Chapter 141: Ghosts in the Li Family

The two sect cultivators were trapped within the Seven Spirit Array, feeling as if they had plunged into thick fog, their hearts sinking instantly.

Sun Bai could barely maintain his composure, while Qian Song had already lost all presence of mind. "Senior brother, this... there are ghosts in the Li family! How could a mere mortal family have such a powerful defensive array? Did we kick an iron plate?"

"Shut up!" Sun Bai barked harshly, though beads of cold sweat had already formed on his forehead. The compass in his hand spun wildly, utterly unable to locate the formation's eye.

He had originally thought this was just an ordinary mortal family. At most, they might have hired someone to set up some rudimentary maze formation. With his Refining Qi Stage Five cultivation and magical implements, he could easily bulldoze through. But this array before him now, with its restrained spiritual energy and endless variations, actually made his heart palpitate with fear—it was clearly the work of an expert!

"How could a mere mortal family possibly..." Sun Bai's words were cut short as the surrounding mist suddenly churned violently.

"Whoosh! Whoosh!"

With piercing whistles, dozens of crossbow bolts forged from refined iron, carrying a bone-chilling coldness like a sudden rainstorm, shot toward them from all directions!

"Watch out!"

Sun Bai's pupils contracted sharply as he hastily summoned a turtle-shell shield, transforming it into a thick yellow light barrier that firmly protected them both.

Within the mist, ripples like water waves spread out invisibly. Though the ripples appeared gentle, they carried an eerie corrosive power. Wherever they passed, Sun Bai's turtle-shell barrier visibly dimmed and distorted at a rapid pace!

"It's a formation ripple specifically designed to erode spiritual energy!" Sun Bai's face paled in horror as he felt his internal energy being rapidly drained.

"Senior brother, this won't do! Our energy will be exhausted sooner or later!" Qian Song exclaimed, sweating profusely. The array's killing techniques came one after another without respite, giving them no chance to catch their breath. They were like insects trapped in a spider's web—the more they struggled, the tighter they became entangled.

For a moment, the two were thrown into complete disarray—having to simultaneously defend against the venomous bolts appearing unpredictably while diverting energy to resist the spirit-eroding ripples. The situation had become extremely dire.

"Pfft!"

Qian Song, caught off guard, had a bolt graze his arm from a blind spot, leaving a deep gash that reached bone. The wound quickly turned black as a numbing sensation spread through half his body.

"Damn it! The arrows are poisoned!"

He cried out in alarm, hurriedly pulling a detoxification pill from his robe and swallowing it, though his face had already turned as pale as paper. "If this continues, we'll both die here!"

A ruthless glint flashed in Sun Bai's eyes. He knew if they didn't go all out now, there truly would be no chance.

In the shadows, within the Li family's secret chamber—the core formation eye of the Seven Spirit Array—Li Mengjin observed the two cultivators struggling like trapped beasts through a water mirror.

"Grandfather! Let me go! You could knock them out with one punch!"

Beside him, Li Yuanhu was practically itching to join the fight, eager to show his prowess. In his eyes, these two had already been half-beaten by the array—perfect timing for him to display his might.

"Nonsense!"

Li Rongzhou scolded, though not truly angry. "Tiger cub, what do you take this for? Child's play?" he said solemnly. "A cornered beast will fight desperately, let alone two cultivators pushed to the brink. Though they appear battered now, they haven't yet revealed their true magical implements—their ultimate trump cards remain unused."

"Ultimate trump cards?"

"A cultivator's magical treasures are tremendously powerful, not to be taken lightly. They would never use them unless facing life-or-death situations," Li Rongzhou explained. "If you charge in now, you'd be walking straight into their line of fire. That wouldn't be helping—it'd be causing trouble."

Just as Li Rongzhou finished speaking, the situation within the array changed again.

Seeing the killing formation grow increasingly fierce, Sun Bai and Qian Song exchanged a glance, both seeing determination in each other's eyes.

