Chapter 1404: Family Banquet

Before Li Luo went into closed-door cultivation, Dantai Lan, despite being incredibly busy, still found time to hold a family banquet, inviting Li Li Qingpeng, Li Li Jinpan, Niu Niu Biaobiao, and Li Li Rouyun over as well.

Li Luo, Jiang Jiang Qinge, as well as the younger generation like Li Li Jingtao and Li Li Fengyi were naturally also present.

"Eldest Brother, Second Brother, during the years Taixuan and I were away, I often heard him mention you two. Since he has yet to return home, let me toast you both on his behalf." At the banquet, Dantai Lan raised her cup and smiled at Li Li Qingpeng and Li Li Jinpan.

Dantai Lan was quite fond of Li Li Qingpeng and Li Li Jinpan. Back when she followed Li Taixuan to the Dragon Fang Lineage, Li Li Jingzhe had not met her, but these two elder brothers were very kind to her, and repeatedly urged Li Taixuan not to bully her.

Li Li Qingpeng and Li Li Jinpan hurriedly raised their cups, both sighing with smiles: "Sister-in-law, you're too kind. We miss Third Brother terribly too. We hope he comes back soon."

Then Li Li Qingpeng sighed in admiration: "Sister-in-law is truly capable. In just a single day, you subdued everyone in the Dragon Fang Lineage, top to bottom. With you holding down the fort, this crisis has been weathered safely."

Li Li Qingpeng understood all too well how great an impact Li Li Jingzhe's fall would have on the Dragon Fang Lineage. It was absolutely a matter significant enough to cause upheaval. Although they could still borrow the prestige of Li Li Tianwang's lineage to intimidate outsiders, the internal competition and infighting from within Li Li Tianwang's lineage itself could not be avoided.

Li Li Tianwang's lineage was far too vast, with countless factions big and small within it like a sky full of stars, and naturally there were divisions among them. Li Li Jingzhe's fall would severely affect the Dragon Fang Lineage's status and voice, and would also cause some of the subordinate forces to throw in their lot with the other lineages.

Fortunately, Dantai Lan took over in time.

With her forceful style and the strength of a Grand Unparalleled Marquis, she directly intimidated some of the restless elements at yesterday's meeting.

For instance, that Grand Hall Master of the Golden Light Court, Zhao Zhao Xuanming.

This man was a nail planted in the Dragon Fang Lineage by the Dragon Blood Lineage. In the past, when Li Li Jingzhe was still around, he valued Zhao Zhao Xuanming's truly extraordinary ability and thus had the mind to employ him. And Zhao Zhao Xuanming was indeed no ordinary man—during his years in the Dragon Fang Lineage, he had expanded the Golden Light Court into the foremost of the four courts.

This gave Zhao Zhao Xuanming no small prestige within the Dragon Fang Lineage. With Li Li Jingzhe's fall, before Dantai Lan's news had been sent back, there had been quite a clamor within the Dragon Fang Lineage, attempting to have Zhao Zhao Xuanming temporarily act as the Lineage Head.

After all, everyone knew that Zhao Zhao Xuanming also had the support of the Dragon Blood Lineage behind him. If he rose to the position, it would mean the Dragon Fang Lineage would fall under the Dragon Blood Lineage's control.

When that time came, the status of those of them who were originally the Lineage Head's direct line within the Dragon Fang Lineage would become extremely awkward.

Just thinking about these power struggles gave Li Li Qingpeng a headache.

So it was a great blessing that Dantai Lan returned in such a timely manner.

Although Dantai Lan does not bear the Li surname, she is Li Taixuan's wife, and naturally counts as one of their own family. This simply could not be compared to a true outsider like Zhao Zhao Xuanming.

Moreover, Dantai Lan is a Grand Unparalleled Marquis, which is more than enough to intimidate the other four lineages from meddling in the Dragon Fang Lineage's affairs.

Furthermore, Dantai Lan's temperament is completely different from the old man's. The old man acted by the book, sometimes one could even say he was a bit pedantic and stubborn, willing to make many concessions for the greater good. But Dantai Lan is incomparably forceful. If the Dragon Blood Lineage still puts forward some untimely demands in the future, given Dantai Lan's temperament, she would probably flip the table on the spot.

"I also like Sister-in-law's way of doing things. Yesterday she just said one sentence in front of everyone, asking that Zhao Zhao Xuanming whether he still wanted to continue being the Grand Hall Master of the Golden Light Court, and that old fellow was pressed into complete submission, not daring to say another word. Haha, satisfying." Li Li Jinpan laughed heartily.

In the past within the Dragon Fang Lineage, Li Li Qingpeng was a good-natured man and did not compete with Zhao Zhao Xuanming. Only he himself had a fiery temper and often clashed with Zhao Zhao Xuanming, but in these contests he was usually the one who came off worse. And Li Li Jingzhe, faced with their squabbles, simply sat back and did nothing, which left him extremely frustrated.

So being able to see Zhao Zhao Xuanming humbled now was the most satisfying thing for Li Li Jinpan.

"I am not familiar with the many affairs of the Dragon Fang Lineage. In the future, I will still need Eldest Brother and Second Brother's support." Dantai Lan chuckled lightly, then looked toward Niu Niu Biaobiao. At this moment, the latter was sitting together with Li Li Rouyun, the two of them very much in love.

