Forging Immortality through the Dao Seed

Within a lavish palace.

Neatly arranged on either side were tables carved with dragons and painted with phoenixes, with rare fruits and exquisite wines that ordinary Cultivators rarely saw placed casually on their surfaces as if money were no concern.

At the center of the grand hall.

Fairies were playing music, with the melodies lingering around the beams, while graceful figures danced, moving their hands and feet, every frown and smile revealing enticing and breathtaking charm.

Maidens and servants, either holding fine dishes or carrying immortal brews, bustled among them.

"Our family was able to obtain the immortal treasure this time thanks to the tireless efforts of our uncles who spared no effort in lending a hand. Please, everyone, fill your cups. Here's to our Li Family's luck movement, may it flourish and last forever!"

The man at the main seat above.

A burly middle-aged man slowly stood up, raising the wine cup in his hand, and declared with a hearty laugh.

"Thanks to the Family Head! Here's to our Li Family's luck movement, may it flourish and last forever!"

Seeing this, figures that were either aged, sturdy, or slender, seated on both sides of the grand hall, also stood up and shouted with fervent tones.

In the midst of conversation.

Many fervent gazes turned towards a delicate stand in the palace, forged from some precious divine iron.

Atop it floated a dim, blood-stained bronze chain.

It appeared ordinary at a glance, yet not a single person present dared to underestimate it, especially considering the brutal scene from the day before was still fresh in their minds.

The Li Family had nearly exhausted their elite force and just barely managed to subdue this Locking Immortal treasure Chain.

"It's fortunate that the one wielding this treasure yesterday was only a Golden Core Cultivator; had it not been, our Li Family might not have obtained this mighty treasure and might even have faced the risk of annihilation."

"Truly, it's all about timing and destiny," someone sighed with lingering fear.

"Family Head!" An elder suddenly stepped forward and with a bow of his hands, said with a worried tone, "This treasure is terrifyingly powerful, and it's likely to be one of the top among immortal treasures. Its original owner must be no ordinary being. If they come looking for it, does the Family Head have a strategy to deal with them?"

Upon these words.

All eyes immediately fixed on the burly man at the topmost seat, their looks involuntarily filled with concern.

The uncle was right.

The owner of such an immortal treasure was most likely not someone their Li Family could afford to provoke.

If mishandled, this could lead to a disaster capable of annihilating their clan.

"Don't worry."

The burly man met the crowd's gaze with a calm smile, seemingly well-prepared for this moment.

"I urgently contacted Taiyi Pavilion's Jiu Yan True Immortal last night. Out of consideration for the offerings our Li Family has made year after year, he has agreed to come today to re-refine the immortal treasure, completely wiping away its marks."

"Judging by the time, he should be arriving soon."

"The Family Head is thorough in his considerations, we are impressed," the previously speaking elder nodded in agreement, his gaze towards the burly man filled with satisfaction.

It was not in vain that they had personally pushed him from the branch family to become the Family Head, his actions comprehensive, leaving no problems for the future.

Under his leadership, the Li Family had been on the rise. In just over a hundred years, they had moved from being the last among the seven major families to holding a firm position in the top three. Now, with the addition of this terrifying immortal treasure as the foundation of their family, they could probably rival the Long Ze An Family in strength.

"Divine providence favors our Li Family!" the elder thought deeply.

But at that moment.

A man in white clothes stumbled into the palace, his actions filled with sheer panic.

The newcomer was none other than the burly man's only son, the current first heir of the Li Family—Li Zi, whose fiancée had been abducted.

"Father, and all the esteemed uncles, someone has come outside. He claims to be... to be... the owner of this Locking Immortal treasure Chain."

As his words fell.

Everyone was momentarily stunned.

The once bustling palace suddenly became deathly quiet, so silent that one could hear a pin drop.

At the topmost seat, the burly man's smile slowly froze. But after just a brief moment, he regained his composure, his eyes flickering uncertainly.

After a long pause.

His gaze swept slowly across everyone before finally settling on the elder who had just spoken, then he said with a grave tone:

"Uncle Jin Shui, I must trouble you to take this Immortal Binding Chain to the family's secret vault. The rest of us will go to meet this individual and see exactly who they are. If they are of the Unity Realm Stage… we should try our best to delay them, waiting for Jiu Yan True Immortal's arrival."

"But if they are indeed from the Unity Realm Stage, Jiu Yan True Immortal might not be willing to help us," the elder said with visible unease.

"Don't worry, Uncle Jin Shui, I have it under control," the burly man replied meaningfully.

...

...

A group of people hurried forward, the scenery quickly receding around them.

Along the way, the burly man's instructions echoed constantly in the ears of everyone. Every detail was taken care of in preparation.

Yet even so, including the burly man himself, everyone's faces were still involuntarily filled with solemnity.

They appeared as if they were facing a formidable adversary.

Soon after.

Creak—

The slightly ajar doors slowly opened to both sides, revealing a lone, blue-clad figure in the vision of everyone present.

The breeze brought by the doors blew across the floor, stirring up specks of ashes but attracting no attention.

"Where are the Tao soldiers who should be on guard?"

The burly man wondered to himself.

The next moment, his gaze fixed on the figure in blue.

"Li does not know which immortal has graced us with their presence, and apologizes for not welcoming you from afar. Young sir, where might your master be? I hope he can show himself, so I could explain the situation to the immortal," the burly man spoke politely.

"There is no master to speak of, nor is there a need for explanations, for to err is human. It would be sufficient for you to return the Immortal Binding Chain to me," replied the figure calmly.