Chapter 756: Martial Hall

Li Yi's appearance instantly alarmed everyone in the Zhao Family Martial Arts Hall; as the alarm bell rang, martial artists rushed in from all corners of the hall, including several who had reached Qi Refining realm.

In just a few years, the Zhao Family Martial Arts Hall had changed dramatically, with masters emerging one after another.

This was due to the hall's special status and the endless flow of resources from the Four Great Clans; occasionally, the headmaster Zhao Ge would bring back some earthbound specialties.

It was precisely because of this that the Zhao Family Martial Arts Hall had produced so many masters in such a short time.

Just as the atmosphere grew tense and swords were drawn.

"Wait, don't panic—this seems to be… Senior Brother." Suddenly, a Qi Refining martial artist recognized Li Yi, speaking uncertainly.

Though Li Yi's face had not changed, his aura had transformed utterly—he stood there like a celestial deity, sacred and extraordinary, his presence utterly unlike that of any mortal martial artist.

"Senior Brother?"

Many martial artists, drenched in cold sweat, turned in unison to the Qi Refining martial artist.

Others didn't recognize Li Yi, but Yuan Tianfei did—he, along with Skinny Monkey and Young Miss Zhao Qian, had been in the same cohort, had witnessed the hall's decline, and had seen Senior Brother Li Yi's heroic deeds when he turned the tide.

"Yuan Tianfei?" Li Yi had always possessed perfect recall; seeing the Qi Refining martial artist, he immediately recalled the memory.

"It really is Senior Brother!" Yuan Tianfei beamed, then immediately barked to those around him: "What are you all standing there for? This is our Zhao Family Martial Arts Hall's Senior Brother—kneel and pay your respects!"

Only then did the others snap to their senses; they all knew the legend of Senior Brother Li Yi of the Zhao Family Martial Arts Hall.

He was the one who had single-handedly destroyed all ghosts and gods of the world, the true one-in-ten-thousand sovereign of the Four Seas and Eight Provinces, to whom even the Four Great Clans bowed their heads—if not for Senior Brother's pursuit of a broader realm and his refusal to remain in the Four Seas and Eight Provinces, he would already be emperor of the Four Seas and Eight Provinces.

"We pay our respects to Senior Brother."

Everyone hastily bowed respectfully, and inwardly sighed with relief.

Who could have imagined such a terrifying figure was their own Senior Brother? It was perfect—if he had been an enemy, the Zhao Family Martial Arts Hall might have been annihilated today.

"No need for such formalities. Rise." Li Yi gestured lightly.

"Thank you, Senior Brother." Everyone remained respectfully bowed, while many secretly studied Li Yi, determined to remember his face so they wouldn't embarrass themselves again.

Li Yi then turned to the other side: "Yuan Tianfei, has Master returned with the other junior sisters?"

"Senior Brother, this is not a place to speak. Please, come to the main hall." Yuan Tianfei bowed and said, clearly wishing to keep certain matters from too many disciples to avoid panic.

Li Yi nodded and strode toward the main hall.

Yuan Tianfei immediately issued orders: "Notify all disciples—the Zhao Family Martial Arts Hall's Senior Brother has returned. Do not panic. All martial artists of Qi Refining rank or higher, report to the main hall to hear Senior Brother's instructions. Others, return to your duties. No disorder."

"Yes, Senior Brother."

The other disciples dispersed immediately, spreading the news and orders.

Soon, the commotion within the hall subsided, and martial artists of Qi Refining rank began arriving.

Li Yi soon reached the main hall.

He sat directly in the main seat.

With Master Zhao Ge absent, Senior Brother was the one to preside—that was the hall's rule. No one found it odd; moreover, Li Yi was a near-mythical figure in the Four Seas and Eight Provinces, and every disciple of the Zhao Family Martial Arts Hall took pride in him.

Many of them saw Li Yi for the first time, their hearts thrumming with excitement, their eyes filled with worship and admiration.

Soon.

The main hall was filled; even the weakest among them were Qi Refining, and the senior disciples at the front were all Qi Refining.

Such strength could no longer be called a mere martial arts hall—it had reached the level of a great clan.

A graceful, beautiful female disciple stepped forward, her waist swaying gently as she respectfully offered tea, her voice sweet: "Senior Brother, please have some tea."

Offering tea was also one of the hall's customs.

It made clear to all who was in charge, who should be obeyed.

Li Yi took the teacup, sipped, set it down, and said: "Those who can enter this hall are surely trusted disciples. Though I've been away from the Four Seas and Eight Provinces for a while, I still trust Master's judgment. Yuan Tianfei, answer my earlier question."

Yuan Tianfei immediately bowed: "Returning to Senior Brother, Master and the others did return recently. Master instructed us to guard San Yang City and care for those in the Governor's Mansion. If any strong enemy appears, immediately notify the ghosts—he said recent disturbances have occurred near Ghost Street, and a terrible enemy will appear in the Four Seas and Eight Provinces."

"After saying this, Master left with Skinny Monkey, Rong Niang, Zhao Qian, and several others dressed strangely—I didn't recognize them."

"Did Master say where he was going?" Li Yi asked.

