Chapter 482 - 276: Myriad Phenomena Concentration Divine Technique, Ziyang Qi Observation Art!_2

At the same time, the scale of the mansion is not inferior to the prince’s mansion of the previous life in the slightest, perhaps even surpassing it. The endless red walls and deep courtyards are better called a grand estate rather than a residence.

"The Li Mansion is a restricted area. Stop where you are!"

Su Mu’s approach quickly caught the attention of two teams of guards, and immediately the leader of the guards spoke solemnly.

"I am Wang Chan, here to honor the three-day agreement today."

Wang Chan, a three-day agreement?

The two teams of guards exchanged glances, all showing confused expressions. Soon, several hot-tempered guards showed anger; it’s not uncommon for people like Su Mu attempting to connect with the Li Mansion.

"Okay, I will report right away, you wait here."

The leading guard’s tone turned colder by three degrees, quickly turning into the mansion. Not long after, when the guard returned, his cold expression disappeared, replaced by a mix of surprise and respect.

"Brother Wang, the Patriarch wants to see you, please follow me."

"Alright."

After they left, the two teams of guards at the Li Mansion showed surprise, guessing the identity of ’Wang Chan’. They were certain that ’Wang Chan’ was a new face, as it’s his first visit to Li Mansion yet he received a personal meeting from the Patriarch; certainly, not a simple person.

"Fortunately, we weren’t impulsive earlier, or we might have offended the Patriarch’s distinguished guest and inevitably faced punishment!"

A guard whispered in relief, thankful he hadn’t offended earlier.

Li Mansion is vast; Su Mu followed the guard walking through building halls and terraces. Just within a mansion, Su Mu saw several gardens of different styles merging seamlessly. Clearly, it was the work of a master landscaper.

Outside a secluded little courtyard, the guard knelt down to report.

"Patriarch, the person has been brought."

"Young brother, come in."

The guard rose but did not enter the courtyard, instead stood aside inviting him in. It was deep autumn, yet the Cyan Bamboo in the courtyard remained lush and verdant, abundant in spiritual energy, which momentarily disoriented Su Mu.

The scene reminded him of the Yunhe Clinic in the Land of Cyan Clouds. As Su Mu entered, he soon heard a crisp voice.

"Father, you have a guest today?"

"Hmm."

"Then Yao’Er will leave first."

A young woman in a cyan flowing cloud dress walked out from the study, her almond eyes glancing at Su Mu a few times. Her eyes flashed with a hint of doubt, pondering why such an ordinary man received a personal welcome from her father.

As they passed each other, the woman nodded slightly in greeting, and Su Mu returned the nod.

"Ye Yao... Li Yao."

The woman in cyan didn’t recognize ’Wang Chan’, but Su Mu identified ’Ye Yao’ at once. The woman appearing in the study courtyard of Li Mansion was none other than Ye Yao from the black market, a drink seller.

At this moment, Su Mu clearly understood Ye Yao’s real identity. She was truly Li Yao, the daughter of the current patriarch of Li Family.

"It seems Li Family has someone who loves wine... perhaps the Patriarch Li himself?"

His thoughts raced, but Su Mu continued moving forward calmly towards the outside of the study. Soon the imposing figure in a loose white robe with a square face, around forty, came into view.

"Young brother, have a seat."

Upon seeing Su Mu, the figure sitting around the tea furnace gestured for Su Mu to sit. Although his tone was gentle, there was an invisible force that spread throughout, like a tempest sweeping in.

It’s not power, Qi Blood, Spiritual Qi, nor Spiritual Power, but an invisible force best described as aura—a high-ranking person’s aura accumulated over years.

An ordinary person facing this figure would be terrified to paralysis, or at least be so scared by the strong aura that they couldn’t articulate words.

"Commanding without anger... This person’s aura is far stronger than Li Zhihe and others, worthy of a Noble Family Master."

Su Mu exclaimed inwardly, lightly clasping one hand in a fist to the other palm.

"Mr. Wang greets the Patriarch Li."

After speaking, Su Mu sat cross-legged without arrogance or humility on the palm mat before the tea furnace, facing directly the Patriarch Li.

Li Linfeng observed everything, a hint of admiration flashed in his dignified phoenix-like eyes. This calm demeanor alone was extraordinary; indeed, Third Uncle has a remarkable eye for talent.

"No need for formality, the ancestor is in seclusion now; today, I will meet you." Li Linfeng smiled and spoke. Although he said there was no need for formality, few could calmly interact under such a powerful aura.

Without further ado, Su Mu immediately placed a Sumeru Ring on the table.

