My strength increases by one percent every day; I can destroy stars with my bare hands.

There is no such thing as a secret that cannot be kept forever; eventually, the truth will come out.

In just a few days, news of what happened at the Pei residence spread throughout Anzhou City and then to the surrounding counties.

The whole city was in an uproar, and it became the topic of conversation for countless people after dinner.

"Li Xuancang is truly pathetic. The Pei family immediately turned their backs on him as soon as the Marquis's prodigy made his appearance. Their true colors are even faster than turning the pages of a book."

"Being kidnapped in public, having your engagement annulled, and losing all face—no matter how open and honest you are, you've still lost completely."

"After fighting on the battlefield and becoming tough and bloodthirsty, they can't even hold onto a marriage. They have no roots or foundation and can't be respected in the end."

"..."

The ridicule was most intense in the military, with many veteran generals secretly mocking them.

He would lament to everyone he met that Li Xuancang was young and had only a hollow reputation, no real foundation, and was manipulated by powerful families, becoming a laughing stock in the whole prefecture.

The Pei family also became the laughing stock of the entire city.

People see through the Pei family's wavering, opportunistic, and short-sighted nature.

He first favored Li Xuancang, who came from humble beginnings, but then turned his attention to the noble and talented, showing a fickle and indecisive nature.

In the end, all he got was a marriage contract in name only. He had to swallow his anger and suffer in silence, but dared not speak out.

In the scholarly circles and in the bustling streets, everyone joked about the Pei family.

"He gained empty fame, an empty marriage, and lost his integrity."

In everyone's eyes, the Marquis of Anzhou's mansion was the only winner.

Seize the beauty, secure marriage alliances, and bind the powerful connections of the Pei family.

They could leverage the situation to elevate the declining reputation of the Marquis's mansion without paying any price.

He gained both fame and fortune, could advance and retreat at will, controlled both governments, and reaped the benefits.

The whole city was in an uproar, and the commotion lingered for a long time.

Rumors flooded the military camp from all directions, and everyone was watching to see Li Xuancang make a fool of himself.

Wait and see him become depressed, resentful, lose control, and never recover.

But Li Xuancang, who was at the center of the storm, remained calm and composed throughout.

They continued to conduct routine troop drills, inspect defenses, comfort wounded and disabled soldiers, and handle miscellaneous military affairs.

Having returned to the military camp, Nangong Zhan couldn't stand the rumors circulating throughout the city. He was indignant and felt sorry for his commander.

"My lord, the whole city is laughing at you. The Pei family is indecisive, the Marquis's family is treacherous and scheming, so why are you the one being ridiculed in the end?"

Upon hearing this, Li Xuancang showed no sign of joy or anger.

"Let others say what they want!"

Today's honors and disgraces, the laughter and disputes, are nothing more than insignificant dust on his road to rise in a chaotic world.

Just then, Shen Qingshan, who was tracking down the whereabouts of the Mysterious Yin Elder, returned.

"Lord Li, I have found the whereabouts of the Mysterious Yin Elder."

Upon hearing this, Li Xuancang was overjoyed and hurriedly asked, "Where?"

Shen Qingshan's expression changed, and he said solemnly, "In Xuanyang County."

He revealed the whereabouts of the Mysterious Yin Elder, then said uncertainly, "It seems the Mysterious Yin Elder deliberately leaked his whereabouts; this move could very well be to lure me into a trap."

Shen Qingshan comes from the Bi'an Division and has extensive experience in dealing with demons and evil cultivators. He is cautious and prudent.

Suspecting that the Elder Xuan Yin might be deliberately luring him into making a move, he dared not act rashly and returned to Anzhou City to inform Li Xuancang.

"Lord Li, the outside world is unaware of your true strength. If you join forces with me, even if Elder Xuan Yin has laid an ambush, he will have no chance of escape."

Shen Qingshan returned to Anzhou City to invite Li Xuancang to join him in making a move.

With Li Xuancang's terrifying strength, comparable to that of a Qi Refining Realm expert, even if the Xuan Yin Elder had some schemes, he would have no choice but to surrender.

After a moment's thought, Li Xuancang made a decision.

"Please wait a moment, Fellow Daoist Shen. I will go and report to Lord Du immediately."

As long as the Old Man of Xuan Yin lives, Li Xuancang will never have a moment's peace.

Now that he has the whereabouts of the Mysterious Yin Elder, he will never let him go.

Li Xuancang soon arrived at Du Tianfeng's private tent.

"This humble servant greets Your Excellency."

Du Tianfeng looked at Li Xuancang and was relieved to find that he was not affected by the Pei family's affairs.

He had previously worried that Li Xuancang, being young and impulsive, would become depressed for a while after the setback.

In hindsight, he had been overthinking it.

"My lord, Fellow Daoist Shen has tracked down the whereabouts of Elder Xuan Yin. This humble servant wishes to personally take action and kill him."

Li Xuancang couldn't wait to volunteer for battle, fearing that the Xuan Yin Elder would escape.

Du Tianfeng understood Li Xuancang's killing intent towards the Xuan Yin Elder, and without much hesitation, he agreed to let Li Xuancang take action.

"The military camp is short-staffed; go and return quickly."

"Thank you, sir."

Li Xuancang was overjoyed to receive Du Tianfeng's consent.

He instructed Nangong Zhan to inform his family that he would be leaving for a while and to tell them not to worry.

The two traveled light and left secretly, without alerting any factions.

Fearing that delay might lead to unforeseen changes, Li Xuancang traveled day and night, arriving in Xuanyang County from Anzhou City in just five days.

Li Xuancang was no stranger to Xuanyang County. It had suffered from war and was now impoverished and sparsely populated.

"Lord Li, the Mysterious Yin Elder is hiding in Cangyun Ridge."

Upon hearing this, Li Xuancang was somewhat surprised, not expecting that the Xuan Yin Elder would be hiding in this place.

The Xuan Yang County army suffered heavy losses, and the current soldiers are all new recruits. They are left in Xuan Yang County City for training, and the defense line of Cang Yun Ridge has been completely abandoned.

Even without troops stationed there, they would send people to patrol from time to time. It was somewhat unexpected that the Mysterious Yin Elder was hiding in this place.

Let's go!

Li Xuancang was burning with murderous intent, wishing he could kill the Xuan Yin Elder immediately to eliminate any future troubles.