One-armed Li Tan

As the old man departed, Li Tan, who had been holding on with all his might, collapsed heavily.

Rain and mud covered his surroundings, mixed with blood, broken withered leaves, and snapped tree branches, forming a natural burial ground.

His originally splendid and new formal attire was now tattered, and the once high-spirited youth was dispirited, looking around at the disgusting flesh remnants that proclaimed the cruelty of the ordeal.

"I survived...?"

Li Tan felt both fortunate and mocked; he shoved the Medicinal Pills from his storage ring into his mouth, including a High Grade Gathering Spirit Pill.

Cultivators are always unreasonable; they only care about their own gains and losses, for what concern is the life and death of others to them?

How could that old man have let Li Tan go out of pity? Most likely, it was simply because the effort put in was not proportional to the reward gained, and he deemed it not worth it.

He clearly knew that if it weren't for Li Yong's token, he would not have escaped this calamity.

The energy he contained was still too small, so small that others could casually slaughter him, so small that they wouldn't need to consider the consequences.

He was just a small blade of grass shading itself under a large tree; no one would notice its existence. Looking from afar, the only thing visible in the scenery was that towering tree...

...........

After a long while, Li Tan dragged his heavy body towards the stream, where he washed his broken body.

The river water was very cold, bone-chilling, making people shiver. Li Tan's entire left arm was completely broken, and blood continued to flow out.

His chest felt stuffy, likely from internal organ damage or a few broken ribs, and even his once raven-black long hair was significantly damaged.

He draped a blood-red robe over himself to appear less disheveled; the vibrant color, combined with the youth's resilient gaze, made him seem to possess an intimidating Aura, quite extraordinary.

However, his empty sleeve betrayed him...

.........

Li Family Estate

Upon returning to the Li Family Estate, Li Tan pondered for a moment, then went straight to Li Yong's residence.

The old man's actions this time were so significant that they certainly couldn't be hidden, and his injuries also urgently needed to be treated. Rather than passively waiting for Li Yong to question him, it was better to go proactively.

Soon, he once again saw the familiar old man.

Aside from concealing some of his own minor actions, the old man's evil deeds were exaggerated and inflamed by Li Tan!

"Grandpa, that old man was utterly unreasonable. Even when I revealed your name, it didn't scare him in the slightest!"

"In the end, it was your grandson, despite suffering severe injuries, who took out the token you bestowed! Only then did that old man grudgingly depart!"

As soon as Li Tan's words fell, the old man in front of him could no longer suppress his emotions.

He was like a lion whose territory had been invaded, the flesh on his face trembling with anger! His Aura instantly swept through the entire courtyard!

In an instant, the servants' faces turned ashen, their bodies trembled uncontrollably, and they all knelt to show their loyalty.

Even the most senior servants remained silent, fearing to incur the old man's wrath.

"What a Shui Laodao! How dare he touch my beloved grandson! And that scoundrel!"

Li Yong's voice trembled slightly, his eyes filled with killing intent.

Li Tan below him mustered his courage and glanced at Li Yong, wanting to see something on his face, but besides the monstrous killing intent in his eyes, there was only a slight cold and stern Aura.

"Si'er, you should go heal your injuries first; I will handle the subsequent matters!"

As he spoke, two bottles of Medicinal Pills slowly floated out from beside Li Yong.

"A High Grade Gathering Spirit Pill! A High Grade Warming Spirit Pill!"

Li Tan didn't decline, naturally putting them into his storage ring. After all, if he wanted to obtain such good things, he would only be able to do so at public places like auctions.

And auctions only opened once every few months, and only a single High Grade Medicinal Pill would appear across several auctions.

But looking at his empty sleeve, Li Tan didn't think he had profited from this.

After all, a Cultivator with a physical disability would have their combat power significantly reduced.

As for the issue of aesthetics, Li Tan had never considered it. His only regret was the decline in his combat power.

He held the idea that he should gain whatever benefits he could, his face full of regret and sorrow.

"Grandpa, I wonder if Si'er's left arm can be restored to its original state?"

"Our bodies and hair are received from our parents; how can they be easily discarded!"

Li Tan's words were filled with sorrow, and he himself appeared disheartened and lost.

And Li Yong above him also shook his head helplessly, then nodded:

"If you have the complete remains of your left arm, this old man can certainly reattach it for you. Even if you don't, it can be forcibly reattached, but a forcibly reattached left arm is ultimately not your own flesh and blood!"

Perhaps fearing that Li Tan would become disheartened and regret this matter for the rest of his life.

Then, Li Yong calmly spoke:

"As the saying goes, 'with loss comes gain'! This may not necessarily be a bad thing!"

Upon hearing this, Li Tan's face immediately lit up with joy, his bright large eyes filled with anticipation.

He eagerly looked at Li Yong, wanting to hear his answer urgently!

Li Yong didn't keep him in suspense, saying with a serious expression:

"A one-armed you! You can endure more cold stares from others! You might even be underestimated because of it!"

"It's like having a Dao Artifact that makes people look down on you. How is this not an advantage?"

The greater the expectation, the greater the disappointment....

Li Tan's face darkened, and his eye twitched continuously. He had thought Li Yong would impart a powerful Cultivation Technique to him! Or a Medicinal Pill that only a one-armed person could consume!

.......

Perhaps sensing Li Tan's unusual expression, Li Yong also gave his assurance and stopped teasing.

"Si'er, don't panic. Once your cultivation reaches Foundation Establishment, you can easily use Medicinal Pills to restore your body."

Looking at the old man in front of him, whose attitude was serious and not like he was joking, Li Tan also nodded thoughtfully.

Afterward, their conversation consisted of some meaningless chatter. Li Yong kept rambling, talking about Family matters and interesting anecdotes.

Several times, Li Tan almost fell asleep, but each time, Li Yong forcibly shook him awake.

"You must have heard that the victors of this Grand Competition are our Li Family and the Zhao Family."

Hearing Li Yong finally start talking about serious matters, Li Tan immediately perked up.

"The next Grand Competition will be in three days! The winning Family, as a reward, will be provided with a Cultivation Technique by the defeated Family!"

"And our Family will also give you a considerable benefit!"

At this point, Li Tan's eyes instantly lit up! Scenes flashed in his mind: "Double rewards! And even a Cultivation Technique!"

Seeing Li Tan's expectant gaze, Li Yong flicked his sleeve and snorted coldly:

"Don't get happy too soon, kid! Winning the championship is incredibly difficult! And the Cultivation Technique only includes Yellow Rank. We old monsters are still coveting the Profound Rank Cultivation Technique."

Li Yong was indeed an old fox! Even though Li Tan hadn't asked, he had already guessed most of it.

"You kid, go back and heal your injuries. This old man is still waiting for you to win the championship."

Before his words even fell, Li Yong walked directly towards the tea room....