"Amazing!" Li Xuan's eyes lit up with surprise as the surroundings transformed into the Frost Pond. He then looked down and, seeing the black ring on his thumb still there, breathed a sigh of relief.
*Whoosh!*
Just then, a tearing sound echoed through the air. Li Xuan looked up and saw Li Wenzhe approaching. Li Xuan held no fondness for Li Wenzhe; in fact, he harbored resentment. The Li family was divided into five collateral branches, and Li Wenzhe was the patriarch of the fifth branch, Li Xuan's own. Li Xuan had heard that when his parents died in battle, a distress signal was sent. However, the clan had not dispatched anyone, hinting at a hidden agenda. Li Wenzhe, as a branch patriarch, had done nothing, which chilled Li Xuan to the bone.
"The elder has spoken, your matter is temporarily concluded. Now, go back." Li Wenzhe glanced at Li Xuan, then with a wave of his hand, a spiritual light enveloped Li Xuan. In the next instant, Li Xuan vanished.
"To survive for three days in this severely injured state, and still alive. A pity for this child," Li Wenzhe murmured, looking at the Frost Pond before sighing and turning to leave.
Outside the Frost Pond, Li Xuan's figure slowly materialized. He glanced back before stepping away. Li Wenzhe had not noticed that Li Xuan's injuries had healed, and he had even reached the initial spiritual realm. After all, Li Xuan's 'blood-stained robe' was truly a tragic sight.
Li Xian's previous appearance had made Li Xuan understand some things. Now that he had been released, Li Xuan intended to investigate the truth behind his parents' deaths. What further chilled him was that Li Wenzhe, knowing Li Xuan had been punished by the Hall of Punishment, had said nothing. The indifference of family ties in large clans was something Li Xuan now deeply understood.
North Alley, Li Xuan's residence.
"Li Yao, Li Yao, are you feeling despair? Before, Li Xuan protected you, and now he's in trouble himself. Who can save you today! You dared to lay hands on my cousin, so you'll bear my wrath!" A mocking laugh rang out, followed by a crisp slapping sound. A red palm print instantly appeared on Li Yao's fair, tender cheek.
"You're quite foolish, actually wanting Second Uncle's master to save that Li Xuan. Now that Li Xuan is gone, and you've lost your identity as a disciple of the Cangyun Sect, what are you?" A woman standing before Li Yao sneered. The three women holding Li Yao nodded in agreement, smiling. This woman was Li Xin, Li Xian's cousin. Her status was far beyond what the three of them could compare to.
"Who do you think you are!" At this moment, an angry voice boomed. Li Xin froze and then looked towards the door. Li Yao, who was being held, had a flicker of surprise in her eyes.
"You, you, you... How can you be here!" Li Xin panicked upon seeing Li Xuan.
"Get away!" Li Xuan's gaze immediately fell upon Li Yao, who was being restrained. Although he was puzzled why Li Yao was still at home, he didn't question it directly. After glaring at the three women, Li Xuan quickly walked to Li Yao's side. The clear palm print on her face also caught Li Xuan's eye. Seeing this, Li Xuan's anger flared, and he pointed at Li Xin, "She hit you?"
"Brother, it doesn't hurt," Li Yao said, forcing back tears and offering a weak smile as she shook her head at Li Xuan.
"I can't bear to even lay a finger on my sister, who do you think you are to dare touch her!" Li Xuan's heart ached at the sight. He then retaliated with a slap, directly hitting Li Xin's face.
"Ah!"
A scream erupted as Li Xin's body was sent flying.
"Get lost!" After slapping Li Xin away, Li Xuan roared at the other three women. The three immediately turned and fled the courtyard, helping Li Xin and disappearing within moments. What a joke; Li Xuan, covered in blood, had even managed to strike Li Xin from the main branch. They, mere ordinary disciples, dared not provoke him.
"Brother..." A hint of worry flickered in Li Yao's eyes. Li Xin was from the main branch, after all, and Li Xian's cousin. This matter would likely be troublesome.
As if sensing Li Yao's concern, Li Xuan smiled gently. "Don't be afraid, Brother is here."
