From Li Gengxin's expression and tone, Ryan immediately understood something.
The Li Clan had no intention of holding him accountable for the death of the Seventh Elder. After all, the Seventh Elder had attacked first, and even if the matter were pursued, Ryan would never submit.
"Sit down first. We'll talk properly," Li Gengxin said, gesturing to a seat.
Ryan followed his gaze—and his heart stirred slightly.
The seat indicated was the position once held by the Seventh Elder, one of the Li Clan's highest-ranking elders.
The Seventh Elder was dead, and his seat was vacant. Yet Li Gengxin was instructing Ryan to sit there.
And none of the elders objected.
This alone spoke volumes.
The events of the previous battle had clearly left a deep impression on everyone present.
Ryan did not hesitate. He walked over and sat down calmly.
Seeing this, Li Gengxin nodded in satisfaction. Ryan's composure and bearing showed how much he had matured. The timid and restrained boy of the past was nowhere to be seen.
Li Gengxin's smile faded as he straightened his posture, his expression turning solemn.
"Wei'er, I called you here today because there is an important matter to discuss with you. This concerns the future development of the Li Clan and is extremely important. I want to hear your thoughts—and I need your consent."
"Oh?" Ryan was slightly surprised. "What is it?"
He had expected questions about his strength or the death of the Seventh Elder, but Li Gengxin brought up something entirely different.
"Tell me first," Li Gengxin said, "how much do you know about the Western Mansion?"
"The Western Mansion?" Ryan pondered for a moment.
Since transmigrating, his memories of the Holy Mystic Continent were fragmented. He knew the general structure but lacked a deep understanding.
After organizing his thoughts, he spoke slowly.
"I only know that the Four Domains are governed by six major powers: one palace, two mansions, and three sects. The Celestial Hall is the strongest and sits at the center of the Four Domains. It's mysterious and rarely intervenes directly."
"The two mansions are the Western Mansion and the Six-Star Mansion. The Western Mansion is based in Jiuyi City in the Western Region, while the Six Star Mansion governs the Eastern Region from Six Star City. They control civil order within their respective regions."
"As for the three sects, Heaven's Sect and Blood Saber Sect are in the Northern Region, often in conflict with each other, while Beast Heaven Sect dominates the Southern Region."
"As for the Western Mansion specifically, I only know it's one of the six powers and the authority of the Western Region. Beyond that, I don't know much."
Ryan spoke honestly.
"That's enough." Li Gengxin nodded. "Let me fill in the rest."
He leaned back slightly and continued.
"The Western Mansion is indeed the ruler of the Western Region. All families, sects, and individuals within the region are subject to its authority. No one is allowed to violate the rules it sets."
"In every major city and town, the Western Mansion stations powerful guards. They maintain order and stability. Ordinary conflicts between families are not their concern, but anything that threatens the overall stability of a city will be dealt with decisively."
"In Fengyue City, there is also a Western Mansion residence. Whether it is our Li Clan or anyone else, we must obey their orders."
Ryan nodded slowly.
In his understanding, the Western Mansion was much like a supreme administrative authority, maintaining order, monitoring all forces, and ensuring its absolute dominance over the Western Region.
Seeing that Ryan had grasped the significance of the Western Mansion, Li Gengxin finally revealed the purpose of this meeting.
"Every year, the Western Mansion conducts an assessment," he said. "They open their gates to recruit outstanding cultivators under the age limit. Those who pass can enter the Western Mansion as external disciples. This is an extremely rare opportunity."
Ryan raised his eyebrows slightly. "Father… you want me to apply for the Western Mansion?"
"No." Li Gengxin shook his head. "This is not just my idea. It is the decision reached by all the elders together."
He looked at Ryan seriously.
"This opportunity is beneficial to you in every way. If you enter the Western Mansion, your status and standing will rise dramatically. The Li Clan will also gain prestige from producing a Western Mansion disciple."
"With your current strength, passing the assessment will pose no difficulty at all."
Ryan fell silent, thoughtful.
He was not particularly interested in joining the Western Mansion. To him, hunting monsters and leveling through the system was the fastest path to power. He did not rely on any external force for cultivation.
Yet he also understood Li Gengxin's intentions.
This was not merely about strength—it was about influence, standing, and the Li Clan's future in the Western Region.
Ryan did not answer immediately. He lowered his eyes slightly, weighing the matter carefully in his heart.
Li Gengxin was convinced that, with Ryan's current strength, applying to the Western Mansion was virtually guaranteed.
Becoming an outer disciple would be effortless, and there was even a chance that Ryan could enter the inner mansion and become an inner disciple.
Given the talent Ryan had already displayed, as long as he continued to grow, it was entirely possible that he would one day stand at the peak of the Western Mansion.
Once Ryan reached a high position within the Western Mansion, the Li Clan's footing in Fengyue City would become unshakable, perhaps even rising to a level far beyond its current standing.
This was a tremendous benefit for Ryan personally and an equally tremendous benefit for the Li Clan.
As long as Ryan entered the Western Mansion, it would be a perfect win-win situation.
"But…" Ryan hesitated, his brows knitting slightly, and did not immediately agree.
To him, entering the Western Mansion was not an especially attractive choice.
Hunting monsters alone in places like the Forest of Death was the most efficient path.
It not only allowed him to grow rapidly but also helped conceal the secret of the God of War System.
He did not need long meditation sessions, nor did he rely on cultivation resources provided by any faction. From his perspective, the Western Mansion offered him little practical benefit.
"But what is it?" Li Gengxin frowned faintly. "Wei'er, you must understand, this is an opportunity for you and also for our Li Clan. The elders and I discussed this thoroughly before deciding to let you apply."
After a moment of thought, Li Gengxin added, "Actually, you're not the only one applying. Several outstanding disciples of the Li Clan will also take part. However, while they may be excellent within our family, compared to the entire Western Region, they still fall short. That's why we hope not only that you'll be admitted, but that you can also help guide them during the assessment. If more Li Clan disciples can enter the Western Mansion, it would be a great blessing for our family."
Li Gengxin's sincerity was evident.
Everything he did was for the long-term development of the Li Clan, and his considerations were fair and well-reasoned. It was precisely because of this sense of responsibility that the Li Clan had been able to remain stable under his leadership.
Still, Ryan felt conflicted.
He truly did not want to enter the Western Mansion, yet refusing outright would put him in an awkward position. After all, Li Gengxin was not only his father but also the patriarch.
Moreover, this request was made entirely for the sake of the family, and it was not excessive in the slightest.
"Father," Ryan finally said after some hesitation, "I was planning to head into monster territories for training. I've already made preparations and intended to leave today. Being told suddenly to apply to the Western Mansion caught me off guard. To be honest, I'm not very interested in the Western Mansion, and I'm afraid it might affect my plans."
"Training in monster territories?" Li Gengxin froze briefly, clearly not expecting this.
Then he smiled, as though realizing Ryan had misunderstood something. "Wei'er, I think you may have the wrong idea about the Western Mansion. Do you think disciples there only cultivate behind closed doors? That's not the case at all."
"The Western Mansion places great importance on real combat experience. They regularly organize disciples to train in dangerous monster regions. Moreover, the mansion does not restrict personal freedom. As long as you return at the appointed time, you're free to go wherever you wish. No one will stop you."
"Huh?" Ryan was momentarily stunned.
The Western Mansion gives that much freedom?