215: Fifth Incarnation: Heavenly Physician (Part 7)

Xu Yuan raised his eyes and looked calmly at the smug Mu Feng in the arena. His gaze was as deep as an ancient well, devoid of joy or sorrow, yet it caused Mu Feng to feel an inexplicable surge of palpitations.

"Brother Mu Feng," Xu Yuan spoke, his voice calm yet carrying an unquestionable authority. "Today is the Old Ancestor's birthday, a day of great joy."

"Martial Demonstrations to liven up the mood are a fine way to showcase the vigor of our generation of Cultivators."

"However..."

Xu Yuan paused slightly, his gaze sweeping across the hall before settling on Mu Feng's face. His tone remained indifferent, but every word was like a blade:

"Forcing a challenge upon a clan sister whose cultivation is damaged and who is recuperating, using it to grandstand and trample upon the dignity of a fellow Disciple... such an act has no vigor to speak of. Instead, it seems... small-minded, and only invites ridicule."

"Sister Qingying is my, Su Yuan's, betrothed Dao Companion. I can also be considered half a member of the Mu Family. Since Brother Mu Feng wishes to offer guidance, why don't I offer you some guidance instead?"

Silence!

A deathly silence!

Xu Yuan's words were like a sudden clap of thunder exploding in the main hall!

Not only did he directly expose the despicableness of Mu Feng's behavior and denounce him as "small-minded," but he also publicly and unequivocally reaffirmed his engagement to Mu Qingying, and countered by proposing to personally "guide" Mu Feng!

The smugness on Mu Feng's face instantly froze, turning the color of pig liver. He opened his mouth and pointed at Xu Yuan, trembling with rage, yet unable to utter a single word. Fine beads of cold sweat even began to seep from his forehead!

Guidance?

How would he dare!

Mu Feng was merely at the Late Qi Condensation Stage. Relying on his Family's inheritance of Cultivation Techniques and resources, he could show off among his peers. But who was the Xu Yuan standing opposite him?

A peerless Prodigy who achieved Foundation Establishment at age twelve, forged a Perfect Dao Foundation, and became a Disciple of a Fruit Position True Person!

His strength had long since far surpassed an ordinary Early Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator, and he could even compete with those at the Mid-Foundation Establishment Stage!

For him to go up and "ask for advice"? That wouldn't be asking for advice; it would be seeking humiliation!

He feared he wouldn't even be able to withstand a single move before suffering a crushing defeat on the spot. At that time, the loss of face would be even greater than it was now!

He had no doubt that Xu Yuan definitely had the strength and the audacity to make him suffer immensely under the guise of "guidance"!

Mu Feng was truly caught in a dilemma now. Agree?

That would be seeking his own death.

Refuse?

His earlier arrogance would be instantly slapped down, and his reputation would be dragged through the mud!

He could only freeze in place, his face turning various shades of blue and white. His gaze instinctively darted toward his grandfather in the guest seats—Grand Elder Mu Yunshan—seeking help.

At this moment, Grand Elder Mu Yunshan, who was seated at the head of the guest section, had a completely dark expression. He was both shocked and furious, but even more so, he was filled with the regret of a miscalculation!

His original scheme was built upon the judgment that "Xu Yuan must have come to break off the engagement"!

In his view, Xu Yuan was a heaven-sent talent favored by a Fruit Position True Person. Why would he be willing to marry a useless person whose cultivation was completely lost?

Today's Birthday Banquet was the perfect time for him to propose breaking the engagement.

Therefore, he had secretly condoned or even instructed his grandson Mu Feng to cause trouble. The goal was to publicly embarrass Mu Tianzheng and his daughter, striking at the Family Head's prestige. If they could use the momentum to create a rift in the engagement or even dissolve it, that would be an unexpected boon—a Mu Tianzheng who lost the support of the Su Family would be a much smaller threat to him.

But despite all his calculations, he never expected that Xu Yuan would not play by the rules. Instead, he protected Mu Qingying so forcefully, even going as far as stepping onto the field himself to suppress others with his status!

This completely disrupted his entire layout!

