Chen Shunyi's arrival changed the entire situation.
Inside the City Lord Manor, Chen Shunyi sat in the main seat.
"This time I only have three days. After all, I'm only handling private matters and cannot be away for too long. How are all your preparations coming along?"
Chen Shunyi asked directly.
He was, after all, an official of the Celestial Dynasty, bound by its laws. Without a proper excuse, he could not be away for too long, especially for such an unseemly matter that he could hardly explain to his superiors.
Could he possibly tell them that he wanted to marry someone who refused, so he intended to exterminate them? If he confessed to that, he would be the first to be brought up on charges.
"Uncle, everything is ready. The Clear Wind Sect is also making preparations, and the residents near the Heavenly Clothes Pavilion have all been evacuated. I have already designated that area as a combat zone, just waiting for the Clear Wind Sect to arrive."
Chen Lou hurriedly replied.
The Celestial Dynasty stipulated that weapons and fighting were forbidden within the city, but it was not impossible to exploit loopholes. As the City Lord, he naturally knew how to manipulate things.
Moreover, the Heavenly Clothes Pavilion belonged to a faction, and its territory was private property outside his direct jurisdiction. Thus, he only needed to relocate the residents from that area before designating it as a combat zone. As long as the eventual victor paid compensation for the repairs later, the residents would have no cause for complaint.
The Celestial Dynasty governed mortals; whether the various factions were satisfied was of no concern to them, provided the dynasty did not intervene directly.
"Good, very well done. Xian'er, I heard you were previously humiliated by Qin Xiao?"
Chen Shunyi expressed satisfaction with his nephew's arrangements before turning his attention to Fang Xiuxian.
"Master, your disciple will personally seek redress for this matter. When the time comes, I ask that you allow me to strike the blow myself."
Upon being asked, Fang Xiuxian's expression twisted with resentment as he made his request.
"Very well. Since you wish to exact your own revenge, I naturally grant it. However, you cannot act in your capacity as the Deputy City Lord of Tianyi City, as that would give others a handle against you."
Chen Shunyi said with a nod of approval.
Having suffered such public humiliation, if he could not wash it away himself, it would inevitably leave a lingering knot in his heart and hinder his future cultivation.
"Master, rest assured, your disciple understands. When the time comes, I will make Qin Xiao pay back a hundredfold-no, ten thousandfold!"
The look in Fang Xiuxian's eyes grew even more venomous, proof that the previous incident had deeply fractured his state of mind.
Meanwhile, inside the Heavenly Clothes Pavilion, Ling Ruoxue had arrived at some point and was waiting with Qin Xiao for Ji Ci to conclude his work.
"It is already past the agreed time. Why has Master Ji Ci not come out yet?"
Ling Ruoxue asked with a hint of boredom.
She had come specifically to see Master Ji Ci, seeing as the three-day limit had already elapsed.
"It should be nearly finished."
Qin Xiao replied with a touch of uncertainty.
"Qin Xiao, have you truly given no further thought to my offer? If you join the Immortal Dao Merchant Association, I can guarantee your safety through this ordeal."
Having caught wind of the brewing storm, Ling Ruoxue knew the severity of the situation and pressed her invitation once more.
"You can guarantee my safety, but what of the Heavenly Clothes Pavilion? Shiniang treats me like her own flesh and blood. How could I abandon them to seek refuge with the Immortal Dao Merchant Association out of fear? I cannot bring myself to do such a thing."
Qin Xiao refused flatly.
Perhaps he could preserve his own skin by aligning with the merchant association, but what would become of the Heavenly Clothes Pavilion?
"I actually have a solution: have the Heavenly Clothes Pavilion merge directly into the Immortal Dao Merchant Association. That way, it becomes a branch of our association, and we will step forward to mediate this dispute. What do you think?"
Ling Ruoxue had already devised a countermeasure. It was a brilliant stroke that served two purposes at once.
She would secure Qin Xiao while swallowing up the Heavenly Clothes Pavilion, expanding the merchant association in a true win-win scenario.
"I thank Miss Ling for her kind intentions, but the Heavenly Clothes Pavilion has no desire to yield just yet."
At that moment, Ye Qiuyue walked over.
"Shiniang, you have emerged from seclusion? How were the past three days? Have you made any breakthroughs?"
