The new chapter is going to be posted on the public domain twice a week (Tuesday and Saturday), and thrice a week in my Patreon:
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"Th-thank you, Senior Brother, for saving me. I will remember this kindness forever, and will repay you greatly in the future," Ye Han said with difficulty.
Previously, he had been attacked by eight outer sect disciples and heavily injured twice by Bai Shaowei.
It was already remarkable that he could speak at all.
"It was just a small effort," Li Xun replied with a warm smile.
Hearing Ye Han's promise of future repayment, his smile grew even warmer.
He bent down, extended a hand to help Ye Han up, and said, "I see that your injuries are quite serious. It will take some time to recover."
"Fortunately, I have a Blood Qi Pill here. Today, I'll give it to you," he continued, flipping his palm to reveal a crimson pill.
"This..." Ye Han's Adam's apple moved as he hesitated. "Senior Brother, I am already deeply grateful for your help. I cannot accept your pill."
"It's just a small pill. Your injuries are more important," Li Xun insisted, placing the pill in Ye Han's hand.
"I..." Ye Han looked at the pill in his hand, feeling a surge of warmth.
This was the first time since joining Profound Sun Sect that he felt a bit of warmth in the cultivation world.
Taking a deep breath, Ye Han stepped back, enduring his injuries, and cupped his hands in a difficult bow. "I am deeply grateful. Should Senior Brother need anything in the future, I will not hesitate."
'Finally!' Li Xun thought.
This was exactly what he had been waiting for!
Whether Ye Han was the protagonist of this world, Li Xun wasn't sure.
His system didn't have the ability to identify someone with protagonist-like fate.
However, someone who could attract blue investments must have considerable luck.
As long as Ye Han survived, his future achievements would be significant.
When Ye Han grew stronger, today's promise would be incredibly valuable.
"Junior Brother Ye, there's no need for this. Your injuries are severe; you should return and rest," Li Xun said.
"Then, I'll take my leave," Ye Han replied, cupping his hands before limping away. "I won't see you out," Li Xun said, returning the gesture.
As Ye Han hobbled away, the familiar sound of the system echoed in Li Xun's mind.
[Ding! Congratulations, Master. Investment successful. You have received the Pure Yang Body and an Azure Dragon Halberd. Would you like to claim them?]
'Not now!' Li Xun glanced around.
He was still outside, and claiming rewards now might cause unwanted phenomena that would be hard to explain.
After responding to the system, Li Xun quickly made his way back to his residence.
After Li Xun left, the place burst into discussion.
Though Li Xun's actions were brief, many outer sect disciples had witnessed everything.
"Qi Condensation Realm!"
"Senior Brother Li Xun is actually in the Qi Condensation Realm!"
"It seems our Profound Sun Sect has another genius. Reaching the Qi Condensation Realm in just two years is exceedingly rare among all outer sect disciples!"
"It's not just rare; only two others have done it: Senior Brother Li Xun and Senior Sister Liu Qingshuang."
"Ye Han is really lucky to receive Senior Brother Li Xun's protection. From now on, no one will dare provoke him."
"Who wouldn't want that? Taking a beating to receive a Blood Qi Pill and Senior Brother Li Xun's protection. Honestly, I'd trade places with him."
After some time, the outer sect disciples dispersed, spreading the news of Li Xun's breakthrough to the Qi Condensation Realm across the sect.
In a small hut, Li Xun quickly returned and locked the door.
Eagerly, he said, "System, claim the rewards!"
With a loud "boom," his room shook.
Inside, by the north wall, his bed was smashed by a heavy object: a pitch-black halberd with a coiling dragon, vividly lifelike.
Even without activation, a faint dragon aura emanated from it.
"The Azure Dragon Halberd!" Li Xun's eyes lit up, then darkened.
"Damn it! This system has no storage space and just tosses treasures outside?"
"And it even smashed my bed!"
He grumbled at the system, then stepped forward, touching the halberd's cool surface.
It was clearly not an ordinary item.
He grasped the halberd and tried to lift it, but it didn't budge.
"Hmm? So heavy?"
Li Xun was astonished.
Even at the tenth level of the Body Refinement realm, he possessed immense strength, and now, having reached the Qi Condensation Realm, his strength had only increased.
Yet, he couldn't lift the halberd!
'It seems I need it to recognize me as its master.' Li Xun thought.
He bit his fingertip, letting a drop of blood fall on the halberd.
Soon, it emitted a dragon's roar, and the coiling dragon seemed to come to life.
The terrifying dragon aura spread rapidly.
This aura surpassed the Qi Condensation Realm, making Li Xun feel insignificant in front of the halberd.
Fortunately, he had made it recognize him.
Otherwise, despite being at the peak of the Qi Condensation Realm, he might have been crushed by this aura.
With another roar, brilliant light emanated from the halberd.
Li Xun waved his hand, and the halberd transformed into a stream of light, entering his dantian.
Seeing the halberd resting in his dantian, Li Xun breathed a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, it didn't cause too much commotion.
Otherwise, the appearance of such a supreme spiritual treasure would have alarmed the entire Profound Sun Sect.
"System, what about my Pure Yang Body?" Li Xun remembered he had another reward from investing in Ye Han: the Pure Yang Body.