"Did the Cangyun Sect's envoy strip you of your disciple identity?" Back inside, Li Xuan applied ointment to Li Yao's face while inquiring why she was still at home. Upon hearing Li Yao's explanation, Li Xuan's expression turned grim.
It turned out that the envoy sent by the Cangyun Sect to Qingcheng was named Liu Qing, who happened to be the master of Li Xian's father, Li Wuqi. Li Yao had not known this at first, and when she requested Liu Qing's help to save Li Xuan, she was directly refused. Not only that, but Li Yao's identity as a new disciple was also revoked.
"Brother Xuan, whether I join the Cangyun Sect or not, I don't care. As long as you are safe," Li Yao said, seeing Li Xuan's displeased expression.
Li Xuan sighed and gently stroked Li Yao's head. "Silly girl, if the Cangyun Sect doesn't want you, it's their loss. There's more than just the Cangyun Sect in the Tianyun Kingdom; we'll find another one."
"Such arrogance!"
As soon as Li Xuan finished speaking, a cold snort echoed. Li Yao's eyes flickered with unease. Li Xuan patted Li Yao's hand reassuringly and looked towards the doorway.
Several figures entered. The middle-aged man leading them wore a brocade robe, his hooked nose and sharp eyes exuding a fierce aura. Behind him stood Li Wentian and others, their expressions respectful from a distance. Seeing this entourage, Li Xuan immediately guessed the visitor's identity. What puzzled him was why someone of this stature would come to his humble dwelling.
"I had intended to give this girl another chance, but I didn't expect you two to look down upon my Cangyun Sect. Li Wentian previously spoke of your descendant's unruly nature, and it seems he was quite right to be so arrogant. No wonder you dared to lay hands on my grand-disciple. You were born without parents to discipline you!" Liu Qing coldly snorted, his gaze towards Li Xuan exceptionally icy.
"A Martial King realm expert, and this is how you behave. I felt regret earlier that Yao'er didn't join the Cangyun Sect, but now I feel immensely fortunate," Li Xuan retorted sharply, a cold glint in his eyes. Liu Qing referring to himself as "this King" clearly indicated he was a Martial King realm expert. Although Liu Qing was powerful, Li Xuan would not tolerate any slander against his parents.
"What a sharp-tongued junior. It seems I must discipline you properly in place of your parents today." Liu Qing's eyes flashed with anger, and he unleashed a palm strike.
*Bang!*
Li Xuan quickly shielded Li Yao behind him and threw a punch forward. With a resounding impact, Li Xuan was only pushed back half a step.
"Hmm?"
Seeing that Li Xuan had blocked his strike, Liu Qing narrowed his eyes. After a moment, he chuckled.
"I misjudged you. I didn't realize you were at the Initial Spirit Realm. However, for that last palm strike, I used less than one percent of my strength."
"Initial Spirit Realm!"
As Liu Qing spoke, Li Wentian and the others behind him visibly shifted. Li Wentian knew very well that he had personally crippled Li Xuan's dantian. Yet, Liu Qing claimed Li Xuan possessed Initial Spirit Realm strength! Liu Qing, as a Martial King realm expert, would not be mistaken. This meant Li Xuan truly possessed Initial Spirit Realm strength. But it was common knowledge that a crippled dantian could not be repaired. A wave of emotions crossed everyone's faces.
"If you can block this palm strike, I will no longer pursue your previous remarks. And for this girl, I will give her another chance." Liu Qing ignored the shifting expressions of Li Wentian and the others. Before Li Xuan could speak, he unleashed another palm strike.
*Boom!*
The terrifying force struck Li Xuan. With a roar, Li Xuan was sent flying. The entire house collapsed, and Li Xuan was instantly buried under the rubble.
"Hmm, there's still a breath left. In that case, I will keep my promise," Liu Qing sensed for a moment, then stated indifferently with a hint of surprise in his eyes. With a wave of his hand, both Li Yao and Li Xuan vanished.
"Elder, should we save Li Xuan or not?" As Liu Qing departed with Li Yao, an old man glanced at the ruined house and then asked Li Wentian.
Li Wentian pondered for a moment, then turned to leave. "Leave him his life."