Chapter 207 - 206: Breakthrough

Chapter 207: Chapter 206: Breakthrough

At the main gate, Old Patriarch Li clashed directly with the Chen Ancestor. Two Holy Master realm experts fought in the mid-air, their immense aura shattered the clouds above and cracked the stone streets below.

While Old Patriarch Li was completely locked in combat with the Chen Ancestor, a dark shadow suddenly materialized inside the estate’s inner court.

It was another Holy Master realm patriarch, the hidden Old Ancestor of the Ye family! He had concealed his aura and waited in the dark until everyone was occupied. With a cruel sneer, he flew straight toward Li Jain’s seclusion courtyard, gathering a palm strike packed with mountain-shattering spiritual energy.

"Die, brat!" Patriarch Ye growled, slamming his palm downward toward the courtyard.

Seeing this from mid-air, Old Patriarch Li’s eyes nearly split with rage and panic: "You old underhanded BASTARD!!!"

BOOM!

Before Patriarch Ye’s palm attack could touch the courtyard, a dull, heavy sound resounded through the air.

A tall, broad figure appeared out of thin air right in front the courtyard entrance. Holding a giant black iron cleaver with one hand, Liu Xiong casually threw a backhand punch upward into the sky.

The punch collided with Patriarch Ye’s Holy Master palm strike. The air imploded, generating a shockwave that flattened the surrounding bamboo trees into dust, but the buildings remained completely untouched.

Patriarch Ye was forced back three steps in the air, his arm feeling numb. He stared down at the young-looking man in shock: "Who are you?! Where did you come from?"

Liu Xiong took a sip from his wine gourd, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, and tilted his head: "Just a lonely man with nothing to do. My future wife is in the middle of his breakthrough. It’s my duty to make sure all disturbance remains outside. If you step any closer, I’ll have no choice but to cut off your hands."

"Arrogant fool!" Patriarch Ye roared, summoning a massive crimson spear and charging down with full power.

Liu Xiong snorted, swinging his iron cleaver upwards. The two engaged in a terrifying duel right above the inner courtyard. As the fight progressed over hundreds of rounds, Patriarch Ye’s heart grew colder and colder with terror. No matter how fierce his attacks were, the young-looking man defended them effortlessly.

In fact, as Liu Xiong gradually released his aura, Patriarch Ye realized with horror that this so-called ’future-husband’ might actually be a realm higher than a Holy Master!

"You aren’t in the Holy Master Realm."

"Oh, you just figured that out."

By late afternoon, when school let out, Fu Seng drove the carriage to pick up the children. Seeing the chaotic battle clouds hovering over the Li residence, Fu Seng immediately redirected the carriage and brought the children to the Spiritual Tavern in District Seven, after explaining the situation to them.

Meanwhile, back at the estate, the younger Li children and branch members were gathered safely inside an underground protective array. While the children prayed quietly for their father’s safety, some of the branch elders and distant relatives huddled together, whispering with envy and discontent.

"Look at all this chaos... all because of him." Someone muttered bitterly.

Another person looked over: "Shh, keep your voice down."

"Am I wrong?" The speaker clenched his jaw.

Another person frowned: "He only returned recently. Now Grandfather personally protects him, the clan formations are being used for him, and half the family’s experts are fighting because of his breakthrough."

Nobody answered. The jealousy was obvious and ugly. Some members of the Li family had spent their entire lives competing for resources, recognition and positions within the clan. Therefore the attention Li Jain is getting is like a thorn in their flash.

The battle outside raged continuously for an entire day.

Suddenly, a deafening thunderclap silenced all chatter and fighting across the entire city.

CRACK!

A huge golden lightning, thick as a mountain trunk, tore through the dark clouds and struck straight into the building Li Jain was in.

The violent heavenly lightning washed over his body, but instead of crushing him, it was absorbed into his dantian, where a magnificent small Palace-like structure condensed into solid form.

BOOM!

An overwhelming, divine spiritual pressure erupted from the quiet room, sweeping across the entire Li estate and extending across the surrounding area. The sky cleared instantly, revealing a bright, peaceful evening sunset.

Li Jain opened his eyes, a serene yet profound light flashing in his gaze. He had successfully stepped into the Divine Power realm.

The moment Li Jain entered the Divine Power realm, the battle ended. Across the main courtyard and rooftops, all fighting stopped instantly as flying swords and talismans lost their power and fell to the ground.

High above the inner court, Patriarch Ye stood frozen in mid-air. His hand, still clutching the crimson spear, trembled as he looked down at Liu Xiong, who was calmly taking another long draught from his wine gourd. To him, this was a long and boring fight. Luckily, it was over.

The immense aura that had just erupted from the seclusion room was unmistakable.

