Sixty years of blacksmithing, a single hammer blow forging a celestial being.

He had just had one spirit stone deducted from his account by the fat steward.

Now someone else is trying to rob him of his spirit stones.

Is there no justice left in this world? Is there no law left?

Unable to contain himself, he shouted, "If you want to rob me, just say so! Why come up with such a high-sounding excuse! It's utterly shameless! I'll report you to the sect!"

Upon hearing this, the burly disciple was slightly taken aback.

Then a cruel smile appeared on his face.

"Hehe, little kid, you're going to report me? Is that right? Are you sure?"

Looking at that chilling smile, He Wangshu couldn't help but feel a little scared.

He was, after all, just a child under twelve years old.

Li Ping'an immediately stepped forward and blocked He Wangshu's path.

He said it in a flat tone.

"I told you, we don't need protection! We can solve any problems ourselves! Besides, your so-called protection money is probably nothing special!"

"A mere Qi Refining Level 2 cultivator charging protection fees? I want to ask you, if I were harassed by a Foundation Establishment cultivator from a sect, would you come out to protect me? It's a joke!"

Li Pingan spoke these words without any politeness.

Upon hearing this, the tall, muscular disciple's expression immediately changed.

His sharp gaze fell upon Li Ping'an, radiating a predatory light.

It seemed as if they wanted to outdo Li Ping'an.

But Li Ping'an was not afraid at all.

He stared directly into the eyes of the burly disciple, his expression utterly calm.

Although his original intention in joining this sect was to keep a low profile and avoid trouble.

Simply focus on absorbing the waste gas from the alchemy furnace each day for cultivation.

But this does not mean that Li Ping'an can be bullied by others.

Sometimes, it's appropriate to use certain methods.

"Don't think that just because you're a Qi Refining cultivator, you can talk back to me like that! You're just an old waste at the first level of Qi Refining, your life force has long since deteriorated! I'm a young cultivator at the second level of Qi Refining, my life force is much stronger than yours! If you keep babbling in front of me, believe me, I'll cripple you!"

Li Ping'an remained completely calm despite hearing the disciple's threatening words.

I even felt like laughing.

"Fine! I'd like to see how you plan to cripple me! You've got guts!"

The disciple laughed, but his expression still showed some hesitation.

After all, he really didn't dare to make a move within this sect.

He just wanted to use his power to intimidate them and force them to hand over the spirit stones.

If they really start fighting, someone might get killed or something.

If the sect blames them, it will be a net loss.

I just didn't expect to run into such a tough nut to crack as Li Ping'an today.

Seeing Li Ping'an's unyielding attitude, a struggle flashed in the disciple's eyes.

His expression immediately hardened.

No, he has to get back at Li Ping'an today.

If Li Pingan had prevailed today...

How will he ever be able to face his sect again?

How can they then bully other disciples?

A reputation is earned through hard work.

This elderly cultivator has only just entered the sect. Even if something happens to him, probably no one will dare to stand up for him.

Upon realizing this, the disciple's expression turned ruthless.

He clenched his fists so tightly they cracked, and said in a cold voice.

"Fine! Today I'll teach you a lesson you won't forget!"

Hearing his threatening words, He Wangshu quickly tugged at Li Ping'an's sleeve and said.

"Uncle Li, forget it! Why don't we just give him the spirit stones?"

He didn't want to see Grandpa Li get hurt.

Grandpa Li was such a good person to him.

But there was nothing they could do; their opponent was a cultivator at the second level of Qi Refining.

Moreover, he was much taller and bigger than Grandpa Li.

He didn't believe that Grandpa Li could beat him.

However, Grandpa Li simply patted him on the shoulder and said...

"It's alright, little Wangshu! Today I'll teach you a lesson and show you how others fawn over you when you're powerful!"

How dare you show off in front of others!

The disciple was even more furious upon hearing this.

I thought to myself, if I don't teach this old man a lesson today, how will I ever be able to get along in this area again?

So he immediately channeled his spiritual power into both fists and punched Li Ping'an in the chest.

This punch was extremely powerful, containing the spiritual pressure of a Qi Refining stage cultivator.

Even if it were to strike a boulder, it could instantly shatter that boulder into pieces.

The burly man had already made up his mind to seriously injure Li Ping'an.

However, when the punch came, Li Ping'an neither dodged nor evaded.

Instead, he raised both fists and threw one punch at the burly man's fist.

"Hmph! You're asking for it!"

The burly man sneered. Did this old man still dare to exchange punches with him after he had just thrown one?

However, the next second, when the two fists collided, a terrifying scene unfolded.

The burly man's fist was as soft as tofu.

He was smashed to pieces by Li Ping'an's punch!

Blood and foam flew everywhere, blood flowed freely, and bone fragments were scattered all over the place!

This happened far too suddenly.

The other two burly men's helpers couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

The burly man stared at his hand, which was now only half its original size, for two seconds before screaming in terror.

"It hurts! It hurts so much!"

He clutched his fist, which had been smashed to pieces, and was sweating profusely from the pain.

With that punch, Li Ping'an shattered his bones to pieces.

The pain must have been unimaginable.

Li Ping'an remained indifferent as he watched the burly man writhing on the ground in pain.

He lowered his head and said to He Wangshu.

"Little Wangshu, do you see? Only with strength can you speak for yourself! Only with strength can others not bully you!"

"Come on, I'll treat you to something to eat when we get down the mountain!"

At this moment, He Wangshu was completely stunned.

He opened his mouth and was speechless for a long time.

What happened just now was far too bloody.

It had a significant impact on his mental well-being.

He was just a twelve-year-old boy; he had never seen such a bloody scene before.

However, after a period of psychological discomfort, He Wangshu did feel a little bit of relief.

The burly man just now thought they were weak and bullied and insulted them without restraint.

However, he was crippled by a single punch from Li Ping'an.

Is this the exhilarating feeling of having power?

He Wangshu followed Li Ping'an down the mountain.

I couldn't help but glance back at the burly man rolling on the ground.

A certain decision had already been made in my heart.

He must work hard and cultivate diligently to become stronger!

He must become stronger!

Down the mountain, Li Ping'an led He Wangshu to stroll around the market.

This is a market for cultivators, selling all sorts of strange and unusual items.

He Wangshu looked around at the things with great curiosity.

Especially those magical artifacts, talismans, and magical treasures sold at street stalls.

This piqued He Wangshu's curiosity even more.

I couldn't help but ask about the price.

But Li Pingan grabbed him and pulled him away.

"Stop looking! These things are all beyond your means! Save up, young man! Your primary goal right now should be alchemy! Alchemy is your only way out!"

This market town truly lives up to its reputation as one under the jurisdiction of the Danxian Sect.

Basically, everything they sell is related to elixirs.

It consists of either various herbal ingredients for alchemy or various finished pills.

Some vendors sell their wares on the street, while others display them inside shops.