The Central Plains are vast.
Prefectures and cities abound. Tongling Prefecture, ranking among the top ten in the Central Plains, is home to not only two super-first-rate powers but also numerous first-rate powers. Among the first-rate powers, several stand out.
These top-tier first-rate powers typically have around ten Void Refinement realm cultivators, but no Integration realm powerhouses holding the fort!
The Integration realm is the true apex of power, with each individual capable of easily annihilating Void Refinement realm cultivators, unless the latter possesses spirit treasures or quasi-spirit treasures of comparable caliber!
Quasi-spirit treasures already wield formidable power, and spirit treasures are even more terrifying. A cultivator at the peak of the Void Refinement realm, wielding a spirit treasure, could even defeat an ordinary Integration realm cultivator.
Of course, the power of a quasi-spirit treasure also surpasses that of top-grade spirit artifacts!
In Tongling Prefecture, Guangnan City.
"Is this what a first-rate city looks like? It's certainly much more prosperous than Yong'an City!" Yang Ping Tian exclaimed.
In truth, the closer he got to the Li family's territory, the more nervous and apprehensive he became. Had his son not given him sufficient confidence, his legs might have gone weak!
"Indeed. After all, the Central Plains are inherently prosperous, and Tongling Prefecture is a top ten prefecture. A prefecture with the most powerful cities, it's only natural that it's so much stronger than Yong'an City, which only has third-rate powers," Yang Fei Long said.
"Should we head directly to the Li family, or gather some information first?" Yang Ping Tian asked.
Now, he was completely deferring to his son, as his own strength was insufficient to even provide support.
"Let's gather some information before deciding!" Yang Fei Long nodded after a brief contemplation.
Guangnan City is vast. Although it doesn't host super-first-rate powers, there are more than just the Li and Wang families among the first-rate powers. Besides these two first-rate cultivation powers, there are several others, though in Guangnan City, the other first-rate powers are not on par with these two.
Rushing to the Li family without understanding the situation might lead to unforeseen consequences. One must at least know oneself and the enemy!
Moreover, his bottleneck had been loosening lately. Perhaps he could attempt to break through to the peak of the Void Refinement realm. Once successful, with his full set of top-grade spirit artifacts, while not comparable to the power of spirit treasures, it would rival quasi-spirit treasures!
And since Tongling Prefecture has no Integration realm cultivators, his combat power would likely reach a level unmatched by anyone below the Integration realm!
At that point, even forcibly taking his mother from the Li family would not be impossible!
Of course, Yang Fei Long would prefer not to resort to such measures, but if it came to that, he wouldn't hold back!
However, it would also depend on his mother, Li Xiu Zhu's, choice!
...
Guangnan City has been abuzz with activity lately.
"How did the Wang family's eldest daughter take a liking to a young master from a second-rate family?"
"Because that young master from the second-rate family is no ordinary genius. He's already reached the Golden Core realm at such a young age. This is remarkable talent! He's even more outstanding than many young masters from first-rate families!"
"That's right!"
"Speaking of which, have you heard? The Li family's patriarch attempted to break through to the Integration realm a while ago but failed and suffered a backlash. His condition is quite dire!"
"Where did you hear such gossip?"
"This isn't gossip. The Li family's guest elders were once on par with the Wang family's. But recently, their numbers have significantly decreased. It would be strange if there weren't any problems!"
"Is the Li family in decline? Ever since the Li and Wang families fell out over twenty years ago, they seem to have been on a downward trajectory!"
"Who's to say otherwise? The Li family is struggling to maintain its second position in Guangnan City. If the Wang family were to attack them, could the Li family withstand it!"
"Would the Wang family dare to do that? If the Wang family were to do so, even if they absorbed the Li family's assets, they would likely lose many of their Void Refinement realm cultivators!"
"Where there's smoke, there's fire. Since such talk is circulating, it's likely there's some truth to it!"
"I find that unrealistic. If the Wang family intended to do this, they wouldn't have spread any rumors beforehand!"
"Not necessarily. What if the Wang family intentionally spread these rumors to test if the Li family's ancestor is indeed in trouble?"
"That's plausible too!"
Yang Ping Tian walked through the streets, occasionally stopping by an inn. However, his heart was filled with worry. If the Wang family were truly to attack the Li family, what would happen to his wife?
Although his son had reached the Void Refinement realm, he was no match for those veteran Void Refinement realm cultivators!
He had no clear judgment of his son's strength. He was already astounded that his son had reached the Void Refinement realm, never imagining that his son's cultivation wasn't even weak within that realm.
If he had known, he wouldn't have been so terrified!
"I hope it doesn't come to that!" Yang Ping Tian prayed silently.
Did he hold grudges against the Li family? Yes, he certainly did.
But after understanding the whole story, he no longer blamed the Li family excessively. As long as he could be with his wife, he would be filled with gratitude, thanking heaven and earth!
After wandering outside for a day, he returned to their lodging and found his son still in seclusion.
He didn't disturb him!
The stronger his son became, the greater the benefit, so he was reluctant to disrupt his son's cultivation!
Days passed by, and in the blink of an eye, three days had gone by.
On this day, Yang Fei Long emerged from his secluded chamber.
"Son, how was it?" Upon seeing his son emerge, Yang Ping Tian hurried forward, asking with concern.
"I've gained some insights," Yang Fei Long said with a grin.
His cultivation had broken through, advancing from the late Void Refinement realm to the peak of the Void Refinement realm. He hadn't tested his current combat power, but he was far stronger than before.
He was now more confident in facing the Li family!
"That's good!" Yang Ping Tian breathed a sigh of relief, but his expression remained serious. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but hesitated for a moment.
"Father, what happened? What news have you gathered these past few days?" Yang Fei Long's eyebrows rose as he asked.
"Besides the news that the Wang family's eldest daughter is about to get engaged to the young master of the Xiao family, a second-rate power, and that your mother's maternal grandfather might have suffered a backlash while attempting to break through to the Integration realm, the Wang family is making moves and might attack the Li family!" Yang Ping Tian spoke, his face showing hesitation and worry, but he still relayed the information he had gathered to his son.
This also included the recent departures of many guest elders from the Li family.
Hearing his father's words, Yang Fei Long's brow furrowed: "So, it seems the Li family's ancestor might indeed have encountered trouble!"
"Fei Long, I wonder, if you can heal the Li family's ancestor, will that allow the Li family to grant your mother her freedom?" Yang Ping Tian asked tentatively.
"If the situation is as you say, it should be possible," Yang Fei Long nodded. "If they haven't mistreated Mother over the years, I might consider it!"
Upon hearing this, Yang Ping Tian breathed a sigh of relief. He feared his son would refuse to help.
Now, there was an additional option!