However, the Thirteenth Elder had not forgotten the matter at hand. Tracking down the killer who had murdered Yiting was important, but the most pressing task was finding the missing Innate Dao Body.
That Innate Dao Body was tied to the rise and fall of the entire Li Clan Ancient Clan. Its importance far surpassed Li Yiting's.
"Manager Li, Yiting once promised you two Pine Crane Pills if you found the Innate Dao Body."
"I give you my word: if you can find that Innate Dao Body, or provide a useful lead, I will give you two Pine Crane Pills and gift the Great Li Imperial Family a Secret Realm."
After all, they were strangers in this place. To find any trace of the Innate Dao Body, they could only rely on the Great Li Imperial Family.
The value of the Innate Dao Body was immeasurable. To spur on the Great Li Imperial Family, the Thirteenth Elder did not hesitate to make a generous promise.
Sure enough, a hint of delight appeared on Li Lianying's face when he heard the Thirteenth Elder's offer.
He had thought that with Li Yiting dead and the Innate Dao Body missing, the matter had already failed, and he would never get the Pine Crane Pills.
He had not expected the Thirteenth Elder not only to promise him the pills, but also to gift a Secret Realm to the Great Li Imperial Family.
A trace of urgency showed in Li Lianying's eyes. Although the Imperial Lord had cultivated the Myriad Demon Blood Prison Scripture, his condition had only grown worse.
Without the Pine Crane Pills to prolong his life, he might not last more than a few years. They had to seize this opportunity.
"Rest assured, Thirteenth Elder. The Great Li Imperial Family will do whatever you ask."
Pleased by how agreeable Li Lianying was, the Thirteenth Elder immediately instructed him, "Manager Li, have any Sword Dao masters appeared recently in the Great Li Imperial Capital?"
The killer had been extremely cautious. When the Thirteenth Elder arrived at the scene, he found traces of rampant Sword Qi, but no other clues.
He could only start there and see whether he could find any trace of the Innate Dao Body.
"A Sword Dao master?"
Li Lianying murmured, a trace of confusion in his eyes.
Seeing this, the Thirteenth Elder had no choice but to explain his deductions in full.
Only after hearing the Thirteenth Elder's account did Li Lianying look enlightened. From the traces at the scene, it was quite possible that Li Yiting had been killed by a Sword Dao master.
Li Lianying pondered for a moment. Suddenly, a glint flashed in his eyes, as though he had discovered the truth.
"Thirteenth Elder, if you're asking about Sword Dao masters, there is indeed one in the Great Li Imperial Capital who absolutely deserves to be called a Sword Dao grandmaster."
"Oh? Hurry and tell me."
Hearing Li Lianying's words, the Thirteenth Elder grew excited. His own deduction had been right. He eagerly pressed Li Lianying for details.
After gathering his thoughts, Li Lianying continued, "Thirteenth Elder, I spent some time with Young Master Li, so I have a good understanding of his strength."
"Young Master Li became a Great Grandmaster at a young age, and his combat prowess far exceeded that of others at the same level. Even an ordinary Sword Dao master might not have been able to capture him, let alone kill him in an instant."
"But the man in the capital is an unparalleled Sword Dao prodigy, the likes of whom the Great Li has not seen in three hundred years. What's more, he comes from the Sword Sect."
"The Sword Sect is the Great Li's most powerful Sword Dao sect. His Sword Dao cultivation is unfathomably deep. With his strength, Young Master Li would indeed have been unable to fight back."
Relying on the might of the Grand Void Li Clan Ancient Clan, the Thirteenth Elder had always been overbearing and had paid no heed to the Great Li Imperial Family.
Yet he had never underestimated Manager Li's strength. Even after cutting off his own cultivation and falling from the Divine Realm, the Thirteenth Elder could still sense a trace of danger from Li Lianying.
Since even Li Lianying spoke so highly of this man, his attainments in Sword Dao must be extraordinary.
"Speak! Who is this man, and where is he in the capital? I'll capture him right now."
The Thirteenth Elder could hardly wait to seize the Sword Dao grandmaster Li Lianying had mentioned and torture him for answers.
Li Lianying considered it for a moment, then continued, "Thirteenth Elder, his sword title is Jian Xuzi, and he is one of the Seven Sons of the Sword Sect. He loves fine wine and is currently staying at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion."
"If you wish to capture him, I can lead the way."
"Quickly, Manager Li. Take me to the Drunken Immortal Pavilion at once."
"Yes, Thirteenth Elder."
Li Lianying took the Thirteenth Elder through the air, and they soon arrived at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion.
After asking the proprietor, they learned that Jian Xuzi had left the pavilion seven days earlier and had not been seen since.
"Just as I thought. Jian Xuzi is suspicious. Yiting died for no apparent reason seven days ago, and this man happened to leave the Drunken Immortal Pavilion for no reason at the same time. What a coincidence!"
The more the Thirteenth Elder thought about it, the more convinced he became that Jian Xuzi was responsible. The Innate Dao Body was an unparalleled cultivation physique; it was obvious that Jian Xuzi might have wanted to recruit such a talent. He had a clear motive.
The timing and motive both fit. No matter what, they had to capture Jian Xuzi and question him.
"Manager Li, hurry and capture Jian Xuzi. He must be connected to Yiting's death. The Innate Dao Body may well have been taken by him."
Seeing Manager Li hesitate, the Thirteenth Elder's expression darkened. "What? You're unwilling?"
Li Lianying looked troubled. "Thirteenth Elder, it's not that I'm unwilling. I'm simply powerless to do anything."
Powerless? The Thirteenth Elder was taken aback. He had not expected to hear those words from Manager Li.
From what Li Lianying had said earlier, the Sword Sect was merely the most powerful Sword Dao sect in the Great Li. It should have been no match for the vast Great Li Dynasty.
Could it be that the Great Li Imperial Clan was unable to deal with the Sword Sect? Was there something unusual about the sect?
Meeting the Thirteenth Elder's astonished gaze, Li Lianying continued to explain. "The Sword Sect is only a new sect, founded three hundred years ago. In those three centuries, it has produced many talents, but none could match the might its Sword Sect Ancestor once commanded."
"Only with the current Sword Sect Master has the Sword Sect finally welcomed a figure who can reach the heavens and plumb the earth."
The Thirteenth Elder had not expected Li Lianying to hold the Sword Sect Master in such high regard. A grave look flashed across his eyes.
He did not dare underestimate Manager Li's strength, yet even a figure like him was in awe of the Sword Sect Master. The Sword Sect Master must be an extraordinary person.
"Manager Li, what is so remarkable about this Sword Sect Master that you hold him in such high regard?"
Li Lianying's face was solemn. At last, he slowly uttered a few words: "He has entered the realm of Dao Attainment."
"What did you say? He has actually entered the realm of Dao Attainment!"
At Li Lianying's words, the Thirteenth Elder's face changed dramatically. He froze where he stood like a wooden post, unable to speak for a long time, clearly so stunned that he was numb.