Qingxiu Peak.
"Disciple thanks Elder for your great kindness. Without your guarantee, I fear I wouldn't have escaped this ordeal!"
Li Ye bowed deeply to Elder Ji Qing, his tone was sincere.
Though he had laid plenty of groundwork in the past to distance himself from Cai Siwei, in the current climate, the sect's investigation was little more than a way to vent anger over the attack on a Golden Core elder.
Whether innocent or not, anyone with even the slightest connection to the incident could hardly hope to walk away unscathed.
If it hadn't been for Elder Ji's endorsement, Li Ye might have still walked out of the Hall of Justice but likely not without suffering some torment first.
To be able to leave so easily like this…
Just that alone was already a great favor from Ji Qing!
"It was nothing more than a small matter."
Ji Qing waved his hand dismissively, his expression unreadable.
"I already looked into you thoroughly. If you had been involved, I would have taken you down myself before the assembly there'd have been no need for the Law Enforcement Hall to step in."
"But for the time being, you'd best lay low. If there's no urgent need, stay within the mountain."
"Disciple will remember your words. In the coming days, I'll stay in the spirit fields and tend the plants. I won't leave the sect."
Li Ye replied without hesitation.
The situation was still unstable.
Even though the sect had lifted the lockdown and restored its defensive formations after capturing several suspects, Li Ye knew that the real ordeal was only just beginning.
Even if the internal danger had been resolved, as long as the shadowy forces behind the infiltration remained hidden, the entire sect would have to stay on high alert for the possibility of another large-scale attack.
But as the saying goes a thief has a thousand days to plot, but you can't guard against him for a thousand days.
After suffering such a loss, there was no way the Purple Profound Sect would take it lying down.
Not long after Ji Qing's return, the sect of this giant of the Hua Kingdom's cultivation world began to move in earnest.
Elders in the Foundation Establishment realm personally took command, leading teams of cultivators out in all directions.
At the same time, messages were sent to every major and minor faction in the Hua Kingdom, calling for a joint effort to track and arrest Cai Siwei on a large scale.
And with such a bold, high-profile response, the goal wasn't just to catch one rogue Foundation Establishment cultivator.
The deeper aim was to send a warning to all factions to suppress any rebellious thoughts during this sensitive time, and perhaps even uncover clues to the hidden forces behind the plot.
"Let's hope the Purple Profound Sect can stay strong. Otherwise, I may lose this peaceful place to quietly grow my spirit herbs…"
Leaving the great hall, Li Ye sighed to himself, then turned to thank the attendant boy before heading straight for the spirit fields.
He had to seize every moment to earn more experience points!
…
Li Family Ancestral Estate.
"Zongyin is our clan's best hope for advancing to Foundation Establishment. He represents our family's future! How can we just give up on him so easily?!"
"Patriarch! Please reconsider!"
In the main hall, the head of the third branch knelt, his voice filled with emotion, utterly devoid of the authority and pride he usually carried during clan discussions.
He pleaded loudly, bowing before the high-seated, crane-haired, youthful-looking Foundation Establishment elder.
The onlookers in the hall had mixed expressions some sneered coldly, some looked on gleefully, others shook their heads in helplessness, and a few even appeared somewhat regretful.
But not a single one stepped forward to speak on the third branch's behalf.
Even if Li Zongyin did make it to Foundation Establishment, it was the third branch that stood to gain the most. For the rest, it could mean major losses in influence and benefits.
Given how the third branch had long used Li Zongyin's talent and potential to pressure the others, the fact that no one was kicking them while they were down was already showing restraint.
They actually wanted the patriarch to risk the family's interests to help the Third Branch at a time like this? That was utterly impossible!
The Foundation Establishment Patriarch's expression barely changed. He simply glanced at the former head of the Third Branch the father of the middle-aged man currently kneeling and begging and slowly shook his head.
"Grandfather, is there no room for negotiation in this matter?"
Unexpectedly, even the old family head of the Third Branch couldn't help but speak up.
