Chapter Seventy: News of the Spirit Stones

Lin Yi gazed at the serene Li Zhihan and smiled lightly, asking, “Didn’t you have piano lessons today?”

Li Zhihan shook her head. “No, a distinguished guest visited our home today, and my father asked me to entertain their apprentice.”

At that moment, three people approached.

A man with a reserved demeanor inquired, “Zhihan, who is this?”

“He’s my friend, Lin Yi,” Li Zhihan replied with a sweet smile, her eyes occasionally flashing with admiration.

Ever since Lin Yi had saved her like a thunder god, he had left a deep impression on her heart.

“Oh, a friend, I see.”

The man smiled gracefully and said, “Hello, Lin Yi. I’m Miao Yunhe, a student of the Seven Stars Society of Jiang Province.”

As soon as Miao Yunhe finished speaking, the aloof girl who had followed him interjected, “Young Master Miao, you’re being too modest. You’re actually the personal disciple of Hong Wu from the Seven Stars Society.”

The Seven Stars Society was a martial arts school, a longstanding power in Jiang Province. Though not as renowned as the top ten families, it wielded considerable influence within the province.

Hong Wu was a half-step grandmaster of the society, extremely powerful. That Miao Yunhe could become his personal disciple was proof of his own significant abilities.

“Jiani, a personal disciple is still a student, isn’t he?”

Miao Yunhe replied with a humble smile, but there was a flash of arrogance in his eyes.

To have reached the level of hidden strength at his age, he had every reason to be proud.

Even his master, Hong Wu, had said that within five years, he would surely step into the Innate Realm.

At that point, he would only be in his early twenties.

Such speed of advancement was already on par with the elite heirs of the great families.

“You’re right, Young Master Miao,” Yao Jiani said with a bright smile.

Miao Yunhe turned to Lin Yi and said, “Lin Yi, would you like to join us for some fun?”

“No need, you all go ahead.”

Lin Yi shook his head, utterly uninterested in these childish gatherings.

With that, he turned and walked away.

“Lin Yi, I’ll go with you,” Li Zhihan hurried after him.

This scene made the faces of the three change subtly.

The nouveau riche young man among them sneered mockingly, “Well, Young Master Miao, it seems your reputation isn’t enough after all.”

Miao Yunhe’s expression changed little, but a flicker of gloom crossed his eyes.

From the first moment he saw Li Zhihan, he had been captivated by this sweet girl.

He’d assumed that with his strength and background, he could win her favor.

But unexpectedly, Lin Yi’s appearance had thrown all his plans into disarray.

Yao Jiani, also displeased, muttered, “That little wretch, who does she think we are?”

Her own family was well-known in Jiang Province, and yet a mere branch of the Li family dared to slight her. Someone as proud as Yao Jiani could not tolerate this.

“That’s enough, stop talking. Let’s go back to the Li residence and have Li Mingfeng look into this person’s background,” Miao Yunhe said grimly.

Soon, the three returned to the Li residence.

Seeing their somber faces, Li Mingfeng cautiously asked, “Young Master Miao, why didn’t Zhihan come back with you?”

Li Zhihan was his treasured daughter. Now the three had returned without her, and he was anxious, fearing something had happened.

“Li Mingfeng, I really don’t know how you raise your daughter. She has no manners at all,” Yao Jiani said unpleasantly.

Li Mingfeng’s face darkened, anger simmering inside.

He was, after all, an elder and a notable figure in Lancheng. Now, to be scolded by a junior was more than humiliating.

Yet he dared not lose his temper, knowing the backgrounds of these young people.

At that moment, a man beside Li Mingfeng spoke in a deep voice, “Jiani, mind your words.”

“Master Hong!”

Yao Jiani immediately shrank back, not daring another word.

This was none other than Hong Wu, the Seven Stars Society’s half-step grandmaster.

Hong Wu was a towering figure, skilled in various martial arts. Simply standing there, he exuded an oppressive aura.

Miao Yunhe stepped forward and said, “Master, Jiani is just outspoken. Please don’t blame her.”