"Junior brother, it seems we must use that move!"

"Agreed!"

Simultaneously, they bit their tongues and spat out a mouthful of vital blood, their hands forming an extremely complex series of seals at incredible speed.

"With my vital blood, I nourish my treasure!"

"Activate!"

With their fierce shouts, two brilliant beams of light erupted from their bodies, shooting skyward!

What Sun Bai summoned was a jade seal entirely emerald green, carved with mountain and river patterns. The moment it appeared, it transformed into the phantom of a small mountain, crashing down with overwhelming force that blocked all the incoming bolts and magical ripples, creating a temporary absolute safe zone.

As for Qian Song, what he summoned was a flying sword as thin as a cicada's wing. With a sharp "clang," the sword multiplied into thousands of razor-sharp sword shadows midair.

These were their life-bound magical treasures—ultimate trump cards nurtured for years with their vital blood and connected to their souls! Their power far surpassed ordinary magical implements.

With a low shout, the flying sword transformed into a streak of black light that ignored the array's barriers, leaving afterimages in the mist as it attacked the formation's nodes.

Bolstered by these two treasures, the two actually managed to stabilize their footing within the killing array, even showing faint signs of counterattacking.

Li Yuanhu watched dumbfounded. "Grandfather, you truly foresee everything! How did you know they really had such treasures?"

Had he impulsively charged in earlier, he might not even have known how he died.

"I didn't know," Li Rongzhou said with a faint smile. "I've simply lived longer than you—seen more than you've eaten salt."

..........

In the Li family's inner courtyard.

Li Mengjin suddenly stopped playing with the wooden sword in his hands, his gaze turning toward the rear courtyard's direction. In his perception, two extremely glaring "blade" auras filled with malice were clashing with a vast power there.

"Swords?"

He muttered, actually starting to walk toward the rear courtyard.

"Mengjin!"

Li Rongzhou and Li Yuanhu, seeing this through the water mirror, were startled. They hadn't expected Li Mengjin's senses to be so sharp—he could actually perceive this!

As Li Mengjin approached the mist-shrouded area, Li Yuanhu could no longer remain seated.

"Don't go! It's dangerous!"

He shouted loudly, dashing toward Li Mengjin and, at the critical moment, yanking him back. But his commotion completely exposed them to Qian Song and Sun Bai's perception.

"Who's there?!"

Qian Song and Sun Bai were startled by the sudden disturbance. Upon closer look, they saw only two children.

"Hahaha! Heaven helps us indeed!"

Sun Bai was momentarily stunned before his face broke into wild joy. "Capture those two brats—they're the Li family's offspring! With them as hostages, escaping will be easy!"

Before his words faded, Li Rongzhou's figure had already appeared before him.

"Dare to touch my grandsons—you seek death!"

The usual kindness in Li Rongzhou's eyes was entirely gone, replaced by chilling murderous intent. He swallowed a pill refined by Li Mengze, and an aura far surpassing ordinary Postnatal experts erupted from him.

"Five Spirit Play!"

Holding nothing back, he unleashed his strongest killing move from the outset! Five incredibly solid phantoms instantly merged into one, carrying world-destroying momentum as it blasted toward the still-gloating Sun Bai!

Sun Bai's pupils contracted sharply. He never expected this seemingly ordinary old man to be such a terrifying peak Postnatal expert.

He wanted to dodge, but his movements were slowed by the poison's numbing effects, while that domineering fist intent had already locked onto him completely. In his haste, he could only place the emerald jade seal before his chest, pouring all his spiritual energy into it!

"Boom!"

The colossal fist collided with the jade seal!

"Crack!"

A crisp sound—the already overconsumed and fragile jade seal shattered like porcelain!

"Pfft!"

Sun Bai was struck as if by lightning, vomiting blood mixed with organ fragments as he was sent flying like a kite with its string cut, crashing heavily onto a distant rockery before falling silent.

