Starting with Xingyi Quan, it swept across the chaotic world.

After leaving Master Qin's place, many disciples from the outer courtyard crowded around him.

Their faces showed a complex mix of emotions, and some even spoke first with a fawning tone:

Congratulations, Senior Brother Lu!

"I knew Senior Brother Lu was destined for greatness!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Li simply smiled faintly and greeted everyone.

These people's attitudes towards themselves have changed dramatically, which is ultimately due to their increased strength.

However, one shouldn't hit a smiling face, especially since he only had nodding acquaintances with many people in the outer courtyard, so there was no need to care too much. He just needed to maintain basic "brotherly affection" in front of his master.

Seeing this scene, Liang Jing felt a sense of irony and left on his own.

"Junior brother, shall we find a restaurant to celebrate?" Duan Kang patted Lu Li on the shoulder and said, "It's on me, consider it a celebration for your breakthrough."

Lu Li thought for a moment and declined, saying, "Let's do it another day. I need to go home today to tell my uncle and aunt the good news. Besides, I should be the one to pay for this."

"That's true." Duan Kang knew that Lu Li's arrival was inseparable from the support of his uncle and aunt, and he also knew about Lu Li's background. So he just smiled and shook his head.

"I was being presumptuous."

After exchanging pleasantries, Senior Brother Duan Kang also left.

Just as Lu Li was preparing to pack up and go home, a voice suddenly rang out:

"Junior Brother Lu!"

Lu Li turned around and saw Zhang Wu walking towards him with a meaningful smile on his face:

"Junior Brother Lu."

"How about coming with me to the inner city today?"

Lu Li's expression was solemn as he slowly said:

"I have something to do today, so it's not convenient. Let's talk another day."

After Lu Li finished speaking, he was about to leave.

Seeing Lu Li's refusal, Zhang Wu wasn't annoyed. He simply watched Lu Li's retreating figure and spoke again:

"Junior Brother Lu, I know how much effort you've put in to get to where you are today, but have you ever considered whether you can break through to the Transformation Realm simply through hard work?"

Lu Li stopped in his tracks upon hearing this, turned around, and said in a deep voice:

"What are you trying to say?"

"The Wei family in the inner city. Master Wei has a high opinion of me and has given me many resources. He also happens to be someone who welcomes talented people. Why don't you come with me, Junior Brother Lu?"

As Zhang Wu spoke, he took a step forward, as if pressing closer with each step:

"For people like you and me, who come from humble backgrounds, if we want to truly achieve something in the path of martial arts and surpass those kings and generals, we can't move an inch without resources!"

"How about it? Come with me, and I'll introduce you to Master Wei."

If someone else heard this, they would probably be overwhelmed with joy.

But at this moment, Lu Li frowned and unconsciously took a step back.

Although he didn't know much about the inner city or the so-called Master Wei, he always felt that Zhang Wu's changes were too rapid.

Moreover, this invitation was shrouded in a strange atmosphere.

"What exactly do you want to do?" Lu Li asked warily.

He knew perfectly well that there was no such thing as a free lunch. Even if Zhang Wuzhen had no ulterior motives and just wanted to introduce him to Master Wei, he would still need to give something in return.

"I've always felt that true friends are hard to find," Zhang Wu said with a touch of emotion. "I really admire your resilience."

"Stay by my side and help me with my tasks."

Upon hearing this, Lu Li narrowed his eyes and directly refused.

"Not interested."

After saying that, Lu Li turned and left without the slightest hesitation.

"Okay, okay, okay!"

"Junior Brother Lu!" Zhang Wu's voice sneered, "Accumulating blood energy to break through to the Transformation Realm requires a lot of resources."

"Without Master Wei's support, you'd better stay put in Anjin."

Having said that, Zhang Wu waved his sleeve and left in anger.

This scene truly broke the hearts of many outer court disciples.

"That Lu Li is really something! If it were me, I would have agreed to Senior Brother Zhang's offer long ago!"

"Perhaps Senior Brother Lu has just broken through and is full of vigor. He'll probably be fine in a few days."

"In a few days? This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"

The outer disciples naturally respected Lu Li after his breakthrough, but they couldn't understand why Lu Li would refuse Zhang Wu.

That was an incredible opportunity.

If they had Master Wei's strong support, they might not be unable to break through to the Dark Force realm in this lifetime!

However, faced with this "disappointing" Lu Li, everyone could only sigh inwardly at his arrogance.

For them, being a servant is simply being a servant.

