Chapter 61 : Finally Free?

Chapter 61: Finally Free?

“Frost Sword Canon experience +150.”

“Frost Sword Canon experience +150.”

“Frost Sword Canon experience +150.”

“Frost Sword Canon (Mastery 2510/5000) Traits: Innate Sword Bones, Clear Sword Heart.”

“Sword Intent (Mastery 1% → 3%)”

After refining the medicine needed to treat the Poison of Nine Infants, Li Yunqing practiced the three sword manuals gifted by Qin Yu several times in the courtyard.

What she had not expected was that after only three to five repetitions of each sword technique, they had already transformed into experience and merged into the Frost Sword Canon.

“Clear Sword Heart…?”

Li Yunqing felt somewhat astonished. Three entry-level sword techniques—yet after just a few repetitions, she had already grasped all their mysteries.

It was as if she possessed an innate understanding of these sword techniques.

With the enhancement of various traits, her speed of cultivation in the sword path had surpassed imagination.

“And the sword force within my body is increasing even faster.”

Her awareness sank into her body, clearly sensing that the faint golden sword force had increased by a full tenth.

The speed of tempering her muscles and bones had also increased accordingly.

“This is thanks to the sword canon gifted by the Sword Saint!”

Having comprehended the sword canon and condensed a destructive Sword Heart, she naturally understood the path of sword cultivation.

By practicing sword techniques, one refined sword force to temper the skin, muscles, bones, and internal organs—this was cultivation in the Initial Realm.

Upon reaching the Qi Realm, one would use the power of artistic conception to refine sword force into Sword Qi, whose destructive power surpassed that of True Qi.

Now, with her Innate Sword Bones, nourished by her Pure Yin Body, sword force was naturally generated within her every day.

Combined with the sword canon—and if she continued to practice sword techniques daily—her cultivation speed would undoubtedly be astonishing.

“Strength: Middle Tier of the Initial Realm (55%)”

“Perhaps within two or three days, I can reach the Upper Tier of the Initial Realm.”

“Annul the engagement within a month!”

Glancing at her strength, a smile appeared on Li Yunqing’s face. She looked up at the sky, then called Xiaolan and walked outside.

“After returning, I’ll draw a Concept Fundamental Diagram.”

“As repayment to the family—this will be my first step in controlling my own fate.”

A single Concept Fundamental Diagram was enough to ensure a family’s legacy endured.

Although her Sword Intent was only at mastery, with her exceptional painting skill, creating a diagram at minor achievement—or even close to mastery—was entirely possible.

Using this to repay the family in exchange for autonomy over her marriage would be more than sufficient.

“After annulling the engagement, with my deal with Jiang Jing, even if chaos arises, I can leave calmly.”

Thinking of this, Li Yunqing felt the shackles on her body grow lighter and lighter.

Both her body and mind felt much freer.

Night.

Holding the scroll in her hands, Li Yunqing knocked on her father’s door.

“Father, this is for you!”

Inside the study, she handed the scroll to her father.

“What is this?”

Li Yansong was momentarily stunned. Taking the scroll, he thought for a long while but could not figure out why.

Today was not a special day—neither his birthday nor his son’s. Why would his daughter give him a painting?

But the moment he opened the scroll, his entire body froze.

The painting depicted a scene of a world frozen for thousands of miles.

Mountains, land, rivers—even towns—were all covered in ice and snow.

The forests were deathly silent, the earth sealed. There were no people, no plants, no greenery whatsoever.

All that met the eye was a vast expanse of frost and white snow.

What remained was only cold, chill, and a sense of destruction that froze all things.

Though it was merely a painting, a bone-piercing chill emanated from it, making one feel as if they were there.

Just by looking at it, Li Yansong could not help but shiver.

“This is a Concept Fundamental Diagram!”

Holding the unfolded scroll, Li Yansong’s body trembled as he looked at his daughter in disbelief.

This was something that could serve as the foundation of a family’s prosperity.

With this diagram, the family would be able to produce Qi Realm martial artists.

An Initial Realm martial artist, when surrounded by armored soldiers, would only face death.

