...

Qian Jinghuan's heart skipped a beat upon witnessing the scene.

He never dreamed that the venerable Fire Fox Ancestor would strike without warning. Yet, being a formidable cultivator in the later stages of the Celestial Realm, his reaction was lightning-fast.

In the blink of an eye, the profound energy within him surged into motion.

"Purple Sun Extreme Yang Art!"

The Purple Sun Extreme Yang Art was the Qian Clan of Longzuo Commandery's heritage technique, a rare and balanced fire-based profound art.

Most fire-based arts in this world are aggressive and domineering, but the Purple Sun Extreme Yang Art is different; it emphasizes nurturing and tempering oneself, gradually accumulating a solid foundation and expanding one's sea of energy. The deeper one cultivates, the more immovable they become, with profound energy as vast as the ocean, making it both offensive and defensive with enduring potential.

This was the cornerstone of the Qian Clan's survival. Without a strong martial foundation, how could they be one of the dominant forces in Longzuo Commandery?

As the profound art activated, Qian Jinghuan's face was instantly shrouded in a purple aura, his energy pulsating around him, swiftly forming a protective qi shield.

Bolstered by the formidable power of the late Celestial Realm, the shield was as solid as reality itself, enveloping him in an impenetrable barrier in the blink of an eye.

The next moment.

The Fire Fox Ancestor's claw, engulfed in flames and unmatched in tyranny, slammed down onto the shield.

"Boom!"

The collision of energies created a deafening roar that echoed throughout the banquet hall. The ground shook violently, and tables, chairs, and dishes shattered to the ground.

Qian Jinghuan was sent flying backward, crashing through a wall and continuing dozens of yards before finally stabilizing his form.

By then, his protective qi was nearly shattered, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, clearly indicating severe internal injuries.

"Fire Fox Ancestor, this is a misunder... misunderstanding..."

Qian Jinghuan, filled with terror, hurriedly tried to explain.

However, the enraged seven-tailed Fire Fox had no interest in his excuses.

Anyone who dared to bully her handsome brother Wang Shouzhe was an enemy in her eyes.

With a flash of light, her massive, flame-wreathed demon form reappeared before Qian Jinghuan, and she struck down with another claw.

"Boom~!"

Before Qian Jinghuan could finish speaking, he was sent flying once again. This time, he was thrown a hundred yards before coming to a stop.

"Lady Ancestor, please show mercy," Lady Bilian's lips twitched as she hastily called out, "Don't cripple or kill him."

If a Zifu Realm cultivator or someone of equivalent strength sought to discipline a junior from the Celestial Realm, it would be hard to fault them. But to maim or kill would be another matter, and the Qian Clan would certainly not let it go without a fight.

Fortunately, although the seven-tailed Fire Fox had a temper, she was also sentient and rational. She held back enough to avoid a fatal blow, and Qian Jinghuan, having mastered the Purple Sun Extreme Yang Art, was quite resilient.

Thus, under the relentless assault of the seven-tailed spirit fox, Qian Jinghuan managed to escape the Yuwen Clan's estate, despite being sent flying repeatedly.

However, after such an ordeal, his eyebrows and beard were singed, his clothes tattered, leaving him in utter disarray.

"Hmph~"

Only when Qian Jinghuan had left the Yuwen Clan's territory did the seven-tailed Fire Fox finally cease her pursuit.

Her colossal form hovered above the Yuwen estate, her seven fluffy tails swaying behind her. The overwhelming presence of the Zifu Realm pressed down like Mount Tai, enveloping Qian Jinghuan and leaving him gasping for air.

"Old man Qian," she said, her fox eyes fixated on him, issuing a triumphant warning, "Consider this a minor warning. If you dare to meddle with the relationship between the Yuwen Clan and brother Shouzhe again, next time, I won't let you off so easily."

"Yes, yes, yes! I understand, Lady Ancestor, I won't do it again, never again..."

Terrified, Qian Jinghuan hastily pledged, his heart filled with regret and fear.

Poor him, how could he have known that Wang Shouzhe of the Changning Wang Clan had such capabilities, even winning over the Fire Fox Ancestor?

From the looks of it, their relationship was no ordinary one.

Had he known, why would he have come here to embarrass himself?

Seeing that the Fire Fox Ancestor had no intention of further punishing him, he immediately led the remaining Qian Clan members away in disgrace, not daring to utter another harsh word, let alone linger on the Fire Fox's territory.

After they left.

The seven-tailed Fire Fox reverted to her smaller, adorable fox form and descended.

"Lady Ancestor, is it worth offending the Qian Clan for the sake of the Wang Clan?" Lady Bilian quickly approached with several Yuwen Clan elders, her voice filled with concern, "It's one thing to refuse the Qian Clan, but was it necessary to take things to such an extreme?"