On the other side, Qian Song was scared out of his wits. He had just witnessed his senior brother—a Refining Qi Stage Five expert—being killed... with one punch? Even his magical treasure was destroyed?

What kind of mortal family was this? This was clearly a dragon's pool and tiger's den!

All will to fight left him as he let out a shrill scream, turning to flee. But the moment he turned, a "little tiger" blocked his path.

Li Yuanhu shielded his younger brother behind him, tiger-like eyes fixed intently on Qian Song.

"You're not going anywhere! You scared my brother—I'll beat you into a pig's head!"

He stepped forward, actually taking the initiative to attack!

A move "Fierce Tiger Descends the Mountain," carrying traces of Li Pingfu's style, sent a howling fist wind straight for Qian Song's face!

"Scram, you little bastard!"

Qian Song was both shocked and furious. How could a mere brat block him, a genuine Refining Qi cultivator? With a backhanded flying sword strike, he sought to cut down this reckless child where he stood.

But Li Yuanhu had no intention of clashing head-on. Activating the Monkey Play's footwork, he nimbly dodged the flying sword, closing the distance to slam headfirst into Qian Song's chest!

"Bang!"

Qian Song felt as if a wild bull had rammed him—his blood and energy churned violently, nearly knocking the breath from him. How could this kid possess such strength?!

Li Yuanhu pressed his advantage relentlessly, fists and feet flying in a flurry of attacks aimed squarely at the lower body—Monkey Steals the Peach, Black Tiger Plucks the Heart—all executed with masterful precision.

For a moment, Qian Song was actually beaten into complete disarray by this youth, reduced to utter wretchedness, emitting pig-slaughter-like shrieks.

Meanwhile, Li Mengjin, realizing he had nearly caused trouble for his brother, paled with solemn shame. Determined to redeem himself, he executed a "Willow Brushing Wind" sword technique—gentle yet vicious—stabbing harshly into Qian Song's calf and sending him tumbling to the ground, where Li Yuanhu's fist met his chest, making stars explode before his eyes.

Watching this scene, Li Rongzhou didn't know whether to laugh or cry. His grandsons certainly had... unique fighting styles.

Shaking his head, he stepped forward, methodically snapping all their tendons and bones with crisp "cracks."

The agonized screams shook the heavens, even rousing the unconscious Sun Bai, who now writhed on the ground like a maggot.

Li Rongzhou didn't shield the children from this. No matter how much he usually spoiled his grandchildren, when it came time to temper their courage with blood, they needed the experience!

Li Mengjin's face was pale, but his eyes remained fixed on the bloody scene. As for Li Yuanhu—already blooded—far from being frightened, he actually wanted to join in "interrogating" the two through torture. There was no sign of the pampering producing weaklings that Li Rongzhou had worried about.

Satisfied, Li Rongzhou approached the two half-dead cultivators.

"Speak. Who sent you? What was your purpose?"

Thoroughly terrified by Li Rongzhou's thunderous methods and having witnessed the Li family array's might, they dared not conceal anything.

"We... we're disciples of the Green Pine Sect... The beast tide came, destroying our sect... We barely escaped... Seeing Peach Blossom Village, we... we had evil thoughts..."

Sun Bai wept, voice trembling. "Senior, spare us! Have mercy! We were momentarily blinded! Please, considering we're also victims of the beast tide, let us live!"

"Beast tide?"

Li Rongzhou's brows knitted tightly. "Which county did you flee from? What's the beast disaster's current situation?"

"Re... reporting to senior, we fled from Linhe County... It's already scorched earth, the city walls breached! We heard... heard the beast tide is still spreading downstream, unstoppable..."

Hearing this, Li Rongzhou's heart sank like a stone. Though he knew his sons were extraordinarily capable, this was a calamity on the scale of a natural disaster—a cataclysm that could claim even immortal masters' lives.

Fu'er and Can'er... could they handle it?

Worries burned through him like fire.

"Grandfather!"

