Chapter 16: First Courtesy, Then Force

As soon as he entered, Li Mu greeted the other party with a light smile, "Senior Sister Yao, you called for me?"

"Mm!"

Yao Mengzhen nodded, made a beckoning gesture, and indicated that Li Mu should take a seat.

"Li Mu."

"I have also clarified the course of events on my side."

"It was my younger brother who grew malicious, trying to seize your dwelling."

"In this matter, he was at fault from the start!"

Yao Mengzhen replied faintly, then handed over the Jade Bottle she had prepared long ago.

"This is a Po Yuan Pill, a Second Grade Pill."

"I see my junior brother is already on the brink of breaking through the Qi Refining Realm Great Completion; consider this as a token of apology for my incompetent brother."

"Po Yuan Pill?"

Li Mu's eyes lit up.

His hands under his sleeves instinctively clenched.

It's truly a nap, and someone actively brings a pillow.

Originally, Li Mu planned to exchange contribution points for a pill used to break through the Refining Qi Realm.

He never expected—

Yao Mengzhen, upon arriving, directly produced a Second Grade Pill to atone for her cousin.

And she offered a Po Yuan Pill!

Regarding what pill he needed to surge through the Qi Refining Realm Great Completion, Li Mu had naturally done thorough research.

Among them, the Po Yuan Pill was certainly a top‑tier choice!

Because the Po Yuan Pill's potency is not only massive but also fiercely intense, it is the unrivaled choice for cultivators to shatter minor shackles.

But the only flaw is its exorbitant price, far beyond what ordinary cultivators can afford.

Even if Li Mu sold all his Demon Crystals, materials, and medicinal herbs, he still couldn't afford a single Po Yuan Pill.

Who would have thought!

Yao Mengzhen was so magnanimous, not even blinking, saying she'd give it away.

Truly the prized daughter of a cultivation family!

Magnanimous!

"I'm really sorry about this!"

Li Mu said he was declining, yet his hand movement was anything but hesitant, slipping the Jade Bottle into his chest.

The whole motion was fluid as clouds and water.

Yao Mengzhen was momentarily stunned; her empty fingers could only rub together.

Who would be so courteous while stuffing it into their own chest?

This is just…

Too informal, isn't it?

Of course, the Po Yuan Pill was also carefully prepared by Yao Mengzhen specifically for Li Mu.

But Li Mu's manner made Yao Mengzhen feel rather novel.

Unlike everyone she had previously encountered, there was no false politeness in his push.

After some interaction, Yao Mengzhen actually liked Li Mu's straightforward character.

But thinking of what lay ahead, the smile on Yao Mengzhen's face faded, and she said gravely, "Li Mu, I have already repaid the debt."

"Next, I must discuss another matter with you."

"My cousin may have erred, but not to this extent!"

"You overstepped; I cannot pretend nothing happened."

Yao Mengzhen's pretty face bore a murderous glint, her expression solemn.

She slightly revealed the terrifying aura of her Ninth-Grade Refining Qi Realm Peak, her cold voice resonating throughout.

"The Four Peaks Grand Competition is imminent, and I do not wish to strike you."

"Therefore, today I give you two choices!"

"Either, you completely abandon the Qian Wenyi incident, formally apologize to me, and then join my Yao family."

"Or, I will make you bow my way, and you will atone to my Yao family."

"Buzz!"

With the final word hanging, the previously peaceful training arena atmosphere abruptly shifted.

A terrifying pressure surged like a tide toward Li Mu, filling the vast arena with a murderous aura.

During these three days, Yao Mengzhen had seriously considered how best to handle the matter.

If she pretended nothing happened, she could not answer her aunt's family.

But if she retaliated against Li Mu—

A cultivator defeated head‑on while in high spirits would feel a sense of failure that could even affect future breakthroughs.

Thus, bringing Li Mu into the Yao family was undoubtedly the best choice.

In this way, Yao Mengzhen could give the family an explanation while preserving Li Mu's life!

Otherwise—

The next person to seek Li Mu would not be herself, but her aunt's family!

Given her aunt's vengeful nature.

If it weren't for the Yao Family's protection, then as soon as Li Mu dared to step out of the Ziyang Sect, what would await him would be his aunt's family's ruthless, mad revenge.

Therefore, as long as Li Mu is willing to join the Yao Family, he can give an answer to this side's clan and also safeguard Li Mu's life.

A win‑win!

The air fell silent for several full seconds.

Just as Yao Mengzhen thought the matter had been perfectly resolved and that Li Mu would undoubtedly choose without hesitation to bow, admit fault, and join the Yao Family.

And given Li Mu's talent, he is sure to receive the Yao Family's unreserved cultivation, being treated as a direct‑line disciple!

In the future, Li Mu becoming a son‑in‑law of the Yao Family is not impossible!

But at that moment—

The black‑clad youth standing before her slowly lifted his head, and a fierce spark of battle intent flared in his dark eyes.

In an instant.

An invisible pressure instantly enveloped Yao Mengzhen's mind.

At the same time, Li Mu's slightly amused voice echoed in her ear.

"I'm not interested in apologizing."

"As for joining the Yao Family, I'm even less interested."

"Actually, senior sister, I'm curious what method you'll use next to make me bow down and become more interested!"

From the aura Yao Mengzhen just exuded,

the opponent's realm should be at the Ninth‑Grade Refining Qi Realm Peak, capable at any moment of breaking through to the Qi Refining Realm Great Perfection.

Moreover,

Yao Mengzhen, being the prized daughter of a cultivation‑world family, certainly possesses numerous high‑level techniques and martial skills.

And on top of that, Yao Mengzhen's own outstanding talent.

Not to mention the Outer Peak of Longtan Peak; even within the entire Ziyang Sect she could wield formidable combat power!

