Godlike: Double Penetration of the Starry Sky! A brutal beating of Ge Xiaolun at the start.

Long Wen glanced coldly at Xing Yao, ignoring his provocation, and turned his gaze to the messenger. He thought to himself: This man's arrival is suspicious; his words are full of inconsistencies. There must be a mastermind behind him. He composed himself and asked, "You keep saying I'm colluding with external forces, but do you have any real evidence? Or are you just making this up under someone's orders?" With that, he took a few steps closer, his eyes sharp as an eagle's, as if trying to see right through the messenger.

The envoy, intimidated by Long Wen's imposing presence, subconsciously took a step back, his eyes darting around, and fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead: "I... I'm just reporting the truth. Someone saw it with their own eyes... 々〃 ..." His voice trembled slightly, clearly showing his guilty conscience.

"Oh? You saw it with your own eyes? Then where is this person? Why doesn't he come to the court to confront you?" Long Wen pressed on relentlessly, not letting any flaw slip by.

The messenger hurriedly wiped his sweat and stammered, "He...he was delayed by something and couldn't come..."

At this moment, the atmosphere in the council hall was extremely tense. Everyone's eyes darted back and forth between Long Wen and the envoy, as if watching a fierce duel. The guards of the Zhou Li family stood on both sides, their hands on their sword hilts, ready to draw their swords at the slightest movement.

Long Wen, however, remained unfazed and continued to stall, saying, "Hmph, such a flimsy excuse is not enough to fool everyone. I think you are the one with ulterior motives, deliberately trying to cause trouble for my Zhou Li family."

The envoy's face grew even paler. He opened his mouth, wanting to argue, but was abruptly interrupted by Long Wen: "Speak! Who ordered you to do this? If you tell the truth, perhaps I can spare your life. Otherwise, don't even think about stepping out of this council hall today!" Long Wen's voice suddenly rose, carrying an irresistible authority. His aura also surged, like a sharp sword about to be drawn.

The envoy panicked completely, his legs went weak, and he collapsed to the ground, stammering, "It was...it was Lady Ningguang who instructed me...she wanted to instigate internal strife within the Zhou Li family so she could reap the benefits..."

These words caused an uproar. The family members looked at each other, their faces filled with shock and realization.

Long Wen snorted coldly, pulling out a prepared document from his robes—a secret letter he had discovered during his investigation. It clearly recorded Ning Guang's correspondence with the envoy and the details of their conspiracy. He held the evidence high, surveyed the crowd, and declared loudly, "Gentlemen, this is the evidence. Ning Guang attempted to use such despicable means to damage the relationship between my family and the Zhou Li family, thereby seeking personal gain. I, Long Wen, have a clear conscience, and today I will expose this conspiracy. I hope the family will not be deceived by such treacherous individuals."

Elder Yaoguang took the evidence and examined it carefully, his face growing increasingly grim. Although he still harbored resentment towards Long Wen, the facts were now laid bare before him, leaving him speechless. He could only let out a cold snort and sit back down in his chair.

Seeing his plan completely fail, Xingyao's face flushed red and paled in turns, filled with frustration. He had intended to use this opportunity to suppress Longwen, but instead, he had lost more than he intended, allowing Longwen to win over the hearts of the family.

Chapter 174 Doubts about the Treasure

Zhou Li's eyes were filled with relief and pride. She walked to Long Wen's side and gently took his arm: "Long Wen, I knew you could prove your innocence." Her voice was soft, filled with endless tenderness and trust, like the warm sun in spring, dispelling the gloom in Long Wen's heart.

Long Wen stood tall and resolute in the solemn council hall of the Zhou Li family, his gaze unwavering. He knew that whether this family feud could be completely resolved depended entirely on his words and actions. The atmosphere inside the hall was so heavy it seemed almost palpable. Huge stone pillars supported the dome, and portraits of the 710 previous patriarchs hung on the walls, seemingly silently scrutinizing everything. Family members sat on either side, some whispering, others looking on with suspicion, their gazes frequently sweeping towards Long Wen as if he were a bomb ready to explode at any moment.

