Chapter 731: Li Family

Virtual world, Da Xia, Qingjing.

Unlike the real world, dozens of floating islands hung silently above the entire city of Qingjing.

Each floating island had its own style—some were towering peaks, others endless rivers.

Between these peaks and rivers stood meticulously built villas.

According to the virtual rules of the real world, such architectural wonders could not be constructed.

But this was the virtual world—anything was possible if you desired it.

And these floating islands were Qingjing's famed architectural marvels.

Only the pinnacle experts had the privilege to reside there.

Among the dozens of floating islands, the largest—Island No. 1—was the Li family's stronghold.

Huh—

Huh—

On the rooftop of the stronghold villa, a man sat cross-legged.

His breathing was steady, yet around him swirled high-temperature black flames.

They shifted shape with the rhythm of his breath, appearing extraordinarily agile.

Li Changfeng, head of the Li family.

Holder of the Element Fire S-Class ability "Black Bone Spirit Flame," rank Nine Upper, one of Da Xia's top experts.

"Big brother, I'm here."

Shh—

A burly man appeared out of thin air on the rooftop.

Li Changfeng then retracted the flames and opened his eyes.

A pair of pitch-black pupils, as deep as the stars, radiated overwhelming pressure.

"How is Hao? Is he alright?" Li Changfeng asked.

"No major issues—he'll fully recover in ten days, though he'll have to endure some pain along the way."

Li Yang shook his head.

Xu Jingming's kick had shattered Li Hao's entire pelvis and all organs within his abdominal cavity.

For any lower than a fourth-rank ability user, death would have been instantaneous.

But Li Hao was an Eighth-Rank Master Zongshi, his vitality formidable—he faced no immediate life threat.

A single combat technique from an Eighth-Rank healing ability user could restore him.

Yet the physical injury was secondary; the real problem was the SS-Class Dou Tian Shen Lei surging chaotically within him.

It could not be removed all at once—it required over ten days of gradual separation.

The removal process was excruciating, akin to ten thousand ants gnawing at his flesh.

"Hao has always been arrogant and defiant—suffering some pain won't hurt him."

Li Changfeng nodded. "How do you plan to handle this next?"

"Hao was clearly at fault first—let the SSS-Class Phoenix Tail Flower stand as our apology."

"Additionally, I intend to gift Xu Jingming an SS+ level cultivation resource, to show our sincerity in apologizing."

Li Yang mused.

The incident in the Lei Ting Martial Arts Hall had spread only within a small circle so far.

But it was easy to imagine that in a few days, the news would fully ferment.

Then, all of Da Xia would know Xu Jingming had broken through to the Seventh Rank.

A Seventh-Rank Master Zongshi at twenty—his talent was terrifyingly prodigious.

For such a prodigy, it was better to befriend than to antagonize.

This had always been the Li family's approach.

Yet what he hadn't expected was that Li Changfeng, as head of the family, shook his head:

"There's no need to flatter Xu Jingming—he severely injured Hao; he deserves suppression."

"Why?" Li Yang frowned, puzzled.

Li Hao was his son—beaten like this, anyone else would have already faced retaliation.

But the opponent was the boundlessly promising Xu Jingming—too dangerous to provoke.

For the sake of the family, he was willing to swallow his pride—yet his own brother, the head, disagreed.

"Xu Jingming is under Su Qingli's protection."

As long as we don't abandon our plans for Lei Ting Martial Arts Hall, we will inevitably clash with Xu Jingming someday."

"To befriend Xu Jingming, we'd have to give up Lei Ting Martial Arts Hall—do you think we can afford to?"

Li Changfeng countered.

"Give up Lei Ting Martial Arts Hall?"

Li Yang paused, then shook his head without hesitation: "No."

Their infiltration into Lei Ting Martial Arts Hall had lasted too many years—since our father's generation.

Now that harvest was nearly at hand, we could not possibly abandon it.

"Then that's settled—from the start, we and Xu Jingming are enemies."

Li Changfeng said coldly. "Xu Jingming himself doesn't need direct action yet—but we must issue a warning."

"After all, the Li family is not someone anyone can trample on."

Though Xu Jingming outwardly struck Li Hao, he was in truth striking the Li family's face.

If the Li family doesn't react, but instead tries to appease us, they'll inevitably be looked down upon by other families.

Even if Xu Jingming is an SS-grade prodigy, the Li family is equally a top-tier clan with three councilors in one family.

After being slapped, how could anyone pretend nothing happened and still smile warmly to befriend them?

"Understood."

Li Yang nodded in thought, his figure suddenly vanishing from the rooftop.

On the other side, in the Magic Capital University, Ling Shuang's villa living room.

By the time Song Qiuyun and Jiang Chuxuan learned the full story from Ling Shuang, ten minutes had already passed.

Although both had accepted Ling Shuang's existence, they still found the matter too fantastical.

Ling Shuang, the former vice president of Magic Capital University.

An S-rank, eighth-stage Zhongweida Master, had ultimately become their sister.

This was something they had never imagined.

Another point that shocked them was.

In Ling Shuang's account, Xu Jingming also seemed to possess combat power at the eighth-stage Master Zongshi level.

"It's true—I've already broken through to the seventh stage, Master Zongshi."

Facing the two women's questioning gazes, Xu Jingming replied calmly.

During his time in Dayangzhou, he spent nearly all his time hunting ferocious beasts.

Even when he had time to contact the two women, he rarely mentioned anything about his cultivation.

"Seventh... seventh stage?"

Song Qiuyun and Jiang Chuxuan's eyes widened wide.

Their full chests rose and fell rapidly, clearly unsettled inside.

They knew Xu Jingming's talent was monstrous, but they never expected him to break through to the seventh stage in such a short time.

After their shock, a sense of melancholy followed.

Although they had been striving in their cultivation, the gap between them and Xu Jingming was growing ever larger...

"Don't compare yourself to me—my talent is different from yours."

Xu Jingming, sensing their emotions, comforted them:

"You are already extremely excellent; just cultivate at your own pace."

He spoke the truth.

At Magic Capital University, Jiang Chuxuan's talent might be slightly inferior.

But Song Qiuyun's talent and strength were both top-tier.

"Also, I've brought back resources to accelerate your cultivation."

Xu Jingming smiled and waved his right hand.

Instantly, a large quantity of rare flowers and herbs, pills, and exotic fruits emitting a faint, fragrant aroma appeared on the coffee table.

"Fifth-rank pill: Zhiyuan Pill? Sixth-rank spirit fruit: Huofeng Fruit?"

Song Qiuyun and Jiang Chuxuan glanced casually.

They immediately spotted several S-rank resources; the rest of the items were all A-rank and B-rank resources.

"I don't need these resources—take them all."

If you can't use them up, just return them to Magic Capital University's Resource Department and exchange them for academic credits."

Xu Jingming declared generously.

With the Deep Blue System, resources that accelerate cultivation are largely useless to him.

As for resources that increase blood qi or mental power, since his current attributes are already very high,

Unless they're S+ rank or higher, the benefits he gains from consuming them are extremely limited.

Ordinary S-rank resources are better given to Song Qiuyun and Jiang Chuxuan than used by himself.

"This..."

Song Qiuyun and Jiang Chuxuan exchanged glances, both stunned.

Just how much treasure did Jingming amass over in Dayangzhou?

How could he no longer care about S-rank resources?

PS: Today I worked overtime at the company—only two chapters today. Three chapters tomorrow—keep pushing! Just ask for free gifts to support!