Power

The Five Elements Sect spared no expense in its hospitality.

Not only was it a five-star hotel, but the suite he was staying in covered over two hundred square meters.

The living room, meditation room, and leisure area had everything.

The moment Li Pin entered, his eyes fell on the bar in one corner of the living room.

The bar's mood lighting had already been switched on.

A slender woman in a silver-white spaghetti-strap nightgown, her fair, smooth back exposed, was mixing red wine.

Hearing him enter, the woman turned around, revealing a face that was innocent yet alluring.

"Mr. Li, you're here."

"An Youran."

Li Pin recognized her.

Then he recalled Zhao Yuan's suggestive mention of "activities" when the gathering had ended, and quickly understood why she had a keycard to his room.

He glanced around...

His belongings had been tidied up.

Had they been touched?

This arrangement...

He did not like it.

"Mr. Li, I specially mixed this red wine for you. I once went to Conlifu Winery to study the relevant skills. I hope you'll like it."

Holding the wine, An Youran swayed toward him.

Her silver hollowed-out spaghetti-strap nightgown gleamed beneath the lights.

"You can leave."

Li Pin said.

An Youran's movements stiffened slightly. Then she smiled. "Mr. Li, I know there have been some misunderstandings between my younger sister and you. I'm here to apologize on her behalf. No matter what requests Mr. Li has, I'll do my best to fulfill them. I..."

"If you're apologizing, you should have her come herself."

Li Pin looked at her.

The smile on An Youran's face became somewhat unnatural. After a while, she said, "Mr. Li... Wanyi, she..."

"You should leave."

Li Pin said.

How could the desire between men and women compare to the great desire of cultivation for the evolution of life?

Of course, he did not reject the possibility that someone might walk the path alongside him in the future.

But that person had to be a cultivation partner capable of stirring his soul.

Without a resonance of the soul, wallowing in pleasures of the flesh would only corrode his will to practice martial arts.

"Mr. Li..."

An Youran looked aggrieved. "Please give me a chance to make amends. Even if Mr. Li wishes to punish me, I will have no complaints."

"Make amends."

Li Pin shook his head. "Even now, you haven't realized your true mistake. You even think I'm merely using my power to bully others, without reflecting at all on what your sister An Wanyi actually did. So, I will not accept your apology."

He pointed at the door. "You can leave."

"I..."

An Youran bit her lips, painted a vivid red. But seeing how resolute Li Pin looked, she ultimately did not dare continue provoking his disgust. She could only bow. "I'm very sorry."

She did not reveal anything on the surface, but she truly was angry inside.

She had already humbled herself and delivered herself to his door to apologize. What more did Li Pin want!?

Hadn't her younger sister merely said a few things about him?

She was not the one who had fanned the flames.

Why was all the blame falling on her?

She had also lost face because of that wave of public opinion.

Besides, wasn't Li Pin perfectly fine? Why was he clinging to such a trivial matter and refusing to let go?

He had no gentlemanly grace at all.

What a turnoff.

After An Youran left, Li Pin took out his phone and called Zhao Yuan.

Zhao Yuan seemed somewhat surprised. "So soon..."

"Was An Youran arranged by you?"

"Hehe, is Martial Master Li satisfied with this arrangement?"

As Zhao Yuan spoke, he immediately added, "Rest assured. My master knows a director at Star Hall Entertainment through Baron Judy's connections. Everything has already been arranged. Martial Master Li, just enjoy yourself."

At that moment, he seemed to think of something. "Could it be that she wasn't obedient?"

Immediately afterward, the standard-bearer of the Five Elements Sect in Jiangzhou City sneered. "She's practically trying to rebel! An Youran may have some fame, but a traffic celebrity like her can only become popular if Star Hall Entertainment gives her resources. Without resources, what does she count for... I'll have my master contact that Star Hall Entertainment director right away."

Li Pin knew Zhao Yuan was telling the truth.

The Taibai Kingdom had enjoyed peace for a long time and was a developed nation, so its entertainment industry was immensely prosperous. There were countless idols and celebrities. Under such circumstances, celebrities and idols appeared glamorous on the surface, but their actual status was very low.

To people with status, such people were merely tools and consumables. Banning them was something that could be done with a single word.

They could even use traps buried in old contracts to make them spit out every cent they had earned before, while saddling them with enormous debts.

"I understand your intentions, but there's no need."

Li Pin said. "This matter was caused by An Wanyi."

"An Wanyi..."

Zhao Yuan came to a realization. "I understand. It was our oversight. Martial Master Li, wait for our good news."

"I'll deal with my own affairs when the time comes."

Li Pin said.

"Martial Master Li only needs to cultivate well and uphold the Five Elements Sect's reputation in the Martial World. How could such trifling matters waste your precious time?"

Zhao Yuan said.

Li Pin nodded after hearing that.

With the Five Elements Sect's channels and connections helping gather evidence, it would not be difficult to bring An Wanyi to justice and have her sentenced for several years.

"All right, then. I'll wait for your news."

Li Pin said.

After hanging up, he felt somewhat reflective.

No wonder the Five Elements Sect was confident that once he joined them, they would be able to bind him to their war chariot.

When one had subordinates below, money in hand, and power above, some people truly would sink into it, shackled by that identity and unable to free themselves.

As a monarchy, the Taibai Kingdom followed the example set from above. In Canglong City, those standing at the very top were naturally the council composed of nobles and Star Refiners.

Only after them came the local government and the prosecutor's office.

And because the local council was deeply entangled with the major local powers, some tycoons and heads of major forces wielded even greater influence than the local government and prosecutor's office.

As the number one force in Canglong City's Martial World, and a massive interest group with total assets in the billions, the Five Elements Sect absolutely qualified as a major power.

When such a force exerted itself, Zhang Minglong, chairman of Hanyang University, had already received a call before Li Pin had even rested at Xingyao International Center Hotel.

"Understood! I understand! I will never allow such a black sheep, acting with such reckless impunity, to poison the atmosphere of Canglong City's education sector! Yes! Understood! Thank you, Elder Brother Tian, for the advice!"

The chairman repeatedly agreed.

After hanging up, recalling the admonishing tone of that superior figure just now, his face immediately darkened.

"Damn it, is Jing Gufeng trying to get our Hanyang University shut down and bankrupt!?"

An imposing aura that did not require anger to inspire awe radiated from him.

His gaze turned icy. After a moment, he grabbed his phone and dialed a number.

"Secretary He, notify all the directors. A board meeting will be held at ten tomorrow morning. There is an important matter to announce."

As he spoke, he seemed to remember something.

"Don't notify Jing Gufeng."

"Yes."

Secretary He's voice answered.