Chapter 37: Cleansing the Marrow and Transforming the Sinews

The imperial decree shimmered with golden light, its source-runes spreading like ripples across water, manifesting the form of a dragon. A roar that shook the heavens, loud as a thunderclap, shattered the barriers of the Li family estate and descended upon it.

"This is... the Dragon Aura of the Sacred Moon Imperial Court..."

The events of this evening were simply inconceivable. First came the experts from the Tang family, followed immediately by the Sacred Moon Imperial Court and the descent of this dragon-aura edict. Li Chenxi was paralyzed with shock, her heart trembling with anxiety, fearing that a war between the Imperial Court and the Tang family would bring disaster upon them.

"Second Miss, please calm yourself. This should be an honor for the Li family!"

Old Chen, his eyes clouded with age, stared at the sky above the estate and stroked his greying beard. "Do you remember what the two family heads said to you before they departed?"

At this reminder, Li Chenxi recalled that day clearly. She asked with confusion, "Uncle Chen, when Father and Mother left, they only left behind the characters 'Chen', 'Xi', and 'Xuan'. Those are just our names; is there some deeper mystery?"

Old Chen closed his eyes, saying nothing, his gaze fixed on the night sky.

A sudden realization dawned on Li Chenxi. "'Chen' can be interpreted as blending with the light and dust of the world; 'Xi' represents the divine brilliance of the rising sun; and 'Xuan' implies a fusion of light, wind, and clear moon, melting the Great Dao into one, encompassing all things. The resurgence of the Li family hinges entirely on Xuan'er!"

Old Chen nodded and sighed. "Indeed. The Third Young Master is destined to be brilliant and extraordinary. The Tang family and the Imperial Court must have some hidden secrets. Second Miss, you must remain composed even if Mount Tai collapses before you; just protect the Li family. One day, when the two masters return, the Li family shall surely claim glory above the nine heavens!"

Li Chenxi remained doubtful, silently praying: *I only hope Xuan'er can remain unmoved by glory or disgrace and guard his cultivation heart!*

Old Hei, feeling the tension, swore to himself: *Whoever dares to harm Brother Li Xuan, I will protect him with my life, especially since I will never let such a thing happen!*

"Enough, Old Hei. Take the guards and go get some rest." Li Chenxi, grateful for his loyalty, did not want him to worry too much about the Li family's affairs.

Old Hei bowed. "Thank you for your consideration, Second Miss. It is my duty; I shall serve with all my might until the end!" Old Hei led the guards away to continue their patrol, though his mind was busy calculating the events to come.

***

In Tang Ruoqian’s private courtyard.

"I have fulfilled my promise. And as for you?" Tang Ruoqian was dressed in tight-fitting gear that clung to her slender figure, her face as cold as frost, revealing no trace of emotion.

Li Xuan sat in a chair, legs crossed comfortably, holding a glass of red wine. "Tang Ruoqian, there was a time when your hatred for me was visceral. And now..."

Tang Ruoqian’s body trembled with rage, her rosy lips quivering. "I despise those who take advantage and then act self-righteous, so do not test my patience!"

Li Xuan’s eyes narrowed. He set down his wine glass, and as his source energy erupted, he struck out with both palms at Tang Ruoqian. Her slender hands met his instantly. As their palms connected, their source energy transformed into swirling, ethereal mist.

The two forces became inextricably locked. Tang Ruoqian was lifted into the air, and with a crisp sound, their clothes were shredded to ribbons.

"Hah!" Li Xuan let out a strained cry, drawing the tyrannical source energy from within Tang Ruoqian into his own body, allowing the force to surge through his veins. In mere moments, Li Xuan’s blood vessels bulged, and his body swelled like a balloon.

"Li Xuan, what are you doing?" Tang Ruoqian felt something was wrong and screamed at him.

Li Xuan, however, acted as if he heard nothing. Fine lacerations appeared on his skin, blood oozing out, making him look hauntingly seductive.

"Tang Ruoqian, if I were to perish with you now, your family would surely intervene, and my Li family would be unable to withstand the Tang family's wrath. So... you can rest assured; give yourself entirely to me!"

Li Xuan knew what he was doing. Trying to extract teeth from a tiger was no different than courting death.

At that moment, the members of the Tang clan were watching Li Xuan and Tang Ruoqian through a light screen. Seeing Li Xuan guide that tyrannical force, they were initially wary, but after hearing his explanation, they relaxed. However, Li Xuan was truly daring; risking the depletion of his bloodline to forcibly suppress the "Mystic Maiden’s Heaven-Defying Technique" was nothing short of suicidal.

The Tang family members began to feel a sense of pity. If this boy could truly grow, his future would be limitless. After all, Li Xuan was merely intended to be a furnace for Tang Ruoqian.

*BOOM!*

Li Xuan stomped heavily on the ground, suppressing the various illusions. Just as he was on the verge of exploding, a holy aura radiated from within his body, devouring the massive, feminine energy.

Suddenly, a storm swept upward. Li Xuan and Tang Ruoqian were at the eye of the gale, spinning rapidly with palms locked.

"Li Xuan, what exactly are you trying to do?" Tang Ruoqian felt a terrifying pressure. The feminine source energy generated by the "Mystic Maiden’s Heaven-Defying Technique" was not only being fully swallowed by Li Xuan, but her own source energy was pouring out like a broken dam, entirely beyond her control.

