Covering the Sky: The Years I Was the Empress's Strictest Master

"grandfather!"

Xiang Yun said urgently:

"Are we just going to put up with this?"

"Tolerate."

Xiang Li uttered only one word, his voice heavy as iron:

"Now is not the time for you to act rashly. Even though our lineage has declined, the overall strength of the Golden Cloud Sect is not much stronger than ours. They dare to be so presumptuous, they must have something to rely on."

If we rashly start a war, not only will we fail to reclaim the lost resource points, but we may also fall into a trap.

As he spoke, he stood up and looked at the clansmen gathered in front of the ancestral hall, his gaze sweeping over their young and angry faces:

“I know you have fire and hatred in your hearts.”

But remember, the Xiang family's current situation is more difficult than you can see.

Any conflict, no matter how small, could be magnified and used as an excuse for others to further suppress us.

He raised his voice and said, enunciating each word clearly:

"Issue my order that all clansmen must not leave the clan's territory by more than one hundred miles unless absolutely necessary."

From this day forward, all clan properties outside the clan shall be temporarily abandoned. If provoked by outsiders, avoid them if possible. If avoidance is not possible, preserving life shall be the top priority!

The lost property, the damaged reputation—one day… we will surely reclaim them a hundredfold!

Once the order was given, the clan elders stepped forward to quell the unrest, and the noise outside the hall ceased. People gradually dispersed, leaving behind a somber silence in the village.

The young men clenched their fists, their nails digging deep into their flesh, but they could only grit their teeth and swallow the humiliation and shame they were suffering today.

But this is just the beginning.

The methods employed by Yu Cheng Cave Heaven are even more insidious.

Instead of directly seizing the property, they specifically targeted the cultivators who had withdrawn from various resource points outside the Xiang family.

Those members of the Xiang family who fell into their hands were either killed or injured.

The injured were not lucky to escape with their lives, but were deliberately released after being severely injured by Yu Cheng Cave Heaven, which destroyed their cultivation in the human body's secret realm.

Among those clansmen was a crippled boy named Xiang Ning, only fifteen years old, who was the only son in his family.

On this day, his parents carried their unconscious, barely breathing son and wept bitterly in front of the ancestral hall.

"Clan leader! Clan elders! You must stand up for us! Ning'er is only fifteen years old! His life... is ruined!"

The ancestral hall was not to be entered without permission. The woman knelt on the threshold in front of the hall, her forehead bleeding from kowtowing.

Inside the hall, Xiang Li looked at Xiang Ning, who lay on the stretcher, his body as white as gold paper.

His slightly hunched body trembled slightly, and his saintly aura overflowed uncontrollably, causing the ancestral hall to creak.

But in the end, he slowly closed his eyes.

"We will distribute the compensation according to the standards for the fallen cultivators of the clan, send Xiang Ning to the 'Spirit Nourishing Pool,' and do everything we can to save him."

His voice was hoarse:

"As for Jade Clear Grotto Heaven... I'll remember this debt!"

however.

Xiang Li closed his eyes with trembling hands, while Tan Lin beside him opened his eyes, his gaze deep and unfathomable.

…………

Chapter Ninety-Two: Marrying into the Family?

outside world.

Similar incidents to those experienced by Xiang Tong and Xiang Ning occurred more than a dozen times in the months that followed, as the clan's power waned.

The number of deaths and injuries among the Xiang family members is increasing.

The tribe's stockpiled medicines were being rapidly depleted, and the successive sale of industries and resource points had led to a shortage of various resources within the tribe.

But what's more serious is the frustration and resentment among the villagers. Feelings of pent-up anger and helplessness spread through the hearts of the villagers, regardless of age.

Why should we keep putting up with this?!

"Aren't the clan chief and elders getting too old? Are they becoming more and more timid as they get older?"

"The blood of immortality flows in our veins! How can we live in such humiliation?!"

"..."

"What use is that so-called divine son? We've been bullied because of him, and we've paid such a high price all this time! All he does is hide in the ancestral hall and enjoy himself!"

