Chapter 16

Wen Family, Clan Hall.

"Big Brother, we just received news that the good-for-nothing Su Yi was taken to the Immortal Gathering Tower by the Huang family."

Wen Changqing hurriedly walked into the hall, a smile on his face, "If nothing goes wrong, that kid will be beaten to within an inch of his life!"

He was pale-faced and beardless, with a sinister look in his eyes, the second uncle of Wen Lingxue.

"A few days ago, he made a big fuss, infuriating Young Master Wei Zhengyang. He deserved a good lesson," said the clan leader, Wen Changjing, with a calm expression. "Who would have thought that before we could even act, this kid would provoke that playboy Huang Qianjun? I've never seen someone so eager to court death!"

Wen Changqing suddenly frowned and said, "There's one thing I don't understand. Wasn't it said that Su Yi's cultivation was already ruined a year ago? Why was he able to defeat Huang Qianjun and his guards yesterday?"

Wen Changjing shook his head. "We weren't there when it happened at the Immortal Gathering Tower, so we can't prove anything based on Wen Xue's account alone."

He paused and sneered, "Regardless, I don't believe a cripple can cause any trouble!"

Wen Changqing also laughed, "I think the same."

Back when Su Yi was at the Qinghe Sword Mansion, he had reached the third level of the Blood Circulation Realm, the 'Tendon Refinement' stage, with exceptional sword skills, and was revered as the head of the outer sect.

However, due to an accident, his cultivation was lost, his qi and blood weakened, and his foundation was destroyed. At the time, some important figures from the Qinghe Sword Mansion tried to help, but to no avail.

From then on, Su Yi became a cripple and was abandoned by the Qinghe Sword Mansion.

This matter was not only clear to Wen Changjing and Wen Changqing but was also well-known throughout Guangling City.

In such a situation, Wen Changjing didn't believe that Su Yi could possibly return to cultivation.

"Let's not talk about this kid. At the old matriarch's birthday banquet tomorrow, the Huang family's clan leader, Huang Yunchong, will also come to celebrate. We can ask him then to find out the truth about what happened at the Immortal Gathering Tower."

Wen Changjing said casually.

A mere insignificant son-in-law, not worth their attention.

"Speaking of tomorrow's birthday banquet, Wen Qing, have you made all the necessary preparations?"

Wen Changjing asked.

Wen Changqing nodded, "Some clans and forces that are friendly with our Wen family have all indicated that they will attend the banquet tomorrow. However..."

He hesitated and said in a low voice, "Big Brother, you know, in recent years, our Wen family's situation has greatly declined. Among the three major clans in Guangling City, we are now at the bottom. In such a situation, it's not easy to invite influential figures to attend the banquet..."

Wen Changjing frowned, "What's the problem?"

Wen Changqing said bitterly, "It's the City Lord's residence."

The City Lord's residence!

Wen Changjing's heart sank, realizing the severity of the issue.

In recent years, the Wen family's power had declined significantly.

On the contrary, the Huang and Li families, also among the three major clans in Guangling City, were thriving and becoming more powerful.

In contrast, the Wen family's decline was even more pronounced.

Recently, many rumors had spread in Guangling City, saying that within ten years, the Wen family would be removed from the list of the "Three Major Clans of Guangling"!

This had become a sore spot for the important figures of the Wen family.

Therefore, the old matriarch's eightieth birthday was treated as a top priority by the entire Wen family.

The purpose was to use this banquet to show their strength to the outside world, telling everyone in Guangling City that the Wen family still had a solid foundation and should not be underestimated!

The more important figures who attended the banquet, the more it would prove this point.

In short, it was about inviting important figures to help the Wen family "save face"!

In the Wen family's plan, if they could invite the City Lord "Fu Shan" to attend the banquet tomorrow, it would be like inviting a pillar of support, easily bolstering the Wen family's image.

When the news spread, who would dare say that the Wen family's power had declined?

"If Lord Fu doesn't come, the important figures who attend the banquet will likely think that we can no longer invite such a powerful figure as Lord Fu..."

Wen Changjing's face grew increasingly grim.

Then, he took a deep breath, stared at Wen Changqing, and said slowly,

"Go to the City Lord's residence again. No matter what, you must invite Lord Fu to attend the banquet tomorrow!"

Wen Changqing stiffened, stammering, "Big Brother, in the past few days, I've personally gone to the City Lord's residence three times, each time being turned away at the door, without even seeing the City Lord..."

Wen Changjing gritted his teeth, "Go again. If Lord Fu doesn't agree, stay at the City Lord's residence. I don't believe that with our Wen family's long-standing relationship with him, he will continue to refuse."

Wen Changqing nodded heavily, sighing, "If it were when the old matriarch was in Yujing City, who in Guangling City would dare to look down on our Wen family?"

Wen Changjing was silent, his thoughts churning.

At this moment, a guard rushed in and reported something—

Su Yi had returned to the Wen family!

"Are you sure he's not injured at all?"

