Chapter 117

Chapter 117: Making Amends

Yun Xi stopped abruptly upon seeing the message.

Passing Clouds: Senior, what should I do? There’s a Nascent Soul true lord in the city now. I’m afraid my actions might alert them.

Yun Xi felt an eager longing inside; she too wished her space could expand beyond its mere hundred square meters.

Drifting with Immortal Grace: That is rather tricky. Now that the bosses know about the space, it’ll be hard for you to take it away unnoticed.

Yun Xi’s enthusiasm deflated immediately. Clearly, this senior had mentioned the idea casually without deep consideration.

With a sigh, Yun Xi logged out, her divine sense returning to her body. She opened her eyes, picked up her talisman brush, and began drawing symbols. Her recent frantic absorption of mid-grade spirit stones had weakened the barrier to Foundation Establishment Late-stage, making it as thin as cicada’s wings. Though she could break through at any moment, now was not the right time for advancing her cultivation.

Drawing talismans was the best way to consume her excess spiritual energy. By now, Yun Xi could easily produce second-grade high-tier talismans. With her powerful divine sense and abundant spiritual energy, her success rate soared to ninety percent.

In the days that followed, aside from creating talismans, Yun Xi diligently practiced her basic body-refining art. After each session, she carefully expanded her meridians, gradually unblocking even the smallest, most delicate channels.

Mu Ning Zhu and Qin Tong Shuang also secluded themselves, rarely leaving their rooms. Both women had been deeply shaken by recent events, and each focused on cultivating privately.

Meanwhile, in the City Lord’s estate, the atmosphere was heavy and somber. City Lord Li painfully explained to the assembled true lords and daoist masters why his son had committed such terrible acts. With sorrowful sincerity, he promised compensation for every fallen cultivator and pledged to relinquish his position as city lord. He was prepared to shoulder all consequences for the catastrophe caused by his son.

With a sigh, City Lord Li cupped his hands and said:

“Cang Yuan was consumed by grief after losing his beloved, allowing a heart demon to fester. Demonic cultivators lurking in the shadows took advantage while I was secluded in deep meditation, attempting to break through to Divine Transformation. Thus, a great calamity befell us all. I deeply apologize to all fellow daoists.”

He paused briefly, then continued with a heavy heart:

“I have already abolished Cang Yuan’s cultivation. Once all related matters are settled, I will publicly execute him as justice demands, and as a clear message to all affected.”

True Lord Yu Feng exchanged a meaningful glance with Shi Jun but did not immediately respond.

Instead, Shi Jun spoke first, addressing his primary concern:

“City Lord Li, since young Fellow Daoist Li has been apprehended, were you able to determine the origins of the evil array? Such a formation cannot be created by him alone.”

True Lord Yu Feng remained silent but nodded slowly in agreement.

“I have questioned him repeatedly,” replied City Lord Li sadly, “but he refuses to speak. I even considered a forced soul-search after your arrival, but Cang Yuan insists that a powerful restriction was placed within his mind. If we attempt a soul-search, his consciousness will collapse, killing him.”

City Lord Li sighed deeply again, signaling to the guards to bring forth his son.

True Lord Yu Feng communicated silently to Shi Jun:

“True Lord Shi, do you trust his words?”

“Only partially,” Shi Jun replied frankly.

“I suspect City Lord Li himself might be involved. What could be his motive?”

“As city lord, nothing within this city can evade his spiritual sense. His explanation is merely an excuse,” Shi Jun responded gravely.

“Then it appears there is discord between father and son,” Yu Feng reflected. “Yet, his current attitude, so righteous and self-sacrificing, complicates things for us.”

“Yes,” Shi Jun agreed, “We have no proof, and he’s cleverly chosen to yield ground. It seems we cannot rely on him for answers about the evil array.”

“Then we must keep close watch,” Yu Feng declared resolutely. “Eventually, a fox will always reveal its tail.”

Shi Jun agreed wholeheartedly. Nearby, a rogue cultivator alliance Nascent Soul cultivator also began transmitting similar thoughts to Shi Jun.

At this moment, Li Cang Yuan was brought forward. His cultivation had truly been abolished, reducing him to a mortal man. The drastic change was evident: he now appeared as a frail old man nearing fifty, his hair greyed, his back hunched.

The hall grew deathly silent as Li Cang Yuan knelt blankly, eyes hollow and unfocused.

True Lord Huan Die from Blossoming Harmony Sect lightly lifted her gaze towards the kneeling man, elegantly waving her soft, lotus-colored sleeve to draw his gaze toward her. Her alluring eyes held Li Cang Yuan captive as she asked gently:

“Cang Yuan, why did you do this?”

“To save Qiu Shui,” he mumbled blankly.

“Qiu Shui died before your eyes. She cannot return to life.”

“No,” Li Cang Yuan insisted numbly, “I can bring her back. They told me the formation could reverse life and death.”

“Who are they?” Huan Die pressed softly, reaching the critical question.

Instantly, Li Cang Yuan’s face turned deathly pale. He clutched his head, repeating her words in torment:

“Who are they? Who are they? I don’t know! Stop asking me!”

Suddenly, he collapsed to the floor, convulsing violently. Huan Die quickly withdrew her divine sense, shaking her head at the others in disappointment. Nothing further could be extracted from him.

City Lord Li sighed continuously, making no effort to prevent anyone’s probing.

Soon Li Cang Yuan lost consciousness entirely, his breathing shallow. Although suspicions lingered, further interrogation was clearly futile. Thus, the discussions shifted to compensation—after all, no one had come here merely to witness the tragic scene.

After three days of negotiation, the City Lord’s mansion publicly announced throughout the city the forthcoming execution of Li Cang Yuan, the mastermind behind the incident. All surviving cultivators would receive compensation directly from the city lord, while families, sects, and rogue cultivator alliances would handle settlements for the deceased.

Upon hearing this, Yun Xi and her companions gathered to discuss.

“City Lord Li is truly desperate to appease everyone,” Yun Xi remarked. “After these payments, his storage ring will probably be emptier than his own face.”

Mu Ning Zhu disagreed mildly:

“I doubt it’ll be that extreme. Ordinary low-level cultivators won’t get much compensation. Only exceptional low-tier cultivators will receive generous settlements—otherwise, the true lords would never let this go easily.”

“We barely survived, so our compensation shouldn’t be small, right?” Yun Xi asked eagerly, already thinking of her losses—especially her precious third-tier array disk, a vital item that had repeatedly saved her life.

Mu Ning Zhu immediately reassured her:

“I met Senior Brother Sheng two days ago. He said we can list whatever compensation we desire, and he’ll submit it to the city lord’s mansion. I’m confident our requests will be granted.”

“No reason to wait—let’s quickly write it down. It’s what we deserve,” Yun Xi declared immediately, pulling out talisman paper and listing her demands: a third-tier or higher array disk was essential, along with the spirit stones she’d consumed.

After writing, she handed the paper to Mu Ning Zhu, showing no intention of meeting Sheng Yu Hong personally.

Qin Tong Shuang also listed her requirements, particularly emphasizing her loss of thousand-year cold ice. She finished quickly and passed her list to Mu Ning Zhu.

Mu Ning Zhu smiled helplessly and shook her head, taking their lists. She clearly sensed these two girls held little interest in currying favor with the famously distinguished Sheng Yu Hong.

At this very moment, a message talisman flew swiftly into the courtyard.