Chapter 57

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The Li family's ancestral hall in Songyan City.

It is said that within the ancestral hall, there are the most superior martial arts techniques passed down from the Li family's ancestors, as well as various miraculous elixirs for cultivation.

However, the ancestral hall also houses extremely brutal training programs that can torture a person to the point of being unrecognizable, making life worse than death.

Despite this, in the hearts of all the Li family's descendants, the ancestral hall remains the most desired place for cultivation. As long as they can become stronger, enduring a bit of hardship and pain is nothing.

Unfortunately, the ancestral hall is the core of the Li family, and only direct descendants and exceptionally talented clan members have any hope of entering it in their lifetime.

Today, the ancestral hall's doors, which had been closed for months, slowly opened.

Tap! Tap! Tap!

A steady and powerful set of footsteps echoed through the dark, deep corridors of the ancestral hall. Moments later, a young man emerged from the darkness, none other than Li Ming, the youngest son of the Li family's patriarch, Li Yizhen!

However, at this moment, he seemed like a completely different person. His clothes were disheveled, his hair unkempt, and it seemed as if he hadn't bathed for months. His once fair skin was now rough and dark, and his formerly swollen, frivolous eyes had become as sharp and cold as an eagle's, radiating a fierce light.

"Having power feels so wonderful."

He clenched his fist. His once fair hands were now calloused, with thickened bones. As soon as he clenched his fist, a fierce and ruthless aura surged from his body.

"Second Young Master, the patriarch requests your presence."

A figure with iron hands emerged from the darkness, his sharp and cold voice like a venomous snake hissing from the shadows.

"Please lead the way, Uncle Tie," Li Ming said respectfully. Only now, with power, did he finally understand how terrifying the cultivation of Tie, who had always followed his father and willingly served as a shadow, truly was.

In the main hall of the Li family, Li Yizhen sat in the central position, with many elders on either side. When Li Ming entered, everyone's gaze fell on him.

Li Ming could feel the shock and disbelief in their gazes. This feeling was very pleasant, and he enjoyed it immensely. However, his expression remained calm, and he walked with composure. After bowing, he silently took his seat.

"Three months to advance from the Second Heaven realm to the Perfect First Heaven realm, not bad, not bad at all."

Elder Li Fengtu spoke first, his expression showing joy. He smiled and said, "Li Huai has been in the Southern Barbarian Nether Realm with Miss Su for a month now. He might have already found the Sword Immortal's cave. If he can gain some fortune there, it would be even better. Yizhen, you have two excellent sons!"

"The Great Elder is too kind," Li Yizhen said, delighted by the praise.

Li Fengtu smiled, then his expression turned serious. He said solemnly, "The reason I've gathered everyone here is simple: to determine the successor of our Li family. Although Li Ming is good, he is still young and has a significant gap compared to Li Huai. I propose that Li Huai inherits the position of clan leader. What do you all think?"

"The Great Elder has keen eyes. Li Huai is indeed excellent, with outstanding talent and wisdom among his peers."

"Yes, I also agree that Li Huai should inherit the position of clan leader."

"Ha, of course it should be Li Huai. When he returns from the Southern Barbarian Nether Realm, he might have won Miss Su's heart, facilitating the marriage alliance between our Li family and the Longyuan Su family. This would elevate our Li family's status even further."

...

The elders all agreed with Great Elder Li Fengtu's opinion.

Seeing this, Li Ming, who had been sitting silently, felt extremely uncomfortable.

In the past, he wouldn't have cared about these things because he was too weak to be compared to Li Huai, who was like a son of heaven.

But now, things were different. He had gained great power. Although he was still slightly inferior to Li Huai, who could be sure that he wouldn't surpass Li Huai in the future?

"Since everyone agrees on Li Huai, let's... Hmm?" Great Elder Li Fengtu's words were cut off as the main hall's door was suddenly pushed open violently.

The steward Wu, with a terrified expression, stumbled in and knelt, shouting, "Patriarch, elders, something terrible has happened! Young Master Li Huai's life lamp... has gone out!"

Crash!

The teacup in Li Yizhen's hand fell to the ground, shattering into a pile of powder.

Li Huai is dead?

Everyone's expressions changed, dark and somber. The atmosphere in the hall became extremely heavy.

This meeting was originally to determine Li Huai's status as the clan successor, but before the result was announced, they were told of Li Huai's death. Who could accept such a sudden change?

"Did something happen in the Southern Barbarian Nether Realm?"

"How could that be? Li Huai was with Miss Su, and it's said that there were also seven or eight young masters from major forces in Longyuan City. How could he be harmed?"

"Damn it, if I find out who killed Huai, I'll exterminate their entire clan!"

...

After a brief silence, angry shouts echoed through the main hall.

"Silence!"

Great Elder Li Fengtu roared. When everyone quieted down, he said coldly, "Everyone knows that the Southern Barbarian Nether Realm trial lasts only one month. After one month, all cultivators inside will be teleported out. Only those who enter the Sword Immortal's cave can remain inside the Southern Barbarian Nether Realm."

"The next time the Southern Barbarian Nether Realm opens is in three years. So even if we are angry now, we won't see the murderer for three years. Is it meaningful to discuss this now?"

"What do you mean, Great Elder?" Li Yizhen, trying to suppress his grief over losing his beloved son, asked in a low, hoarse voice.

"The most urgent task is to select a successor. Since Li Huai is gone, let's have Li Ming take his place," Li Fengtu said, taking a deep breath. "Everyone, losing a clan member is not a big deal. What's important is that we don't wallow in grief, making our loved ones sad and our enemies happy!"

"Understood!" Everyone's expressions were solemn as they responded in unison.

