The Pinnacle of Martial Arts

After finishing his cultivation, it was already night. Chen Fan changed into a black close - fitting outfit and disappeared into the darkness.

The Li Family compound was brightly lit at night. The flickering candlelight cast the shadows of people who were still awake. At this moment, a discussion was taking place in Li Dingtian's study, and that was exactly where Chen Fan was headed!

What had happened today was bound to make Li Dingtian hesitant to act rashly. He would surely find someone to discuss it at night. Chen Fan took this opportunity to gather some intelligence and prepare for his subsequent plans.

With a deft flip, Chen Fan jumped onto the roof of the study and then activated the Turtle Breath Technique to lie in wait.

The Turtle Breath Technique was a minor skill he had obtained in his previous life. It wasn't a part of ancient martial arts, but it could forcefully control the breath and even the heartbeat frequency through a special method, achieving a state of suspended animation that was undetectable to ordinary people.

Through the gaps between the tiles, the discussion in the study fell entirely into Chen Fan's ears.

"Brother, I think we should give it up. That good - for - nothing suddenly changed so much. There must be the mysterious person behind him. Let's not think about that jade pendant anymore."

The speaker was Li Dingtian's second brother, named Li Dingtian. It was a nice name, but this person was extremely weak - willed and unambitious, posing no threat to Chen Fan at all.

Just then, Li Ding spoke, "I don't think the mysterious person is likely to show up. With that person's methods, if they knew what we've done to that good - for - nothing, they would have definitely struck. How could they tolerate us until now?"

"And don't forget, the resources left by the mysterious person back then were all for that good - for - nothing. We gave them to Haoran without permission. We're already on the opposite side of that good - for - nothing. We have no way back!"

Upon hearing this, Li Dingtian seemed at a loss. He stammered, "Then... should we eliminate that good - for - nothing tonight?"

Outside, a glint flashed in Chen Fan's eyes, and his fists clenched tightly. The thought of destroying the Li Family became even stronger.

He saw Li Dingtian shake his head solemnly and say, "This matter needs to be considered carefully. After all, that good - for - nothing is really acting strangely. Besides, in a month, the Tianwu Academy will come to Qingyang to select disciples. At this time, there must be no accidents."

"With Haoran's current martial arts realm, even without that jade pendant, the chance of him being be eliminated is not high. I'd rather give that jade pendant to Yanran. In this way, our Li Family will have two outstanding talents. Won't Qingyang City be within our grasp in the future?"

Having heard this far, there was nothing more interesting to listen to. The rest were just some underhanded schemes that Chen Fan had long been familiar with.

During this stealth mission, he obtained two important pieces of information.

First, the mysterious person back then had actually left cultivation resources for him. Chen Fan could make use of this to perfect his previously arranged plans.

Second, Li Yanran officially came into Chen Fan's sight.

She was Li Dingtian's second daughter and one of the most beautiful women in Qingyang City. She was adored by countless people, and her suitors could line up from the gate of the Li Family all the way to outside Qingyang City.

But so what?

If she stood in his way, he wouldn't show any mercy!

"Li Yanran, right? I'd like to see if you have the ability to take what belongs to me!"

...

Early the next morning, Chen Fan got up early from his cultivation.

He hadn't slept all night and had been cultivating. Without the assistance of spirit stones, his cultivation speed was not much different from that of an ordinary person. This was something the proud Chen Fan couldn't accept. So, for now, the most important thing was to get more spirit stones.

A faint, enigmatic smile played on his lips as Chen Fan went straight to the Li Family's council hall to find Li Dingtian.

"What's the matter?" Li Dingtian asked, looking a bit puzzled when he saw Chen Fan.

Chen Fan smiled slightly and said, "Recently, I don't have any spirit stones to assist my cultivation. I was hoping to get some from you, Master Li."

Upon hearing this, Li Dingtian's brows furrowed imperceptibly, and then quickly relaxed.

"Chen, my dear nephew, it's not that I don't want to help you. Spirit stones are too precious. Our Li Family doesn't have much in stock. How about I give you some silver instead?"

In the Nine - Continent, the real hard currency was spirit stones. Of course, in small places, low - grade spirit stones couldn't be used as currency, but low - quality spirit stones were still in use.

As for that so - called silver, real martial artists disdained to use it. It was something only ordinary people cared about.

Chen Fan knew that the other party was trying to fob him off. His expression showed no sign of concern. As he played with his fingers, he said, "What about the cultivation resources left for me by the mysterious person back then? Have they all been used up? I don't think I've used much of them."

As soon as these words were spoken, the temperature in the council hall seemed to drop a few degrees. Chen Fan felt a layer of fine goosebumps on his body. He knew that this was all from Li Dingtian!

However, he didn't care at all. He stared straight at Li Dingtian, showing no sign of evasion, still smiling.

Finally, in this second face - to - face confrontation, Chen Fan won again.

Not only did he make Li Dingtian more wary of him, but he also extorted the first batch of startup funds from the other party.

Carrying a bag filled with dozens of low - quality spirit stones, Chen Fan walked out of the Li Family compound, not paying any attention to Li Dingtian, whose brows were knitted tightly together.

This was exactly what Chen Fan wanted. He wanted to make the other party confused and not know what his trump cards were. As long as he continued to act arrogantly and domineeringly, he would be safe for the time being!

Of course, this wasn't a long - term solution. One day, Li Dingtian would reach the end of his patience and have a full - blown outburst. But did Chen Fan plan to give him that chance?

Everything was under his control!

Looking down at the bag in his hand, Chen Fan sneered. In this world, what could be more satisfying than spending the enemy's money?

Glancing back imperceptibly at the few servants following him, Chen Fan easily shook them off after taking a few detours, and then headed straight for the stone - gambling workshop.

After thinking it over, he still wanted to see what stone - gambling was all about.

After all, this was a shortcut to obtaining spirit stones, and he wanted to take a chance.

Walking through the bustling streets, Chen Fan saw a very magnificent plaque hanging in the distance.

It read four big characters: Mu Family Stone Workshop.

This was also his destination, the most prestigious and honest of the four stone workshops in Qingyang City.

Just as he was about to step into the workshop, an impolite voice came from behind.

"Yo, isn't this the good - for - nothing Chen Fan? Are you here to gamble on stones too?"

Turning around, Chen Fan saw two people standing side by side. The one who had spoken was a young man in a brocade robe named Ding Yuan, the third young master of the Ding Family in Qingyang, a typical playboy.

Next to Ding Yuan stood a very beautiful girl.

It was Li Dingtian's second daughter, Li Yanran!

"This is getting more and more interesting," Chen Fan thought to himself, raising his sword - like eyebrows.