"Su Chen!"
"The number one person of the Eternal Sun Prefecture's younger generation—how arrogant!"
"I'd like to see just what skills you have!"
As Su Chen came forward, the cultivators of the entire Aeternus Sect fell into an uproar.
Daoist Kongxing, who had just made a wager with the Li Yunlin brothers, had an ugly expression.
"So, Lord Prefecture Lord and Fellow Daoist Yunlin had an ace up their sleeves all along."
Hearing the sarcastic, odd tone in Daoist Kongxing's voice, Li Yunlin and Li Yunbing did not respond.
On the arena, this child, Su Chen, was exceptionally brazen.
At less than fifty years of age, he had already reached the mid-stage Golden Core realm.
His aura was especially extraordinary; the moment he appeared, he had already manifested his Dharma Body—it was actually a golden, roaming dragon.
The wild dragon roared, producing an immense might.
Golden Core Dharma Bodies are also separated into various ranks, and the inherent pressure of this roaming dragon Dharma Body alone already made the Dharma Bodies of the Duravia Trade Prefecture's geniuses tremble.
The cultivation method he practiced was even more divine and unfathomable, as a powerful might that seemed to come from the primal wilderness flowed from his Dantian.
A golden longsword suddenly appeared in Su Chen's hand. The moment he stepped onto the arena, he struck down a genius from the Duravia Trade Prefecture who had just entered the Golden Core realm.
A one-hit instant kill!
"It surpasses a Heaven-rank Core!"
As Su Chen struck, all the experts present saw the truth of his ability, and every one of their expressions changed. This legendary Golden Core also represented Su Chen's powerful potential.
...
"The world is vast and full of wonders; in the future, I must never underestimate the people of this world."
Li Wei was also watching from the sidelines. The moment he saw Su Chen strike, even he couldn't help but be filled with emotion.
A Divine Core!
This was the first time Li Wei had ever seen someone refine a "Divine Core."
At this moment, Su Chen was already slaughtering all before him on the arena. The geniuses of the Duravia Trade Prefecture could no longer be bothered with acting like gentlemen and were already ganging up on Su Chen.
But at the same time, Li Wei also glanced at Li Xinnian beside him.
He only saw that Nangong Qingya's red lips were wide open, almost enough to stuff a goose egg into. Li Xinnian, on the other hand, his expression remained calm.
Su Chen's strength, which was nearly invincible within the Golden Core realm, did not attract too much of Li Xinnian's attention.
Li Xinnian slowly walked toward the Liu family's Liu Rusi.
That Liu Rusi, under these circumstances, surprisingly paid no mind to Su Chen, but was instead hiding behind the Liu family elders.
"Seniors, if you don't mind, could you allow this junior to speak with Miss Liu?"
Hearing this, the Liu family head's eyes instantly filled with joy. "Young Master Xinnian, please, feel free."
At this moment, the Liu family head was even inwardly excited. Before, he was unwilling to let Liu Rusi marry Su Chen, but that was only because he wanted to curry favor with the Ding family and the Aeternus Sect.
But now things were different. He had seen Su Chen's formidable strength, and adding to that, Su Chen had the Li family as his backer.
For the Liu family to gain a son-in-law with the future potential to break through to the Void Refining realm, that was also an extremely worthwhile transaction.
Li Xinnian led Liu Rusi into a side room.
That Liu Rusi stood apprehensively inside the side room. Li Xinnian had already silently poured a cup of tea for himself, paying no mind to the matters outside.
His voice was calm. "Miss Liu, you are no longer young, about the same age as Ding Zerui."
"Yes." Liu Rusi nodded slightly. She didn't know what this little young master of the Li family had brought her here to do.
"I previously heard some unfavorable rumors about Miss Liu from Ding Zerui."
As Li Xinnian's voice fell, a trace of panic flashed across Liu Rusi's face.
Li Xinnian took this in. He smiled and said, "I don't want to bother with these rumors; it's just that this humble one has many doubts. Miss Liu must have known about your marriage contract with Ding Zerui long ago."
Liu Rusi could only say, "Yes."
A hint of teasing entered Li Xinnian's eyes. "Then I'm very curious. Since it's a marriage contract, why didn't you honor it?
As far as I know, Ding Zerui's disposition isn't good, but his conduct and character have always been relatively upright.
You two are also childhood sweethearts. That day at the Perennis Immortal Palace, although his actions were despicable, it was also from a genuine desire to kill Brother Su, his love rival."
"Young Master Li, what are you trying to say?" Liu Rusi's expression changed.
"It's true that Ding Zerui and I are childhood sweethearts, but we have no feelings for each other. Su Chen and I are truly in love!"
"Miss Liu, don't be anxious. This humble one hasn't said anything."
Li Xinnian smiled. "Miss Liu has been cultivated at the Aeternus Sect since childhood, so your horizons have naturally broadened.
Ding Zerui cultivates in the sect, and his cultivation base isn't bad, but compared to the experts on the arena today, he is nothing.
Perhaps Miss Liu could resolve a doubt for this humble one.
Did Miss Liu grow distant from Ding Zerui back when you were childhood sweethearts, or was it only after you began cultivating at the Aeternus Sect that you started to grow distant from him?"
"I..." Liu Rusi's face instantly turned pale.
"Later, Brother Su appeared. The strength he displayed in the secret realm was extraordinary; he alone could fight more than ten inner sect disciples. Such impressive skill."
Li Xinnian let out a long sigh. "Miss Liu, the affairs of this world are not so easily explained clearly. It is only human nature to admire the strong. It's a pity, ah... Brother Su has had his eyes blinded."
"Li Xinnian!"
As Li Xinnian continued to speak, Liu Rusi's eyes filled with bloodshot veins.
"Su Chen always mentioned you in the secret realm, calling you his brother. But what do you mean by telling me this now? Are you trying to destroy my relationship with Su Chen..."
"Miss Liu, look, you're getting anxious again."
Facing Liu Rusi's hysteria, Li Xinnian, however, remained as calm and unbothered as ever.
"Miss Liu, do you know why I was able to find your location? Actually, three years ago, I already warned Ding Zerui, and our family's power was also secretly helping you.
During that time, you had many opportunities to escape the Aeternus Sect and the Ding family. But you didn't.
You chose to obey your family's orders and hide in the Liu family home."
Li Xinnian's voice gradually became mocking. "You are waiting. Waiting for Brother Su to be able to take you away openly and honorably, or... for Brother Su to die!
No matter what, you won't be implicated. You won't have to roam the ends of the earth with Brother Su, living that kind of life in constant fear."