Chapter 656 - 57: Steadfast Conviction (Part 2)

The task arrangements just now were the solutions discussed by the eight senior brothers and several elders from Funiu Mountain; it was enough for him to arrange them.

However, the current issue had not been discussed in a prior meeting.

Yet regarding this issue, he didn’t need to think much: "Hmph, whoever dares not to cooperate, we shall take them down by force!"

He was precisely at the age of youthful arrogance, backed by talent and authority, why would he consider too much?

"Absolutely not!" In the next moment, the great disciple True Man Fengyin of Funiu Ascendant immediately voiced his opposition.

"Senior Brother." Qu Tianyang focused his gaze on True Man Fengyin.

"Our Funiu Mountain has been eyed by many, like being on thin ice at all times. Although we have the master guarding, making other forces dare not be overtly rampant, we cannot deliver any handle to others.

Otherwise, if many heroes contend, how can our Funiu Mountain withstand?" True Man Fengyin immediately said prudently and calmly.

"Indeed, what Wind Chant City Lord said is reasonable, given the current situation, it is best to ease tensions rather than escalate them. Besides, the matter of the Saintess has not concluded, it may have nothing to do with other forces." An elder agreed with True Man Fengyin.

"The old one also believes this matter may have hidden agendas. Judging by the conduct of the other major forces over the years, they adhere to our Funiu Mountain’s rules without much out-of-line behavior, indicating they are content with leveraging our Dao Field’s commerce, probably lacking wolf ambitions.

After all, they all have restraints within their forces, making it impossible for them to invade as a whole tribe." Another elder stood out to support True Man Fengyin’s view.

"Yes, if those major forces truly wish to harm our Funiu Mountain, why specifically choose the Saintess? Knowing this move would only anger us, yet they still set themselves on fire, which is unreasonable."

...

Qu Tianyang was momentarily speechless facing the elders supporting True Man Fengyin.

The previously discussed meeting content lost significance due to the change of direction.

"Hidden agenda? What hidden agenda? Apart from several major forces, who else dares to touch Xiaojiu?" Qu Tianyang sneered, casting an unfriendly glance at Senior Brother True Man Fengyin.

"May I ask Lord Qu, you were with the Saintess at the time, did you not find any clues about the assailant?" At this moment, an ordinary old woman stepped out from the crowd, dressed plainly and with only Qi Cultivation Late Stage, appearing like a farmer compared to the True Men present.

However, few in the hall underestimated this old woman.

Because this old woman was the nanny of the Saintess, also a relative of the Funiu Ascendant.

Her emotions with the Saintess were deep, certainly one of the most concerned about the Saintess.

"Nanny Yao." Qu Tianyang softened his stance the moment he met her gaze, respectfully calling her.

"Lord Qu need not be formal, on this official matter, the old self follows the Lord’s lead." Nanny Yao slightly bowed.

"Okay."

"Please, Lord, describe in detail the day Xiaojiu was attacked, with so many people here today, maybe some overlooked clues can be uncovered." Nanny Yao continued.

"This... Very well, I shall describe it once more." Qu Tianyang hesitated, for he had recounted it many times already.

"Three days ago, Xiaojiu approached me, wishing for me to accompany her to the grassland to obtain the Essence Blood of a Tier Three Demon Beast. Thus, I arranged all affairs in the Immortal City, and on the third day accompanied her to the grassland..."

"May I ask the purpose of Xiaojiu’s need for the Tier Three Demon Beast Essence Blood? As the old self knows, Xiaojiu has been unwilling to leave the Funiu Mountain area in recent years and is not one who indulges in conflict." Nanny Yao unreservedly interrupted Qu Tianyang.

Qu Tianyang paused slightly when interrupted, but had to smile and explain: "Nanny Yao might not know, this arises from Shanyuan Ascendant."

"Shanyuan Ascendant?" For a moment, those unaware of the Tier Three Lifespan Extension Pill matter all looked towards the tributor who stood tall and dignified alongside the Funiu Ascendant.

A Late-stage Core Formation Ascendant, also a Tier Three peak Pill King, their status was indeed supremely noble.

Shanyuan Ascendant kept his face unchanged, continuing to smile down at everyone.

Just his gaze sweeping through, everyone in the hall felt tense.

Even the formidable Nanny Yao momentarily lowered her head.

