In the city of Flying Eagle, the eastern district, the Liu family residence.
In the study,
"Father, since this month, both the Chen and Zhu families have been courting the City Lord's mansion. The Tian family has even gone overboard, not only offering a hundred-year-old spiritual herb but also..." Liu Liangping paused, cautiously glancing at his father.
Liu Yu, seated at the desk, looked up and said in a deep voice, "Also what? Continue."
Swallowing nervously, Liu Liangping spoke slowly, "They've even threatened to sever ties with us, the Liu family, and have blamed everything on us."
"Hmph! Tian Rong is all bark but no bite. This is expected of him," Liu Yu sneered, then looked at his son and asked, "What do you think we should do now?"
"Well..." Liu Liangping hesitated for a moment before continuing, "Li Mugui has broken through to the Wanxiang realm, becoming the only Martial Artist of the third realm in Flying Eagle City. He alone can suppress the entire city!"
"Since the Tian family distanced themselves from us, other members of the aristocratic alliance have also started to waver, openly and secretly suppressing us, the Liu family, and showing loyalty to the City Lord's mansion."
"Moreover, since we were forced to pay a third of our wealth to the City Lord's mansion, many within our clan have started to complain..."
"My third and fourth uncles have been demanding answers these past few days."
Saying this, Liu Liangping let out a long sigh, feeling a mixture of emotions.
According to their original plan, after Li Tai's death, the aristocrats of Flying Eagle City would unite, and it would be easy to force Li Mugui away or even kill him.
As the organizers and leaders, the Liu family would reap the greatest benefits and take over the City Lord's mansion.
But who could have imagined that Li Mugui would be so extraordinary, breaking through to the Wanxiang realm in just a few days!
As a result, the situation reversed instantly, and the Liu family became the target of public criticism.
"It's too difficult to deal with him now," Liu Liangping thought with grief and indignation.
Damn it! Li Tai and Li Mugui, they are just country bumpkins. How could they break through to the Wanxiang realm one after another?
Meanwhile, the Liu family is a generations-old aristocratic family in Flying Eagle City, descended from a prestigious family in Dongshan Prefecture. But they haven't produced a Martial Artist of the third realm in several generations!
Liu Yu shook his head, his eyes cold. "They are just a bunch of fools."
"The Li family father and son are ultimately just peasants. So what if they managed to break through to become Martial Artists of the third realm by chance?"
He took out a letter hidden under the inkstone and couldn't help but smile, saying contemptuously, "We have the support of the governor of Liang'an Prefecture!"
"The governor?" Liu Liangping was surprised at first, then his face lit up with joy. "Father, do you mean we have connections with the governor of Liang'an Prefecture?"
"Hmm, naturally. After all, the Liu family is still descended from a prestigious family," Liu Yu said with a smile, continuing, "But this is all thanks to Li Tai's foolishness."
"Some time ago, the governor did some business with the north, and their goods happened to pass through Flying Eagle City."
"But Li Tai not only intercepted those goods without authorization but also dared to confront the governor."
"This enraged the governor, leading to the siege of the Nine Green Mountains Demon King."
Liu Yu laughed coldly, mocking Li Tai's stupidity.
"Goods sent to the north?" Liu Liangping was startled. Liang'an Prefecture was already on the northern border of the Great Cheng Dynasty. Further north was the territory of the demonic tribes. Who was the governor doing business with?
As soon as this thought crossed his mind, Liu Liangping was about to ask, but he caught Liu Yu's meaningful gaze. He immediately realized and didn't pursue the topic, instead asking, "I wonder how the governor plans to deal with Li Muxue?"
"Do you know of the Thousand-Faced Man and the Shadowless Guest?" Liu Yu asked slowly.
"Of course, they are both infamous in Liang'an Prefecture," Liu Liangping nodded. These two were wanted criminals on the top of the wanted list in Liang'an Prefecture. How could he not recognize them?
One was skilled in the art of disguise and transformation, while the other excelled in lightning-fast movements, appearing and disappearing without a trace.
With these abilities, they had infiltrated many powerful families in Liang'an Prefecture. They had even killed a Martial Artist of the Wanxiang realm together.
Realizing this, Liu Liangping exclaimed in horror, "Father, does that mean the Thousand-Faced Man and the Shadowless Guest are connected to the governor?!"
"Indeed!" Liu Yu smiled and tapped the table, "Li Mugui is just a newly-risen Martial Artist of the Wanxiang realm. But the Thousand-Faced Man and the Shadowless Guest are seasoned Martial Artists of the Wanxiang realm who have been at that level for many years. Together, they are more than capable of dealing with Li Mugui."
Thinking of the recent challenges within Flying Eagle City and even within the Liu family, Liu Yu's eyes turned dark. "They should arrive in Flying Eagle City in a few days. That will be Li Mugui's end!"
"Yes, father!" Liu Liangping nodded, his eyes burning with ambition. With his father becoming the new City Lord, as the eldest son of the Liu family, he would be the first heir to the City Lord's mansion!
In the City Lord's mansion, the training ground was empty except for one figure standing motionless.
Li Mugui stood bare-chested, his muscles rippling and chiseled, each one resembling iron, exuding explosive power. His skin appeared like a work of art.
Vast amounts of heavenly energy poured into his body, strengthening his newly restored meridians even further. Rapidly, this primal energy was converted into golden divine qi.
Simultaneously, a faint golden glow emanated from his body, and within it, blood-colored patterns moved erratically, almost like living creatures, emanating a powerful aura.
Finally, when all the blood-colored patterns receded, Li Mugui's eyes slowly opened, revealing a brilliant glow.
"I've broken through!" He exclaimed with delight.
To his surprise, consuming the dragon's blood spirit herb not only recondensed the scattered qi from his forced breakthrough but also propelled him to open twelve additional meridians!
"I've already reached the mid-stage of Xiulu..."
"Is it because the effect of this dragon's blood spirit herb is too astonishing, or is this body's talent truly astonishing?"
Li Mugui pondered, feeling a hint of greed. "It's just a pity that I couldn't condense that trace of dragon's blood divine power."
However, he didn't dwell on it for too long, as it was a matter of chance.
As long as he could maintain this stability, he could slowly enhance his strength.
A smile tugged at the corners of Li Mugui's lips.
"Ding!"
Suddenly, a familiar cold voice sounded.
"The user's realm has broken through!"
"Special effects are deepening..."
"The user has broken through one minor realm, gaining one trial usage of the Realistic Special Effects function!"
"The user's [Reputation] has spread rapidly, reaching its maximum value. A lottery draw is available!"