C18 The Return of the King

When the cold, ancient, and imperious voice thundered over Emerald Lake, every eye in the hall popped wide open.

Three words surfaced in everyone's minds, unbidden.

Liu!

A wave of intense shock and disbelief flooded their gazes!

As an elderly figure dashed into the hall like lightning, coming to stand beside Liu Xingchang, the astonishment grew beyond words.

"Liu... Liu Jitai!"

"Old Master Liu!"

"General Liu is still alive?"

"How can this be!"

At that moment, everyone looked as though they had seen a ghost.

A man declared dead ten years ago due to a mountain collapse was now lively and kicking before them, a sight that would startle anyone.

Qi Libai exclaimed in disbelief, "Liu Jitai? Are you truly Old Master Liu, Liu Jitai?"

Liu Jitai responded with a cold laugh, "Everyone assumed I died in the Great Goose Mountain Range, but in reality, I was merely trapped in a powerful relic beneath it."

The Southern King could hardly believe it, "Old General, trapped for ten years, how did you manage to survive?"

Liu Jitai glanced at the Southern King, his eyebrows arching, "I survived these ten years thanks to an underground spirit spring within the relic that sustained me."

Qi Libai tentatively asked, "Old Master Liu, after living in the relic for ten years, what level have you reached now?"

"Scared, are you?"

Liu Jitai's tone hardened, his eyes narrowing, "Upon my return to the Liu Family, I found it deserted. After learning the details, I came here immediately. Qi Libai, oh Qi Libai! How obsequious you were when you sought a marriage alliance, and now you dare to crush the Liu Family beneath your heel and even plot against my grandson! As for the Mysterious Immortal Sect, it might as well cease to exist!"

His words sent shockwaves through the crowd.

The Mysterious Immortal Sect, cease to exist!

Such audacious words!

What's more, the Mysterious Immortal Sect was a top-tier power in the Royal Capital. Could Liu Jitai really just decide to eliminate it?

Qi Libai, through clenched teeth, responded, "Old Master Liu, now that you're aware of everything, I won't make excuses. But do you really think you can take down the Mysterious Immortal Sect all by yourself? That seems like a tall order."

"Difficult?"

Liu Jitai let out a cold snort. In an instant, his figure vanished, reappearing directly in front of Qi Libai.

Qi Libai, who had attained the Eighth Stage of Spirit Master Realm, was effortlessly subdued by Liu Jitai with a single move, lifted by the neck as one would a chicken.

Beside them, the Great Elder of the Mysterious Immortal Sect scoffed, "Liu Jitai, remember I am present. How dare you oppress our sect master before me?"

The Great Elder was the most formidable in the Mysterious Immortal Sect, his cultivation far exceeding the Ninth Layer of Spirit Mastery and reaching the Second Level of the Spirit Origin Realm, making him one of the rare cultivators at this level in the entire Great Pine Kingdom.

But as the Great Elder charged forward, Liu Jitai simply grasped his neck with his other hand, hoisting him up effortlessly.

The crowd was stunned by the spectacle.

The Southern King, visibly shaken, inquired, "Grandfather... to what realm have you ascended now?"

Liu Jitai's form shuddered, releasing a burst of energy so terrifying it seemed to shake the very air.

"The Heavenly Path Realm!"

Every onlooker's eyes bulged in disbelief.

It was widely known that Mr. Lan, the most powerful figure hidden within the Great Pine Kingdom's royal family, was merely a Sixth Stage Spirit Origin Realm Cultivator. Yet, Liu Jitai had now ascended to the Heavenly Path Realm.

Undoubtedly, Liu Jitai had now surpassed Mr. Lan to become the preeminent force in the Great Pine Kingdom!

With Liu Jitai's presence, could the Liu Family be anything but the kingdom's most powerful clan, second only to the royal household?

Liu Taihe and Zhou, previously hesitant, swiftly aligned themselves with the Liu Family.

The prime minister's eyes sparkled with excitement, relieved by his decision to have Qingyi and Qingbai befriend Liu Xingchang.

Upon recognizing Old Master Liu's newfound power, Qi Libai realized the gravity of his mistake and desperately pleaded, "Grandfather... I was wrong... Please..."

"An apology? Too late!"

Old Master Liu, a lifelong military man known for his decisive nature, was not one to offer a second chance.

