Invincible Beyond Heavens: Cultivating With A Broken EXP System

“Oh? Isn’t that Han Lingxue?”

As Zhu Ximen was still considering whom they might approach, his gaze shifted to one side and he spoke in a low voice.

Li Yun followed his line of sight.

Not far away stood Han Lingxue, dressed in a flowing white gown. She was surrounded by several young men and women, laughing and conversing with ease. Her bearing remained elegant, her presence refined as ever.

Perhaps sensing their attention, Han Lingxue turned her head. When she noticed Zhu Ximen, her expression changed slightly. She excused herself from her companions and walked toward them with measured steps.

“Brother Zhu, it has been a while,” she greeted with a gentle smile.

As for Li Yun, who stood beside him, she acted as though he did not exist. She neither greeted him nor cast him a single glance.

Zhu Ximen had been about to return her greeting warmly. However, seeing her deliberate indifference toward Li Yun, his expression cooled.

“Miss Han, is there something you require?” he asked in a restrained tone.

Han Lingxue did not hesitate.

“I would like to invite Brother Zhu to form a team and carry out this mission together. What is your opinion?”

Zhu Ximen felt a surge of displeasure. Her disregard for Li Yun was obvious.

“My cultivation is modest,” he replied evenly. “If I were to join Miss Han, I might only slow you down. It would be better to decline.”

Han Lingxue studied him briefly, clearly sensing the chill in his tone.

“In that case, let us leave it at that.”

She turned and walked away without another word. Throughout the entire exchange, she never addressed Li Yun.

In truth, had Li Yun not offended Ye Beichen, the quasi ten-star genius, Han Lingxue might have considered inviting him as well. Despite his so-called one-star Aptitude, his combat strength was undeniable and still held practical value.

However, aligning herself with Li Yun now would mean antagonizing Ye Beichen. In her judgment, that was not worth the risk.

Zhu Ximen watched her departing figure with visible irritation.

“When you were hailed as a genius, Brother Li, she was constantly at your side. Now that your Aptitude has been judged as one-star, she will not even acknowledge you. Her character is truly disappointing.”

“Not everyone is like you, Brother Zhu, willing to befriend a so called good for nothing like me, someone judged to have one-star Aptitude,” Li Yun said with a calm smile.

Zhu Ximen let out a dissatisfied snort. “That woman will regret her shortsightedness one day.”

Li Yun shook his head lightly. “There is no need to dwell on it. Let us go.”

The two of them left the Mission Hall and headed toward the gathering area for Inner Sect disciples. It was a place where disciples who had accepted missions sought companions to form temporary teams.

Voices overlapped as small groups discussed plans and negotiated cooperation. Li Yun and Zhu Ximen observed the surroundings carefully. Within a few minutes, they spotted a group that seemed suitable.

However, the atmosphere around this group was somewhat unusual.

One of the disciples, a bright-eyed young woman, stepped forward and examined Li Yun closely.

“Are you the Li Yun who won the title of New Disciples King this time?” she asked, her eyes shining with curiosity. Her name was Shi Luo.

Li Yun felt slightly awkward under her enthusiastic gaze. “Yes, I am Li Yun.”

Shi Luo’s eyes brightened further. She turned toward the graceful woman standing beside her.

“Senior Sister Fu, it really is him. No, I should say Brother-in-law Li Yun.”

“What nonsense are you saying?” The elegant young woman, Fu Ting, flushed red and lightly struck Shi Luo on the back of her head.

Shi Luo rubbed her forehead and protested loudly. “Did you not say three months ago that Li Yun was incredibly cool and handsome? You called him a hero for defeating Ye Beichen.”

Fu Ting’s face grew even redder.

“Shi Luo, I will deal with you,” she exclaimed, raising her hand in mock anger.

Shi Luo quickly darted behind Li Yun and clutched his sleeve. “Brother-in-law Li Yun, save me. Senior Sister is going to beat me.”

“You little troublemaker, still daring to spout nonsense. I will teach you properly today,” Fu Ting said, both embarrassed and exasperated.

“Hehe, with Brother-in-law Li Yun here, I am not afraid of you at all.”

Shi Luo stuck out her tongue playfully and laughed with exaggerated confidence.

The two girls began circling around Li Yun, chasing each other in mock battle, their laughter drawing attention from those nearby.

Among the group, a handsome young man watched the scene unfold. His expression gradually darkened. His eyes narrowed slightly, and a trace of cold hostility flickered in his gaze as he looked toward Li Yun.

Besides Fu Ting and Shi Luo, there were two other disciples in the group. One was the handsome young man whose expression had just changed. The other appeared more easygoing and maintained a relaxed smile, seemingly familiar with both girls.

Li Yun felt rather embarrassed by Shi Luo repeatedly calling him brother-in-law. He was too preoccupied with the awkwardness to notice the handsome young man’s hostility. Even if he had, he would not have cared. The man was only at the 8th level of the Xiantian Realm. Among Inner Sect disciples of Martial Ascension Gate, that level might be considered respectable, but to Li Yun, it posed no real threat.

“Alright, both of you, that is enough,” Li Yun said gently, stepping between them.

If he did not intervene, they might continue their playful quarrel endlessly. He had no intention of wasting time. The mission awaited.

Fu Ting folded her arms and cast Shi Luo a warning glance.

“Little Shi Luo, I will spare you this time for Brother Li’s sake. If you keep talking nonsense, do not blame me for sealing your mouth.”

Shi Luo simply waved her hand dismissively and sighed dramatically.

“She looks angry on the surface, but when I call him Brother-in-law Li Yun, she is probably delighted inside. Truly a hypocrite.”

Although she looked young and petite, the mature tone of her words made the others burst into laughter.