Before Li Luo secluded himself to absorb the pill, Tantai Lan had taken the time to organize a family dinner and invited even Li Qingpeng, Li Jinpan, Li Rouyun, and Ox Biaobiao. Li Luo, Jiang Qing'e, Li Fengyi, and Li Jingtao were also present.

"Eldest Brother and Second Brother, Taixuan always talked about how much he missed the two of you. Since he has not returned just yet, I'd like to greet the two of you on his behalf." Tantai Lan held a cup up towards those two with a smile.

She had a positive impression of them because when she first came to the Dragon's Fang Lineage with Li Taixuan all those years ago, the brothers were friendly to her despite the fact that Li Jingzhe had chosen not to meet her. They had even chided Li Taixuan to not bully her.

Li Jinpan and Li Qingpeng hurriedly raised their cups and smiled. "Sister-in-law, you are far too polite. We miss Third Brother and hope he'll return soon."

After which, Li Qingpeng said, "Sister-in-law, you are very capable. You've managed to bring the entire Dragon's Fang Lineage under your control in just the short span of a day. With you at the lead, we should be able to tide over the impending dangers."

Li Qingpeng was very clear of the effect Li Jingzhe's death had on the Dragon's Fang Lineage. That was a monumental matter, and even though the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li's reputation could be used to intimidate the outside world, there was still competition and internal strife.

The Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li was simply too large to fathom, and there were as many powers under its thumb as there were stars in the sky. Furthermore, there were many factions within those powers. Without Li Jingzhe, the Dragon's Fang Lineage's status and influence would decline and some of those minor powers could choose to side with the other lineages instead.

It was fortunate that Tantai Lan was there to maintain things.

Her decisive and strong demeanor coupled with her incredible Greater Transcendent Duke strength had utterly shocked people who were thinking of making a move. For example, the Gold Light Hall’s Hall Master Zhao Xuanming.

He was a nail inserted into the Dragon's Fang Lineage by the Dragon's Blood Lineage when Li Jingzhe was around. He possessed extraordinary ability and was highly motivated. As proof of his ability, he had become the leader of the four halls.

This afforded him a lot of prestige and influence within the Dragon's Fang Lineage, so before news of Tantai Lan taking over the position had spread, there had been many voices within the Dragon's Fang Lineage that wanted him to temporarily assume the position of Lineage Chief. Anyone could guess that Zhao Xuanming was being supported by the Dragon's Blood Lineage, and if he were put in charge, that would mean that the Dragon's Fang Lineage would be controlled by the Dragon's Blood Lineage. If that truly came to pass, the status of the direct descendents of the Dragon's Fang Lineage would become slightly awkward.

Just thinking of the possible power struggle made Li Qingpeng's head hurt.

Thus, Tantai Lan's return was exceptionally timely. Although she didn't have the surname of Li, she was Taixuan's wife and could be considered part of the family. This was something that Zhao Xuanming could not match.

Furthermore, she was a Greater Transcendent Duke and was strong enough to scare off all the other four lineages and prevent them from interfering with the Dragon's Fang Lineage's matters. Additionally, Tantai Lan didn't have the same personality as the old man. Li Jingzhe cared about following the rules and could even be considered pedantic and stubborn. He was willing to step back for the bigger picture. Tantai Lan, however, was extraordinarily domineering. If the Dragon's Blood Lineage dared to raise any inappropriate demands, she could very well just flip the table.

"I also like your way of doing things, Sister-in-law. You merely asked a single question—if Zhao Xuanming wished to remain as the Hall Master of the Gold Light Hall—and that immediately forced him into line without so much as a squeak. Hahaha, that was wonderful to see." Li Jinpan chortled happily.

Li Qingpeng was too nice and didn't wish to confront Zhao Xuanming. Meanwhile, Li Jinpan had an explosive temperament and would often fight against Zhao Xuanming. Alas, he always found himself at a disadvantage and Li Jingzhe completely disregarded him, which left him extremely frustrated. Thus, seeing Zhao Xuanming suffering was comforting to him.

"I am not familiar with the matters of the Dragon's Fang Lineage, so I will need assistance from you two in the future." Tantai Lan gave a slight smile. She then turned towards Ox Biaobiao and Li Rouyun, who were sitting together, expressing their love for each other.

