Chapter 429: Constraints and Strengthening

"May I ask, Young Master Li, how did this battle turn out?"

At this moment, Fan family patriarch Fan Wentian cautiously inquired; though they already knew Li Yi had won the battle, they could not help but seek deeper details—why had the Ghost God Phantasm suddenly collapsed, why had the spectral troops beyond the city walls retreated, why had four Ghost Gods remained unslain?

Yet he dared not ask directly, only hinting obliquely.

Li Yi glanced at the four great families, then said: "I destroyed fourteen of the eighteen Ghost Gods, leaving four to serve me. From today on, no Ghost Gods shall rule this world. As previously agreed, the Eight States belong to your four families—but only if you can seize the other four families. I have fulfilled my promise to you."

Upon hearing this, the four patriarchs were simultaneously stunned and elated, yet a flicker of unease surfaced in their hearts.

Four Ghost Gods still remain—what if they are dealt with later? How will we handle it?

But the four patriarchs also felt these Ghost Gods seemed deliberately spared by Li Yi.

"Don't think I don't know what you're thinking. The Four Seas and Eight States are not yours alone. I can lift you up, and I can crush you. I've left these four Ghost Gods to watch you. If you govern the Eight States well, ensuring your people live in peace and prosperity, the words 'Eternal Rule of the Eight States' shall forever hang above your four families. But if you oppress the people, trample lives, and amass evil beyond measure—I warn you, my master's Zhao Family Martial Hall may yet become the new great family."

Li Yi's silver vertical pupils fixed upon them, carrying a clear warning.

The four patriarchs instantly flinched, faces turning pale as they hurriedly said: "Dare not, dare not! Young Master Li, we shall govern the Eight States with all our heart, fairly and justly. Even if our own family disciples commit crimes, they shall be punished—never shall we act wickedly."

"Without Ghost Gods to restrain them, perhaps this world will become like mine—dynasties rise and fall, history cycles endlessly," Li Yi said. "I do not doubt your words—I doubt human nature. I came to this world to do something. If things grow worse without Ghost Gods, my next target will be you four great families."

The four men trembled, pressure mounting instantly.

With those words, they knew they must govern their domains with far greater diligence henceforth—else one day, chaos might arise, and Li Yi might erase them. After all, the thousand-year Ghost Gods had fallen in a single day—what were they, mere families?

"Young Master Li, I swear: after seizing the two states, I shall ensure their people live in peace and prosperity. If I break this vow, may my clan perish and my body die." At this, Fan Wentian gritted his teeth and swore a dire oath.

The other three patriarchs, seeing this, also clenched their teeth and swore: "We swear the same—if we fail to govern the two states well, may our clans perish and our bodies die."

They had thought it through.

Since it was "Eternal Rule of the Eight States," the two states within were theirs to keep. To ensure lasting legacy, they must govern well. If they oppressed the people and ruled tyrannically, it would not endure. So they swore the oath outright—to bind their clans, to set rules for future patriarchs, to avoid the path to ruin.

"I hope you mean what you say," Li Yi said, withdrawing his gaze. "The matter is concluded. You may return home in peace. Do not forget your promises to me."

"We shall not forget. With the Ghost Gods gone, the collection of lifespans ends today. If any ghostly entity dares to do so again, all four great families shall jointly destroy it," the four patriarchs said quickly.

"Good. Please go," Li Yi gestured.

The four patriarchs, along with their twenty elite martial artists, bowed in unison, then respectfully withdrew from the mansion. When they turned back to look at the modest residence bearing the sign "Li Mansion," it felt like a great mountain pressing on their chests, making breathing difficult.

Though seemingly small, San Yang City would henceforth be revered by all under heaven.

After watching them depart, Li Yi casually waved his hand and shut the mansion gates.

"It's too generous to these four families," Master Zhao Ge couldn't help but sigh.

