The Chen Family Patriarch, Chen Yuan, stared at Li Fan, and the thought of killing him had already taken root.
Li Fan possessed such power, which meant he had to die even more.
He knew better than anyone else that this matter had been a mistake from the very start, but a mistake once begun could only continue.
Those around remained silent, quietly observing.
This young man had the strength of a Grandmaster, and someone was likely cultivating him in secret. However, Chen Yuan had already offended him and couldn't back down. Moreover, the Chen Family was a branch clan of the Chuzhou Chen Family.
The Chuzhou Chen Family, as part of its family lineage, stood as a prestigious and noble clan. Even if Li Fan had an extraordinary background, Chen Yuan held no fear.
Suddenly, Chen Luoyun stepped forward toward Li Fan. Above his head appeared a Dharma Form, a sharp sword bathed in lightning. His mana surged; under the refinement of thunder, the sword sang with a metallic hum, sharp beyond measure.
His entire body radiated amidst the thunderstorm, unmatched and extraordinary, drawing astonished murmurs from the crowd.
No wonder he was the Chen Family's prodigy, unparalleled in brilliance.
"Family Head Chen." Yang Kui suddenly shouted, "Brother Xiao Fan has already proven his abilities, so why pursue him to death?"
"You have continuously spoken up for him. Last night, only you and your daughter were left unharmed. Could it be you've conspired with Demons as he did?" Chen Li asked coldly, turning his gaze upon Yang Kui and his daughter.
"You…" Yang Kui glanced down at the girl in his arms, anger and fear conflicting within him.
*Had he been alone, he would fear no death.*
*But he had a weakness.*
"Father didn't, nor did Brother Xiao Fan. You're lying!" Qi's childish voice berated Chen Li indignantly.
"Demons are crafty, and many can manipulate children. It appears necessary to investigate further," Chen Li replied, his chilling gaze settling on Qi.
"Second Young Master, how can you spout such nonsense?" Yang Kui's eyes reddened. It was evident they not only intended to kill Li Fan but also him and his daughter. Would they truly leave no room for escape?
"Chief Chen, you're part of the Court. Is there no law?" Yang Kui turned toward Chen Zongzhi.
"If you are innocent, the truth will be revealed. But he killed someone before the crowd and must surrender himself," Chen Zongzhi replied. Yang Kui felt despair toward the man before him.
*It seemed the rumors were true. Chen Zongzhi served as a puppet propped up by the Chen Family, naturally siding with them without seeking justice.*
"If you are willing to admit your mistakes and explain the facts, perhaps there might be a sliver of life left for you." Chen Luoyun looked toward Li Fan and spoke aloud. Many praised Chen Luoyun for his demeanor, admiring the eldest son of the Chen Family—not only gifted but also broad-minded and gracious in character.
*Li Fan couldn't help but feel amused hearing the adulation of the crowd.*
"Should I thank you for that?" Li Fan asked, smiling at Chen Luoyun while surveying the crowd.
"If martial artists lack backbone, then what's the point of cultivating?" Li Fan's voice turned mocking, questioning whether these people were fit to slay demons or wield righteousness.
"Idiot," Huang Yan sneered inwardly amidst the crowd. *He was already on the brink of death, yet still cared about backbone?*
*Huang Yan felt complicated emotions toward Li Fan as a Grandmaster. Initially, she had misjudged him, leading to inexplicable unease. Yet now, seeing him doomed, she experienced relief. Even as a Grandmaster Martial Artist, what did it matter? He still faced a dead-end.*
"If that's the case, don't blame me for being ruthless," Chen Luoyun said, Sword Aura surging as bolts of lightning extended toward Li Fan, carrying an ominous force of destruction.
"And just how will you be ruthless?" Li Fan asked curiously, then turned to Yang Kui with a remark.
"Brother Yang, protect Qi and step back."
"Brother Xiao Fan…" Yang Kui felt ashamed, unable to do anything for Li Fan. Seeing Li Fan nod, he retreated, carrying Qi away.
"The Chen Family prodigy, Chen Luoyun."
Li Fan took a step forward, and in an instant, an immense surge of vitality erupted from his body. That terrifying energy caused his aura to climb higher and higher, shimmering with a golden light encircling his frame.
That was mana.
Sword Aura emerged.
His mana continued to intensify, coalescing into a storm that ascended, forming a sword. Golden radiance gleamed, the sword bathed in its light, dazzling and sharp enough to sting the eyes.
At that moment, everyone tilted their heads in shock, unable to tear their gazes away from the sword hovering above Li Fan's head.
"Shall we begin?" Li Fan asked, his white robes billowing in the wind.
*Dharma Form?*
*Was this truly such a rare thing?*
*But this—it wasn't a Dharma Form.*
"Dharma Form, Qi Cultivator…" The crowd watched Li Fan. Some seemed unwilling to believe their eyes.
*A seventeen-year-old Grandmaster, a Qi Cultivation prodigy.*
Looking again at the elegant white-clad figure, everything seemed to shift—they understood the significance of the sight before them.
When Li Fan unleashed his Sword Intent in that instant, Chen Luoyun acutely sensed a dangerous presence locking onto him. He felt tension overtaking every fiber of his being.
