Chapter 517: Chapter 518: Birthday Congratulations
“Li Xiaobai, Young Master Li?”

“How could Young Master Li become the Family Head? Elder, are you not making a jest?”

Zongdao was dumbfounded, not understanding what had happened. His entire family had been in fear and trepidation, yet without a word, the other man had directly ascended to the position of Family Head?

“Clan Leader Zong, the former Zhang Family Patriarch committed numerous evils and atrocities, causing harm to many cultivators. I too have long found it intolerable, but lacked the strength to act. Now that Patriarch Li has risen in anger and slain the Zhang Family Patriarch, our clan has also decided to turn over a new leaf.”

“From today onward, the Zhang Family has officially been renamed the Li Family. Hereafter, the Li Family’s principle is to punish the wicked and exterminate evil. As for such greatly wicked people, we will not indulge them. Clan Leader Zong, rest assured, I will soon send men to deliver these little rascals to Punishment Hall for severe punishment!”

“I hope that after you see the Family Head, you could put in a few good words for me.”

The old man said with a faint smile, acting as if he was familiar.

“Ahem, I, too, have done quite a few things in secret. If possible, also speak on my behalf.”

“Hu’er, do you still remember me? When you were a full month old, I gifted you a Magic Treasure. When we return to the Li Family, I will give you another!”

“Hehehe, I’ve heard that Lady Zong is celebrating her birthday soon. I have nothing else to offer but a Beauty Enhancement Pill personally refined by Immortal Yuezen, which I present with both hands. Please kindly accept.”

“Yes, yes, in the past we certainly had many misunderstandings, but I believe there are no knots that cannot be untied in this world. The Zong Family, as descendants of a prestigious line, are open-minded, and I am sure they will not be too harsh on the likes of us.”

One after another, the elders spoke up, each wanting to leave a good impression in front of the members of the Zong Family, vying with flushed faces and thick necks.

All present were petrified. The previously lofty and dismissive elders were now ingratiating themselves with the Zong Family?

Moreover, the way they were ingratiating themselves was like children, bickering among themselves, all trying to catch the attention of the Zong Family members.

The youths kneeling on the ground were ashen-faced. In an attempt to please the other party, these elders were displaying such humility, even going so far as to send them to Punishment Hall to make a statement. This time, they had really shot themselves in the foot.

“Hahaha, haven’t you few said that you’ve never seen Punishment Hall in all your years of living?”

“You’re about to see it now!”

Zong Ya laughed heartily, never imagining that a day would come when the Zong Family could hold their heads so high. The situation wasn’t hard to understand; certainly, Boss Li had managed to subdue the Zhang Family.

Even the Patriarch had been slaughtered, which was truly terrifying. The depth of that cultivation level was unfathomable.

“Since it’s Young Master Li’s intention, then let’s pay a visit. It seems that Young Master Li’s take over of the Zhang Family is part of his own plans and considerations. Let’s go see if there’s anything we can do to help.”

“Having received such a great favor, we can’t fail to show our gratitude!”

After pondering for a moment, Zongdao immediately made a decision.

“Excellent!”

…

At the same time, in Aolai Country, within the Situ Household.

In the grand hall, an aged figure with a stooped back knelt on the ground, tears streaming down his face.

“Patriarch Situ, my Zhang Family has given its heart and soul to the Situ Household for so many years. Even if there isn’t any merit, there’s still hard work. Please, propel the Situ Household to take action and avenge our Patriarch!”

The elder was the Great Elder of the Zhang Family, who had rushed to the Situ Household the moment Li Xiaobai had let him go. Filled with a torrent of resentment that fueled his every move, he swore to tear Li Xiaobai limb from limb to vent the hatred searing his heart!

“You say that this Li Xiaobai is a first-tier young genius?”

“And even the Zhang Family Patriarch was killed with a single move?”

Patriarch Situ furrowed his brows, not so much surprised by the cultivation level of Li Xiaobai but by the sheer incompetence of their underlings in the Zhang Family.

What could the geniuses of the first echelon of cultivators amount to?

However strong they might be, they were just in the fourth layer of the Transcendence Tribulation Stage. The Zhang Family Patriarch was also at the fourth layer of the Transcendence Tribulation Stage, almost at the same realm. Yet, he had been annihilated so effortlessly, which was truly humiliating.

“Indeed, that fellow possesses a peculiar flame Magic Treasure that burns all in its path. Moreover, his swordplay is so extraordinary it’s practically inscrutable, catching one entirely off guard,” said the hunchbacked elder hastily.

“Renjie, you’ve had contact with this individual. What do you think?” Patriarch Situ turned to the young man beside him and inquired.

“To report to my father, this person’s cultivation level is indeed strong, even surpassing mine. But he certainly would not be a match for Great Crossing Realm Cultivators. If it weren’t for the Vice Leader’s presence last time, Uncle Ying would have had no problem killing him,” responded Situ Renjie, with a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes. It was precisely because of the Vice Leader’s presence that he ended up humiliated, failing to steal the chicken and losing the rice instead. Upon his return to the clan, he had been severely chastised by his own father.

If he encountered Li Xiaobai again, he was determined to cripple him.

“To possess such strength at a young age, it seems he will also be participating in the grand competition on the platform in a few days,” mused Patriarch Situ. To him, eliminating a mere Li Xiaobai wasn’t a big deal, but given that Li Xiaobai was a master invited back by the Vice Leader, his background was certainly not simple.

Moreover, at this critical juncture, there might be implications involving a power struggle among several Family Heads.

He needed to consider everything cautiously and thoroughly.

“This old man doesn’t ask for the restoration of my cultivation, just that Patriarch Situ avenge our Family Head and wash away our humiliation,” the hunchbacked elder pleaded in a low wail.

“Hmm, the Zhang Family has indeed served the Situ Household with all their might for many years, doing much on our behalf. With the change in leadership of the Zhang Family, I naturally cannot stand by idly,” said the Family Head.

“However, based solely on your one-sided account, some matters are hard to judge. I need to know more in detail.”

Patriarch Situ approached the elder and with a smile on his lips, gently laid his hand on the old man’s head, with tendrils of black mist curling around them.

The hunchbacked elder’s body trembled violently, his eyes showing a flicker of terror. He knew all too well what was about to happen.

“Patriarch Situ…”

“Rest assured, I’ll avenge you.”

Patriarch Situ said calmly, exerting strength on his hand. The power of the Primodial Spirit besieged the elder, instantly sweeping through his mind and retrieving fragments of memory.

The light in the elder’s eyes gradually vanished, leaving them hollow and lifeless. His body swayed and then collapsed to the ground, void of all vitality.

“So it is. Li Xiaobai is even stronger than I had anticipated. But this bunch is too useless, having failed to test his true strength,”

“Tomorrow is Lady Zong’s birthday. Renjie, take Uncle Ying with you and prepare a generous gift, we’ll be off to the Zong Family to celebrate her longevity.”

“One reason is to celebrate her longevity, and the other is to probe Li Xiaobai’s strength. It would be best to bring him back with you directly. As for the Zong Family’s daughter, if you wish, take her as well. I won’t intervene in your affairs,” Patriarch Situ instructed.

“Yes, thank you, father!” Situ Renjie’s eyes shone with excitement. Thinking of Zong Yao’s graceful figure made him thirsty and restless. He had refrained from making a move on this beauty simply to wait for this day.