The Face-Slapping Cut Short

"Mother, the young clan leader was seriously injured while fighting against the patriarch's enemy to protect the Lineage..."

Si Huamu interrupted, "So what? What does it have to do with us? Did we force her to do this?"

"She was injured for the sake of her Lineage, how can we kick her when she's down? Perhaps we should find another opportunity, wait a bit longer..."

"I've waited eighteen years, and I can't wait any longer!" Si Huamu said impatiently. "Only defeating her in front of our ancestors at the ancestral worship ceremony will make sense. In other situations, that little bitch can easily let it go with the excuse of carelessness. What can we do about it then? You have to understand that the vast majority of our clansmen are her supporters."

Si Huaruo paused for a moment, then, emboldened by the momentum from her martial arts mastery that evening, mustered her courage and asked, "Mother, why are you so concerned about the position of clan leader? What's so good about that position? In the past, when resources were scarce, becoming clan leader meant obtaining more heavenly materials and earthly treasures and accelerating one's martial arts progress—it was indeed a good job. But now we live in an era of abundant resources. We don't lack elixirs; in fact, we have a surplus. Consuming too many rare and heavenly materials and earthly treasures would actually hinder one's cultivation. The position of clan leader has long lost its appeal."

"You're just talking like a child, but I can't blame you. You've never held power, you don't know what it's like. Once you've tasted it, you'll never forget it. When people see you on the street, they'll respectfully step aside and let you go first; if you encounter trouble, you don't even need to ask, people will take the initiative to help you solve it. Once you've enjoyed this kind of treatment, you'll never want to lose it! Have you forgotten how many people bullied you because of your hair color when you were little? If you were the clan chief's daughter, would they dare to do that?"

"What you're talking about, I can obtain as well once I become Spirit Transformation Grandmaster."

"The Spirit Transformation isn't so easy to achieve. I've seen plenty of young geniuses, some so prodigious they're said to be once-in-a-century talents, but in the end, only one out of ten can actually advance to the Nascent Spirit Transformation stage."

Si Huaruo was about to argue again, but Si Huamu didn't want to discuss it with her anymore. She waved her hand and said, "I gave birth to you and raised you with great difficulty, all for the sake of reclaiming the position of clan leader. If you can't even agree to this, then don't acknowledge me as your mother!"

Si Huaruo's face paled, and she trembled as she said, "To Mother, am I merely a tool to reclaim the position of clan leader?"

"Of course not," Si Huamu denied immediately. She wasn't foolish enough to admit such a thing. Seeing her daughter's dejected look, she earnestly advised, "Mother hopes you can become the clan leader, and it's for your own good. Besides, back then, that bitch Si Jingyue took away my position as clan leader, and I was ridiculed by many people. Now, some people are still making fun of me about this. You are my daughter, don't you want to wash away my humiliation?"

"I... I do."

Ultimately, with a kind heart, Si Huaruo didn't want to disappoint her mother, so she agreed.

"That's right, you really are your mother's good daughter."

Si Huamu revealed an incredibly bright smile, and at the same time took out a bottle of pills and placed it on the table, instructing, "Take one pill three times a day. After seven days, your Cultivation Body will temporarily increase by one level, thus increasing your chances of victory."

Si Huaruo retorted, "Isn't this cheating? How can you use such despicable methods..."

"All's fair in war, so what's this talk of being despicable? Even if you don't do it, can you guarantee the other side won't? In the end, if you lose, no one will praise your integrity; you'll only be ridiculed for being naive, foolish, and lacking in strategy."

Si Huamu didn't give her daughter a chance to object, and stood up, saying, "It's settled then. You must win the competition in seven days. If you lose, don't come back to see me!"

Chapter 311 A Slap in the Face After Being Stopped Halfway

Water Mirror Manor's Spirit Creature Pavilion, located on an island in the south of the main island, is a place specially developed by the Si Clan to raise some strange animals.

Sea Continent has no animal protection organizations, nor does it have any awareness of protecting endangered species. After all, industrial pollution in this world is very low. In order to improve their Internal Cultivation and protect their own interests, from the country to the individual, everyone understands the importance of protecting the natural environment. As long as there is a suitable living environment, it is difficult for animals to go extinct on a large scale.

The reason why wild beasts on Earth dare to attack humans is that humans have only been in the industrial age for two or three hundred years, and they must rely on tools to defeat wild beasts. If they are unarmed, they will still become food. But humans on the Sea Continent can beat lions and tigers with just their bare hands.

Over thousands of years, fear of humans has been ingrained in the genes of all animals. As soon as they see humans wearing brightly colored clothes and walking on two legs, they immediately turn and run away. They understand who the big brother at the top of the food chain is in this land. Some clever Monkey will even steal human clothes to intimidate other animals.

