"The duel will take place half a year from now." Li Jinyun's voice carried firmness, but beneath it was calculation. The truth was simple, he had no suitable candidate at the moment. The stakes were too high to act rashly. The Li family couldn't afford to lose, yet they couldn't back down either. This was the only way to buy time.
"My Li family's competition begins in a month and a half. During this period, all of our focus must remain on preparing for that. We cannot spare energy for anything else. So I propose half a year from now as the appointed time." His reasoning was calm, but in his heart he was already planning. Half a year would give him time to search, perhaps even mold, the right person for this gamble.
Zhao Lieyang's aura wavered as his sharp gaze drilled into Li Jinyun. Half a year was a long wait, but the reward was worth it. If the Zhao family secured the Stone Wood Town mine, their prosperity would skyrocket. For such profit, waiting six months, or even a full year, was nothing. His only hesitation lay in whether Li Jinyun might find someone formidable in that time.
Bai Xueqin's lips curved into a faint, almost intoxicating smile, her eyes gleaming with subtle authority. "Enough. Let it be settled this way," she said softly. Her words carried the weight of finality. For Zhao Lieyang to refuse now would be to openly defy her.
Zhao Lieyang inhaled deeply, then let out a cold sneer. "Since the City Lord has spoken, I agree." His eyes shifted back to Li Jinyun with a venomous glint.
"Good," Li Jinyun said, leaning forward slightly. "But since my Li family is wagering the Stone Wood Town mine, I must ask, what stake will the Zhao family put forth?" His tone sharpened. This was crucial. Without clarity now, the Zhao family could present some worthless mine later, and the Li family would be left bleeding.
"Hmph. My Zhao family will naturally put up something equivalent," Zhao Lieyang snapped, his face dark.
"Better to state it clearly," Li Jinyun pressed with a faint smile.
Zhao Lieyang's eyes narrowed to slits. "Fine. My Zhao family will wager the Iron Farm Town mine against yours."
The room stilled for a heartbeat.
Li Jinyun's eyes lit up instantly. Even Bai Xueqin and Guan Long exchanged subtle looks. The Iron Farm Town mine was famous across the region, a rich and bountiful source of ore. In truth, it was rumored to be even larger than the Stone Wood Town mine. For Zhao Lieyang to offer it was shocking.
But of course, his confidence explained everything. He was certain of victory. Only with such assurance could he put such a stake forward without hesitation.
"Very well." Bai Xueqin rose gracefully, her voice carrying authority. "Half a year from now, in my City Lord's Mansion, the duel will be held. Both sides will honor their wagers. For now, you may both return."
"Thank you, City Lord." Both men cupped their fists in unison, then turned to leave.
Outside the grand gates of the City Lord's Mansion, Zhao Lieyang squinted at Li Jinyun, his expression cold and sharp. "Li Jinyun, mark my words, in half a year, the Stone Wood Town mine will belong to me."
Li Jinyun met his gaze, smiling faintly though uncertainty gnawed at him. "No one can predict the future. Perhaps, when the time comes, the Iron Farm Town mine will end up in my Li family's hands instead."
"Hmph. We'll see." Zhao Lieyang flicked his sleeve and strode away, his back rigid with hostility.
Li Jinyun stood there a moment longer, watching his rival's retreating figure, his eyes thoughtful and unwavering. Then, with his own plans already beginning to form, he turned and walked off in another direction.
...
At present, only a month remained before the Li family's annual assessment. And five and a half month before the duel between the Li Family and Zhao Family.
Li Yun was unaware of the storm brewing outside. His world, for now, was entirely focused on cultivation. Having already grasped the True Meaning stage of his Crimson Sun Flame Sword Art, he shifted his attention toward advancing his realm. His goal was clear, to reach the peak of the Marrow Cleansing Realm before the assessment. For that, he needed more perfect-grade Marrow Cleansing Potions.
So he devoted himself to the task. Day after day, he refined potion after potion, each shimmering vial carrying the purity of countless trials. He consumed them one by one, tempering his body as he cultivated tirelessly, guiding the medicinal essence through his bones and marrow.
Alongside this, he practiced the second move of the Iron Pulse Fist Art, the Myriad Marrow Breathing Technique, a method that allowed every drop of potion's energy to be absorbed to its fullest.
