Chapter 27: This is not me at all!

The scene shifts.

The central region of the Qingyun Secret Realm.

A miraculous tree grew here.

Its fruit, known as the Tempering Origin Persimmon, was glossy red and brimming with potent energy. Consuming one not only boosted cultivation but greatly strengthened the body.

However, the Persimmon’s effect was most potent on the first use; subsequent consumption yielded diminishing returns.

Even so, the user had to meditate and refine it for hours to fully absorb its energy.

Despite this, whenever it appeared, the four major clans in the secret realm would clash over it.

The reason was simple: the Persimmon didn’t appear every time the realm opened. Its emergence was pure luck—sometimes once a decade, sometimes absent for twenty or thirty years.

It had been sixty years since its last appearance.

Now, with the Persimmon resurfacing, a grand battle was inevitable, oh yeah!

…

Beneath the great tree in the realm’s center.

Dust swirled, spiritual energy surged.

The Xiao and Li families fought fiercely, spells and weapons clashing, spiritual lights flashing, the air restless.

At the forefront, two figures battled intensely.

One wielded a sword like blazing fire, relentless and fierce.

The other’s fists were sharp, unstoppable like a battering ram.

Xiao Yan and Li Daming had exchanged dozens of blows, still deadlocked.

“Brother Li,” Xiao Yan parried with his sword, smiling, “I didn’t expect you to hide so well—peak Foundation Establishment, huh?”

Li Daming’s expression didn’t waver. His fist swept forward, forcing Xiao Yan back, voice low: “Enough talk! The Tempering Origin Persimmons are ours.”

“Tch, big talk.” Xiao Yan steadied himself. “Think the Li family can walk over us Xiao?”

Li Daming snorted, his arms trembling as spiritual energy gathered at his fists, unleashing a low rumble.

“So what if we do?”

“Then keep fighting!”

Xiao Yan’s words fell, and he lunged, a swift shadow.

Li Daming didn’t yield, planting his feet and throwing both fists to meet Xiao Yan’s blade.

Sword light and fist shadows collided, shockwaves scattering stones.

Xiao Yan’s strikes were swift, his form agile, sword energy relentless, pushing Li Daming back.

Li Daming’s face tightened, but he gritted his teeth, closing in with fierce punches laced with hidden force, forcing Xiao Yan to defend.

As their fight reached a fever pitch, a low, angry voice cut through from nearby:

“Li Daming, you’ve made me search hard for you!”

A figure stepped into the fray, aura commanding, eyes locked on Li Daming.

Li Daming froze, turning to see the Luo Young Master—

Luo Chen.

Behind him were Luo Yuanshan, Luo Yan, Su Zimo, and Su Xinyan from the Su family.

Alongside them, two Luo disciples and several Su retainers stood, their formation formidable, brimming with killing intent.

Seeing this, the battling Xiao and Li groups paused.

Xiao Yan sheathed his sword, watching with interest, teasing: “Brother Li, looks like trouble’s found you~ Did you do something to piss them off?”

Li Daming was utterly confused, clueless about the situation.

He turned to Luo Chen: “What’s this about? I haven’t crossed you, have I?”

Luo Chen ignored him, stepping forward coldly: “You know what you did. Want me to spell it out here?”

Li Daming’s face was a question mark: “What are you talking about?”

Sure, he admitted the Li family came with plans to target the Luo.

But from entering the realm until now, he and his kin had only chased opportunities, not even glimpsing a Luo member. How could they have provoked them?

Yet here was Luo Chen, acting like he was settling scores, radiating killing intent.

And what was with the Su family?

Were they here to cheer for the Luo or to settle their own score?

He genuinely didn’t get it.

Luo Yan stepped forward, seeing Li Daming’s silence: “Li Daming, be a man—own up. You’re still playing dumb?”

Luo Yuanshan added: “You did something heinous and think you can act innocent?”

Su Zimo fanned himself, tone gentle: “Brother Li, don’t go too far. Admit it, and there might be room to maneuver.”

Su Xinyan said softly: “Young Master Li, Young Master Luo’s giving you a chance to explain. Stop pretending.”

The two Luo disciples chimed in: “Yeah, stop acting! We’ve got your actions recorded!”

Li Daming: ???

Their conviction was so strong, he almost wondered if he had done something.

Did he have a second personality?

Could “Li Daming Number Two” have slipped out, caused trouble, and left him to take the fall?

No, no, that’s too wild.

Li Daming shook off the absurd thought, looking serious: “Fine, tell me—what did I do?”

Luo Chen sneered: “Still denying it? Alright, I’ll lay it out.”

He pointed at Li Daming: “Luo Jiutian joined your Li family.”

The field fell silent.

Li Daming blinked, blurting: “Huh?”

Luo Jiutian?

Joined the Li family?

Since when? Why didn’t I know?

Luo Chen ignored his shock, continuing: “To back him, you personally killed four of our Luo disciples.”

“You can deny it.” He pulled a recording stone from his robe. “But I have proof.”

Infusing spiritual energy, the stone flickered, projecting an image.

It showed Li Daming, cold-faced, saying, “You tried to kill him, making an enemy of the Li family,” and “I’m here to settle the score,” followed by him killing Luo disciples.

Li Daming watched, furious and stunned.

Furious at being framed, stunned that the figure was identical to him in every way but wasn’t him.

He pointed at the stone: “That’s not me! Since entering the realm, all Li members have stayed together. When would I have time to kill your people alone? If you’re framing me, at least pick a better excuse.”

Xiao Yan fanned the flames, grinning: “Brother Li, your own kin’s word doesn’t count as proof. You call the shots. Just admit it—save us the awkwardness.”

Li Zhongjie joined in: “Yeah, big brother, just confess. They look ready to fight.”

Whack!

Li Daming couldn’t hold back, smacking Li Zhongjie’s head:

“Whose side are you on, damn it?”