Long Wen took a deep breath, breaking the silence: "Everyone, I know you all have doubts about the treasure I possess, and this is precisely why so much conflict has arisen. To show my sincerity, I am willing to temporarily place the treasure in the family's secret treasure vault, under the joint supervision of family members, until its full purpose is discovered. In this way, we can ensure the safety of the treasure and put everyone at ease." With that, he slightly raised his chin, looking openly at the crowd.

Without hesitation, Zhou Li stepped forward and stood beside Long Wen, her graceful figure revealing a resolute strength: "I support Long Wen's decision. I've shared life and death with him all this way, and I trust him. This treasure may be extraordinary, but in his heart, the peace of his family is more important." She turned to look at Long Wen, her eyes filled with love and determination, as if he were the only person in the world she could entrust with her life at this moment.

Yao Guang, the eldest elder of the Zhou Li family, sat at the head of the table, his white hair gleaming but his eyes sharp. He stroked his beard, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, but after a moment of contemplation, he nodded slightly: "Hmm, this approach is feasible." His voice was deep and authoritative, echoing in the council hall, and the whispers among the crowd immediately subsided.

Xingyao abruptly stood up, his youthful face filled with resentment: "How can this be? How can we easily hand over such a treasure!" He clenched his fists, took a step forward, and wanted to continue arguing. However, before he could speak, several older family members around him cast disapproving glances, and an uncle whispered a reprimand: "Xingyao, stop making trouble. The bigger picture is more important!" Xingyao gritted his teeth, though he was full of indignation, he could only sit down reluctantly. The atmosphere in the council hall eased somewhat, but a trace of doubt still lingered like a dark cloud.

Seeing an opportunity, Zhou Li stepped forward again, looked around, and began to recount: "Fellow clansmen, you may not know, but in that mysterious valley, we encountered countless dangers. Guardian traps nearly killed us, and then there were ruthless pursuers." Her voice trembled slightly, as if she still felt lingering fear recalling those harrowing scenes. "Long Wen, disregarding his own safety, repeatedly shielded me. When spikes burst from the ground, he pulled me aside, tearing his own clothes in the process; when blades whistled towards me, he used his body as a shield to protect me." At this point, tears welled up in Zhou Li's eyes, tears of gratitude and heartache. "If it weren't for him, I would probably have perished in the valley long ago. His deep affection and protection for me are evident to all."

Long Wen stood to the side, listening quietly to Zhou Li's story, a warm feeling welling up inside him. Looking at Zhou Li, his eyes were filled with emotion and tenderness. Recalling those moments of life and death together, he felt that being able to know and cherish her in this life was the greatest blessing.

Chapter 175 Revival is in Sight!

As the family members listened to Zhou Li's story, their expressions gradually became moved. An aunt gently wiped away the tears from the corner of her eye: "This child is truly good to our Li'er." The others nodded in agreement, their eyes filled with more approval and praise as they looked at Long Wen. A warm atmosphere spread slowly through the council hall like ripples.

Seeing that the crowd's attitude had softened, Long Wen pressed his advantage, saying loudly, "Gentlemen, I have another plan regarding the development of our family, which is closely related to the use of this treasure." With that, he took out a pre-prepared parchment scroll from his robes, slowly unfurling it. It was covered with intricate patterns and densely packed text. "In this deep valley lies a rare mineral, which only this treasure can extract. If we can mine it and craft it into superior weapons and equipment, the family's strength will greatly increase. Not only that, but we can also use it to trade with surrounding powers, bringing a continuous stream of wealth to the family." As he spoke, he pointed to key points on the scroll, his eyes radiating confidence and wisdom.

Family members leaned forward, listening intently, their eyes gradually brightening with excitement. An uncle skilled in forging clapped his hands in praise, "Brilliant! If this can truly be achieved, our clan's revival is within reach!" Everyone chimed in with their agreement, and in an instant, the atmosphere in the council hall became lively, as if the gloom had completely dissipated.

Xingyao sat in the corner, watching everyone's reactions, his face so dark it could drip water. He knew the situation was hopeless, and any further struggle would be futile. After hesitating for a long time, he stood up, head bowed, his voice low and heavy: "I...I was wrong. I was too impulsive before, and almost ruined the family's important affairs." His face was full of remorse, and he dared not look directly into everyone's eyes.

