Chapter 16: The Final Warning
920 Words
Li Family, Ancestral Hall.
“Brother, word just came—that waste Chen Mo was taken by the Zhao family to Immortal Guest Tower!” Li Changyun strode into the hall, a venomous smile twisting his lips. The second uncle of Li Jingxue, he was pale-faced with eyes like shards of ice. “No doubt he’ll be crushed completely!”
Clan Leader Li Changming’s expression remained placid. “After his insolence angered Young Master Wei Feng days ago, he deserved punishment. Yet before we could act, he provoked that spoiled brat Zhao Tianhua!” He snorted coldly. “I’ve never seen anyone court death so eagerly.”
Li Changyun frowned. “One thing puzzles me. They say Chen Mo’s cultivation shattered a year ago. How did he defeat Zhao Tianhua and his guards yesterday?”
Li Changming waved a dismissive hand. “We weren’t there. Li Jingxue’s account proves nothing.” His voice sharpened. “Regardless, a cripple can’t stir up waves!”
“True.” Li Changyun smirked. Years ago at Bishui Sword Academy, Chen Mo had reached the Sinew Refining stage of the Blood Moving Realm, earning the title "Outer Academy Chief" for his peerless swordsmanship. But after an accident dissolved his cultivation, even the academy’s elders failed to restore him. His fall from grace was legendary throughout Linfeng City.
“Enough about him.” Li Changming’s tone turned brisk. “Zhao Haifeng will attend Old Matriarch’s birthday banquet tomorrow. We’ll learn the truth then.” A mere son-in-law wasn’t worth their attention.
“Speaking of the banquet,” Li Changming pressed, “is everything prepared?”
Li Changyun nodded grimly. “Allied clans and factions confirmed attendance, but...” He lowered his voice. “You know our standing. Among Linfeng’s three great families, we’re now last. Securing influential guests... proved difficult.”
“Where’s the gap?”
“City Lord’s Manor.”
Li Changming’s face darkened. Rumors swirled that the Li family would fall from grace within a decade—a blade hovering over their legacy. Tomorrow’s banquet was their chance to showcase enduring strength. The presence of City Lord Fu Shan would silence all doubters.
“If Fu Shan refuses...” Li Changming’s knuckles whitened, “...every guest will see we’ve lost his favor.”
He locked eyes with his brother. “Go to the manor again. Swallow your pride. Kneel if you must. Our family’s ties to him span decades—he won’t refuse forever.”
Li Changyun swallowed hard. “I’ve been turned away three times already.”
“Go.” The word was a hammerstroke.
As Li Changyun bowed, a guard rushed in, breathless: Chen Mo had returned—unharmed.
“No injuries?” Li Changyun gaped.
“None visible,” the guard confirmed.
Impossible.After such humiliation, would the Zhao family simply release him?
Li Changming cut through his brother’s bewilderment. “Compared to tomorrow’s stakes, whether that trash lives or dies means nothing.”
Afternoon sunlight slanted through the window, dappling the floor. Chen Mo sat immersed in a wooden tub, eyes closed, breathing deep and even.
Tomorrow, I need a new Body Tempering Prescription.
He exhaled slowly. A streak of air shot from his lips, sharp and resonant as a plucked bowstring. Having mastered the Skin Refining stage, he now aimed for Flesh Refining—forging muscle fibers soft as jade yet hard as steel, impervious to common blades.
But resources dwindled.
His initial Skin Refining consumed 500 silver taels daily. Flesh Refining would demand 1,500 taels per day to fuel the Cloud Crane Tempering Method. Since restarting cultivation six days ago, he’d burned through 3,000 taels. Only 7,000 remained from Hong Ling’s gift.
This will last but four days.
Most cultivators would crumble under such costs. Chen Mo’s mind turned to Yuncang Mountain. If I find spiritual herbs there...
Unlike Natural Treasures, spiritual herbs merely absorbed ambient Qi. Yet even these were rare treasures in Great Xia, each worth a fortune.
No matter.For Blood Moving Realm cultivation, common herbs sufficed—just costlier and slower.
He rose, dressed, and stepped into the courtyard. Time for the Cloud Crane Tempering Method. Cultivation demanded relentless discipline. To surpass his past self, complacency was poison.
Dawn painted the Li compound in frenzied hues. Servants scurried like ants—today, Old Matriarch’s 80th birthday would draw Linfeng’s elite.
Chen Mo slipped away unnoticed.
By Bibo River, two figures waited near mulberry groves: Xiao Yuanshan and Hong Ling.
“Master Chen!” Xiao Yuanshan beamed, advancing with a bow. His vitality had surged since their first meeting.
Hong Ling followed, emerald robes shimmering. “Master Chen.” She dipped her head, reverence tempering her usual fire.
“You know my background now.” Chen Mo’s gaze held hers. “No doubts?”
Xiao Yuanshan answered firmly. “Fools judge by appearance and status. True masters move unseen.”
Chen Mo’s lips curved faintly. “Save the flattery.”
Hong Ling flushed. “I... had you investigated. But I swear—”
“Last warning.” Chen Mo cut her off.
She exhaled, tension easing.
“My condition...” Xiao Yuanshan ventured.
“After my training.”
Chen Mo strode to a clearing. Ignoring his audience, he sank into the Cloud Crane Tempering Method—limbs flowing like water, breath syncing with the wind. Every movement carved resilience into flesh, every pulse of Qi a step toward redemption.
Let the Li family chase hollow glory. True power needs no audience.
- Writer
