C11 Freely Changing Attributes

The Phoenix Restaurant was the premier dining establishment in the Royal Capital, a magnet for the city's most influential figures at any given hour.

At the restaurant's prime table near the entrance, the Prime Minister sat in his usual spot, a man of immense authority second only to the emperor himself.

Upon entering the Phoenix Restaurant, Qing Yi and Qing Bai immediately caught sight of the Prime Minister and left Liu Xingchang behind to sit dutifully at the table.

With an awkward chuckle, Qing Yi greeted, "Father…"

The Prime Minister lifted his sparse eyebrows and gently blew on the tea leaves floating in his cup, responding coolly, "So you remember I'm your father? I've been away from the Royal Capital for a couple of days, and it seems you two have been up to no good."

Qing Yi quickly took a seat next to the Prime Minister, playfully massaging his shoulders and back, "Oh, how could that be? We've been thinking of you the whole time, Father."

"Thinking of me while treating my words like they're nothing?" the Prime Minister retorted with a detached tone.

Qing Bai attempted to interject, "Father, Liu Xingchang has truly changed for the better. Associating with the Liu Family could be advantageous for us…"

"Be quiet," the Prime Minister cut in sharply, fixing Qing Bai with a stern look. "I'm well aware of the recent events. Is there a need for you to repeat them?"

Qing Bai fell silent at once.

Qing Yi continued with a playful smile, "Father, in all honesty, it wouldn't hurt for us to befriend the Liu Family. Liu Xingchang has become quite formidable, and he even saved my life when we were children…"

The Prime Minister's demeanor softened markedly when dealing with his daughter, in stark contrast to his stern approach with his son. He had never been able to bring himself to directly reprimand her, always delegating such tasks to the butler. Now, as she playfully jostled him, his heart nearly skipped a beat.

"Enough, enough, stop that now," he said, trying to regain composure. "I'll see how Liu Xingchang handles today's situation with Tian Daigan. If he manages it to my satisfaction, I won't stand in the way of you and your brother associating with him any longer."

"Haha!" Qing Yi exclaimed joyfully, "Thank you, Father!"

Qing Bai, on the other hand, looked skeptical. "The Liu Family doesn't have a Rune Master. How is Liu Xingchang going to resolve this issue? He's currently under the scrutiny of all the major powers in the Royal Capital. Surely he wouldn't dare resort to violence against Tian Daigan at such a critical juncture?"

The Prime Minister cast a glance at his son and remarked, "That is a matter for him to handle."

Qing Bai let out a sigh and could only offer silent prayers for Liu Xingchang.

...

Currently, the Phoenix Restaurant was bustling with dignitaries, and not just the Prime Minister. Princess Qingyuan was seated at a table on the second floor, eagerly awaiting Liu Xingchang's arrival. Her curiosity about him had been growing, along with her anticipation.

Tian Daigan had arranged a gathering at the Phoenix Restaurant, using the allure of Spirit Mark Runes to attract independent Cultivators. Princess Qingyuan certainly wasn't going to miss such an event.

She was confident that Liu Xingchang would make an appearance.

If Liu Xingchang was astute, he would not just sit back and let Tian Daigan's influence expand unchecked.

For a Rune Master, recruiting a cadre of powerful followers was a simple task. While attracting a Cultivator from the Spirit Mastery Realm might prove challenging, posing a threat to the Liu Family was well within reach.

After all, Liu Xingchang alone possessed the prowess to contend with a Cultivator of the Spirit Mastery Realm.

...

Tian Daigan was currently seated at the central table on the ground floor, focused on crafting Spirit Mark Runes.

He was encircled by Cultivators eager to acquire these coveted runes.

The Spirit Mark Rune, requiring Spirit Stones, Heavenly Stones, and sophisticated rune-crafting skills, was highly valued. As a result, many heirs of prominent families had not yet managed to collect a full set of thirty runes.

Tian Daigan's strategy was proving effective in drawing a group of followers. They might not be deeply loyal, but they would certainly be useful in the short term.

At that moment, a youth in a black robe entered and made a beeline for the table.

