"May I ask how old you are?"
Chong Ming thought for a moment, "I will be eighteen in a few months."
A seventeen-year-old at the Divine Soul Realm? Xu Huaiyuan took a sharp breath.
In the entire Southern Domain, it's common for people to reach the Body Refining Realm at fourteen or fifteen years old. Those with a strong family background and high talent might reach the Foundation Establishment Realm.
No one knew the shock Xu Huaiyuan felt at this moment. He looked at Chong Ming with an expression of disbelief.
Such a monstrous talent, even in the entire Southern Domain, is unparalleled. I was just complaining about him being at the peak of the Spirit Sea Realm, and now he's instantly broken through.
Is there any justice? Is there any law?
Is this what a disciple of the Vermillion Bird Holy Land is like? Not only does he cultivate at a terrifying speed, but he also breaks through realms as if it were drinking water. Truly, comparing oneself to others only brings frustration.
"Young friend, your talent is truly extraordinary. The younger generation is indeed formidable. I, Xu, am ashamed."
"You're too kind, City Lord Xu."
After exchanging a few pleasantries, they returned to the main topic.
"During my secret investigation, I discovered that the Chen family has been gradually having conflicts with industries under the Li family, using this opportunity to encroach on their assets."
"It seems the Chen family has considerable ambition. City Lord Xu, what about the Li family?"
"The Li family is also a well-known family in Sun City, a prestigious clan here. They have always been rivals with the Chen family, constantly in competition. However, in recent years, the Li family has been on the decline."
"The head of the Li family is also at the early Divine Soul Realm. He has a daughter, Li Nianjiao, who is not only talented and has excellent cultivation potential but is also a rare genius in the Li family for a century."
Speaking of this, Xu Huaiyuan remembered that he had been invited to the Li family's celebration when Li Nianjiao was born. When she was a little older, young Li Nianjiao had even called him Uncle Xu.
She was indeed a delightful little girl.
"City Lord Xu, if I'm not mistaken, this move by the Chen family to annex the Li family's assets is likely because Chen Yu has his eyes on Li Nianjiao."
Chong Ming sharply pointed out the key connection.
Xu Huaiyuan nodded, his expression serious. "If that's the case, I'll immediately send someone to monitor the situation between the two families and warn the Li family to be on guard."
"Now that I have a clear understanding of the situation, I should be on my way. Time is of the essence, and Chen Yu will likely make his move within the next few days." Chong Ming got up and walked towards the door.
Xu Huaiyuan watched his figure gradually disappear, his eyes deepening. He murmured, "It's time to give the Chen family a serious blow."
As the night gradually enveloped the entire sky, Chong Ming found a hilltop and sat down to cultivate.
When the night fell and the sky was filled with stars, it was a great advantage for Chong Ming, whether in enhancing his combat power or cultivation.
The closer to the sky, the better the effect of absorbing the power of the stars.
Although stars are present during the day, their effect is ultimately not as good as at night. When he reaches the Void Fusion Realm, he can receive the power of the stars even during the day.
Li Family
A middle-aged man was in a rage, smashing a teacup on the ground, pointing at the servants in front of him and cursing.
"You bunch of useless trash! What's the use of raising you if you can lose a living person? Go find her immediately! If you don't find the young lady, don't bother coming back!"
With that, the servants scattered in a panic, rushing to find Li Nianjiao.
Little did he know that just as Xu Huaiyuan had sent someone to warn him that Chen Yu was targeting Li Nianjiao, he received a frantic report from a servant that Li Nianjiao was missing.
As Li Subei was growing increasingly anxious, he heard his wife sobbing, "If anything happens to our daughter, I won't want to live either!"
Li Subei could no longer contain his anger and shouted, "Cry, cry, cry! All you do is cry! What good is crying? If crying could bring our daughter back, I'd cry with you!"
"The most urgent thing now is to find her quickly, or the consequences will be unimaginable!"
Thinking of the recent events in the city, his wife's face turned even paler. Li Subei was right; the priority was to find their daughter. If they didn't, she couldn't imagine the inhuman treatment her daughter might face.
She quickly stopped crying and grabbed Li Subei's hand in a panic. "Yes, yes, let's hurry and find her. If we're too late, Nianjiao might..."
Li Subei frowned deeply, his face dark and scary, with a hint of coldness in his eyes. He gritted his teeth and said, "The Chen family, we're going to demand our daughter back from them now."
He then led a group of elders and some clansmen, marching towards the Chen family in a grand manner. Soon, the news of Li Nianjiao's disappearance shocked the entire Sun City.
Many influential figures turned their attention to the Li and Chen families, sensing that tonight would bring significant changes to the power structure within Sun City.
…
A figure was fleeing in the mountains, a girl in a silk dress, her forehead covered in sweat, but she dared not stop. The scenery around her was rapidly retreating.
Li Nianjiao never imagined she would be kidnapped. When she woke up, she found herself hidden in a cave. Seizing an opportunity while the guards were inattentive, she escaped. Her cultivation at the Perfection of the Body Refining Realm made her significantly stronger than ordinary people, allowing her to sustain her stamina over long distances.
Suddenly, she noticed a faint light emanating from the mountain top, shining brightly in the dim night. An instinctive desire to survive surged within her.
Her intuition told her that reaching the light at the mountain top would ensure her rescue. With pursuers behind her, she had no time to think. Gritting her teeth, she swiftly darted towards the glowing light.
After a while, Li Nianjiao reached the mountain top, greedily breathing in the fresh air. Her chest heaved violently, her clothes soaked with sweat.
She looked in astonishment at the young man sitting cross-legged at the peak. Her mouth slightly agape, the scene before her was something she would never forget.
Brilliant starlight swirled around him, making him shine radiantly like a deity descended to the mortal world.
The aura emanating from him was incredibly powerful. Li Nianjiao had only felt such an aura from her father. If she hadn't seen it with her own eyes, it would be hard to believe that this young man might be someone as formidable as her father.
As she gazed at the figure before her, her eyes sparkled with hope. She wasn't sure if this person would save her, but she had no other choice now and could only take a gamble.
At that moment, a voice echoed from behind her.
"Miss Li, running away like this puts us in a difficult position. We won't be able to report back to our superiors."
Upon hearing this, Li Nianjiao's face turned a shade paler. Her small hands clutched tightly at her dress, her knuckles whitening. She pressed her lips together, about to speak.
Another voice suddenly rang out through the night.
"Difficult? If it's difficult, then don't do it!"
Chong Ming abruptly opened his eyes, a brilliant light flashing within them. He slowly stood up, and a vast, overwhelming pressure surged forth!