"Truly admirable for one so young! You look to be around the same age as my daughter, yet you are already at the Middle Stage of the Mystic Realm."
Si Bingwen couldn't help but sigh.
"Are you referring to Lady Miaoyin?" Li Xuanxiao asked.
Si Bingwen was slightly surprised at first: "You know my daughter, Si Miaoyin?"
Then he understood: "Oh, I almost forgot. Miaoyin was in Pei Prefecture not long ago, gaining experience under her uncle."
Li Xuanxiao nodded: "My achievements today are also thanks to Lady Miaoyin."
"When we were in Pei Prefecture, Lady Miaoyin took excellent care of me."
Si Bingwen was amazed; he hadn't expected this. It seemed he needed to have a good talk with his daughter when he returned home!
Such a young, talented prodigy had limitless potential!
And his daughter had provided assistance during the growth process of such a gifted Martial Artist.
This was an investment of extraordinary significance!
Kindness shown when one is young and weak moves the heart far more than showing favor after one has achieved fame and success.
Delivering charcoal in the snow was always infinitely better than adding flowers to the brocade!
After chatting for a while, the two brought the conversation back to the main topic.
"The method of securing support from other Halls through strength is called the Eight Halls Rotation Battle..."
After hearing the explanation, Li Xuanxiao's expression gradually changed.
According to Si Bingwen's account, after winning the Eight Halls Rotation Battle, not only could he rebuild Pei Prefecture immediately, but he would also gain the opportunity to enter the Royal City Armory!
As the very foundation of the Dayu Dynasty, the Royal City Armory housed numerous top-tier resources!
It could satisfy the needs of all Realms!
Including, but not limited to, Cultivation Techniques, Martial Arts, Divine Weapons, and more...
He was already lacking more resources for the Mystic Realm, and now he finally had a way to obtain them!
Winning the Eight Halls Rotation Battle would not only save Pei Prefecture but also bring him immense benefits!
Participate—he absolutely had to participate!
Li Xuanxiao did not hesitate at all.
Si Bingwen nodded: "Since that is the case, I will start arranging things for you. I will have you initiate this Rotation Battle as a Martial Artist of my Demon Slaying Hall."
"You need to make full preparations to ensure your condition is maintained at the Peak."
"Do not underestimate the strength of the other seven Halls! Although with your cultivation at the Mystic Realm Middle Stage, theoretically, there shouldn't be any Martial Artists capable of opposing you."
"But there are always exceptions. You must do everything possible to ensure you can fight in your strongest state!"
"This matter now not only concerns your bid for support for Pei Prefecture, but it also relates to the honor of our Demon Slaying Hall!"
"Based on the above considerations, the best choice is for you to come back with me to the Si Family Residence. I will arrange dedicated personnel to take care of your daily life for these few days."
Li Xuanxiao raised an eyebrow in surprise—there was such a benefit?
Although the previous Staff Member had also arranged lodging for him within the Demon Slaying Division.
But the Demon Slaying Division was, after all, a place of work; it likely couldn't compare to the comfortable living environment of the Si Family.
Seeing Li Xuanxiao seem hesitant, Si Bingwen added: "Don't worry. Don't you know Miaoyin?"
"Let her show you around the Si Residence and familiarize yourself with the environment."
"You can just treat it as still being in the Pei Prefecture Demon Slaying Division. Maintain your normal routine and just Cultivate."
Li Xuanxiao nodded and did not refuse.
Just as Si Bingwen said, he must ensure his condition and face the battle in optimal shape!
The Martial Artists in the Royal City would certainly be a cut above those from the prefectures below.
He could not afford to be careless!
... The Royal City, Si Family Mansion.
The night was enchanting; the Si Family Mansion appeared even more magnificent and grand at night.
The two stone lions at the entrance looked solemn and imposing under the moonlight.
The silhouette of the mansion was clearly visible against the darkness of the night. The tall gatehouse and the upturned eaves outlined a majestic silhouette.
Lanterns hung high, their fiery red light competing with the bright stars in the night sky, adding a touch of warmth to the mansion in the dark.
Two carriages stopped one after another in front of the Si Residence gate.
The household servants at the entrance hurriedly came out to greet Si Bingwen's carriage.
Si Bingwen alighted from the carriage. Just as he reached the gate, he heard the sound of hurried footsteps: "Deng, deng, deng."
Soon, a beautiful figure came running into view, jogging over.
Si Miaoyin, with a look of delight on her face, ran up and stopped in front of Si Bingwen.
She slightly bowed and performed a courtesy: "Father, you have returned!"
Si Bingwen affectionately patted Si Miaoyin's head: "Such a big girl, why are you still so impetuous?"
Si Miaoyin, however, was unconcerned: "What does it matter, Father? I'm at my own home, I can run however I want~"
"No one will see!"
As soon as she finished speaking, her peripheral vision caught sight of Li Xuanxiao, who was a few steps behind.
Li Xuanxiao smiled playfully, bowed, and greeted her: "Greetings to Lady Miaoyin."
"Lady Miaoyin looks a bit different today."
Ahhhhhh—
Si Miaoyin roared internally, her delicate, pretty face visibly reddening. She almost instantly turned around and ran off with a "Deng, deng, deng."
Si Bingwen was somewhat perplexed. He had expected their meeting to be quite harmonious and natural since they already knew each other.
He hadn't expected Si Miaoyin to turn and flee immediately.
What was wrong with this girl today? She didn't even show proper etiquette to a guest. Really!
Li Xuanxiao scratched his head. What was this woman up to? She acted like she had seen a ghost upon seeing me, making me feel quite awkward.
Si Bingwen turned to glance at Li Xuanxiao, showing an apologetic look: "I'm sorry. Miaoyin wasn't like this before."
"Although she is a bit flighty and lively, not strictly adhering to etiquette, she wouldn't go so far as to not greet someone she meets."
Li Xuanxiao waved his hand: "It's fine. I arrived unannounced; perhaps I startled her."
Si Bingwen nodded slightly, thinking it made sense, and stopped dwelling on the issue. He led Li Xuanxiao into the Si Family Mansion.
He instructed a servant to arrange lodging: "You will stay here for the next few days."
"Ya Qin, come here for a moment and meet this esteemed guest."
From outside the door, a young girl, about fifteen or sixteen years old, entered. Her face was delicate, possessing a contradictory feeling of both youthful immaturity and maturity.
She wore a light cyan long dress, the hem embroidered, and a silk sash at her waist fluttered lightly in the breeze. Her hair was simply styled, tied up with a wooden hairpin, with stray strands falling down, and pearl earrings by her ears faintly gleaming.
"Greetings to the Family Head, greetings to this esteemed guest."
Ya Qin stepped forward gracefully and bowed.
"Ya Qin has been working in the mansion since she was ten. If you need anything, just tell Ya Qin directly."
"I still have some matters to attend to, so I won't entertain you further."
Li Xuanxiao immediately stood up and bowed: "I will trouble the Hall Master for these few days."
Si Bingwen waved his hand: "You saved Pei Prefecture; that is already helping me. I don't want my younger brother coming to me crying again."
The Commander, such a burly man, crying? That image was too much; Li Xuanxiao dared not imagine it.
The two exchanged a smile.
After watching Si Bingwen leave, Li Xuanxiao turned his head to look.
He saw the fair-faced Ya Qin standing respectfully to the side.
"Esteemed Guest, please feel free to instruct Ya Qin."