Seeing her approach, Qin Xiao hurried forward to inquire.
He had spared no expense, providing Spirit Stones, Spirit Liquid, and the Saint Origin Spirit Fruit without limit, even tossing in an Immortal Comprehension Fruit. Though he knew a full realm breakthrough was unlikely, any small gain would help bolster his Shiniang's combat strength.
"Naturally, there was progress, and it is all thanks to Xiao'er's support. Although a true breakthrough remains some distance away, I can now exchange a few blows even against a mid-stage Body Integration cultivator. A mere Chen Shunyi is nothing to fear."
Her cultivation vastly increased, Ye Qiuyue radiated absolute confidence.
If the breadth of a cultivation realm were measured in ten parts, she had advanced by a full three parts over the span of three days. Such staggering progress startled even her.
Cultivation at the Body Integration stage was notoriously difficult. Since breaking through, her Primordial Spirit had expanded greatly, yet even with her deep reserves, she had only progressed half a part over the preceding months. For anyone else, even that half-part would have been out of reach.
Since Chen Shunyi had not achieved his own breakthrough much earlier than her, she had every reason to be confident. At this realm, possessing three additional parts of cultivation expanded one's win rate by far more than a simple margin.
Furthermore, after being scoured by High Grade Spirit Stones and Spirit Liquid, her Spiritual Power had grown remarkably pure, granting her combat power an even greater boost.
"Shiniang is too kind. Only when you are formidable enough will my own backing remain secure."
Qin Xiao replied with a respectful smile.
"Elder Ye, I mean no disrespect, but in the present situation, merging with the Immortal Dao Merchant Association truly is your only path to survival."
Sensing the immense pressure radiating from Ye Qiuyue, Ling Ruoxue persisted, knowing that individual strength alone could not turn the tide now that Chen Shunyi had entered Tianyi City.
"I know Miss Ling acts with good intentions, but the Heavenly Clothes Pavilion has stood for over two hundred years. It is my eldest brother's life's work, and I will not simply throw it away."
Ye Qiuyue stated her stance with unyielding resolve.
"If that is your decision, I will say no more. However, Qin Xiao is not a member of your Heavenly Clothes Pavilion. Senior, you should persuade him to join the Immortal Dao Merchant Association so that I may protect him."
Ling Ruoxue turned her gaze to Ye Qiuyue.
It was not that she cared for Qin Xiao's life; she was worried about Man'er, and perhaps a little about Qin Xiao's vast stash of Spirit Stones. She certainly held no personal fondness for the fellow-did she?
Even Ling Ruoxue herself felt a momentary flicker of doubt. Why was she running about meddling in the bitter feud between the Heavenly Clothes Pavilion and the Clear Wind Sect? Ah right, it was entirely on Man'er's account.
"Eldest Miss, you needn't concern yourself further. I appreciate your good intentions, but as I said, I am not considering it."
Seeing that Ling Ruoxue was attempting to recruit him through his Shiniang, Qin Xiao reiterated his refusal.
"If you are so determined to court death, then return Man'er to me first, and I will stop bothering you!"
Ling Ruoxue felt entirely exasperated. She had come out of the goodness of her heart to offer a lifeline, only to be spurned, especially by this infuriating Qin Xiao. "Return Man'er to me!"
"Disciple, whether you choose to leave or stay is up to you. This situation is unlike any before, and your master will not blame you."
Knowing the close bond between Ling Ruoxue and Yun Man, and aware that Yun Man harbored many secrets of her own, Qin Xiao recognized that retreating now might be the wisest course given the unpredictable danger.
"There is no need. Wherever Master is, I shall be. Sister Xue, thank you for your kindness, but I choose to follow my master."
Without a moment's hesitation, Yun Man aligned herself firmly by Qin Xiao's side.
"Hmph, have it your way! Man'er, I believe you have been bound by some restriction of his. Take care of yourself-if things turn desperate, flee to my side and I will protect you."
Though frustration burned within her, Ling Ruoxue could not abandon her friend entirely, leaving behind a final warning before storming off in a huff.
"Sister Xue, I am sorry. I must protect Master; he is my only family left in this world."
Watching the angry figure depart, Yun Man murmured those words silently in her heart.