Nine Evolutions of the True Spirit
Chapter 264: Testing Each Other

The Northern League was actually made up of many parties based in the northern region of the East Ocean.

Other than the headquarters in Qian Yuan City, there were eighteen large parties, thirty-six medium parties, and seventy-two small parties. They consisted of sects, clans, and rogue cultivator groups who were part of the Northern League. The Northern League supported them to maintain peace and balance in the northern region.

The Northern League had appointed a series of criteria to categorize the parties. Generally speaking, a large party needed to have at least an Avatar Realm Great Ancestor, a medium party a Mid Core Forging Realm Enlightened Master, and a small party an Early Core Forging Realm Enlightened Master.

Every hundred years, the Northern League would hold a centenary celebration. Other than to celebrate its founding, the main reason was also to re-assess the parties’ strengths based on their performance in the conferences.

After the conferences, the large parties ranked in the bottom three would be replaced by the top three medium parties. Similarly, the medium parties ranked in the bottom six would be replaced by the top six small parties. Lastly, the small parties ranked in the bottom twelve would be replaced by unranked parties chosen by the Northern League.

The Li Clan was among the thirty-six medium parties, but it was at the bottom of the ranks. Even with Li Xiu-Zhu’s advancement and Chu Ting’s addition to the clan, the Li Clan’s situation only improved by a slight margin in the Three Clans Alliance.

As things stood, the Li Clan was still in a perilous situation. Many small parties surpassed it in overall strength, a fact that invited many to covet the Li Clan’s position in this round of assessment. If the Li Clan performed badly in the Alchemy Conference, these parties could replace it after its demotion.

After all, during the last assessment, the Li Clan was ranked 29, just one rank away from getting demoted. So, it was no surprise that they foresaw the Li Clan as a potential candidate for demotion.

When Lu Ping arrived at the foot of Qian Yuan Mountain, the Li Clan’s lead representative, Li Mao-Lin and his daughter, Li Xiu-Zhu were already waiting for him.

Li Mao-Lin smiled at Lu Ping and said, “Niece Chu is not feeling well today, so she’ll be resting in her room. She won’t be joining us today.”

Lu Ping nodded expressionlessly; he knew that yesterday’s incident was the cause for her absence. He and Chu Ting now had a mutual dislike for each other, so naturally they wouldn’t see eye to eye. Li Mao-Lin obviously knew about this too.

Li Xiu-Zhu glanced at Lu Ping and saw him walking calmly behind Li Mao-Lin towards the grandiose Qian Yuan Mountain. She thought about something, but eventually said nothing and quietly walked beside Chilian Ying, who was following after Lu Ping.

“Hahaha, Brother Li from Three Clans Island, you’re certainly early!” A middle-aged scholarly man with a long beard slowly walked out from the side, accompanied by a few people.

“Oh, Brother Shangguan from Shangguang Clan. I see you’re looking confident. You’re determined to promote your family to a medium party this time, right? What a shame. My Li Clan cannot compare to the Shangguang Clan, so maybe you’ll be replacing my position soon. I’m only here early to prepare in advance.”

Li Mao-Lin’s face changed slightly when he saw the newcomer, but he quickly recovered and greeted the other with a laugh.

“Brother Li’s clan is not so bad. I heard that two years ago, your daughter and one of your family strategists advanced to the Core Forging Realm. So, which expert has the Li Clan invited to represent them this time?”

There were a few people behind Li Mao-Lin, so Shangguang Clan’s clan head was looking at Lu Ping and Chilian Ying, both of whom he didn’t recognize.

“Just a little help from a friend. After all, my daughter and the strategist are both new to the Core Forging Realm, they’re not comparable to your son. I heard that he’s already reached the Second Layer and helps Brother Shangguang take care of the clan. How impressive.”

“Uncle Li, please spare me, I’m not as capable as you described. I merely assist Father in handling small affairs.” A handsome young man behind the middle-aged scholar hurriedly replied respectfully. However, his eyes never left Li Xiu-Zhu for long. After glancing at Li Mao-Lin to reply, then quickly shifted his gaze back to Li Xiu-Zhu.

When Li Xiu-Zhu saw the young man, she couldn’t help but frown.

“Brother Li, have you considered the matter I proposed to you last time?”

Shanggguan Clan’s clan master asked with a smile on his face. “My son and Brother Li’s daughter are a good match. This time, my Shangguang Clan will ensure our promotion to one of the thirty-six medium parties. Even if the Li Clan is demoted, the Shangguang Clan can still support your clan’s position in the Three Clans Alliance—the Wang Clan and Zhang Clan won’t dare to overstep.”

Li Mao-Lin mused, “Is Brother Shangguan so sure of his promotion?”

“Of course!” the clan head said confidently, “My clan has five Enlightened Masters, two of which are Mid Core Forging Realm cultivators, so we meet the criteria. Furthermore, we were fortunate enough to have Mister Yue help us in the Alchemy Conference.”

He pointed to an arrogant-looking old man accompanying him and made his introductions.

Li Mao-Lin’s face changed and he said in surprise, “Are you Master Yue Jiang-Rui?”

Even after a Mid Core Forging Realm Enlightened Master like Li Mao-Lin called him “Master”, the arrogant old man still remained quiet and only nodded in satisfaction.

Li Xiu-Zhu had looked gloomy and reluctant when she heard the Shanggguan Clan head trying to arrange a marriage between her and his son. Then, she became full of surprise at the name “Yue Jiang-Rui”.

Lu Ping didn’t know who he was, so Chilian Ying quietly explained, “This Yue Jiang-Rui has over a hundred years of experience in alchemy. But because his cultivation base couldn’t advance to the Core Forging Realm, his alchemy eventually was a fine line short from becoming Master Alchemist. Even so, he’s achieved fame in the Northern League thanks to his expertise in dozens of half-step Core Forging Realm medicinal pellets. His success rate is sometimes even higher than the Master Alchemists. Therefore, he’s considered as the best Quasi-Master Alchemist.”

Lu Ping was amazed in his heart. In comparison, he had only learned less than ten types of half-step Core Forging Realm medicinal pellets, a far less impressive feat.

Li Mao-Lin thought for a moment, then replied, “I believe it is more important for these two to have interest in each other if you wish for the marriage to happen. If Nephew Shangguang can win my daughter’s heart, then I naturally will approve of the marriage. And I don’t think that my Li Clan will lose our position in the ranking.”

The Shanggguan Clan head’s expression changed slightly. Li Xiu-Zhu didn’t hide her reluctance, so everyone knew she disagreed with the marriage. Hence, Li Mao-Lin’s statement was a clear rejection of the proposal.

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Suddenly, Yue Jiang-Rui, who had been holding his hands behind his back all the time, suddenly pointed a finger at Lu Ping and questioned, “Is this the kid representing the Li Clan in the Alchemy Conference?”