Lan Yueli had previously spoken with Li Jinyun's daughter, Li Yao. From their conversation, she understood that even Li Yao was unaware of Li Yun's current strength.
If Li Yao did not know, then it was almost certain her father, Li Jinyun, did not know either. In fact, perhaps no one in the Li Family, aside from Li Yun himself, truly knew how powerful he had become.
That explained much. Li Jinyun's furious dash to the Treasure Pavilion must have been because he heard of Li Yun's duel with Zhao Xiaotian and feared his life was in danger.
If it had been any ordinary disciple, he would never have abandoned his composure like that. But Li Yun was different, he was a senior pharmacist of immense value, someone the entire family depended on. His worth to the Li Family was immeasurable. Li Jinyun's panic, therefore, was understandable.
Lan Yueli smiled faintly to herself. Even she had rushed anxiously to the Martial Arts Hall the moment she heard the news, worried that Li Yun might be in mortal danger. If she could feel that way, then Li Jinyun's worry, born of ignorance about Li Yun's true strength, was only natural.
"No, it's just…" Li Jinyun said, stroking his chin, a hint of embarrassment on his face. "I heard Li Yun was fighting Zhao Xiaotian. Could it be the information I received was wrong?"
From Lan Yueli's calm demeanor, he saw no trace of alarm. That alone made him wonder if the duel had even happened at all. Perhaps the fight never truly began.
"Patriarch Li," Lan Yueli said evenly, "their fight did happen. In fact, it only ended moments ago."
"What?" Li Jinyun's heart lurched, pounding harder.
"Don't be so anxious," Lan Yueli reassured, her lips curving faintly. "I can guess what you're worried about. But you need not fear, Li Yun is safe and sound. He just left the Treasure Pavilion."
"Hm?" Li Jinyun blinked, still uncertain. Did that mean the Treasure Pavilion had intervened to stop the fight? If so, then Li Yun would owe the Pavilion a debt of gratitude.
But before he could ask further,
"Where is that little bastard Zhao Xiaotian?!"
An enraged bellow exploded through the arena. A whirlwind of energy surged in as a figure stormed inside.
"It's Li Zhen, the Third Elder of the Li Family!"
"Li Zhen is here too!"
The watching cultivators whispered in shock. "But… Zhao Xiaotian's already dead, killed by Li Yun. Why are both the Li Family's Patriarch and Elder still so furious?"
Lan Yueli frowned slightly at the display. Normally, Li Zhen was known for his calm and gentle temperament, rarely losing his composure. Yet now he was raging like a maddened bull, his fury so great he shouted inside the Treasure Pavilion itself. She sighed inwardly. 'Why is everyone acting as though they've swallowed gunpowder?'
"Elder Zhen, please restrain your anger," Lan Yueli said, her voice steady, attempting to calm him.
"Lan Yueli!" Li Zhen's glare snapped to her like a blade. "Tell me, where is Zhao Xiaotian? And where is my grandson?" His aura exploded violently, internal energy seething around him like a storm.
Li Jinyun rolled his eyes. At this point, Third Elder's display was almost embarrassing. But then again, had he himself not burst in earlier in the very same way?
"Patriarch, you're here too?" Li Zhen finally noticed him.
"I came because I also heard about Li Yun's fight with Zhao Xiaotian," Li Jinyun admitted with a weary smile. "But calm yourself, Third Elder. Li Yun is fine. Director Lan says he has already left the Treasure Pavilion."
Relief washed through him as he spoke. If the Pavilion had indeed stopped the fight, then owing them a favor was a small price to pay. Li Yun's safety mattered far more.
But Lan Yueli shook her head gently. "No, Patriarch Li. Elder Zhen. You both seem to be underestimating Li Yun."
Their expressions sharpened, their eyes narrowing.
"The truth is," Lan Yueli continued, her tone solemn, "the fight ended with Zhao Xiaotian's death. Zhao Xiaotian was killed, by Li Yun."
"What?!"
Both Li Jinyun and Li Zhen shouted in unison, their eyes fixed on her in disbelief.
Zhao Xiaotian, killed? And by Li Yun of all people?
Zhao Xiaotian was a peak-stage Marrow Cleansing cultivator, one of the most formidable talents of Azure Wind City's younger generation. Few under thirty could match him. Yet Li Yun, once branded as a useless child, had cut him down?
