0p0 Chapter 463 They were nothing more than strangers passing by on this vast road.
Chapter 463 They were nothing more than strangers passing by on this vast road.
Ignoring the gazes filled with awe, flattery, and shock, Jiang Ling stepped through the thin layer of snow and finally stopped in front of the stone tablet.
Her gaze swept over the group leading the way, and a complex emotion suddenly flickered in her usually cool eyes.
She recognized the person in the lead.
He was a middle-aged man dressed in a magnificent brocade robe with a dignified face.
Although he was trying his best to hunch over and show the most humble posture, Jiang Ling still recognized him at a glance.
He comes from another great ancient family in the Northern Region—the Li Family!
He is none other than Li Hentian, the current head of the Li family!
At the same time, Li Hentian, the head of the Li family, cautiously raised his head and saw the girl coming down from the mountain.
The moment Li Hentian saw Jiang Ling's face clearly, it was as if a thunderbolt struck his mind, leaving him completely blank.
"Jiang... Jiang Ling?!"
A storm raged in Li Hentian's heart, and his hand holding the purple-gold gourd trembled slightly.
How could he not recognize the girl in front of him?
This is Jiang Ling, the apple of the eye of the Jiang family in the Northern Region, who had interacted with many of their descendants who had left home!
But... how is that possible?!
Li Hentian stared intently at Jiang Ling, sensing the profound cultivation of a Saint-level being emanating from her, and then looking at the supreme imperial weapon above her head, powerful enough to destroy the heavens and the earth.
An absurd yet undeniably real thought began to spread wildly through his mind.
"Jiang Ling... has latched onto this newly ascended Emperor of Time! She has actually become one of the Emperor's confidantes, and may even be his personal disciple!"
Li Hentian's forehead was instantly covered with large beads of sweat, his mind racing with thoughts.
He took a deep breath, trying to suppress the shock and his wildly beating heart, and put on the kindest and most friendly smile he could ever give.
He took half a step forward, bowed slightly, and spoke with a tone full of familiarity and sighs.
"Niece Jiang... how have you been?"
"Several years have passed since we last met. I never imagined that my old friend would soar to great heights and achieve unparalleled success. I, too, am honored to be away from home!"
Li Hentian held the purple-gold gourd high with both hands and said with a big smile.
"Uncle Yu has come on behalf of my family to present a congratulatory gift to the Emperor of Time."
"This gourd contains half of a great medicinal herb passed down through my family, along with numerous spirit stones and rare treasures. I implore my niece, Jiang, for the sake of our past friendship, to convey my request to the Emperor for an audience, so that we may express our gratitude for His boundless grace!"
Li Hentian's words were impeccable, both bringing them closer and highlighting the value of the gift.
Upon hearing this, the elders of other forces around couldn't help but curse him inwardly as an "old fox," for he had actually managed to establish a connection with this favorite of the emperor!
However, despite Li Hentian's almost fawning attempts to get close to her, Jiang Ling's beautiful face remained completely unmoved.
There was no joy of a long-awaited reunion, no condescending mockery, not even a trace of anger.
There was only a cold and calm atmosphere, like an ancient glacier.
"Master Li, you've mistaken me for someone else. There's no niece Jiang here."
Jiang Ling parted her red lips slightly, her voice as cold as ice shattering in winter, devoid of any warmth or emotion.
Upon hearing these cold words, Li Hentian's smile instantly froze.
His hands, holding the purple-gold gourd, remained awkwardly suspended in mid-air, unsure whether to advance or retreat.
Jiang Ling quietly looked at Li Hentian before her, and the memories that had been sealed in her heart inevitably surged up.
The Jiang family and the Li family, both ancient clans of the Northern Region, once enjoyed a very close and harmonious relationship due to their geographical proximity. They exchanged goods and even nearly arranged a marriage between the two families.
During the Jiang family's heyday, this Uncle Lihentian would always smile broadly whenever he saw her, stuffing all sorts of rare and precious magical treasures and elixirs into her hands as if they were free.
But... what happened next?
When the Jiang family faced a shortage of successors and the death of its last ancestor, the family rapidly declined, even attracting the siege of its enemies.
Where is home?
Instead of offering any help, they immediately cut off all contact with the Jiang family, sealed off the mountain gate, and refused entry to the Jiang family's messengers seeking help!
When the Jiang family was destroyed, Jiang Ling, carrying the last inheritance of her family, was relentlessly pursued by her enemies like a stray dog in the snowstorm of the Northern Region. She collapsed, covered in blood, on the edge of her family's territory.
Even after leaving home, he chose to stand idly by and watch her struggle in the snow, hoping not to get involved with the Jiang family's karma!
Jiang Ling did not hate leaving home.
Because in the cruel world of cultivation, seeking advantage and avoiding harm is instinctive.
Leaving home to protect himself and unwilling to offend powerful enemies for the sake of a declining Jiang family is understandable.
Therefore, there is no irreconcilable enmity between the two sides, let alone any sentiment of helping each other in times of need.
We are all just strangers passing by on this vast road.
Since we're strangers, why bother trying to establish any kinship here?
"My master is currently in seclusion, contemplating the great Dao of time. During this time, it is inconvenient for him to meet with any guests."
Jiang Ling's gaze swept over Li Hentian's embarrassed old face, and she announced his departure in a stiff tone.
"Master Li, leave the gifts behind, you may depart."
Upon hearing this, the scene fell into a deathly silence.
Those representatives of various powerful forces who had been envious of Li Jia's ability to climb the social ladder were now keeping their eyes down, not daring to breathe loudly.
They were all shrewd people, and they could easily see that there was not only no affection between this girl who left home and the emperor's side, but also a deep estrangement between them.
Li Hentian's old face turned pale and then red, his heart filled with mixed feelings, as if a bottle of mixed emotions had been overturned.
How could he not hear the distance and indifference in Jiang Ling's words?
He really wanted to adopt the airs of an elder and give a lecture, but he didn't dare.
Not to mention that Jiang Ling's current cultivation as a Saint is enough to be on par with him, the Emperor Weapon above her head, which exudes extreme killing intent, is like a pair of Death God's eyes staring intently at him.
He had a premonition that if he dared to utter even half a word of nonsense here, that sword would absolutely not hesitate to wipe him, and even the Li family behind him, from this world with a single stroke!
"Well... since the Emperor is in seclusion, I, Li, would naturally not dare to disturb him."
Li Hentian finally lowered his once proud head.
He took a deep breath and respectfully placed the purple-gold gourd in his hand in front of the boundary marker of Shenhuo Ridge.
He gave Jiang Ling a deep look, his eyes filled with extremely complex emotions.
Then, he turned around, gritted his teeth, and waved to the group of people leaving behind him: "Let's go!"