Hong Wu’s gaze was sharp as he swept over the three of them. “Now, tell me, where did Zhihan go? I have already discussed with the head of the Li family to take Zhihan as a personal disciple. If I hear anyone speak ill of her again, don’t blame me for being harsh.”

Jealousy flashed in Yao Jiani’s eyes. She had spent over a million at the Seven Stars Society and was still just an ordinary member. Yet Li Zhihan, without doing anything, was to become Master Hong’s personal disciple.

“Damn her, that was supposed to be my place,” Yao Jiani thought bitterly, though she dared not show it in front of Hong Wu.

Miao Yunhe said, “Master, Zhihan left with a friend.”

“A friend?” Hong Wu’s expression cooled, and his impression of Li Zhihan lessened.

After all, the three of them were students of the Seven Stars Society, and Miao Yunhe was his personal disciple. For Li Zhihan to abandon them for another friend was clearly an affront.

“Yes, I believe his name is Lin Yi,” Miao Yunhe said, a hint of malice in his eyes.

At this, Li Mingfeng immediately recalled Lin Yi from the previous birthday party and quickly asked, “Is he a rather ordinary-looking young man, in his twenties?”

“That’s right.” Miao Yunhe nodded and asked with concern, “Uncle Li, you know him too?”

“Of course. He showed up uninvited at Zhihan’s recent birthday and even composed a song for her,” Li Mingfeng answered openly, though he didn’t mention how Lin Yi had saved Li Zhihan.

Lin Yi had told her to keep that incident their little secret.

“Does this Lin Yi have any background?” Miao Yunhe probed further.

Li Mingfeng smiled faintly. “He’s just a poor kid, nothing special. Though he’s been close with the Wang family’s daughter.”

Miao Yunhe’s eyes narrowed. Since Lin Yi had no background, he planned to deal with him quietly—to let him know there are people one cannot approach so casually.

As for Wang Ke, he wasn’t worried. Everyone had a few poor friends; there was no need for the two factions to clash over them.

“I’ll call Zhihan now and have her come back,” Li Mingfeng said, disapproving of Lin Yi. Though the young man had some talent, he lacked social acumen—a type unlikely to succeed in the world.

…

Elsewhere.

Lin Yi glanced at Li Zhihan, who followed him like a little shadow, and asked, “Aren’t you worried your father will scold you for not staying with them?”

The Seven Stars Society wielded true provincial power—far beyond what any local force could compare to.

If angered, not even the top family in Lancheng could withstand their wrath.

Li Zhihan sighed softly. “I know, but I just don’t like being with them. They’re too fake, too arrogant. Lin Yi, you didn’t see how my father humbled himself to curry favor with the Seven Stars Society… It’s disheartening.”

What child didn’t want their father to stand tall and proud?

Lin Yi said nothing. Such things happened everywhere.

After calming herself, Li Zhihan suddenly asked, “By the way, Lin Yi, do you know about spirit stones?”

Lin Yi was taken aback. He looked at her and asked, “Do you have a spirit stone?”

Li Zhihan, feeling shy under his penetrating gaze, lowered her head and looked at her shoes. “I don’t. I just heard my father talking about it. Apparently, the Seven Stars Society came to our house to collect a spirit stone. Lin Yi, you’re knowledgeable—surely you know what it is?”

Lin Yi nodded. He not only knew, he had used them countless times.

Spirit stones were essential resources for cultivators, filled with abundant spiritual energy. They were once the common currency among those who pursued immortality.

However, after a great upheaval in the world, their numbers had dwindled sharply.

Lin Yi hadn’t seen a spirit stone in decades.

He hadn’t expected to hear of one from Li Zhihan today, which stirred his interest.

“Spirit stones are used by cultivators. Since you’ve never practiced, it’s normal you wouldn’t know about them,” Lin Yi explained.

“Oh.” Li Zhihan nodded.

Lin Yi then asked, “Have you ever seen the one your father has?”

“No, he keeps it hidden like a treasure. If it weren’t for the Seven Stars Society’s visit today, I wouldn’t even know he had such a thing,” she replied.

