Novel Full Chapter 44: Invitation from the City Lord
Chapter 44: Invitation from the City Lord
“You may take all three,” Elder Mu said gravely. “They’re only copied versions anyway.”
Li Yun nodded and carefully collected the Crimson Flame Scripture, Burning Sky Sword Art, and Skybreaker Sword Art, placing them into his storage ring.
“Remember,” Elder Mu added with a solemn expression, “once you’ve memorized them, reduce the manuals to ashes. Such techniques cannot be allowed to circulate carelessly.”
“I understand, Elder Mu. I will.” Li Yun bowed slightly.
With that, Elder Mu personally escorted him out of the Treasure Hall.
Li Yun wasted no time. Returning straight to his courtyard, he summoned a servant and ordered him to purchase more ingredients from the Treasure Pavilion for refining perfect-grade Marrow Cleansing Potions. Once the order was given, he immediately began cultivating.
He first drew out the Crimson Flame Scripture, a high-grade mortal cultivation technique. Sitting cross-legged, he studied the text for several minutes, his enhanced comprehension allowing him to commit every line and diagram to memory with ease. Like most mortal-rank scriptures, it contained nine layers in total.
Closing the manual, he exhaled slowly and began circulating the technique. A faint crimson glow spread over his body, thin at first but quickly thickening, until waves of heat pulsed outward from him. The courtyard air shimmered as though scorched by invisible flames, and the faint outline of a burning aura seemed to cling to his form.
One full day passed before he finally opened his eyes. A satisfied smile tugged at his lips.
“I’ve already cultivated the Crimson Flame Scripture to the fifth layer.”
He knew exactly why his progress had been so rapid. His mastery of the Blazing Sun Art to the ninth layer had left behind an extremely solid foundation. Cultivation techniques of the same element often resonated with each other, and when one was practiced to its limit, the insights and accumulations could be carried into the next.
In truth, the ninth layer of the Blazing Sun Art was roughly equivalent in strength and foundation to the fourth layer of the Crimson Flame Scripture. That was why his advancement to the fifth layer had come so swiftly.
“Now there is the Azure Wind Method too.” He muttered thinking. “There is also the middle grade mortal rank Dragon-Tiger Fist. I have reached true meaning mastery of this fist art but I believe I can increase its strength even further if I were to somehow use this fist with my flames of flame attribute cultivation art. I will need to experiment this through.”
Following that Li Yun began cultivating other martial techniques and immersed himself in cultivation.
He also found himself some time to finally start refining some Body Tempering Pills.
Two and a half month passed away just like that.
—
Li Family, Patriarch Hall.
Inside the grand hall, Patriarch Li Jinyun sat at the head while the nine elders were gathered around, their discussion steady and measured. The heavy silence was suddenly broken by hurried footsteps.
Li Shan, the Patriarch’s personal guard, rushed inside.
All eyes turned toward him instantly. Normally, Li Shan would never dare intrude in such a setting unless the matter was urgent, especially with all the elders present. His presence alone made everyone tense.
“Patriarch, someone from the City Lord’s Mansion is here!” Li Shan reported without hesitation.
At once, the elders’ doubts eased. If it concerned the City Lord’s Mansion, then barging into the hall was justified.
“The City Lord’s Mansion?” Patriarch Li Jinyun’s brows furrowed slightly.
Azure Wind City’s Lord, Bai Xueqin, rarely sent people directly to the Li Family. If she had, it meant something significant had happened.
“Where is the envoy?” Li Jinyun asked quickly.
“Just outside the Patriarch’s courtyard,” Li Shan answered. “It’s Bai Futian, the City Lord’s personal attendant.”
The moment that name was spoken, a faint chill spread through the hall.
Bai Futian was no ordinary guard. His very name had been personally granted by City Lord Bai Xueqin herself, a symbol of her trust and favor. Not only that, he was a formidable cultivator in the Xiantian Realm, and all of the City Lord’s Mansion’s guards and escort forces operated under his command.
For someone of that stature to personally visit the Li Family… it was no trivial matter.
“Quickly, invite him in!” Li Jinyun ordered without hesitation.
“Yes, Patriarch!” Li Shan immediately turned and hurried out. He understood well enough, if it were any ordinary guard, he would have led them directly to the reception hall. But Bai Futian’s identity was far too distinguished; it was only proper to bring him straight to the Patriarch’s courtyard.
Moments later, a tall, broad-shouldered man clad in silver armor strode into the hall. His aura was calm yet oppressive, the natural presence of one accustomed to command.
“Haha, Captain Bai,” Li Jinyun greeted with a hearty laugh, cupping his hands respectfully, “why trouble yourself to personally come to our Li Family? If there was anything, you could have simply sent a messenger.”
As he entered, not only Patriarch Li Jinyun but also all the elders present rose to their feet in unison.
For Bai Futian was more than just a guard, he was the City Lord’s right hand. Showing disrespect to him was no different from showing disrespect to City Lord Bai Xueqin herself.
