Si Yuanli!

The person before them was none other than Si Yuanli, who had secluded himself for many years in pursuit of a divine ability.

The Si Family had a long history and a profound heritage. Si Boxiu, honored as a Grand Daoist Master, was a figure who held dominion over a region, possessing countless methods. He had also obtained the [Bright Truth Harmonizing Divine Pill] in Anhuai Heaven and made extensive preparations. Now, Si Yuanli stood with his divine ability fully realized, his spirit vibrant and radiant. He had already stepped into the Purple Mansion Realm.

A smile lingered on his face, his bearing brimming with confidence and vigor. The scroll at his waist appeared ordinary, yet faint streams of light flowed across it, making it difficult to look at directly.

"Lin Wuning... where is Fellow Daoist Ning?"

Lin Wuning remained kneeling, not daring to raise his head. He trembled like a leaf, stammering for a long while without forming a single complete sentence, even forgetting proper honorifics as he managed to say, "The Daoist Master... is in seclusion..."

Though Qin Xian stood respectfully in place, his presence far surpassed Lin Wuning's. Looking down at him from above, he sneered inwardly, With no Daoist Master backing you above, and Li Yuanqin gone from your side... who do you even think you are? Spoiled since childhood, nothing more than a mediocre nobody!

Although Li Yuanqin was from the Ning Family, he had both ability and standing. In terms of seniority, he was even the uncle of the Li Family's current Daoist Master. If Li Yuanqin were the sect master, Qin Xian would not hesitate to offer respectful advice. But in his eyes, Lin Wuning was merely an opportunist who had risen through luck, utterly unworthy of any courtesy.

Even Si Yuanli frowned at such weakness. After all, he was the sect master designated by the Ning Family.

He sighed. "The sect truly has no one left!"

Humiliated, Lin Wuning could only force a smile as he raised his head, then respectfully withdrew to the side. Si Yuanli's expression softened slightly as he turned his head. A figure rushed up the steps in haste, dropping to his knees before them, tears of joy streaming down his face as he cried out, "Congratulations, Daoist Master... congratulations..."

Si Yuanli glanced over to see Si Tongyi. Kneeling beside him was a handsome and spirited young man who was unable to conceal his joy. It was Si Xunhui, the junior disciple of Li Xizhi.

Si Yuanli smiled. "The two of you are still here. That is my greatest joy!"

The two smiled in delight, and the hall quickly grew lively. Si Yuanli strode in with practiced familiarity and took his seat at the head. Qin Xian eagerly brought him hot tea. Si Yuanli took a hearty sip, only to see Si Tongyi step forward with a jade pendant, his expression solemn.

"This jade pendant was left behind by the ancestor before his passing. It contains a few words meant for you, Daoist Master, but none of us could open it..."

Si Yuanli's eyes reddened at once. He took it with great care, trembling as he held it in his hands. Closing his eyes, he listened for a moment before tears streamed down his face.

He said, "Among all those in the Purple Mansion Realm, only the elder made the best arrangements for what comes after... Unlike Changxi, who was selfish and only scrambled at the last moment, nor Yuansu, who harbored resentment and had a sinister temperament, and even Yuanwu... violent and unrestrained. Without the elder's many treasures and methods to aid me, how could I have achieved my present divine ability..."

Those of the Si Family on both sides were deeply moved. Though Qin Xian felt nothing for Yuanxiu, he still forced out a few tears. Meanwhile, Si Yuanli seemed to grasp something from the words within the jade pendant and urgently asked, "Where is Daoist Master Ning?"

Si Tongyi stepped back, dropped to his knees, and replied, "Daoist Master Ning used a secret method in the north to kill a Purple Mansion Realm devil cultivator, leaving a million corpses in her wake, then went straight into seclusion and has remained there ever since... It seems she is no longer at Pristine Pool, and even Lin Wuning does not know her whereabouts."

"Oh?"

Si Yuanli set down his cup. As he listened to the rambling account of past events, the more he heard, the more something felt off. His expression gradually grew solemn. "Kuiqi has fallen? Both gates have sealed themselves? Ch'i Lanyan? Kong Tingyun of the Profound Peak Gate!"

