Li Tan led Li Jiaying, who was half a head shorter than him, and turned away. Li Xiu hesitated for a moment before decisively following them.
“Hmph, as if hard work alone could make someone a great hero?
Such nonsense can only fool children. Whatever, the martial arts competition starts tomorrow, and I’ll be watching closely to see how far you can train him.”
Li Hantian coldly remarked, watching the three walk away.
In truth, who among the cultivators isn’t hardworking and doesn’t strive? Yet most remain stuck at the initial stages of cultivation, unable to progress for their entire lives.
Besides external factors like cultivation methods, the bigger issue lies in the way they cultivate. Most cultivators spend their entire lives repeatedly hitting walls, going in circles.
Therefore, having a skilled mentor can at least ensure a smooth path during cultivation.
But I digress.
In any case, Li Jiaying followed Li Tan out of the city step by step. Her steps were small, almost requiring her to run to keep up with Li Tan’s pace. She often wished she could be carried by Li Tan, but due to shyness and other reasons, this thought remained just that.
Soon, the three exited the city.
The city wall was like a dividing line between day and night, with dazzling lights inside and pitch darkness outside.
Instinctively, Li Jiaying leaned closer to Li Tan, probably recalling the previous kidnapping by the black-clothed men. Her body slightly trembled.
“Don’t be afraid, I’m here.”
In the darkness, Li Tan’s gentle voice calmed Li Jiaying’s agitated heart magically.
This also showed how deeply she trusted Li Tan; with him around, those black-clothed men seemed insignificant.
Meanwhile, at the Lin family residence, Lin Cui was anxiously pacing back and forth in her bedroom while Xiaoxue stood beside her helplessly.
After holding back for a while, Xiaoxue couldn’t help but ask, “Miss, what are you doing?”
Lin Cui immediately replied, “Why hasn’t Li Tan returned yet?”
“Maybe Master Li has something going on,” Xiaoxue suggested.
“But what could it be? It’s already dark, and I wanted to take him to plead with Father again.”
Xiaoxue hesitated before saying, “The master rarely changes his mind once it’s made up.”
“But how can we know unless we try? That old fool must be angry about yesterday’s incident at the ancestral grave. Perhaps a few kind words could change his mind. Besides, the martial arts competition during the Frost Festival is significant. Even if it seems impossible, we should still try!”
Lin Cui stamped her foot in frustration, clearly feeling like she was dealing with an unyielding obstacle.
Xiaoxue pouted, puzzled, and asked, “Miss, why do you care so much about Master Li?”
“Huh?” Lin Cui was momentarily stunned. After thinking for a moment, she clenched her teeth and said, “He helped us resolve the big problem with Lin Sui Feng. Isn’t it normal to show some concern?”
Xiaoxue responded with an “Oh” that sounded only half-convinced.
“Miss!”
Just then, a knock accompanied by a greeting rang out.
Lin Cui called for the person to enter, and immediately a guard walked in respectfully, saying, “We’ve found Master Li’s trail.”
Lin Cui was taken aback, her face lighting up with joy. “Hurry up and tell me!”
“Yes! Our informant reported that Master Li has already exited through the east gate.”
“What did he go there for?”
“Er… sorry, we lost track of him.”
“It’s okay, just tell me everything you know.”
Even the twilight had reached its end, leaving only a final glimmer of light.
“I guess they won’t follow us. After dealing with those evil cultivators, where should we go next?”
In a nearby inn close to the Dan Pavilion, Tang Leyin sat by the window, staring blankly at the red clouds in the distant sky, murmuring softly. She seemed to be recalling something unpleasant, her expression somewhat downcast.
Soon, the night completely enveloped Linjiang City.
Tang Leyin emerged from her earlier melancholy and began thinking seriously.
“Tomorrow is the Frost Festival, and the families here will hold a martial arts competition. If I were those black-clothed men, I would definitely take advantage of this opportunity to create chaos. But even if I can predict this, it won’t be of much use. If I go to warn them now, those families will surely ignore me. What should I do? If I just react as things unfold, I’ll be too passive.”
Tang Leyin was torn. “The men in black robes might strike during the Frost Festival, and Young Master Li must have anticipated this as well. What will he do?”
“Right!”
Tang Leyin suddenly clapped her hands, her face lighting up with joy. “The martial arts competition is organized by the city magistrate’s office, a third party. I should go ask Young Master Li’s friend about the specific arrangements for tomorrow. That might help uncover some clues.”
Deciding on her course, Tang Leyin left the inn and headed toward the city magistrate’s office in the center of Linjiang City. Despite the heavy military presence there, she easily infiltrated the compound without attracting anyone’s attention.
Outside Linjiang City, at the edge of the domain known as the “Fallen Immortal Area,” there was a secluded lake. It was here that Li Tan had previously refined the Nine-turning Green Spirit Pill, curing the poison inflicted by the Grand Elder and breaking through his cultivation level. It was also the place where Tang Leyin first met Li Tan.
Now that night had fallen, the lake’s surface reflected the dazzling stars, appearing like the only light in a dark world—beautiful yet faintly sorrowful.
“Wow, it’s so beautiful!”
Li Jiaying, visiting the place for the first time, was immediately captivated and excitedly shouted as she joyfully ran toward the lakeshore.
Li Tan smiled, walking slowly behind her and reminding the forgetful Li Jiaying, “If you want to see it, there will be plenty of time later. Now, we should focus on our cultivation.”
Li Jiaying let out a disappointed “Oh,” but quickly regained her spirits, earnestly expressing her understanding.
“U-um, may I ask what we should do now?”
Li Xiu’s timid voice broke the silence as Li Tan turned to look at him.
This was the first time Li Xiu had spoken since leaving the Lin family. Honestly, Li Tan had almost forgotten about him.
The boy was just too introverted.
Helplessly, Li Tan explained, “Didn’t I mention it before? We’ll be fighting predatory beasts.”
“U-um, I know that.”
Li Xiu wiped the sweat from his forehead, swallowing hard. “I just want to know why we have to do this. Can fighting ferocious beasts really improve our cultivation?”
Li Tan stared at Li Xiu for several seconds, making him sweat before finally speaking: “No.”
That answer was somewhat frightening, and Li Xiu was stunned.
Li Tan sighed and explained, “Strength equals cultivation, but cultivation doesn’t necessarily equal strength.”
“U-um, what does that mean?”
Li Xiu’s face regained a bit of color.
Li Tan didn’t answer him directly but turned to look at Li Jiaying beside him.
“Ying’er, tell me what you understand.”
“Hmm,” Li Jiaying blinked her big, bright eyes, thinking for a long time before finally lifting her head and seriously answering, “I don’t know.”
Li Tan smiled affectionately, shaking his head slightly, and helplessly explained, “Strength equals cultivation because if one’s strength is great, their cultivation level must not be low. Cultivation doesn’t equal strength because not every cultivator can fully utilize their entire strength. Do you understand now?”
Both of them shook their heads simultaneously.
“Never mind,” Li Tan sighed. “It’s a bit early to discuss this with you. Anyway, let’s start today’s training. The rules are simple: leave this lake area individually and return in half an hour.”
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