However, although people don't specifically protect animals, there are quite a few who have a collecting obsession. Especially since this world is rich in Spiritual Qi, it is easy for mutant species to appear. These mutant species usually have unique abilities, and some can even assist in the cultivation of martial arts. Si Ming came to the Spirit Creature Pavilion specifically for this reason.

"Steward Kui, I need to borrow an Ice Silkworm."

Steward Kui, a middle-aged woman in her fifties, frowned and said, "Young Master Ming, you haven't been to the Water Mirror Manor for long, so you probably don't know the rules. To borrow a spirit animal, you must make an appointment in advance so that we can arrange rest days for it. Otherwise, making them work all the time can easily damage their Primal Qi. The two Ice Silkworm available today have already been reserved. Why don't you wait until next time, and I'll arrange one for you?"

"I need it urgently right now, could you please make an exception? It won't take long anyway. Let me think, fifteen minutes should be enough. That shouldn't take any damage to my Primal Qi."

Si Ming scoffed at the so-called rules. He wasn't a disciple of Legalist School, and the rules of these Lineage were always easy to break. The other party was simply trying to use this as an excuse to control him.

Steward Kui is neither from the clan leader's lineage nor Si Huamu's lineage, which is why he is difficult to deal with. As for the former, there is no need to explain. As for the latter, Si Ming is currently having an affair with Si Huaruo, and Si Huamu is also trying to win him over. Therefore, Si Huamu's subordinates will not make things difficult for him. Only a third party who does not belong to either of them can be indifferent to desires, just like a cadre who is just going through the motions in a public institution. Even if the leader comes, he will not give him any face.

Steward Kui belongs to the conservative faction and is very dissatisfied with Si Jingyu's change of family rules to allow male Lineage members to practice martial arts. However, she has no power and is in the minority who have to obey the majority. She can only complain in private. Now that the representative of the male Si Clan needs her help, she can't help but make things difficult for him.

"It has nothing to do with how much time it takes, but rather that we must abide by the rules. Otherwise, once this precedent is set, everyone will start using personal connections as an excuse, and the rules will be completely lost. For the sake of the Lineage's long-term interests, I can only apologize," Steward Kui said in a high-sounding manner.

Even if her words were leaked, no one could criticize her. Even if she was trying to make things difficult for someone, she had to stay within the rules and not give anyone a handle to use against her.

Si Ming gave an "oh" and asked, "Even if I am the young clan leader's brother, can't I make an exception?"

Is this an attempt to intimidate others using one's status?

Steward Kui sneered inwardly. She wasn't going to fall for it. As an elder in the clan who had "no merit but still worked hard," even if this matter reached Si Jingyu, the other party couldn't do anything to her. After all, she hadn't done anything wrong. If she were to be suppressed forcibly just to vent her brother's anger, the other elders in the clan would probably feel disheartened.

"Even if the clan leader came, I would say the same thing: rules are rules, unless you change them at the Lineage meeting," Steward Kui said righteously.

"I see."

Si Ming nodded, then punched the ground, creating a large hole.

"W-What are you going to do!" Steward Kui was startled. "Just because someone doesn't agree with you, you're going to hit them? That's intimidation!"

Si Ming said calmly, "Yes, I'm threatening you. If you don't hurry up and take out the Ice Silkworm, I'll punch you to the ground and then go in and get it yourself."

He actually admitted it!

Steward Kui had assumed the other party would feign reluctance and deny any wrongdoing, but to his surprise, the other party was actually going to attack. He panicked and asked, "Do you know the consequences of doing this?"

"The consequences... let me think... probably a slap on the wrist, and a one-time exception." Si Ming stroked his chin. "Also, my reputation will probably get really bad, but it doesn't matter, I don't care what you think of me."

Steward Kui opened her mouth, realizing it was true. The other person had saved the Lineage and was also the young clan leader's younger brother. Even if he hit her, he would at most receive a reprimand. Did she really expect anyone to stand up for her?

"... Wait a moment, I'll get it for you right away."

Watching the other person's retreating figure, Si Ming shook his head helplessly. It's true what they say, it's easier to see the King of Hell than to deal with his underlings. They all live under the same roof, yet they still play these underhanded tricks. No wonder the New China tried every means to destroy clan power; this kind of thing only turns back the clock of history.

After a while, Steward Kui returned carrying a jade box containing a snow-white and tender silkworm, plump and as thick as two fingers, which was quite adorable.

Realizing that Si Ming might actually attack, and that taking a punch would likely leave him bedridden for the rest of his life, Steward Kui didn't dare tamper with the Ice Silkworm. Instead, he said, "This Ice Silkworm is the strongest one in the clan's collection. It's over thirty years old, and the cold energy it exhales is comparable to a level ten cold-attribute Internal Cultivation. The clan members often use its cold energy to cultivate their martial arts."

At this point, Steward Kui suddenly realized, "Could it be that Young Master Ming also intends to use it for practicing martial arts?"

"Yes, I plan to use it to cultivate the Ice Silkworm Heavenly Net Hand."