Chapter 732

When the old man in gray robes rose, everyone in the ancestral hall was startled. Then the two middle-aged men seated on either side of him exchanged glances. The one on the left was somewhat plump, with a round face and a gentle smile, looking like a kind-hearted wealthy merchant. He was Li Luo's eldest uncle, Li Li Qingpeng.

The middle-aged man on the right had a burly build, radiating a fierce and domineering aura. His eyebrows were crimson like flames, and fire seemed to flicker within his pupils from time to time.

The middle-aged man on the right had a somewhat burly build, radiating a fierce and domineering aura; his eyebrows were crimson like flames, and even within his pupils, flames seemed to rise from time to time.

Compared to Li Li Qingpeng's amiable demeanor, he was undoubtedly far more aggressive.

At this moment, both men noticed the old man's lapse. Li Li Qingpeng quickly coughed.

They understood that the old man had mistaken the youth before him for Li Taixuan.

But is this truly Li Taixuan's child? He does bear a striking resemblance to Taixuan; no wonder the old man was momentarily confused. Li Li Qingpeng's cough snapped the old man back to his senses. Though advanced in years, his eyes swiftly regained clarity and depth. He gazed at the youth at the doorway, then slowly sat back down. Despite the wrinkles, his face still looked vigorous and spirited, and at this moment, he forced a gentle smile.

This smile made Li Li Qingpeng and Li Li Jinpan secretly sigh. The old man was usually very stern, even with juniors like Li Jingtang and Li Li Fengyi. Such a smile was rarely seen. Today's hasty smile was likely intended not to frighten the youth who had just returned home.

"Is your name Li Luo? Come in quickly." The old man beckoned to Li Luo at the doorway. Li Luo felt somewhat helpless at this grand display. Honestly, he was unsure what attitude to adopt toward this grandfather he had never met. But there was no time to dawdle.

So he calmed his mind, walked calmly into the aged ancestral hall, and looked at the gray-robed old man in the main seat. The old man must be extremely old, his face weathered, yet simply sitting there, he radiated an aura as steady as a deep pool or a towering mountain. In that instant, he seemed merged with the entire Yashan, every movement capable of summoning heavenly majesty.

That indescribable pressure was something Li Luo had only felt from Pang Pang Qianyuan before.

Clearly, this old man must be his grandfather, the current Head of the Dragon Fang Branch, Li Li Jingzhe.

"Li Luo, greeting the elder."

Li Luo's heart surged, then he performed a deep junior's bow before the old man, speaking with utmost respect.

"Look at how distant you seem. I suppose all these years, Li Taixuan never mentioned me to you?" Li Li Jingzhe said with a complex expression.

Li Luo wanted to say something in his father's defense, but he couldn't bring himself to deny it, so he remained silent. Li Li Jingzhe's eyes grew sorrowful. Li Taixuan had never told Li Luo about the Li Li Tianwang lineage, nor about him. Clearly, resentment over past events still lingered in his heart. That son was so proud, yet was forced out of the Outer Shenzhou of the Heavenly Origin, sent to the Outer Shenzhou.

Li Taixuan was the son he valued most, and the one he loved most.

"Ahem." Seeing Li Li Jingzhe fall silent, Li Li Qingpeng beside him quickly coughed, stood up, offered a gentle smile to Li Luo, and said, "Li Luo, I am your eldest uncle, Li Li Qingpeng. This is your second uncle, Li Li Jinpan."

Li Luo wanted to say something in his father's defense, but he truly could not bring himself to deny it, so in the end he could only remain silent. Li Li Jingzhe's eyes held a trace of sorrow; Li Taixuan had never mentioned the Li Li Tianwang lineage to Li Luo, nor had he mentioned him, obviously because he still harbored resentment over the events of that year. That child was such a proud person, yet the result was that he was forced out of the Outer Shenzhou of Tianyuan and sent to that Outer Shenzhou.

The latter nodded to Li Luo, his gaze fixed on Li Luo's face, which so closely resembled Li Taixuan's.

"Li Luo greets eldest uncle and second uncle," Li Luo said respectfully. "Father, perhaps Third Brother didn't mention you to Li Luo because he didn't want the child to develop unrealistic ambitions. After all, they don't plan to return soon; why give the child other thoughts?" Li Li Qingpeng said to Li Li Jingzhe.

"He is right to resent me. In the past, I wronged him," Li Li Jingzhe said in a low voice.

"Father, if Third Brother truly held resentment against you, how could he have sent Li Luo back? This shows that in his heart, he still trusts you," Li Li Jinpan also spoke up. Li Li Jingzhe sighed lightly, his expression gradually recovering. Then he looked at Li Luo and said, "Li Luo, from now on, consider the Dragon Fang Branch your home. Rest assured, as long as this old man is here, you will never suffer any injustice."

"I will follow the elder's orders," Li Luo nodded.

Li Li Jingzhe smiled, examining Li Luo's face closely once more. On that youthful countenance, he saw many traces of Li Taixuan, so his eyes grew even softer and more joyful.

