Chapter Ninety-Eight: Proving One's Innocence!

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Chen Xiang saw that the little fatty had stopped talking, and he knew this person wouldn’t let him off so easily. But since these were gifts given to him, why not accept them with pleasure?

Now that everyone knew Chen Xiang was a wandering cultivator and, on top of that, had offended the Young Sect Leader of Kunshan Sect, no one was willing to talk to him anymore.

Only Hu Tiexia by his side was considerate enough to whisper a few words.

“Brother Chu, you really have quite a temper!” Hu Tiexia teased as he leaned in.

Chen Xiang smiled faintly upon seeing Hu Tiexia still engaging with him. True friends are true friends— even with just two names, they could still speak well.

“Not at all. It’s just that this little fatty is so rude. I didn’t provoke him, yet he picked a fight. Seems like his father didn’t teach him well,” Chen Xiang said casually, showing no sense of danger.

Hu Tiexia was stunned. Could Chu Liuxiang’s mind really be that strange? When trouble was brewing, he was still so calm?

Chen Xiang’s voice was neither too loud nor too soft, but everyone around could hear him.

All the cultivators twitched their lips, confirming one thing: this person was either truly capable or just a fool!

“Brother Chu’s words are reasonable, but to be so calm, you must not fear Kunshan Sect. I can relax a bit then,” Hu Tiexia managed to say with difficulty.

“Oh? Brother Tiexia, is it okay for us to chat like this? After all, these people seem scared of that little fatty and don’t want to say more than a word to me,” Chen Xiang suddenly asked.

Hearing Chen Xiang’s words, everyone’s faces darkened, but then they sneered silently without further action.

Chen Xiang observed all this clearly.

Hu Tiexia’s expression turned awkward but he still explained, “Haha, Brother Chu, you’re really interesting. Actually, the Qingyan Sect’s power is about equal to Kunshan Sect’s, but Qingyan has allied with the Li family, so our strength is somewhat stronger. As for me, I’m merely the Fifth Elder of Qingyan Sect, a senior to the Young Sect Leader of Kunshan.”

Chen Xiang nodded thoughtfully, drawing out the sound, “Oh~ I see. Looks like calling each other brothers even gained me a junior!”

At this moment, the slightly plump man was trembling all over. Why? Because Chen Xiang had angered him by openly taking advantage of him! It seemed he would have to use more methods to torment this fellow!

The cultivators present twitched their lips, many quietly chuckling but making no sound.

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Hu Tiexia turned his head away, pretending not to know the man. He really wanted to slap himself twice—how did he manage to make friends with such a fool?

“By the way, Brother Chu, how did you come to the main hall? You said you’re a wandering cultivator, so you should have been taken to a side hall,” Hu Tiexia suddenly asked. He had no prejudice against wandering cultivators; before forming his core, he was one himself, only later joining Qingyan Sect. But with such an important occasion as the great matriarch’s birthday, why would this happen? He was merely curious.

With Hu Tiexia’s question, everyone perked up their ears, also curious.

“Brother Chu gifted me something, and it just happened I needed it. I saw his cultivation was good and he was young, so I had someone bring him to the main hall to make acquaintances with you all,” the old matriarch of the Feng family spoke.

Just kidding—if Chen Xiang accidentally revealed the secret of the Vitality Spring Water, what then? She had already discerned the clues within the Vitality Spring Water, and with so many ears around today, it was better to give him a small benefit first, then proceed with the next step.

Everyone relaxed at her explanation but remained curious about what gift he had given to earn her attention. Clearly, he was a wandering cultivator, but a lucky one at that.

No—more like a mix of luck and misfortune. Today he had gained a chance to join their ranks but also offended Kunshan Sect; he wouldn’t last long.

“Hmph, I see. If you truly have no backing, then your fate is unfortunate,” the Young Sect Leader sneered softly.

“Yes, that’s right. I heard it’s the matriarch’s 700th birthday, and he carries no valuable treasure, only a small half-bottle of Vitality Spring Water,” a sudden voice drifted out.

The main hall instantly fell silent.

“Wow!”

Then noise erupted.

“Holy crap, Vitality Spring Water? That can’t be real!”

“Isn’t that the water flowing from the Vitality Tree’s spring? But no Vitality Tree has been seen on the continent for ages. It must be fake.”

“Not necessarily. Remember, this was said in front of the Feng matriarch. If it’s true, the Vitality Spring Water must be in her hands, and she must have examined it.”

“Right, right, that’s actually possible!”

...

Everyone speculated wildly, coming close to the truth.

The old matriarch’s face darkened, her anger indescribable.

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She had come out to explain precisely to avoid this scenario. If he weren’t a fool, he would have cooperated, as there was no benefit otherwise. Now everyone knew, and whether they could find clues on Chu Liuxiang or even keep the little half-bottle in her hand was uncertain.

The two from the Li family and the city lord’s attendants all brightened, looking toward the old matriarch, awaiting her explanation.

Not only them but the other cultivators too. If she lied, it would be tragic for the Feng family once exposed.

But the old matriarch decided to take a defiant stance, scolding Chen Xiang sharply: “Boy, what nonsense are you spouting? Vitality Spring Water? How could such a thing appear here? What are you trying to achieve by saying this? Speak!”

Indeed, the old matriarch was crafty, forcing Chen Xiang’s words out with a single sentence, her expression skillfully filled with resentment. Anyone watching would doubt him.

Sure enough, the cultivators in the hall glanced suspiciously at the old matriarch, then turned their gaze to Chen Xiang, now much colder. If Chen Xiang slipped up, it would be the end for him.

“Heh heh, what a fool. No need for me to act. If they’re about to kill you, I’ll save you and take you back for slow torture,” the plump young man thought, arms crossed, enjoying the unfolding drama.

“Young friend, I suggest you tell the truth. Such matters shouldn’t be spoken lightly,” one of the Li family men spoke sternly.

Besides the Feng family, the person who needed the Vitality Spring Water most was the Li family patriarch!

The Li family patriarch had reached the peak of the seventh level of the Divine Transformation realm and was nearing the end of his lifespan. Even if he broke through to the eighth level, it would only extend his life by a decade or so. If the Vitality Spring Water truly existed, the Li family would undoubtedly strive to obtain it.

Chen Xiang glanced around at everyone, completely unflustered, then sighed and said, “Fine, since you don’t believe me, there’s nothing I can do.”

Everyone’s faces hardened. If Chen Xiang couldn’t produce proof, he would have offended all the cultivators present.

Calmly, Chen Xiang took a small jade bottle from his storage pouch and gently opened it. A faint aura of vitality emerged—this was the Vitality Spring Water he had concocted from a drop of Vitality Essence Liquid, having diluted it twice with purified water.

“I originally saved this bit for emergencies, but it seems I must use it now to prove my innocence.”

“To be continued...”