"Bilian, you're young and it's understandable that you don't get it," the seven-tailed Fire Fox flicked her tail, explaining with an air of wisdom, "In this matter, since we've chosen a side, we must stand firm and not try to play both ends against the middle. Let me tell you, brother Shouzhe is no ordinary man, and his future potential is boundless. This is my advice to the Yuwen Clan."

Lady Bilian's eyes flickered with understanding.

She bowed slightly and said, "If that's what Lady Ancestor wishes, then it is also the Yuwen Clan's wish."

Of course, she knew that their Fire Fox Ancestor, despite her age, was not as naive as a young girl. Perhaps she acted impulsively at times, but her intelligence was top-notch, sometimes even more astute than most humans.

Moreover, Lady Bilian herself was no fool.

She was extremely adept at socializing, had a wide network of information, and knew the Wang Clan far better than most.

In her view, Wang Shouzhe was exceptional in mind, strategy, and vision, with extraordinary social skills to match.

Such a person, also blessed with a formidable talent for cultivation, was destined for greatness.

With him as the family head, the Changning Wang Clan's potential was limitless. At least in her eyes, the Wang Clan wouldn't remain a seventh-rank family for long.

This was also why she had readily agreed to cooperate with the Shouda Trading Company.

It's easy to add flowers to brocade, but much harder to send charcoal in snowy weather.

Considering the already strained relationship between the Yuwen and Qian Clans, why not take a gamble? If she won, the Yuwen Clan would gain a powerful ally for the future.

***

Almost simultaneously.

In the Purple Mansion Academy of Longzuo Commandery, on the Yuanshui Heavenly Lake.

Everyone believed that the most concentrated spot of elemental water energy in the Yuanshui Heavenly Lake was the Yuanshui Heavenly Pavilion, where the Yuanshui Ascetic cultivated and resided.

But in truth, only a few knew that the core of the entire lake's water spirit vein was the secluded "Nameless Broken Isle" at the heart of the central island.

This "Nameless Broken Isle," rich in elemental water energy, was traditionally the retreat of the Academy's Dean, Tianhe Zhenren. Normally, only the Zifu Old Turtle, Yuanshui Ascetic, and a few senior elders were qualified to visit the isle.

Yet now, the Nameless Broken Isle had changed hands, becoming the cultivation ground for Tianhe Zhenren's beloved disciple—Wang Liyao.

In a short period of time, a delicate and beautiful pavilion was erected on the island.

Within the pavilion's courtyard, various water spirit plants thrived, creating a lush scene. Inside the pavilion, the water spirit energy was so dense that one could feel the moisture with every breath.

This pavilion was now Wang Liyao's residence—"Shuiyun Pavilion."

On the outskirts of the island, a simple wooden hut was constructed, serving as a dwelling for the "old servant" Shang Jiping.

Speaking of which, Shang Jiping was fortunate in his misfortune.

After cultivating in this blessed land for just a few months, the bottleneck at the sixth layer of the Celestial Realm that had long troubled him showed signs of loosening.

With a chance to advance further, he could reach the later stages of the Celestial Realm.

Naturally, Shang Jiping was overjoyed.

Miss Liyao was indeed a person of great fortune; following her might just give him a chance to tread the path of the Zifu Realm.

Suddenly.

A small boat rippled across the water, carrying a young girl.

She was dressed in a light blue disciple's robe, wearing cloud-walking boots, and had a sword hanging on her back, exuding a heroic and ethereal aura.

Shang Jiping frowned slightly.

He suddenly spoke, his authoritative voice emerging around the small boat: "This is a forbidden area, not to be entered without summons. Depart immediately."

"Respectfully, elder, I am Mo Huanqiu from the core lineage of Xuan Yao, twenty-seven years old, at the first level of the Lingtai Realm," Mo Huanqiu said confidently, her face holding a self-assured expression, "I hope to meet with Master Uncle Liyao and become one of her followers."

Since ancient times, it has been customary for the weak to follow the strong.

And for a great prodigy to attract followers is only natural; after all, a prodigy, if not fallen prematurely, has a good chance of reaching the Divine Realm, provided they strive upward.

"Mo Huanqiu?" Shang Jiping frowned slightly, "I've heard of you, a rising star among the younger generation. Are you of a mid-grade A bloodline?"

Mo Huanqiu's expression faltered slightly, and after a pause, she said, "I am of a mid-grade B bloodline."

"Mid-grade B, twenty-seven years old; you must come from a good family with ample resources," Shang Jiping deduced, "You must be from the Mo Clan of Monan Commandery. Why didn't you join the Monan Academy but came to our Longzuo Academy instead?"

