Primordial Godking

Meanwhile....

Li Jianfeng stood in front of the cave, his face was calm, it was obvious that although he was angered by Old Man Mo's words, he wasn't all to bothered by it. "What are up to Old Man? Whatever it is... I'll play along."

Some time had passed and the sun slowly began to rise with Li Jianfeng still standing in front of the cave, he was waiting... waiting for Li Tianyan to return, however he was greatly disappointed by the outcome of his wait, not only had Li Tianyan not returned he also couldn't sense his presence any longer nor did Li Tianyan contact him through the communication talisman he had left him... It was almost as if he suddenly vanished from the face of the world.

Although he wasn't completely calm and wished for nothing more than to return to the sect and organize a search party, he couldn't help but feel uneasy about leaving Li Tianyan on his own alone in the Demon Forest, what if he were to come here in search of him?

Just as he was about to contact the sect and ask them to organize a search party, he received a transmission from the talisman he hung around his waist, it was engraved with the character 'Li' at it's center and was about as big as an adults palm, this talisman was used as a form of identification for Li clan members and also a form of communication, in order to be able to communicate with another using such a talisman one typically had to have the person leave a spirit mark in the talisman.

At this moment, the talisman shun lightly, indicating a voice transmission had be sent to him, Li Jianfeng immediately permeated his spiritual energy into the talisman and a series of words entered his mind. "Don't worry about me father I'm fine, I've encountered a fortuitous event and can't return with you, take care."

Hearing the words of his son immediately put his mind at ease, he sighed and disappeared from his former position without a trace, if anyone where here to witness this they would undoubtedly be dumbstruck.

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Qinglong city was a flourishing merchant city, thousands of merchants, businesses men and customers transversed through the city daily, hence the bustling noise and activity.

Currently there where 3 main powers that ruled supreme in the city, the Li clan being the first, the others where of course the City Lord Estate in second place and finally the Floating Blade sect.

Although the Li clan was the strongest of all in Qinglong city, they rarely intervened in its affairs, however, today was different, a group of people bearing the talisman of the Li clan could be seen bustling about setting up decorations for who knows what, they where not alone however as the City guards followed closely behind lending a helping hand, they decorated the gates of the city all the way to the City Lords Estate and to the Li clan, the nature of the decorations left little room for imagination as it was obvious that they were ment to welcome someone.

Qinglong City was a hive of activity, its streets packed with merchants, travelers, and citizens abuzz with excitement. The air thrummed with anticipation as word spread like wildfire: Huo Lianhua, the prodigious daughter of City Lord Huo Yan, was returning home after achieving greatness in one of the top sects in the Azure Cloud Kingdom's capital.

Not only that, but the long-awaited engagement ceremony between her and Li Tianyan, the heir of the Li clan, was finally taking place. It was a union that symbolized the deep bond between the two most powerful families in Qinglong City, and it promised to elevate their status even further.

Rumors and speculation crackled through the crowd.

"I heard she became an inner disciple of the Blazing Sun Sect! They only accept the most talented cultivators in the kingdom!"

"An inner disciple? No, no, the whispers in the Floating Blade Sect say she's already an elite core disciple! Can you imagine what kind of talent that takes?"

"And to think she's marrying Young Master Li Tianyan! Their combined power will make the city untouchable!"

On every street corner, from the bustling markets to the elegant tea houses, people shared the latest news and theories, their voices filled with awe and envy. Children pointed excitedly at the crimson and gold banners lining the streets, while adults speculated about the extravagant wedding gifts that might be exchanged.

In the Li clan's grand hall, the atmosphere was equally festive. A lavish feast had been laid out, and laughter echoed as City Lord Huo Yan and Patriarch Li Jianfeng sat together at the head table, sharing drinks and stories from their younger days. The two men, sworn brothers and pillars of Qinglong City, were visibly jubilant.

"Hahaha, Brother Huo!" Li Jianfeng said, raising his cup. "Who would have thought, all those years ago when we were struggling to carve out a name for ourselves, that we would one day sit here, celebrating the union of our children?"

Huo Yan laughed heartily, his face flushed from the wine. "It's all thanks to fate, Brother Li! Lianhua's achievements have exceeded even my wildest expectations. And now, with this marriage, the bond between our families will be unshakable!"