"Why doesn't he fight those young upstarts from Jinxia Sect and Yucheng Cave Heaven? Is he afraid of getting beaten to death?! Yes, Elder Li advised him not to make a move, but is he really that obedient...?"

Under immense pressure.

Gradually, some offensive remarks began to circulate privately.

Despite the stern suppression by Xiang Li and several clan elders, the unrest among the people had become difficult to contain.

Six months later, a divine monk arrived in the Western Desert.

Forces from Zhongzhou, Beiyuan, Nanling, and other major regions of the Eastern Wilderness have also begun to formally intervene.

An envoy from an ancient family came, speaking politely but subtly probing into the origins and background of Tan Lin's surname.

During their visits, some members of the Taoist community expressed their willingness to help the Xiang family overcome this difficulty and to contribute to the training of Tan Lin.

However, in that case, this true immortal golden body would need to be incorporated into their lineage.

Some powerful clans, as well as some demon clans in the Eastern Wilderness and the Southern Ridge, directly proposed to marry their noble daughters to the Xiang family.

In some outrageous cases, such as the Golden Family of Beiyuan, they were willing to offer their most prized daughter in exchange for Tan Lin's "marriage into the family."

Of course, this marriage into the family isn't a true marriage into the family; it's not conducive to the Dao heart of the Undying Golden Body's future cultivation. It's merely a method of cultivation...

However, when Tan Lin heard this, he almost couldn't hold back and spat out a mouthful of water.

Xiang Li politely declined all of these offers, citing that "the child is still young and it is not appropriate to make a betrothal too early," much to the regret of many envoys from prominent families.

Because these people, who were relatively friendly, received different treatment than cultivators from powerful forces like the Golden Cloud Sect, they were all fortunate enough to meet Tan Lin and were amazed by his extraordinary talent at such a young age.

Of all the envoys from various parties, the one that Xiang Li is most wary of is the monk named Du'e from Mount Sumeru in the Western Desert.

It was dusk, and the setting sun dyed the already crimson Chixia River a blood red.

An old monk, dressed in a moon-white robe and with a compassionate face, came stepping through the air from west to east.

The old monk walked barefoot, each step creating a lotus flower, accompanied by the sound of chanting. Behind him followed two young monks, both with dignified and solemn appearances.

Upon arriving in the Southern Region, it went straight to the sky above the stone fortress, clasped its hands together, and spoke in a booming voice, yet with a comforting power:

“Amitabha… This humble monk, Du’e, has come from Mount Sumeru in the Western Desert to meet the current head of the Xiang family.”

The sound of Buddhist chants echoed.

Xiang Li, who was stationed at the ancestral hall, dared not be negligent and personally went out to greet them.

Mount Sumeru is the lineage left behind by the Great Emperor Amitabha Buddha. Its profound heritage is unfathomable. It governs the entire Western Desert Buddhist Land, forming its own region and holding a transcendent position in the entire Big Dipper.

Even a powerful dynasty like the Feathered God Dynasty dared not act recklessly in the Western Desert.

"May I ask what brings you here from afar, Master?"

Xiang Li welcomed Venerable Du'e into the village and served him fragrant tea in the guest hall.

Venerable Du'e, with his prayer beads in hand, smiled and said:

“The Buddha is compassionate and values ​​fate. I have heard that a noble family has produced an extraordinary child, a Qilin, who possesses a pure and indestructible golden body. At such a young age, he has already shown signs of tribulation in the Dao Palace Secret Realm. Such wisdom is destined to be connected with the Buddha.”

Upon hearing this, Xiang Li's heart sank, but his face remained expressionless:

"What exactly did the master mean?"

"The Buddha is compassionate and will naturally save all sentient beings."

The Venerable Du'e's voice grew increasingly gentle, yet it carried a subtle, undeniable air of authority:

"Your clan's prodigy, if you can enter my Buddhist sect and become a disciple of my Buddha, you will receive the true teachings. Although my Buddha has returned to the Pure Land, Mount Sumeru still exists. My Buddhist sect is willing to offer you the position of a Dharma Protector..."