"Absurd!" The Tang family members realized something was amiss and struck the light screen with a palm. Yet, their power collided with the storm and vanished like a stone cast into the sea.

Suddenly, strands of holy energy drifted out, entering Tang Ruoqian’s body through Li Xuan’s arms. The meridians that had been damaged by her cultivation of the "Mystic Maiden’s Heaven-Defying Technique" began to reveal themselves.

Li Xuan flicked his fingers; in a flash, he sealed all the blood vessels around Tang Ruoqian’s body.

"Hah!" Li Xuan roared and slowly stood up, striking out repeatedly around Tang Ruoqian. Silver needles wove together into a waterfall of light, completely enveloping her. Beads of blood seeped from her skin, only to be evaporated by the swirling holy energy, forming a bloody mist. Once nourished by the holy energy, the mist seeped back into her crystal-clear skin.

Suddenly, that massive, feminine source energy poured out of Li Xuan’s body and surged into Tang Ruoqian. She coughed up a mouthful of foul blood, leaving a pool on the ground.

The holy energy faded, and the storm dissipated. Li Xuan waved his hand, tossing a robe to Tang Ruoqian, and glanced back at the Tang family’s light screen. "A bunch of shameless things—she is your own descendant!"

Li Xuan didn't care; he was a man of seven feet, so if they wanted to watch, they could look all they liked!

The Tang family members were all flushed with embarrassment and anger, and the image on the light screen vanished instantly. Li Xuan carried Tang Ruoqian back to her chamber and, without so much as a glance, walked out alone.

Li Xuan was nearly exhausted. He circulated the "Green Pouch Records" to heal his body. Surrounded by white light, his cracked skin began to heal rapidly.

"A gentleman who remains unmoved even when holding a woman—it seems my Tang family underestimated you."

Li Xuan, his face weary, slowly opened his eyes and looked at the screen. "Although my Li family has declined, it does not mean the blood of my family is lowly. Since we are engaged, I will not covet Tang Ruoqian’s body. Besides..." Li Xuan left his sentence unfinished, sparking speculation among the Tang family.

"Boy, speak your mind. Don't play games with me!" Through the light screen, one could hear the crisp sound of finger joints cracking. The speaker was none other than Tang Mingchen.

Li Xuan’s blood energy recovered slightly. He stared at the screen. "Elder Tang, it is your Tang family begging me now—show some courtesy!"

"You..." Tang Mingchen was furious. As an elder of the contemporary Tang family, he knew the stakes. Though he was livid, he had to swallow his resentment.

"Fine, brat. I had forgotten the humiliation at Misty Shadow Mountain; don't think I don't know about it. By the way, you have done well to treat Chen'er’s damaged meridians. I shall reward you handsomely. Tell me, what reward do you want?"

Tang Mingchen was rarely so amiable. It wasn't out of mercy; he had seen the issues while Li Xuan was treating Tang Ruoqian. Li Xuan’s cultivation was insufficient; he was treating the symptoms, not the root cause, so he concluded that Li Xuan needed to improve his cultivation. This way, he could strengthen the Li family's power and benefit the Tang family's interests.

*Every young master of a declining family wants to fleece us; a bunch of shameless creatures,* he thought.

Li Xuan said firmly, "Since the Elder is so generous, then help me twist off Wang Teng’s dog head!"

Tang Mingchen fell silent.

Li Xuan continued, "Seeing is believing. It seems the honorable Elder is also a coward who fears death, too afraid to provoke that bastard Wang Youming!"

Li Xuan had sworn before his classmates at the Holy Dao Academy to annihilate the Wang family, and he wasn't just talking.

"You brat, I will kill you—" Before Tang Mingchen could finish, he was stopped by someone else. He cursed inwardly: *Damned brat, I nearly fell for your trap!*

Tang Mingchen was left speechless, unable to find a comeback. A voice like an oriole’s sounded: "Grandfather, there is no need to be troubled. Since Li Xuan is determined, I will help him achieve his wish."

"Chen'er..." Tang Mingchen’s eyes gleamed as he watched Tang Ruoqian. "Very well. Do not let that boy look down on our Tang family. After the marrow-cleansing, is there any discomfort?"

Tang Ruoqian shook her head. Her source energy flowed freely, unified and whole—far stronger than it had been before.

Tang Mingchen was delighted. "Li Xuan is a slippery one. Do not give yourself to him. Things that are easily obtained are often the most worthless."

Tang Ruoqian’s source energy surged, and she said coldly, "He would dare!"

*BOOM!*

The surging energy was vast and powerful, swirling with ethereal mist, reaching the level of a profound-realm cultivator.

Tang Mingchen uttered "Good" several times, and the light screen finally vanished. The Tang family had truly witnessed Li Xuan’s capability, and they said nothing more about hunting the Golden-Feathered Eagle King.

"Li Xuan, remember your promise. You are nothing but a furnace for my 'Mystic Maiden’s Heaven-Defying Technique'. Do not harbor delusions..." Tang Ruoqian looked at Li Xuan with cold, frosty eyes, still holding onto the grudge from three years ago.

Li Xuan countered, "Delusions of what? I’ve seen what I’ve seen, and kissed what I’ve kissed. As long as I work hard, even if you are an iceberg, you won't be able to stop my burning, intense heat."

Li Xuan stood up, his face pale. He stared at Tang Ruoqian for several seconds, then turned and walked into his room without looking back.