36: People’s hearts are unpredictable, don’t trust smiling faces!

Li Dong arrived outside the small courtyard where his father, Li Shanyue, was in seclusion for recuperation, and gently knocked on the door.

A slightly hoarse voice responded from inside: "Come in."

Pushing the door open, a faint scent of herbs mixed with Spiritual Qi fluctuations wafted out.

Li Shanyue sat cross-legged on a futon, his complexion, compared to his previous withered, tree-bark-like appearance, was indeed much rosier, and his breathing was long and powerful, clearly indicating the significant effect of the Celestial Pill Secret Technique.

Seeing Li Dong, he slowly stopped his cultivation and opened his eyes.

"Father, I've come to tell you a few things," Li Dong walked closer and also sat down cross-legged.

He first recounted the important details of the Demon Suppression Baptism, how he Breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Realm, and finally, how he obtained the 'Extraordinary' rating, to Li Shanyue.

Li Shanyue initially listened calmly, but when he heard the words "Foundation Establishment Realm," his hand trembled slightly.

Upon hearing about the 'Extraordinary' rating, this weathered man's eyes instantly reddened, and uncontrollable, turbid tears welled up, causing him to cough violently, as if trying to expel years of pent-up frustration.

"Good! Good! Good!" Li Shanyue slapped his thigh fiercely, his voice filled with uncontrollable excitement and choked emotion, "My son, Li Shanyue, has made something of himself! Foundation Establishment! And an Extraordinary rating! Ancestors bless us! Ancestors bless us!"

This was like taking his old face... no, it was like taking the nearly extinguished flame of their old Li Family and instantly igniting it into a raging inferno! It brought a sense of surprise akin to Jia Baoyu warming wine to slay Hua Xiong!

Li Dong quickly went over and gently patted his father's back, helping him to regulate his breathing. "Father, don't get too excited, this is just the beginning."

"Yes, just the beginning!" Li Shanyue wiped away a tear and nodded vigorously. Then, he took out the transfer order from the Prefecture Demon Suppression Division and handed it to his father, "This is a transfer order from the Prefecture, specifically requesting me to go there for further training."

Li Shanyue took the heavy transfer order and read it word by word. The excitement on his face slowly subsided, replaced by a complex emotion that contained both relief and, more prominently, gravity and worry.

He put down the transfer order, looked at Li Dong, and his tone became unusually serious: "Dong'er, I am proud of you for achieving this. But this Prefecture... is not comparable to a small place like Mu Shi County."

"I know, Brother Zhang told me everything. It's a deep pool, with many factions and fierce competition," Li Dong nodded.

"It's more than just a deep pool!"

Li Shanyue snorted, seemingly recalling some unpleasant memories. "That place is a true Dragon's Den and Tiger's Cave, a place that devours people whole! Experts are as numerous as clouds, and Geniuses are everywhere, but there's even more scheming and backstabbing!"

"Remember what your father says," Li Shanyue spoke each word as if to engrave them into Li Dong's bones, "When you get to the Prefecture, you must be cautious in everything! Don't easily trust anyone! Especially those who greet you with smiles and actively try to befriend you the moment you meet; nine and a half out of ten of them harbor ill intentions, wanting to use you, or even make you their pawn or cannon fodder!"

"Some people, ah, they don't speak, they just keep being good to you, and once you let your guard down, they can turn around and sell you for a good price!"

Li Dong's heart skipped a beat. It seemed his father might have suffered a great loss in the Prefecture or a similar place before.

"Father, I remember."

"Also," Li Shanyue changed the subject, his gaze falling on Li Dong, carrying a heavy entrustment, "Our Family now relies on you. My old bones, with your secret technique, can still last a few years, but ultimately, they are ruined. Your sister, Qingyan, she..."

"Father, don't worry."

Li Dong interrupted his father, his tone resolute, "The Family's safety, my sister's security, I will bear it all! When I reach the Prefecture, I will definitely establish myself as quickly as possible. By then, no one will dare to bully our Li Family again!"

He took out some carefully selected Medicinal Pills and a few Mid-Grade Spirit Stones from his Storage Pouch, along with a copy of his Cultivation insights for the Celestial Pill Secret Technique.

"Keep these. Continue to Cultivate the secret technique; stabilizing your injuries is the most important thing. Wait for me; I will definitely find a way to completely cure you!"

Li Shanyue looked at his son's determined eyes and nodded, accepting the items. He didn't say anything more, just patted Li Dong's shoulder heavily again.