Old Master Liu clenched his fists, and in an instant, the necks of Qi Libai and the Great Elder of the Mysterious Immortal Sect burst into a mist of blood.

The remaining disciples and elders of the Mysterious Immortal Sect widened their eyes in shock and promptly laid down their weapons. They knelt on the ground, opting to surrender.

With both the Great Elder and the Sect Master gone, what was left to fight for?

Yet, the absence of anyone in the Mysterious Immortal Sect willing to die for their beliefs was a sorrow in itself.

Old Master Liu paid no heed to the kneeling, surrendering elders and disciples. He shot up into the sky, punching a hole through the building as he went.

"Rise!"

With his hands forming a powerful seal, he unleashed waves of terrifying energy that churned Emerald Lake into chaos. This energy converged at the heart of the Mysterious Immortal Sect's array base and detonated.

"Boom!"

In a matter of moments, the three main halls of the Mysterious Immortal Sect, which had stood by Emerald Lake for over two centuries, began to crumble and sink without the array's support.

In just a short time, the Mysterious Immortal Sect was utterly destroyed.

As the buildings sank, Old Master Liu grabbed Liu Xingchang and Liu Yichang, one in each hand. With a series of swift moves, he skimmed back to the shore like a dragonfly touching the water's surface.

The members of the Mysterious Immortal Sect, all Cultivators, witnessed their buildings collapse and sink, and they too made for the shore.

The less powerful Cultivators had to swim, but those who had attained the Spirit Mastery Realm could move at incredible speeds, practically walking on water to reach the land.

Soon after, the Southern King with Princess Qingyuan, the Empress with the Third Prince, the Prime Minister with his entourage, Liu Taihe, Zhou Bie, and others all made it to the shore.

Liu Jitai, however, seemed oblivious to these old friends he hadn't seen in days. His gaze was solely on his two grandsons.

He had learned of the Liu Family's plight earlier that morning upon returning home and finding Liu Shuile and the Great Elder.

The most heart-wrenching concern for Liu Jitai was without a doubt Liu Xingchang.

To ensure the safety of the Liu Family and maintain their innocuous facade, Liu Xingchang was thrust into the role of Patriarch at the tender age of seven.

Throughout the years, it was Liu Xingchang who bore the brunt of the family's suffering and disgrace.

Although Old Master Liu acknowledged the necessity of these actions, he couldn't help but deliver a stinging slap to Liu Shuile upon learning of these events within the Liu Family.

Liu Shuile, who feared for his own life, expected Liu Xingchang to endure hardships. Was this the behavior of a responsible uncle?

The more Old Master Liu learned of the Liu Family's tribulations, the more his heart chilled. He found himself wishing he could renounce the formidable powers he had gained from ancient relics if it meant the Liu Family could relive and amend the past decade.

However, Old Master Liu's sentiment shifted when he heard from Liu Shuile about Liu Xingchang's slaying of Dai Tianli.

Liu Xingchang had killed Dai Tianli...

Liu Xingchang had overpowered the green-robed protector, upholding the honor of the Liu Family and Liu Yichang.

Liu Xingchang had rescued his sister from the perilous clutches of the Dai Family.

Liu Xingchang had reclaimed the three mining veins rightfully belonging to the Liu Family...

Liu Xingchang...

A surge of immense pride swelled within Old Master Liu.

He found solace for all his sorrow in Liu Xingchang's actions.

Yet, upon hearing that Liu Xingchang had gone to the Mysterious Immortal Sect, seemingly to meet his demise, Old Master Liu didn't hesitate. He left home immediately, hastening towards the sect with utmost urgency.

Liu Jitai gazed upon Liu Xingchang, his eyes brimming with complex emotions, but above all, immense pride.

He remained silent, yet his silence spoke volumes.

Liu Xingchang understood these feelings, finding himself fully embracing the moment.

But just then, the air was sliced by several sharp gusts of wind. Four figures burst forth from the city, converging on their location with the speed of lightning.

Onlookers could see that the four were paired off. The first duo was none other than the reigning emperor alongside Mr. Lan, the preeminent master of the Great Pine Kingdom.

The crowd's eyebrows lifted subtly as they turned their gaze toward Liu Xingchang.

The second pair consisted of a man and a woman. The woman was none other than the Fourth Princess, betrothed to Liu Xingchang, while the man... was holding the Fourth Princess close around her waist.

...