"You... weren't you gravely injured by Elder Liu?" Li Xian stumbled back, a flicker of panic in his eyes as he saw Li Xuan emerge.
Li Xuan chuckled at the sound, glancing at Li Xin, who was leaning into Li Xian's embrace. His lips curved upwards. "So, you planned to take advantage of my supposed grave injuries to avenge your distant cousin? Let me guess, you thought that since Liu Qing had me near death, you could beat me up and win the beauty's heart?"
"What nonsense are you spouting? You... No, Li Xuan, you're bluffing!" Li Xian's face flushed. Then, as if a realization struck him, he burst into laughter. "Li Xuan, Li Xuan, with your usual personality, you wouldn't speak so much nonsense. Furthermore, a powerful expert at the Martial King realm attacking, even if you survived, you'd be severely wounded. You just sent my two guards flying; you must be at the end of your rope now."
"Mm, you're right. But, do you dare to make a move?" Li Xuan nodded, his expression calm as he looked at Li Xian.
A wicked glint flashed in Li Xin's eyes. She snuggled closer into Li Xian's embrace. "Cousin, you promised to stand up for me."
"Don't worry, I always keep my word." Feeling the softness in his embrace, Li Xian's heart burned with passion, and he nodded. He then turned to Li Xuan and snorted, "Li Xuan, I won't bully you. You slapped my cousin; if you can take one punch from me, this matter will be settled."
"Take one punch from you?" Li Xuan gave Li Xian a strange look. This brat was quite cautious. With that, Li Xuan's expression gradually turned cold. He looked at Li Xian and slowly said, "What the hell are you?"
"Damn you, how dare you insult me!"
Li Xian's anger flared. He immediately let go of Li Xin and threw a punch directly at Li Xuan's face. Li Xuan's lips curved upwards. This Li Xian was indeed a hot-blooded youth.
*Bang!*
Li Xuan countered with a punch of his own. A massive *bang* echoed. The next moment, Li Xian’s body crashed heavily to the ground.
*Pfft!*
Li Xian spat out a mouthful of blood, his eyes filled with shock. Wasn't Li Xuan supposed to be gravely injured? Why couldn't he even withstand a single punch? Li Xian's mind hadn't even processed it when Li Xuan's figure appeared before him.
"Ah!"
Li Xuan stomped on Li Xian's hand. Li Xian let out a loud scream of agony. Li Xin, standing beside him, covered her mouth and stared at Li Xuan in terror, her body constantly retreating.
"Do you remember what I said? I said I'd make you pay. Today, this is just the interest!" Li Xuan said, increasing the pressure of his foot.
"Stop!"
Just then, an exclamation rang out. A few breaths later, Li Wenzhe's figure appeared on the ground. Seeing Li Xian pinned beneath Li Xuan, Li Wenzhe felt a surge of anger. The Fifth Branch was in an increasingly precarious position, yet Li Xuan repeatedly provoked the Main Branch.
"Oh, the Branch Master is here. What, are you here to beg for him?" Li Xuan’s eyes held a cold glint as he looked at Li Wenzhe.
"Let him go." Li Wenzhe took a deep breath and said calmly. Although Li Wenzhe felt a sense of satisfaction given Li Wentian’s previous targeting of him, if he didn't speak up, he feared Li Wentian would further suppress the Fifth Branch.
"Since the Branch Master has spoken, I'll give you face." Li Xuan considered it for a moment, then nodded and released his foot. Li Xin hurried forward to help Li Xian up, then quickly retreated several steps.
"Ouch..." Li Xian cried out in pain as he gently moved his hand. He then glared ferociously at Li Wenzhe and said, "Branch Master Wenzhe, he dared to hurt me. Capture him for me!"
"Li Xian, are you trying to give orders to me?" Li Wenzhe's eyes flashed with coldness as he said in a deep voice.
"You, you guys just wait! Xin'er, let's go!" Feeling Li Wenzhe's displeasure, Li Xian sobered up. Although the Fifth Branch was weak, the person before him was, after all, the head of a branch. His own status couldn't really order him around.
"Truly brainless." Li Xuan shook his head. He then stepped forward and slapped Li Xian across the face.
"You, why did you hit me again!" Feeling the sting on his face, Li Xian roared indignantly, some with grievance.
Li Xuan smiled. "You can't beat me, and yet you dare to talk tough. What are you if not asking for a beating?"
"You! I..." Li Xian started to retort, but seeing Li Xuan's meaningful smile, he ultimately chose to shut up.
"Let's go back." Li Wenzhe frowned at the scene and waved his hand. Li Xian, as if granted amnesty, turned and fled.
"Cousin, wait for me!" Seeing Li Xian running off alone, Li Xin quickly chased after him.
"Branch Master, you must not have come just for Li Xian," Li Xuan said with a smile as Li Xian and Li Xin and the others departed.
Li Wenzhe looked at Li Xuan with a complex expression. "Your injuries, are they healed?"
"Fortunately, I'm blessed with good fortune. I won't die," Li Xuan nodded frankly.
"I know you resent me, and I understand. But young one, sometimes I have no choice. What happened back then, it wasn't that I was unwilling to stand up for your parents. It's just that our Fifth Branch is weak, and the Main Branch wouldn't pay any mind. Besides your parents, I also have to care for the other clansmen of the Fifth Branch. I know you can't understand now, and I don't expect your forgiveness. But this is all I can do." Li Wenzhe sighed softly.
"You are not qualified to speak of my parents, because you are unworthy." Li Xuan's expression turned cold. He then took a deep breath and looked at Li Wenzhe, smiling faintly. "However, you are right about one thing: I never intended to forgive you."
"Alas, fine. Since your injuries are healed, you won't need this fourth-grade Returning Spirit Pill anymore. Young one, you have already fallen into irreconcilable conflict with the Main Branch. I hope you can resolve this enmity soon. After all, that girl, Li Yao, has already reached Cangyun Sect. Don't forget, Li Xian's father is at Cangyun Sect," Li Wenzhe said helplessly.
"Yao'er went to Cangyun Sect? Didn't Liu Qing already revoke her identity?" Li Xuan frowned immediately.
"After Liu Qing attacked you and saw you were still alive, he took Li Yao with him. She should have reached Cangyun Sect by now. Young one, I know you are displeased with me, even with the Fifth Branch and the Li family. But Li Yao, I think you can make concessions for her. Well, I've said what I needed to say. Your future path is up to you." Li Wenzhe sighed and turned to leave.
"I didn't expect Yao'er to end up at Cangyun Sect after all. That's probably for the best," Li Xuan mused for a moment, his eyes gradually brightening. Li Yao, at fifteen years old, had awakened a sixth-grade spiritual root. Such talent would surely be valued at Cangyun Sect. Cangyun Sect's strength was among the top existences in Tianyun Kingdom, so Li Xuan was not too worried about Li Yao's safety.
"It seems now is the time to enhance my own strength," Li Xuan pondered for a moment, then strode out of the house.