At this juncture, a middle-aged man bearing the countenance of a steward caught sight of Lu Li and hastened towards him.
"Young Master Li! The main household has already seen to the disposal of the corpses from the carriage last night, directing them to be laid to rest in the unmarked burial ground outside the city!"
"And who might you be?"
"I am Lin Fu, a steward in service to the Lin family."
"Ah!"
Lu Li responded with a nod, offering no further words.
The influential families in Donglin City acted with remarkable promptness; with Zhang Yao's demise yesterday, it is likely that the majority of the Zhang family's assets and businesses have undergone a change of surname today.
Indeed, some things are inherently a matter of swiftness, and the slow are left wanting. The Zhang family, in this regard, can only blame themselves.
At this moment, the primary pillar of support for the Lu residence, the Grand Madam, has fallen. Undoubtedly, both the Grand Madam and Lu Yan are experiencing difficult times. Their distress brings me joy.
Upon arriving at the martial arena, there was no sign of the Grand Madam from the Lu family. Only the Second Madam sat proudly by Lu Tianxiong's side, wearing an expression of triumph. Lu Li had initially hoped to witness the Grand Madam's displeasure, but alas, it was not to be.
"Li'er, you have arrived. Come, sit by your Second Mother!"
Lu Li shook his head, reluctant to sit beside Lu Tianxiong. He had long been utterly disappointed in his father. This participation in the grand competition, acting as the young master of the Lu family, marks his final involvement. Henceforth, he and the Lu family shall have no further connections.
Furthermore, Lu Li has no desire to exchange even a single word with Lu Tianxiong. After all, Lu Tianxiong currently has no intention of acknowledging Lu Li, who personally killed Zhang Yao, a fifth-stage practitioner, just yesterday.
Whether as a mere spectator or otherwise, the Lu family is destined for desolation.
Over there, the Second Madam, Lin Yike, cast a glance at Lu Li, simply smiling. Lu Li understood her thoughts. A woman born into a prestigious family like hers has long become a shrewd individual. How could she not discern the sentiments between Lu Li and Lu Tianxiong?
Yet, this aligns perfectly with her intentions. The more discord between Lu Li and Lu Tianxiong, the better. After defeating Lu Yan, the Lu family will be under the control of her son, Lu'er.
Perhaps this is also one reason why the Second Madam is willing to assist Lu Li. Lu Li is not Lu Yan, and he poses no threat to Lu'er.
However, the Second Madam is also astonished. Lu Li's rapid growth has been remarkable, and his recent exploits in the grand competition have already reverberated throughout the entire Donglin City.
The former sickly child has, unexpectedly, successfully challenged the colossal Zhang family, earning recognition even from the Lord of the Dragon City.
Separate for three days, and upon closer inspection, the truth reveals itself.
For this reason, last night, the Second Madam arranged for Lu Xiong to personally escort Lu Li's two maids back, even obtaining their indenture contracts from the Lu family for Lu Li.
The Grand Madam's influence is now dwindling, her power lost. The Second Madam naturally holds greater authority within the Lu family. For her, obtaining two servant contracts is a trivial matter.
Exchanging this trivial effort for Lu Li's favor is a delightful decision.
A step towards paradise, a step towards hell. Different choices yield different outcomes. Perhaps, this is the true portrayal of the Grand Madam and the Second Madam of the Lu family.
In today's grand competition, the intensity is palpable. Even at the outset, the stage witnessed fierce battles involving fifth-stage practitioners from three major clans, eliciting continuous cheers from the spectators.
There, Lu Li brandished his blade, leaping onto the stage. Facing him was a member of the Lin family, Lin Fang, a fifth-stage practitioner of the Pulse Connection Realm.
"Li'er, shall we cease at this point?"
Lin Fang initiated the conversation. His strength was comparable to that of Zhang Ziyu. Although he did not have great confidence in facing Lu Li, he was unwilling to give up. Moreover, he wanted to personally test how formidable Lu Li had become.
Thus, he proposed to cease at this point.
Lu Li nodded. Since they were from the same Lin family, he naturally had no intention of making things difficult for Lin Fang. The family head of the Lin family had spoken up for him yesterday, and the Second Madam also hailed from the Lin family. Lu Li was not a bloodthirsty monster, and there was no need to kill on sight.
Lin Fang also wielded a blade, but it was a heavy blade, displaying both stability and occasional sharpness.
Under Lu Li's Windswift Blade Technique, Lin Fang suffered considerable agony. Lu Li's blade was simply too swift, reaching a pace Lin Fang couldn't keep up with.
"I concede! Lu Li, I never expected you to be this formidable now. May I ask, what is your current cultivation level?"
"Fourth stage!"
"I concede with genuine admiration. I never anticipated such rapid progress in your martial pursuits after cultivation!"
Lin Fang stepped down from the stage, and by now, the area beneath the stage was already bustling with noise.
Lu Li had reached the fourth stage, a considerable achievement given the short period since he began cultivation. Moreover, Lu Li, at the fourth stage, compelled a fifth-stage practitioner to concede—yesterday, he killed Zhang Ziyu, a fifth-stage practitioner, and today, he overwhelmed Lin Fang, another fifth-stage practitioner. This was truly an extraordinary phenomenon.
Regardless of cultivation speed or strength, Lu Li stood out among his peers.
"Never expected the sickly lad to be this formidable!"
"His blade is too swift; otherwise, Lin Fang wouldn't have conceded!"
"Lu Li still possesses considerable strength. However, this grand competition might be his limit!"
"Why?"
"Haven't you seen Xu Madman over there? He is a sixth-stage practitioner in the Pulse Connection Realm, and he is the disciple of the North Gate of the Second Star Sect. Mind you, that is a Second Star Sect. In our Western Qin region, how many Second Star Sects do we have?"
The surrounding individuals nodded in agreement, directing their gaze towards the Xu family.
Over at the Xu family, a man immediately approached the stage, only to be stopped by someone.
"You are not his match!"
It was Xu Madman, speaking lightly.
"Haven't fought yet, how would you know!"
"Even if you do, you might not come down in one piece!"
"Madman, why do you boost others' morale while diminishing your own prestige!"
"I'm just stating facts. Lu Li's killer instinct is too strong. I'd better handle this."
"Wind, do you have confidence?"
"Father, a mere fourth-stage practitioner is not my opponent. However, his performance is sufficient for me to spar with him."
Xu Madman glanced at Lu Li and slowly walked towards the stage. As he approached, all eyes were fixed on Xu Mad
man. It seemed that Lu Li's fate was sealed this time.
"Look, Xu Madman is about to make a move. Lu Li is finished this time!"
"The Xu family and the Lu family have always been at odds. Do you think he'll spare Lu Li?"
"This grand competition has never seen the Xu family and the Lu family cease at any point!"
"Lu Li, despite your brilliance, it seems your end is near."
The discussions below were in full swing, but Xu Madman ascended the stage and, surprisingly, extended a cupped hand towards Lu Li.
"Shall we cease at this point?"
No one anticipated that Xu Madman, known for his ruthless character and the longstanding enmity between the Xu family and the Lu family, would actually suggest to cease at this point. The crowd was in disbelief at this unexpected turn of events.