Though it had been several years since Tian Daigan had last seen Liu Xingchang, he recognized him instantly.

The youth's extraordinary presence was unmistakable, and Tian Daigan had the discernment to notice it.

Pausing his work, Tian Daigan addressed him coolly, "Liu Xingchang?"

With a smile, Liu Xingchang responded, "Yes, it's me."

Tian Daigan inquired with the same cool detachment, "It's been years since we last met. How have you been?"

Liu Xingchang said, "I've been better. I sustained an injury at your Dai Family's estate the day before yesterday. My chest still aches a bit."

Tian Daigan's eyes narrowed, filled with loathing, as he said, "Believe me, my brother's death won't go unavenged. Your brother's days are numbered."

Liu Xingchang chuckled and countered, "Are you relying on the two severely wounded and disabled Dai Family elders? Or perhaps on yourself?"

With a scoff, Tian Daigan gestured broadly and proclaimed, "I'm relying on these Cultivators surrounding me!"

Liu Xingchang laughed and posed a question, "Tell me, would your sword ever cut off your own arm?"

With a sneer, Tian Daigan replied, "Only a fool who can't wield a sword would manage that!"

"You're no fool, and neither am I," Liu Xingchang said with a smile. "Therefore, it stands to reason that my sword wouldn't cut off my own arm either."

Perplexed, Tian Daigan asked, "What are you getting at?"

Liu Xingchang's smile broadened. "These Cultivators you see around you are actually my allies. Why would they assist you in opposing me?"

Tian Daigan was taken aback, then scoffed dismissively, "Liu Xingchang, you must be joking. I had assumed that years apart would have made you stronger, not more foolish!"

"Foolish?" Liu Xingchang simply smiled, remaining silent. He approached an empty table and drew a Qiankun Pouch from within his robes, a pouch with a space all its own.

The crowd around them erupted in whispers and speculation.

"What's he up to?"

"He's pulling out a Qiankun Pouch—is he hungry and getting money for food? Surely it's not that straightforward?"

"Is this Liu Xingchang's way of conceding defeat?"

Liu Xingchang was far from conceding. From the Qiankun Pouch, he retrieved not coins, but Spirit Stones and Heavenly Stones.

Before departing the mines, he had filled the pouch with these treasures.

"Rise," Liu Xingchang commanded softly, channeling the Spiritual Energy within him to manipulate the Spirit Stones and Heavenly Stones atop the table.

"!"

Liu Xingchang produced a sound that was strange beyond description. With a swift motion, he brought his right index and middle fingers together, swiftly inscribing three enigmatic and complex characters onto the group of Spirit Stones and Heavenly Stones bathed in the glow of Spiritual Energy—characters so perplexing they could make one's head throb just by glancing at them.

Soon after, the cryptic runes blazed with brilliance, and the Spirit Stones and Heavenly Stones rapidly shrank, condensing into three beams of green light that merged into a single beam.

The onlookers were instantly abuzz with excitement.

"Is that... Is that a Spirit Mark Rune?"

"Liu Xingchang can actually condense a Spirit Mark Rune!"

"Is Liu Xingchang a Rune Master, too?"

"Good heavens, condensing a Spirit Mark Rune is an incredibly difficult feat. It requires not just innate talent but also years of skill and learning... That's why there are so few Rune Masters in the whole Royal Capital!"

"The Liu Family is blessed to have Liu Xingchang. What a gift from above!"

"If only I had a daughter, I'd do everything to become Liu Xingchang's father-in-law!"

"Wait! Look again! The rune is changing!"

"That was a yellow, speed-type Spirit Mark Rune just a moment ago. How did it suddenly become a green, defensive-type Spirit Mark Rune?"

"And now look! The green defensive-type Spirit Mark Rune has turned into a red, offensive-type Spirit Mark Rune!"

"Liu Xingchang's Spirit Mark Rune can actually freely alter its attributes? My goodness!"

"Imagine possessing a set of Spirit Mark Runes that could be changed at will during combat to suit one's needs!"

"That's incredibly overpowered!"

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