Some things didn't need to be explicitly stated; father and son were connected at heart.

Leaving his father, Li Dong's mood was somewhat heavy, but his goal became clearer. He went directly to his sister Li Qingyan's residence.

In the small courtyard, Li Qingyan was vigorously practicing a set of boxing techniques, her punches whistling, showing considerable Aura.

This girl, ever since he gave her resources last time, has been truly diligent in her Cultivation.

"Qingyan," Li Dong called out.

Li Qingyan stopped her punches, fine beads of sweat on her forehead, her cheeks flushed. Seeing Li Dong, her eyes lit up, and she quickly ran over: "Brother! Are you done with your work?"

"Yes, I'm leaving tomorrow," Li Dong looked at his sister, feeling a bit reluctant.

Li Qingyan's smile stiffened for a moment, then she forced another smile: "So soon..." Her eyes inevitably reddened, but she held back, sniffing.

"Brother, you should go! I know you're doing this for our Family, for Father, and for me!" Li Qingyan looked up, her eyes clear, "The Prefecture must be a hundred times better than Mu Shi County! There are better resources and more powerful Cultivation Techniques! Only by going there can you become stronger!"

Li Dong's heart warmed, and he stroked her head: "Silly girl, of course, Brother is for..."

"Brother, I'm not going to the Prefecture with you," Li Qingyan suddenly interrupted him, her tone unusually firm.

"What?" Li Dong was stunned, thinking he had misheard. He had already planned to take his sister with him to the Prefecture. Although it was dangerous there, it was still better than leaving her alone in Mu Shi County.

"I said, I'm not going to the Prefecture. At least not now," Li Qingyan repeated, without the slightest hesitation in her eyes, "Brother, you are now in the Foundation Establishment Realm, and an Extraordinary-rated Genius. You will definitely be Focus on training in the Prefecture. What about me? I'm only in the Qi Refinement Stage. If I go with you, what can I do besides drag you down? Are you going to be distracted taking care of me?"

"When you go to the Prefecture, you will definitely face many challenges, even dangers. What if I follow along and get caught and used as your weakness?"

"Moreover," Li Qingyan puffed out her small chest, "I, Li Qingyan, am not a chick who can only hide under her brother's wings! You've given me Cultivation Techniques and resources, and Brother Zhang has also promised to guide my Cultivation and arrange Demon Suppression Division missions for me to gain experience. The resources in Mu Shi County are enough for me to Cultivate to Foundation Establishment!"

"I want to stay here and Breakthrough to Foundation Establishment through my own efforts! Once I reach Foundation Establishment and can protect myself, I'll go to the Prefecture to find you! By then, Brother, we siblings will be able to fight side by side!"

Li Dong looked at his sister, at her eyes sparkling with stubbornness and determination, and for a moment, he was speechless.

Was this still the little girl who used to follow him around, needing protection?

A small girl, but with no small ambition!

He was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled, reaching out to rub Li Qingyan's hair vigorously: "Good! You truly are my sister, Li Dong! Ambitious! Brother supports you!"

Staying in Mu Shi County, under Zhang Wu's care, was indeed more stable than going with him to the uncertain Prefecture.

Moreover, his sister had her own ideas and aspirations, which was a good thing.

"Then let's make a deal! Then let's make a deal!" Li Dong grabbed her hand, his fingertips a little cold.

He could feel the sweat in his sister's palm and her reluctance.

"Mm!" Li Qingyan nodded vigorously, tears still streaming down, but with a smile on her face, crying like a pear blossom bathed in rain, yet with a hint of heroism, "Wait for me! I will definitely Breakthrough to Foundation Establishment as soon as possible, and then go to the Prefecture to find you!"

"Good! Brother will wait for you!" Li Dong's nose also tingled, but he quickly composed himself.

He pulled out a few defensive talismans from his Storage Pouch, as well as a small jade pendant with a simple Spirit Gathering Formation and a warning Formation carved on it.

"Take these; they are all for saving your life. The talismans are for defense, and the jade pendant can help you gather some Spiritual Qi. When you encounter danger, it will heat up and warn you."

Li Dong put the items into her hand and carefully instructed: "Although Mu Shi County is not as chaotic as the Prefecture, don't let your guard down. Although that old geezer Zhao Zhen is in seclusion, it doesn't mean his people are all dead. Be careful in everything. If you encounter trouble you can't solve, hide first, then think of a solution."

