Zhang Yu paused, looking at Zhang Lingyun, whose face was flushed and whose eyes were darting around.
He glanced again at the bowl of soup in her hand, which was fragrant but had a strange medicinal smell. His lips twitched slightly, and alarm bells rang in his mind.
This soup... something's not right.
Something is very wrong.
"Lingyun, what's wrong with you...?"
"I... I saw you'd been in seclusion for a hundred days, you must have been working so hard, so I specially prepared this for you."
Zhang Lingyun lowered her head and spoke even softer, but she steadily handed the soup bowl to Zhang Yu, leaving no room for refusal.
"..."
Zhang Yu remained silent, a hint of helplessness flashing in his eyes.
This girl... she's probably listened to Pink Skull's nonsense and is really planning to hurt him.
"Thanks."
He took the soup bowl, drank it all in one gulp, and didn't change his expression.
Who cares if it's some kind of Tenfold Tonic Soup or Yin-Yang Aphrodisiac Powder? With the Eighty-Nine Mysteries in my body, I'm immune to all poisons, so what's there to be afraid of!
"..."
Zhang Lingyun's eyes lit up, a hint of secret joy flashing within them.
But then, his expression turned tense, and he asked cautiously:
"How does it taste...?"
"Good."
Zhang Yu nodded, expressionless.
"Next time, use less Aphrodisiac Powder."
"..."
Zhang Lingyun's face flushed red instantly, and she jumped away like a startled rabbit, running off without looking back.
Zhang Yu shook his head and smiled helplessly, but a hint of warmth flashed in his eyes.
This girl, though her methods are clumsy, her intentions are genuine.
"Never mind, I'll have a proper talk with her after we get back from the Li Family."
He turned and looked westward—in the direction of the Li Family —a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
He then took a step forward, transforming into a streak of crimson light that tore through the sky and sped away.
Zhang Yu had already scouted out the location of the Li Family's residence and was flying at top speed along the predetermined route.
Along the way, he clearly sensed the impending chaos of the world.
Neighboring dynasties and sects were all engaged in fierce battles and annexations, with the air thick with the aura of slaughter and the Blood Qi spreading for miles.
Without the restraint of Confucianism, the various powers have become completely unrestrained, and the Principle the jungle, where the strong prey on the weak, has been fully revealed.
Even the weakest forces, in order to survive, have no choice but to ally with the more powerful ones, becoming cannon fodder and vassals.
Zhang Yu casually saved a cultivator who was about to be devoured by Demon Beast, and left again before the man could thank him.
Once inside the Li Family's sphere of influence, the scene became even more tragic.
The armies of the Sacred Dragon Divine Dynasty and the forces under the Li Family were engaged in fierce battles across various locations.
Everywhere there were bones and blood, limbs and torsos scattered across the wilderness, and cries of agony echoed everywhere.
He stood on an ancient battlefield where a fierce battle had just ended, gazing at the Asura Battlefield blood flowed like rivers, and sighed silently:
"The world, after a long period of division, tends to unite; after a long period of unity, tends to divide."
"It seems that before long, only one power will remain in this world."
"I wonder if it's Confucianism, or... some emerging force?"
"Um?"
Just as Zhang Yu was feeling sentimental—
"Whoosh! Whoosh!"
Two streaks of light flew in at lightning speed, one after the other, frantically fleeing.
"Haha, I'm in luck today, running into two low-level cultivators from the Li Family who came to provide support."
The person behind them, dressed in blood, was handsome and appeared to be only at the Heavenly Human Realm Cultivation, yet he moved with incredible speed, like a ghost, relentlessly pursuing the two people in front.
"With your heads added, I'll have a hundred Li Family's heads. I can go to the Sacred Dragon Divine Dynasty to exchange them for Cultivation Method!"
"..."
The two people in front are clearly siblings.
The Brother was probably Cultivation the Heaven Ascension Realm, with a resolute expression and eyes full of determination.
The younger sister was only at the Feathered Realm level, her face pale and her eyes filled with terror.
"Little sister, you go first, Eldest Brother 'll hold him off."
The Brother gritted his teeth, turned around, drew a long sword, and slashed fiercely at the Blood-Clad Youth!
"None of them will escape!"
The Blood-Clad Youth sneered, and with a thought, he unleashed Blood-Colored Talisman instantly transformed into a massive net that bound the brother and sister tightly!
"Oops!"
The Brother's expression changed drastically, and he frantically attacked the talisman, but the talisman was incredibly tough and remained unmoved.
"What bad luck..."
He gave a wry smile, looked at his sister, and said in a helpless tone:
"Little sister, it seems we'll only have each other in the afterlife."