Qu Tianyang gratefully glanced at Master Chunyuan, who returned the gesture with a smile.

Ever since Master Chunyuan arrived at Funiu Mountain, Qu Tianyang was closest with him, even granted extra privileges beyond the tributor contract after Funiu Ascendant retreated for seclusion.

Then, Qu Tianyang disclosed the matter of Master Chunyuan wanting to concoct the Tier Three Lifespan Extension Pill.

Originally only known to the core senior level and tributors, now everyone present was aware.

Even the proper version of the Tier Three Lifespan Extension Pill could extend one’s life by sixty years.

This attracted everyone present immensely.

People’s gaze towards Master Chunyuan became more reverent.

However, upon hearing the Saintess went hunting for the Tier Three Demon Beast to help another tributor gain priority transaction rights, everyone’s eyes shifted back to Li Ji’an.

Compared to Master Chunyuan, Li Ji’an, this Early-stage Core Formation cultivator, and Tier Three Middle Stage Talisman Master, was much more low-key.

It was also due to his yearly production of only a few Tier Three Spirit Talismans, which were significantly less valuable.

"What? The Saintess went to seek the Lifespan Extension Pill for Changqing Talisman Master?"

"If the Saintess wanted the Tier Three Lifespan Extension Pill, why take the risk herself? Now it makes sense."

"The Saintess truly is innocent and kind-hearted."

...

In an instant, the hall was filled with praise for Xiaojiu.

Simultaneously, there was much gossip and complaint against Li Ji’an.

"If Changqing Talisman Master wanted the Tier Three Lifespan Extension Pill, why not negotiate with Shanyuan Ascendant himself? Instead, let the Saintess take the lead?"

"The Saintess is innocent and pure, easy to be exploited."

"With Changqing Talisman Master’s strength, obtaining the Tier Three Demon Beast’s Essence Blood probably poses some challenge, yet, why seek the Saintess’s help? The Saintess hasn’t even reached Core Formation."

"As a tributor, surely asking other senior brothers wouldn’t result in refusal?"

"To find such a causality, I didn’t know at all before, the main point is, I remember since Xiaojiu’s incident was reported, Changqing Talisman Master seems not to have left his residence."

...

Nanny Yao’s eyes tightened, suddenly looking towards Li Ji’an seated at the tributor chair.

Seeing Li Ji’an still disconnected from the matter up to now, her heart involuntarily surged with resentment.

"May I ask, Changqing Talisman Master, is what Lord Qu said true?"

All eyes instantly fixed on Li Ji’an.

Li Ji’an remained silent, merely gesturing with one hand, summoning a Memory Charm.

Then a light sound, the Memory Charm activated, projecting a light curtain over the hall.

"Grandpa Changqing..."

Xiaojiu’s persuasion back then was fully presented in the memory.

In the memory, Li Ji’an clearly expressed he did not covet the Tier Three Lifespan Extension Pill.

He also stated he was not adept at confrontation and would rather not face a Tier Three Demon Beast.

Furthermore, Xiaojiu’s autonomous decision and confidence were fully recorded.

Grunt~

After watching the memory, everyone in the hall felt their cheeks stiffening.

Setting aside the memory’s content, the mere act itself surprised them.

How would ordinary people use a Memory Charm in such a manner?

How would such a matter require a Memory Charm usage?

Did Changqing Talisman Master foresee something, or had past grievances of being falsely accused and unable to defend himself?

"Hmph! Even if the Saintess helped him voluntarily, his indifference after her incident is overly heartless!"

"It seems the Saintess misjudged him, not only disregarding the Saintess’s kindness, but using such a scheme to record, this person is untrustworthy."

"Regardless of his explanation, the Saintess risked herself for him."

While everyone was discussing, Master Chunyuan rejoiced internally.

From the previous memory, Li Ji’an indeed seemed unwilling to face the Tier Three Demon Beast.

This made Master Chunyuan more certain that Li Ji’an had issues with his Divine Sense intensity.

If it truly matched his cultivation of Divine Sense, why would he fear a mere Tier Three Early Period Demon Beast?

Thus it appears that his Divine Sense is likely fabricated through some mysterious means, and his actual cultivation and combat capability are lower or equal to the Tier Three Early Period Demon Beast.

This coincides with the situation from the past during the time of Huang Jie in the Ten Thousand Merchants Domain!