Elder Yaoguang stood up, his gaze slowly sweeping over everyone before finally settling on Long Wen. His expression was solemn: "Long Wen, I have witnessed your actions today. You are both courageous and resourceful, deeply devoted to Li'er, and utterly loyal to the family. On behalf of the family, I approve of you." His voice trembled slightly, revealing a mixture of relief and emotion.

Upon hearing this, Long Wen felt a great weight lifted from his heart. He looked at Zhou Li, both of them glistening with tears. The next moment, they couldn't help but embrace and weep. Zhou Li leaned against Long Wen's chest, sobbing, "Finally... finally it's over." Long Wen gently stroked her back and said softly, "Yes, everything is alright." Their embracing figures, in the interplay of light and shadow in the council hall, resembled an eternal painting, witnessing the deep affection that had endured so much hardship and the joy of the family's return to harmony.

·· ····Request flowers··· ·····

Sunlight streamed through the carved window lattices, dappling the Zhou family's council hall and adding a touch of warmth to the solemn building. In the center of the hall, Long Wen stood ramrod straight, his black robe accentuating his dashing appearance, his sharp eyebrows and bright eyes radiating confidence and decisiveness. Zhou Li stood quietly beside him, her moon-white dress trailing on the ground, her face cool and composed, yet her gaze remained steadfastly fixed on Long Wen, as if no storm in the world could separate them.

.... . 0

Surrounding them, the family members sat or stood, all eyes fixed on Long Wen. Although Long Wen had previously earned some recognition through his numerous achievements, a few unfriendly gazes still lingered among them. Yao Guang, as the family's Grand Elder, wore a dark purple robe, the gold threads embroidered on it shimmering with an aura of majesty in the light.

Chapter 176 Don't Mess Around

His face was cold and stern, his deeply lined features now filled with doubt. His brows were furrowed, like a bottomless abyss, and his cloudy eyes were fixed on Long Wen, as if trying to see right through him. Xing Yao, a radical among the younger generation of the family, was dressed in a close-fitting outfit with a wide leather belt around his waist, highlighting his competitive nature. At this moment, he crossed his arms, his lips slightly downturned, and he gave a disdainful snort. Although the sound was soft, it clearly echoed in the hall, full of contempt for Long Wen.

Long Wen seemed not to hear him. He cleared his throat and said loudly, "Elders and peers, today I have an idea that concerns the future development of the family." With that, he carefully took out the treasure he had obtained from the deep valley from his robes. It shimmered with an unusual light in the sunlight and emitted mysterious energy fluctuations. "I have discovered that the energy fluctuations of this treasure are extremely unique. If we make good use of it, we can explore the hidden spirit mines in Liyue, changing the traditional way the family has searched for spirit mines in the past."

As soon as he finished speaking, the council hall erupted in chaos, with everyone whispering and discussing amongst themselves.

"Will this work? Our family's method for finding spirit mines has been passed down for hundreds of years."

"What could a foreign adventurer possibly know? Don't mess around."

Yao Guang coughed heavily, and the hall fell silent instantly. He slowly rose, leaning on an ornate cane, and walked step by step toward Long Wen, each step seemingly carrying immense pressure. "Hmph, young man, your idea is good, but don't just talk the talk. If something goes wrong, who can bear the loss?"

Long Wen bowed slightly and said respectfully, "Elder, I know this matter is of great importance, but how will we know it won't work if we don't try? If we succeed, the family will surely rise to a higher level."

Xingyao couldn't contain himself and stepped forward, sneering, "Oh, you make it sound so easy. If you have such ability, why don't you figure it out yourself before showing off?"

Long Wen's lips curled up into a confident smile. He looked around at everyone and said loudly, "I am not the one who will monopolize this achievement. Today, I would like to invite the younger generation of the family to study new uses for the treasure with me, including Brother Xingyao."

Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned. Xingyao's eyes widened, his face full of suspicion, as if he had heard something out of the blue. He subconsciously took a step back, asking warily, "You... what are your intentions?"

Long Wen stepped forward, looking sincerely at Xingyao with an open and honest gaze: "Brother Xingyao, I know you've always wanted to contribute to the family, and your competitive spirit is also for the family's honor... I sincerely hope that we can put aside our past grievances and work together for the family's development. Many hands make light work, don't you think?"

Xingyao opened his mouth slightly, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped, a hint of hesitation flashing in his eyes. Seeing Long Wen's attitude, the younger generation around him began to whisper among themselves, their gazes towards Long Wen gradually filled with curiosity and contemplation.