At the main entrance, the Chen Ancestor slowly lowered his copper staff. The deep furrows on his forehead tightened, his eyes darting from Old Patriarch Li, whose Holy Master aura still surged with violent fury, toward the inner courtyard where the newly ascended master was.

To press the attack now would be utter madness. This is as far as it can go.

One moment, spiritual techniques were tearing through the sky above the Li residence, and powerful cultivators were fighting as though they intended to settle generations of hatred.

The next moment, they stand awkwardly. A thick, uncomfortable silence stretched among them.

The Chen Ancestor let out a soft sound, chuckling dryly: "Hahaha... Old Li, it seems your Li family’s fortune is indeed great."

The Chen Ancestor voice was entirely devoid of the murderous coldness from a moment ago. He cupped his hands with composure: "We merely heard of the intense spiritual fluctuations and feared that some evil entity was disturbing your estate. Seeing that your esteemed grandson has safely completed his cultivation, our worries are put to rest. It was all a misunderstanding."

"Indeed, indeed!" Patriarch Ye chimed in as he landed smoothly near the main gate, hastily retrieving his crimson spear into his spatial ring. He forced a stiff, genial smile onto his face: "Consider it a spirited test from the senior generation to ensure the young man’s formation could withstand true pressure. Old Brother Li, there is no need for hard feelings among old neighbors."

Old Patriarch Li stood at the center of the threshold, his silver hair floating lightly in the remaining breeze. His eyes were cold as ice, and his chest heaved with suppressed rage, but he understood the delicate balance of South River City. With a cold snort, he swept his sleeves back.

"If that’s the case, then this old man thanks you all for your ’concern,’" Old Patriarch Li said sarcastically: "The Li residence needs cleaning. We shall not detain our guests any longer."

"What about a bottle of wine? Shouldn’t we be celebrating?" The Chen Patriarch said shamelessly.

Old Ancestor Li’s mouth twitched. A few moments ago, the old bastard had been trying to keep him occupied while others disrupted his grandson’s breakthrough. Now he wanted a cup of wine.

"You still have the face to drink my wine?"

"Why wouldn’t I?"

"Old Li still has cleaning up to do. Old Chen, let’s pay our visit another day." The Old Ye Patriarch said.

"Of course. We shall take our leave," the Chen Ancestor replied, waving his hand to signal the retreat. Within minutes, the dozens of rival elders and experts left just as they came, as if nothing had happened.

Over the following days, the tense atmosphere in South River City shifted dramatically. The news of Li Jain’s successful advancement to the Divine Power realm with an Immortal Foundation spread through the city like wildfire. The minor families rushed to align themselves with the Li family, while the major rival factions, like the Chen, Ye, Huang, and Zhang families, just sent congratulatory gifts.

Carriage after carriage lined up outside the Li residence, delivering luxurious congratulatory gifts by the cartload. Rare herbs, spirit jade carvings, silk robes, and chests of high-grade spirit stones were piled high in the main storehouse.

Accompanying each delivery were letters filled with warm praise, explicitly reiterating that the events during the breakthrough were merely a ’friendly martial exchange’ and expressing hopes for long-lasting harmony between their houses.

These are the unspoken rules in South River City and the cultivation world as a whole. The Li family aren’t innocent either. They have also taken part in such activities to suppress other families. At the end of the day, it all comes down to who’s in power? Or who’s strong enough to stand their grounds and protect their own.

While the resident bustled with servants sorting the incoming gifts, Old Patriarch Li sat alone in his private study in the eastern courtyard. A fine porcelain cup of cold wine sat on the table before him, yet he had not taken a single sip. His gaze was fixed on the bamboo grove outside the window, his expression deep and contemplative.

His mind kept returning to the fight between Patriarch Ye and Liu Xiong. Patriarch Ye’s letter also explained in detail about the process and his thoughts.

"An unknown stranger..." Old Patriarch Li murmured softly to himself, stroking his long silver beard: "An expert whose aura unseals beyond the Holy Master realm, serving as a lover to my grandson..."

The old ancestor was grateful for Liu Xiong’s help, Li Jain’s breakthrough might have been ruined if he hadn’t shown up the time he did. Yet, beneath that gratitude lay a growing sense of wariness. What kind of hidden power did Liu Xiong truly represent? And what did it mean for Li Jain to have such an individual standing by his side? He was really starting to worry.

The heavy silence of the old ancestor’s study stood in contrast to the joyful noise erupting in Li Jain’s courtyard. In the evening, Fu Seng arrived with the carriage, bringing the children back home.

The moment the children stepped into the courtyard and saw their father standing near the entrance, they rushed forward, surrounding him instantly.