Chapter 711 - 712: Rules Bind Those Who Fear Them

Chapter 711: Chapter 712: Rules Bind Those Who Fear Them

The small courtyard, nightfall.

Moonlight and insect songs. Li Junzi hadn’t given a direct answer—she needed time to think things over.

But regardless of her final decision, she promised to help however she could.

Lin Luoyu and Cui Hao each grabbed a small stool, sitting outside by the door like children stargazing—one a Nascent Soul cultivator, the other at Golden Core.

Beyond them, several Confucian cultivators from Junzi Mountain were scattered around the courtyard, reading by moonlight.

Li Junzi’s book was nearly finished with only a bit left to write, so she was burning midnight oil to complete it and had told Lin Luoyu and Cui Hao to entertain themselves.

Candlelight filtered through the window gauze.

Lin Luoyu slowly withdrew her gaze.

"Mr. Li’s transformation runs deeper than our cultivation breakthroughs." Cui Hao held a book he’d grabbed from the shelf, reading as he spoke. "Seeing through things is life’s rarest achievement. Mr. Li has moved beyond worldly prejudices."

Lin Luoyu picked up on his words and asked:

"From the way you talk, it sounds like you’ve seen through things too."

"Naturally." Cui Hao lifted his eyes, looking smug. "My realm isn’t something a mere Mingli realm Confucian cultivator like you could understand."

At his words, at least half the reading cultivators nearby turned to look at him.

A mere Mingli realm Confucian cultivator?

Even an immortal shouldn’t speak so dismissively of Confucian cultivators.

So many cultivators get stuck at the Zhibi and Tuoshu realms, never advancing to Mingli...

Rather than defend himself immediately, Cui Hao picked up a brush and wrote using the Mingli realm’s ability to manifest writing from nothing: I’ve cultivated Confucianism too.

Righteous Confucian energy flowed through his brushwork, and those five characters shone brighter than the moon.

This single display proved beyond doubt that he was a Mingli realm cultivator.

After showing off, most of the scholars who’d been watching quietly returned to their books.

Lin Luoyu shook her head helplessly—her junior brother had done it again, pulling off something impressive.

Cui Hao’s smug expression softened as he gently shook the book in his hand:

"This is actually good news. When pursuing something worthwhile, you shouldn’t carry psychological burdens. From what I can see, Mr. Li has already walked most of the Sub-Sage path and likely just needs our master’s final push."

Lin Luoyu gazed up at the bright moon and murmured quietly:

"Is that so?"

Cui Hao chuckled and placed the book in front of her, shaking it gently:

"When you’re doing what you truly want to do, even ten thousand difficulties become a source of joy. Why not take a look, senior sister?"

Lin Luoyu took the book from his hands and promptly used it to rap him on the head for his growing arrogance.

Smack!

The sharp sound of the book striking his skull cut through the insect songs.

"Senior sister hits so hard! Even Third Senior Sister never hit me that hard!" Cui Hao clutched his head, his tone aggrieved.

Lin Luoyu smiled as she flipped to the first page:

"I rarely get to show affection for my junior brother. Since the opportunity is rare today, I’ll make the most of it."

"You call this affection?"

"Oh? It doesn’t hurt?"

"It hurts..." Cui Hao quickly backpedaled.

"Then that settles it."

Cui Hao rubbed his head and glared at the smiling scholars around them before slowly remarking:

"Senior sister wasn’t always like this."

"I just learned it from you... what was it called?" Lin Luoyu read as she answered with a smile. "I’ve seen through things now. Next time you have any insights, share them with me first. I’ll master them and show you whether I’m really a genius."

Cui Hao waved his hands frantically, refusing: "I’m not telling you anything. You’d absorb it all into yourself."

Lin Luoyu stopped responding and focused on the familiar handwriting before her.

This was written by Li Junzi herself.

The book contained no grand philosophy—just the most fundamental literacy primer.

It started from the very basics of how to write individual strokes.

As she turned a few pages, she recognized content from the elementary books Li Junzi had prepared for her when she first began studying.

Rather than simply copying existing materials, Li Junzi had done extensive reorganization and adaptation—selecting the most learnable content, arranging it thoughtfully, and making detailed refinements.

The effort behind this kind of transformation was almost unbelievable.

Cui Hao noticed Lin Luoyu’s slightly shocked expression and smiled:

"Even I underestimated Mr. Li. Over a decade of dedication now rests in your hands, senior sister."

"Reading this book should make things clear to you. But you’re too emotionally invested to see objectively, while I, as an outside observer, have clarity."

Lin Luoyu closed the book and gazed softly toward the small shadow by the window.

——————————

Southern Zhanbu Continent, capital of Xuanwu Kingdom.

Zhao Xuan had aged somewhat and lost his former youthful vigor, though his long reign had given this once-inexperienced ruler an air of commanding authority over the realm.

Yet now Zhao Xuan regarded two visitors—one familiar, one seemingly familiar—with the measured gaze of an elder.

The first was unmistakable: Li Xingtian, whose fierce presence and sharp features left a lasting impression.

The second was Chen Baiqing, vaguely recognizable but transformed beyond easy recognition, though her introduction clarified that the little girl from years past had grown into a formidable cultivator.

These two Nascent Soul ancestors, radiating pure and profound aura, took their seats on either side.

Zhao Xuan’s first thought wasn’t about them, but rather what realm Chu Xingchen must have reached by now.

While rumors from Central Province did reach Southern Zhanbu Continent, confirming accurate information about a cultivator of Chu Xingchen’s caliber wasn’t something Zhao Xuan could simply will into existence.

The Eighteen Immortal Sects excelled at two things above all: combat and controlling information—blocking it, distorting it.

When Zhao Xuan read through eight different versions of news about Chu Xingchen, most of it read like fiction.

All he knew for certain was that Chu Xingchen had become someone he couldn’t even hope to look up to anymore.

Just when Zhao Xuan thought his connection with Chu Xingchen had ended, the world proved it loved an unexpected twist.

Good news—he might finally get to attach himself to an impossibly powerful backer.

Bad news—something this favorable always came with a price, and the better the opportunity, the steeper the cost.

Chen Baiqing glanced at Zhao Xuan and spoke calmly:

"We’ve met before, so let’s skip the pleasantries. We’ve come today to discuss a matter with you."

Zhao Xuan’s heart tightened at her words, and he instinctively glanced at the expressionless Li Xingtian before responding quietly:

"I rule only a remote, small kingdom. I’m not sure what I could possibly offer two such exalted immortals..."

"You should also understand... immortals don’t interfere in mortal kingdoms. It’s not simply a matter of willingness."

Chen Baiqing reached for a teacup nearby and remarked:

"Rules only constrain those who fear them."

Zhao Xuan’s face paled slightly.

The meaning was clear—the two before him were not people who feared rules.

After a moment, Chen Baiqing shifted her tone:

"But we also understand the principle that following rules ensures longevity."

Li Xingtian watched Chen Baiqing as she spoke.

His third junior sister... had grown so much.

Her words carried both her own character and echoes of their master’s influence.

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