Lin Yi lowered his head in thought, considering how he might acquire the spirit stone.

He couldn’t just take it by force—he wasn’t a bandit.

But since Li Mingfeng was using the spirit stone to win the Seven Stars Society’s favor, it was clear he intended to expand his influence toward the provincial capital.

This was an opportunity.

Jiang Province was his territory now; bringing in any one of the top ten families would greatly benefit the Li family.

Just then, Li Zhihan’s phone rang.

She pulled out her pink phone and answered. On the other end, Li Mingfeng’s stern voice demanded, “Zhihan, where are you right now?”

“Dad, I’m out shopping with a friend,” Li Zhihan replied sweetly.

Li Mingfeng’s voice rose, “Nonsense! You’ve abandoned our important guests to go shopping? Is it that poor kid, Lin Yi?”

“I’m telling you, stop seeing him. You two are from different worlds.”

It was the first time Li Zhihan had ever been yelled at by her father, and her eyes immediately reddened. She said, “Dad, don’t talk about Lin Yi like that. You don’t even know him.”

Lin Yi was her savior. Unless one witnessed his abilities firsthand, they couldn’t possibly know how extraordinary he was.

She had once thought Lin Yi was just a music teacher. But the more she got to know him, the more she learned—he also knew traditional medicine.

Last time, in the outskirts of Lancheng, she thought she was doomed to be harmed by that monster, but Lin Yi had saved her as if he were a deity.

If they were truly from different worlds, it was she who was unworthy of Lin Yi.

“I know him well enough. He may have some skills, but he doesn’t know how to read the situation.”

Li Mingfeng realized his tone was harsh and softened it. “Alright, daughter, let’s not talk about him for now. I have good news—Master Hong wants to take you as his disciple. Hurry home.”

Li Zhihan’s face froze. She shook her head. “Dad, I don’t want to be his disciple.”

What she didn’t say was that she wished to become Lin Yi’s student instead.

Ever since witnessing Lin Yi’s true abilities, ordinary martial arts no longer interested her.

“You foolish girl, do you know how many people dream of this opportunity? Yet you refuse it!” Li Mingfeng was exasperated.

“Let whoever wants it take it. I don’t want to be his disciple,” Li Zhihan pouted.

Li Mingfeng was nearly beside himself with frustration. His once obedient daughter was now talking back.

“It must be that brat Lin Yi’s influence.”

He blamed everything on Lin Yi.

With Hong Wu and the others still waiting at home, he dared not delay further and tried to reason, “Zhihan, our branch will never inherit any rights or assets from the main family. If you don’t learn to protect yourself, what will you do if something happens to your mother and me?”

He was playing the emotional card.

Sure enough, Li Zhihan hesitated. “Dad, don’t say that. I’ll think about it.”

“Just come home first,” Li Mingfeng said and hung up before she could refuse.

Li Zhihan put away her phone, helpless.

Lin Yi asked, “Was that your father?”

“Yes.” She nodded. “He wants me to learn martial arts at the Seven Stars Society.”

“Do you want to?” Lin Yi asked calmly.

Li Zhihan hesitated, then looked at him expectantly. “Can I be your disciple instead and learn those amazing immortal techniques?”

Lin Yi glanced at her indifferently and shook his head. “Your aptitude is too poor to be my disciple.”

Li Zhihan immediately lowered her head in disappointment.

But then Lin Yi added, “However, I can teach you a method to strengthen your body. If you can reach the transformation stage within a year, I’ll consider taking you as a registered disciple.”

“Really?” Li Zhihan’s spirits lifted.

Lin Yi nodded. The technique he intended to teach her was the improved version of the body-strengthening method he had previously given to Wang Ke.

Although Li Zhihan possessed the weakest kind of special constitution, it was still far better than the aptitudes of Wang Yang and Wang Ke.

If she truly could reach the transformation stage in a year, then she was indeed destined for this path.

Then Lin Yi said, “Let’s go back to your house. There’s something I need to discuss with your father.”

Li Zhihan immediately understood. “Is it about the spirit stone?”

“Yes.”

Lin Yi nodded.