rest. He didn’t even know how long he had spent refining the pills, but time was of the essence. Clearing the furnace with a wave of his sleeve, Li Jain retrieved several wooden boxes from his spatial ring. Inside lay rare, thousand-year-old spirit herbs, core herbs required for refining Divine Power Realm Ascension Pills.

Without hesitation, he ignited the golden flame once more and began the second phase of his preparation. The pill was specifically intended to assist a Soul Palace cultivator attempting to enter the Divine Palace Realm.

Outside, the atmosphere over South River City changed instantly. The pure and calming spiritual energy from earlier had disappeared, replaced by something much heavier.

If the aroma of the Clear Heart Demon Pills was merely an unusual anomaly, the phenomenon accompanying the Divine Palace Realm Ascension Pills was unmistakable. A violent storm of golden light surged into the clouds above the Li estate, twisting into five-colored clouds that cast an iridescent glow across the sky.

The density of law fragments floating in the air made the spiritual energy around the city ripple like water.

The powerful experts of South River City were instantly alarmed once more:

"Divine Power Ascension Pills! Someone in the Li family is refining tier-six ascension pills!"

"Nonsense! Old Patriarch Li is already at the Holy Master realm, so why would they need tier-six ascension pills? Could it be for someone in the younger generation?"

"If another member of the Li family steps into the Divine Power realm, their dominance in South River City will be troublesome!"

Within an hour, the gates of the Li residence were surrounded by dozens of influential patriarchs, elders, and hidden figures from major rival families.

What had started as a polite visit earlier in the morning had turned into a dense, suffocating confrontation.

The old ancestor had barely finished dealing with the previous group of visitors when another guard hurried into the courtyard: "There are elders from the Chen family, the Ye family, the Huang family, and representatives from several other forces."

The old ancestor’s eyelid twitched: "Tell them I see them in a moment."

Old Ancestor Li walked to the main entrance, his face was calm, though his heart was heavy: He stroked his beard, trying to play dumb and smooth things over with hearty laughs: "Hahaha, my esteemed brothers, why have you all gathered here again? As I mentioned, my grandson is simply experimenting with new recipes in his workshop."

"Old Li, save your words," A stern voice cut through the air.

From the crowd stepped an elderly man dressed in gray robes, carrying an ancient copper staff. His presence caused the air to freeze, sending shivers through the surrounding cultivators.

It was the Old Ancestor of the Chen family, a Holy Master realm patriarch who had been in closed-door seclusion for over fifty years!

"Old Chen..." Patriarch Li’s eyes narrowed slightly: "Even you have come out of seclusion?"

"How could I not?" The Chen Ancestor said coldly: "In South River City, there has always been a rule. Whenever a junior or patriarch of any family prepares for a breakthrough to a higher realm, they must notify the major factions, seek balance, or form alliances to preserve the peace of the city. Yet your Li family kept everything silent. You did not inform a single family, nor did you seek an alliance. Do you believe your Li family has grown so powerful that you can look down on all of us?"

To the major families, the Li family’s silence was seen as a blunt declaration of arrogance, a statement that they did not need allies and feared no interference.

"It’s not like that. That brat of a grandson just told me last night about his breakthrough. I never expected him to be breaking through into the Divine Power Realm. Trust me, If I knew earlier, I would’ve informed my dear brothers."

Inside his room, Li Jain remained completely unaware of what was going on outside. His grandfather did promise to hold the sky up for him. The Divine Power Ascension Pills formed successfully. He put them away, cleaned the furnace and finally allowed himself several moments of rest.

Everything he needed was ready. Li Jain took out one Clear Heart Demon Pill, then one Divine Power Ascension Pill. He placed both before him. He closed his eyes and his Soul Palace appeared within his consciousness.

The first thunderclap shook South River City.

Before Old Patriarch Li could smooth things over with his old, a sudden, thunderous roar shattered the heavens.

Above Li Jain’s courtyard, the sky turned pitch black. Dark, violet thunderclouds swirl furiously. Swirling into a massive whirlpool that spanned several miles.

Unlike standard Divine Palace tribulations, the lightning in the sky took the shape of a celestial beast, and glowing Daoist symbols. Because Li Jain’s cultivation path did not follow the standard techniques, intertwining deeply with the Dao of Seven Emotions and Six Desires, his tribulation was unnaturally fierce and terrifying.

In the center of the dark cloud, a faint, golden phantom of an immortal palace loomed in the sky, shedding majestic rays of light.

"That... that’s the sign of an Immortal Foundation!" an elder from the Zhang family gasped, his voice trembling with horror: "He isn’t just breaking through... his destiny carries the marks of true immortality!"

The surrounding patriarchs exchanged panicked glances. Fear gripped their hearts. If a cultivator with such terrifying potential reached the Divine Power realm, it would only be a matter of time before they reach the Great Power and Holy master realm. In this case, none of their families would ever be able to stand against the Li family again.

"Sorry old Li, but this grandson of yours cannot be allowed to succeed!" the Chen Ancestor shouted, raising his staff: "Break the formation! Stop his breakthrough!"

"You dare?!" Old Patriarch Li shouted, his Holy Master realm aura exploding outwards like a hurricane.

"Move!"

At the Chen Ancestor’s command, dozens of rival elders and experts charged forward, casting destructive spells and flying swords toward the Li estate.

Immediately, the defensive barrier around the Li residence was activated, glowing with intricate blue runes that absorbed the initial barrage of attacks. The Li family elders, along with senior martial experts who had been stationed around the estate, rushed out to meet the attackers. Steel clashed against steel, and explosion after explosion. Spiritual techniques collided above courtyards and rooftops.

Fortunately, the Li family’s protective formation was powerful. Without it, half the estate would already have been reduced to ruins.