Chapter 73: Li Dong of Huaiyang City, Seizing the Courtyard

Entering No. 9 Courtyard, it was surprisingly simple inside. A twenty-square-meter yard, a thirty-square-meter small room, containing two wooden beds, a wooden table, and several stools.

Seeing this scene, Xiao Fan asked, "How many Spirit Stones did you give just now?"

"A hundred…"

Zhu Gang also sighed, his smiling expression from earlier vanishing instantly.

Xiao Fan patted his shoulder and went to lie down on one of the wooden beds to rest on his own…

They had been traveling non-stop during this period; even when they stopped at inns to rest midway, they were always in a hurry and hadn't had a good rest.

At noon, dozens of Jixian Sect Disciples in gray robes would come to this area to deliver food. For the small courtyard they lived in, these gray-robed Disciples delivered a separate portion.

The food tasted quite good, consisting of various Spirit Beast meats, which were very beneficial to consume.

Three days passed in a flash…

Xiao Fan didn't go out much, spending his time Cultivating inside the small courtyard. The spiritual energy here was dense; although not as fast as absorbing Spirit Stones inside the star chart, it wasn't bad either.

He hadn't entered the star chart to Cultivate these past few days. Firstly, because this was the Jixian Sect, he was afraid it would be easily noticed after entering, leading to the discovery of the star chart's secret. After all, there were many experts here; he planned to wait until it was safer.

Secondly, he wasn't in a hurry to Breakthrough in his cultivation. Instead, he was tempering himself. Xiao Fan's current cultivation was at the Late Stage of the sixth layer. Every time he reached the threshold of breaking through to the Great Perfection of the sixth layer, he would forcibly compress it back down and then slowly gather Qi to Cultivate again.

Although his cultivation still appeared to be at the Late Stage of the sixth layer of the Huaqi Realm, his strength had become a bit stronger than before under such compression.

This method was not a secret; it could be said that all Cultivators knew of it, but very few people actually did it.

First, being able to Breakthrough in one's cultivation was already extremely difficult, and few could resist such a temptation.

Second, this method was only suitable for Prodigies. If an ordinary person tempered and compressed their energy like this, they would likely be seen as a fool.

Zhu Gang, however, was different. These past few days, he would always run out whenever he had the chance, gathering information while also getting to know many people.

Through their time together these past few days, Xiao Fan discovered that Zhu Gang was a very slick person…

Moreover, he was very well-versed in the ways of the world. In just three days, he had become friends with many people.

More and more people had arrived in this area over the past few days to participate in the Outer Sect selection. There were currently nearly a thousand people, and it was estimated that even more would participate on the day of the selection.

Because of this, the value of the small courtyard that Zhu Gang had spent a hundred Spirit Stones on was fully realized.

It was countless times better than the lofts…

Another two days passed…

As usual, Xiao Fan sat cross-legged in the courtyard, Cultivating.

Zhu Gang didn't return until evening, a smiling expression on his face.

"Big brother, you're working too hard. I've never seen you take a break."

Zhu Gang held a spirit fruit, took a bite, and continued, "If I could work as hard as you, I'd probably have about the same strength as you."

Xiao Fan slowly opened his eyes from his meditation and glanced at Zhu Gang. "Who gave you that kind of confidence?"

"Big brother, do you look down on me that much? Let me tell you, I'm twenty years old this year, and my cultivation is already at the fifth layer of the Huaqi Realm. Plus, I haven't really Cultivated seriously in all these years." The chubby youth was a bit indignant.

Xiao Fan nodded and spoke with a serious expression, "I'm nineteen years old this year…"

"???"

Zhu Gang was stunned. Xiao Fan was actually a year younger than him?

"My cultivation is at the Late Stage of the sixth layer of the Huaqi Realm…"

Zhu Gang was stunned again, just about to speak.

"Three months ago, I was only in the Body Tempering Realm…"

The first two points left Zhu Gang somewhat speechless… but the last one—being in the Body Tempering Realm just three months ago—truly shocked him.

"Big brother, you're joking with me, right? Body Tempering Realm three months ago? And now you're already at the sixth layer of the Huaqi Realm? Even if you were at the Great Perfection of the Body Tempering Realm three months ago, it would still be impossible!!"

Zhu Gang clearly didn't believe what Xiao Fan said. Reaching the sixth layer of the Huaqi Realm from the Body Tempering Realm in just three months?

Was he joking? Aside from those peerless Prodigies, how could such a person exist?

Xiao Fan rubbed his chin and then said, "Indeed, three months ago, I wasn't at the Great Perfection of the Body Tempering Realm…"

Zhu Gang breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that Xiao Fan must be joking with him.

Seeing Zhu Gang's expression, Xiao Fan decided not to mention that he was only at the second layer of the Body Tempering Realm three months ago…

After all, it would be a bit damaging to his self-esteem.

And even if he said it, Zhu Gang wouldn't necessarily believe him.

"Knock, knock, knock."

At that moment, the courtyard gate was suddenly knocked on, interrupting the conversation between the two inside.

"Who is it…"

Zhu Gang was startled and hurriedly ran to open the door.

During this time, aside from someone delivering food at noon, no one had knocked on the door at any other time.

"Who are you?"

After opening the gate, Zhu Gang saw five young men standing outside. The one in the middle was dressed magnificently, and the group seemed to revolve around him.

"We are from the Li Family of Huaiyang. This is our Family's Third Young Master, Li Dong…"

The young man speaking continued with an arrogant look, "Our Third Young Master has taken a liking to your small courtyard. Consider it making a friend; hand over the courtyard for our Third Young Master to stay in. In the future, once you join the Jixian Sect, if you run into trouble, you can mention our Third Young Master's name."

The young man named Li Dong was indeed the leader. He looked haughty, only glancing at Zhu Gang once from beginning to end without saying a word.

Huaiyang City was a well-known large city in Wuhuang Province, and its Li Family was also a famous and powerful Family.

Zhu Gang's face immediately darkened. Although he was a slick person, being insulted like this was hard to endure.

Moreover, he wasn't living in this small courtyard alone; Xiao Fan was also there.

When he had spent a hundred Spirit Stones to bribe that Shen An to get this No. 9 Courtyard, a large part of it was actually to show gratitude to Xiao Fan.

If the other party hadn't stepped in, he would most likely have died on the way here.

"Sorry, everyone…"

Zhu Gang took a breath and, with a fake smile, said, "This small courtyard is shared by me and a close friend. This friend is currently in seclusion… so… please trouble yourselves to look elsewhere. I apologize to you all."

After speaking, Zhu Gang cupped his hands.

Hearing this, the Li Family's Third Young Master Li Dong frowned, and his face instantly darkened.

The four people around him also looked displeased. Immediately, someone shouted angrily, "Kid, I think you're looking for death! It's your good fortune that our Third Young Master took a liking to this courtyard, yet you dare to be so ungrateful!"

"I don't care if you're in seclusion or not; we've taken a liking to this small courtyard. Don't force us to take action…"

Zhu Gang's expression was grim. Just as he was about to say something, a voice came from inside the courtyard.

"If you want to die, you can try taking action."