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Chapter 1188: Chapter 1063: Relocation
After receiving Li Taiyao’s Sound Transmission Talisman, the few Void Refinement cultivators immediately realized the gravity of the issue—it was indeed their negligence.
It wasn’t just about worrying that the clan members’ praises might affect his mental state; more importantly, the Li family currently didn’t have good relations with surrounding forces!
To the east, because they had subdued many factions, the sea territory had greatly expanded and now directly bordered the Sea Clan, constantly facing their threats.
This was also the reason why, during Li Zhirui’s absence, Li Chengshuo and Jiang Fengwu had to take turns guarding Wanling Island.
To the west were the He Family, Qingzhu Sect, and Huoyang Sect, three major Integration-level forces. Previously, they had formed a temporary alliance to resist the Zhang Family.
However, as the Zhang Family’s power waned and the Li Family’s strength grew, their relationship had deteriorated long ago, with both sides targeting each other intentionally or unintentionally. Occasional minor skirmishes even broke out, just short of full-blown war.
The situation was even worse to the south with the Zhang Family. Back then, the Zhang Family had intended to take advantage of the Li Family’s weakened state to eliminate them quickly, but the Li Family turned the tables, joining forces with the other three Integration-level families to ambush and kill a group of Zhang Family cultivators.
This led to the Zhang Family completely losing their Thousandfold Mountains territory, along with a small part of the Ten-Thousand-Fathom Plains. The two families had long been irreconcilable enemies.
Under such circumstances, for a prodigy to emerge from the Li Family, it was fine if he stayed in safe territory. But if he wished to achieve higher realms, he would inevitably need to venture out for training, at which point he would likely be targeted by the other factions.
Not only did the Li Family harbor such concerns, but the others felt the same way!
It must be noted that the nearby Integration-level factions had not reported the birth of any outstanding juniors or youths for many years.
"Sigh! It seems this Spirit Testing Assembly might not only fail to earn us any rewards but might even lead to punishment." A Void Refinement cultivator sighed heavily.
The group all looked dejected. They had originally thought they could receive rewards from the clan, but now those hopes had been dashed—how could they possibly be happy?
But this matter was indeed a result of their negligence; they couldn’t blame anyone else.
"It wouldn’t go to that extreme. The most urgent task is to do everything possible to make amends."
With the cooperation of the Void Refinement cultivators and Li Taiyao, the uproar within the clan quickly subsided, and the news did not spread externally.
Of course, that only applied on the surface.
After all, the news had already circulated within the Li Family. Who knew how many clan members had heard about it—it was impossible to completely sever the flow of information.
And in truth, that was exactly the case. Forces like the Zhang Family, Qingzhu Sect, and others soon learned that the Li Family had a five-year-old child who had passed through the Heart-Testing Array.
"The Li Family! Again, the Li Family!"
The Zhang Family’s Patriarch furiously smashed a Jade Slip on the ground, his face darkened as he demanded, "Why does the Li Family repeatedly receive good news, while the Zhang Family becomes more and more dismal!"
The reason for the Zhang Family’s decline was that two successive generations had been utterly unpromising, coupled with suppression from external forces, leading to their current plight.
Originally, it was hoped that the Zhang Family would learn from its disgrace and rise with renewed vigor. However, the developments had exceeded everyone’s expectations—the next generation of Zhang Family members was also lackluster!
In terms of aptitude, Dao Heart, temperament, and comprehension, they had some talented individuals in singular aspects, but very few excelled in two areas, let alone in all categories.
One must understand, the Zhang Family was a venerable Integration-level family with a history spanning thousands of years, and the number of children participating in the Spirit Testing each year was nearly double that of the Li Family!
Yet, despite such a vast pool, very few outstanding juniors had emerged.
This dire situation left the elder cultivators of the Zhang Family deeply worried. They feared endlessly that their ancient family, passed down for countless generations, might collapse under their watch.
With no other choice, they could only resort to alternative methods.
When innate talent fell short, they sought to hone and elevate it through postnatal means.
The most common, though also the most perilous method, was to have those with decent potential personally endure life-or-death crises!
However, the Zhang Family cultivators hadn’t been overly ruthless. During each training expedition, high-level cultivators were secretly stationed nearby. If a genuine life-threatening danger arose, they would intervene promptly to save them.
This somewhat extreme method had yielded decent results. At the very least, some of the Zhang Family’s new-generation members had fared reasonably well in cultivation and realm advancement.
The Zhang Patriarch glanced at the elders, who all had their heads lowered, and another wave of fury surged within him. Ultimately, though, he did not unleash his anger. Instead, he let out a helpless sigh.
"Everyone, if this continues, the family will truly be destroyed in our hands! I beg you, think of a way to save our clan!"
The usually proud Zhang Patriarch lowered his noble head in the face of the clan’s survival. Speaking in a pitiable tone, he practically pleaded.
All the elders present were moved profoundly. But what could they do?
How could they possibly be willing to watch their family decline step by step, even walking toward destruction?
One had to realize they were also Zhang clan members, and they, too, had deep affection for their family.
But alas, the Heavenly Dao did not favor the Zhang Family, allowing them to produce generation after generation of mediocrity!
Under normal circumstances, mediocrity would not be a crime. The Zhang Family had enough time and resources to let them slowly grow.
But the current situation no longer afforded the Zhang Family the luxury of mediocrity!
"The Heavenly Dao is merciless—why are we, the Zhang Family, treated so unjustly?!" The Zhang Patriarch cried out in anguish, losing his composure.
