Chapter 7438
The Uncrowned King
Meanwhile, in the capital city, in a heavily guarded, antique-style courtyard house.
On the bluestone slab deep in the courtyard, a chessboard is laid out, with black and white pieces arranged in an alternating pattern.
Beside the stone table, an old man and a middle-aged man sat facing each other playing chess. They had a noticeable resemblance in their brows and were none other than Li Shicong, the head of the Li family, and Li Changcun, the second young master of the Li family.
Li Changcun placed a black piece, his gaze fixed on the chessboard, his expression hesitant, as if he wanted to say something but couldn't.
Li Shicong held a white chess piece between his fingers and placed it steadily, breaking the silence first. His tone was solemn and lingering: "The turmoil in the capital a few days ago has finally subsided for the time being."
"That mysterious powerhouse who suddenly appeared is said to come from the Ancient Sea Secret Realm. He is ruthless and has almost taken down half of the top experts in Beijing's elite circle..."
"None of the top experts on the Heavenly Ranking who remained in the capital survived; they were either killed or injured. Such a heavy loss has never been seen in recent years."
“My Li family was also on high alert at the time, and we tried our best to stop him, but in the end we were still ruthlessly defeated by him… But strangely, after defeating my Li family, that guy disappeared into thin air without a trace.”
"It's unclear whether his action was a simple warning or something else entirely."
"But in any case, the old order of the martial arts world in China has been completely disrupted by him."
Li Shicong raised his eyes, his gaze sharp as a knife, and looked directly at Li Changcun. His tone was heavy and authoritative: "Son, your cultivation must advance to the next level!"
"Sixth on the Celestial Ranking is far from enough!"
"Your goal can only be to be number one!"
"My Li family is a top-tier family in the capital. Someone must be able to reach the pinnacle of martial arts and wield the power to speak on the Heavenly Ranking... and you are the only hope for my Li family in this generation!"
Li Changcun felt a heavy weight on his shoulders, as if a thousand pounds were pressing down on him. He gave a bitter laugh and said in a low voice, "Father, didn't my eldest uncle also reach the top of the Celestial Ranking back then, and even break through the shackles to step into the Ancient Sea Secret Realm?"
"Everyone knows that my Li family once had such a legendary figure. Isn't that remaining prestige enough to support the Li family's foothold in the capital?"
Li Shicong slowly shook his head, a complex sense of melancholy and helplessness flashing in his eyes: "The Ancient Sea Secret Realm and the secular martial arts world are already two completely different worlds."
"It's easy to get in, but as difficult as climbing to heaven to get out."
"I'm afraid I'll never see your uncle again in my life."
"He is pursuing a higher level of martial arts truth. The gap between him and us, who are trapped in the mundane world, will only widen. His remaining influence cannot protect the Li family for a lifetime."
"The one who currently occupies the top spot on the Celestial Ranking comes from that reclusive family. They have monopolized the top spot for decades, and their influence is deeply entrenched."
“If no one can shake his position, my Li family will eventually be suppressed by them and will never have a chance to rise again.”
"This heavy burden can only fall on your shoulders now... You are the outstanding young generation of the Li family, the pillar of the Li family's future, there is no other choice!"
Li Changcun remained silent for a moment, but finally could not suppress his thoughts and said in a low voice, "Father, recently my impression of Xiao Chen from the western region has changed."
“I’ve been keeping an eye on his news. The more I learn about him, the more I realize he’s not simple… I even think he might really be the disciple of the God of War.”
"shut up!"
Li Shicong's face suddenly darkened, his voice as cold as ice, filled with boundless rage: "You are not allowed to mention the God of War King in front of me!"
"Back then, he suddenly disappeared, leaving behind a mess that almost led to the destruction of my Li family. My Li family and he are irreconcilable enemies!" Li Changcun felt bitter and quickly defended himself: "Father, I know you have a grudge against the God of War, but Xiao Chen is not the God of War after all. He just happens to have the same name."
"Moreover, he is now the uncrowned king of the western region, with unfathomable strength. It is rumored that he can easily crush the middle-level experts on the Heavenly Ranking. Given time, he may well be able to challenge the top of the Heavenly Ranking... His potential is truly terrifying."
"Oh!"
With a loud crash, Li Shicong slammed his palm on the stone table, abruptly stood up, and the chessboard was overturned, scattering black and white chess pieces all over the ground.
His eyes were wide open in anger, the veins on his neck bulged, and his aura exploded, as if the surrounding air was frozen, exuding a bone-chilling cold.
"The uncrowned king of the mere western region? In the eyes of the Li family, he is nothing but a frog in a well, with a limited view of the sky!"
Li Shicong rebuked sharply, his tone full of arrogance and disdain, "More than 90% of the truly top-tier experts are based in the capital, and the truly powerful forces are also rooted here!"
"Xiao Chen's ability to dominate the western region is only due to the decline of martial arts there!"
"I don't care what bullshit achievements he has made, or how terrifying his potential is, as long as he still bears the name 'Xiao Chen' and is still associated with the God of War, he will absolutely not receive the slightest support from my Li family!"
"If he wants the Li family's help, he must either change his identity, change his name, and publicly swear that he will have no connection with the God of War for the rest of his life."
"Either let him defeat the top spot on the Celestial Ranking on his own, and pull that guy who has monopolized the top spot for decades off his pedestal!"
"Use such a record to slap me in the face and prove his strength!"
"Otherwise, my decision will never change!"
"Xiao Chen, you'll never get a single bit of help from my Li family in this lifetime!"
The old man's hair and beard stood on end, his anger burning fiercely. The oppressive aura emanating from him was so palpable that it plunged the entire courtyard into a deathly silence.
Seeing his father's furious expression, Li Changcun could only sigh, knowing that no matter how much he tried to persuade him, it would be to no avail.
Although Xiao Chen is strong and has amazing potential, it is nothing short of a pipe dream to defeat that legendary figure who has dominated the Heavenly Ranking for decades... It is almost impossible to accomplish.
At this moment, Xiao Chen was completely unaware of the turmoil within the Li family in the capital, or of Li Shicong's angry rebuke and contempt.
Qin Xianglan escorted him to the villa entrance, said a brief goodbye, and then drove away.
Xiao Chen didn't go inside immediately, but turned and walked towards the villa next door... He was going to check on Lin Zhenghao's recovery.
Pushing open the villa gate, Lin Zhenghao was cultivating in the courtyard, his aura calm and powerful, completely different from before.
Now, he has not only fully recovered from his injuries, but his strength has also undergone a qualitative leap:
If his strength was barely enough to rank around sixty on the Celestial Ranking when he fought the Blood-Clad Man to the death last time, then now he can definitely firmly enter the top thirties on the Celestial Ranking!
Although there is still a considerable gap between him and top experts like the Yin Ancestor, it is already extremely terrifying that he was able to achieve such a great breakthrough in such a short period of time.
Next, he only needs to calm his mind and consolidate his cultivation, and his strength will reach new heights.
Lin Zhenghao noticed the commotion, immediately stopped his practice, turned around and respectfully bowed to Xiao Chen: "Mr. Xiao." (End of this chapter)