The Ghost Gods were destroyed, yet Li Yi gained little. Meanwhile, the four great families now held eternal rule over the Eight States—truly enviable.

Li Yi said: "Master, clinging to such things is pointless. If you cling to power and status, you'll be trapped in the Four Seas and Eight States. That's not the outcome I want. So I only claimed San Yang City and the two hundred li around it. Too many external possessions become chains that bind you."

"True. Power corrupts the heart. A martial artist must not be ensnared by it—otherwise, his fists lose their edge, his spirit fades. In the Four Seas and Eight States, strength equals power. As long as Meng De holds power, you can take the Eight States whenever you wish. The four great families are merely temporary stewards."

"Master, I cannot stay here long. I leave today."

"Leave today? Brother, so soon? Why not stay a few more days?" Zhao Qian rushed over. "Last time, you promised you'd take me to cross over once I reached the Qi Channeling realm. Why not let me go with you this time? By the way, Rongniang and Thin Monkey also want to see your homeland."

Beside him, Zhao Ge said nothing, silently approving his daughter's request.

Li Yi sighed. "My homeland is not peaceful. The Sky is collapsing. Many will die in this great calamity. The strong are racing to cross over, fleeing that world. My destruction of the Ghost Gods here was preparation for my own escape route—to make it easier to bring loved ones back to the Four Seas and Eight States."

"What?"

At these words, everyone was stunned.

What calamity? Even a warrior who crushed Ghost Gods and dominated the Eight States was fleeing with his family?

"Meng De, is it really that bad?" Zhao Ge said, incredulous.

He believed Li Yi's strength made him a formidable force anywhere.

Li Yi said: "Master, I've told you before—my world is filled with powerful beings, teeming with peril, and endless enemies. Some places hunt dragons for food, others bury gods in their bones. One misstep, and an entire world is erased. The dangers are countless, beyond comprehension. My strength there means nothing; merely surviving is already a victory."

"Brother, then hurry and bring your family and friends to San Yang City. Live with us here—no more dangers." Zhao Qian said, her beautiful eyes filled with hope.

"Yes, Elder Brother," Rongniang added softly. "The Four Seas and Eight States are peaceful now. The Ghost Gods are gone. Life here is good."

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Li Yi watched the rising sun, his silver eyes gleaming, his expression calm. "Sometimes, retreat does not bring peace. The Sky's collapse affects too widely—the Four Seas and Eight States may not remain peaceful forever."

"Here, cosmic energy is too thin. If I stay too long, my strength will decline, my body will degenerate. If one day a powerful enemy crosses over, will I, too, be destroyed as the Ghost Gods were? Will you, Master, and you, Sister, and the others, be purged?"

"The weak cannot choose their fate. Only the strong can shape their future."

Li Yi turned to them, smiling faintly. "I wish I could eat mutton daily, train my fists, and travel the land with you all. But I have important tasks ahead. I cannot stop now."

"Then, Meng De, I shall cross over with you—to fight the great enemy together," Zhao Ge's eyes gleamed. "I wish to see that world of countless powerful beings. The martial path here has nearly reached its end. Perhaps I can forge a new path. To remain here and die in stagnation—that is not my wish." "Elder Brother, I'm going with you too," Thin Monkey suddenly leapt out from nowhere, his voice resolute.

"Elder Brother, I and Little Sister will go with you too," Rongniang said without hesitation.

Not just them—other core disciples of the Zhao Family Martial Hall also pledged to follow Li Yi across the boundary, fearless of death.

Li Yi said: "Master, brothers and sisters—I'm glad you wish to aid me. But this cosmic collapse is not something human strength can oppose. Your cultivation is still weak. To make a difference, you must reach the Spiritual Cultivation realm."

"Meng De, you said the cosmic energy here is too thin to evolve, forcing us to rely only on martial arts. Perhaps in your world, once we begin cultivation, our strength will surge. Then we may yet succeed," Zhao Ge said.

