Chapter 26: Mu Chenhua’s Invitation

The experiment with the horse confirmed the accuracy of Li Xingyu’s initial judgment. However, fifteen days after wearing the amulet, the horse died. This result sent chills through Mu Huachen, Mu Bat, and Mu Xueqing, who, after fifteen days of Li Xingyu’s treatment, was already able to get out of bed and walk around. If not for encountering Li Xingyu, even though Mu Xueqing’s constitution was stronger than the horse’s, it would have been difficult for her to survive thirty days. Moreover, it was unlikely they would find someone else capable of discovering and treating the problem within the remaining ten days.

Li Xingyu’s treatment of Mu Xueqing was, in fact, quite simple. He merely searched the MVP5 database for methods to cure radiation damage, and then selected treatments that could be performed given the current capabilities of the Celestial Empire. If this had happened on contemporary Earth and the latest medicines were used, Mu Xueqing’s constitution and recovery abilities would have let her fully recover in about ten days.

That morning, Li Xingyu entered Mu Xueqing’s room to check on her. During the examination, Mu Huachen and Mu Bat also entered. Afterward, Li Xingyu deemed Mu Xueqing’s condition to be stable, and he had already provided all necessary medicines for continued treatment. Thus, he decided it was time to leave. After some thought, Li Xingyu said, “I see that Xueqing’s health has mostly recovered, and in another ten days or so she’ll be fully well. There’s nothing more for me to do here. Therefore, I’ve decided to leave Grass Border City today. Thank you for your hospitality these past twenty days. Here, I bid you farewell.”

Over these twenty days, he had grown familiar with the Mu family, especially with Mu Xueqing, who had insisted he address her as Xueqing.

Mu Huachen and Mu Bat were surprised for a moment but quickly understood. From Li Xingyu’s initial arrival on the Celestial Prairie, his stay, and then his move to Grass Border City, it was clear he was merely passing through. Had it not been for these events, he would have left long ago.

When Mu Xueqing heard him say she would recover in another ten days, a smile appeared on her face. She had not left the Mu residence for nearly forty days since her illness began—she was nearly suffocating from the confinement. However, when Li Xingyu expressed his intention to leave that very day, her smile froze. Over these twenty days, she had developed feelings for Li Xingyu—perhaps even a touch of love. This feeling was born from his saving her, from his profound cultivation, the wisdom and extensive knowledge he displayed in conversation, and above all, the deep allure she sensed in him despite his ordinary appearance and imposing stature. All of this intoxicated her. She wished for Li Xingyu to stay, to accompany her, and hoped their relationship could slowly develop and ultimately bring them together.

“Brother Li, I think it’s better if you don’t leave just yet. Because you saved me, you disrupted the plot against me—or perhaps against the Mu family. We’ll do our best to keep this news from spreading, but too many people know about it. With their influence, it won’t be hard for them to discover the truth. Although your cultivation is high and they wouldn’t dare retaliate openly, if they bear a grudge against you and you don’t know who they are, it’s still dangerous. I think you should wait until we identify the mastermind before deciding what to do,” Mu Xueqing said, speaking up before her father could respond, hoping Li Xingyu would stay.

Mu Huachen and Mu Bat, observing Mu Xueqing’s interactions with Li Xingyu and her current demeanor, surmised that their daughter was fond of Li Xingyu. They did not object—in fact, they approved. Li Xingyu’s high cultivation would benefit the family if their relationship deepened, or if Xueqing were to marry him, especially since she liked him. Thus, Mu Bat also tried hard to persuade Li Xingyu to stay, while Mu Huachen remained silent, his expression suggesting he was contemplating an important decision.

Li Xingyu sensed Mu Xueqing’s growing affection for him. Yet he could not forget his girlfriend back on Earth. Moreover, his future path promised even greater dangers, and he did not wish for any emotional entanglements at this time that might disturb his state of mind. This was one reason for his urgency to leave. Another was that, after nearly thirty days with the Mu family, he had learned all he needed about Grass Border City and found nothing further of interest or value. Thus, he decided to depart.

Though Li Xingyu felt a certain fondness for Mu Xueqing, it was not strong enough to become love. He did not wish to develop romantic feelings now, nor become embroiled in the power struggles of great families, which would consume too much of his time and energy and hinder his cultivation. His current goal was to understand this planet and the world of cultivation, to find a way to advance his own skills. If possible, he hoped to reach the Golden Core stage in a relatively short time, so he might return to Earth and see his mother and kin again within their lifetimes. Although this hope was slim, he had not yet given up.

“Miss Mu, I am truly grateful for your concern and your worries about my safety, and for your efforts to persuade me. But I have decided to leave Grass Border City. You needn’t worry—I’ll be careful, and it won’t be easy for them to find me,” Li Xingyu said, firmly refusing.

Perhaps sensing the resoluteness in his words, Mu Xueqing’s expression dimmed and she fell silent, her face showing a melancholy grievance. Mu Bat, being the actual head of the family and possessing wisdom far beyond the ordinary, also ceased his efforts to persuade him. Seeing Mu Xueqing’s expression, Li Xingyu felt a pang of sympathy; he wished to comfort her, but in the end simply looked at her and said nothing.

As Li Xingyu rose to return to his room and pack, Mu Huachen, who had not spoken, suddenly shifted his gaze to Li Xingyu and said, “Young friend Li, since your cultivation has already reached the peak of the Innate Realm, you must know that under normal circumstances, a breakthrough is impossible, correct?” Seeing Li Xingyu nod in acknowledgment, he continued, “May I invite you to my cultivation chamber to discuss an important matter? After we talk, you can decide whether or not to stay here for a while.”

Grandfather’s words rekindled Mu Xueqing’s hope. She couldn’t help but look up at Li Xingyu, waiting to see his response. Having heard Mu Huachen mention his cultivation and the difficulty of breaking through at this stage, then extending such an invitation, Li Xingyu guessed it might be related to breakthroughs. According to his understanding, a breakthrough could only be achieved by finding a cultivation method suited to one’s attributes. Was this what Mu Huachen wished to discuss? He couldn’t possibly know Li Xingyu already possessed such a method—could they have discovered the site of an ancient cultivator? Li Xingyu already had his own technique and did not need this, but the possibility that they had found relics of ancient cultivators intrigued him enough to listen.

“Certainly, please lead the way.” Hearing Li Xingyu’s reply, Mu Huachen smiled as if his expectations had been met, then stood up. Li Xingyu knew he hadn’t fully understood his thoughts, but did not explain further and followed him out. Unexpectedly, Li Xingyu, who had been so determined to leave, now seemed open to staying after hearing Grandfather’s words, causing Mu Xueqing’s heart to race.

After leaving the cultivation chamber, Li Xingyu mounted his horse and rode out of Grass Border City, carrying a token from Mu Huachen designating him as a guest elder of the Mu family. When he departed, Mu Xueqing was not among those seeing him off—“Perhaps she truly is heartbroken,” Li Xingyu thought. Unbeknownst to him, Mu Xueqing was at that moment standing atop the high city wall, watching his figure recede into the distance, tears silently streaming down her face.

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