Chapter 1691: I Stand Behind You

Li Luo made his way to the Mythical Spirit Divine Continent sooner than expected. As the campaign launched by the Eastern Region Federation had achieved wonderful results, many of the Other Dominions were frightened. The number of incursions dropped and the Others even went back to shrink their defensive lines, forming a stalemate against the Eastern Region Federation.

Since there were no more Triple Crowned Devil Kings to balance the scales, the battle between the Shadow World and the East Divine Continent would pause. This brought the Eastern Region Federation a much needed respite. Therefore, Li Luo set off for the Mythical Spirit Divine Continent half a month later.

A mighty gale blew across the boundless sky. Within it was a green Peng formed from wind source origin. With a flap of its wings, it traversed across countless mountains and seas. Li Luo stood atop the green peng with his hands behind his back.

His gaze was heavy as he looked at the lands below. What used to be prosperous kingdoms had been reduced to ruins devoid of life. Chilly corruption permeated in every direction. In just a short five to six years, the world had been torn apart by the Shadow World, and countless lives had been lost. It was unknown when the suffering would end.

Li Luo's heart sank when he took in those sights, but at this moment, he heard subtle footsteps accompanied by a faint fragrance. He turned towards the newcomer and saw a slender, graceful figure approaching him. It was Mentor Chi Chan.

Chi Chan was no longer wearing the mentor robes of the Astral Sage College; she had changed to light blue robes that accentuated her curves. The lower part of her face was covered by gauze, giving her a charming and mysterious aura. Chi Chan had chosen to accompany Li Luo to the Mythical Spirit Divine Continent, as she wanted to return home to see her parents. After all, she had left the Chi family many years ago.

"Mentor Chi Chan, with our current speed, we'll arrive at the Eastern Sea within a month's time," said Li Luo as he smiled.

Chi Chan nodded, her clear, watery eyes revealing a look of unease. She had been forced to flee her family years ago, hiding in the faraway Xia Kingdom for fear of being discovered by them. Now that she was finally going back, she couldn't help but to feel a little nervous. That said, she had to return one day, as she had been worried about her parents ever since the Others started running rampant.

She had managed to get in touch with the Chi family in the last few years and was now rushing back due to some unsettling news. It was said that the ancestor of the Chi family, an individual who had reached the peak of the Dual Crowned King Stage, had been grievously wounded by the Shadow World's Devil Kings. As a result, the ancestor would not live for much longer, and the person who was set to inherit his position was Chi Li.

Indeed, it was the individual who Chi Chan had been forcefully betrothed to, and the one who Li Luo had crushed in the Celestial Mirror Pagoda. At that time, Chi Li was an eighth-grade Duke. After experiencing five years of Heavenly Fate, he had managed to reach the King Stage. The Fortune of Heaven and Earth and the Chi family's cultivation resources had supplemented the deficit caused by his family's secret arts, so he was now at the peak of his life. Once the ancestor passed, the position of Patriarch would land on his head.

Chi Chan was well aware of Chi Li's nefarious and vengeful nature. The moment he ascended to the position of Patriarch, it was likely that her parents would be subject to his retribution and be forced into dire straits. Thus, she could no longer afford to wait. She had to take her family and close friends away, for fear of them being hurt by Chi Li. Chi Chan had already explained her family's situation in detail to Li Luo, and he could sense the trepidation and unease in her heart.

He let out a sigh and smiled as he said, "Going off what you said, Mentor, I assume the Chi family has a unique secret legacy. When the Patriarch dies, will the successor be able to inherit part of the legacy?"

Chi Chan nodded. "When Chi Li obtains the Ancestor's part of the legacy, he might possibly reach the peak of the Dual Crowned King Stage."

Li Luo then said, "Mentor Chi Chan, I know you are worried about your parents and relatives. However, they chose to separate themselves from you, and they might not wish to leave. Thus, you fundamentally cannot resolve the issue of your branch of the family being oppressed by the main branch."

She fell silent, knowing that what Li Luo had said was right. Her parents had countless close relatives that were still part of the family. If she wanted to take them all away, it would require their consent. Forcing them to leave would only cause them to feel unhappy and unrequited. Chi Chan sighed tiredly, not knowing what the best path forward was.

She raised her head and saw Li Luo's expression, which was full of smiles. His expression suggested that he had a way to resolve her predicament, so long as she asked. Thus, her lips curled up slightly as she softly said, "Please guide me, Federation Chief Li Luo."

Li Luo grinned. "It's easy. Mentor Chi Chan just has to accept the ancestor's legacy. You're currently a ninth-grade Pinnacle Duke, and you can use this opportunity to reach the King Stage. No one will dare to harm your parents when you become the Chi family's Matriarch, and you can resolve the enmity between the main and branch families."

Chi Chan was flabbergasted by his unruly suggestion. "I don't have the right to become the leader of the Chi family. My roots in the family are shallow and the main branch will never approve of me. Furthermore, the Imperial Beast Hall sits behind the main family. That relationship has existed for hundreds of years, so they have a deep connection. As a result, the Imperial Beast Hall will only support the main family."

Li Luo couldn't help but to laugh as he casually commented, "The Imperial Beast Hall? It sounds like a big deal."

Chi Chan was speechless. How could that not be the case? After all, they were the number one power in the Mythical Spirit Divine Continent. They possessed a Heavenly Emperor, countless King Stage experts, and a deep foundation. However, just as she was about to respond, she stopped.

"Mentor Chi Chan, it looks like you don't fully understand your current backing." Li Luo smirked. "The main family has the Imperial Beast Hall backing them, but I stand behind you. Who am I, you ask? I'm an eighth-grade Transcendent Duke, the Eastern Region Federation's chief, and a Lineage Chief of the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li. House Luolan has four Transcendent Dukes and my grandpa and ancestor are Heavenly Emperors. Could the Imperial Beast Hall's foundation surpass mine?"

Hearing his gentle voice, Chi Chan couldn't help but fall into a daze momentarily. The youth who once needed to be protected from Shen Jinxiao had truly ascended into the skies. He was an expert with colossal influence and power. Whether it was his personal strength or his backing, he was more than qualified to look down on the majority of Heavenly Emperor powers. The titanic Imperial Beast Hall couldn't compare to him.

Chi Chan felt as though she had just woken up from a dream. Had she actually been the mentor of such a youth in the past?

Li Luo grinned upon seeing her expression. "When we get to the Chi family, you must do your best to fight for the position of Matriarch. Just leave any problems that arise to me."

Chi Chan mumbled, "Chi Li doesn't lack in strength or influence. He's a much more fitting Patriarch. If I were to object vehemently, it might invite great opposition."

She had never even entertained the idea of competing for the top position in her family and thus, Li Luo's outlandish suggestion was making her head spin.

Li Luo stared off into the distance coolly, with his hands behind his back. The smirk on his face indicated that he wouldn't take "no" for an answer. His following words caused Chi Chan's heart to beat nervously.

"Mentor Chi Chan, I'm not going there just to speak. My fists are the ones that do the talking now. Whether it's the Chi family's main branch or the Imperial Beast Hall, if they don't comply... I'll just pummel them until they do!"