Very beautiful!

Zhao Aotian held a long spear and thrust it fiercely towards Li Tan!

Time seemed to freeze at this moment, as if there was a taste of conflicting contradictions.

The long spear carried an unrivaled immense force, fiercely penetrating Li Tan's shoulder!

Even in Li Tan's ears, the shouts of soldiers and high-spirited battle songs occasionally resounded.

"Faith! War! Fearless! Charge! Kill the enemy!...."

Amidst the brave and fearless shouts, there seemed to be some conversations among the people:

"War will tell you the meaning of peace!"

"For our Family, Yi'er will charge into battle with his father!"

"It is Yi'er's honor to be able to go to the battlefield with his father and kill the enemy!"

"Mother, if I can return, I want to eat the steamed buns you made yourself."

Amidst the farewells of the villagers and the beliefs spoken by the young man, Li Tan's consciousness became somewhat hazy.

He seemed to have witnessed the cruelty of war firsthand: villagers starving, farmland barren and desolate, lovers unable to be together, relatives and friends never to meet again, white-haired people sending off black-haired people....

Even with just this moment of daze, the long spear had already reached his side!

Only a 'crack' sound was heard....

The long spear passed through Li Tan's arm, piercing straight through! Dragon Scale Defense instantly shattered!

How could Li Tan, with only one hand, pull out this majestic long spear....

Zhao Aotian on the field walked towards him with a dispirited expression, his golden, sacred armor now disintegrated. He used his last ounce of strength to pull out the long spear.

Li Tan looked at Zhao Aotian before him, his mind filled with countless thoughts.

Blood flowed from the corner of Zhao Aotian's mouth, his flowing hair was matted together, and his elegant white robe was already tattered.

The two simply leaned against each other silently, smiling at each other.

Finally, Zhao Aotian was the first to speak:

"Si, I have won unfairly. If your left arm were intact, I would surely have ended in a disastrous defeat."

Li Tan simply waved his hand dismissively, a look of indifference on his face.

"There's no such thing as an unfair win. If you lose, you lose. There's nothing difficult about admitting it."

"On the contrary, being able to befriend a good friend like Aotian is the greatest gain today."

Li Tan held Zhao Aotian in high esteem in his heart. This person was courageous and resourceful, valued relationships and righteousness, and even his talent and brilliance were of the highest caliber.

"Si, in due time, we must both join the Heaven Sword Immortal Sect and discuss the Dao together!"

Li Tan merely nodded slightly in response. He was too tired and no longer had the strength to reply. This battle had truly exhausted all his trump cards....

.....

Any discerning person could see that Zhao Aotian had won this battle, and Li Tan's loss was truly regrettable, solely due to the absence of an arm.

But Li Tan was right; if you lose, you lose. There's nothing difficult about admitting it.

In the subsequent competitions, the Li Family disciples, as expected, lost this Grand Competition.

Li Family's Third Elder, Third Elder Li Yin, also slowly walked to the center of the Yanwu Arena, shouting loudly like a booming bell:

"I announce that the winner of this Grand Competition is the Zhao Family!"

Cheers and shouts of joy resounded endlessly from below the stage, and even the Li Family disciples did not hesitate to offer their applause.

There was no jealousy towards the talented as imagined. If they won this Grand Competition, it would be the Family's honor, and they would not gain any benefits from it.

And losing this Grand Competition would not result in any losses; at most, the Zhao Family disciples would win a Cultivation Technique.

"Others' gains are not our losses."

"So why be envious and heartbroken about it...."

.......

Several days passed quickly, and during this period, Li Tan's injuries had long since healed. Furthermore, he had gained a lot of experience from his battle with Zhao Aotian, and he could be said to be completely renewed.

During this time, he and Zhao Aotian met several times, talking and laughing happily, having already become close friends who enjoyed drinking together.

He also gained a great deal of understanding in terms of Cultivation Technique; Swift Wind Shadow officially entered the Proficient level!

"The proficiency of Cultivation Technique is divided into four major stages: Proficient, Minor Achievement, Major Achievement, and Perfection."

