With Li Tan’s current strength, if those robed figures don’t receive reinforcements, he could eliminate them all by himself, as long as he is cautious enough.
Even if the robed figures call for support from their organization, Li Tan still has ways to deal with them by seeking help from Tang Leyin.
Moreover, Li Tan’s current cultivation level has already reached the peak of the Mortal Realm, and he is on the verge of breakthrough. Once he enters the Immortal Realm and can project his true energy externally, even cultivators at the Grandmaster level would pose no problem for him. If the opponents prove too strong, he could always team up with Tang Leyin to resolve the issue.
Perhaps those robed figures won’t confront Li Tan head-on, but when it comes to underhanded schemes, how many can match Li Tan’s cunning?
Before his rebirth, throughout thousands of years, Li Tan was victorious in schemes almost every time, losing only once to You Kuang. Those robed figures are simply no match for him in this arena.
In summary, Li Tan doesn’t care about the so-called marriage alliance between the Li and Lin families. The reason he chose to back down this time isn’t due to sentimentality but rather to repay a favor.
That’s right—repaying a favor.
Before his rebirth, Li Tan was tormented by poison administered by the Great Elder, nearly dying. It was the Lin family who saved his life, paving the way for his future. Therefore, towards the Lin family—Lin Long and Lin Cui—Li Tan simply cannot muster hatred.
Otherwise, given his temperament, he might have already ventured into the Realm of Fallen Immortals to find Tang Leyin on the very first day of their marriage.
Li Yang no longer pursued the matter, though he felt somewhat gloomy. The elimination rounds continued, with the first round ending around dusk and the second round beginning.
The second round was the final opportunity for those who failed the first round to challenge again.
Originally, Li Jiaying was also supposed to participate, but now it was unnecessary, leaving only Li Xiu.
“Li Tan, today marks the end of the qualifying round, and tomorrow morning the rematch begins. At that time, I will thoroughly witness the results of your training.”
Li Hantian’s words, laced with ill intent, whispered into Li Tan’s ear.
From his tone, it was evident that his disdain for Li Tan hadn’t changed, yet he no longer dared to underestimate him. He said “witness” instead of “wait for you to embarrass yourselves,” which subtly indicated his subconscious acknowledgment that Li Tan’s training had indeed been effective.
Li Tan had been half-asleep and was awakened by that voice, feeling inexplicably annoyed. He replied, “If that’s the case, then please do witness it well, and then regret your foolishness from yesterday. I won’t spare you and add your name to the training list.”
“Hahaha! Does this young master really need your guidance in cultivation?”
How ridiculous!”
Li Hantian scoffed disdainfully.
Li Tan glanced at him indifferently, “You should currently be at the middle stage of the Mortal Realm, infinitely close to its peak, stuck there for quite some time without being able to breakthrough, right?”
“That’s something everyone knows. What are you trying to prove by saying that?
That you are particularly impressive?”
Li Hantian said contemptuously.
Li Tan smiled at him, “Then how about I say something not everyone knows?”
Li Hantian deliberately stretched out his voice, slowly expressing his indifference and contempt, “I’m all ears.”
Li Tan looked at him amusingly for a while before suddenly speaking.
“About half a month ago, the true energy in your dantian probably reached saturation.”
Li Hantian’s expression remained contemptuous.
Li Tan, unfazed, continued, “About five days ago, you received a precious pill from the Great Elder.”
Li Hantian’s expression stiffened.
Li Tan mocked him with a grin and continued, “That very night, you broke through to the peak of the Mortal Realm. However, to mislead your opponents during this martial contest, you didn’t announce it publicly—not even your father knows.”
Li Hantian’s lips twitched, “How did you know that?”
“Fire can never conceal paper. There is no wall that doesn’t leak wind in this world.”
Li Tan replied ambiguously.
Regarding this, Li Tan didn’t use his spiritual power to investigate but deduced everything logically.
Five days ago was roughly the night of his wedding. The Great Elder had given him the poison. At the time of his rebirth, Li Tan had slightly noticed that the bottles the Great Elder gave him contained poisons, but there was still a faint medicinal fragrance lingering, indicating they had previously held genuine pills.
It was a pill that assisted in breaking through cultivation barriers, particularly effective below the Immortal Realm. Combined with Li Hantian’s lack of surprise at Lin Cui’s strength, Li Tan surmised that the real pill had been reserved for him. It wasn’t particularly malicious, but Li Hantian had essentially confessed without being asked.
“……” Li Hantian.
Li Tan turned his head back, a slight smirk playing on his lips.
After spending the day together, although he still didn’t like Li Hantian, he could confirm, as previously stated, that Li Hantian genuinely had the family’s best interests at heart. If that was the case, why not cultivate him a little?
Although Li Hantian was the son of the Great Elder—who not only was suspected of colluding with the robed figures but also openly opposed Li Zhen—Li Tan didn’t care.
Why didn’t he care?
Because it was unnecessary.
If he didn’t even fear the master—the robed figures—how much less would he fear the dogs?
In short, no matter how powerful Li Hantian might become in the future, as long as Li Tan was alive, Li Hantian would never dare harbor rebellious thoughts and would dutifully contribute to the family.
Moreover, even if he wasn’t around, wasn’t there still Li Jiaying?
That little girl’s talent was in no way inferior to Li Hantian’s—in fact, she surpassed him by a large margin.
Because the second round of martial contests had begun, and Li Xiu’s match was about to start, Li Tan no longer rested. Li Jiaying also woke up, her face noticeably rosier and her mood visibly improved.
Seeing her, Li Tan felt inexplicably comforted. A sudden idea struck him, and he fetched the young eagle that had just woken up and started making noise inside the desolate tower.
“Gugu!” The young eagle flapped its wings vigorously as soon as it came out, expressing its dissatisfaction. Li Tan soothed it with a couple of “Okay, okay” sounds. Before he could act further, Li Jiaying rushed over with a delighted expression, her large, bright eyes sparkling with excitement as she gazed at the young eagle.
Liking cute things seemed to be a common trait among all females. Li Tan vaguely remembered that Tang Leyin had a similar reaction the first time she saw the young eagle.
“Brother, it’s so cute! Can Yi’er hold it?”
Li Jiaying’s pleading gaze was utterly irresistible to Li Tan. Thus, after gently warning her not to cause trouble, he handed the young eagle over to her.
Unexpectedly, the usually mischievous young eagle became unusually obedient the moment it entered Li Jiaying’s arms. It enjoyed rubbing against her, so well-behaved that Li Tan almost forgot its usual demeanor.
“Hey hey, brother, what’s its name?”
Li Jiaying asked cheerfully.
Since Li Tan had never given it a name, he honestly replied that he didn’t know.
Li Jiaying hummed thoughtfully for a moment before happily suggesting, “Can we call it Xiao Bai?”
“Gugu!” The young eagle seemed to protest.
However, its protest was clearly ineffective.
“A good name. From now on, that’s what we’ll call it.”
Thus, the young eagle suddenly acquired its own name.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage