"Are you Master Changfeng?"

Eight-year-old Li Ji’an looked up, his eyes clear as he gazed at Xiao Changfeng before him.

Xiao Changfeng’s expression was wistful as he looked at the child in front of him.

After a moment, he squatted down, reached out, and patted the child’s head, "Xiao Ping’an, I am indeed your Master Changfeng."

Li Ji’an had explained in his message to Xiao Changfeng that the child was fated to be with him, was an orphan, and was named Li Ping’an, meaning a life of peace and safety.

"There is indeed some resemblance," he muttered to himself. Without further hesitation, Xiao Changfeng picked up Li Ji’an and returned to the Biyun Sect.

When Li Ji’an met Xiao Changfeng in a previous life, he was fifteen and had undergone spiritual nourishment in the Cultivation Realm, looking vastly different from his eight-year-old self at the Absolute Spirit Land.

At this moment, Xiao Changfeng could only see a slight resemblance.

Moreover, Li Ji’an had mentioned in his message that the reason they were fated was that the child bore some resemblance to himself.

As Xiao Changfeng took Li Ji’an away, Gugu, hidden deep underground, blinked and, following Li Ji’an’s spiritual instructions, headed towards the Desert’s Fallen Dragon Ridge. Just like in his previous life, Li Ji’an intended for it to take the Little Fire Spirit for training, considering it a form of tempering.

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A month later, Li Ji’an arrived at the Biyun Sect.

According to tradition, he first went to the main hall to pay respects to the Sect Leader and the Elder Council. Only after receiving their approval could he formally enter the sect and become part of the direct lineage. This would make it easier to be nurtured as a True Disciple once his Spirit Root formed and he participated in the sect’s unified trial.

The direct lineage of the sect typically came from the descendants of sect disciples, born and raised within the sect. Compared to disciples who entered through trials, they had deeper ties to the sect. If their talents were similar, the sect naturally preferred to nurture these disciples.

"Xiao Ping’an, come, let your Master Grandpa have a look." Upon entering the main hall, the Sect Leader and the Elder Council were already awaiting them. Master Jade Pill, with his bloodshot, kind eyes, looked at the child warmly.

A month ago, the soul lamp Li Ji’an left in the sect went out. After Xiao Changfeng conveyed the message, everyone was aware of the outcome.

"Ping’an greets Master Grandpa."

"Not bad, not bad, a clever child. Indeed, has a bit of resemblance to Xiaoli, quite fated," Master Jade Pill said, patting Li Ji’an’s head and nodding with a smile.

After greeting each, Li Ji’an was brought to the center of the hall to await the Elder Council’s approval.

"Since he is the inheritor of Xiaoli’s teachings, he should naturally be part of our sect’s direct lineage," Master Jade Pill was the first to nod.

"Xiao Ping’an, born an orphan, and raised by Alchemist Li, it makes sense."

"I sense his Spirit Vein; his Spirit Root should not be inferior. When he matures, he should possess Upper Grade talent!"

Most elders had benefitted from Li Ji’an’s Pill Medicine, and all approved of his inclusion in the direct lineage.

"Not suitable!" But before the Elder Council could finish, Elder Tian, seated at a high position behind the Sect Leader, suddenly spoke out.

Five years ago, the Supreme Elder, Master Yun Qing, was injured during the sixth tomb chamber opening in a six-sect collaboration and is now in seclusion for recovery. Elder Tian and Xiao Changfeng are pillars of the sect.

Moreover, Elder Tian has more seniority than Xiao Changfeng and thus holds significant authority now.

Xiao Changfeng slightly turned his gaze, realizing Elder Tian’s intentions.

Back when the sect’s True Inheritor was trapped in the Demon Realm, uncertain of life or death, Elder Tian originally planned to allocate the Core Formation Spiritual Talent prepared for Zhao Qi to his own relatives. However, Xiao Changfeng unexpectedly returned, ruining his plan.

While not enough to harbor lasting resentment, it was clear to Elder Tian that this created a rift with Xiao Changfeng. After Zhao Qi returned, he firmly advocated for the spiritual resources to be returned to Zhao Qi.

This further deepened the animosity between him and Xiao Changfeng.

However, as fellow True Pill Elders of the sect, they prioritized the interests of the sect above all, preventing them from open conflict. If faced with strong external enemies, they would unite against the threat.

Yet, behind closed doors, they could not avoid both overt and covert struggles.

With the Supreme Elder injured, Elder Tian intensified his efforts to seize power within the sect, constantly opposing Xiao Changfeng.

Xiao Changfeng’s innate free-spirited nature regarded fame and fortune with little importance. After being targeted by Elder Tian, he chose to withdraw from worldly affairs and focused solely on cultivation, which further bolstered Elder Tian’s momentum.

This caused Elder Tian’s prestige within the sect to rise even higher.

"Indeed, it is unsuitable." True to form, after Elder Tian voiced his stance, the Fake Pill Elders echoed in agreement.

"..." Li Ji’an’s eyelids slightly trembled.

He hadn’t anticipated this turn of events.

If the Supreme Elder were unharmed and with the support of Xiao Changfeng, Master Jade Pill, and the other elders, he thought there would be no issue with becoming part of the direct lineage.

But he hadn’t expected the Supreme Elder to encounter trouble during this period.

"What is unsuitable?" Xiao Changfeng slightly raised his gaze, turning to stare directly at Elder Tian. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Elder Tian gave him a sidelong glance, adopting an air of impartiality for the sake of the sect, "How has our Biyun Sect been able to endure for thousands of years without decline? It lies in not building behind closed doors, not adhering to hereditary successions, widely gathering talents from the world, fostering disciples and students with fairness and justice, thus ensuring the unbroken legacy of the sect and endless generations of talent."

"And the reason there’s a notion of the sect’s direct lineage is to ensure the bloodline inheritance of sect disciples, so disciples and students feel at ease."

"If this child were a blood descendant of Alchemist Li, then there would be no issue, but he is merely an adopted disciple from outside. How can he be part of the direct lineage? If everyone does this, then what’s the point of inviting disciples to trials? All disciples and students might as well go outside to recruit pupils."

His words followed the rules and regulations, aligning with the principles the sect has always upheld.

No one could refute him.

But in reality, the unspoken rule within the Biyun Sect was that once one entered the ranks of the elders, it wasn’t merely about bloodline inheritance.

When Elder Tian was promoted to the elder ranks back then, he had already brought a distant relative back to the sect as part of the direct lineage for cultivation.