Though the two elders found it almost impossible to believe, they also knew Lan Yueli would not dare lie. Not here, not in front of so many witnesses.
And so the truth sank in, leaving them shaken to their very cores.
——
Li Yun and Li Yao left the Treasure Pavilion in silence, their footsteps carrying them slowly toward the family residence.
Nearly an incense stick of time had passed since Li Yun had slain Zhao Xiaotian, yet Li Yao's heart was still unsettled. She couldn't understand it. Just how had Li Yun cultivated? In barely half a month, he had surged from the early stage of the Marrow Cleansing Realm to late stage. Such progress bordered on the impossible, it was nothing short of shocking.
"Brother Li Yun," she finally broke the silence, unable to restrain her curiosity, "are you perhaps a pure attribute physique?"
That was the only explanation she could think of. Pure attribute cultivators were rare, but their growth speed could sometimes defy logic. Yet, she couldn't reconcile that thought with reality. She remembered clearly, Li Yun had been tested countless times before. Just half a month ago, he was recorded as only a third-grade fire attribute physique.
"How could that be?" Li Yun chuckled softly, shaking his head. "I have a third-grade fire attribute physique."
Of course, he didn't know how to explain the truth. His body was not pure attribute at all, but something far more profound. He possessed an all-attribute physique, the legendary Primal Chaos Body. Even he had no idea how high its grade truly was, but judging from the combat strength it granted him, it was a physique beyond imagination.
"Brother Li Yun, you're a cultivation genius, and with your talent in alchemy, you'll definitely bring glory to the family in the future," Li Yao said gently, her lips curving into a faint smile. She had always hoped to see him grow strong.
"Li Yao." Li Yun suddenly halted in his steps.
"Hm?" She turned to him, puzzled.
"You're close to breaking through to the peak of the Marrow Cleansing Realm, aren't you?" Li Yun asked.
"Yes," Li Yao admitted with a nod. "I've been preparing for it."
Without a word, Li Yun retrieved ten jade bottles filled with shimmering liquid and handed them to her.
"These should help."
Li Yao's eyes widened. "Are these… excellent-grade Marrow Cleansing Potions?" Her voice trembled in disbelief.
She had heard whispers that Li Yun had provided her father with a batch of such potions, but seeing them herself was entirely different. The moment she laid eyes on them, her shock was overwhelming.
"Brother Li Yun, I can't accept these," she said quickly, shaking her head.
"If I'm giving them to you, then take them. Don't argue," Li Yun said firmly. "I still have more. I don't lack these. With your fourth-grade water attribute physique, these potions will make your breakthrough much smoother."
"But…" Li Yao hesitated. She knew better than anyone how precious these potions were.
"Take them," Li Yun's tone darkened, brooking no refusal.
Li Yao bit her lip and finally accepted them. She knew Li Yun too well, if he hadn't wanted her to have them, he wouldn't have offered them in the first place. Refusing him now would only insult his sincerity.
"…Brother Li Yun, thank you," she whispered softly. She knew those words weren't nearly enough to express her gratitude.
"It's nothing," Li Yun smiled faintly, waving off her thanks. "Now you need to work hard. I've already surpassed you."
Together, the two stepped into the Li Family residence.
But the residence was in turmoil. Word had already spread that Li Yun had fought Zhao Xiaotian in the Treasure Pavilion. Most disciples believed he had no chance of survival. Some even thought he had already been killed.
So when Li Yun returned unharmed, walking calmly beside Li Yao, the disciples who saw him froze as if struck by lightning.
"Didn't Li Yun fight Zhao Xiaotian?"
"Would Zhao Xiaotian really let him go? But look at him, he doesn't even have a scratch!"
"This is too strange…"
"Don't tell me the news was false? No, impossible! The Patriarch and the Third Elder both rushed out earlier. It can't be false."
"Then what on earth happened?"
The Li Family compound buzzed with disbelief, disciples whispering in confusion.
As they walked deeper inside, many disciples greeted them. Li Yao, as the Patriarch's daughter, was always respected. But now, to her surprise, even more greeted Li Yun first. He had become the center of attention, not just as a genius cultivator, but as a high-ranking pharmacist.
Li Yun responded politely to each greeting calmly.