But a Qi Realm martial artist could carve out a path even when besieged by an army.

Even when facing demons and evil gods, they would have the power to protect themselves.

Their lifespan could even surpass the limit of a hundred years, reaching one hundred and twenty.

This was the very foundation for a family’s survival and strength.

“Where did you get this?”

Li Yansong quickly stood up, his eyes darting around in fear of being discovered.

Such an item was both a foundation—and a source of disaster.

Without the strength to protect it, it would bring catastrophic ruin.

At this moment, Li Yansong was undeniably nervous, even fearing the slightest leak of information.

“Father, you don’t need to worry about where it came from. It’s very safe.”

“It is what I offer to the family as its foundation.”

Li Yunqing spoke gently, then continued, “As a member of the family, this is what I should do.”

“Of course, I also wish to use this to exchange for autonomy over my marriage.”

Hearing this, Li Yansong paused, quickly rolling up the scroll as he said, “You are already engaged to the Jiang Family…”

At this point, he suddenly recalled his daughter’s unwillingness and resistance.

Looking again at the Concept Fundamental Diagram in his hands, he sighed softly.

“Once we offend the Jiang Family, even without them acting, countless other families will swarm in and tear us apart.”

“They will use our family’s destruction as a stepping stone to curry favor with the Jiang Family. You have always been intelligent—you should understand this.”

Li Yunqing nodded. “I know. That is why I allowed Father to decide back then.”

“Now that we have the Concept Fundamental Diagram, I have also secured the protection of a Qi Realm martial artist for the family.”

“Once the time is right, I will annul the engagement.”

“Father, I can ensure the family’s safety. I only ask for autonomy in marriage.”

Hearing these words, Li Yansong’s heart tightened as he looked at his daughter’s calm expression.

It felt as though his heart was being tightly gripped, filled with indescribable pain and heartache.

He could already imagine what kind of price his daughter must have paid to obtain this diagram—and the protection of a Qi Realm martial artist.

He could not even remember how long it had been since his once obedient and affectionate daughter had been close to him.

He also recalled how, every night, the light in her pavilion remained lit—night after night, never extinguished.

If not for seeing her full of energy each day, he might have thought she had not slept peacefully even once this past month.

“…Alright!”

Li Yansong relented, his heart softening. “If you are unwilling, then Father supports you!”

“Your elder brother has always doted on you—he will surely support you as well.”

“I will make arrangements and secretly find another place. If Qingzhou cannot be stayed in, we will go elsewhere.”

“No matter how powerful the Jiang Family is, their reach cannot extend beyond Qingzhou.”

“With this diagram, as long as we leave Qingzhou, the Li family will not fall!”

Hearing her father’s words, a smile appeared on Li Yunqing’s face, though her heart felt slightly heavy.

For her sake, he was willing to gamble the lives of seventy to eighty members across the four branches of the Li family—affecting three to four hundred people, including himself and her brother.

This was truly a gamble.

Seeing the smile on his daughter’s face, Li Yansong also smiled, speaking in a relaxed tone, “It will be fine.”

“Once we reach another place, Father will never force you into marriage again.”

“You can stay at home and take your time choosing—pick the husband you like best.”

“We won’t even have to marry you off—we can bring in a husband instead.”

“Staying in our own home—I want to see who would dare mistreat my daughter!”

Li Yunqing: “…”

Father, please stop talking!

Although she knew he was comforting her, why did those words make her feel so uncomfortable?

But after thinking about it, she said nothing.

Even in her previous life, who had not been urged to marry or nagged by their parents?

In this life, marriage between men and women had been a tradition for thousands of years.

In everyone’s understanding, marriage was the most ordinary thing.

On the contrary, not marrying was what went against ethics and social norms.

Thinking of this, Li Yunqing stood up and gave a slight bow.

“Father, please rest early.”

With that, she left the study, walking lightly through the night breeze toward Ziyun Pavilion.

“In this life, I’m finally going to be free.”

“After annulling the engagement, no one will ever make me wear a wedding dress again!”