"To think, tomorrow at dawn, we'll welcome her home in such glory," Li Jianfeng said, his voice brimming with pride. "The whole city will witness this moment of greatness."

The hall was filled with Li clan elders, prominent merchants, and influential figures, all drinking and chatting excitedly. Even the younger generation couldn't contain their enthusiasm. They huddled together in groups, discussing Huo Lianhua's legendary cultivation talents and the power her return would bring to Qinglong City.

Meanwhile, outside the Li clan's estate, the streets were alive with festive music and the glow of lanterns. Fireworks occasionally lit up the night sky, their colorful explosions drawing cheers from the crowd. The city was a sea of movement, with people from all walks of life gathering to catch even a glimpse of the preparations.

But beneath all the celebration, a quiet tension lingered in Li Jianfeng's mind. Though he laughed and drank with Huo Yan, a part of him remained unsettled. His son, Li Tianyan, should have been at his side, helping to oversee the final arrangements for the engagement ceremony. The cryptic voice transmission from the talisman had reassured him earlier, but questions still gnawed at his thoughts.

"Where are you, Tianyan? It's already been 21 days," Li Jianfeng wondered silently, his brow furrowed despite the cheerful atmosphere around him. He masked his concern with another hearty laugh and a raised cup, trying to hide the nagging worry that had grown heavier with each passing day.

Ordinarily, arranged engagements like this one would have been sealed at the birth of both children, a mere formality that marked the joining of powerful families. But in this case, Huo Yan and Li Jianfeng, though close as sworn brothers, had chosen to give their children the freedom to decide whether to honor the arrangement. It was a gesture of respect, a way to ensure that their heirs would have a say in their future, no matter how certain the outcome seemed.

And though Li Tianyan and Huo Lianhua had never explicitly agreed to the engagement, neither had they opposed it. Their silence spoke volumes. There had been no complaints from either side, only tacit acceptance. After all, in a world where power and alliances were everything, who could truly turn down a marriage that promised to strengthen both families' futures?

As the thought crossed his mind, Li Jianfeng's lips tightened slightly. The subtle unease returned, though he quickly banished it with another sip of wine. "They'll be here soon," he reassured himself, the words barely escaping his lips before he tried to smile at his guest.

The servants continued to bring in more dishes, their faces bright with excitement, but Li Jianfeng's thoughts lingered on his son. Was Tianyan truly fine? Was there something more at play here than what he had been told? He couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss, yet he dared not voice his doubts at such an important time.

At first glance, it might appear that the City Lord's Estate was at a disadvantage. After all, their strong ties to one of the great sects in the capital of the Azure Cloud Kingdom should have left them with the upper hand, leaving the Li clan at the mercy of fate. Yet, such assumptions could not be further from the truth. The Li clan had once stood at the pinnacle of power on the continent, a name spoken with reverence and awe. Though time and fate had forced them into the shadows, their legacy remained unbroken. Their roots ran deep—woven into the very fabric of history, stretching across millennia. It was only a matter of time before they resurfaced, and those responsible for their fall knew this better than anyone. This was why they had kept a watchful eye on the Li clan for centuries, knowing full well the danger of letting such a force regain its strength.

The current Li clan, though less visible, was a power that even the Azure Cloud Kingdom's imperial family could not afford to ignore. The truth was clear to those who truly understood: the Li clan's strength now surpassed even that of the imperial family. The reasons behind their decision to remain in such a remote city were known only to a few, but one fact was undeniable—Li Jianfeng's wisdom ran deeper than anyone could comprehend.

He wasn't a man who simply acted on impulse. Every move he made, every gesture, was the result of careful consideration and meticulous planning. And as for Old Man Mo, whose arrogance had shown itself in their last encounter his boldness revealed that he thought he had something to rely on, something that gave him the courage to be so brazen. But Li Jianfeng knew better. The underlying currents were shifting, and soon enough, those who dared challenge him would learn just how far the Li clan's reach extended.

For now, however, the joyous atmosphere of the banquet seemed to draw Li Jianfeng in, momentarily washing away his concerns. Surrounded by laughter and the warmth of old friends, he allowed himself a brief respite, reminiscing with his sworn brother about days long past.