Lidu, Friction

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

The Force within him, nearly drained dry, was like parched earth receiving a long-awaited rain, greedily absorbing this influx of qi and blood.

The Force Vortex in his Qi Sea also operated at maximum efficiency at this moment, madly absorbing the vast qi and blood, continuously converting it into Force, compressing and refining it before channeling it into the Qi Sea below.

The Qi Sea, which had nearly been emptied, was restored to life as streams of Force poured into it. Perhaps because it had been completely depleted before, it now craved Force even more desperately, frantically absorbing the Force flowing from the Force Vortex.

The Force Vortex spun even faster than before.

This severe injury had instead made his body crave Force even more, seizing every opportunity 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 the hundredfold amplification, that surging qi and blood was being consumed at an astonishing speed.

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

With both cultivation methods running, the Force in Lu Fan's Qi Sea grew at an incredibly terrifying rate.

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

As he absorbed its qi and blood, the medicinal power within the pill also seeped into every part of his body.

Before long, the bloody marks on Lu Fan's body healed at a visible rate. Even the wound so deep it nearly exposed bone began to close.

Soon, an entire night had passed.

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

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. Purer Force was refined and compressed before being sent into the Qi Sea below.

Force now flowed everywhere within his Qi Sea. Its surging, billowing power was no weaker than that of someone in the Late Transformation Force Stage.

Feeling the vast Force within him, a trace 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 in hand, he would need to carefully consider how to reasonably place it in Zhang Yao's hands.

Furthermore, his battle with the Blood Furnace organization's people this time had made him realize his lack of offensive cultivation methods.

After arriving in Lidu, he had to find a way to acquire a cultivation method specialized in slaughter and combat. Otherwise, once a fight broke out, even if his Force was more abundant and refined than that of martial artists at the same realm, he would still be at a great disadvantage.

Putting those thoughts away, Lu Fan sensed his surroundings and noticed a merchant caravan moving in this direction. He immediately concealed all his aura, sinking his Force into his Qi Sea. He became that harmless old cook who looked as though a gust of wind could blow him over, then approached the caravan.

By now, Zhang Yao and the others should be close to Lidu. Even if he hurried there at full speed, he would not be able to meet up with them immediately. Since that was the case, there was no need to rush.

Soon, the caravan drew near. The person leading it first cautiously observed Lu Fan. After discovering that he was merely an ordinary person without the slightest aura, he finally relaxed and took Lu Fan along on the way.

Thus, 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 and saw the city wall before her, dozens of zhang high. She was so astonished that she could not speak.

Such a vast and towering city wall was likely impossible to scale even for a Dark Force martial artist.

The enormous arched gateway beneath the wall was Lidu's entrance.

The archway itself was over a hundred zhang wide.

Even from afar, they could see all sorts of people entering through it. The queue alone stretched for several hundred zhang.

By the time it was their turn, it would likely be several hours later.

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

Not only Shen Yuniang—even Qin Yaxin, who had come to Lidu before, was somewhat shaken. Looking at the towering city walls before her, a touch of worry appeared on her heroic face.

"Hehe, the first time I came to Lidu, these imposing city walls frightened me too."

Zhou Haiyan smiled at Shen Yuniang, then said, "This is the heart of martial arts, the place where talented young men and proud daughters from every path compete most fiercely."

"If I were not so old, I might have wanted to stay in Lidu too."

Zhou Haiyan's words startled Shen Yuniang, who stood nearby.

"But Miss Zhou, aren't you still very young? And I believe it won't be many years before you enter Dark Force."

Shen Yuniang could not help saying.

"Dark Force? Dark Force martial artists are everywhere in Lidu. Some geniuses enter Dark Force after practicing martial arts for only a year. Their talent is beyond anything we can imagine."

"Even Transformation Force martial artists, who can be called masters outside, are not uncommon in Lidu."

Zhou Haiyan answered with a bitter smile.

Her words also made the expression on Zhang Zhi's lovely face grow more solemn.

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

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

Zhang Zhi gently nodded in confirmation.

Having come back to her senses, Qin Yaxin also spoke up. "That's right. Little Sister Zhi'er's talent would be considered astonishing even in Lidu. She might even have a chance to enter the Haotian Sect."

"Haotian Sect."

Zhang Zhi could not help repeating the words, traces of longing flickering in her eyes.

Along the way, 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 would squeeze through the crowd and break their heads to join.

Experts at the Transformation Force level could lord over a tiny place like Chi City, but within the Haotian Sect, there were already more than a dozen of them. Even the people guarding the mountain gate were Transformation Grandmasters.

Furthermore, among the Haotian Sect's seven great peaks, the peak masters and deputy peak masters 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 of martial arts would extend much farther.

Just then, a mocking laugh came from the side.

"Join the Haotian Sect? A bunch of country bumpkins from the sticks, and you dare dream of that?"

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 emanating from one of them was enough to make hearts tremble.

The young man in splendid robes led that group of people and directly cut in front of them in line.

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

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

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

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

Hearing this, Shen Yuniang's expression turned ashen. She pursed her lips and lowered her head.

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

Although the line advanced exceptionally slowly, they finally reached the city gate before the sky had completely darkened.

"Alright, let's enter the city."

As Zhou Haiyan spoke, she led the convoy forward and signaled for everyone to follow.

After Zhang Zhi had walked several steps, she 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 abruptly come back to his senses. He withdrew his gaze from behind him and hurried after them.

Looking at the absent-minded Zhang Yao, Zhang Zhi pressed her lips together. She wanted to say something, yet did not know how to say it.

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

As long as she joined the Haotian Sect, she would have the chance to step into a higher realm. Then, she could also allow their family to put down roots on this land of Lidu.