The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace-Chapter 116 Youthful Spirit

"Clan Leader Lu, you must be mistaken. I, Li Qing, am here purely as an individual to congratulate Senior Wang, not as a representative of the court," Li Qing said calmly, taking another sip of the Red Mulberry Spiritual Wine, savoring the way it nourished his body.

"So, the court doesn’t intend to intervene in the conflict between the Three Great Families and the Wang family?" Lu Zhengqiang asked, casting a sidelong glance at Li Qing.

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"The court’s stance isn’t something a mere court enforcer like me would know," Li Qing replied with a faint smile, his response deliberately ambiguous.

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In truth, the Emperor had explicitly instructed Li Qing to attend this banquet in a personal capacity, ensuring the court remained neutral. The imperial court had no intention of getting entangled in the rivalry between the Three Great Families and the Seven Clans. They would wait for the banquet’s outcome before deciding whom to support.

"If the Emperor is unwilling to make a decision, then we, the Three Great Families, will make it ourselves," Lu Zhengqiang declared arrogantly. "The Yulin Wang family has no chance of becoming Yue Country’s fourth major family!"

Lu Zhengqiang knew exactly what the Emperor intended—avoid direct involvement and let the two sides settle it themselves. With that understanding, the Three Great Families would take the lead and impose their will.

Who could defy their combined strength?

"Clan Leader Lu, you’re quite bold. What now? Does Yue Country belong solely to the Chuan Yin Lu family?" Wang Lijiao sneered, his tone sharp and defiant as he stared directly at Lu Zhengqiang without a hint of fear.

Here was a display of youthful fervor, unafraid to challenge authority.

"Impudent child, how dare you speak here?" Lu Zhengqiang roared, unleashing a wave of pressure toward Wang Lijiao.

The overwhelming force weighed down on Wang Lijiao, causing him to stagger momentarily but failing to subdue him. Representing the Yulin Wang family, he stood tall, unwilling to bow before the Chuan Yin Lu clan.

"No wonder you’re so arrogant—you do have some skill," Lu Zhengqiang said coldly, narrowing his eyes. "But if you think that’s enough to stand against me, you’re sorely mistaken."

Just as Lu Zhengqiang prepared to amplify his oppressive force, Wang Qingshan, seated at the head of the banquet, waved his sleeve lightly. The pressure dissipated instantly, leaving Lu Zhengqiang momentarily stunned.

The power of a Foundation Establishment cultivator was undeniable, and Lu Zhengqiang felt a chill run down his spine.

"Clan Leader Lu, don’t you think it’s unbecoming to quarrel with a junior?" Wang Qingshan said impassively, taking another sip of his wine.

"He spoke out of turn. As a senior, am I not entitled to discipline him?" Lu Zhengqiang retorted coldly. His words carried a clear message: the Wang family was beneath the Three Great Families, and he had every right to "discipline" their juniors.

"Overstepping your bounds, are you?" Wang Qingshan’s gaze locked onto Lu Zheng Qiang, sharp as a blade.

Lu Zhengqiang’s heart skipped a beat, his hairs standing on end as if his very soul had been shaken.

"Senior Wang, please don’t be upset. Brother Lu was indeed too impulsive," Lin Yiran interjected, rising from her seat and bowing slightly.

Wang Qingshan withdrew his gaze, sparing Lu Zhengqiang further humiliation. "This is the Wang family’s territory and my banquet. Let that be clear."

The warning was unmistakable. Wang Qingshan was asserting his authority, making it known that any disrespect on his ground would not be tolerated. Should Lu Zhengqiang step out of line again, he would face severe consequences.

"Senior Wang, you are absolutely right," Lin Yiran said with a conciliatory smile. "We, the Three Great Families, are not here to cause trouble but to celebrate your achievement in reaching Foundation Establishment."

Wang Qingshan gave no reply, merely sipping his wine, clearly unconvinced by Lin Yiran’s words.

After a moment of contemplation, Wang Qingshan spoke. "Whether or not the Yulin Wang family becomes Yue Country’s fourth major family is for the court to decide. Surely it’s not up to the Three Great Families, is it?"

"Of course, the Emperor is the ruler of Yue Country, and the royal court has the final say in such matters. According to the rules, we of the Three Great Families have no authority to make that decision," Lin Yiran replied smoothly.

"However..."

"However, what?"

"Senior Wang, if the Wang family wishes to ascend to such a position, you’ll need to prove it through strength," Lin Yiran said, bowing slightly.

"Oh? Are you suggesting you want to test me personally?" Wang Qingshan asked, his tone calm but carrying a subtle edge.