As he spoke, he clasped his hands together and patiently guided the conversation:

"In the future, he may rule a Buddhist kingdom, enjoy the incense offerings of countless people, obtain an immortal golden body, and even glimpse the path of the Buddha in the past. In the future... he may very well break through the shackles and become an exception..."

He was very sincere, and the pie in his sky was huge.

Guardian Deity!

This is an extremely high rank in the Western Desert Buddhist sect, second only to Amitabha Buddha, above all Bodhisattvas, and on par with the Buddhas who have appeared in the world in the past.

This guardian deity is worshipped by hundreds of millions of believers, and the incense and vows bestow upon him/her, which has unimaginable benefits for spiritual practice. Even if he/she does not integrate into one's own practice, one can store up his/her energy and, emulating the predecessors, transform it into a body of faith.

For a child from a now-declining family, the other party's promise was like a windfall.

But Xiang Li knew all too well that this pie was poisoned.

Once Tan Lin entered the Buddhist order, he became a member of Mount Sumeru and had no further connection with the Xiang family.

The indestructible golden body and bloodline will also be used by Buddhism.

The so-called "Dharma protectors" are just a nice-sounding name. Over time in the Western Desert, they will be converted by Buddhism and subtly become tools for spreading and protecting the Dharma.

"I appreciate your kind offer, Master."

After a long silence, Xiang Li carefully chose his words and slowly said:

"It's just that Lin'er is young and his mind is not yet settled. He is also the future hope of my Xiang family and even the entire Undying Golden Body lineage..."

Even disregarding all that, this matter should be left to him to decide when he grows up and follows his own opinion…

Inside the hall, Venerable Du'e's smile remained unchanged, but a glint of Buddhist light flashed in his eyes:

"Patriarch Xiang, please do not be so hasty in refusing. The mortal world is full of troubles and suffering. If your clan's prodigy enters my Buddhist sect, he can find peace and freedom, and it can also protect your clan's safety. You should know that your clan's current situation makes it difficult to protect him completely."

As soon as he finished speaking, an invisible pressure spread out.

That was not murderous intent, but a grand, compassionate, and irresistible Buddhist intent.

hum...

The Buddha's intent spread outwards like ripples on water in an instant.

In an instant, the eyes of the several Xiang family members standing in the hall began to glaze over.

A look of longing began to appear on their faces, as if they were about to be infected by the Buddhist chants and light and develop a desire to take refuge in Buddhism.

At this moment, Xiang Li snorted coldly, his holy might surging forth. Using the clan's earthly runes, he blocked the power of salvation from his body, and then roared:

"Master, this is the ancestral land of my Xiang family!"

Seeing this, Venerable Du'e gave Xiang Li a deep look, then slowly suppressed his aura and smiled:

"It was my presumption, but matters of destiny cannot be forced, but they can be addressed gradually. Time is not an issue. Why don't you let the child come out and meet us first, Patriarch Xiang? I just want to take a look and have no other intentions."

…………

Chapter Ninety-Three: The Ruthless Man's Shadow (Bonus Chapter 3, Please Subscribe)

See Lin'er?

Upon hearing this, Xiang Li's heart tightened, and he immediately refused decisively:

"Lin'er is currently in a critical period of seclusion and cannot receive guests."

"Is that so? Fine..."

Venerable Du'e gave him a deep look, then stood up:

“Then let’s wait until he comes out of seclusion before discussing it further. This humble monk will stay in the Southern Region for a while to preach the Dharma. If that child or any other member of the clan is interested in Buddhism, they can come to find this humble monk at any time.”

He left those words behind and drifted away with his two disciples.

He came from the Western Desert as soon as he learned that Tan Lin had come out of seclusion, but he did not expose the other party's lie at this moment.

After all, Buddhists still value propriety and harmony. It would be inappropriate to break off relations on the very first encounter.