Serpent Ancestor

Li Si, also a scholar, would never lightly invoke the words of the sages. But once he did, his words carried the weight of law.

Xu Qingfeng remained silent, directly summoning the Mountain and River Diagram.

Li Si’s eyes flickered as he took out a projection jade slip. With a tap of his hand, the contents were displayed, revealing scenes in the sky filled with countless figures.

These were the Confucian cultivators who had been imprisoned.

Xu Qingfeng glanced at it and immediately recognized many of his disciples, fellow brothers, and uncles. Over a hundred people, all shackled and confined in a courtyard.

In addition, there were piles of scrolls and books, towering like mountains, the painstaking efforts of Confucian disciples over millennia, the carriers of culture.

In the center of the courtyard was a massive pit, surrounded by stacks of firewood.

”What do you mean by this?”

Xu Qingfeng squinted his eyes, a hint of madness flickering.

”Xu Qingfeng, the fate of Confucianism lies in your decision!”Li Si spoke unhurriedly, ”As the Chancellor of the Qin Kingdom, with just one word of advice, I can have the Qin King burn these students and those precious books to ashes.”

”You should know what these people and these books represent.”

—Xu Qingfeng was well aware, more than anyone else!

If the people live, the books live, and the inheritance continues; if the people perish, the books are destroyed, and the inheritance is severed.

The implication was clear: if he did not hand over Mo Wuyou’s inheritance, Confucianism and its millennia-old cultural legacy would be destroyed.

”Boss, don’t believe his nonsense!”

Zhang Tie quickly interjected. Although he trusted Xu Qingfeng’s judgment, he couldn’t help but speak up in such a matter.

Xu Qingfeng’s gaze was fixed on Li Si, gritting his teeth, he spoke in a low voice, ”You are a scholar too!”

Li Si laughed, ”You’re right, burning books is something barbarians do. Since we are both scholars, how about a debate?”

”According to the rules of the City Lord of Wuyou, a duel doesn’t have to be about fighting! Alchemists can compete in pill refining, artifact refiners in sword forging, and you and I, in a debate!”

”If I lose, not only will I let you go, but I’ll also release all the Confucian cultivators, including those scrolls and books.”

”If you lose, hand over the City Lord of Wuyou’s inheritance!”

”I swear by my Dao heart, this is no lie. What do you say?”

Li Si’s words were a deadly move.

It was a carefully laid plan, thoroughly understanding a person’s psychology, making it impossible to refuse. Li Si’s confidence earlier was not without reason.

”What do you want to debate?” Xu Qingfeng asked.

”At the beginning of man, nature is inherently evil!”

Li Si pointed to the statue of the sage in the academy, the first words under the statue were these six characters.

Except he had changed the last character to ”evil.”

At this moment, the eyes of the sage statue came to life again. It looked at the two and said in a loud voice, ”If you agree, I can act as a witness!”

This sage was one of Mo Wuyou’s five elemental incarnations, truly capable of making words come true.

Li Si strictly adhered to the rules of Wuyou City, triggering an additional duel, seeking fortune through genuine skill.

Xu Qingfeng stood still, nodding heavily, ”Alright!”

When Xu Hei arrived, he happened to witness the entire scene.

”Sigh, can’t help at all, absolutely can’t help.” Hei Huang scratched his head, sighing.

They were good at fighting and scheming, but in this situation, they couldn’t intervene at all.

Li Si’s move was a retreat to advance, seemingly making concessions, but actually forcing Xu Qingfeng to comply.

”Underestimated this strategist, he really has some tricks up his sleeve. Even someone as clever as Xu Qingfeng fell for it,” Hei Huang sighed.

”What if he doesn’t agree?” Xu Hei asked.

”If he doesn’t agree, the thought that Confucianism perished because of him will linger in his heart. Even a trace of this thought is fatal for a Confucian cultivator! Not to mention being unable to break through for a lifetime, it might even cause a regression in cultivation. Li Si’s move is ruthless!” Hei Huang explained.

Moreover, even if he didn’t agree, he might not be able to break through the encirclement of Wuyou City, leaving him with no choice!

Xu Hei, who hadn’t studied, didn’t understand at all. His gaze swept over Li Si’s army, secretly estimating the combat power of both sides.

Hei Huang closed his eyes, observed for a long time, then suddenly opened his dog eyes, a sharp light flashing through them.

”I see! The Chu Tian Alliance is also stalling for time, they’re secretly setting up a formation!” Hei Huang exclaimed in surprise.

”What formation?”

”They’re opening a path to the land of fire, but at their speed, it will take a long time. I’ll lend them a hand!”

Hei Huang immediately disappeared, burrowing underground, heading towards the academy.

…………

Wuyou City, clinic.

Led by Bai Qiushui, the Bai Family forces were also surrounded by the Qin army upon their return, receiving the same treatment as the others.

”What are you doing?”

The Grand Elder of the Bai Family immediately stepped forward, pointing at the Qin army and angrily rebuking, ”Our Bai Family Ancestor is your superior, are you rebelling?”

To everyone’s speechlessness, many of the Qin soldiers were from the Bai Family themselves. Fighting against themselves? What a joke!

Not long after, Bai Luo emerged from the crowd.

He stepped forward, hands behind his back, looking at Bai Qiushui with calm eyes, and said indifferently, ”Uncle Qiushui, orders from above state that any inheritance from Mo Wuyou must not remain, it must disappear from the world forever. You’re no exception, hand it over!”

This time, he unprecedentedly used a respectful address.

The Bai Family, as a prominent family in the Qin Kingdom, a military family, always obeyed orders from above.

The Grand Elder hesitated, looking at Bai Qiushui, his eyes showing struggle. This was a great opportunity for the Bai Family, how could they give it up? As for making it disappear from the world, who would believe such nonsense?

Who could guarantee that besides insights, there were no other treasures in the inheritance?

Mo Wuyou’s magical treasures and lifetime collection were still unknown.

”Qiushui, it’s your choice.”

A voice came from the shadows, the voice of the Bai Family head. Although he wasn’t present, he had been observing with his divine sense.

Bai Qiushui remained silent for a long time, taking a deep breath, stepping out from the crowd, standing face to face with Bai Luo.

Bai Qiushui stood tall, his eyes showing a proud demeanor.

In stark contrast to Bai Luo’s seemingly gentle yet arrogant demeanor, this was blatant arrogance.

”What do you mean by that look?” Bai Luo’s eyes narrowed.

”Bai Luo!” Bai Qiushui stared at him, speaking slowly, ”Do you really think I’m not your match?”

Bai Luo was inwardly furious, but his upbringing allowed him to maintain his composure, smiling calmly, ”Uncle Qiushui, I’ve never thought that way. We are both Chosen of the Bai Family, there’s no distinction between us.”

Bai Qiushui merely shook his head, ”I know, the Heavenly Puppet Sect took all the inheritances for you alone. They want you to take everything, to grow into the next Mo Wuyou!”

”Am I right?”

These words stirred a great storm in Bai Luo’s heart, a look of shock flashing in his eyes, but he forcibly suppressed it, coldly saying, ”What do you mean?”

”My meaning is simple.”

Bai Qiushui stepped forward again, eyes filled with overwhelming battle intent.

”You and I, a fight to the death! If you win, I, Bai Qiushui, will hand over the inheritance! If you lose, you will be expelled from the Bai Family!”