“Patriarch Li, greetings. Elders of the Li Family, greetings.” Bai Futian cupped his hands in return, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
“Patriarch Li, I’ve come today under the City Lord’s orders.” His tone grew formal as he continued.
“Oh?” Patriarch Li Jinyun’s expression turned serious at once.
“Truth be told, I’m not here to see you, Patriarch Li,” Bai Futian said with a chuckle, his gaze sweeping the hall. “I am here for Li Yun.”
“What?”
“Did he say Li Yun?”
“Why would the City Lord want to see him?”
Murmurs rippled through the Li Family members. From Bai Futian’s words, it was obvious that City Lord Bai Xueqin had personally asked for Li Yun. But why? Even if Li Yun had been making waves recently, could his achievements really be enough for the City Lord herself to take notice?
“Captain Bai, may I ask why the City Lord wishes to meet Li Yun?” Patriarch Li Jinyun narrowed his eyes, his tone cautious but probing.
“I don’t know the exact details,” Bai Futian replied smoothly, still wearing his calm smile. “I was simply ordered to invite Young Master Li Yun to the City Lord’s Mansion.”
Whether he truly knew or not, no one could tell. But one thing was clear: Bai Futian wasn’t someone careless with words. It was precisely this steady shrewdness that made him the most trusted aide of Bai Xueqin.
Though puzzled, neither Li Jinyun nor the elders sensed any hostility. Judging from Bai Futian’s attitude, it didn’t seem like a bad thing.
“Go. Summon Li Yun.” Li Jinyun ordered a guard.
The guard quickly departed and returned a moment later with Li Yun. Along the way, Li Yun had already been told why he was called to the Patriarch Hall.
Now, all eyes turned to him.
“Young Master Li Yun, do you have time now?” Bai Futian asked with courteous politeness.
Li Yun’s thoughts, however, were already racing in circles. He had never dealt with the City Lord before. From what he knew, Bai Xueqin was said to be breathtakingly beautiful, but beauty was the least of her traits, she was the undisputed strongest in Azure Wind City, a formidable Xiantian Realm expert above all others.
Why would someone like her suddenly summon him?
Li Yun couldn’t guess the reason. But whether it turned out to be fortune or disaster, he knew there was no refusing this invitation.
“Captain Bai, I have time. Does the City Lord wish to see me right now?” Li Yun lifted his gaze and asked evenly, his expression calm.
“Yes. The City Lord is already waiting for you at the City Lord’s Mansion.” Bai Futian nodded firmly.
“Very well. Then I’ll accompany Captain Bai to meet her.” Li Yun replied without hesitation.
’If it’s a blessing, I’ll accept it. If it’s a disaster, there’s no escaping it.’
Li Yun knew perfectly well, if Bai Xueqin truly intended him harm, not even the Li Family could shield him. Against a figure like her, hiding was meaningless.
“Please.” Bai Futian extended a hand with polite formality.
—
City Lord’s Mansion – Reception Hall
The air inside was tranquil, yet it carried a pressure of invisible authority. Two figures sat across from each other.
One was City Lord Bai Xueqin, dressed in a flowing robe of soft purple silk, her presence noble and unshakable. Her beauty was striking, her eyes curved like crescent moons, but it was her aura, calm, dignified, and suffused with power, that commanded attention.
Opposite her sat Guan Long, the Pavilion Master of the Treasure Pavilion, his beard swaying slightly as he sipped his tea, eyes narrowed with the wisdom of a man who had seen much.
“Pavilion Master Guan, do you truly believe Li Yun has the qualifications?” Bai Xueqin’s voice was cool, measured, her gaze resting on him with a glint of skepticism.
“If we’re talking about who is most suited in all of Azure Wind City,” Guan Long replied with a small smile, “then without a doubt, it is Li Yun. If even he cannot do it, City Lord, then no one here can.”
Bai Xueqin’s brows knit slightly. “It’s true he defeated Li Xian of the Sword Hall. His talent is undeniable. But still, he remains only at the peak of the Marrow Cleansing Realm. His foundation seems too shallow for what lies ahead.”
If it weren’t for Guan Long’s persistent recommendation, she would never have considered Li Yun in the first place.
“City Lord, that is because you still don’t understand Li Yun.” Guan Long leaned forward, his beard trembling faintly, but his eyes gleamed with a light of certainty.
He let out a breath, then added meaningfully, “It has already been several months since the Li Family’s Grand Competition.”
Bai Xueqin’s eyes widened a fraction. “You mean to say… his strength has advanced even further?” A faint note of surprise entered her tone.
“If my judgment is correct,” Guan Long said with a confident nod, “that boy should already be on the verge of stepping into the Body Tempering Realm. His rate of progress cannot be measured by ordinary standards. What he accomplishes in months, others cannot achieve in years.”
Just as Guan Long and Bai Xueqin were speaking, the sound of footsteps echoed softly from outside. Bai Futian entered, leading Li Yun into the reception hall.