He raised his gaze to look at Li Fan's Dharma Form and finally grasped the sense of familiarity he had felt earlier.
The night before last, a Cat Demon had appeared. He had gone to dispatch the Demon, encountering a Dharma Form—one that had executed a sword strike from afar, slaying the Cat Demon.
That night, Huang Yan had also been present.
And Li Fan had traveled alongside Huang Yan.
"Two nights ago, was that Dharma Form of yours the one that slew the Cat Demon?" Chen Luoyun asked Li Fan.
Amidst the crowd, Huang Yan's face turned ashen. She stared at Li Fan's Dharma Form, appearing uncertain, dazed.
*It was only then that she realized the one who had slain the Cat Demon wasn't Chen Luoyun—it had been Li Fan!*
Thinking back, everything came into focus. *That explained Li Fan's unusual reactions at the time.*
*Her senior brother might not have needed to die, nor the people at the inn. But they had assumed Li Fan had wanted the Demon Core.*
*Seventeen-year-old Grandmaster, Qi Cultivator… Dharma Form!*
*Huang Yan's heart twisted in turmoil. She recalled the old Taoist master's assessment of Li Fan.*
*But if he were such a prodigy, how could he consort with lowly martial artists?*
*No, that wasn't right. Prodigies like him should have stood alongside people like her instead.*
"If you possess such strength, and hadn't conspired with Demons, why didn't you save us last night?" someone shouted, glaring at Li Fan. It was one of the people who had previously accused him, their desperation still unabated as though bewitched.
Li Fan cast a brief look at the person, activating his intent. A beam of sword light shot forth, leaving the individual horrified. In the next moment, the sword pierced through their body. They stared at Li Fan in utter despair before collapsing lifelessly.
*Afraid to face Demons, yet daring to slander him—why?*
*Did they think him easy to bully?*
*As a child, he often accompanied his senior brother into the mountains to hunt Demons. His senior brother used to tell him,*
*'Demons should be slain; men behaving like demons—also.'*
*Before leaving the mountain, his senior brother had warned him,*
*'The hearts of people below the mountain are cruel. If you encounter someone intent on harming you, kill them. If you can't, come find me.'*
"Am I free to leave now?" Li Fan asked, seeing that Chen Luoyun hadn't made a move. His gaze shifted toward Chen Yuan, half-curious if the man still dared to act.
Even the Qi Cultivators surrounding Chen Yuan had fallen silent.
If Li Fan were merely a Martial Artist—even a Grandmaster—there might be little cause for concern.
But as both a Grandmaster Martial Artist and a Qi Cultivator wielding a natural Dharma Form, things became substantially complicated.
A prodigy of his age—a Grandmaster and a Qi Cultivator with an Innate Dharma Form—was bound to have unknown backing.
Chen Yuan hesitated, staring at Li Fan. "Whatever the truth about your collusion with Demons, you've killed multiple people in public, trampling Court law. Do you truly intend to leave so easily?"
Although Chen Yuan spoke harshly, his tone lacked the earlier conviction.
"Then try me," Li Fan responded, unwilling to argue further. Before he had taken any action, they had already branded him guilty. Had he been an ordinary person, his fate would have been sealed.
*In Lin'an County, Court law seemed tailored for their whims.*
*Initially, he had only suspected something was amiss with the Chen Family. But now, he could confirm it—the Chen Family clearly had issues.*
*Using him as a scapegoat was a means to cover their own misdeeds.*
*He finally grasped what the old Taoist master meant about pitiable souls. Seeking favor with noble families?*
*The meals of noble clans were indeed hard to stomach.*
Chen Yuan fixed his gaze on Li Fan, yet dared not make a single move.
Li Fan ignored him, turning to Yang Kui. "Brother Yang, let's go."
Li Fan moved with composure, speaking casually to Yang Kui.
Yang Kui stood stunned before nodding dumbly, then followed Li Fan with Qi in his arms. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, they departed without rush.
"You all should be cautious from now on." Li Fan waved casually behind him as he walked away, a warning left indifferent. No one knew whether it was aimed at the Martial Artists or the Chen Family.
"Father…" Chen Li's gaze darkened as he watched Li Fan's retreating form, glaring at his father while calling out.
Yesterday, he had exchanged words with Li Fan, accusing him of arrogance and ignorance. Yet now the irony pierced deeply—the Martial Artist he had mocked as beneath him now walked untroubled, disregarding the entire Chen Family. He hadn't even spared Chen Li a glance.
Chen Yuan didn't respond to Chen Li, only narrowing his eyes as he watched Li Fan's departing figure.
There were few talents in Lin'an County he wasn't aware of, just a handful.
He should also have known of disciples of elite sects arriving in Chen Family territory—especially top-tier prodigies.
Yet Li Fan had appeared in the Chen Family without a sound.
Could he possibly… come from Li Mountain?
Not just him; others nearby had begun to entertain that thought as well.
The Demon unrest was linked to Li Mountain, and they knew of deeper truths regarding the matter.
Now, Li Mountain disciples were descending from the mountain.
They all understood:
*A storm was brewing.*