75: Chapter 75 The Ning Family is Finished

Elder Hua's pressure landed on Wang Shouren, heavy as a mountain, and the bluestone slabs beneath his feet emitted a fine cracking sound.

Yet he still stood straight, his spine not bending even a fraction.

Elder Hua slightly opened his eyes, a trace of surprise flashing within them.

This youth was merely at the Eighth Layer of Qi Refining, yet he could remain completely motionless under his pressure.

"Since you say winning means winning, and Ning Chuan is an evil Cultivator," Wang Shouren looked at them mockingly, "does that mean you, Hua Shaoyang, are associating with an evil Cultivator?"

Hua Shaoyang's expression changed abruptly: "What? How is that possible! What nonsense are you spouting!"

The crowd instantly erupted into a din.

The Loose Cultivators whispered to one another and discussed animatedly, with someone saying in a low voice: "That's right, Ning Chuan was publicly taken in as a follower by Hua Shaoyang. If the follower is an evil Cultivator, then what is the master?"

Another Loose Cultivator chimed in: "Even if he isn't an evil Cultivator, at the very least he's a fool who can't judge character and associates with evil Cultivators."

Hua Shaoyang's face turned green and white by turns, and after gritting his teeth, he suddenly let out a cold laugh.

"When has this Young Master ever associated with evil Cultivators? It's true that Ning Chuan is an evil Cultivator, but this Young Master was also a victim deceived by him!"

"Even three Foundation Establishment Cultivators joining forces to investigate failed to see through his disguise. This Young Master suffered a momentary lapse in judgment, what is there to criticize?"

Saying this, his tone became increasingly aggressive, "As for your Wang Family, you keep claiming that this Young Master is associating with evil Cultivators, but where is the evidence? If there is no evidence, it is slandering an Inner Sect Disciple of the Baihua Sect. This account, this Young Master has noted down."

Beside him, Elder Hua slowly opened his eyes. Sharp light like needles flashed within those turbid eyes, and his aged yet calm voice caused the breathing of everyone present to stagnate momentarily.

"You brat of the Wang Family have a sharp tongue. This old man will only say one thing—do not think that just because you have the Spirit Sword Sect protecting you in Wanshan County, my Baihua Sect cannot deal with you."

"For this old man to wipe out your Wang Family, why would the Sect need to make a move? I only need to write a letter, inviting three or five good friends to sit at this Lotus Pier, and that will be enough for your entire Wang Family to die a dozen times over."

Dead silence fell before the mountain gate.

The Loose Cultivators held their breaths; someone quietly shifted half a step back, and someone clenched their fists tightly yet dared not raise their head.

Wang Yaozu's complexion was ashen, the veins on Wang Yaowen's hand holding his sword bulged, and Wang Yaowu's teeth grated audibly.

They were furious, the anger in their chests was about to burst open, yet they could say nothing.

Because what Elder Hua said was the truth; a Late Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator, without the Sect needing to step forward, could wipe the Wang Family off the map of the Three Counties with a mere flip of his hand, relying solely on his own connections and cultivation.

The cultivation world is like this. When they reason with you, it is because they need that layer of reasoning to maintain some decency.

When they do not want to reason with you, they can tear off their masks at any time. Under the law of the jungle, reason is nothing more than a tool for the strong to rule over the weak.

Wang Shouren took a deep breath, suppressing the churning anger in his chest, and cupped his fists saying.

"Elder Hua exaggerates. This Junior naturally believes that the Baihua Sect, being a dignified Righteous Path Sect, would never associate with evil Cultivators. Young Master Hua was also deceived by Ning Chuan, this matter is beyond doubt, but—"

His words took a turn, his gaze falling upon Great Elder Ning Shengkui, who was quietly shrinking back behind the crowd.

"Ning Chuan comes from the Ning Family. Whether the Ning Family has other evil Cultivators and whether they have deeper connections with the remnants of the Tiexue Sect, this Junior believes that is what truly needs a thorough investigation."

Borrowing tigers' skins to wave a giant banner—he could not fight an Elder of the Baihua Sect, but as long as he dragged the Ning Family down with them, Hua Shaoyang, who was obviously the Ning Family's backer, could definitely not absolve himself of blame.