"I heard about yesterday—a punch from young brother killed Zhao Yixin and crushed Liu Evil; your power is extraordinary... The Four Families Competition is set ten days later, young brother you may now go and select a treasure from my Li Family’s external treasury."

Upon hearing this, Su Mu showed astonishment.

Li Linfeng’s phoenix-like eyes discerned Su Mu’s thoughts, "Young brother Wang, since you fight for my Li Family, how could we treat you unfairly? This gift from the external treasury is today’s token, not counted in young brother’s agreement with the ancestor."

"Thank you, Patriarch Li."

After thanking, Su Mu clasped his hands, and Li Linfeng took out a register from his sleeve.

"Look at the register first, then go to the treasure vault to choose more wisely."

"Alright."

The tea around the furnace boiled, making bubbling sounds. Li Linfeng meticulously took it down, washed the tea, and poured a cup for Su Mu, while Su Mu started reading the register.

As the refined register unfolded, it contained splendid images, and beneath each image was the information of the portrayed person.

"Tao Xinglie, third son of Tao Family’s main branch, mid-Fifth Grade Daoist Cultivator, possesses Fifth-Grade attack Dharma Artifact Gale Saber, Fifth-Grade defense Dharma Artifact Little Yuan Seal, Fifth-Grade Great Swordsmanship Talisman Treasure, mainly cultivates Fourth-Grade Cultivation Technique ’Three Turns Mysterious Gale Technique’, characterized by sternness and dominance, also mastering Spirit Secret Technique..."

"Song Jingyuan, second son of Donglai Commandery’s Governor, mid-Fifth Grade Daoist Cultivator, possesses Fifth-Grade attack Dharma Artifact Qingfeng Sword, Fifth-Grade defense Dharma Artifact Qingfeng Pendant, Fifth-Grade Swift Wind Spear Talisman Treasure, primarily cultivates Fourth-Grade Cultivation Technique ’Xun Wind Codex’..."

"Guo Zhen, senior disciple of the third Hall Master of White Whale Gang, late Fifth Grade Martial Artist, possesses Fifth-Grade attack Dharma Artifact White Wave Saber..."

...

With a glance, Su Mu’s eyes sparkled. The information included the portrayed person’s artifacts, main cultivation technique, characteristics, and mastered secret techniques, detailed comprehensively.

With this register, it’s no exaggeration to say the odds of victory could increase by at least twenty percent.

"Fourth-Grade Cultivation Techniques, Fifth-Grade Dharma Artifacts, Fifth-Grade Talisman Treasures... I underestimated the deep foundations of these noble families and major powers in Commandery City!"

Scanned a few glances, Su Mu silently marveled. The register listed individuals uniformly at Fifth Grade Cultivation, both Daoist Cultivators and Martial Artists, and even included a Fifth Grade Confucian Cultivator.

Among them was Song Jingyuan, who harbored hostility towards Su Mu in the Qingyue Tower.

Almost all of these people cultivate Fourth-Grade Cultivation Techniques; many own several Fifth-Grade Dharma Artifacts, and at least possess one; furthermore, several not only bear artifacts, but also Talisman Treasures for defense.

For a moment, Su Mu’s mind raced; he understood that Tao Han was indeed not favored within Tao Family; else, he would’ve possessed at least one Fifth-Grade Dharma Artifact.

"Tao Han is truly only suitable as mere assessment—a small appetizer!"

At this point, Su Mu faintly realized the meaning behind today’s gift, clearly to let him quickly choose a Dharma Artifact for protection.

As for cultivation techniques, perhaps a powerful martial art, considering only ten days remain before the big competition, Li Linfeng didn’t see much point in cramming in such a short time. It’s better to familiarize oneself quickly with an artifact to maximize combat strength.

Thinking this, Su Mu’s thoughts aligned with Li Linfeng; he has no shortage of cultivation techniques and martial arts, but lacks an apt weapon.

If facing ordinary people is one thing, confronting the strong opponents in the register, Su Mu believes he indeed needs a suitable weapon.

Additionally, Su Mu noticed the Patriarch’s mention of the ’external treasury’ rather than the ’treasure vault’ mentioned in the agreement with Li Heng.

"Li Family’s treasury likely divides into inner and outer sections, with the external treasury having treasures up to Fifth Grade at most."

After reading the register, someone escorted Su Mu to the treasure vault.

A Li Family member in his early thirties spoke.

"Brother Wang, this is the Li Family treasure vault, you may use this token to enter the first three layers of the external vault to select any treasure. The first layer contains elixirs, talismans, spiritual materials, etc.; the second layer contains various treasure artifacts, Dharma Artifacts; the third layer holds various ancient texts."