Chapter 24: Visitors from the Jiang Family

Liu Wuqie’s expression darkened; it was obvious he didn’t believe Li Jian San’s claims. Cultivation could never be as effortless as he made it sound.

Yet, to Li Jian San, cultivation was indeed so simple. He possessed the system, a cheat that made all techniques, martial arts, cultivation, and strength mere trifles. By cultivating the essence of each method directly, his speed was unmatched. It was as though, in an exam, he’d been handed the answer sheet—scoring full marks became the easiest thing in the world.

“No matter what, you’re still in the Qi Refining stage,” Liu Wuqie sneered. “But I am in the Foundation Establishment stage. You want to kill me? Impossible.”

Between the Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment stages lay an insurmountable gulf. It was already difficult for someone in Qi Refining to defeat one in Foundation Establishment, let alone to kill them.

Li Jian San replied, “Let’s see, then.”

With a roar, Li Jian San’s steps grew elusive, and in the blink of an eye, he was before Liu Wuqie. At the same time, he gathered his strength, and as he moved, his hand emitted a series of piercing sounds as it cut through the air.

This was the mark of power refined to its utmost!

“It’s the Tiger-Falling Fist!”
“And the Ripple Step!”
“And both are at the pinnacle of mastery!”

Exclamations burst forth from the crowd below.

Li Jian San unleashed two third-tier martial arts, both perfected to their highest level. Liu Wuqie had used these techniques before, but the difference between his and Li Jian San’s execution was worlds apart.

Li Jian San’s moves were subtle, flawless, perfectly timed; within every stillness and movement lay the very essence of martial arts.

How could Liu Wuqie defend himself?

Before Li Jian San’s assault, Liu Wuqie couldn’t react at all. A chilling aura of death swept over him, terrifying him to the core.

Boom!

Li Jian San’s fist struck Liu Wuqie with tremendous force, sending him flying in an instant.

In front of Li Jian San, an inner disciple at the Foundation Establishment stage was powerless to resist—defeated in a single blow.

Liu Wuqie crashed heavily to the ground, injured, blood rising in his throat and spilling from his mouth.

“Liu Wuqie, you’ve lost. You can’t kill me. Now, it’s my turn to kill you,” Li Jian San said, walking slowly towards him, each step like a heavy mallet pounding on Liu Wuqie’s heart.

“I concede! Don’t kill me! Please, don’t kill me!”
Hearing Li Jian San’s words, Liu Wuqie became a defeated dog, but in his scattered gaze, a flash of venom appeared.

Boom, boom, boom!

Suddenly, Liu Wuqie swallowed a black pill; his strength surged explosively.

Within moments, his power reached the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage!

“You forced me to this! Die!”

His body swelling with power, Liu Wuqie charged at Li Jian San with lightning speed.

“San’er, be careful!”
From the high platform, Li Qing Ming shouted anxiously, recognizing the black pill Liu Wuqie had swallowed—

It was a forbidden drug that broke the limits of the human body, at the cost of life, granting terrifying strength for a short time.

Li Qing Ming raced toward Li Jian San, but the distance was too great; he would never make it in time.

“What do I do? What do I do?” Li Qing Ming’s heart leapt to his throat.

“Stop!”
From the Chu family’s side, the scholarly youth spoke up.

A tremendous pressure crushed Liu Wuqie, pinning him to the ground. His face turned deathly pale, and he lost all ability to move in an instant.

Li Qing Ming’s expression shifted; he could not fathom why the Chu family had intervened.

Faced with such a colossal force, even Shengjing Sect could not compare.

…

Just then, a figure in purple strode rapidly forward.

Seeing this figure, Li Qing Ming greeted him with a broad smile.

“Master Jiang, welcome! Now that Chu Ran has awakened her talent and become a Martial Child, your daughter is truly remarkable. All thanks to your years of upbringing.”

Li Qing Ming, grinning like a blooming chrysanthemum, moved to greet him, but Jiang Hongfei, full of arrogance, addressed him directly:

“Where is that useless Li Jian San? Get him out here at once!”

Li Qing Ming’s face changed, but he pointed in the right direction. “Over there.”

“Li Jian San, you worthless fool, how do you even have the face to attend the monthly tournament today?”
Jiang Hongfei looked down on Li Jian San, his smile cold and mocking.

Hearing Jiang Hongfei’s words, the disciples of Shengjing Sect immediately turned sullen.

Li Jian San was one of their own; only they could criticize him.

They would never allow outsiders to point fingers.

Jiang Hongfei looked at Li Qing Ming and mocked,
“This trash from Shengjing Sect—letting him compete, aren’t you afraid he’ll disgrace your sect?”

This fool only brings shame, and now drags Shengjing Sect down with him. He should have been dealt with decisively, killed long ago.

Li Qing Ming’s face darkened, but he remained silent.

“Master Jiang, our disciples of Shengjing Sect are not yours to judge,” Li Qing Ming said, his expression tinged with resentment.

This old man was too arrogant. Did he think, just because his family produced a Martial Child, he could act without restraint?

Jiang Hongfei shrugged, “Heh, I’m only speaking the truth.”

“What do you mean by that, Master Jiang?”
Li Qing Ming’s tone cooled. “Have you forgotten that Chu Ran is still betrothed to my son? What you’re doing…”

Jiang Hongfei replied with curiosity, “Betrothal? That’s exactly why I’m here today!”

At his words, Li Qing Ming’s heart tightened inexplicably; a strong sense of foreboding welled up.

“What’s the meaning of this, Master Jiang?” Li Ming Qing asked.

Jiang Hongfei waved his hand with a smile. “Several factions are already stirring, and I won’t hide it from you: the Azure Dragon Bandit Fortress is about to attack your Shengjing Sect—possibly today!”

“You… What did you say? Azure Dragon Fortress is attacking us? Is your information reliable?”
Li Ming Qing’s face suddenly turned grim as he heard this.

Everyone else in Shengjing Sect grew despondent.

This explosive news struck them like a death sentence.

“Li Qing Ming, I’m not joking. All the major powers have known about this for some time. Why else do you think they’re here today?”

Jiang Hongfei glanced at the surrounding factions and smiled lightly.

“Moreover, let me tell you, this time they’ve sent a master at the Golden Core stage!”

“So, your Shengjing Sect is full of useless fools. You won’t escape disaster this time.”

He cast a contemptuous look at Li Jian San.

At that moment, panic spread among the disciples of Shengjing Sect.

Could it be that their sect was truly finished?

Watching their disarray, Jiang Hongfei’s eyes brimmed with disdain.

He spoke coldly, “My purpose is the same as theirs—to have Chu Ran withdraw from your Shengjing Sect, and to annul the engagement!”

“A useless person like Li Jian San does not deserve a Martial Child—my daughter, Jiang Chu Ran!”

Just then, a voice of authority rang out,

“Jiang Chu Ran? What kind of Martial Child is she, anyway?”