Wen Changqing couldn't help but ask, his face full of surprise.

The guard thought carefully and said, "From the outside, he looks unharmed."

Wen Changqing was stunned. How could this be?

After Huang Qianjun suffered such humiliation, how could the Huang family let Su Yi off so easily?

There must be something fishy going on!

"Big Brother, what do you think?"

Wen Changqing couldn't help but look at Wen Changjing.

Wen Changjing, impatient, said, "Compared to the old matriarch's birthday banquet tomorrow, whether Su Yi lives or dies is nothing!"

Wen Changqing was speechless.

...

The afternoon sunlight filtered through the window, casting spots of light on the ground.

Su Yi's figure was immersed in a wooden tub, his eyes closed, breathing calmly, his face serene.

"Starting tomorrow, I'll use a new body-refining formula."

After a long while, Su Yi exhaled deeply, his breath like an arrow piercing the air, strong and long, with a faint sound of wind and thunder.

His current cultivation had reached the peak of the initial stage of the Blood Circulation Realm, the 'Skin Refinement' level.

The next stage was 'Flesh Refinement'!

Flesh Refinement involved strengthening the body's flesh, tapping into and stimulating the body's potential, further enhancing physical strength.

When this stage was perfected, the body's flesh would be as soft as jade when relaxed and as hard as fine steel when tensed, capable of withstanding ordinary weapons!

"Refining the skin requires daily medicinal baths costing five hundred taels of silver."

"But refining the flesh will require daily medicinal baths costing about one thousand five hundred taels of silver. Only then can I use the Pine Crane Body-Refining Technique to refine the most robust and powerful flesh and blood..."

Su Yi got out of the tub, dressed, and sat by the window, deep in thought.

In just six days since he started re-cultivating, he had reached the peak of the Skin Refinement stage, but it had cost him three thousand taels of silver!

Now, the ten thousand taels of silver given by Zijin had been reduced to seven thousand.

According to Su Yi's estimate, if he started refining the flesh, the seven thousand taels would only last for four or five days!

For an ordinary person, such an expense would be unbearable.

"I should take a trip to Yun Cang Mountain. If I can find some spiritual herbs, that would be even better."

Su Yi pondered in his mind.

Spiritual herbs were different from ordinary herbs, as they were nurtured by spiritual energy.

In the Great Wasteland of the Nine Provinces, apart from the 'Heavenly Treasures' level of spiritual herbs, other grades of spiritual herbs could be easily purchased.

However, in the Great Zhou territory, even ordinary spiritual herbs were considered rare, each one extremely valuable and hard to obtain.

For Su Yi, this wasn't a big issue.

In the Blood Circulation Realm, even without spiritual herbs, ordinary herbs could be used as a substitute, though it would take more time and money.

After a while, Su Yi got up and went to the courtyard, practicing the Pine Crane Body-Refining Technique as he used to.

The path of cultivation was inherently arduous and monotonous, and those who could persist must have great determination and courage.

Only then could they achieve success!

Moreover, to surpass his former self, he could not afford any slack.

...

The next morning.

Before dawn, the Wen family was bustling with activity.

Today was the old matriarch's eightieth birthday, and many important figures would be attending. This news had spread throughout Guangling City, drawing much attention, and no one dared to be negligent.

However, all this commotion was irrelevant to Su Yi.

In the Wen family, he was just an insignificant son-in-law.

While others were busy, he walked out of the house as usual, strolling leisurely to the outskirts of the city, following the Dacang River.

In the distance, Su Yi saw two figures waiting near a mulberry grove.

They were Xiao Tianque and Zijin.

"Old man Xiao greets Mr. Su!"

Seeing Su Yi, Xiao Tianque's spirits lifted, and he laughed, bowing respectfully.

Compared to their first meeting, his complexion was much better.

"Zijin greets Mr. Su!"

Zijin stepped forward, her expression respectful.

She wore a light green dress, her skin as white as snow, her eyebrows and eyes beautiful, her appearance stunning and graceful.

"Have you never had any doubts about my identity?"

Su Yi asked with interest.

Xiao Tianque said solemnly, "Ordinary people often judge others by their appearance or status, but Mr. Su is a true master!"

Su Yi smiled and shook his head, "No need for formalities."

Zijin hesitated for a moment before apologizing, "Mr. Su, I sent people to investigate your identity and had them secretly monitor your movements, but I swear to the heavens that I had no other intentions. If I have caused you any discomfort, please forgive me."

She bowed her head and bowed deeply.

"Let's not let it happen again."

Su Yi nodded.

Zijin breathed a sigh of relief and straightened up.

"Mr. Su, what about my injuries?"

Xiao Tianque couldn't help but ask.

"Wait a moment. After I finish my cultivation, I will treat your injuries."

Su Yi said, walking to an open area in the mulberry grove, focusing his mind, and slowly performing the Pine Crane Body-Refining Technique, ignoring the two pairs of eyes watching him.