Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan

The reason Xuanfa Pavilion wasn't included among them wasn't due to a lack of strength, but as a merchant guild primarily engaged in commercial activities, it valued harmony and the idea that amiable relations lead to prosperity.

"You've got quite the nerve! How dare you insult Mr. Xiao!"

The cultivators following Xiao Hong erupted in anger, with several shouting indignantly. Two who wished to make an impression even brazenly attacked in the midst of the bustling streets, casting spells that flew straight towards Li Chengshuo's back.

The standoff between the two had already drawn the attention of many cultivators, including those from the Li family. Despite their lower cultivation levels, they did not hesitate to intervene, buying Li Chengshuo time.

One clever clan member even ran towards the main venue, hoping to report the incident to Li Zhirui.

"The guild strictly prohibits fighting within Xuanfa State. Whatever your reasons, you're all taking a trip to the black jail with me!" A Nascent Soul True Monarch intervened just in time, nullifying the spells from both sides.

Afterwards, with magical ropes, he bound all the cultivators who had fought without discrimination.

"I implore you to see the truth, senior. My clan members only acted to protect me, not to instigate the conflict!" Li Chengshuo immediately stepped forward and spoke with neither servility nor arrogance.

The Nascent Soul True Monarch glanced at her impassively. He had witnessed the whole ordeal and was aware of the identity of both parties, both being scions of Nascent Soul cultivators.

But it was clear that compared to the top-tier influence of the Heaven Deviation Sect, the Li family was far inferior!

Thus, when he dealt with the matter, although it seemed he was punishing both sides equally, in reality, he was biased towards Xiao Hong's side.

"The guild has its rules!" he explained succinctly.

While Li Chengshuo might be somewhat romantic at heart, she was no fool and could clearly see the partiality of the other party. However, with her insufficient cultivation, she had no right to speak on equal terms with a Nascent Soul True Monarch!

All she could do was stand in front of her fellow clansmen, preventing them from being taken away.

Watching Xiao Hong, who smirked and taunted her now and then, Li Chengshuo wished she could unleash her Bright Moon Pearls and smash him to death!

The cultivators spectating nearby, although not daring to speak up, couldn't help but have their thoughts about such biased actions.

"Since when did Xuanfa Pavilion become so blind to justice?" A cold voice suddenly rang out as Wei Ningchen slowly emerged from the crowd.

"How audacious! Who dares to slander Xuanfa Pavilion!" the Nascent Soul True Monarch shouted in fury. But as he turned around and saw the newcomer, he was momentarily stunned.

As a mid-level figure in the hierarchy of Xuanfa Pavilion, he was well aware of the key figures from major powers and naturally recognized Wei Ningchen's identity.

A core disciple of the Wanxiang Sect's Myriad Puppet Peak, and a closed-door disciple of a Divine Transformation Ancestor, even though he was only a Golden Core, his status and position were no less than that of the True Monarch!

How could such an eminent figure be acquainted with a member of a Nascent Soul family, and even willing to stand up for them?

Bearing in mind the overt and covert struggles between the Wanxiang Sect and the Heaven Deviation Sect, he broke out in a cold sweat and didn't dare to speak rashly.

Even Xiao Hong immediately became submissive. As a spoiled scion, the first thing he had learned was to know whom he could provoke and whom he couldn't.

And Wei Ningchen was someone he absolutely couldn't afford to provoke!

Because even if he died at the other's hands, aside from his father, it was doubtful that anyone else in the sect would seek vengeance for him.

All the while, he seethed with anger. If it weren't for those two fools who started the fight, he wouldn't have ended up in such an embarrassing situation.

He never considered that he was the actual instigator of the disaster.

Xiao Hong stealthily glanced at Wei Ningchen and saw that his eyes were fixed on Li Chengshuo, causing his body to shudder involuntarily. Could it be that this was his woman?!

Thinking of the flirtatious comments he had just made, his heart grew increasingly anxious and uneasy.

The cultivators watching the scene, many of whom did not recognize Wei Ningchen, were greatly shocked to see a Golden Core cultivator render a True Lord of the Nascent Soul speechless.

In Li Chengshuo's eyes, as he looked at Wei Ningchen, there was a full measure of gratitude. If it hadn't been for him, his clan members might really have ended up in the dark prison!

Li Zhirui, who had just arrived, happened to witness the moment Wei Ningchen spoke up, his gaze becoming incredibly complex for a moment.

He was acutely aware that, under these circumstances, even if he had intervened personally, the effect would not have been as good as Wei Ningchen's.

Put plainly, Li Zhirui, a Nascent Soul cultivator, was considered a figure of some importance in the Extreme Eastern Corner, but in front of the major powers, he was nothing!

"This matter was handled improperly by the Xuanfa Pavilion, and on their behalf, I apologize to you young friends," another Nascent Soul True Lord, who was wide and corpulent, appearing very approachable, said as he made his appearance,

As he spoke, he handed over a storage bag to Li Chengshuo and the other dozen or so members of the Li family.

"It's just a misunderstanding, there's no need for such courtesy," Li Zhirui said with a timely smile.

"So, this is Master Li Zhirui?" asked the chubby Nascent Soul. "Even though tens of thousands of miles separate us, I am aware that you are a fourth-tier Alchemy Master. I hope you won't refuse me if I come knocking on your door one day seeking assistance."

"If you, my friend, would grace us with your presence, it would be an honor for the Li family."

The fat Nascent Soul then said, "I have many matters to attend to right now. After the auction ends, I'll find you for a drink to chat happily into the night, but for now, I must take my leave."

"I'll be waiting for you, my friend," Li Zhirui said with a smile, seeing off the two Nascent Souls and the two cultivators they had apprehended.

Meanwhile, Xiao Hong quietly left the scene, melding into the crowd.

"Put away the storage bags," Li Zhirui said, a flash of murderous intent in his eyes, committing the appearances of Xiao Hong and his companions to memory.

"Father!"

"Senior!"

Li Zhirui didn't look at Li Chengshuo but stared at Wei Ningchen instead. After a long moment, he finally spoke, "Thank you for stepping forward to help us out just now."

"You honor me too much, senior!" Wei Ningchen, who had been so calm in the presence of the Nascent Soul earlier, was now somewhat flustered.

Li Zhirui continued to gaze at him intently and transmitted his voice: "I don't object to you interacting with Shuo, but if you truly love her, I hope you can make both a Sect Oath and a Heart Demon Oath in front of me, swearing never to use Shuo as a furnace for cultivation!"

"Senior, I can make the oath right now!" Wei Ningchen's eyes suddenly filled with boundless excitement and enthusiasm as he said, eager to proceed.

Li Zhirui waved his hand, "There is no need to rush. Perhaps this is just a momentary impulse. Let's wait until you and Shuo have established your relationship. Besides, Shuo may not have such feelings for you."

Today's incident had changed his previous thoughts.

It wasn't that Wei Ningchen's intervention had won Li Zhirui's admiration, but for the first time, he realized profoundly and clearly that with his current strength, he might not be able to protect Li Chengshuo!

To prevent Li Chengshuo from falling into danger, Li Zhirui could only find her a powerful support.