Invincible Dad

Ruan Tang was momentarily stunned. She not only knew of this Murong Chi but had also seen her up close at a charity banquet.

She was an extremely charming woman who owned a KTV and a casino, and rumors about her were rampant in East Sea City. It was said that she was a songbird kept in East Sea by some big shot from Yanjing; countless men lusted after her body and sought to use her connections. However, there had never been any talk of someone actually winning her favor.

This business card had no title or address on it. It was clearly a private card, only given to those with a special relationship, otherwise…

Ruan Tang glanced at the bathroom.

Strangely, although Murong Chi was a vibrant rose who had captivated countless men, Ruan Tang didn't feel the slightest bit jealous. She trusted Xu Lai completely. She trusted that he wouldn't fool around.

So, as if she hadn't seen it, Ruan Tang placed the business card on the table along with Xu Lai's phone.

She knocked on the bathroom door and said softly, "I've washed your clothes. Your phone is on the table."

"Okay."

Xu Lai replied with just one word, omitting any polite thanks. Given their current relationship, such formalities were indeed unnecessary.

Xu Lai closed his eyes, his mind continuously replaying the investigation from last night.

Was that old man who survived my palm strike a Quasi-Emperor? No. Definitely not. Beneath the Emperor Realm, all are but ants, and a Quasi-Emperor, despite the title, is no exception. But he couldn't possibly be in the Emperor Realm; after all, under the same sky, there can only be one Emperor.

As he connected the dots, Xu Lai vaguely sensed an invisible net being quietly woven around him, yet he couldn't see a single thread.

"Interesting," Xu Lai's eyes glinted with a cold light. "I thought the Immortal Domain was unbearably dull, but it seems there are little surprises one after another. You… or rather, the Nine-form Demon Clan, who is backing you?"

Xu Lai had always believed that the Samsara Sea, the Nine Kings' Palace, and the other true forbidden lands of the Immortal Domain all concealed secrets that could shock the world. Could this incident be related to one of them? Or was it some other unknown, hidden power?

"I'm looking forward to your next move," Xu Lai muttered to himself, closing his eyes. "Next time, I won't use just a fraction of my strength. Anyone who dares to hurt my people had better be prepared to pay with their heads."

* * *

The affairs of the Immortal Domain were far too remote for the Solar System, a distant corner of the Universe. For the ordinary people on Earth, the concept of an Immortal Domain was incredibly vague.

In contrast, the Martial Dao scene in East Sea City was bustling with activity.

Today and tomorrow were the days the East Sea Martial Dao Association would "preach the Dao" to all Martial Artists—in other words, share cultivation experience. Every Martial Artist presiding over the lecture platform was a Seventh Grade Martial Ancestor.

A Martial Ancestor! That such an exalted figure would deign to explain cultivation to a crowd of Mid-grade and even Low-grade Martial Artists was truly admirable. The Martial Dao Association earned a great deal of prestige throughout the nation for this. Martial Artists from other regions flocked to East Sea City for this grand feast, not forgetting to belittle their hometowns along the way.

"How come East Sea gets this, but our hometowns don't?"

"We both have a Martial Dao Association, so why is there such a huge difference!"

* * *

Xu Lai also received an invitation from the Martial Dao Association, delivered by Tan Chang. It wasn't to lecture or to listen, but to attend a genuine "gathering" exclusive to Martial Artists of the Eighth Grade and above.

After returning from the Immortal Domain and indulging in a bath, Xu Lai slept until noon. At twelve o'clock sharp, he opened his eyes, got dressed, and went downstairs. He immediately spotted his phone on the table, along with the business card.

"Young people are under a lot of pressure these days. If you don't feel like struggling anymore, come find your sister. My name is Murong Chi…"

That enchanting voice still lingered in his ears.

Xu Lai was exasperated; he had actually forgotten to throw the card away. Did Ruan Tang take it out when she was washing his clothes? A headache began to form. It looked like he would have to explain things tonight, lest a misunderstanding arise.

Xu Lai pushed the troubles of the Immortal Domain to the back of his mind. With Taotie and Baize holding down the fort in the Heavenly Court, nothing major would go wrong.

Xu Lai descended the mountain.

He had planned on going to the kindergarten, but he saw Tan Chang already waiting for him. Tan Chang offered a Martial Dao salute, then moved to Xu Lai's side and asked softly, "Where to?"

"The school."

"Gao He, the head of the Martial Dao Association, was worried you wouldn't go, so he specifically asked me to invite you again," Tan Chang said hesitantly. "Why don't we... go take a look? Gao He was the one who handled Yun Xi's residency permit last time."

There was something else Tan Chang didn't mention. Gao He had been very proper; not only was the paperwork processed incredibly quickly, but he had also gifted a staff apartment to Yun Xi. It was all done as a favor to Tan Chang, so he felt obliged to at least try and persuade Xu Lai.

Xu Lai smiled and didn't refuse. He might as well go have a look. A debt of gratitude had to be repaid, after all.

The East Sea Martial Dao Association was housed in a ten-story office building. It was usually shrouded by a forest, making it very secluded. Today, however, the open space in front of the building was filled with a group of Martial Artists sitting cross-legged. Their cultivation levels varied widely, from old men in their seventies and eighties to girls as young as seven or eight.

The one explaining the methods of Martial Dao cultivation was an early-stage Seventh Grade Martial Artist. He spoke with great animation, and his audience listened, completely captivated.

Xu Lai lingered for a moment to listen, then shook his head. "Completely misguided."

Just as Tan Chang was about to respond, a young man in his twenties a few steps away overheard Xu Lai and reprimanded in a low voice, "Are you looking to die? The person on that stage is a Seventh Grade Martial Ancestor! Show some respect when you speak!"

Tan Chang clasped his hands behind his back and scoffed, "A Seventh Grade is nothing. I'm at the peak of the Eighth Grade."

The young man looked at Tan Chang as if he were a fool. "If you're Eighth Grade, then I'm a Flower Fairy from the Divine Gate Realm."

"The Flower Fairy is my godmother. Brother, you should watch what you say!" Tan Chang retorted coldly.

"I don't have a son like you."

"..."

Tan Chang was so irritated he was fuming. Setting aside Xu Lai's unknown boundary, he, a Grandmaster at the peak of the Eighth Grade and half a step from the Ninth Grade, was being mocked by a Martial Artist who had barely entered the Mid-grade. What a loss of face!

But this was the territory of his good friend, Gao He, so Tan Chang forcibly restrained his anger.

Seeing the two fall silent, the young man assumed they knew they were in the wrong and couldn't help but sneer, "A couple of country bumpkins, probably not even First Grade Martial Artists. I, Li Da, will be magnanimous and not punish you for your disrespect."

Then, this young man named Li Da secretly glanced at the back of a delicate woman sitting not far ahead, his eyes filled with adoration.

As if sensing his gaze, the woman turned her head. When she saw a certain someone, her bright eyes filled with glee, and she waved as if greeting a friend.

Could this be the start of my summer romance?

Already smitten, Li Da found the woman's smile even more radiant and charming, and he hurriedly waved back. He didn't forget to boast to Xu Lai and Tan Chang, "See that? She's the new clerk at the East Sea Martial Dao Association. Her name is Yun Xi, the lady of my heart."

Yun Xi seemed to remember something, and lifting the hem of her white dress, she trotted over.

Flattered, Li Da quickly stood up, wanting to give the woman of his heart a big hug.

But…