"Hehe, everyone, today the Dragon Fang Branch welcomes the return of a hidden dragon. This is indeed great joy." Then he turned his gaze to the many figures in the ancestral hall and said with a smile.

Immediately, those imposing figures in the hall voiced their congratulations.

"Li Luo is Third Brother's bloodline. Since he has now returned to the clan, his name should naturally be entered into the family register," Li Li Qingpeng said at this moment. Entering one's name in the family register was a highly formal ritual, signifying that Li Luo would truly become a member of the Dragon Fang Branch. Moreover, those named in the register would enjoy the treatment of Dragon Fang Branch members, receiving numerous resources each month that would make outsiders envious.

Li Li Jingzhe nodded, pondered briefly, and said, "Enter him into the upper register."

At these words, the ancestral hall fell slightly silent. The Dragon Fang Branch's family register was divided into upper and lower registers. Usually, newcomers first entered the lower register. As their talent, strength, and achievements became evident later, they would be promoted to the upper register. This was not merely a change in status but also an increase in treatment and resources.

Li Li Jingzhe's action was clearly to skip the lower register and enter Li Luo directly into the upper register. Li Li Qingpeng and Li Li Jinpan had no objections; they knew the elder was compensating Li Luo. Moreover, this child had previously been in the Outer Shenzhou, and now he needed more cultivation resources. Delaying his promotion from the lower to the upper register would undoubtedly waste time.

"Hehe, everyone, today the Longya Lineage has a hidden dragon returning, which is indeed a great joy." Afterwards, he turned his gaze toward the many figures within the ancestral hall and said with a smile.

"Branch Head, Li Luo's return to the clan is indeed a joyous occasion, but entering him directly into the upper register might be slightly against the rules?" An untimely voice rang out in the ancestral hall.

"Li Luo is the blood of the third brother; since he has now returned to the clan, his name should naturally be written into the family register." Li Li Qingpeng spoke at this moment. Having one's name entered into the family register was an extremely formal ritual, signifying that Li Luo would from then on truly be a member of the Longya Lineage; moreover, beyond this, those with names in the register would from then on enjoy the treatment of the Longya Lineage clan members, every single one.

Finally, some obstacles had appeared.

This was normal; otherwise, if everything went smoothly, something would feel missing. Thinking thus, Li Luo's gaze turned to the speaker. He was a middle-aged man in golden robes, with a pale face and no beard, holding a purple-gold ruyi scepter from which purple qi rose. He sat in the seat below Li Li Qingpeng, now looking at Li Li Jingzhe with a serious and respectful expression.

"He is the Grand Master of the Jin Guang Hall, one of the four halls of the Dragon Fang Branch. His name is Zhao Zhao Xuanming. He is the only Grand Master from an outer branch in the Dragon Fang Branch."

As Li Luo looked at the middle-aged man, Li Li Rouyun's voice, wrapped in a layer of spiritual force, entered his ears.

And Li Li Jingzhe's move was undoubtedly to skip the lower register and directly write Li Luo into the upper register. Li Li Qingpeng and Li Li Jinpan had no objections; they both knew the elder was compensating Li Luo, and since this child had previously been in a place like the Outer Shenzhou, he now precisely needed more cultivation resources; if he were made to start from

Li Luo's eyes shifted slightly. This status was undeniably high. The four halls of the Dragon Fang Branch were all controlled by the elder's three biological sons. For this man to hold such a position was quite impressive.

However, for this person to have the courage to question Li Li Jingzhe's decision showed he was no simple figure. Li Luo narrowed his gaze; clearly, the Dragon Fang Branch was not a monolith.

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Li Luo heard this abrupt voice and felt no surprise, only a sigh of relief.

Finally, some obstacles have appeared.

This is normal; otherwise, if everything went smoothly, it would feel like something was missing. Thinking thus, Li Luo's gaze turned to the speaker, a middle-aged man in a golden robe, his face pale and beardless, holding a purple-gold ruyi scepter with purple qi rising from it, seated at

the position below Li Li Qingpeng, now looking at Li Li Jingzhe with a serious and respectful expression.

"He is the Great Hall Master of Jin Guang Hall, one of the four halls of the Dragon Tooth Pulse, named Zhao Zhao Xuanming, the only Great Hall Master from an external branch in the Dragon Tooth Pulse."

As Li Luo looked at the middle-aged man, Li Li Rouyun's voice, wrapped in a layer of mutual force, entered Li Luo's ear.

"Great Hall Master of Jin Guang Hall, Zhao Zhao Xuanming."

Li Luo's eyes shifted slightly; this status was undeniably high. The four halls of the Dragon Tooth Pulse were all controlled by the old master's three biological sons, yet this man held such a position, which was quite impressive.

However, this man even had the courage to question Li Li Jingzhe's decision, showing he was no simple figure. Li Luo's gaze narrowed; clearly, the Dragon Tooth Pulse was not a monolith.

Tiancan Tudou reminds you: remember to bookmark after reading.