Chapter Ninety-Nine: It Looks Like We're Doomed

“Hiss, is this really the Vitality Spring water?”

“It must be! Such rich vitality—this is definitely Vitality Spring water!”

“Even if it’s not Vitality Spring water, it’s still a treasure that can extend one’s lifespan!”

...

All the cultivators present gazed fiercely at the small jade vial in Chen Xiang’s hand. They each restrained the primal power within themselves, holding back from rushing forward to snatch it.

At that moment, the old matriarch of the Feng family’s face flushed a deep purplish red, her eyes burning like they were about to spew fire as she stared daggers at Chen Xiang. Judging by her expression, if there weren’t so many people around, someone would have already crushed him on the spot.

There was no denying it now; everyone could see that Chen Xiang was telling the truth. As a scattered cultivator at the third level of Foundation Establishment, what treasure could possibly impress the old matriarch of the Feng family? The likelihood that it was something as precious as Vitality Spring water was extremely high. Moreover, the matriarch had brought him into the main hall, clearly intending to make him grateful—or rather, she didn’t believe he only had a small vial of Vitality Spring water and wanted to see it with her own eyes to be assured.

Yet, no matter how many calculations the old matriarch made, she hadn’t foreseen this fool bringing out the Vitality Spring water right in front of everyone, even pointing out that he had given her a vial. She was probably so furious she felt like spitting blood.

“Friend Feng, what do you say to all this?” a member of the Li family spoke up, his expression somewhat grim, clearly suppressing his anger—most of which was directed at the Feng matriarch.

The Nascent Soul cultivator from the city lord’s mansion involuntarily stepped back a few paces, adopting a stance of watching the show unfold.

Though the Vitality Spring water was precious, it was clearly going to fall into the hands of the Li family, so he refrained from contesting it. Besides, there was no one in the city lord’s mansion at present who needed this water; even if there were, wasn’t there still another vial?

Seeing the Li family inquire, the Feng matriarch quickly regained her composure. Noticing the unkind expressions on the Li family’s faces, she hurriedly explained, “Elder Li, please hear me out. I have no choice in this matter! You know my situation—I have no hope of advancing to the Divine Transformation stage within a hundred years. The strongest in the Feng family besides me is only at the second level of Nascent Soul. If the Feng family loses me, it would be difficult to handle certain matters on behalf of the Li family!”

The Feng matriarch, without hesitation, revealed her family’s strength to the crowd, speaking with a face full of emotion as she explained to the two Li elders. Indeed, she was forced into this. If the Feng family lost her, a Nascent Soul cultivator at the sixth level, their standing in Biyun City would likely plummet significantly. Although the Li family’s protection would prevent major problems, the allocation of resources would certainly diminish.

Moreover, the Feng family had stood firm in Biyun City for many years, naturally accumulating many enemies. Though these foes were not as powerful as the Feng family, they were quietly waiting for an opportunity to strike when the Feng family faltered.

Despite her explanation, the Li family elders were not easily swayed.

Elder Li spoke gravely, “Friend Feng, you need not worry. I believe you don’t know how important the Vitality Spring water is to the Li family, but I can assure you that the Feng family will have no worries for the next three hundred years. No one will dare to harass you. What do you say?”

Though Elder Li’s words sounded courteous, his gesture said otherwise—a hand extended, clearly demanding that the Feng matriarch hand over the Vitality Spring water.

“Yes, Friend Feng, I also join Elder Li in assuring you that the Feng family will be safe for the next three hundred years!” another elder of the Li family stepped forward.

The Feng matriarch’s face flushed red and then white, clearly torn.

The Feng family was merely a vassal clan under the Li family’s protection. In theory, it was reasonable for her to hand over the Vitality Spring water. After all, the water would only extend her life by a few decades or at most a hundred years, while being under the Li family’s protection for three hundred years was a great gain.

But she had a selfish desire—she wanted to live longer and not die! On one side was her personal wish, on the other was the Feng family’s future.

“Yes, Old Lady Feng, I gave you this Vitality Spring water hoping you would introduce me into the Li family. You’d better take it out quickly!” Chen Xiang chimed in.

“You…” The Feng matriarch truly wanted to slap Chen Xiang against the wall so hard he’d never get up.

So this was his true intention? That meant letting him into the main hall was just falling into his trap.

Everyone was surprised. This youngster was so bold! He wasn’t here to congratulate the Feng matriarch but was targeting the Li family from the start.

“Oh? You want to join my Li family?” Elder Li narrowed his eyes with interest.

Chen Xiang openly admitted, “That’s right, elder. Actually, I wasn’t acting on my own will. Someone sent me here.”

“Oh? Who?” Elder Li asked curiously.

Everyone looked at Chen Xiang, equally curious about who had recommended him to the Li family.

“Well, she didn’t tell me her name. She’s a woman, very beautiful, wearing a red long dress. She said she was an elder of the Li family. Oh, and her cultivation is higher than mine!” Chen Xiang thought for a moment and described Li Hanwei’s features—a perfect pass.

Sure enough, the others showed no reaction, but the two Li family elders became noticeably unsettled.

Elder Li compared Chen Xiang’s description with the Li family members, and Li Hanwei’s image immediately appeared in his mind.

This forced him to take the matter seriously. Elder Li said solemnly, “You mean the Fourth Elder sent you? Do you have any proof?”

The other Li elder also fixed his gaze on Chen Xiang, waiting for his answer.

The city lord’s mansion cultivators frowned but said nothing, focusing even more intently on the unfolding drama.

Chen Xiang nodded, “I do.”

At once, he tossed the jade pendant he had taken from Li Hanwei to Elder Li.

Elder Li caught it, examined it carefully, and then relaxed. “Haha, young Chu, so you were introduced by the Fourth Elder. Not bad, not bad. Once today’s matters are settled, you will come with us to the main family.”

“Thank you, elders!” Chen Xiang smiled inwardly but outwardly bowed respectfully, expressing sincere gratitude with a poised demeanor.

“Hmm,” Elder Li nodded with a smile.

“I’ve got something!” Suddenly, an untimely voice interrupted.

Everyone turned their gaze toward the speaker.

A youth with the appearance of a scholar said with a sudden expression, “I’ve also seen the woman you described. That lady in red was at the Feng family’s gate when the Feng family’s eldest young master approached her, but she ended up injuring him. I was there too, but I never sensed any cultivation power from her. She seemed like an ordinary person, which was strange, so I remember it clearly.”

“Hmm, you say you saw the Fourth Elder at the Feng family’s gate?” The two Li family elders’ eyes sharpened as they stared at the young scholar.

“Uh…” The young scholar’s face froze, feeling as if he bore the weight of a great mountain beneath their gaze. With only a sixth level Foundation Establishment cultivation, he could hardly withstand the pressure of two Nascent Soul cultivators.

“Sirs… I’m not the only one. The other scattered cultivators waiting outside saw her too,” the young man quickly added.

“Describe that person you saw,” Elder Li said sternly.

“Yes, that woman…” The young scholar described Li Hanwei’s appearance once more.

Everyone found this strange. Weren’t they all Li family elders? Why were these two so nervous? Could something have happened?

Chen Xiang narrowed his eyes. It seemed the four Li family guards had already returned. No problem, after all, his disguise was excellent.

The Feng matriarch’s face turned pale; she silently prayed, hoping it wasn’t the Fourth Elder. If it was, her eldest grandson was probably doomed.

“To be continued...”