C23 Lee Family Borrowed a Knife

"Young Master Lee, aren't you going to seek me out?"

Hua Feihu sipped his tea, not even sparing a glance for Lee Aotian.

Lee Aotian's gaze grew colder. He could feel Hua Feihu's disdain; the man clearly had no respect for him.

Despite his anger, Lee Aotian kept his composure. He needed a favor from Hua Feihu today, so he decided to hold onto his resentment and settle scores with Hua Feihu later.

With a forced smile, Lee Aotian said, "Young Master Hua, you're familiar with Lee Yifan, I presume?"

"The heir of the Lee family? Of course, I know of him."

Hua Feihu's words were laced with sarcasm. He only acknowledged talents like Yifan; Lee Aotian was insignificant in his eyes.

Soon after, Hua Feihu's expression turned apologetic as he remarked, "I almost forgot. Yifan's dantian was destroyed, and now you are the young master of the Lee family."

Lee Aotian's fury intensified. Not particularly cunning, his face betrayed his displeasure. He dropped the pretense of cordiality and said, "Young Master Hua, you're aware that it was your family's ancestor who crippled Yifan's dantian, aren't you? Even though he's become useless, his fortune is still enviable..."

Lee Aotian relayed the situation with Jiang Yurou and Bai Ruoyun to Hua Feihu, then added, "Young Master Hua, after your ancestor crippled his dantian, Yifan has now gained the support of Jiang Yurou and Bai Ruoyun. With his resolve, he's bound to seek vengeance against the Hua family. But never mind, I'm probably overthinking it. With the Hua family's resources, you surely won't be concerned about someone like him. I have other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave."

With that, Lee Aotian stood up and departed.

He didn't want to stay in Hua Feihu's presence, fearing he might lose control and strike him.

Once he was gone, a man beside Hua Feihu couldn't help but comment, "Does Lee Aotian have a screw loose? Thinking he can intimidate us with a has-been?"

"He knows he can't intimidate us, so he fled."

"Don't even mention Lee Yifan's dantian being damaged. Even if it were intact, with Young Master Hua present, our Hua Family fears no one."

"What a bunch of fools. Can't you see that Lee Aotian is deliberately stirring up trouble, trying to get us to target Lee Yifan? His tactics are contemptible, but I must admit they're effective," Hua Feihu remarked.

"Young Master Hua, are you suggesting we should take action against Lee Yifan?"

Hua Feihu nodded. "Lee Yifan has ties to Jiang Yurou and Bai Ruoyun. If he convinces them to move against the Hua Family, considering their backing, it would spell trouble for us. The best course of action is to discreetly erase Lee Yifan from this world."

"He's nothing but a has-been. I'll handle this, Young Master Hua. He'll be gone in three days," someone offered eagerly.

"Even though Lee Yifan is now crippled, a sick tiger still has its ferocity. We must not underestimate him. Send someone from the eighth Beginning level and two from the seventh to take him down."

"Aren't we overestimating him?"

"Make sure there are no mistakes. Follow my orders!"

"Yes!"

...

Lee Yifan was unaware that the Lee family was using the Hua family's might to target him.

After nearly twenty hours of seclusion, Lee Yifan finally emerged.

Stepping out the door, he was greeted by Lee You'er and Bai Ruoyun. Lee You'er spoke up first, "Yifan, are you hungry? I've prepared some food for you."

"Yifan, there's something different about your aura. Could it be..."

Bai Ruoyun, with her heightened alchemist's senses, instantly noticed a change in Lee Yifan post-seclusion.

Lee Yifan smiled and responded, "I've had a minor breakthrough with the eighth level of the Divine Body; I've mastered the first layer."

"What?"

Lee Yao was agape. He had been studying the eighth level of the Divine Body for some time, yet he hadn't even grasped the basics of the technique.

The heavenly-level cultivation technique was incredibly complex, posing a significant challenge for many. Yet, without fully grasping the technique himself, Lee Yifan had already mastered the first level. The gap between them was staggering.

"Yifan, how did you manage it?" Lee Yao asked, his eyes filled with admiration.

He had always known about Lee Yifan's exceptional talent, but only now was he truly experiencing it firsthand. The overwhelming difference made him feel utterly outmatched, to the point where it disturbed his peace of mind.

The thought of Lee Yifan's dantian being damaged brought a somber look to Lee Yao's face. Had it not been for that injury, Lee Yifan would undoubtedly be the one the entire younger generation of Ilanahil looked up to.

"How far along are you in your cultivation?" Lee Yifan inquired.

With an embarrassed expression, Lee Tao confessed, "The technique is so intricate, I haven't fully understood it yet."

Lee Yifan gave Lee Yao a knowing glance. Not wanting to discourage him in front of Lee You'er and Bai Ruoyun, he asked, "What parts are you struggling with?"

After Lee Yao explained his confusion, Lee Yifan swiftly clarified his doubts, enlightening him with just a few words.

"Yifan, I get it now. You're truly incredible."

"Now that you understand, dedicate yourself to your practice and make the most of this technique."

Lee Yao, with a hand over his heart, assured him, "Yifan, you can count on me. I won't let you down."

"Keep it up; I have high hopes for you!"

"Yifan, let's set aside training for a moment and have something to eat," Lee You'er suggested.

Lee Yifan agreed, and they all shared a meal together.

Afterwards, Lee Yifan departed from White Cloud Ravine. His supply of medicinal pills was depleted, but he still had fifty thousand gold coins in his possession, all obtained through dealings with Lee Zheng.

Lee Yifan had no intention of hoarding the money. His goal was to convert it into resources to enhance his strength as soon as possible.

With that in mind, Lee Yifan resolved to make another visit to the Vault of Wonders.

Shortly after leaving White Cloud Ravine, Lee Yifan sensed something trailing behind him. His recent advancement to the first level of the Eighth Layer of the Divine Body had significantly enhanced his perception. The grueling hours of cultivation had toughened his mental fortitude, effectively strengthening him. As a result, his senses were now sharper than ever.

Realizing he was being followed, Yifan deliberately slowed his pace. At a bend in the path, he caught a glimpse of his pursuer with his peripheral vision. Recognizing them, his eyes flashed with icy fury.

The Hua family!

They were the ones shadowing him. A fierce desire for retribution swirled within Yifan. His dantian had been shattered by a single blow from an elder of the Hua family. His loathing for them was no less intense than that of the Lee family's heir, and yet, before he could confront the Hua family, they had already set their sights on him.

The saying goes, "If you shun the path to paradise, you'll find yourself at the gates of hell."

In that moment, Yifan's intent to kill surged. He would start settling scores with the Hua family, beginning with these few individuals.

Yifan altered his course, drawing his pursuers into a more secluded area. The Hua family members following him sensed something off but remained unconcerned. With their strength, they felt no need to fear someone they considered a nobody.

Half an hour later, Yifan reached a desolate spot and abruptly halted. "You've been skulking behind me for quite some time. Isn't it about time you showed yourself?"