As soon as Li Tongya returned to Lijing Village with the River Crocodile in tow, a few villagers came over to help. The Li Family had been preparing for the sacrificial ritual ceremony for months. Most arrangements were already in place and the ceremony could begin at the order of the Li Family’s direct lineage.1

All of the Li Family members had arrived. The ones from the major sect stood on the round platform, while those from the minor sect stood below the platform, and those from the branches kneeled on the ground around the platform.10

Li Xiangping, the current head of the Li Family, stood before the altar with Li Tongya right behind him. Along with Li Chejing, who was currently away at the southern border, these three were the second generation of the main family.1

Standing on the step of the platform were Li Xuanxuan the clan chief,...3