Chapter 419: An Unexpected Combination (Second Update)

"Haha, hahahaha!"

Li Long stood with his hands behind his back, nodding in satisfaction, and couldn't help but wrap his arm around Ran Guifei's waist, letting out a few laughs.

In truth, one could not blame Li Long for being so excited.

He had truly been stifled to the point of breaking.

Aside from the time he went to Wanhua Valley to seek justice for his "deceased" brother, it had been a long time since he had walked out of Wentian City so freely like this.

In this regard, the situations of Li Long and Huang Huang were somewhat similar.

Both were emperors, and both were trapped within a single city, unable to leave.

It was just that Huang Huang was protecting her kin, taking the initiative to shield them within Demon Emperor City.

Whereas Li Long was passive, staying in this Wentian City as if he were in prison.

Many people were unaware of the inside story; in fact, at the beginning of Li Long's reign, his long-term seclusion was actually a choice made out of necessity.

At that time, Li Long's situation was not as glorious as outsiders perceived.

On the surface, he, Li Long, had ascended to the throne and shook the world with his might, looking quite triumphant.

But in reality, the crises in the shadows had never ceased, and he had been sitting on that throne while walking on thin ice.

The passing of the First Emperor was too suspicious and sudden, remaining a cold case to this day, and although Li Long was the best candidate to succeed at the time, he indeed had not received an imperial edict from the First Emperor clearly stating his status as the successor.

This was not a major issue in itself; even without that edict, he possessed sufficient qualifications to inherit the throne.

But after all, it had not been done according to protocol, lacking a sense of legitimacy; in the eyes of some old-fashioned Li Family fossils, Li Long was actually an anomaly who had obtained the state improperly.

But this was not a big problem either; as long as Li Long temporarily avoided their sharp edge, the other side would naturally come to recognize the facts over time.

And so, Li Long avoided them.

Shortly after ascending the throne, he became an absurd emperor who ignored worldly affairs and focused solely on cultivation, beginning a long period of seclusion.

It was to ensure the elders within the clan could find no fault, biding his time and lying low.

As for the later story, it was not that complicated.

By the time Li Long emerged from seclusion, he had already broken through to the Heaven Realm, and his strength was enough to silence all doubts.

Consequently, those previously questioning gazes automatically turned kind and amiable, with one saying, "I favored you the most back then!", another gesturing, "I even held you when you were a child!", all choosing to have selective amnesia regarding the past.

Li Long's handling of it was also just right; he did not take revenge on everyone, but struck at a batch, punished a batch, and selectively ignored a batch. After a few maneuvers, he firmly secured his throne.

Not long after that, before he could enjoy many days of peace, Li Lingling was born, and he became the old father carrying the entire sky for his daughter, once again pulling back the foot he had stepped out.

And this burden he carried for a full sixteen years.

These sixteen years seemed shorter than a hundred-year death-seclusion, but in reality, they were not.

During these sixteen years, Li Long could not enter seclusion, could not divert his focus to rest, and every single minute and second he was enduring the pain brought upon him by his Blood Star Fate.

Fortunately, a turning point finally arrived, and his daughter finally escaped the tragic fate of an early death.

He was completely free!

Now, after having set down his burden and been relieved for a period of time, his deficiencies had been replenished, and he had unexpectedly discovered that his strength had improved significantly once again.

"After being still for so long, I have been in Wentian for too long; it is high time I went out for a walk!"

"What's more, for a major event like the Immortal Sect Grand Competition, how could there be no experts presiding over it?"

Ran Yeting leaned against his side, smiling and nodding at his words, indicating her agreement.

Mm-hmm, yes, yes.

You just keep talking.

You are the Emperor, and the three clans didn't come for nothing either; who could out-talk you?

Anyway, I won't contradict you; whatever makes you happy, you do it.

"By the way, where are Ling'er and her Senior Sister? Where have those two little ones run off to?" After being excited for a while, Li Long was just about to set off when he suddenly remembered the two little girls who spent their days cultivating together.

And hearing him mention their daughter, Ran Yeting's smile became even more charming.

"Them? Hehe, they have already set off in advance. With Xiaojian guarding them, there is no need to worry about their safety."

A long-awaited world for two—how could it tolerate two little third wheels causing trouble?

Anyway, Xiaojian was bored staying in Wentian, so it was just right to give him something to do.

Since he was both an uncle and a Senior Brother, wouldn't it be perfect for him to look after the children?

Thinking of Jian Xinxin walking beside the two little ones with an awkward expression, Ran Yeting smiled lightly, then remembered something else.

"By the way, besides Qiushui, will a few other children also be representing the sect this time?"

Li Qiushui had to fight on behalf of the Sword Casting Hut to pay for her tuition at Wan Jian Xia.

"The others... since Qiushui is going, that brat Feng Yao should be representing Wanhua Valley, right? He won't let go of the chance to face off against her."

Li Long had always seen the two of them at each other's throats, but he had not interfered too much, letting them struggle as they pleased.

Regarding his own children, aside from that silly child Li Jiyang who foolishly buried himself, the conflicts between the others were not too intense, not reaching the point of life-and-death.

Moreover, he was actually in no rush to consider the matter of passing on the throne.

His lifespan was sufficient; he was far from being old and senile.

Furthermore, Li Long knew better than anyone that sitting in this position was not necessarily the most triumphant thing in the world; he had experienced the bitterness and heartache of it too deeply.

This bitterness, let this father continue to carry it for them for a while longer.

It was absolutely not that he couldn't bear to let go!

"Ahem, absolutely not, yes, absolutely!"

……

As Li Long and his companion set off together, those in Wentian who were going to Sword Province to join in the excitement had basically all left.

And if Li Long's departure was within expectations, and Li Fengyao could also be guessed, then there was one combination that greatly exceeded Ren Yidao's expectations.

"Take this set of clothes and the token, go to the location recorded on the Jade Slip, and rendezvous with the others."

When he suddenly received a message from Di Si, Li Yiyi was resistant, but in order not to alert the enemy, he still honestly arrived at the meeting place.

"What is this?"

Li Yiyi took the Jade Slip, his brows slightly furrowed, not knowing what this guy wanted him to do at this time.

"Don't ask so much, it's a new mission; you just need to follow the requirements and do it."

"Hm? Why me?"

Had he been exposed?

Li Yiyi was a bit confused; he had clearly already acted according to this guy's requirements, so he shouldn't have been exposed.

Di Si chuckled twice, not guessing the thoughts in Li Yiyi's heart, and chuckled twice again:

"It's not just you; from now on, the missions of all members outside, including those in Wentian, throughout the entire Beiming Divine Continent are all temporarily halted, and all focus is being placed on Sword Province."

Sword Province!

Li Yiyi understood and asked in surprise: "Is it for the Immortal Sect Grand Competition?"

Di Si nodded vigorously, his eyes full of anticipation.

"That's right, your mission this time is to participate in this Immortal Sect Grand Competition as a disciple of the Purple Shadow Sect!"