"Old Ox, your name is truly apt. You literally embody the saying of ‘an old ox eating tender grass.’ When we first came to the Dragon's Fang Lineage, Rouyin was still a young maiden." Tantai Lan poked fun at him. Li Rouyun felt a little cautious when facing Tantai Lan as she was now the Lineage Chief and even a Greater Transcendent Duke, having an extraordinary status.

When she faced Li Jingzhe in the past, she was submissive and didn't even dare to utter a single word.

However, her face immediately turned red upon hearing Tantai Lan tease them.

Ox Biaobiao rolled his eyes. He had gone through numerous life-and- death experiences with both Tantai Lan and Li Taixuan and thus, their relationship was no different from actual siblings. Even though Tantai Lan had an elevated status now, he would treat her the same.

"When the three of us escaped together all those years ago, what hurt me the most was not our pursuers but my two obscene travel companions pursuing each other. It was truly uncomfortable to watch," Ox Biaobiao unhappily retorted. Everyone couldn't help but to burst out in laughter upon hearing his words.

Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e also smiled. The warm atmosphere had finally broken the heaviness that filled the mountain range. Everyone had a great time at the family dinner.

……

The next day.

In the depths of Dragon's Fang Mountain was a lake that was as still as a mirror.

Tantai Lan, Li Luo, and Jiang Qing'e were there.

Li Luo was staring at the middle of the lake with his eyes wide open. There was a dark-gold lotus seat several feet wide giving off a boundless aura in the middle. It had the ability to instantly clear up one's mind.

"This is... the Heavenly Temple Lotus." Li Luo remembered that he had once cultivated on the lotus seat in the past. This was Li Jingzhe's prized treasure, and he was the only one in the entire Dragon's Fang Lineage who could use it.

"You can use the Heavenly Temple Lotus for your secluded meditation. This is one of Grandpa's treasures, so use it as you will," Tantai Lan said.

"Isn't this too decadent?" Li Luo was moved. This was a treasure that Kings used to cultivate with. Who knew how many high-grade Dukes would die for this opportunity?

Tantai Lan put her hands in her pockets and smiled. "Even the best treasures have to be used appropriately to bring out their true value. You have to cultivate the Dragon Blood Atavism Art, which is an upper Destiny-grade Duke Art. It's worth using the Heavenly Temple Lotus for, and I'm sure your grandpa would have let you use this if he was around anyway."

"Then I'll have to thank you and Grandpa." Li Luo accepted it with a grin. This period of secluded meditation was extremely important and would determine if he could awaken the Absolute Resonance Seed. He would also have to reach the Second Duke Stage again.

His figure flickered, then he appeared on the Heavenly Temple Lotus and sat cross-legged.

When Li Luo entered the Heavenly Temple Lotus, a jade-like stem slowly grew out of the front of the plant. Tantai Lan flicked her finger, and starlight poured down, igniting it. At the same time, azure smoke wafted into the lotus itself. When Li Luo inhaled the dense fragrance, his mind and heart instantly calmed down and he was inspired with numerous thoughts. Enlightenment bubbled up within his mind, constantly emerging.

He then closed his eyes and proceeded to cultivate.

When Tantai Lan saw this, she stretched her hand out, and the lake's water rose to form a gigantic water curtain, completely eclipsing even the building nearby.

Meanwhile, Jiang Qing'e seemed a little dazed as she looked at Li Luo.

Tantai Lan grasped her hand and asked, "What's wrong? Can't tolerate the thought of leaving him?"

Jiang Qing'e blushed as she asked, "Mother, when are we heading to the Nobles' Battlefield to rescue Father?"

"If Li Taixuan heard you call him ‘father,’ he would probably get so excited that he would find a Grand Devil King to fight," Tantai Lan commented.

Jiang Qing'e felt a little helpless. Tantai Lan simply liked to tease others.

"You can rest assured that I can sense him. That fool wouldn't get himself caught so easily. I know that you're worried about him, but if you really want to help him, the two of you have to quickly forge seven Ten-Pillar Golden Duke Bergfrieds. At that point, our family will have four Transcendent Dukes and might be the number one family in the history of the world." Tantai Lan smiled.

Jiang Qing'e nodded as her gaze lingered on Li Luo for a while more.

It seemed that she would have to increase the speed at which she cultivated.

Otherwise, there was a possibility that Li Luo would catch up...