Tears welled in her eyes, but she knew fear was useless. She gritted her teeth, nodded, and prepared to face her death calmly.
"..."
Zhang Yu overheard their conversation and realized that the brother and sister were Li Family Members.
As for those who were chasing them, they were not from the Sacred Dragon Divine Dynasty, but rather Rogue Cultivator seeking a reward.
However, now that he had seen it, he couldn't just sit idly by.
"Laugh--!!"
Just as the Blood-Clad Youth grinned maliciously, preparing to deliver the killing blow—
A dark red Sword Qi, as sharp as blood and brimming with Killing Intent, shot out silently from the void like a venomous snake's tongue, instantly piercing the Blood-Clad Youth's brow!
"Puff--!!"
The Blood-Clad Youth's expression froze, his eyes filled with disbelief and horror. His body slowly collapsed, his life force extinguished in an instant.
"..."
The brother and sister were dumbfounded, their minds completely blank.
Who... who did this?
The older Brother looked around and saw Zhang Yu's figure. He quickly pulled his younger sister and bowed deeply towards the void, his voice trembling:
"Thank you so much for saving my life, Senior."
Zhang Yu's figure slowly appeared, standing with his hands behind his back, his gaze calm as he looked at the two and slowly spoke:
"You are from the Li Family?"
"Yes, yes!"
The Brother nodded quickly, his eyes filled with awe:
"This is my younger sister, Li Qingfeng Li Qingyao."
We are members of a collateral branch of the Li Family, ordered to provide support to the main branch, but we were ambushed and killed en route..."
"How is the Li Family now?"
Zhang Yu asked calmly.
"This is bad."
Li Qingfeng's expression was solemn as he gritted his teeth and said:
"The Sacred Dragon Divine Dynasty's army is pressing in, and has been besieging my Li Family's ancestral home for three months."
"May I ask your honorable name, Senior?"
If I have the opportunity in the future, I will definitely repay this great kindness.
Li Qingfeng took the initiative to inquire, his tone respectful.
"We're all from the Li Family, what's there to talk about gratitude for?"
Zhang Yu shook his head slightly.
"Are you also a member of the Li Family, Senior?"
Li Qingyao spoke for the first time, her voice clear and crisp, her eyes filled with surprise.
"That's right, my name is Li Yu."
Since we're planning to go as members of the Li Family, we should at least change our names.
Zhang Yu hesitated for a moment, then introduced himself as Li Yu.
"That's great! It'll be much safer to travel with Senior from our own clan."
Li Qingfeng's eyes lit up, and he asked familiarly:
"Which branch of the Li Family do you belong to, Senior?"
The Li Family has countless branches in Earth Province. This time, they were besieged by the Sacred Dragon Divine Dynasty and had no choice but to issue Clan Summoning Order, calling on all Li Family in the world to come to their aid.
This is the case with Li Qingfeng and Li Qingyao.
I don't know which branch I belong to.
Zhang Yu shook his head, his tone "frank":
"I've only heard my elders mention that our ancestor was... Dao Ancestor Li."
"So they're from the Sixth Ancestor's Lineage!"
Li Qingfeng suddenly realized, a hint of understanding flashing in his eyes, but it quickly turned into regret.
"Unfortunately, the Sixth Ancestor disappeared early in his life, and this lineage is now dwindling in talent; no outstanding disciples have emerged for many years."
"..."
Zhang Yu remained silent, a complex emotion flashing through his mind.
Dao Ancestor Li was an extraordinary figure, almost reaching the Supreme of existence.
But now, this lineage has fallen to the point of having few talented individuals left.
Zhang Yu silently shook his head and said no more.
At Li Qingfeng's invitation, the three of them then traveled together.
Along the way, Zhang Yu learned a lot of important information about the Li Family from the brother and sister.
For example, the main branch of the Li Family is currently headed by Li Yuansheng, Old Ancestor at the Mid Heavenly Immortal, who is currently seriously injured.
For example, the Sacred Dragon Divine Dynasty's military expedition this time was not simply to annex the Li Family, but rather because it coveted a certain treasure in the Li Family Ancestral Land.
For example, the Li Family is not a monolithic entity; some branches have already secretly pledged allegiance to the Sacred Dragon Divine Dynasty, preparing to cooperate from within and without to divide up the main family.
"..."
Zhang Yu listened, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
The reason he didn't openly visit the Li Family with his Heavenly Immortal beauty was that he wanted to investigate the Li Family's traditions and internal affairs.
If he found out that the person was truly wicked, corrupt, and utterly depraved, he would abandon the idea of subduing and rescuing him.