The characters were ancient runes unknown to the present generation. They were beautifully written, possessing a natural order without being imposing.

“Creak.” The door opened and a youth walked out. His attire was not expensive but kept tidy and clean.

He wasn’t handsome either but had bright features, making others comfortable. His demeanor revealed contentment, the type to go with the flow.

He was a cultivator - a master among mortals but a beginner among big shots. However, he had no pride and arrogance that were often seen in cultivators, and no wish to defy the natural orders.

“May I ask why you are here, Fellow Daoist?” He bowed respectfully.

“The calligraphy is nice enough for me to stop and appreciate.” Li Qiye said.

The youth looked up at the plaque and smiled: “Allow me to elaborate, this was written by my ancestor. The dao is still strong after so many years.”

“Indeed.” Li Qiye nodded.

“My name is Xian, of the Li.” He said: “Would you like to come inside?”

“Sure, I’m here to take a look at this region.” Li Qiye smiled at the enthusiastic youth.

“There are few stopping points nearby, you can stay at my place if you don’t mind.” He said.

“Why not?” Li Qiye nodded and entered.

He hurriedly showed Li Qiye to his house and said: “Our clan has fallen, look at how barren it is. I apologize if the reception is not up to your standard.”

Li Qiye smiled and nodded.

The Li used to be a powerful clan but as Li Xian said, this was no longer the case. Vestiges of the glorious past could be seen. The clan must have had more than ten thousand capable members.

Now, the broken buildings and houses no longer had people living in them. Li Xian’s residence consisted of him and only a few mortal servants.

Li Xian prepared a clean place for Li Qiye before taking him on a tour of the clan.

“Such declination.” Li Qiye shook his head during the walk.

Li Xian had accepted this reality long ago. In fact, this has been the case dozens of generations before his.

“Dao Brother, you haven’t seen our glory days. Of course, I haven’t either and only heard stories. This is not our true residence, only a small branch. As far as I know, we used to be one of the strongest dao lineages until several wars wore us down. Now, this is all we have left.” Li Xian smiled: “Perhaps the clan will end in my generation.”

“That’s just part of life, rise and fall until vanishing.” Li Qiye smiled.

“I agree, Dao Brother, so I suppose I have nothing to be ashamed of when I meet the ancestors in hell.” Li Xian clapped and said.

Li Qiye enjoyed the fella for his mentality. Few could accept this, especially those who came from prestigious clans. They always yearned for the golden years and lamented being born in the wrong era. They took it as a personal mission to restore their clan.

The duo came to a temple - the largest one in this generation. Each brick and tile was meticulously chosen and precious, enough to make a mortal infinitely wealthy.

“This is our ancestral hall.” Li Xian led Li Qiye inside and said: “Not the real one, of course. The real one was destroyed long ago but the lucky survivors then were able to take memorial tablets with them.”

The hall was always lit with candles regardless of the time. After all, this once-great lineage was still far more wealthy than a regular mortal clan.

Inside were tablets honoring the clan’s ancestors. Of course, some were lost with time, unrecorded in the genealogy record nor had a tablet.

The ones still around had legends, still remembered and worshipped in the present time.

Li Qiye scanned the names and stopped after seeing a familiar one - Li Yuzhen. He sighed at the merciless passage of time.

“Do you know this ancestor of ours?” Li Xian became curious.

“I have heard of her.” Li Qiye nodded.

“She is one of our greatest ancestors.” Li Xian said: “A brilliant progenitor, one of two.”

“Two progenitors, I see.” Li Qiye said and saw the tablet placed in the highest spot - Li Xuansu.

“Xuansu, same title as her name.” Li Qiye nodded.

“You know of the ancestor’s legend as well?” Li Xian asked: “She was one of the strongest progenitors and survived both Immortals Slaughtered and Heavenslay. A long time later, she disappeared with Ancestor Yuzhen.”

“The two of them disappeared together?” Li Qiye was surprised to hear this.

“Yes, this happened long ago, well, not relative to the age of Old Ruins. I just know it happened after Heavenslay, nothing exact.” Li Xian elaborated.