Lidu, Friction

Under the hundredfold amplification, the immense medicinal power sent his qi and blood surging through every part of his body like a raging river.

The force within him, which had nearly been exhausted, was like land parched by a long drought drinking sweet rain, greedily absorbing this surge of qi and blood.

The Force Vortex within his Qi Sea also operated at maximum efficiency in that instant, madly absorbing the enormous flow of qi and blood, continuously transforming it into force, compressing and refining it before feeding it into the Qi Sea below.

The Qi Sea, which had nearly been emptied, was revitalized by the steady influx of force. Perhaps because it had been completely drained before, it now craved force even more desperately, frantically absorbing the force flowing out of the Force Vortex.

The Force Vortex spun even faster than before.

This severe injury had instead made his body thirst even more for force, seizing every possible chance to increase it.

One had to know that the qi and blood contained within this Clear Spirit Pill was far richer than that of the Qi-Replenishing Pill.

Yet even under a hundredfold amplification, the surging qi and blood was being consumed at an astonishing rate.

The Evergreen Formula circulated, and his force continued to grow. The Tortoise Breath Formula operated, compressing and refining that force.

With both cultivation methods running, the force in Lu Fan's Qi Sea increased at an utterly terrifying rate.

At the same time, the Clear Spirit Pill also had the effect of healing injuries.

As he absorbed the qi and blood within it, the pill's medicinal power also spread throughout every part of his body.

Before long, the bloody wounds on Lu Fan's body healed at a rate visible to the naked eye. Even the wound so deep that bone was nearly visible began to close.

Soon, an entire night had passed.

When Lu Fan opened his eyes, dawn had already broken.

Not only had his injuries completely healed, but his cultivation had also advanced another step.

The Force Vortex above his Qi Sea had expanded by more than twice its former size. Even purer force was compressed and refined before being sent into the Qi Sea below.

Force now flowed throughout his Qi Sea. That vast, surging force was no less formidable than that of the Late Transformation Force Stage.

Feeling the immense force within his body, a flicker of delight appeared on Lu Fan's face.

This time, disaster had turned into a blessing.

Not only had his cultivation advanced further, allowing him to enter the Late Transformation Force Stage, but he had also obtained a pill capable of helping Zhang Yao repair his damaged meridians.

Next, he needed to go to Lidu and retrieve the item from Luo Qingshuang, then find an opportunity to give it to Zhang Yao.

However, once he had it, he would likely need to carefully consider how to reasonably get it into Zhang Yao's hands.

Moreover, his battle with the Blood Furnace organization's people had made him realize how lacking his cultivation methods were.

Once he reached Lidu, he had to find a way to obtain a cultivation method specifically focused on slaughter and combat. Otherwise, once a fight broke out, he would be at a great disadvantage, even if his force was more abundant and refined than that of martial artists at the same realm.

Casting aside those thoughts, Lu Fan sensed his surroundings. Noticing a merchant caravan moving in this direction, he immediately concealed all his aura and sank his force into his Qi Sea. He became once more that harmless old cook who looked as though a gust of wind could knock him over, then made his way toward the caravan.

Zhang Yao and the others should be nearing Lidu by now. Even if he rushed there at full speed, he would not be able to reunite with them immediately. Since that was the case, there was no need to hurry.

The caravan soon approached. The leader cautiously observed Lu Fan first, and only relaxed after discovering that he was merely an ordinary man without the slightest aura. Since they were heading the same way, he brought Lu Fan along.

And so, Lu Fan blended into this merchant caravan bound for Lidu.

"So this is Lidu, the capital of Li Prefecture."

When the convoy arrived, Shen Yuniang stepped down from the carriage. At the sight of the city walls before her, towering dozens of zhang high, she was so astonished that she could not speak.

Such grand and towering walls were likely impossible for even Dark Force martial artists to scale.

The enormous arched gateway beneath those walls was Lidu's entrance.

The arch itself was over a hundred zhang wide.

Even from afar, they could see all manner of people entering through it, with the line alone stretching for several hundred zhang.

By the time it was their turn, several hours would probably have passed.

This was the capital of Li Prefecture, the most prosperous city in all of Li Prefecture.

Not only Shen Yuniang—even Qin Yaxin, who had visited Lidu before, was somewhat shaken. Gazing at the towering walls ahead, a trace of worry appeared on her valiant face.

"Hehe, when I first came to Lidu, these imposing walls frightened me too."