"From what we've heard, that Li Ye got off completely unscathed. If that's the case, there's no reason why Zongyin, who was only connected to Cai Siwei, should be punished so harshly by the Hall of Justice…"
"Perhaps you could reach out to some of the elders in the Purple Profound Sect that you're friendly with? If we offer a generous enough gift, they might just be moved to help!"
The kneeling Third Branch head looked up with hopeful eyes.
"Foolish child!"
The Li Clan Patriarch let out a heavy sigh, his presence seeming even more aged and weary.
"I have no deep ties with the Purple Profound Sect. Even if I have some passing friendships with a few elders, in times like these, they would never dare speak up for Li Zongyin not when doing so might risk offending a Golden Core ancestor…"
"We should already consider ourselves lucky if our Li Clan isn't implicated because of this unfilial son!"
"If war breaks out, we must respond actively to the Purple Profound Sect's call to show our loyalty… As for Li Zongyin, from now on, treat it as if the Li Clan never had such a person!"
He spoke decisively, sealing the matter without room for further discussion.
Then, without sparing a glance at the changing expressions of the younger generation present, he added,
"As for Li Ye, since he has earned the favor and protection of an elder, it proves he's not without his capabilities. You all should show him some support."
"At a time like this, having a clansman inside the Purple Profound Sect who's well-regarded can be of great benefit to our Li Clan. Do not treat him lightly."
The fact that the patriarch had not only mentioned Li Ye but even instructed them to support him made everyone present pull long faces, their expressions full of complicated emotions.
Many wanted to object, but none dared to open their mouths.
Just then, the steward entered to report:
"Patriarch, the head of the Zhang family has arrived, accompanied by his daughter Zhang Jingjing."
The moment those words landed, the Third Branch head's eyes lit up but he also had a bad feeling about this.
"If they've come at a time like this, it's likely not for anything good. You younger ones deal with them yourselves," the Li Clan Patriarch snorted coldly and, with a flash of light, vanished from the hall.
The Third Branch head hurriedly got up, straightened his robes, and returned to his seat beside his father. He said anxiously,
"Zhang Jingjing is betrothed to Zongyin. If we can ally with the Zhang family, there might still be a chance to turn this around…"
But the old man beside him only looked worried. "I fear they've come with bad intentions…"
Not long after, the Zhang family head plump and richly dressed walked into the hall with his daughter Zhang Jingjing, who looked pale and haggard, both led in by the steward.
Upon seeing that all the branch heads of the Li Clan were gathered in the hall, they were briefly stunned.
The Third Branch head forced a smile and stepped forward to greet them.
"Brother Zhang, your timing is perfect. We were just discussing how to rescue Zongyin…"
But the Zhang family head showed a look of shame, taking a half step back to avoid the offered handshake.
"Brother Li… perhaps it's best we no longer speak of this marriage alliance."
His face was filled with guilt and helplessness.
"My daughter hadn't even entered the Li household, yet she was already implicated in Li Zongyin's case. She suffered quite a bit at the Hall of Justice and was only just cleared of suspicion and released. We returned home as soon as we could…"
"Our Zhang family is just a small, humble household. We truly cannot bear the wrath of the Purple Profound Sect!"
His meaning couldn't have been clearer. The Third Branch head's face changed drastically, as though he had just taken a blade to the chest. The expressions of the other branch heads weren't looking much better either.
But the Zhang family head acted as if he hadn't noticed their reactions and continued:
"This whole matter is our Zhang family's fault, to begin with…"
"I've come today with my daughter to formally annul the engagement between our families. From now on, let's go our separate ways and stay out of each other's affairs… I hope you'll understand."
His words landed like a hammer blow, causing the entire Li Clan to look extremely grim.
Even the in-laws had rushed over the moment Li Zongyin was in trouble to cut ties!
Was it possible that now… the only person the Li Clan could rely on in the Purple Profound Sect was Li Ye?
How utterly absurd!
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