When he spoke these words, Li Qianye felt quite nervous, and couldn’t help but speculate that it might be some member of the Li Family causing trouble outside and offending Lu Ping.

Now, since they have come to the door, if indeed they have caused offence, how could the Li Family resist?

There’s no need for the Long Family or other forces to act; Yu Yang City would change hands, and the Li Family would no longer exist.

"The one I am looking for is... Li Zhilu."

Lu Ping appeared calm, but he was quite concerned about Li Zhilu, emphasizing the pause when he mentioned the name.

Perceiving Li Qianye’s tension and worry, he rectified, "I harbor no malice, nor do I have any feud with the Li Family. You may rest assured."

Perceiving the tension in Li Qianye’s tone, Lu Ping smiled wryly to himself.

He was visiting the Central Ancestral Realm for the first time, certainly not with malicious intent.

This much could actually be inferred by those present when he took action against Silent Extinction Old Demon.

If he held a grudge against the Li Family, he could have chosen not to intervene, or even assisted the Profound Evil Three Demons in removing the Li Family.

Why would he need to assist the Li Family?

"I must have amused you, Elder."

Hearing these words, the heavy burden in Li Qianye’s heart was finally lifted, and he chuckled bitterly a couple of times.

Beside him, Li Mingxu spoke.

"The Li Zhilu Elder seeks does exist in our family. If I may ask boldly, what is Elder’s relationship with Zhilu?"

Though the sentence trailed off, the meaning was clear: they were inquiring about Lu Ping’s relationship with Li Zhilu.

"She is an old acquaintance of mine, may I meet her first before speaking further."

Lu Ping did not answer directly but expressed an eagerness to see Li Zhilu, to confirm if she was indeed Li Chaoge.

"Of course, of course."

Li Qianye said, "However, Zhilu is currently traveling outside. To call her back, Elder will need to wait a few days."

"I can wait."

"Very well, then Elder shall stay with us at the Li Family. I will summon Zhilu back to the family immediately."

Li Qianye enthusiastically invited him.

"Alright."

Beside Lu Ping, Wen Xianhe sat quietly, experiencing the Li Family’s hospitality for the first time, and being entertained by three Nascent Soul Stage cultivators no less.

She was quite taken aback and knew it was all thanks to Lu Ping.

This Elder Lu is indeed formidable, for the Li Family and the Long Family are the lofty pillars of Yu Yang City.

Yet at this moment, the Nascent Soul True Monarchs of these two families were treating Lu Ping with utmost respect, revealing how powerful Lu Ping’s strength was.

Lu Ping and Wen Xianhe settled down at the Li Family, each got a room, and were generously hosted by the family.

Many Li Family disciples had witnessed Lu Ping’s prowess, held him in high regard, and when they saw him appear at the family, eagerly greeted him with respect, after all, he was a Nascent Soul True Monarch.

Meanwhile, the upper echelons of the Li Family repeatedly reminded the younger generation, they could greet Elder Lu, but must avoid unnecessary conversations and should not say anything that might offend him.

It could be said that when the Li Family disciples saw Lu Ping, they were very cautious when extending their greetings, fearing they might say something wrong.

Younger members, in particular, would rather avoid him, too afraid to speak with Lu Ping.

At the same time, the Li Family’s senior members began to investigate Li Zhilu’s activities in recent years — the places she visited, the people she met, including whether she had any interactions with Lu Ping, to get some insight.

If anything seemed amiss, at least they had response time to quickly resolve any conflicts or issues.

Meanwhile, Lu Ping, while waiting for Li Zhilu, did not disturb Li Shuwan but kept a discreet watch.

As an Elder of the Li Family, Li Shuwan’s duties were sparse, she spent most of her time cultivating in her cave mansion, and rarely appeared, preferring a quiet and solitary existence.

The next day, when Li Shuwan met Lu Ping, she greeted him with a smile, addressing him as Elder Lu.

As for Wen Xianhe, she felt as if in a dream, from a mediocre Loose Cultivator, she became a well-treated guest of the Li Family, something she could not have dared imagine before.

Li Family disciples even assumed she was Lu Ping’s personal maid.

Wen Xianhe clarified her identity, stating she was merely a small-time guide, who had been paid by Lu Ping in spirit stones to diligently perform her guiding duties.

Yet now, following Lu Ping here, she was living the good life.

After four days, at noon on the fourth day, Lu Ping was told that Li Zhilu had returned to the Li Family and could be seen.

In the family hall, Li Mingxu and Li Qianye sat upright, making small talk with Lu Ping about how he was finding his stay at the Li Family.

After some pleasantries, a figure walked in from outside the hall.

Lu Ping focused his attention, and saw the approaching person was a woman appearing to be in her twenties, dressed in the Li Family’s Supreme Elder attire, exuding elegance and serenity with every move.

"Chaoge!"

With just one look, Lu Ping felt a jolt, unable to remain calm, his breathing becoming somewhat rapid.

So alike, incredibly alike.

No, to be precise, she and Li Chaoge were one and the same; he could not possibly mistake her.

The longed-for wife truly was at the Li Family!

At this moment, Lu Ping was overwhelmed, as a Nascent Soul Cultivator, unable to suppress the excitement and joy in his heart.

Yet he did not rush to acknowledge her, for when he saw Li Zhilu look over, she paused.

Because in that moment of meeting Li Zhilu’s gaze, he felt her look was so calm and peaceful, like most people when they first meet a stranger.

Her expression showed no trace of joy, surprise, or even excitement.

It was just a simple, plain glance.

What was going on? Did Chaoge not recognize him?

Lu Ping’s face froze, not expecting this outcome.

"Hmm?" Glancing at Lu Ping, Li Zhilu’s gaze paused as she felt a sense of familiarity, as though she had seen him somewhere before, but couldn’t recall.

Amid her confusion, Li Qianye’s voice slowly reached her.

"Zhilu, you’re back."

Upon hearing this, Li Zhilu pulled her thoughts away from Lu Ping, focusing on Li Qianye and Li Mingxu, she smiled gently and greeted them.

"Greetings, Clan Leader, Grand Elder."

"Hehehe, no need for formalities."

Li Qianye smiled lightly and asked, "Have you found a solution during your recent travels?"

After asking this, Li Mingxu also showed interest, but Lu Ping was left in confusion, unsure what it referred to or what problem they were facing.

"I haven’t."

Li Zhilu gently shook her head, long accustomed to this result, showing no trace of regret or disappointment on her face.

"There is always a way to solve this matter, if not, we might really have to make a trip to the Heaven Mending Saint Realm."

Li Qianye sighed slightly, feeling helpless.