As for the Knife Technique he cultivated, Li Tan was still in the first stage, "Apprentice."

There hasn't been any significant qualitative leap. As for swordplay... it's hard to describe....

Perhaps when Heaven was allocating swordplay talent to Li Tan, it suddenly had urgent matters to attend to....

Li Yi, as the one who gifted him the Evil Spirit Mandarin Duck Coffin, although merely someone else's pawn, had disappeared without a trace in a short period.

"Who could possess such mysterious and divine means?"

Li Tan's thoughts were chaotic, his dark eyes gazing towards the horizon, as if wanting to see through something.

Li Yi's disappearance truly baffled him. During this time, he had also sent people to inquire about it, but all leads came to nothing.

It was as if a large hand was firmly controlling the situation, and no matter how much he struggled, he couldn't escape its grasp. This feeling made Li Tan's heart extremely suppressed.

As for the Materials for Foundation Establishment, he had gained nothing, and even the slightest rumors were intentionally concealed.

However, a little thought made him realize it: how could a treasure coveted by a Foundation Establishment old monster be easily given away?

Besides these troublesome matters, there were, of course, some unexpected gains!

"Li Na!"

A few days ago, Li Na came to find him, and generously gifted him two first-grade top-tier Spirit Pills!

Li Tan naturally pocketed such sudden benefits without any politeness.

Although he was very surprised how Li Na obtained this item, as long as the Medicinal Pill was not poisonous, it had nothing to do with him.

"Only twenty-odd days remain until the Heaven Sword Immortal Sect arrives."

"During this period, it's time to reel in the net. And Father, Li Zhi, you've truly given me a good search."

Li Tan seemed to have thought of something and ordered his subordinates to call for Xiaohua.

A moment later, looking at Xiaohua who walked in, Li Tan could clearly observe some changes in her eyes.

"Greed, malice, desire."

Li Tan observed her body with interest. Her facial makeup was clearly done with effort, and even her clothes were brand new and luxurious.

"Haha, truly ugly...."

Xiaohua first bowed respectfully, then looked at Li Tan's eyes with a seductive expression, deliberately swaying her body a few times.

"Your maidservant Xiaohua greets Master Si."

Her words were full of charm and seduction, and she appeared utterly pitiful, as if she would break if touched.

"Is there any result regarding the matter I entrusted to you earlier?"

Li Tan ignored her actions and went straight to the point! After all, that was the result he wanted to know.

"Master, Xiaohua was fortunate enough to complete the task you assigned!"

"For this, Xiaohua worked day and night and put in a lot of effort...."

Li Tan's lips curled into a cold smile as he slowly walked in front of Xiaohua and gently stroked her face.

He seemed to be admiring a beautiful sculpture, his eyes full of tenderness.

"Oh? Xiaohua, where did they put the gifts? Can they be considered quite abundant?"

Xiaohua in front of him pretended to gently push away Li Tan's right hand, but her body was truly sincere, diligently moving forward a bit.

Her face was full of shyness, like a vibrant red rose, exuding an alluring luster everywhere, extremely beautiful....

Then, she gathered her courage and lay entirely in Li Tan's arms, her bright red lips hesitating for a moment before she spoke seductively.

"Master, the gifts are on the east side of your courtyard. They are truly abundant, making your maidservant quite envious."

Xiaohua pressed herself closer, her entire body against Li Tan's.

"Your maidservant has thought so much for you, Master. I wonder if Master has any favor to bestow upon Xiaohua?"

Suddenly, Li Tan burst into hearty laughter, fully displaying his heroic spirit.

"Of course! Xiaohua, you did very well! How could there be no reward?"

Xiaohua in his arms was full of anticipation, her eyes seemingly about to melt, and her heart pounded rapidly.

.....

But the next moment! In her disbelieving gaze, her neck was lifted up by force!

Her vision spun dizzily, and she actually saw her own feet!

Amidst her utter confusion, her life came to an end.

Blood exploded in the hall like fireworks! Just like her appearance earlier.

Only Li Tan's soft whisper was heard:

"Extremely beautiful...."