"As long as Ye Tianxuan remains insignificant for a single day, we still have a chance to eliminate him."
"However, with that girl Zhao Wanling protecting him, it won't be easy for us to make a move," another elder said worriedly.
"Humph, although Zhao Wanling is a master of the Xuanqi Sect, she is only one person after all. Our Wang Family has operated in the Northern Region for many years with a profound foundation; how could it be shaken by a little brat like her?" Wang Xiaotian sneered.
Originally, he had intended to use the power of the Ye Family to deal with Ye Tianxuan in order to avenge his past humiliation, but now it seemed that path was no longer viable.
"Patriarch, someone has been sent from the Ye Family." A servant hurried in, interrupting Wang Xiaotian's deep thoughts.
"Oh? The Ye Family?" Wang Xiaotian raised an eyebrow, a flash of doubt crossing his eyes. "What are they here for?"
"They said they want to discuss some matters with our family," the servant respectfully replied.
Wang Xiaotian waved his hand to signal the servant to withdraw, then turned to an elder beside him and said, "Go and see what the Ye Family is really plotting."
The elder accepted the order and left, returning not long after with a hint of joy on his face.
"Patriarch, the Ye Family has expressed an intention to join forces with us to ruin the marriage between Ye Tianxuan and the Lin Family's legitimate daughter," the elder said in a low voice.
"Oh?" Hearing this, a sharp glint flashed in Wang Xiaotian's eyes. "Bring them in and tell me the details."
The elder brought in the clan elder sent by the Ye Family, who proceeded to spell out the intentions of the Ye Family Ancestor one by one. Upon hearing this, a satisfied smile spread across Wang Xiaotian's face.
"Good. Consider yourselves sensible this time."
Wang Xiaotian nodded. "Since your Ye Family is willing to join forces with us, we will grant you this opportunity. However, this matter must be handled with the utmost secrecy; Ye Tianxuan must not find out."
"That goes without saying; our ancestor intends the same."
"We will operate in the shadows when the time comes to make the Lin Family call off this marriage."
"Once Ye Tianxuan loses the support of the Lin Family, won't finding an opportunity to strike him down be as easy as turning over our hands?"
"An excellent plan!"
When Ye Tianxuan and Li Wanqing returned to their residence, Li Wanqing's expression remained grave.
Sensing that his mother had something on her mind, Ye Tianxuan did not press her with questions, assuming she was troubled by the marriage proposal mentioned earlier by the Ye Family Ancestor.
As night fell, the mother and son sat together in the courtyard. Ye Tianxuan took out the token Zhao Wanling had given him and gently stroked it.
"Xuan'er, you must keep this token safe. You must attend the Xuanqi Sect selection tournament in a week," Li Wanqing finally spoke, her tone resolute.
"Mother, I know." Ye Tianxuan nodded, placing the token close to his chest.
In the past, as the Supreme Emperor, he could only hear about lesser techniques from subordinates or ancient texts; now that he had the opportunity to witness one firsthand, he was quite willing.
The atmosphere fell abruptly silent after Ye Tianxuan finished speaking. Li Wanqing nodded and remained silent, evidently deep in thought.
After a moment, she spoke up. "Xuan'er, your mother thinks I should make a trip back to my maiden family and get to the bottom of this."
"Back to your maiden family?" Ye Tianxuan looked at Li Wanqing in surprise. "Mother, do you mean returning to the Li Family?"
"Yes." Li Wanqing nodded. "Regarding your father's affairs, and what Wang Yueshan said today, I feel it is necessary for me to go back."
Ye Tianxuan was silent for a moment, then nodded. "Very well, then I will accompany Mother."
With that, Ye Tianxuan stood up, intending to return to his room to prepare.
"Xuan'er, you cannot accompany me to the Li Family."
Li Wanqing slowly stood up, looking at Ye Tianxuan with a complex gaze.
"Back then, the affair between your father and me made the Li Family and the Ye Family burn with mutual hatred. Even now, the Li Family has never acknowledged your identity."
"If you go there, I'm afraid..."
Hearing this, Ye Tianxuan furrowed his brow slightly, but quickly recovered.
He turned around, walked back to Li Wanqing, and gently patted her on the back with raised hands.
"Since that is the case, Xuan'er will listen to Mother."
"Then I must set off overnight, lest your second uncle and the others discover my departure."
Li Wanqing nodded and turned to walk out of the courtyard.
Ye Tianxuan stared intently at Li Wanqing's back, watching a special glowing totem imprint flash there, and nodded slightly as the identical imprint on his own palm flickered in response.
"Although my divine sense is still at a low level, I can still manage to find out whether Mother is in danger."
"Phew! Late Blood Wheel Realm, hehe."
How could Ye Tianxuan have ever imagined that in this lifetime he would live once more and start over from the beginning?
As the Supreme Emperor born at the Early Yellow Extreme Realm, this Late Blood Wheel Realm was probably his very first experience with actual cultivation stages.
After setting off, Li Wanqing traveled for a full day before finally arriving before the gates of the Li Family estate.
Located on a small hill south of Cangbei City, the Li Family estate was a sprawling manor.
Inside the estate, lush trees provided shade, and birds sang amid fragrant flowers, making the place exceptionally quiet and serene.
When she reached the manor gates, the doorman recognized Li Wanqing and immediately stepped forward to bow.
"Eldest Miss, you've returned," the doorman respectfully said.
"Yes, I'm back to see my father." Li Wanqing nodded and stepped into the manor.
Inside, the members of the Li Family cast lukewarm glances at Li Wanqing upon seeing her.
After all, back then Li Wanqing had eloped with Ye Tianxuan, completely breaking ties with the Li Family.
Though she had returned now, the grievances of the past still remained.
Ignoring the attitude of her clansmen, Li Wanqing walked straight toward her father's study.
Inside the study, an old man was sitting with his eyes closed to rest his mind. Hearing footsteps, he slowly opened his eyes. Seeing Li Wanqing, a complicated emotion flashed in his eyes.
"Wanqing, you've returned," the old man said, his voice somewhat hoarse.
"Father." Li Wanqing fell to her knees, tears instantly streaming from her eyes.
"Get up, child." The old man reached out, wanting to help Li Wanqing up, but pulled his hand back halfway.
"Father, there is something I want to ask you." Li Wanqing stood up and wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes.
"Is it about the cause of death of that Ye Family brat?" The old man sighed and asked.
Seeing that her father already knew, Li Wanqing asked anxiously, "Father, how on earth did Tianba die?"
The old man was silent for a moment before slowly speaking. "Wanqing, there are some things you are better off not knowing."
"But, Father, Tianba cannot just die like this without an explanation! All I want to know now is whether Tianba's death has anything—anything at all—to do with the Li Family, or with you!"
Li Wanqing insisted.
*Bang!*
The patriarch's staff in Li Xuanying's hand heavily struck the ground.
The pressure of his entire presence instantly bore down on Li Wanqing.
"Li Wanqing! Are you questioning me?"
"Father, Wanqing... Wanqing wouldn't dare."
"Wanqing just wants to know the truth. If Father won't tell me, Wanqing will find out by any means necessary."
"Sigh, very well."
Looking down at her kneeling before him, Li Xuanying was momentarily dazed. He let out a long sigh and withdrew his oppressive aura.
"I can tell you what I know."
"That Ye Family brat did indeed go to the forbidden grounds of the Xuanqi Sect to explore a secret realm..."