Zhou Haiyan smiled at Shen Yuniang and said, "This is the center of the martial world, where gifted young men and women from every path compete most fiercely."

"If I were not already so old, I would probably have wanted to stay in Lidu as well."

Zhou Haiyan's words startled Shen Yuniang beside her.

"Miss Zhou, aren't you still very young? And surely it won't be more than a few years before you enter the Dark Force realm."

Shen Yuniang could not help saying.

"Dark Force? Dark Force martial artists are everywhere in Lidu. Some geniuses enter the Dark Force realm after practicing martial arts for just one year. The talent of such people is beyond anything we can imagine."

"Even Transformation Force martial artists who can be called masters elsewhere are quite numerous in Lidu."

Zhou Haiyan answered with a bitter smile.

Her words also made the expression on Zhang Zhi's pretty face turn several degrees more solemn.

At that moment, Zhou Haiyan seemed to recall something and looked toward Zhang Zhi.

"However, if it is Miss Zhi, then perhaps you may have a chance to compete with those geniuses. If I am not mistaken, Miss Zhi, you have already reached Late Bright Force, haven't you?"

Zhang Zhi nodded lightly in confirmation.

Having come back to herself, Qin Yaxin also said, "That's right. Little Sister Zhi's talent would be considered astonishing even in Lidu. She might even have a chance to join the Haotian Sect."

"Haotian Sect."

Zhang Zhi could not help repeating the name, a glimmer of longing flickering in her eyes.

Along the journey, she had learned from Qin Yaxin and Zhou Haiyan just how powerful the Haotian Sect was.

It was the largest and strongest sect in Li Prefecture, a sect countless martial artists fought tooth and nail to join.

Experts at the Transformation Force level could rule like kings in small places such as Chi City, but the Haotian Sect had more than two dozen of them. Even the ones guarding its gates were Transformation Grandmasters.

Furthermore, the masters and deputy masters of the Haotian Sect's seven peaks were Core-Embracing Realm experts above the Transformation Force level.

As for the Haotian Sect's Sect Master, rumor had it that he had long since broken through the Core-Embracing Realm and reached an even higher realm.

If she could join the Haotian Sect, her path in martial arts would stretch much farther.

At that moment, a scoffing laugh came from nearby.

"Join the Haotian Sect? A few country bumpkins from the backwoods are dreaming too?"

A young man dressed in luxurious robes embroidered with golden phoenixes strode over from the side. Several martial artists followed beside him, and the aura emitted by one of them was enough to make people's hearts tremble.

The young man in luxurious robes led his group directly past the line and cut in front of everyone.

At the sight, Shen Yuniang's face darkened, and she nearly cursed aloud. Zhang Zhi, beside her, clenched her fists even tighter.

However, Zhou Haiyan immediately moved to Shen Yuniang and Zhang Zhi's side and gently shook her head at them. "Forget it."

"But..." Shen Yuniang opened her mouth, her stunning face filled with unwillingness.

At that moment, Qin Yaxin sighed and tried to persuade her. "That golden phoenix embroidery on him is the Li Family's crest. The Li Family alone has more than two dozen Transformation Grandmasters serving as Attendants."

Upon hearing this, Shen Yuniang's face turned ashen. She pursed her lips and lowered her head.

Zhang Zhi said nothing more. She merely looked once again at the young man wearing Li Family clothing, as though she intended to carve his appearance into her memory forever.

Though the line moved exceptionally slowly, they finally reached the city gate before night completely fell.

"All right, let's enter the city."

As Zhou Haiyan spoke, she led the convoy onward and gestured for everyone to follow.

After walking a few steps, Zhang Zhi realized that her father, Zhang Yao, was still standing where he was. She could not help turning back and calling out.

"Father?"

"Ah, oh."

Only then did Zhang Yao suddenly come back to his senses. He withdrew his gaze from behind them and hurriedly followed.

Watching Zhang Yao's absent-minded appearance, Zhang Zhi pressed her lips together. She wanted to say something, but did not know what to say.

Ever since returning the morning before yesterday, her father had seemed utterly distracted. He had not even noticed the minor friction that had occurred that afternoon.

As for the reason, she could naturally guess part of it.

But she had no good way to resolve that reason either.

Now, she could only hope that she would successfully join the Haotian Sect.

As long as she joined the Haotian Sect, she would have a chance to enter a higher realm. Then, their family would be able to put down roots on this land of Lidu.