"Elder, you are perceptive," Mo Huanqiu said with a hint of pride, "I came to Longzuo Academy because I admire Master Xuan Yao's foundational sword qi, and my bloodline resonates with it."

Each commandery has its own academy, but not every attribute has a matching Zifu Ascetic to become a disciple. For example, Longzuo Purple Mansion Academy lacks Ascetics with earth or metal bloodlines. Although there is Yunyang Ascetic for fire, he rarely takes disciples.

Therefore, some talented individuals from influential families, seeking better development, would go to academies in other commanderies to become disciples of Ascetics with matching bloodlines.

For instance, Fang You'an of the Xuanbing lineage is not from Longzuo Commandery, but because he possesses an outstanding Xuanbing bloodline, he came to Longzuo Purple Mansion Academy to become a disciple under Binglan.

Of course, the academies' techniques are quite comprehensive, and it's not necessary to study under an Ascetic with the same type of technique. However, it's inevitable that one would miss out on some targeted guidance, which could make a difference.

Just as Mo Huanqiu felt a touch of pride, Shang Jiping outright rejected her: "Your bloodline is a bit too low, and your cultivation level is too low. Historically, young prodigies who recruit followers either choose core disciples who are already in the middle stages of the Celestial Realm or significantly older prodigies."

"What?"

Mo Huanqiu, initially brimming with confidence, was taken aback by the rejection.

She, a young prodigy, was outright denied the chance to become a follower? And she couldn't even meet Master Uncle Liyao?

"Young lady, to put it bluntly, you seek to become a follower merely for protection," Shang Jiping scoffed, "What help could you possibly offer Miss Liyao? Leave now, and do not disturb her cultivation. If you trespass again, you will be confined."

With that, without waiting for Mo Huanqiu to respond, an invisible force struck her boat, sending it retreating rapidly.

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After completely driving her away, Shang Jiping in the hut sighed, "That's the third ignorant person this month. The Purple Mansion Academy is ultimately too small a pond; even a young prodigy dares to come forward uninvited. Perhaps only the Lingyun Holy Land can truly allow Miss Liyao to transform into a phoenix."

However, Shang Jiping also understood that the Dean must have his reasons.

Compared to the fierce competition of the Lingyun Holy Land, Miss Liyao was the sole focus of the Purple Mansion Academy, and her development would not be hindered.

As Shang Jiping was lost in thought, another small boat approached.

This boat was manned by a young, robust youth with only the seventh layer of the Qi Refining Realm, dressed simply and modestly, his cultivation and demeanor far inferior to Mo Huanqiu's.

However, this time, although Shang Jiping's brow furrowed slightly in displeasure, he did not stop the youth.

After landing, the young man bowed from a distance: "Lu Xianghui greets Elder Shang."

Indeed.

This young man was Lu Xianghui.

Miss Liyao had previously mentioned that she and Lu Xianghui were friends, and that he was welcome to visit her on the island at any time.

Shang Jiping rolled his eyes, feeling envious that this lad had lucked into a golden opportunity, making even him, Shang Jiping, green with envy.

Compared to that, his own Shang family was not so fortunate.

"Brother Lu has arrived," a heavenly voice came from within the pavilion, "Please come in. Has my father sent another letter?"

"Yes, Master Uncle Liyao."

Lu Xianghui took a large package from the boat, panting as he carried it inside.

Before long.

He arrived at the pavilion with the package, and Wang Liyao graciously came out to invite him in, smiling sweetly, "Brother Lu, thank you for helping with the delivery again."

"It's no trouble at all, picking up one or many makes no difference, and Master Uncle Liyao also pays for the effort," Lu Xianghui said, looking down, not daring to meet her gaze, "Please, Master Uncle, stop calling me brother."

He never expected that a random encounter with a junior sister on the road would turn out to be a great prodigy, and her true appearance was like a celestial being descending to earth.

"It's fine, we each have our own status," Wang Liyao offered him spiritual tea, treating him with no less respect despite his low status.

After a few sips of the spiritual tea, Lu Xianghui stood up to take his leave, "Master Uncle, I have more deliveries to make, so I won't disturb your cultivation."

He was always a man of self-awareness. It was his fortune that Master Uncle Liyao esteemed him and treated him as before. He was well aware that he must not, and could not, harbor inappropriate thoughts.

All he could do was to adhere to his duties, maintain his integrity, and do what he could.

"Wait~" Wang Liyao stopped him, speaking earnestly, "Brother Lu, would you like to become my follower?"

"Follower!?" Lu Xianghui was startled, his expression one of disbelief.

---

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