Li Lin was the last one to enter, also taking his place in the farthest corner, watching the others ahead of him, including Li Wushuang and Li Mei, who had made their way to the very front.

At this moment, the expressions of the Li family members turned solemn as they gazed at the ancestral spirit tablets in front of them, daring not to even breathe too loudly, while Li Dong, Li Nan, and others had also moved to the forefront.

Once everyone was properly positioned, Li Dong stepped forward, his gaze carrying an authoritative weight. He quickly swept his eyes across the room, and in an instant, the disciples of the Li family fell silent.

After a brief silence, Li Dong's voice slowly rose, "Since our ancestor settled in Qingyun Town, generation after generation of our Li family has remained here..."

Li Dong's deep and resonant voice spread slowly. It wasn't loud, but every member of the Li family listened intently as he recounted the deeds of some ancestors.

Li Lin listened without much reaction; it was just part of the ancestral worship ceremony. However, he was somewhat surprised to hear that among their ancestors, there was a Martial King, a rare existence on the continent. It was unexpected that among their forebears, there was such a distinguished figure.

Hearing this, the young members of the Li family became excited and emotionally stirred, proud of their ancestral heritage and their glorious deeds.

However, Li Lin felt differently. While there were heroic deeds among his ancestors over many generations, as a person who had traveled through time, he didn't feel much connection to them.

"Now, let us pay homage to our ancestors, wishing for the eternal prosperity of our Li family!..." With Li Dong's final words, his voice grew louder.

"Pay homage!"

Li Dong looked around, his eyes full of dignity, without a flicker of emotion, and then knelt down first. Everyone behind him, including Zhao Hui, Zhou Lixing, and Zhou Haiming, also solemnly knelt down.

Following their lead, the descendants of the Li family began their three bows and nine kowtows. As for Li Lin, being the last one, he simply knelt and performed a single bow, feeling this act was more a tribute on behalf of the original Li Lin than for himself.

"Alright, stand up." After the three bows and nine kowtows, Li Dong stood up and addressed the descendants.

Everyone got up, their expressions filled with anticipation for what was to come next, the event the younger generation of the Li family had been eagerly awaiting.

"Now, let's head to the martial arts field for the test," Li Dong announced, looking over the group.

"Let's go for the test."

The young members of the Li family burst into excitement; the internal competition of the Li clan was finally starting, the very event they had been truly looking forward to.

Li Lin, without showing any emotion but contemplating inside, remembered Uncle Jiang's instruction to join the Yunyang Sect, knowing he had to participate in the clan's competition to enter the sect.

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"Lin'er, you should also participate in the clan's test," Li Dong's voice reached Li Lin's ears at that moment.

"Lin'er, let me take you there," a gentle voice said, surprising Li Lin as it was Li Mei who approached him.

Li Mei smiled softly at Li Lin, a rich fragrance enveloping him, making Li Lin wonder why Li Mei was showing him kindness.

"Lin'er, let's go," Li Wushuang joined them at Li Lin's side.

"Okay." Li Lin did not refuse, knowing that if Uncle Jiang had instructed him, he needed to find a way into the Yunyang Sect, curious about what treasures it held that even Uncle Jiang valued.

"Big brother, how can Li Lin participate in the test?" After Li Lin, Li Wushuang, and other younger members left, Zhao Hui, with an unpleasant look on her face, directly questioned Li Dong in the ancestral hall.

"Third sister, this was father's order. If you have any doubts, you should ask him," Li Dong replied.

"I've already pushed it to the limit by letting that kid come to the ancestral hall. Is the Li family intentionally making things difficult for me, bullying me because my maternal family has no one? Do you remember what the Li family promised me initially?" Zhao Hui said.

"Third sister, what are you talking about? The Li family promised never to recognize Lin'er as a member again, but you also promised not to make things difficult for him and his mother. Have you kept your word over these years? You know in your heart. Let's leave it at that and see how their test goes. Shaohu's talent is not bad either; he has a good chance of getting into Yunyang Sect. Let's not say anything more," Li Dong said before leaving the ancestral hall.

"Sister-in-law, don't think too much about it. At least, it won't be easy for that kid to truly recognize his ancestors and return to the clan," Li Nan comforted Zhao Hui.

"I think the Li family intends to let that kid recognize his ancestors and return to the clan. I firmly disagree," Zhao Hui huffed and left the ancestral hall in a huff.

Li Nan and Zhou Lixing exchanged glances before they also left for the martial arts field.

The Li family's martial arts field was not small, usually a forbidden area for the family, accessible only to clan disciples who had received approval. Unapproved clan members and servants were strictly forbidden from entering.

However, the martial arts field was already set up with a high platform, gathering many Li family members and servants around. Today, the servants were also allowed to enter the field, and since it was the New Year, the Li family had given all servants a day off and generous red envelopes, making them all very happy.

The crowd gathered outside the martial arts field was eager to see the Li family's annual competition and testing, especially since the two winners could represent the Li family in the Yunyang Sect's trials. Being accepted into Yunyang Sect was something everyone envied.

Li Lin, along with Li Wushuang and Li Mei, arrived at the martial arts field, his first time visiting. Even the previous Li Lin had never been here.

Along the way, Li Mei showed kindness towards Li Lin, who responded with a faint smile, wondering what this young woman was thinking.

By the time Li Lin and the others arrived at the field, the young members of the Li family were already there, eager for the opportunity. Even if they couldn't represent the Li family in battles against other major families in Qingyun Town, shining in this competition could still earn them the family's support, greatly benefiting their future prospects.

Li Lin looked around; there were four to five hundred people, including Li family servants and clan members, as well as those gathered outside the field. From afar, Li Lin saw Li Xiaobai and his mother also in attendance, with Li Xiaobai waving non-stop.

"Line up, ready for the test. You lads, whether you're dragons or worms, this test will show. Give it your all. Like before, those who reach the Warrior level will receive a second-grade Dan medicine as a reward, and the final two winners will each get two thousand gold coins," announced Li Dong, Li Xi, Li Nan, Zhao Hui, and a few other elders of the Li family from the high platform.

"Two thousand gold coins, second-grade Dan medicine, it's a pity I'm not a warrior," many young members of the Li family sighed, knowing that among the hundred or so of their generation, only a few had reached the Warrior level. However, some, like Zhou Haiming and Li Shaohu, started to smile confidently.

"Brother Lin'er, you're already a warrior, right? Do your best; I'm rooting for you," Li Mei said to Li Lin with a charming smile.