He lifted his head in hesitation. The outside world had undergone a complete upheaval during the years he had spent in seclusion. Counting through it all, there was no one left he could even visit.

"How did it come to this..."

He pondered for a long while, a chill creeping into his heart as he thought, What kind of method is this? Pristine Water surging, a million corpses left behind... Could this really be Ning Wan's divine ability? And why has she vanished without a trace? Something is wrong... There must be a problem!

Si Yuanli was no ordinary figure. Sensing something amiss, he asked, "Has Li Zhouwei attained the Dao?"

"Yes..." Si Tongyi answered cautiously, "He has achieved the Purple Mansion Realm and taken the Dao title Minghuang. It is said he excels in combat and has clashed several times with cultivators from the north. Though his divine ability may be inferior, he has never been at a disadvantage!"

A smile immediately appeared on Si Yuanli's face. He turned warmly to Si Xunhui at his side and said, "How is your master?"

Si Xunhui replied with delight, "Master is cultivating in the Eastern Sea and is currently seeking an opportunity to break through to the Purple Mansion Realm!"

Though young, Si Xunhui was far from shallow. As a disciple of Li Xizhi, his identity was anything but simple. He could even draw upon the Li Family as backing. Among the Si Family, he was the only one who genuinely regarded the Li Family with goodwill.

Unlike his two senior brothers, who showed care for Li Zhouluo, Si Xunhui's affection for his master and his lineage did not cloud his judgment. He knew clearly that what truly mattered was forging ties with the Li Family. Li Zhouluo was merely a stepping stone. Back then, he had quietly passed along information, grown close to Li Wushao, and even made a point of stopping by the Li Family on several occasions, all for this very purpose.

He could read the situation and realized that Si Yuanli had intentions toward the Li Family. His heart grew heated with anticipation, This could be my chance to rise. If the Si and Li Families maintain long-term good relations, I will surely benefit the most...

Si Yuanli's expression hardened as he remained silent for a long time, his thoughts turning inward, The elder has gone out and vanished without a trace. In recent years, the Great Boon Bronze-Color Temple has suffered repeated losses of its Peacock lineage, and the Peacock Sea is in constant fear... I never expected the mainland to be in such chaos as well...

The ancestor once instructed... that upon reaching the Purple Mansion Realm, one must never meddle in the mess of the Supreme Yang Dao lineage, nor offend the Yang Family. One must preserve oneself within the mainland, adapt to changing circumstances, and protect the family, seeking the true path. Perhaps this refers precisely to the current situation.

Though Si Yuanli had secluded himself for many years, his ancestor had left behind no small legacy. Among the three Yuans, Daoist Master Yuanxiu possessed the highest cultivation and the most illustrious background. In his later years, his exceptional divine ability and mastery of talisman arts had allowed him to amass vast reserves. Having inherited all this, Si Yuanli might well surpass even Ning Wan by a considerable margin!

After a brief assessment and asking after a few names, he began to ponder, The Ch'i Family... In earlier times, they were a great house and had some ties with ours. But times have changed... Back then, all followed the Douxuan Dao lineage... What a pity it is now!

He stroked his beard in thought, Now Li Zhouwei has also succeeded... and rightly so. When Li Ximing broke through back then, today's outcome was already set in motion.

His expression grew heavy as his gaze swept across the hall, gradually coming to a realization.

Even if I have returned, I must not remain bound to the Azure Pond Sect. Ning Wan cannot be found, but the Li Family remains. It would be best to seek clarity from them. The ancestor once said he left behind a favor with the Li Family, even a portion of [Pure Essence] spirit item. It should come into play today...

He took a sip of tea and looked at Qin Xian, who was kneeling nearby.

No wonder Lin Wuning is so useless. Ning Wan must have treated the Azure Pond Sect as a burden to be cast off... Fortunately, a capable substitute has long been cultivated. There is no need for my own family members to step in.

It was not that Lin Wuning absolutely had to be replaced, but Si Yuanli intended to consolidate the Azure Pond Sect, secure substantial gains for his own family, and raise a circle of trusted aides. There was no way he would leave such a mediocre man in that position.

With a smile, he looked over and lifted his chin slightly. "Guest Elder Qin, take over Lin Wuning's duties."