Born as an ant, I was summoned to ascend to immortality.

Chapter 78 Introduction to the Clan

Faced with this earth-shattering sword strike, Liu Zhaohan and the others were terrified, their faces pale, and their gazes toward Zhou Li and Yang Yang were filled with awe.

Looking at the bottomless crack in the ground, they finally understood that the Changtian Sect's foundation was far beyond what they, as cultivators from the lower realms, could fathom.

With Liu Zhaoyuan's execution, his imperial seal fell into Zhou Li's hands, along with several ordinary pills that Yang Yang didn't value and gave to Zhou Li as well.

After this tremendous change, Qixia Kingdom is in dire need of rebuilding.

At Liu Zhaohan's insistence, Princess Xiyue, Liu Xixi, took charge of the situation and stabilized the people's hearts. With the strong support of Liu Xuan and Liu Qing, she comforted the suffering people and regulated the refining of Xuanming Pills.

With everything temporarily settled, Zhou Li and Situ Yangyang prepared to depart and return to Changtian Sect to report back.

Just as Zhou Li was about to step onto the white jade platform, Liu Zhaohan suddenly stepped forward and gracefully knelt before him:

"Your Excellency, please wait, Zhao Han has another request!"

Zhou Li paused, reached out to help Liu Zhaohan up, and said with lowered eyes, "You flatter me. May I ask what brings you here?"

Liu Zhaohan raised her head, her beautiful eyes shimmering with tears: "Zhaohan humbly begs the Envoy to allow me to follow you, even as a slave, to take me away from this Netherworld Realm!"

Upon hearing this, Situ Yangyang, who was standing to the side, suddenly opened her almond-shaped eyes wide, her gaze shifting back and forth between Zhou Li and Liu Zhaohan like a fluttering butterfly.

Zhou Li frowned slightly and refused, saying, "Qixia Kingdom is in dire need of reconstruction and needs your help to turn the tide. Besides, you have already reached the Foundation Establishment stage, while I am merely a Qi Refining disciple of a sect. How can I possibly accept you as a servant?"

Liu Zhaohan bowed deeply again and said, "Envoy Zhou, my request is not made on a whim. My elder brother's sins are grave, affecting the very foundation of the nation. Although Xixi is young, she is kind and simple. After experiencing this calamity, and with the careful assistance of Elders Liu Xuan and Liu Qing, given time, she will surely lead Qixia Kingdom out of the shadows."

She paused slightly, her gaze shifting to the clear blue sky, a hint of longing in her eyes: "Zhaohan has cultivated since childhood, often feeling that the Netherworld Realm is like looking at the sky from the bottom of a well. Now, having witnessed the power of the Supreme Sword Formation of the Upper Sect, I finally understand what the Great Dao is. My heart yearns for it, and I cannot suppress it."

Her gaze returned to Zhou Li, and she said sincerely, "The envoy is an upright man, which has won Zhao Han's heart. Zhao Han dares not ask for anything more, and is willing to be a humble servant, doing menial tasks and sweeping, only hoping to accompany the envoy to see the world beyond the realm and seek that glimpse of immortality!"

These words are clearly articulated, expressing a sense of responsibility for the nation and its people, an admiration for the great principles, and a deep respect for the rites of Zhou. They are sincere and moving.

However, Zhou Li saw something more. In Liu Zhaohan's eyes, he keenly sensed a deep-seated fear.

Zhou Li was somewhat puzzled. Everything was settled, so what was she still afraid of?

Situ Yangyang secretly wondered if there was some unspeakable entanglement between the two, and moved closer to Zhou Li, tugging at his sleeve and saying:

"Senior Brother Zhou, I think Fellow Daoist Liu's words make sense! She has successfully established her foundation at such a young age; such talent is outstanding even within the sect. It's a real pity that such a talented and beautiful person is trapped in the lower realm. If you don't want her, what if some dissolute young man from my clan meets her in a few days and takes her back as a concubine? Would you be willing to let her go?"

Zhou Li could easily understand Yang Yang's unspoken meaning, but given his own precarious situation, why risk having another person follow him?

After a moment's thought, Zhou Li asked Yang Yang, "Is there any precedent within the sect for introducing someone from the lower realm into the clan?"

