"Li Xuan went to the Qing Manor?" Upon hearing the report from his subordinate, Mu Qingfeng frowned and stood up.
What made Mu Qingfeng even more displeased was that Li Xuan was personally escorted back to the Qing Manor by Qing Ruoyi.
"In another hundred days, the Grand Tournament will commence, and Father will formally propose to the Qing Manor. The Qing Manor will then have no choice but to accept. I'd like to see how the Qing Manor can rebel in these mere hundred days with just Li Xuan," Mu Qingfeng said with a cold laugh.
"Young Master, Li Xuan does possess the strength to slay a Dominator realm cultivator. He should not be underestimated," the middle-aged man beside him interjected.
Mu Qingfeng waved his hand, signaling the subordinate to leave, and then smiled at the middle-aged man, saying, "Even so, can he contend against our Mu Manor? Even if Li Xuan truly becomes the Qing Manor's son-in-law, would the Qing Manor dare to challenge our Mu Manor?"
"Young Master, remember that the Duanmu family is also in Dou Cheng," the middle-aged man said after a moment of silence.
Mu Qingfeng chuckled, "Commander Yang, I forgot to tell you. The patriarch of the Duanmu family is currently discussing an alliance with my father."
The middle-aged man's pupils contracted slightly, and he lowered his head, remaining silent.
"Qing Ruoyi, Qing Ruoyi, the greater the hope, the greater the disappointment. I am somewhat looking forward to seeing your expression when you are isolated and helpless," Mu Qingfeng said with a sinister grin, as if imagining something amusing, and then flicked his sleeve and departed.
Qing Manor, Heavenly Pond.
"Miss Ruoyi, you still have a choice," Li Xuan said, looking at the mist-shrouded pool before him, his gaze then shifting to Qing Ruoyi.
On the way, Li Xuan had a general understanding of the Heavenly Pond. The Heavenly Pond could be said to be the foundation of the Qing Manor. If not for Qing Ruoyi being the only one capable of shouldering the responsibility in this generation, the Qing Manor would not be in its current predicament.
The vast Qing Manor had only female descendants. Qing Ruoyi, as the eldest legitimate daughter, had been raised like a boy since childhood. Over the years, she had certainly done her duty to the elders of the Qing Manor. But unfortunately, she was not a boy.
Moreover, only males were allowed to enter the Heavenly Pond. This fact surprised Li Xuan.
Qing Ruoyi smiled bitterly and shook her head, "Rather than be married off and let my family's lineage be cut off, I would rather gamble. Even if I lose, it will be worth it."
Li Xuan was moved by her words and also admired Qing Ruoyi's attitude. While the prosperity of a family relies on new blood, it also requires a leader. Qing Ruoyi had undoubtedly fulfilled this role.
"If that's the case, then I shall descend," Li Xuan said, looking at the Heavenly Pond, and then leaped in.
"Miss Ruoyi, as long as I, Li Xuan, am alive, your Qing Manor will be safe."
As Li Xuan's figure disappeared into the Heavenly Pond, his voice once again reached Qing Ruoyi's ears.
Qing Ruoyi smiled slightly. Her gamble seemed to have paid off. However, whether the Qing Manor would truly remain safe as Li Xuan said, only time would tell.
Inside the Heavenly Pond, Li Xuan shed all his clothes. His well-defined physique showcased the power of his body. At this moment, a continuous stream of pond water surged forth, seeping into his body through his pores.
The next moment, Li Xuan felt as if his skin had encountered its favorite food, greedily absorbing the water from the Heavenly Pond. With each absorption, Li Xuan could feel his physical strength growing.
Moreover, the water in the Heavenly Pond contained immense spiritual energy. While enhancing his physique, it also continuously flowed into Li Xuan's dantian.
An intensely pleasurable sensation washed over him. Li Xuan, however, was not satisfied. With a thought, he activated the eighth rotation of the Nine Revolutions of the Spirit Grinding Technique.