Precisely because of Yao Mengzhen, this year has also been regarded by Longtan Peak as the most promising.

"Li Mu!"

"Are you really not afraid of death?"

Yao Mengzhen sneered, then said, "Because you beat my cousin like this, causing him to miss the Four Peaks Grand Competition and be expelled from the sect."

"Do you really think my aunt's family would let you off easily?"

"So you plan to never leave the Ziyang Sect for the rest of your life, is that it?"

"I advise you to think carefully, because this is the only lifeline you have left now!"

"There's no need to bite the bullet and die for that pitiful pride!"

"In the end, you'll make a decision that will haunt you for life!"

Having said that,

Yao Mengzhen's peach‑blossom eyes narrowed slightly; she no longer suppressed her aura.

The terrifying aura of the Ninth‑Grade Refining Qi Realm Peak was now unleashed without restraint!

Like a tsunami, it swept across the training arena, pressing toward Li Mu's position.

"Wha‑la‑la…"

The chairs, tables, stools, vases and other items before Yao Mengzhen all shattered instantly.

The training arena was ravaged into chaos, as if a typhoon had passed through.

Watching the black‑clad youth standing unmoved in the raging wind, Yao Mengzhen's beautiful eyes held no admiration, only disappointment and disdain.

In Yao Mengzhen's view,

The reason Li Mu refuses is that he has not yet set his position correctly!

He still treats this place as the secular world, while Li Mu is a lofty genius.

Wherever he goes, others must look up to him, and wherever he goes, others must revere him a little more!

That's why.

The reason Li Mu dares to stand in the main hall before the sect leader, to chastise Qin Zhixiang, and can at a moment's notice discard Qian Wenyi!

Arrogant!

Lawless!

But this is the cultivation world!

It is a realm of the strong devouring the weak, where the victor becomes king!

His so‑called pride, his so‑called face, in front of the absolute authority of his aunt's cultivation family, is nothing but a joke!

"Finished?"

"Clang!"

At this moment, a cold smile flickered at Li Mu's mouth corner.

He slowly drew the long sword at his waist, grabbed the chair he had just been sitting on with his other hand, his surrounding aura rising step by step, and gave his answer from the side.

"Fifth‑Grade Refining Qi Realm Peak?"

"Is this your true strength!"

Feeling the terrifying aura emanating from Li Mu, approaching the Six‑Grade Lian Qi Realm, Yao Mengzhen nodded, unsurprised.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have prepared a Break‑Yuan Pill for Li Mu!

"But…"

Yao Mengzhen lifted her chin slightly, her pretty face proudly displaying arrogance.

"I will send you back to the present…"

Before Yao Mengzhen could even utter the word "shi", Li Mu, dragging the chair, suddenly swung his hand fiercely, hurling the chair hard at her.

Watching the chair slam toward her at speed, Yao Mengzhen remained motionless, but her gaze instantly turned fierce.

The chair, flying in midair, was instantly slashed in two by an invisible blade qi cutting through its middle.

Yet before Yao Mengzhen could draw her sword, Li Mu's subsequent kick also landed.

Clang!

Yao Mengzhen directly used the sheath of her sword to block Li Mu's strike.

I'll finish you!

Yao Mengzhen's eyes turned icy, and without hesitation she slashed out a blade.

Bang!

When Yao Mengzhen's long sword slashed Li Mu's shoulder, his figure suddenly became ethereal at that moment.

Although this slash had no martial technique bonus, Yao Mengzhen was at the Ninth Grade Qi Refining Realm Peak!

Even a casually slashed strike is far beyond what the Fifth Grade Qi Refining Realm can endure!

I'll finish you, big dam!

Six Absolute!

Slash!

Li Mu sneered, changed his stance midair, and directly slashed out a crimson blade qi in retaliation.

Bang!

A strange feeling rose in Yao Mengzhen's heart.

Just now, that slash of hers had clearly struck Li Mu.

But why was Li Mu completely unscathed?

Yet before she could figure out where this strange feeling came from, it remained unknown.

Suddenly, Yao Mengzhen's complexion changed.

A force that fused six completely different sharp blade qi erupted simultaneously at that moment.

Like a massive wave crashing against a shore, it surged toward her, wrapping her in overwhelming force and flinging her heavily backward.

Boom!

The solid wall of the training ground was instantly smashed, collapsing more than half.

Even the ground beneath her feet couldn't bear the terrifying blade qi, cracking into dense, spiderweb‑like fissures!

Yao Mengzhen clutched her chest, struggled to rise from the ground, her pretty face pale as she looked at the black‑clad youth.

At this moment, six distinct blade qi raged within her body, shaking her internal organs to varying degrees.

She then forced her true qi to suppress the swirling blade qi inside her, her gaze at Li Mu filled with astonishment.

Did you actually refine the Seven-Absolute Sword Technique to the sixth layer?

Yao Mengzhen suddenly looked at the long sword in Li Mu's hand!

It was seen that six streams of black‑red blade qi wound around the long sword in succession, confirming it!

Exactly!

This Li Mu actually refined the Seven Absolute Blade Method to the sixth layer!

But how could that be possible?

From the moment Li Mu exchanged the Seven Absolute Blade Method in Gong Fa Dian, up to now, barely four days have passed!

Four days, and he already refined the Seven Absolute Blade Method to the sixth layer?

If someone like me, who toils for a year just to barely reach the third layer of the Seven Absolute Blade Method, is crowned Heaven's Pride Girl, First person of Outer Peak of Longtan Peak!

So what does Li Mu count as then?

Heaven's Pride?

Demon spawn?

Heaven's Dao's Son?

Yao Mengzhen only felt the world spinning wildly.

Her perception at that moment was struck by a powerful shock!