Yuan shook his head: "Master only said this matter concerns the survival of the Four Seas and Eight Provinces. Knowing too much would do us no good, so he said no more."

"How is the situation in the Governor's Mansion?" Li Yi asked again.

The Governor's Mansion housed those who had crossed over from Earth—many were his relatives and friends.

Yuan replied: "Everything is as usual. No unusual events have occurred."

Li Yi frowned.

Had he overreacted?

Had the Demon God Realm not invaded the Four Seas and Eight Provinces?

That was impossible.

Ghost Street had been seized by great demons; if the Four Seas and Eight Provinces bore no trace of demonic presence, he would never believe it. The only possibility was that the demons had not yet reached San Yang City in Qingzhou.

After all, the Four Seas and Eight Provinces were vast, and the invasion had been brief—perhaps full occupation had not yet occurred.

If not in San Yang City, then where could the enemy be?

Li Yi's gaze shifted slightly, then he asked again: "Before I left the Four Seas and Eight Provinces, I left behind four ghosts. Where are those four ghost gods now?"

"Returning to Senior Brother, I don't know where the other three are, but one named Zi Feng has remained at your residence. If any change occurs in the Four Seas and Eight Provinces, she would know." Yuan replied.

"Good. I'll find that ghost and question her. Until then, maintain the hall as usual. Arrange disciples to establish outposts outside the city to monitor the situation—any unusual developments must be reported immediately." Li Yi said.

Yuan Tianfei nodded and accepted the order.

Since San Yang City was temporarily safe, Li Yi relaxed—for now. But the threat remained; he must resolve it before returning to Earth.

Li Yi then chatted with other disciples, exchanging greetings, becoming acquainted so they wouldn't fail to recognize each other later.

Yet Li Yi felt these disciples held great potential; after leaving the Four Seas and Eight Provinces, they might achieve great things.

Thinking of this,

He said: "As Senior Brother, I rarely appear in the hall. Since I'm here now, I'll grant you all a boon—when you reach the pinnacle of martial cultivation, even greater realms may await you."

Saying this, Li Yi took a drop of Life Water from his Crimson Gold Five Elements Bracelet—its vibrant life essence could regenerate flesh from bone and purify the body, transforming martial artists.

In addition, he added a diluted drop of Divine Blood, washing their bodies while infusing a thread of divine bloodline power—enough to free them from mortal limits and enhance their potential.

The disciples stared at the two droplets gathering in Li Yi's palm; though they didn't understand, they sensed a terrifying surge of blood essence.

"Summon Rain."

Li Yi flicked his finger, casting the Dao Art: Summon Rain.

Instantly,

A downpour swept through the entire hall, and the drop of Life Water and the diluted Divine Blood merged into the rain.

In an instant, the rain carried astonishing life essence and divine blood, drenching everyone present.

The martial artists in the main hall—those of Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment realms—benefited most; each was wrapped in a vortex of rain, the torrent of essence flooding through their pores and acupoints.

Impurities were forcibly washed from their bodies; under the nourishment of countless essences, their bodies seemed to shatter one lock after another, each glowing and evolving rapidly.

"Evolution Art?" Li Yi nodded slightly.

Master must have already taught this Evolution Art to these core disciples.

But that was right—though progress through Evolution Art here is slow,

it enhances potential and aids martial advancement.

A boon-rain descended upon the hall.

Amid the downpour, many disciples underwent earth-shattering transformations.

"Unbelievable—I've instantly reached the peak of Blood Refining! My body has transformed—I feel ready to break through to Foundation Establishment!"

"My old injuries are healed! My bloodline surges—this rain isn't ordinary. It's a great boon!"

"I'm shedding skin—my sinews and bones feel reshaped!"

Exclamations erupted throughout the hall.

In the main hall, all the Foundation Establishment martial artists stared wide-eyed at Senior Brother Li Yi seated on the main seat—they felt the changes within their bodies, their physiques strengthening at an astonishing rate.

The torrent of life essence could reshape sinew and bone; the thread of divine blood had become an unshakable foundation hidden within each person's veins.

Even the beams and pillars of the hall, nourished by this, began regrowing, transforming into towering trees.

Unfortunately, their realms and foundations were too weak; this baptism had transformed them and enhanced their potential, but could not push them further.

Yet that was enough—the seed was planted.

Seeing the time was right, Li Yi waved his hand; his magic power surged, and the remaining undigested essence turned to rain, pouring entirely into the hall's well.

From now on, this well water would rival the greatest elixirs.

"That's all I can give you. The rest of the path is yours. May you all reach the pinnacle of martial cultivation." Li Yi stood, preparing to leave.

The disciples in the main hall remained stunned, but upon hearing Li Yi's words, they all rose as one and knelt before him.

"We are willing to die for Senior Brother."

Their hearts surged with emotion; they longed to follow him without hesitation.

Li Yi remained calm: "You are the seeds of the Zhao Family Martial Arts Hall. It is not yet time for you to bloom. Keep honing yourselves."

Saying this, he stepped forward, patted Yuan Tianfei on the shoulder, then vanished in a flash of silver lightning.