Time slipped away in quiet persistence. Days turned into weeks, and weeks into a month. Before he realized it, the moment had arrived, the day of the Li family's annual assessment.
....
That morning, before dawn had fully broken, Li Yun made his way to the Li family's martial field. He hadn't come for the annual assessment, at least, not yet. His purpose was different. Since it was still early, the wide training grounds were quiet, with only a handful of younger disciples moving about.
Li Yun seized the chance and walked straight toward the strength measurement pillar that stood tall in the center of the field.
'My cultivation has finally reached the peak of the Marrow Cleansing Realm. I wonder just how much raw strength I possess now.'
With that thought, he clenched his fist and drove it forward.
Bang!
The impact echoed across the empty field, and a number instantly lit up on the pillar's surface,
6000 jin.
Li Yun's eyes widened. 'Six thousand jin?'
Not long ago, at the late stage of the Marrow Cleansing Realm, his strength had barely reached forty-five hundred jin. But now, after stepping into the peak stage, his brute force had soared to six thousand. The increase was staggering.
For reference, even the most gifted geniuses within great sects, at the same peak stage, could rarely exceed three thousand jin. Yet here he stood, nearly double that standard.
'So this is the effect of the Primal Chaos Body combined with my Supreme Foundation… and the perfect-grade Marrow Cleansing Potions,' he mused, awe flickering in his eyes. Both were unimaginably rare in their own right, together, they created results that defied reason.
Satisfied, Li Yun didn't linger. Without a word, he turned and quietly made his way back to his courtyard.
...
That afternoon, the Li Family estate was alive with noise and energy. The annual family assessment had begun, and the entire clan seemed to be boiling with excitement. Young geniuses, whether from the main branch or the side branches, had returned from the various forces where they had been cultivating.
Not every genius could secure a place in the Sword Hall, the strongest force in Moonriver County. Those who failed to enter Sword Hall often joined other sects, clans, or martial associations scattered across the cities of the county.
But no matter where they had trained, every disciple of the Li Family was required to return for this day. And so, over the past few days, one after another had come back, swelling the estate with youthful vigor and rivalry.
Li Yun stepped out of his courtyard and was immediately met with the bustling atmosphere. The wide paths of the family grounds were filled with spirited young men and women, each wearing proud expressions as they carried the aura of their respective training grounds.
'This time of the year has always been good,' Li Yun thought, a faint smile touching his lips as he made his way toward the martial field where the assessment would be held.
Along the way, his gaze swept over several familiar faces, youths who spent most of their time away from the family. A single glance told him enough. 'Peak stage Marrow Cleansing Realm…' Almost all of them had reached that level. They were older, around twenty years of age, yet their cultivation had only reached the peak of the Marrow Cleansing Realm.
By contrast, Li Xian stood far above them. It was no wonder he was hailed as the strongest genius of the Li Family.
'I wonder if he has grown stronger in the past two months,' Li Yun mused. The last time they had met, Li Xian was already at the second level of the Body Tempering Realm. If he had advanced again, he might well be at the third level by now.
Arriving at the martial field, Li Yun walked straight toward the registration area. Like all other disciples of the Li Family, he too was required to participate in the assessment.
A long line had formed before the deacon in charge of registration, and Li Yun quietly joined the queue.
While waiting, whispers spread among the crowd.
"Isn't that Li Dong? I heard his cultivation reached the peak of the Marrow Cleansing Realm long ago, and he's only a step away from breaking through to Body Tempering."
"They say he's been deliberately suppressing his cultivation, just so he can dominate this assessment and take first place."
"He's the First Elder's son, and he spends most of his time training outside the family, just like Li Xian. His talent is said to be second only to Li Xian in the entire clan."
"With him participating, this year's champion is already decided."
As the murmurs spread, the tall figure of Li Dong appeared. Unlike the others, he didn't bother to queue. He walked straight to the front, his expression filled with casual arrogance.
"Young Master Dong, I've already registered your name," the deacon said with an ingratiating smile, hurriedly tossing him the wooden token used for the assessment. Without that token, no one could compete.
Li Dong caught it with a flick of his hand, smirked, and swaggered off without sparing the others a glance.