Yue Li, Zhou Li's good friend, stood in the corner, dressed in pink, her face gentle. She gently bit her lower lip, her eyes full of worry, fearing that Long Wen's actions would cause more conflict, yet hoping that the family could truly use this opportunity to make a breakthrough. Seeing everyone's 3.5 reaction, she breathed a slight sigh of relief, secretly hoping that things would develop in a positive direction.

Long Wen pressed his advantage: "Everyone, time waits for no one. The vast land of Liyue is full of hidden spirit mines. If we can get there first, what is there to worry about for our family's prosperity?" After saying that, he took the lead and walked out of the hall. Zhou Li followed closely behind. The younger generation looked at each other, and finally, after Xingyao stamped his foot, they all followed.

Chapter 177 There's some commotion over here!

The group arrived at a desolate valley behind the clan's residence. The area was rugged with strange rocks and overgrown with weeds, and it was said to have once contained signs of spirit ore, but due to its antiquity, it was difficult to find. Long Wen stopped, took a deep breath, and gripped the treasure tightly in his hand, his elemental power slowly surging within him. He closed his eyes slightly, concentrating his mind to sense the energy fluctuations of the treasure; those fluctuations were like a subtle electric current, spreading throughout his body.

Xingyao stood to the side with his arms crossed. Although he had come along, his eyes still held a hint of suspicion. He would glance at the treasure in Longwen's hand from time to time, and then look around at the surrounding environment, as if he was waiting to see Longwen make a fool of himself.

Long Wen suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze sharp. He flashed and ran towards the depths of the valley, shouting, "Follow me, there's movement here!" Everyone quickly followed.

Reaching a mountain wall, Long Wen stopped and pressed the treasure close to the wall. The treasure shone brightly and hummed. Long Wen swiftly formed hand seals, gathering elemental power within his body in his palms. He displayed an astonishing talent—the ability to rapidly switch between different elements, doubling their power. In an instant, fire, ice, and lightning elements flickered and crashed against the mountain wall.

As the elemental forces impacted, a faint light gradually appeared on the mountain wall, as if something was responding.

"Look!" Yue Li exclaimed, pointing at the mountain wall, her eyes filled with surprise.

Upon closer inspection, everyone saw that some faintly glowing mineral veins were slowly emerging on the mountain wall. Although they were not obvious, they were undoubtedly signs of spirit ore.

"This...this really was found?" Xingyao's eyes widened, his face full of astonishment, and there was no longer a trace of contempt in his tone.

Long Wen wiped the sweat from his forehead, a relieved smile on his face: "It seems we're on the right track."

Zhou Li stepped forward, gently took Long Wen's hand, her eyes filled with pride and love: "You did it."

At this moment, the valley erupted in jubilation as the younger generation surrounded Long Wen, their eyes filled with admiration and excitement. However, high above in the valley, Yao Guang watched this scene from afar, his face still stern, his cane slamming heavily on the ground with a dull thud. While he felt a certain degree of approval for Long Wen's actions, years of stubbornness and prejudice made it difficult for him to completely let go of his pride. Several other obstinate elders, sharing Yao Guang's views, stood behind him, their faces also somber.

Sunlight streamed through the carved window lattices, casting dappled shadows into the solemn and dignified council hall of the Zhou Li family. The hall was bustling with people, yet the atmosphere was heavy and oppressive, like the calm before a storm. Long Wen, clad in a black robe, stood tall and straight in the center of the hall. Though his figure showed signs of fatigue, his eyes shone with unwavering resolve. Beside him, Zhou Li, still in her signature purple gown, now wore a look of worry on her usually cold and beautiful face, occasionally glancing at Long Wen with silent support.

Long Wen knew that although he had previously gained some prestige among the younger generation of the family, those old-fashioned elders, especially the eldest elder Yao Guang who sat at the head of the table with an expressionless face like an iceberg, still harbored reservations about him as an outsider, and even harbored hostility. This time, he was determined to completely dispel their doubts.

"I have invited you all here today to witness a momentous event that will determine the future of our family." Long Wen cleared his throat, his voice steady and powerful, echoing in the council hall. Instantly, all eyes turned to him like spotlights.