Martial arts are nothing to be ashamed of!

Xu Fang witnessed the whole process, and looking at Lu Li's back, a complex expression appeared on her face.

She felt that if she went up to him and showed him goodwill, she would most likely be able to win him over.

But she also felt somewhat ashamed.

After much deliberation, she turned and left.

Although the other party also possesses hidden strength, it's not worth lowering oneself and shamelessly befriending them.

……

Lu Li didn't linger. Instead, he packed his things and hurried home to share the good news.

"There are more and more homeless people lately, but thankfully I haven't seen any members of the Reincarnation Cult."

Lu Li didn't go straight home. Instead, he walked around Ping'anfang first, bought some braised meat and other snacks to go with his drinks, and then returned to the steamed bun shop.

"Uncle, Aunt!"

Lu Li stepped forward and greeted them.

He had been busy with his breakthrough these past few days and hadn't been home to see his family. Now that he saw that his third uncle and aunt were safe and sound, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Oh my, Xiao Li, why are you back so early today?" Uncle San asked in surprise.

Lu Li smiled and placed the snacks on the table:

"I have something to tell you after we close."

Upon hearing this, Lu Zhiyuan's eyes darted around, and he blurted out:

"Could it be that he's gotten involved with some woman?"

"Uncle, can we please stop talking about this every time we meet?" Lu Li thought to himself.

These past few days, my third uncle has been busy arranging my wedding.

The only thing to mention is that my third uncle and his family are extremely open-minded and have a broad perspective.

It's not a compromise at all; it's not just about getting married for my own sake.

They investigated everything about the woman's family background, experiences, and whether she had any scandals.

Uncle San himself filtered out the really bad ones, but there were still many of the remaining ones that he wasn't very willing to accept.

It's somewhat unsolvable.

But that was in the past.

"What do you know?" Auntie San sighed, "Only when you get married will our mission be complete..."

Okay, okay, okay!

The eternal mission—this topic is unavoidable.

Lu Li waited until the door closed and his third uncle and the others brought the dishes to the table before picking up a piece of braised pork to eat.

"Alright, tell me, what's the good news?" Lu Zhiyuan asked again, "Judging from your delighted expression, you haven't really fallen for any girl, have you?"

"I've secretly improved," Lu Li said with a hint of pride as he ate the braised meat.

"You've got hidden strength, huh? Good..."

Lu Zhiyuan nodded subconsciously, then his eyes widened suddenly:

"You've secretly gained power?!"

"hold head high!"

Lu Zhiyuan stood up abruptly and carefully circled Lu Li from head to toe, his face full of surprise.

"Could it be that my Lu family is really going to produce a martial arts scholar?"

Lu Zhiyuan suddenly burst into tears.

Although he didn't know much about martial arts, every martial arts scholar who passed the imperial examinations was a master of internal strength!

In other words, Xiao Li really has a chance to pass the imperial examination and become a martial arts scholar!

He still remembered that his biased father's greatest hope in this life was to produce a martial arts scholar in the family. Now that Lu Heng was still stuck at the Ming Jin level, he wondered how interesting his face would be if he knew that Xiao Li had reached the An Jin level.

"Good, good! Excellent!" Lu Zhiyuan laughed loudly. "Brother Dong's family used to think you had exhausted your potential. If they knew you had broken through to the hidden strength level, I wonder what they would think?"

"If they find out and come to propose marriage, I'll be the first to refuse!"

It's understandable that Dong Gui is thinking of his daughter's best interests.

But now that his nephew has broken through to the Dark Force realm, he has to think more about Xiao Li's future.

Third Aunt glanced at Lu Zhiyuan.

Having known him for so many years, she knew perfectly well that her husband wanted to propose marriage to a good family again. She simply offered some advice:

"I think the news of Xiao Li's breakthrough shouldn't be spread yet. If those girls find out, won't they fight tooth and nail for him? How many of them are sincere? How many are willing to settle down? They're all after the wealth."

Although Lu Li is not her biological son, she has treated him as her own child over the years they have spent together.

Of course, we should help with the selection process.

Upon hearing this, Lu Zhiyuan instantly came to his senses and smiled, "Madam has excellent taste."

Third Aunt snorted softly, secretly somewhat satisfied with Lu Zhiyuan's reaction:

"Let's hurry up and find a good girl for Xiao Li. Xiao Li, don't say you're only interested in martial arts anymore."

Upon hearing this, Lu Li was at a loss for words for a moment, and only spoke after a long while:

"Just help out as you see fit."