Chapter 0740: Li Jingzhe
Everyone in the ancestral hall was shocked when the gray-robed man got to his feet. The two middle-aged men behind him glanced at each other briefly. The one on the left was a little chubby with a round face that had a warm and gentle smile hung upon it. One would easily mistaken him to be a genial businessman. This was Li Luo's Eldest Uncle, Li Qingpeng.
On the right was a powerfully built man, his entire body radiating a sense of ferociousness and sheer power. His eyebrows were scarlet like a lighted forge, and wisps of smoke seemed to rise from his pupils.
This was Li Luo's Second Uncle, Li Jinpan.
Compared to Li Qingpeng's cordial demeanor, he looked aggressive and ready to brawl at any time.
When the two realized their old man had lost his composure, Li Qingpeng quickly coughed.
They knew that the old man had mistaken the youth for Li Taixuan.
However, this was Li Taixuan's son? He was almost the spitting image of his father, so it was no surprise the old man had mistaken them.
Li Qingpeng's sharp cough awoke the old man from his trance. Although he was no longer young, his eyes quickly regained their clarity as he stared at the youth in the doorway. He then quickly took a seat, and although his face had some wrinkles, he did his best to squeeze out an inviting smile on his hale and hearty face.
This smile caused Li Jinpan and Li Qingpeng to feel a little helpless inside. The old man was normally a very strict individual. He acted quite stern and such a smile was rarely seen even when facing Li Fengyi and Li Jingtao of the younger generation. Today's hasty smile was probably shown to prevent this boy from being scared away the moment he had returned home.
"Li Luo, was it? Hurry and come in." The old man gestured towards Li Luo.
Li Luo was similarly helpless when faced with the sudden change in att.i.tude. Frankly speaking, he didn't know how he should react to this old man whom he had never met before. Clearly, there was no time to dawdle, so he calmed himself and coolly walked into the midst of the ancestral hall.
He then looked right at the gray-robed old man seated at the head. This individual seemed to be very old with a wizened expression. However, he continued to sit quietly, a profound and mysterious aura radiating from him. For a moment, it seemed as though the old man had become one with the entire Dragon's Fang Mountain, every action able to rouse the might of the heavens.
This indescribable sort of pressure was something he had only felt in Pang Qianyuan's presence.
This old man should naturally be the grandpa that he had heard of, Lineage Chief Li Jingzhe.
"Li Luo greets Respected Grandfather."
His heart trembled as he courteously greeted the old man before him.
"Looking at your unfamiliar expression, I suppose Li Taixuan never talked about me, did he?" Li Jingzhe had a complicated smile.
Li Luo had originally wanted to say some words on behalf of his father, but they were all caught in his throat. In the end, he opted to remain silent.
Li Jingzhe's gaze seemed a little hurt. Li Taixuan had indeed never mentioned the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li, nor him. Clearly, his heart still held grievances after being forced out of the Heavenly Origin Divine Continent. How could that proud son of his accept that?
Li Taixuan was the son he had most cherished and placed importance on.
"Cough." Seeing Li Jingzhe fall silent, Li Qingpeng hurriedly coughed again and stood up, flas.h.i.+ng a warm smile towards Li Luo.
"h.e.l.lo, Li Luo! I am your Eldest Uncle, Li Qingpeng. This is your Second Uncle, Li Jinpan." He gestured towards the crimson-browed middle-aged man.
The latter nodded at Li Luo and his gaze stopped upon his face, which greatly resembled his youngest brother's.
"Li Luo respectfully greets Eldest Uncle and Second Uncle."
"Father, Third Brother has never mentioned you to Li Luo. Perhaps it was because he didn't want him to bite off more than he could chew! Plus, he wasn't planning to return anytime soon, so why give the child idle fantasies?" Li Qingpeng swiftly explained.
"Him being upset with me is warranted. It was me who let him down," Li Jingzhe glumly stated.
Li Jinpan chimed in. "Father, if Third Brother truly resented you, why would he have sent Li Luo back? This shows that he still trusts you in his heart."
Li Jingzhe lightly sighed and then gradually turned serene again before he turned towards Li Luo. "Li Luo, the Dragon's Fang Lineage will be your home from now on. You can rest a.s.sured that so long as I am here, I will not allow you to suffer any grievances."
"I'll listen to your instructions, Respected Grandfather." Li Luo nodded.
Li Jingzhe then smiled and once again closely inspected Li Luo's face. His immature visage once again reminded him of Li Taixuan, and his gaze turned gentle and a look of happiness surfaced.
He then turned towards the numerous figures in the ancestral hall."Keke, everyone. A hidden dragon has returned home to the Dragon's Fang Lineage. This is a cause for great joy."
At the same time, all of the other figures with extraordinary auras similarly expressed their congratulations.
"Li Luo is of Third Brother's bloodline. Now that he has returned to the clan, his name should naturally be recorded in our clan records," Li Qingpeng pointed out.
Having one's name recorded in the clan records was something ordinary. It also represented that Li Luo was officially a member of the Dragon's Fang Lineage. In the future, he would also be able to receive the benefits of being a clan member whilst receiving cultivation resources that would make outsiders drool with envy.
Li Jingzhe nodded as he declared, "Enter his name into the upper records."
With that command, the ancestral hall fell silent.
The Dragon's Fang Lineage's clan records were split into the upper and lower records. Most individuals were first entered into the lower records, then they would enter the upper records as they demonstrated their potential and strength. This not only signified a change in status, but also an improvement in treatment and resources provided.
Li Jingzhe's command was for Li Luo to directly vault to the top and enter the upper records.
Li Qingpeng and Li Jinpan had no comments. They knew that the old man was compensating Li Luo for the time he had spent in the outer divine continent. He would thus require more resources in order to catch up. If he had to slowly work his way up, it would waste a lot of time.
However, not everyone felt the same way.
A voice rang out throughout the ancestral hall. "Lineage Chief, Li Luo returning to the clan is fortuitous news for all of us. However, isn't directly entering him into the upper records a little too much?"
When Li Luo heard this voice of dissent, he did not feel surprised but rather heaved a sigh of relief.
Finally! A hindrance had popped up.
This was only normal. If everything went on smoothly and without opposition, it would seem like something was missing. As he had these thoughts in mind, Li Luo turned to look at the one who had just spoken. It was a middle-aged man dressed in golden robes. He had a white face with no beard and his hand was resting on a violet-gold scepter that emanated violet energy. He was sitting just below Li Qingpeng.
Li Rouyun's voice, which was wrapped in resonant power, transmitted into Li Luo's ears. "He is the Dragon's Fang Lineage's Gold Light Hall Master. His name is Zhao Xuanming, and he is the only Hall Master that is not a direct descendant."
"Gold Light Hall's Hall Master, huh? Zhao Xuanming."
Li Luo's gaze flashed. This was not too low nor high. Amongst the four halls of the Dragon's Fang Lineage, three of the Hall Master positions were held by the old man's three sons. The fact that this individual held his current position meant that he was powerful in his own right.
At the same time, the fact that this man had the courage to question Li Jingzhe's decision also meant that things were not so simple.
Li Luo retracted his gaze. Clearly, the Dragon's Fang Lineage was not monolithic.