"Old Niu, your name really wasn't given in vain. You've even learned to be an old bull eating tender grass now. Back when we first came to the Dragon Fang Lineage, Li Rouyun was still just a little girl." Dantai Lan said teasingly.

Li Li Rouyun was somewhat reserved in front of Dantai Lan, after all the latter was not only a Grand Unparalleled Marquis, but also the current Lineage Head of the Dragon Fang Lineage, a position of extraordinary standing.

One must remember that in the past, when she faced Li Li Jingzhe, she was timid and meek, not even daring to let out a breath.

And hearing Dantai Lan's teasing at this moment, Li Li Rouyun's face also flushed slightly red.

Niu Niu Biaobiao rolled his eyes. He, Dantai Lan, and Li Taixuan were life-and-death friends who could entrust their children to one another, and their bond was as deep as blood siblings. So even though Dantai Lan was now the esteemed Grand Unparalleled Marquis and Lineage Head of the Dragon Fang Lineage, he still treated her as he always had.

"Back when the three of us were fleeing, the ones who hurt me the most on the road weren't those pursuers, but these two constantly being lovey-dovey. Watching them was unbearable." Niu Niu Biaobiao retorted grumpily.

The others, upon hearing this, could not help but burst into laughter.

Li Luo, Jiang Jiang Qinge, and the other juniors also laughed out loud. The warm atmosphere finally managed to dilute, just a little, the heavy mood that had hung over Shenshan.

The family banquet ended with host and guests all delighted.

The second day.

Deep within Yashan, a lake like a bright mirror was set like a jewel.

Dantai Lan, Li Luo, and Jiang Jiang Qinge stood at the center of the lake.

And Li Luo was staring with wide eyes at an object in the center of the lake. It was a lotus seat several zhang wide, dark gold in color, from which surged a vast and mysterious aura, flowing out endlessly, illuminating the mind and spirit.

"This is..."

"A Heavenly Treasure Lotus Seat?!"

Li Luo recognized it, because he had once cultivated within this lotus seat before, and this object was Li Li Jingzhe's most treasured possession. Throughout the entire Dragon Fang Lineage, aside from him, no one else had ever used it.

"Just use this Heavenly Treasure Lotus Seat for your closed-door cultivation. These are all your grandfather's relics, use them however you wish." Dantai Lan said.

"Isn't that too extravagant?" Li Luo's heart stirred. This was a treasure used by a King-level expert for cultivation, something countless top-grade Marquises sought even once in vain.

"No matter how fine a treasure, it only shows its value when used. This time you still need to cultivate the 'Dragon Blood Retrograde Art', which is a top-grade Si Si Tianming-level Marquis Bestowing Art, worthy of employing this 'Heavenly Treasure Lotus Seat'. So even if your grandfather were here, he would allow you to use it." Dantai Lan said with a smile, her hands tucked into her pockets.

"Then I thank Mother, and Grandfather as well."

Li Luo did not stand on ceremony, and accepted with a smile. After all, this closed-door cultivation was of vital importance, related to whether the myriad phase seed within his body could be activated, and also related to whether he could return to Unparalleled Second Grade.

Thus Li Luo's figure moved, stepping into the "Heavenly Treasure Lotus Seat," and immediately sat down cross-legged.

As Li Luo entered the "Heavenly Treasure Lotus Seat," a jade-green stamen slowly grew out from the front of the seat. Dantai Lan flicked a finger, starlight descended and ignited it, and immediately wisps of pale green smoke curled around the lotus seat.

Li Luo, the tip of his nose catching that faint fragrance, felt his mind and heart completely settle into tranquility at this moment. Countless inspirations and awakenings, like bubbles, continuously welled up within his heart.

Thus, his eyes gradually closed, and he directly entered a state of cultivation.

Seeing this, Dantai Lan reached out and flicked a finger. The lake water began to rise, finally transforming into a massive water dome that completely enveloped the estate deep within Shenshan.

Jiang Jiang Qinge, standing to the side, gazed at Li Luo's figure, slightly lost in thought.

Dantai Lan took her little hand and teased: "What? Can't bear to be apart for even this little while?"

A faint blush rose on Jiang Jiang Qinge's exquisitely beautiful cheeks, and she said: "Mother, when shall we go to the Wang Hou battlefield to help Father out of his predicament?"

"If Li Taixuan were to hear this one word 'Father,' he'd probably get so excited he'd go find a great demon king to have a fight." Dantai Lan said.

Jiang Jiang Qinge was somewhat helpless. Dantai Lan was sometimes just like this, always liking to tease people.

"Don't worry, I have a connection with him, and that fellow isn't so easy to catch. I know you're worried about him, but if you really want to help us, the best thing for you two is to forge seven ten-pillar golden platforms as soon as possible. When that time comes, our family of four Unparalleled will truly be the 'number one family' through the ages." Dantai Lan said with a smile.

Jiang Jiang Qinge nodded slightly, her gaze lingering on Li Luo's body, and only after a long while did she slowly withdraw it.

It seemed she too needed to quicken her pace of cultivation.

Otherwise, it really did seem like she was about to be caught up to by Li Luo...