Yangyang replied, "If someone else did this, it would be suspected of being a secret exchange, but since you are the top scorer in the exam, no one will likely make a fuss about it. If she achieves success in her cultivation in the future, it might even become a celebrated story in the sect."

As she spoke, she looked at Liu Zhaohan with a grin: "Fellow Daoist Liu, your talent is quite remarkable, and your judgment is excellent. Zhou Li is the first person in the sect in a thousand years to achieve the highest rank in both the top two categories. I'd even like to become his disciple!"

Zhou Li stood still, thinking to himself that this woman's talent and temperament were indeed superior, and what was even more remarkable was that her decisiveness was also extraordinary.

For the sect, recruiting this person would be beneficial and harmless; but for him, having another unpredictable servant by his side would only increase the variables.

After a long pause, Zhou Li finally spoke: "Junior Sister Situ's words are not without reason. Since Fellow Daoist Liu has the heart to pursue the Dao, I am willing to act as an introducer. You may temporarily accompany me back to Ziyun Peak as my servant. As for what happens next, I will inform my master and let her decide."

Upon hearing this, Liu Zhaohan's eyes lit up, and she said, barely suppressing her excitement, "Zhaohan thanks you, my lord! I will always remember this kindness!"

Looking back one last time at this land where she was born and raised, yet which had borne so much pain, Liu Zhaohan felt a complex mix of emotions. She didn't know if her choice today was right, but unfortunately, this was a path she had no choice in.

With these thoughts in mind, she followed Zhou Li onto the white jade platform.

Using the sect's anchor point, the group successfully returned to Youming Pass.

A refreshing aura, completely different from that of the Netherworld Realm, swept over them, and everyone felt a lightness all over their bodies, as if they had broken free from invisible constraints.

"Finally home!" Yangyang said, her bare feet sinking into the moss on the ground, looking completely content.

She turned to Zhou Li, smiling sweetly, "Senior Brother Zhou, thanks to you this time! We'll go pay our respects to Grandpa now. Leave the matter I promised you to take care of!"

Zhou Li nodded slightly. His purpose in coming here was to learn the subtle methods of Xuan Yin Qi.

If one can find the power of Gui water through the natural Yin veins of this place, it will be of immense benefit to him in understanding the ancient scrolls of Xuan Gui and comprehending the wonders of Yin and Yang.

Liu Zhaohan stood half a step behind Zhou Li, silently sensing the purity of this world. As a fire cultivator, she felt slightly uncomfortable with the cold air of this place, but the yin energy permeating the valley made her feel somewhat at home.

Just then, a streak of emerald light flew out from the depths of the valley and arrived in an instant, landing not far in front of the group.

When the light faded, a woman wearing a flowing, light blue dress was revealed.

Her hair was styled in a high bun, and her appearance was refined and elegant, yet there was an air of indifference in her eyes, and she possessed an untainted arrogance.

Upon seeing this person, Yangyang immediately greeted him excitedly: "Uncle-Master Yang!"

The woman nodded slightly, her gaze falling on Zhou Li and Liu Zhaohan, quietly scrutinizing the two.

Yangyang was very familiar with her and stepped forward to affectionately tug at her sleeve: "When did you come out of seclusion, Martial Aunt? We just returned from the Small Realm. This person with us is Zhou Li from Ziyun Peak, and next to him is his servant Liu Zhaohan."

She turned to Zhou Li and gestured, "Senior Brother Zhou, quickly pay your respects to Uncle Yang of Cuiwei Peak."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Li immediately remembered that Cuiwei Peak and Kunyang Peak were adjacent to each other and both belonged to Yaochi Grotto-heaven. He had heard Xia Mingduo mention this Master Yang when they were chatting before.

Yang Liuqing, a second-generation disciple of Cuiwei Peak, is proficient in both the Water and Wood elements. His Azure Lotus Sword Technique is incredibly skillful, making him the number one fighter below the Nascent Soul stage in the sect. Seeing him today, he is indeed extraordinary.

He dared not be negligent and immediately bowed respectfully, saying, "Disciple Zhou Li greets Uncle Yang."