Li Ming looked at everything in disbelief. Did I just become the clan successor so easily?

He didn't feel sad or excited about his brother Li Huai's death because he had always lived in Li Huai's shadow, and their relationship wasn't good.

But the thought that he became the clan successor because of Li Huai's death made him feel as if he had swallowed a fly, making him feel extremely uncomfortable.

This isn't what I wanted!

Li Huai shouted in his heart. I now have power and am not inferior to Li Huai. One day, I will prove it to you all!

"Li Ming!"

The Great Elder's voice rang in his ears, and Li Ming snapped out of his thoughts. He stood up and bowed, saying, "Great Elder."

"Don't think that being the clan successor guarantees you the position of clan leader. You need to prove your strength and earn the recognition of all clan members. Only then can you become a qualified clan leader!" the Great Elder said solemnly.

Li Ming's gaze swept over his father and the elders, and a surge of ambition welled up in his heart. He said firmly, "Father, elders, I will not let you down!"

After a moment's hesitation, he continued, "Since my brother is gone, from today on, I will take his place. Not only will I inherit the position of clan leader, but I will also marry Miss Su Jiao from the Longyuan Su family!"

"Hmm, what do you plan to do?" Li Fengtu's eyes flashed with a strange light.

"Since the Longyuan Su family agreed to marry Miss Su Jiao to our family if we humiliate the Chen family to death, I will start from there."

Li Ming answered without hesitation, "Of course, Brother Li Huai has been working on this plan, but Great Elder, please rest assured, I will do it even more ruthlessly and better. I won't spare anyone related to the Chen family!"

"Do you have a target?" Li Fengtu asked.

"Yes! The owner of the Zhang family's general store in Songyan City, all his talisman apprentices, and all the neighbors within a hundred feet of the Chen family's home."

A疯狂的光芒在李铭眼中闪过，“我要让他们全部死，全部毁灭，我要告诉松烟城所有人，他们都是因为陈汐而死的，我要让所有人都知道，与陈汐哪怕有一丁点的关系，注定将家破人亡！”

好毒辣偏激的心性！

在座的诸位长老心中暗暗倒吸一口凉气，看向李铭的目光不由带着一丝担忧，这样的性子，适合继承族长之位吗？

“好！”

大长老李凤图沉默许久，却出人意料地抚掌赞叹起来，“成王败寇，强者为尊，只要对我李家有益，手段再狠辣百倍也值得！”

李铭说完自己的计划，本就有些惴惴不安，此刻猛地得到大长老的认同，不由大喜之极，拱手道：“大长老请放心，不仅是为了与苏娇的婚事，也是为了咱们李家以后的发展壮大，我一定会把陈汐炮制到令龙渊苏家满意为止！”

说话时，李铭心中不由升起一丝遗憾，可惜，陈昊那小子已离开了松烟城，否则让他看着他的哥哥陈汐一点点被我折磨羞辱至死，那才过瘾啊……

“据我所知，陈汐也跟随杜清溪进入了剑仙洞府，三年之内恐怕不会出现，这段时间足以做任何事情了。李铭，你明白我的意思吧？”李凤图问道。

李铭点点头。

李凤图沉声道：“去吧，若能把此事做的漂亮，做的令龙渊苏家满意，我以大长老的身份保证，咱们李家的家主之位必是你的！”

“喏！”

李铭深吸一口气，转身离开，他知道这是对自己的一个考验，同时这也是改变自己命运的绝佳机会。

PS: 这章是过渡情节，必须有的铺垫，可能有点平淡，不过以后只会越来越精彩！

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A疯狂的光芒在李铭眼中闪过，“我要让他们全部死，全部毁灭，我要告诉松烟城所有人，他们都是因为陈汐而死的，我要让所有人都知道，与陈汐哪怕有一丁点的关系，注定将家破人亡！”

A crazed light flashed in Li Ming's eyes, "I will make them all die, all be destroyed. I will tell everyone in Songyan City that they all died because of Chen Xi. I will make everyone know that even the slightest connection to Chen Xi will lead to the destruction of their family!"

What a vicious and extreme mindset!

The elders present secretly drew in a breath of cold air, their gazes toward Li Ming tinged with concern. Was such a personality suitable to inherit the position of clan leader?

"Good!"

Great Elder Li Fengtu, after a long silence, unexpectedly clapped his hands in praise, "The victor becomes the king, the loser the bandit. The strong are respected. As long as it benefits our Li family, even a hundred times more ruthless means are worth it!"

Li Ming, who had been somewhat anxious about his plan, was now overjoyed by the Great Elder's approval. He bowed and said, "Great Elder, please rest assured. Not only for the marriage with Su Jiao, but also for the future development and growth of our Li family, I will ensure that Chen Xi is dealt with to the satisfaction of the Longyuan Su family!"

As he spoke, a hint of regret rose in Li Ming's heart. It was a pity that Chen Hao had already left Songyan City. Otherwise, watching his brother Chen Xi be tortured and humiliated to death would have been even more satisfying...

"From what I know, Chen Xi also entered the Sword Immortal's cave with Du Qingxi and won't appear for three years. This period is enough to do anything. Li Ming, do you understand my meaning?" Li Fengtu asked.

Li Ming nodded.

Li Fengtu said solemnly, "Go. If you can handle this matter well and to the satisfaction of the Longyuan Su family, I, as the Great Elder, guarantee that the position of clan leader will be yours!"

"Understood!"

Li Ming took a deep breath and turned to leave. He knew this was a test for him, and it was also an excellent opportunity to change his fate.

PS: This chapter is a transitional plot, necessary for setting the stage. It might be a bit dull, but it will only get more exciting from here on out!

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