Chapter 57.1

“My mother should be very pleased with you as the eldest son who can inherit the family business and a second son who can enter Tianfan Immortal Sect to practice. Why worry about me, a good-for-nothing bastard,” Li Tianyan laughed at himself, only then did he suddenly come back to his senses with a smile.

The lingering thoughts hidden in his heart resurfaced, affecting his emotions after hearing Li Tianzhou’s words. Li Tianyan’s face suddenly became a little grim.

Li Tianzhou didn’t notice anything unusual about the person opposite him and continued to talk to himself, “Although you are a concubine son, I always treat you as my own. You’re better than me and Tiancheng. Tiancheng was often jealous of you when we were children. He accused mother of favoring you. Don’t you remember that the separation was decided by the old madam? There’s nothing she can do even if mother disagree.”

“Why don’t you, Eldest Young Master Li, just say what you want to say,” Li Tianyan listened to what he said, his attitude not changing even after so much talk.

Seeing that the coaxing was futile, Li Tianzhou stopped beating around the bush and said straightforwardly, “I hope you’ll join me in this battle for the aristocratic families.”

“Let me participate in the battle?” Li Tianyan finally reacted a little, “Isn’t it true that only one person from each family can participate in the battle?”

“It was the case before, but I received news this morning that the rules have changed. Now, one family can have three qualified participants, and the final result will be calculated based on cumulative points. So, I hope you’ll join me. If you win for the Li family, you’ll gain mining rights to the new mineral vein,” Li Tianzhou said enticingly.

After witnessing the strength of the Yuncheng families, he hadn’t held high hopes for this battle. However, after hearing various rumors about Li Tianyan recently, he couldn’t help but reconsider. Li Tianzhou, originally hesitant to ask Li Tianyan to fight and replace him, immediately made up his mind upon receiving new information about the battle.

The strongest among his peers in the Li family didn’t exceed the fifth level, and he had no suitable candidate except Li Tianyan.

“What does this have to do with me?” Li Tianyan lazily held his chin with one hand and yawned.

“This battle is of great importance. Regardless of past grievances, at this moment, we brothers should set them aside and unite in the face of the outside world. Besides, as a cultivator, you’ll also require significant resources for your future practice. With this vein, the family will be able to provide you with convenient resources in the future,” Li Tianzhou said, casting a glance at the person opposite him.

He couldn’t help but think about how his second brother was fortunate enough to be the outer disciple sect of Tianfan Immortal Sect. Who would have imagined that Li Tianyan would quietly become the disciple of the inner sect? If the news hadn’t been widely spread in Yuncheng, he might not have known at all.

“One of my pills can sell for millions of taels. Why would I need the support from the Li family?” Li Tianyan responded with a half-smile, half-smirk. Li Tianzhou, neither particularly capable nor ambitious, was just as he expected, a mere pawn.

Li Tianzhou was rendered speechless by his question. After taking a few deep breaths, he wanted to say more, but Li Tianyan cut him off.@@novelbin@@

“Wait for me to think about it,” Li Tianyan interrupted, then brusquely ordered him to leave. “If Eldest Young Master Li has nothing else to discuss, please don’t disturb my wife and me while we’re having afternoon tea.” He gestured for the man to remain quiet. Cheng Qi, who was seated nearby, heard Li Tianyan refer to him as the wife, nearly choked on his food in surprise.

Li Tianzhou then turned his attention to the person beside Li Tianyan. Despite half of his face being concealed by a mask, Li Tianzhou remembered his appearance and stiffened upon recognition.

Wasn’t this wife Li Tianyan had married due to a conspiracy by his mother? Observing Li Tianyan’s attitude, Li Tianzhou couldn’t discern his intentions. He could only stand up and say, “There are only a few days left. Please think carefully. I’ll take my leave.”

.

Once Li Tianzhou had departed the teahouse, Cheng Qi asked Li Tianyan quietly, “Young master, do you intend to participate?”

If Li Tianyan had no intention of participating, he would have refused just now. Hearing him say he needed time to think, Cheng Qi guessed that Li Tianyan would likely agree.

“I’m just a little interested in that Yunpeng Secret Realm,” Li Tianyan admitted, originally considering finding a way to enter it. This battle did present a good opportunity, and he had a hunch that the individual Tan Eyu encountered was likely to appear in this battle.

“Then, can I come along?” Cheng Qi asked eagerly after receiving Li Tianyan’s affirmative reply.

Having heard Li Tianyan talked about the secret realm before, Cheng Qi had long been curious about the legendary place. Although it had been depleted, it would be exciting to explore the secret realm.

“If we go in, we might be assigned to different locations. Are you still willing to go?” Li Tianyan turned to ask Cheng Qi.

Upon hearing that they might be separated, Cheng Qi felt a pang of disappointment but nodded firmly nonetheless. “I still want to go,” he replied.

Even if he didn’t go but the young master went, they would still be apart from each other. Perhaps they could reunite in the secret realm if they went together. So, why not go?

“Very well,” Li Tianyan said, pleased with his resolute response. He truly wanted Cheng Qi to undergo training, but he had to prepare himself as well.

The two lingered in the teahouse for a while and gradually overheard discussions about the new rules for the battle. It seemed that the advancement to innate level had prompted many families to jointly request a change in the rules. If they couldn’t fight alone, they wanted to rely on teamwork.

Despite keeping his senses sharp and observing the people passing nearby, Li Tianyan couldn’t detect anyone with spiritual energy. In the evening, he and Cheng Qi returned to their small courtyard.