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Chapter 817: Chapter 823: Remake
"As such, we can only give up for now."
Li Zhirui sighed, recognizing that the Li family’s current power was insufficient to resolve the issue of the Devil Beasts in the Secret Realm.
"There’s no rush since we have control over the Secret Realm for the time being," Li Mingzi said, lightening the heavy atmosphere in the hall.
"This failure isn’t necessarily a bad thing."
Li Zhirui’s words left everyone puzzled, unable to understand what he meant. How could such a costly failure, without any tangible gains, be considered a good thing?
"The family has been developing smoothly over these years without encountering any setbacks or difficulties, significantly changing the mentality of our younger generation."
Li Zhirui spoke calmly, "They have become arrogant and overbearing, using power to oppress others. They’re no longer as dedicated to cultivation as before. This failure serves as a stark reminder of our real standing, and perhaps it will awaken some of them."
Like other powers, which one hasn’t grown and strengthened step by step through numerous hardships and dangers?
But the Li family was different. Thanks to Li Zhirui’s presence, their development was smooth. Even if there were dangers, they weren’t life-threatening, and as the years passed, these incidents had nearly been forgotten by most of the family members.
"Ancestor Rui’s lesson is pertinent. Such a trend is indeed emerging in the family," Li Mingzi said with some embarrassment, as these issues fell within her responsibilities as the clan leader.
"Don’t blame yourself; solving this now is not too late."
"Think carefully about how to keep our people vigilant. If this continues, when will the Li family truly rise?"
Before the echoes of his words faded, Li Zhirui had already left the hall.
He now understood why some powers always have a hostile force nearby—it creates a sense of urgency and prevents complacency. Without sufficient strength, one might simply perish unnoticed.
Currently, this method isn’t suitable for the Li family because there is no nearby power of comparable strength, only much weaker vassals or the vastly more powerful merchant guilds and the Sea Clan.
The former cannot put pressure on the Li family; the latter are not ones the Li family can afford to provoke.
If the Profound Ice Sect hadn’t relocated, they could have been a worthy adversary for the Li family, but unfortunately, they fled.
Indeed, the Profound Ice Sect’s aggression was spurred not only by their unwillingness to yield but also influenced by the Li family’s past actions.
To outsiders, the Li family seemed overly eager to expand their territories!
With each increase in strength, they would attack nearby territories, incorporating them under their domain.
The Profound Ice Sect, fearing an attack from the Li family, launched a preemptive strike during Li Zhirui’s absence on Wanxian Island.
Had it not been for the intervention of a Fifth-order puppet, Wanxian Island might indeed have fallen.
However, in reality, most of the Li family’s expansions were mere retaliations to initial provocations.
Sadly, the Profound Ice Sect did not delve deep into the roots of the conflict, or they might not have met such a tragic fate.
Word spread quickly throughout Wanxian Province that many Li family cultivators were injured.
But no cultivators dared to scheme anymore, especially since several powers had been annihilated not long before, with Spirit Mountain falling into the hands of the Li family.
In such a climate, which cultivator would dare to emerge? They could only discuss privately and speculate on the reasons for the Li family’s injuries.
Within the Li family, Li Mingzi gathered the elders to discuss the issues raised by Li Zhirui and contemplated solutions.
"Several days have passed, do any of the elders have any ideas?" Li Mingzi asked.
For a moment, no one spoke.
"I think we might try organizing a Spell competition," one Elder said uncertainly.
"The family has always held competitions, but they haven’t seemed to do much."
That was why that Elder hesitated.
"Law Enforcement Elder, you must have other opinions, right? Why not share them so we can discuss?" encouraged Li Mingzi.
The Law Enforcement Elder could only respond, "The family’s competitions have become ceremonial; fewer and fewer family members participate each year, and no one takes them seriously anymore, so they haven’t been effective."
"But if we create new rules, making participation mandatory for all family members and allocating cultivation resources for the next year based on the rankings, I’m sure most family members would be motivated."
"In that case, to outperform others, they would need to cultivate diligently and improve their own strength."
Li Mingzi’s eyes lit up at the idea, but quickly, she saw a flaw, "But if family members pursue victory by focusing solely on enhancing combat power and practicing spells without serious cultivation, what then?"
After all, a small realm difference doesn’t signify much disparity in strength, especially between the fifth and sixth levels of Qi Cultivation.
Such a situation could potentially lead to severe consequences.
"Clan Leader, if someone is as you described, that just shows their limited perspective. If they achieve a good rank this year, what about the next?" the Law Enforcement Elder shared his view.
Li Mingzi fell silent for a moment, then nodded, "You have a point."
"Do the other elders have any different opinions or suggestions? Let’s brainstorm together and resolve this quickly."
She liked the idea, but such a major decision affecting the family’s future couldn’t be made by Li Mingzi alone; there would certainly be aspects she hadn’t considered.
"According to your proposal, with resources allocated based on next year’s rankings, what about Alchemists and Artifact Refiners whose combat power is relatively weak? Their ranking would likely be lower."
One elder stated, "If they spend time boosting their combat power, then their time spent on cultivation and improving their skills would certainly decrease, which might be counterproductive for them."
"If family members are interested in skills, they can participate in relevant competitions instead of Spell competitions."
The various types of competitions in the Li family had been ongoing for many years, but with time, their significance had waned.
As discussion continued among the elders, some could answer the Law Enforcement Elder’s points, while others needed collective brainstorming.
After a day and night of deliberation, they finally created a more comprehensive set of new regulations.
"Thank you, everyone!"
Li Mingzi’s voice revealed a hint of fatigue, "If there are no other concerns, I will organize these and announce them."
Everyone was too tired to speak, and they indeed couldn’t think of any more issues.
"Alright, let’s settle on this for now. If problems arise later, we can think of ways to amend them."
