"Ye'er! Wake up! Ye'er..." Li Yuni's voice rang in Li Yun's ears.
Li Yun opened his drowsy eyes and realized he had fallen asleep unconsciously. Standing beside him was his father, Li Yuni, looking anxious.
"Ye'er, are you okay? Why are you lying on the ground? Are you feeling unwell?" Li Yuni asked, concern evident in his voice.
"Father, don't worry. I'm fine," Li Yun replied, his heart warming at his father's concern. Internally, he checked the state of his Heavenly Soul, his eyes gleaming with irrepressible excitement.
Six heavens!
"It's good you're okay." Li Yuni glanced around, the doubt in his eyes dissipating. "Ye'er, I have something important to discuss with you about yesterday."
"Father, please go ahead."
"Everyone in the family knows what happened yesterday. Outwardly, they have their opinions, but upon hearing Xu Xian's conditions, they tacitly agreed. No one blames you for provoking Xu Xian."
"In fact, she provoked me," Li Yun said with a helpless smile.
"The Patriarch believes this is an opportunity for the Li family. I think it could also be an opportunity for you," Li Yuni added.
Li Yun was surprised. "What do you mean, Father?"
Li Yuni smiled faintly. "Ye'er, you might not know this, but if you marry Xu Xian, it could unlock your Heavenly Soul. I've decided to let you take the stage!"
Li Yun was momentarily baffled.
"Xu Xian is no ordinary person," Li Yuni continued in a low voice. "She has a pure spirit body. In certain situations, it can heal all ailments. For 18 years, you've struggled to unlock your Heavenly Soul. If something's gone wrong, perhaps Xu Xian could help. Even if you lose, it won't affect you since you can't cultivate the soul anyway."
"Father, you've said it yourself—without a Heavenly Soul, how could I possibly win?" Li Yun asked deliberately.
Li Yuni smiled knowingly. "I'll prepare a 'Soul-Breaking Pill' to help you defeat Xu Xian."
"Soul-Breaking Pill?" Li Yun's heart skipped a beat.
The Soul-Breaking Pill could temporarily enhance the cultivation level of a Heavenly Soul, even granting an ordinary person third-tier Power Soul strength for a short time. However, it was an extremely rare item in the Li family.
"Father, how did you obtain a Soul-Breaking Pill?" Li Yun probed, sensing something unusual.
"You don't need to worry about that. I have my ways!" Li Yuni replied evasively.
Li Yun shook his head firmly. "Father, if you won't tell me, I refuse to participate!"
"Ye'er…"
"From what I know, only Second Uncle Li Baihe has a Soul-Breaking Pill. It was a reward from Grandfather years ago. If you've asked him for it, he'll surely demand something in return. I suspect he'll want you to forfeit your cultivation, making him the next Patriarch. Am I wrong?" Li Yun calmly stated, his gaze piercing.
Li Yuni froze, astonished by his son's insight.
With a bitter smile, he admitted, "You're right, Ye'er. If I sacrifice my cultivation, Li Baihe could easily ascend as Patriarch. But for your sake, I'm willing to take that risk!"
Hearing this, Li Yun's heart clenched. "Father, if you go through with this, you'll force me into an unfilial position. I can't allow it. Even if I gain the power of the Soul Dao, I'll be haunted by guilt, and my cultivation won't last."
"Ye'er, don't you want to unlock your Heavenly Soul?" Li Yuni asked in disbelief.
"It's not about wanting or not. I feel guilty that my incompetence has brought you such hardship. I want to unlock my Heavenly Soul not for myself, but to prove to the world that your son is not a failure!"
Li Yuni stared at his son, stunned, before laughing and patting him on the shoulder.
"My son has grown. I believe you'll achieve great things! But this time, let me help you one last time."
"Father, trust me. Even without the Soul-Breaking Pill, I won't let you down," Li Yun said resolutely, choosing to conceal his awakening of the Heavenly Soul. He knew his father wouldn't let him participate if he revealed it.
After Li Yuni left, Li Yun headed to the courtyard and practiced the Frost White Boxing Technique against a wooden stake.
Master the operation of soul power quickly!
The shattered Soul Mansion had awakened his Heavenly Soul, releasing immense soul power. The sensation was overwhelming, like a force freezing the earth. Years of dormant soul power had accumulated, and its sudden release transformed his body, pushing him toward breakthroughs.
Crack!
"Second tier of the Li Soul Realm!" Li Yun exclaimed, his excitement growing.
But his soul power didn't stop there. Days of intense training helped him absorb the pure soul power stored in the Soul Mansion, pushing him to the fourth, then the fifth tier of cultivation.
Early one morning, the sounds of chatter and footsteps outside his courtyard interrupted his training.
"What's going on?" Li Yun asked a passing guard.
"Master Gu Cao from the Desperate Soul Sect is visiting the Li family to give a lecture at the martial arts field!" the guard replied indifferently before hurrying away.
Li Yun's interest was piqued. The Desperate Soul Sect was a revered sect known for its righteous deeds and cultivation mastery.
Without hesitation, Li Yun joined the crowd heading to the martial arts field.
The field was bustling, filled with family members and guards. In the center sat an elderly man with white hair, flanked by a man and a woman—disciples of the Desperate Soul Sect.
Li Yun found a corner to sit quietly, observing the scene.
"Li Yun?" a disdainful voice called out.
Li Yun turned to see Li Mu, his cousin.
"What are you doing here?" Li Mu sneered.
"Listening to the lecture," Li Yun replied calmly.
"Do you even understand what's being taught?"
"If I don't understand, can't I still listen?"
Li Mu snorted, his face showing contempt. "A waste without a Heavenly Soul like you listening to Master Gu's lecture? Don't make me laugh. You won't understand a single word."
Li Yun ignored his provocation and remained seated calmly. His expression betrayed no anger, only determination.
Li Mu sneered again, but before he could continue his mockery, a sharp voice interrupted.
"Quiet!"
The white-haired elder sitting in the center, Master Gu Cao, opened his eyes. Though his voice was not loud, it carried an immense authority that silenced the entire martial arts field instantly.
"Those who disturb this session have no place here. If you cannot respect the teachings, leave," Master Gu said coldly, his sharp gaze sweeping through the crowd.
Li Mu's face turned pale, and he lowered his head, biting back his words.
Master Gu's eyes softened as he addressed the crowd. "The path of cultivating one's soul is one of humility and dedication. Talent can open doors, but only discipline and effort will allow you to pass through them. Remember that."
Li Yun nodded silently, feeling an inexplicable resonance with the elder's words.
Master Gu continued his lecture, explaining the nuances of soul cultivation, the balance between physical strength and spiritual power, and the importance of a clear mind.
As the lecture progressed, Master Gu's gaze occasionally flicked toward Li Yun, who was absorbing every word like a sponge. The elder's sharp eyes lingered on him for a moment, an almost imperceptible glimmer of interest flashing through them.
After the session concluded, the disciples and guards dispersed, discussing the teachings excitedly. Li Yun, however, stayed behind, reflecting deeply on the lecture.
"Young man," Master Gu's voice broke through his thoughts.
Li Yun looked up, startled, to see the elder standing before him.
"Yes, Master?"
"You listened well," Master Gu said, his tone calm but probing. "can you tell me what you learned"
From distance Li Yun elders were watching the whole scene then his uncle Li Baihe spoke