It did not take long until news of the submission by the Iron Thunder Sect to the Di Clan spread throughout the 77th District. While many were shocked by the approach the Di Clan took to achieve this, many were also aware that this was inevitable. A majority of the 1st Step factions and even the 2nd Step Faction of the Feng Clan have been taken over by the 3rd Step powers. The weak submit to the strong. A simple rule that has been everlasting on the Immortal Continent.

A startling realization that a few were quick to point out though was that there was now solely a single 1st Step faction to remain independent. A clan that many of the 77th District respected but nothing beyond that. They were not exactly the strongest nor the weakest of the minor factions but for some unknown reasons, they became the sole survivor. Of course, this just meant that the major players would be competing against each other to attain the last piece of the 77th District for themselves. Especially since the Di Clan was not the only powerhouse of the District.

The current leader of the Li Clan fully understood this newfound target on their backs. As soon as he was notified of the news, he called for a meeting with the Elders; his aunties and uncles who had been with him since childhood. A childhood that was rather ordinary, aside from the fact that he had memories of an old self in a mundane world called Earth. These memories aided him in comprehending certain skills easier than others of the same age. This eventually led to him becoming the youngest 1st Step Mortal in over a thousand years of the clan's history at the age of 42. These were admirable achievements to be proud of yet now he could only dread the future of his family that he was utterly powerless to overcome.

Li Wei's eyes scanned the collection of 1st step individuals within the main hall. Among the aunties and uncles was his mother who also had the title of Elder in the Li Clan. She was a talisman crafter and her combat style revolved around the use of talismans. The path was viewed differently depending on the person but everyone in the clan deeply respected her, both for her prowess and dedication to the clan. His mother met his eyes with a light smile that was obviously forced. She always tried to mask her fear when around him. He could remember her face when his father died roughly 15 years ago & she tried to put up a strong front when he was around. He gritted his teeth ever so subtly and then moved his eyes across the men & women once more as he spoke.

"This will determine if our Clan survives or falls. We can stand our ground or leave and settle elsewhere. And I will not hear any notion of submitting to any of these vultures, so don't even voice it! That being said, I will follow the majority's decision on this because while I am the leader, we are still a family and I trust the judgment of everyone in here."

It was all true. While it may be a clan of 407 members, it was relatively small in quantity compared to others. But the bonds they had were stronger than steel. Loyalty has been what the Li Clan has been known for ever since its founding.

The first one to speak was Li Wei's mother; Li Xue.

"Leaving would be difficult... We would encroach upon the position of other factions in other districts. We would be leaving one disaster for another."

She shook her head in exasperation as a pensive expression showed on her face.

"I agree. Older Sister is right about this. The only reason we even have a foothold in this district is because of the timing our ancestors took advantage of."

A short husky man stated with certainty. His name was Li Tao, the clan's best blacksmith and considered the closest to a Martial Artist in physique despite being a Cultivator.

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"The two of you make excellent points, but I can see why the leader proposed this. After all, it is those same ancestors that had originally called another place home. Where the true origin of the clan lay in ruin."

A thin feminine-looking man said with a serious tone. This was another one of Li Wei's uncles; Li Bo. He was an array practitioner which was always good to have around.

Li Wei listened in on the viewpoints of the other Elders and soon a decision had been made.

"Since we are staying, we must prepare. I want the family to have an extra hour of mandatory training. Secondly, make any minor improvements to the defense formation surrounding our home that is possible. And finally, I want to enter seclusion and I suggest you all do the same soon. Any little bit of power increase we can muster up could mean the difference between us surviving the tide and losing our family. We cannot let the risks our ancestors made be in vain!"

"Yes Clan Leader!" They said while most cupped their hands and then parted ways to their tasks. Li Wei could see his mother heading to him with a warm smile.

"What is it?" He asked.

"You are just like your father. A born leader." She said while cupping a palm on his cheek gently while her eyes carried a somber glint.

"Don't worry mother. We will make it through this. I won't let our family be puppets or destroyed. I swear!"

Li Wei said as he grasped her hand tightly, lowering it from his face.

A trace of a tear began to form on the corners of Li Xue's left eye and she quickly turned around and began retreating.

"Silly child. Always the brave one…"

Li Wei observed the back of his mother leaving the hall with resolve in his heart. He readjusted his thoughts and headed to his quarters.

He shut the door and crossed his legs in a sitting position on a meditation mat. Li Wei closed his eyes and felt the connection he had with his skills. Whether they required Qi and what movements to Refine further. For approximately 4 hours, he honed in on the fundamental aspects of his skills and their applications. Yet no matter how much he meditated on their building blocks, they did not want to improve. Though if he were honest with himself, he had already expected this result. After all, it had been just a few years ago since his evolution to the 1st step and the fact that he had already nearly half of his skills at F Rank could be considered unusual for his age, as his lifespan as a 1st Step Mortal granted him at least another 160 years without taking in account his Soul Attribute value. Despite this obvious fact, Li Wei was not satisfied with this progression speed. It seems like he'll have to try to raise the rest of his G Rank Skills by pushing himself to the limit through real combat.

As he was just about to get up and head to the Restless Forest Beast Zone, his eyes widened as they locked onto a notification very different than what typically came from the Heavenly System.

{ [Special] Achievement Earned! You've been awarded 100,000 Creation Tokens for activating the Ultimate Creator System! }

'Huh?!'