Chapter 178 Treasures of Immense Wealth

Yao Guang slightly raised her eyes, her gaze sweeping over Long Wen with scrutiny and disdain. She snorted softly and remained silent, but her attitude was clear.

Long Wen seemed oblivious, gesturing for the attendants behind him to bring over an ancient-looking box. The box was covered in intricate and mysterious patterns, faintly emitting a soft glow. "Inside this is the treasure that has caused so much controversy before."

These words immediately sparked a flurry of discussion in the council hall, with people whispering among themselves and looking on with curiosity and suspicion.

"Hmph, what can this kid possibly do? Is he just trying to create some kind of mystery again?" Xingyao stood to the side, arms crossed, a mocking smile playing on his lips. As one of the more radical members of the family's younger generation, he was fiercely competitive and had previously caused Longwen no shortage of trouble, determined to seize the treasure in Longwen's possession that was said to bring immense wealth.

Long Wen glanced at Xing Yao, frowned slightly, but didn't argue. He simply took a deep breath and slowly opened the box. Instantly, a soft light emanated, illuminating his face. He took out an object resembling a compass, its pointer and strange runes shimmering with an eerie glow.

"This object may seem ordinary, but it actually holds a secret. It can accurately locate spirit mineral resources in various parts of Liyue and analyze the quality of the spirit minerals." Long Wen said as he manipulated the compass, his fingers moving nimbly among the runes with skillful confidence.

As he operated it, the compass flashed with light, gradually revealing images of Liyue's mountains and rivers. Even the course of streams in the valleys was clearly visible, while certain areas were marked with different colored halos, representing the distribution and quality level of spirit ore.

"This...how is this possible!" An elder who had been full of doubts blurted out, his eyes filled with shock, and he involuntarily took a few steps forward, wanting to get closer to see what was going on.

Seeing this, everyone gathered around, exclamations of amazement rising and falling.

Xingyao, who had initially been convinced that Long Wen was bragging, turned pale and then flushed upon witnessing this incredible scene. He bit his lower lip, his heart filled with mixed emotions—jealousy towards Long Wen and regret for his previous narrow-minded behavior. After a moment's hesitation, he steeled himself and stepped forward, and under everyone's gaze, he knelt down directly in front of Long Wen with a thud.

“Brother Longwen, I was narrow-minded and offended you in many ways before. I hope you will forgive my petty offenses.” Xingyao lowered his head, his voice filled with shame, and dared not look Longwen in the eye.

Long Wen was slightly taken aback, then quickly came to his senses and reached out to help Xingyao up, a kind smile on his face. "Brother Xingyao, get up quickly. There's no need to mention the past anymore."

This scene moved everyone present, and the council hall erupted in applause and cheers. Zhou Li stood to the side, her eyes filled with relief and pride. Her gaze towards Long Wen was even more loving. She gently stepped forward, took Long Wen's hand, and said softly, "I knew you could do it."

Long Wenhui grasped Zhou Li's hand, squeezed it gently, and gave her a reassuring look.

As the applause subsided, Long Wen faced the crowd again, his expression solemn. "Today, I formally return this treasure to the Zhou Li family for unified management. I hope it will help the family achieve new glory." With that, he held the compass in both hands and slowly walked towards Elder Yao Guang.

Chapter 179 Doing One's Best for the Family

Yao Guang's expression had softened considerably, and a hint of emotion flashed in her eyes. She stood up, took the compass, examined it carefully for a moment, and sighed, "Long Wen, we were foolish before and misjudged you. Your actions today demonstrate great righteousness, and I thank you on behalf of the family."

Long Wen bowed slightly and said humbly, "Elder, you flatter me. Since I am acquainted with Zhou Li and have stayed with her, I am also a member of this family, and I should do my best for the family."

Yao Guang nodded slightly, looked around, and announced loudly: "From this day forward, Long Wen officially becomes an honorary member of my Zhou Li family and is entitled to participate in all important family decisions!"

Upon hearing this, cheers erupted once again in the council chamber, and the atmosphere reached an unprecedented climax.

With Long Wen's assistance, the Zhou Li family quickly began preparations for a new spirit mine mining project. Family members performed their duties diligently and systematically. The 710 cartographers drew detailed mine maps based on information provided by the compass, and the exploration team was ready to set off for on-site surveys in various locations.