The Shen Clan Main Hall was carved from darkwood and ancient qi stones, proud but aged — like a lion whose roars had turned into whispers. Every inch screamed: we were once great.
At the center sat Shen Weimin, the clan patriarch. Upright, broad-shouldered, and wearing a robe embroidered with faded phoenix threads.
Li Qingyu entered with his usual slow swagger.
The system chimed.
> [Warning: Cultivator's cultivation too high to scan.]
[Suggestion: Unlock Enhanced Scan Authority (Cost: 200 System Points)]
Li Qingyu halted mid-step. "You're telling me I've been talking to walking question marks this whole time?"
> Affirmative. Previous scan limit: Late Foundation Establishment. Would you like to upgrade?
"Any discounts?"
> No. But I can throw in a free insult.
"…Fine. Upgrade it. Rip me off, system daddy."
> DING! Enhanced Scan Authority Unlocked!
-200 System Points
Remaining Points: 300
> Cultivator Detected: Shen Weimin
Cultivation Level: Mid Golden Core Realm
Affiliation: Shen Clan – Patriarch
Status: Irritated Traditionalist
Threat Level: High
> Guest Cultivator Detected: Ma Tianhao
Cultivation Level: Early Golden Core Realm
Affiliation: Dragon Tooth Sect – Guest Elder
Mood: Condescending
Threat Level: Moderate
Li Qingyu squinted. "Two Golden Cores. Oh good. Just what I wanted. Company."
> Recommend: Don't provoke unless you're trying to be impressive or dead.
He sent a thought. System, if things go south, you got a panic button ready?
> Yes. Emergency Combat Boost available.
Duration: 1 minute
Temporary Cultivation Surge: Late Golden Core (based on compatibility)
Cost: 500 System Points
Warning: Boost only activates when host is in life-threatening danger or manually triggered.
Li Qingyu winced. "So… spend 200 just to know who can kill me, and 500 more to not die when they try. Lovely. Remind me to install ad-blockers next."
---
Shen Yu knelt at the center of the hall.
"Father, I've returned."
Shen Weimin didn't blink. "With bruises. And dishonor."
"Actually," Shen Yu began, "I was—"
"—Rescued by a vagabond," Weimin finished coldly, "who claims to be a sect master."
Li Qingyu gave a lazy wave. "I'm three for three today: vagabond, yes; rescued, confirmed; sect master, absolutely."
Ma Tianhao, the Dragon Tooth elder, chuckled. "This is the so-called 'Sect Master'? Looks like someone who got lost looking for a noodle stall."
Ziyan muttered, "Want me to slap the taste out of his mouth?"
Shen Yu turned pale. "Father, Sect Master Li—"
Weimin raised a hand. "Enough."
He turned back to Li Qingyu.
"My son is part of the Shen bloodline. He has dignity, heritage, and duty. Yet you seduced him with dreams of a fallen sect?"
Li Qingyu stepped forward, hands still behind his back.
"I offered him something you never gave — a future worth choosing."
The system pinged again.
> You are within range of two Golden Core cultivators.
Recommend: Avoid unnecessary provocation.
Too late.
Ma Tianhao took one step forward. "Shen Patriarch, allow me to correct this junior's attitude."
Li Qingyu's eye twitched. System. Prep the panic button.
> Emergency Boost primed. Awaiting command.
Ma sneered. "You'll regret embarrassing this clan."
Li Qingyu smiled thinly. "Try me."
CRACK!
One slap. Lightning fast. Ma Tianhao flew backward like a paper kite, crashed into a pillar, and slumped unconscious.
> DING! Emergency Boost Activated
-500 System Points
Power Surge: Late Golden Core (60 seconds)
Remaining Points: 0
Face-Slapping Bonus Triggered: +300 Sect Reputation
Shen Weimin's Respect: +3 (Suppressed)
The entire hall fell silent.
Shen Weimin rose to his feet, qi coiling around him like a thunderstorm waiting to strike.
"You dare lay a hand on my guest—"
But Li Qingyu's aura surged, his qi roaring to life like a sleeping beast awakened. Not just pressure — it was wild, raw, a dragon pacing in chains.
"I don't care who insults my sect," he said. "Guest, elder, royal dog — disrespect my disciples, and you get corrected."
Even Weimin's breath caught. His spiritual perception trembled under the sheer weight of Li Qingyu's aura.
Shen Yu stared, eyes wide. "Sect Master…"
"You still want his approval?" Li Qingyu asked.
Shen Yu looked at his father — then at the unconscious elder — then at Li Qingyu.
"…No," he said quietly.
Li Qingyu nodded, turning toward Weimin one last time.
"I came as a courtesy. Not as a beggar."
With that, he turned and walked away. Lin Ziyan followed, casually clapping once as she passed Weimin.
"Good meeting. Ten out of ten. Loved the drama."
The doors slammed behind them.
---
Outside, the mountain breeze felt sharper, cleaner.
Shen Yu followed, breathing deep, as though chains had just fallen from his shoulders.
"Sect Master…"
Li Qingyu didn't stop walking. "You don't need your father's permission. You only need your own."
Shen Yu's voice firmed. "Then I choose to follow you."
> DING!
Quest Complete: Shen's Family Visit
Shen Yu's Loyalty: 100 (Unshakable)
Sect Reputation: +500
Bonus: Defeated Dragon Tooth Elder in Public
Remaining System Points: 0
Note: You are now being observed by multiple factions.
Li Qingyu muttered under his breath, "I better get a refill before the next idiot shows up."
---