Where are the buyers?
Hun Qianxue Questions.
The man in black robes paused, seemingly considering his words:
"There were actually quite a few buyers, mostly busybodies in the city, people with some influence, but if we're talking about who was the first, it seems to be... the Tiger and Panther Legion."
"Based on my subordinates' speculation, it was likely Zhou Lie who did it."
Upon hearing this name, Hun Qianxue frowned.
" Zhou Lie?"
He repeated the name:
" Zhou Lie, who was previously known as the 'Number One Prodigy of Thousand Souls City '?"
"Exactly."
The man in black robes nodded and slowly began to speak:
According to investigations, after Wu Daoyuan emerged from the Life and Death Ravine, Zhou Lie's men were the first to find him and paid a high price for the information.
The versions that circulated in the city afterward mostly originated from Zhou Lie.
This person is probably jealous of Young Master Han and wants to use this opportunity to damage his reputation.
Hun Qianxue remained silent for a moment, then said coldly:
"Just for a hollow reputation?"
" Zhou Lie came from an ordinary background and his Lineage was not very powerful. He was able to establish himself in Thousand Souls City because of his reputation as a 'genius'."
After Young Master Han appeared, his reputation was overshadowed, and his resources, connections, and prestige were all affected.
The man in black robes paused, then explained:
"Moreover, he had previously challenged Young Master Han to a duel, which Young Master Han ignored; perhaps in his eyes, this was a humiliation."
"A challenge?"
Hun Qianxue sneered; he actually leaned towards the ascetic lifestyle as well.
He only needed a reputation to run for head of the family.
" Xuanji is in seclusion cultivating; how could he have time to deal with him? Is this considered an insult?"
The man in black robes did not respond.
Hun Qianxue stood up, put his hands behind his back, and paced around the hall for a few steps.
After a moment, he stopped and spoke decisively:
"Get rid of Wu Daoyuan; keeping him around is just asking for trouble."
"Yes."
The man in black robes replied.
As for Zhou Lie...
Hun Qianxue pondered for a moment, but couldn't think of a good solution.
The other party is the apple of the Tiger and Panther Legion's eye; we can't afford to break ties over such a trivial matter.
If this matter were to escalate to the Nine Mysteries Holy Lord's side, it would most likely end up with both sides suffering equal blame, and neither side would gain any advantage.
"This man is indeed a problem. He is not only a member of the Tiger and Panther Legion, but also deeply trusted by the Legion Commander."
That legion commander, as you know, is a scion of Sage Aristocratic Clan in Nine Mysteries City. He has been operating in Thousand Souls City for many years and has a good reputation.
We need the Tiger and Panther Legion this time. The Creation Platform is in their hands, so it's not advisable to have a direct confrontation with Zhou Lie.
The man in black robes lowered his head slightly.
"What the head of the family means is..."
"Send someone to negotiate first, and shut Zhou Lie up."
Hun Qianxue waved his hand casually and said:
"As for those who spread rumors, none of them should be let off the hook."
Better to kill the innocent than let the guilty go free.
The importance of the Xuanji to the Soul Household is far greater than you and I imagine.
He is the future hope of my Soul Household, and I will never allow him to be slandered.
If Han Xuanji were to truly become estranged from the Soul Household because of this matter, Hun Qianxue would absolutely find it unacceptable.
We must act swiftly and decisively.
He can't tolerate even the slightest grievance, otherwise it's considered his dereliction of duty.
Others may not know, but he knew perfectly well how much Han Xuanji had helped him.
The man in black robes bowed deeply.
"Yes, I understand."
"Go."
Hun Qianxue's voice was calm, revealing no emotion.
The man in black robes knew Hun Qianxue very well; the calmer the demeanor, the more furious the other party was.
He must handle this matter as soon as possible.
The black figure vanished without a sound the next second.
Hun Qianxue sat back down in the main seat, picked up his teacup but didn't drink it, his gaze fixed on the twilight outside the window, lost in thought.
Purple Soul Grotto-Heaven.
When Han Xuanji emerged from the cultivation room, a month had already passed.
His cultivation level remained steadily at the Eternal Dao Master Eighth Layer. Even though his cultivation was extremely fast, he did not fall behind in the slightest.
Next, we wait for news from the Creation Platform.
He took out the communication jade talisman and saw that Wang Ping had sent several more messages.
[None of those who spread the rumors escaped. The culprit is said to be a Rogue Cultivator named Wu Daoyuan, who has disappeared without a trace; it's unknown whether he fled or what.]
"It's the Soul Household who made their move."
Han Xuanji nodded.
Those who spread rumors were identified one by one, punished or expelled as appropriate, and the city became much quieter.
Even the scions of prominent Aristocratic Clan were captured and imprisoned by the city lord's men.
Those powerful Aristocratic Clan went to great lengths to get the person out.
[Brother Han, after this incident, I'm afraid no one will gossip about us anymore.]
Okay, thank you.
After reading it, Han Xuanji put away the jade talisman and offered Wang Ping some encouragement.
He wasn't surprised by Hun Qianxue's methods.
That patriarch always acted swiftly and decisively, never dragging his feet.
"It goes against my original intention, but it doesn't matter."
Han Xuanji stood up.
Rumors and jealousy are just external things.
He only needs to do one thing—become stronger.
So powerful that everyone looks up to them, so powerful that all rumors fall apart on their own.
By then, the titles of "Number One Prodigy" and "Number Two Prodigy" will no longer matter.
Because his name is the answer.
After the storm subsided in Thousand Souls City...
The news about Hun Qianxue came faster than expected.
The rumors were dispelled in just a few days.
Han Xuanji's communication jade talisman lit up.
This time it wasn't text, but a direct call request.
After he answered the call, Hun Qianxue's voice came from the other end, carrying a hint of relief.
" Xuanji, there's progress on the matter of the Creation Platform."
Han Xuanji was slightly taken aback:
"So fast?"
"I've already personally spoken with the Tiger and Panther Legion."
Hun Qianxue paused for a moment, then said:
"The process wasn't smooth, but the result was good; he agreed to let you enter the Creation Platform."
Han Xuanji did not respond immediately.
He recognized the "but" in Hun Qianxue's words.
It's probably not that simple.
Sure enough, Hun Qianxue continued:
"However, there's a condition."
What are the conditions?
Han Xuanji frowned, sensing that trouble was brewing.
As expected, Hun Qianxue's words confirmed his guess.
Hun Qianxue's tone turned slightly somber as he introduced:
" The Xuanji the Creation Platform; you may not be familiar with its intricacies."
That place of enlightenment is said to be where a powerful expert at the Sage Realm attained enlightenment; its Dao essence is extremely precious, but limited.
Each time someone enters to comprehend the Dao, they consume the primordial Dao essence left behind by the Sage; every bit used diminishes it.
Therefore, the Tiger and Panther Legion valued this spot highly, and I was prepared to pay a hefty price, but what they proposed was...
"He wants you to demonstrate your strength and conquer the Tiger and Panther Legion."