"I know, Brother, you must also be careful!" Li Qingyan clutched the items in her hand tightly, choking back tears.

The siblings chatted for a while longer. Li Dong repeatedly told her to take good care of herself and their father.

It wasn't until late at night that he got up to say goodbye, telling his sister to get some rest.

Early the next morning, Li Dong packed up, slung his simple travel bag over his shoulder, and carried a Storage Pouch filled with resources exchanged for merit points, ready to depart.

He first went to Zhang Wu's office.

Zhang Wu was sitting at his desk, seemingly having waited for a while.

"You're here," Zhang Wu looked up, seeing Li Dong, a hint of relief on his face, "Are your things all packed?"

"Yes, all ready, Brother Zhang," Li Dong nodded.

Zhang Wu stood up, walked to him, and patted his shoulder with some force: "When you go to the Prefecture, remember what I told you. Don't be afraid of trouble, but don't actively seek it either. If you see someone you don't like, avoid them if you can. If you can't... then beat the living hell out of them!"

He paused, his eyes becoming more serious: "You, kid, have talent and fortuitous encounters. This is a good thing. But it also easily attracts jealousy. Keep your trump cards hidden; don't reveal them easily. Especially that Extraordinary rating, and your Cultivation speed, in the Prefecture, the fewer people who know, the better."

"And about that spice, I'm still investigating it, but there hasn't been much progress. When you get there, be more careful yourself. But remember, absolutely, if you don't have absolute certainty, don't touch those dirty things. Those people's schemes are denser than any hornet's nest you've ever seen, they could really trigger trypophobia!" Zhang Wu lowered his voice, his tone unusually grave.

"I understand, Brother Zhang," Li Dong's heart tightened. Zhang Wu's reminder, coupled with the System's analysis of the spice, gave him a deeper understanding of the dangers of the Prefecture.

"Good," Zhang Wu nodded, "When you get there, if anything happens, you can try to send me a message. Although my authority is limited and I can't help you much, it's still a thought."

"Thank you, Brother Zhang!" Li Dong genuinely thanked him. Zhang Wu had truly done his utmost for him.

After bidding farewell to Zhang Wu, Li Dong walked around the outpost once more. Those Demon Suppression Guards who had once looked down on him or disdained him now looked at him differently, with awe and flattery.

Zhou Shaoyang was the first to greet him, his face wreathed in smiles: "Senior Brother Li! Congratulations! A transfer order from the Prefecture, this is a great joyous occasion! I knew it, Senior Brother Li is a Dragon and Phoenix among men, destined to soar to the heavens sooner or later!"

As he spoke, he was slightly bowed, his posture very low, completely different from his previous arrogant demeanor.

Li Dong merely responded with a few faint words, saying nothing more. There was no need to waste words on such a fair-weather person.

He didn't linger, walking straight to the outpost gate.

At the gate, a beautifully decorated carriage was parked. The horses pulling it were not ordinary steeds, but two robust, sleek-furred cloud steeds, clearly valuable and extremely fast.

Standing next to the carriage was a person wearing the uniform of the Prefecture Demon Suppression Division, with a calm Aura and sharp eyes. Li Dong sensed it; he was a strong individual in the Middle Stage of the Foundation Establishment Realm! The Prefecture was indeed generous, sending a Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment cultivator to pick someone up.

The person saw Li Dong come out and slightly cupped his hands: "Are you Lord Li Dong, from Mu Shi County? I am a Demon Suppression Guard from the Prefecture Demon Suppression Division, dispatched to escort Lord Li to the Prefecture."

"That would be me," Li Dong returned the bow.

He took one last look at the gate of the Mu Shi County Demon Suppression Division. This place was the starting point of his destiny's turning point.

Here, he awakened the System, Breakthrough to Foundation Establishment, obtained an Extraordinary rating, and met a benefactor like Zhang Wu. More importantly, he uncovered a massive conspiracy that might involve the internal workings of the Demon Suppression Division.

All of that past would be left behind. A new journey, new challenges, awaited him ahead.

He didn't look back, walking straight to the carriage.

"Lord Li, please," the Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment Demon Suppression Guard opened the carriage door.

Li Dong nodded, bent down, and entered the carriage. The interior of the carriage was spacious and comfortably arranged, clearly designed with long journeys in mind.

The carriage door closed, cutting off the outside world.

"Let's go," Li Dong said to the outside.

The carriage jolted gently, and the two cloud steeds galloped, instantly accelerating like a streak of light, rushing towards the Prefecture.