"This kid... is actually protecting that girl so much? Does he really not care that Mu Qingying has become a useless person? Or... does he have other motives?"

Mu Yunshan's thoughts raced, but he couldn't grasp Xu Yuan's true intentions.

Regardless, the plan had already failed. Letting Mu Feng continue the standoff would only bring more shame to the Grand Elder's faction.

"Feng'er! Stop this nonsense!"

Mu Yunshan was forced to speak, his voice carrying a hint of suppressed anger.

"Young Lord Su is a distinguished guest and a Disciple of a Fruit Position True Person. Is his strength something you can fathom? Quickly apologize to Young Lord Su and step down!"

These words seemed like a scolding of Mu Feng, but in reality, they highlighted Su Yuan's transcendent status. It implied that Mu Feng being no match for him was only natural, attempting to salvage some face.

Mu Feng felt as if he had been granted a great reprieve. He quickly took the opportunity to back down, haphazardly cupping his hands toward Su Yuan. With a flushed face, he stammered, "Yes... it was my recklessness. Young... Young Lord Su, please forgive me!"

After saying that, Mu Feng practically fled the arena in a panic, drawing low snickers from some of the younger Disciples.

After this scene, the prestige Mu Feng had accumulated from his previous consecutive victories vanished instantly; instead, he became a laughingstock.

Mu Yunshan took a deep breath, barely suppressing the fury in his heart. He forced a smile at Su Yuan. "Young Lord Su, my grandson was impolite and offended you. I hope you can be magnanimous."

Xu Yuan gave Mu Yunshan a flat glance. He didn't press the matter further, simply waving his hand dismissively. "The Grand Elder overstates it. Young people are full of vigor; it's understandable."

"However, as fellow Mu Family Disciples, I hope the Grand Elder will exercise more discipline in the future, so as not to lose the Family harmony."

Xu Yuan's tone was indifferent, but it carried a faint sense of warning.

This caused Mu Yunshan's face to freeze again, but he could only force a smile and agree. "Yes, Young Lord Su is right."

A storm was thus suppressed by Xu Yuan with thunderous methods, handled with nonchalant ease.

High upon the seat, Mu Tianzheng's tense heartstrings suddenly relaxed, and he let out a long sigh of relief.

As the Mu Family Head and a Mid-Golden Core Stage Immortal Master, if he had personally stepped forward to scold Mu Feng, he could have resolved the situation, but it would inevitably seem like he was using his power to suppress a Junior. This would leave him open to criticism and might not have been as effective.

But Xu Yuan stepping forward was just right!

Firstly, Xu Yuan was Mu Qingying's legitimate fiancé. Protecting his future Dao Companion was perfectly natural and justified; no one could find fault with it.

Secondly, Xu Yuan's own strength and background were solid enough. As a Foundation Establishment Cultivator and a Disciple of a Fruit Position True Person, he forced Mu Feng to retreat in disgrace with just a few casual words. This was a crushing display of strength and status, leaving Mu Feng and even the Grand Elder's faction behind him without the courage to argue.

Finally, Xu Yuan's words were entirely reasonable. He exposed Mu Feng's small-mindedness and upheld the greater cause of "Family harmony." His stance was noble and his methods firm, making him beyond reproach.

"With Yuan'er stepping forward, the effect is ten times better than if I had done it myself!" Mu Tianzheng praised inwardly. "This boy not only possesses peerless talent, but his handling of affairs and grasp of timing also far exceed those of his peers. Even many old fellows might not be able to match him! If Qingying can have such a fine match, it is truly a great blessing!"

After this incident, Mu Tianzheng's estimation of Xu Yuan reached a brand new height.

In the guest seats, the representatives of various forces also had different thoughts.

Previously, some had secretly speculated that Xu Yuan would take the opportunity to break off the engagement, but now they completely dismissed that notion.

Xu Yuan protected Mu Qingying so forcefully, even going so far as to publicly oppose the Mu Family's Grand Elder's faction. His attitude was already crystal clear!

This engagement would not only remain intact, but it had become even more secure because of Xu Yuan's declaration!