Instantly, he experienced both pain and pleasure.
Time flowed by, and two months passed in the blink of an eye.
During this period, Qing Ruoyi visited several times. Seeing that Li Xuan had still not emerged, her expression relaxed considerably.
"Miss, Li Xuan can absorb so much of the Heavenly Pond's water. If he doesn't perish, his future path will likely be incredibly smooth!" the elder standing behind Qing Ruoyi said, glancing at the Heavenly Pond, which had already lost a third of its water.
Qing Ruoyi nodded slightly and said, "According to ancestral records, no clan member has ever stayed in the Heavenly Pond for two months. Li Xuan has achieved this, so we haven't misjudged him. With this, I feel more confident about the upcoming Grand Tournament."
The elder fell silent. The arrival of the Grand Tournament would mark the true critical juncture. Without powerful external support, it would be truly difficult for the Qing Manor to succeed. The key to victory now lay with Li Xuan in the Heavenly Pond.
In the main hall of the Mu Manor.
"The Grand Tournament is only half a month away, Feng'er. You should also begin to make preparations," the middle-aged man seated on the throne said loudly.
Mu Qingfeng nodded slightly and, after a moment of contemplation, revealed the matter of the Qing Manor recruiting Li Xuan.
"I am aware of this. Even though Li Xuan has the strength to slay a Dominator realm cultivator, Chai Zhicheng was merely one of the weaker Dominator realm cultivators. Feng'er, you must understand that even within the Dominator realm, there are differences in strength. A mere Li Xuan is not worth mentioning," Mu Ruoxue replied with a nod.
Mu Qingfeng nodded. Since his father had said so, Mu Qingfeng no longer dwelt on Li Xuan. Moreover, he was well aware of the Mu Manor's strength. A mere Li Xuan, unless he reached the advanced stage of the Dominator realm, could not truly shake the Mu Manor.
In the Heavenly Pond, the water churned one day. Qing Ruoyi, who had been waiting by the pond, looked towards the center with anticipation. The next moment, a figure soared up and appeared before Qing Ruoyi.
"Miss Ruoyi, thank you." Upon seeing Qing Ruoyi, Li Xuan cupped his fists in a salute.
In these nearly three months, Li Xuan's physique and cultivation realm had greatly improved.
Physique: Stone Realm.
Cultivation Realm: Initial Dominator Realm.
Spiritual Sense: Peak Wandering God.
All of this was thanks to the Heavenly Pond. Of course, it was also inseparable from Qing Ruoyi. If Qing Ruoyi hadn't given Li Xuan this opportunity, it would have taken him much longer to reach his current level.
Qing Ruoyi's face flushed slightly as she nodded. Her gaze unconsciously swept over Li Xuan before she turned away and said, "Fortunately, Young Master Li Xuan, you have emerged. Otherwise, you would have missed the Grand Tournament that the three major powers of Dou Cheng are about to hold."
Li Xuan's heart stirred. What was this Grand Tournament?
"Miss Ruoyi, is this Grand Tournament the time when the Mu Manor plans to attack?" Li Xuan asked curiously.
Qing Ruoyi nodded slightly and replied, "The patriarch of the Mu Manor, Mu Ruoxue, will propose marriage at the Grand Tournament. If refused, we will naturally become enemies, and the Mu Manor will have a pretext to attack our Qing Manor."
Li Xuan nodded slightly and then asked, somewhat puzzled, "Miss Ruoyi, why are you speaking with your back to me?"
Qing Ruoyi's earlobes reddened, and she fled as if escaping.
"Young Master Li Xuan, don't you feel a bit cool?"
Seeing Qing Ruoyi suddenly flee, Li Xuan was taken aback. But upon hearing her words, his expression changed, and he looked down.
"Holy crap, I forgot to put on my clothes?!"
Heavenly Dao Brush: "..."
Azure Spirit Pagoda: "..."
...