Li Yi nodded. "Master, you speak wisely. I've thought of a way to compensate for the lack of cosmic energy in the Four Seas and Eight States."

He then withdrew a vial of gene-therapy serum from his storage artifact.

"This is gene-therapy serum I obtained from another world. Injected into the body, it triggers constant transformation and evolution. Combined with martial training, it can lead to extraordinary achievements." He briefly explained the advantages of gene warriors and the dangers of the serum.

But when he finished, everyone was stunned again.

"There's a way to grow stronger without hard training—just by eating and sleeping?" Zhao Ge froze, his worldview shattered once more.

This wasn't gene-therapy serum—it was divine medicine.

Li Yi said: "I estimate those below the Qi Channeling realm cannot endure the pain of gene awakening—they'll perish as their bodies collapse. Those above Qi Channeling may attempt it."

The martial artists of the Four Seas and Eight States had weaker physiques than evolved Earth humans, so their use of gene serum was limited—they must reach Qi Channeling to withstand the side effects. But this restriction did not apply to Zhao Ge, Thin Monkey, Rongniang, or Zhao Qian, for they had all awakened their Spirit Mediums and possessed superior physiques.

"Then let me be the first to try," Zhao Ge said, taking the serum, studying it briefly, then jabbing it into his arm.

His duty as master was to lead by example, testing the gene warrior transformation for his disciples.

Li Yi did not stop him—his master was already a Qi Condensation martial artist, and with his Spirit Medium awakening, gene awakening would pose no risk.

Within an hour, Zhao Ge would become a martial artist practicing three paths.

Yet soon—

Zhao Ge's eyes snapped open, his body shuddered violently, and he let out a cry of agony. His blood qi surged uncontrollably, exploding outward as a forceful aura that forced nearby core disciples to retreat.

"Elder Brother, is Father alright?" Zhao Qian cried out in worry.

"It's just pain. He'll be fine," Li Yi said calmly. "If there's danger, I'll intervene."

This unyielding old martial artist endured the agony for nearly half an hour before the gene awakening ended. He trembled violently, drenched in sweat, as if tortured—but he never fell, never writhed, standing firm throughout.

"Meng… Meng De… have I… succeeded in awakening?"

"Master, it's over. This is the necessary trial to become a gene warrior. You've passed. Now, feel yourself—has anything changed?"

Zhao Ge now sensed an inexplicable hunger, yet strangely, his blood qi was growing stronger, his physique further enhanced, his senses sharper.

Unbelievable.

In less than half an hour, his body had changed so drastically.

"I feel my potential has increased again. I never knew martial artists at this level could still unlock more potential—like an endless treasure, always holding new surprises," Zhao Ge exclaimed.

Only after beginning dual cultivation did he realize how small he had been.

At the same realm, a Qi Condensation martial artist could not survive three strikes against him.

If he continued cultivating, the gap would widen further.

And with his enhanced physique, he no longer feared prolonged battles. No matter how many enemies came, they were merely coming to die. Before, a single Qi Channeling martial artist could be slowly worn down by a horde of Blood Refining fighters armed with bows and crossbows.

"Elder Brother, I want to become a gene warrior too," Thin Monkey said, boldly extending his hand. He wanted to grow, not fall behind.

Li Yi gave him a vial without hesitation. "Take it. I have plenty. Before I leave, I'll leave some for Master. Any disciple above Qi Channeling and trustworthy may use it. Since we've rebuilt the Zhao Family Martial Hall, we must become the strongest—we cannot be outshone by the four great families."

"Zhao Qian, Rongniang, you too—go ahead and awaken. But since you're girls, go inside to use it."

He handed out two more vials.

Zhao Qian nodded, took them, and led Rongniang into a room to inject the serum and begin their gene awakening.

Li Yi did not hoard these resources—he needed the Zhao Family Martial Hall to be powerful enough in the Four Seas and Eight States.