Seeing his grandfather's furrowed brow, Li Yuanhu declared with firm conviction, "Don't worry! My father and Third Uncle are the strongest in the world! No demonic beast could be their match! They'll definitely return safely!"

Li Rongzhou looked into his eldest grandson's bright eyes, and miraculously, some of his anxiety eased.

Patting Li Yuanhu's head with relief, he sighed. "Good, good child. Grandfather believes you, and believes in your father and uncle."

Turning back to the two trembling cultivators on the ground, his eyes turned icy again.

"As for you two..."

"Ahhh!!!"

........

Pine Ridge Academy, Alchemy Hall.

Since stunning everyone at the alchemy competition, Li Mengze's days had become much quieter.

No one dared mock his "poor comprehension" to his face anymore—those former snide remarks had turned into respectful "Junior Brother Li." As for Wang Teng and his two lackeys, they now avoided him like mice shunning a cat, terrified of provoking this "alchemy genius" who had hidden his talents.

Li Mengze paid them no mind, devoting all his energy to alchemy and cultivation.

Su Qingxue, recognizing his exceptional talent and temperament, taught him everything she knew. Not only did she impart her years of alchemical insights, she even exceptionally taught him several of her prized mid-grade first-tier pill formulas ahead of schedule.

With Teacher Su's favor, Li Mengze's alchemical skills advanced by leaps and bounds. In just a few months, he could stably refine Qi Gathering Pills with five pill patterns, occasionally even producing six-patterned supreme-grade pills by luck.

This progress drew attention from the entire Alchemy Hall. Even Master Chen and others now treated him with warmth and praise.

The large quantity of pills also earned him many spirit stones, which he used to acquire rare medicinal ingredients from the trading market.

That day, returning from the market and heading back to the Alchemy Hall, he suddenly paused on a quiet bamboo forest path, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly.

In his "Insight into Good and Evil" vision, a figure lurked in the bamboo shadows ahead, radiating ink-thick malice.

"Targeting me?"

Li Mengze's heart chilled, though his expression remained unchanged as he continued forward at an unhurried pace, feigning unawareness.

Just as he passed the shadowy spot, a black figure burst from the bamboo, a gleaming dagger stabbing toward his back!

"Little bastard, hand over your storage pouch!"

The assailant's voice was hoarse, his movements vicious—clearly an experienced killer.

But the moment the dagger was about to connect, a blinding golden light erupted from Li Mengze's body.

"Clang!"

A crisp sound—the dagger that could pierce refined iron was firmly blocked by an invisible barrier.

It was one of the life-saving talismans his father Li Pingcan had given him—the Golden Light Talisman!

"What?!"

The black-clad man was shocked. He never expected this seemingly harmless child to possess such protective treasures!

Having heard Li Mengze wasn't from a cultivation family, he had chosen to attack. Never did he expect to kick an iron plate!

"Such a precious talisman—I don't believe you have more!"

Shouting, the man abandoned his dagger, his fists gathering power like thunderous waves, building toward a devastating strike!

"Nine Wave Ocean Surge!"

Li Mengze focused intently, only to see the man shout his ultimate move... then turn and flee!

"I'm no fool—why fight someone with a Golden Light Talisman? Retreat is wiser!"

The man thought inwardly. "Alchemy brat, I'll remember you! There'll be a day when your talismans run out!"

Yet as his vision blurred, he saw Li Mengze blocking his escape path!

The man's heart seized—how was this possible?!

Having sparred with his uncle and father since childhood, Li Mengze was long familiar with such feints—he hadn't been fooled at all.

"Nothing's impossible."

As if reading the man's thoughts, Li Mengze spoke coolly, his usual docile calm replaced by icy sharpness.

As an alchemist, how could he not know he might attract covetous eyes? He had long prepared—his powerful talismans were more than sufficient!

Holding a talisman between his fingers, the paper self-ignited. "Thunderstrike Talisman!"

A bolt of lightning descended from the heavens, striking the black-clad man. His protective talisman's light flickered briefly before extinguishing completely.