"Not at all! This junior wouldn’t dare challenge Senior Wang, knowing full well I’m no match," Lin Yiran replied humbly, with a smile that carried a subtle edge.

"However, the younger generation of my Three Great Families has some reservations about the Yulin Wang family. They believe your clan’s younger generation lacks the ability to bear the weight of becoming Yue Country’s fourth major family.

"If, one day, Senior Wang is no longer with us and there is no one among your disciples to shoulder the family’s responsibilities, wouldn’t the title of Yue Country’s fourth family ring hollow?

"Such a situation would invite mockery, wouldn’t it, Senior Wang?" Lin Yiran added with a smile, as if his words were purely out of concern.

"So, if my Yulin Wang family’s younger generation proves themselves, will the Three Great Families then acknowledge us as the fourth major family?" Wang Qingshan’s sharp gaze turned to Lin Yiran.

"Of course," Lin Yiran replied with confidence.

"Today, with representatives from all the prominent cultivation families of Yue Country present, it’s an excellent opportunity to showcase your younger generation’s abilities.

"If your disciples can impress everyone here, not only will it convince my Three Great Families, but it will also win the approval of the gathered families," Lin Yiran continued, his tone even.

"Since you’ve made such a request, I will agree," Wang Qingshan said calmly, with a faint smile.

"If my disciples fail to show exceptional skill today, my Yulin Wang family will naturally forgo the opportunity to ascend to Yue Country’s fourth family.

"But if they do..." Wang Qingshan trailed off, letting the weight of his words hang in the air.

"Rest assured, Senior Wang," Lin Yiran replied, bowing slightly. "If your disciples can prove their capabilities, the Three Great Families will acknowledge your clan’s strength.

"In addition, we will relinquish all claims to the Yulin Lake cultivation market and withdraw our people from the territories under your control."

This proposition had been agreed upon by Lin Yiran, Ye Wuwei, and Lu Zhengqiang on their way to the banquet. Neither of the other two clan leaders objected to Lin Yiran’s statement.

"Good. Let’s hear how you intend to conduct this competition," Wang Qingshan said, his expression softening.

"Your clan may field three disciples, while each of the Three Great Families will send one disciple.

"It will be a one-on-one duel, with three rounds.

"If even one of your disciples can best any of ours, we will concede the competition and recognize your clan’s ability to rise as Yue Country’s fourth major family," Lin Yiran explained, a faint smile playing on his lips.

The hall buzzed with whispers as representatives of the various cultivation families exchanged glances.

"The Three Great Families are confident indeed," one whispered.

"Of course. Their disciples are no doubt exceptionally strong. For the Yulin Wang family to compete against them is a daunting challenge," another added.

"True. The Wang family may be the strongest of the Seven Clans, and Wang Qingshan’s Foundation Establishment is impressive, but in terms of heritage, they still lag behind the Three Great Families. It’s no wonder the Three Great Families are so confident," someone else remarked.

"Clan Leader Lin, you are truly bold," Wang Qingshan said with a faint smile, though his eyes gleamed with a cold light.

It was clear Lin Yiran’s words were deliberately dismissive of the Wang family’s younger generation.

But Wang Qingshan didn’t seem overly concerned. If anything, his demeanor suggested he was more than ready to teach Lin Yiran a lesson for underestimating his disciples.

"Senior Wang, you flatter me," Lin Yiran replied, bowing politely before sitting down.

From Lin Yiran’s side, a tall and broad-shouldered Lin family disciple stepped forward. His long sword rested in his arms, and his sharp eyes scanned the Wang family disciples, a mocking smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.

"Anyone among you can step up. If you can block even a single strike from me, Lin Tiansheng, I’ll admit defeat," he declared arrogantly.

The hall fell silent. Lin Tiansheng’s audacity and confidence left many speechless.

Among the Wang family disciples, Wang Lijiao and Wang Lijuan exchanged dark looks, their expressions tense.

"Too arrogant!" Wang Lijiao growled, stepping forward.

"Don’t be reckless!" Wang Lijuan quickly grabbed his arm.

"I know," Wang Lijiao replied, taking a deep breath. Then, with his spiritual sword strapped to his back, he strode into the arena to face Lin Tiansheng.

Clang!

With a slight upward flick of his fingers, Wang Lijiao’s spiritual sword unsheathed itself, gleaming brightly as it fell neatly into his hand.

Leveling the blade toward Lin Tiansheng, Wang Lijiao said coldly, "Wang Lijiao of the Yulin Wang family. Let me see if your swordsmanship lives up to your arrogance."