Factions colluding with evil Cultivators had already touched the bottom line of the Three Sects of Yue Country.

Even though Hua Shaoyang was the noble son of an Elder, he still had to weigh whether he could shoulder this responsibility.

"Hua Shaoyang might be able to shoulder it, but he will definitely suffer severe damage."

Wang Shouren's intention was already very obvious.

Great Elder Ning Shengkui's face turned pale in a flash, and he practically scrambled in a panic as he threw himself before Hua Shaoyang, his voice even changing pitch.

"Young Master Hua! Elder Hua! Absolutely nothing of the sort! The Ning Family is utterly loyal to the Baihua Sect, and that monstrosity Ning Chuan brought this upon himself—it has nothing to do with the Ning Family! Young Master Hua, you must uphold justice for us!"

Elder Hua furrowed his brows slightly, a trace of impatience flashing in his eyes.

Hua Shaoyang's expression was also anxious. The Ning Family was merely a dog he kept, but if this dog were truly found to have connections with evil Cultivators and then turned around to bite him, allowing the Spirit Sword Sect to seize a handle against him and submit a report at the Sect Assembly stating that a Disciple of the Baihua Sect sheltered remnants of the Tiexue Sect...

That would lose face not just for Hua Shaoyang himself, but for the entire Baihua Sect.

His father, Hua Baichuan, was not without political enemies within the Sect.

"Enough." Elder Hua waved his hand, his tone as cold as if he were shooing away a few flies.

"As for the matters of the Ning Family, you can go back and investigate them clearly yourselves. As for today's match, since Ning Chuan is an evil Cultivator, the match's results are naturally void."

"Consider it a draw, and let this matter end here; there is no need to bring it up again."

Hua Shaoyang panicked: "But Elder, Wang Qingyan—"

Elder Hua glanced at him. That look was very calm, yet it made Hua Shaoyang forcefully swallow back the second half of his words.

Elder Hua turned his head, his gaze falling upon Wang Shouren, with a hint of an elusive playfulness in his tone.

"You brat of the Wang Family, this old man remembers you."

With a wave of his large sleeve, the Spirit Crane beneath his feet flapped its wings and rose into the air, carrying the two of them soaring skyward, turning into a tiny black dot on the horizon within a few breaths.

Wang Chongyang gazed at the distant blue figure, remained silent for a long time, and suddenly let out a soft sigh.

"The Sects are truly powerful after all; even a Spirit Crane used for transportation is a Tier 2 Spirit Beast. Although its temperament is gentle and it is not good at combat, a Tier 2 is still a Tier 2."

"If my Wang Family could have a Tier 2 Spirit Beast holding down the fort, how wonderful that would be."

Wang Shouren nodded and said: "Sixth Grandpa is right. Spirit Beasts have long lifespans, and a Tier 2 Spirit Beast can live at least three to five hundred years. If we can find a young beast and raise it from youth, it will become the Foundation of the Family in the future."

Seeing his backer leave so decisively, Great Elder Ning Shengkui's facial color drained instantly.

He turned around in panic, squeezing out a smile at Wang Chongyang that was uglier than crying.

"Ch—Chongyang Senior, since today's match is considered a draw, the previous wager naturally no longer counts."

"Although the Ning and Wang Families have had some misunderstandings in the past, we are all fellow townsmen in the Three Counties, seeing each other whenever we raise our heads. Let's write off today's matters as a clean slate, h—how about it?"

Wang Chongyang gave him a cold glance, too lazy to even reply with words.

Great Elder Ning Shengkui felt his spine turn cold from that look, and not daring to say another half word, he turned around in dejection and led dozens of Ning Family Disciples running down the mountain.

When they came, they carried red silk gift chests, arrogant as tigers and wolves; when they left, the gift chests were scattered all over the ground, scrambling about like stray dogs.

The Loose Cultivators watched those wretchedly fleeing figures. Some couldn't help scoffing aloud, some spat on the ground, and more just watched coldly, as if watching a terrible play that had finally come to an end.

Betraying the Spirit Sword Sect, being cast aside like worn-out shoes by the Baihua Sect, and colluding with evil Cultivators.

The Ning Family was finished.

Wang Yaozu watched this scene, deciding in his heart that the discipline of the Wang Family Disciples also needed to be taken seriously.