CHAPTER 210: CHAPTER 7: SKY PIT (7)

Li Shuning has always been the strongest of the new generation in the Li Family, so she never needs to participate in the initial competitions, as there’s no necessity.

In every competition, only when entering the top ten does Li Shuning then compete against them.

Naturally, every year, there are those eager to try and defeat Li Shuning.

This year, Li Tong became the most notable presence.

Each time she stepped onto the arena, she swiftly defeated opponents in just a few moves, clean and decisive.

Even Li Shuning wasn’t this formidable, was she?

Li Shuning, however, noticed something. At this moment, Li Tong’s strength was also nearing the Fourth Rank.

With the top ten decided, Li Shuning naturally had to step onto the arena as well, but she didn’t display her full strength. For instance, her movement technique, if integrated with her cultivation technique in battle, those opponents might not even touch the hem of her clothes.

So, the spectators noticed that Li Shuning’s matches against the top ten seemed unimpressive, similar to previous years. They wondered if Li Shuning was stuck at a bottleneck without any progress. When Li Tong and Li Shuning compete, who will win?

Many favored Li Tong to win.

Li Shuning remained calm, neither joyful nor sad.

Li Tong grew increasingly discontented with Li Shuning.

She was about to break through to the Fourth Rank. Who was Li Shuning to hold the title as the Li Family’s top talent?

Moreover, Li Shuning reminded people of the incident where she had pushed Li Shuning before.

This had a significant impact on her future prospects.

Indeed, at this moment, Li Tong’s ambitions grew.

Previously, the family nurtured Li Shuning as the next Clan Leader.

As Li Tong believed she was stronger than Li Shuning, she wanted to be the next Clan Leader. If Li Shuning could, why couldn’t she?

Anything belonging to Li Shuning, she wanted to seize.

Doing so brought a sense of exhilaration to Li Tong’s heart.

So far, Li Shuning was still undefeated, and Li Tong was as well.

Finally, it was time for their match.

A flicker appeared in Li Tong’s eyes as she thought, what if Li Shuning were to die on the arena?

No, that couldn’t happen. Otherwise, her reputation in the family would suffer, and seeing Li Shuning lose everything that was meant for her day by day, it would certainly cause excruciating pain, wouldn’t it?

On the arena, Li Tong’s moves were vicious, but Li Shuning remained indifferent, seemingly unable to defend herself.

Ultimately, Li Tong landed a kick that sent Li Shuning off the arena.

Naturally, Li Tong became the strongest of the year.

Li Shuning quietly left the stage, yet a smile appeared on her lips.

After all, the strongest must take on responsibilities.

Every year, after the competition, the family appoints the strongest to lead the team and venture to other places to seek resources.

Right now, she needed to focus on cultivation, and since Li Tong was eager to step up, why not let her have it?

Most importantly, Li Shuning had discovered some peculiarities.

This Li Family has deep waters indeed.

In recent days, she searched through the house and found, in the dusty attic, scattered books on the floor.

Along with some rag dolls.

Li Shuning tidied up the books and even dug through the rag dolls.

The books and rag dolls scattered on the floor were quite strange, as Li Shuning’s mother was quite meticulous, everything always tidied up, even elsewhere in the attic was well-organized, why were these things scattered on the floor?

Since her parents passed away, Li Shuning had immersed herself in cultivation, never entering the attic again. This attic stored memories of past family joy, and she never returned, fearing the reminder of the past, making her heart fragile. Naturally, she didn’t know about these scattered items.

Li Shuning inspected those items and found some things.

In the storyline, Li Shuning and her family enjoyed playing small games, replacing text with symbols or objects, forming a kind of family code.

From the scattered items, Li Shuning pieced together a message: "Baby, Mommy and Daddy love you. Be careful, careful, careful, do not become the strongest."

Li Shuning pondered it carefully; all these years, she’s often led teams, visiting various places, high mountains and deep seas, all to find resources.

Although there were dangers, none were lethal enough to threaten her life.

So what was the warning for?

Was it out of concern for her arduous travels, or did it hold some deeper meaning?

Most importantly, Li Minglun’s behavior clearly did not align with that of a reclusive family.

Is there more to this that she doesn’t understand?

Li Tong so eagerly wanted to surpass her; since this was the case, Li Shuning decided to relinquish her top position.

Li Tong wanted it so much, let her have it.

Besides, Li Shuning never thought not being number one meant losing glory, unable to survive.

Eventually, Li Tong claimed the first place, and she wanted to find Li Shuning to boast, but found her house door closed, with a notice of closed-door cultivation.

This left Li Tong feeling quite irritated.

Li Minglun originally intended to dispatch Li Shuning to lead a team and search for resources useful for cultivation; upon learning Li Shuning was in seclusion, he remembered Li Shuning wasn’t first anymore, and traditionally, leading such a mission was for the first-place holder, a form of honor and training.

Li Minglun then had someone notify Li Tong.

Learning she was to lead the mission excited Li Tong greatly.

Every year at this time, other families also send out teams to scout resources.

Being the leader is quite prestigious.

Li Tong carefully prepared, even selecting some beautiful clothes.

She knew sometimes she’d encounter people from other noble families.

But after all, Li Tong had never led such a mission before, clueless about some necessities.

Going out, what needs attention, as a leader, what should she consider, Li Tong hadn’t realized any of it.

Those leaving with her were family elites.

Most were direct lineage.

Originally, Li Shuning should have gone too, but since she was in seclusion, she naturally didn’t need to go.

After the squad set off, apart from a few collateral disciples flattering Li Tong, the others were silent.

They were displeased with Li Tong leading them.

Li Shuning has contributed so much to the family over the years, and Li Tong almost caused Li Shuning’s demise, yet the family said nothing, allowing Li Tong to lead, which was simply too much.

Yet they knew family interest is paramount, so they wouldn’t cause conflict, but trying to curry favor with Li Tong was impossible for them.