"Nonsense, Lin Chen, just because you have shown a strong cultivation talent doesn’t mean you can spout lies and slander here—none of what you’re claiming did Qingxue ever do."
"You trash, it’s clear you’re just unsatisfied because Qingxue left you, so you’re framing and falsely accusing her here in retaliation."
"Lin Chen, you petty man, too despicable, trying to confuse everyone and garner sympathy with your wild fabrications."
Just as Lin Chen was questioning Mu Qingxue, Li Chu chose that moment to stand up.
The remarks of the people around them were now completely biased in favor of Lin Chen’s side, and Mu Qingxue was contemplating reconciliation with Lin Chen.
If Mu Qingxue let something slip in a moment of carelessness and revealed the whole affair, all the Li Family’s scheming would be in vain.
Therefore, Li Chu had to seize the initiative and press Mu Qingxue, preventing her from revealing the true story and keeping her from reconsidering Lin Chen.
"Who do you think you are, worthy of interrupting with your opinions?"
"Mu Qingxue, such a vile creature, keeps calling others trash—were you referring to yourself?"
"Three years ago, you wouldn’t dare let out a peep in front of me, it was witnessing my strength that frightened you, filled you with jealousy and envy, which is why you appeared suddenly when I was opening Qingxue’s meridians and had exhausted all my spiritual power, to strike against me. As for who is the petty one, I certainly can’t compare to you."
"Moreover, your cultivation technique does not seem to be of the Li Family, but an evil technique. The Yin energy from the Myriad Demon Cavern could only corrode my meridians; I am of the Extreme Yang Body, and mere Yin energy cannot sever my meridians, let alone completely strip me of my cultivation. It was you, Li Chu, who interfered with my body while I was unconscious."
Lin Chen’s eyes revealed a chill as he looked at Li Chu, even with a hint of murderous intent.
"What! Young Master Lin Chen was framed by Li Chu? Lin Chen said that Li Chu’s cultivation isn’t from his own family, that it can cripple meridians and absorb others’ cultivation strength! No wonder Li Chu’s cultivation grew so rapidly a month ago."
"Could it be that he cultivated an evil path technique, as only with evil path techniques can one absorb another’s cultivation strength?"
"Evil path techniques are openly banned in the Great Flame Dynasty and are not tolerated by the orthodox path. Only the evil sects have such techniques passed down; has Li Chu joined some depraved demonic path sect!?"
The crowd, just by hearing Lin Chen’s words, all turned their eyes onto Li Chu, suspecting him endlessly.
Listening to the crowd’s discussion, Li Chu’s face twisted with panic as he stumbled a few steps back.
Although the crowd’s speculations were just conjectures, they were incredibly close to the mark. How could someone have known about the Li Family’s plan?
How exactly did Lin Chen know?
Both Li Chu and the distant Patriarch of the Li Family, Li Dashan, immediately turned icy, their eyes filled with murderous intent.
"Stop talking nonsense; it’s nothing but sheer nonsense. Without evidence, how can you wildly frame me?" Get full chapters from NoveI(F)ire.net
In that moment, Li Chu’s face turned red as he roared loudly at Lin Chen, the reaction extremely intense.
If he had stayed calm it might have been better, but his present demeanor was precisely as Lin Chen had described, furious because he had been hit where it hurt.
"If I’m wrong, you could have simply said so outright, there’s no need for such an overreaction."
Lin Chen spoke in a lowered tone, deliberately softening his voice to create an atmosphere for wild speculation.
It must be said, Lin Chen’s approach was quite effective.
In that moment, the eyes of everyone around were fixed on Li Chu, their brows frowning.
Lin Chen’s words, coupled with Li Chu’s reaction, made them believe that it was almost certain Li Chu cultivated Demonic Cultivation Techniques.
The reason why the surrounding people reacted so strongly was not entirely because they wanted to ingratiate themselves with Lin Chen, who possessed an extraordinary talent, but because those who practiced the Demonic Path were bloodthirsty and evil by nature, which was something the people of the Orthodox Path deeply loathed.
"Babbling brat, stop spreading your bewitching lies. My son is upright and his conduct is there for all of Desolate Sky City to witness. Don’t think that just because your talent is decent you can slander others with impunity. Believe it or not, I can slap you to death with a single palm," a voice thundered from behind Lin Chen.
Suddenly, a furious reprimand sounded behind Lin Chen, followed by Li Dashan’s arrival next to Li Chu. His gaze filled with threat as he looked at Lin Chen.
At the same time, a powerful aura burst forth from Li Dashan, one that Lin Chen, a mere Body Tempering Realm martial artist, could not contend with.
If Lin Chen continued to speak, Li Dashan probably wouldn’t hesitate to take action and send Lin Chen to hell.
The expressions of the nearby crowd became complex at this moment, as they looked at Li Dashan with meaningful glances.
Lin Chen and Li Chu’s argument was just a dispute between the younger generation. Why would Liu Dashan need to intervene?
The reason for Li Dashan’s intervention could only be one—that what Lin Chen said was probably true, and Li Dashan wanted to control public opinion.
Seeing Li Dashan stepping in, the Great Elder of the Lin Family and Lin Xiao did not show any signs of weakness and directly moved in front of Lin Chen, also releasing their auras.
Although the Patriarch of the Lin Family, Lin Hao, was not present, Lin Xiao and the others together might not necessarily be weaker than Li Dashan.
Seeing the two great families appearing on the verge of conflict, the surrounding people hastily stepped back.
The grudge between the Lin Family and the Li Family did not start in recent times but was a generational feud over territory and assets. Friction often arose between the two sides on various occasions. Today, however, it might escalate to a battle between the high-ranking members of the families.
This battle could have a significant impact on the battle of influence within Desolate Sky City and potentially reshuffle the power structures.
Many people were inwardly excited; other major families watched with the thought that out of chaos comes heroes. The fiercer the battle between the two families, the more likely they would benefit.
"Hmph, Lin Chen is now a disciple of the Jade Cauldron Sect. I would like to see who dares to act violently and lay hands on my Jade Cauldron Sect disciple today," Ning Shangfeng snorted coldly as he released an aura even stronger than the others, erupting from his body.
"Hmph, don’t think that just because you’re a disciple of the Jade Cauldron Sect, you can do whatever you want and spout nonsense," Li Dashan retorted.
"If you continue to delude the crowd with your fallacious remarks, even if you’re a disciple of the Jade Cauldron Sect, I will still cut you down without hesitation."
Facing Ning Shangfeng’s protection, Li Dashan seemed completely undeterred.
Lin Chen’s previous accusation, if proven, meant that the Li Family would not only lose their footing in Desolate Sky City but could also become the target of public condemnation, with everyone entitled to punish them.
"Has Li Dashan gone mad, to actually confront an elder of the Jade Cauldron Sect? That’s the Jade Cauldron Sect, a Profound Level Sect of the Great Flame Dynasty!" the crowd exclaimed with mouths agape, retreating even further in shock.
In the Mysterious Heaven Continent, the strength of sects is classified into four levels: Heaven, Earth, Xuan (Profound), and Huang (Yellow). Profound Level Sects generally oversee dozens of Yellow Grade subordinate sects, which attests to their exceptional status.
And yet, there stood the Li Family, a mere regional power from the remote area of Desolate Sky City, daring to confront Ning Shangfeng. Had they grown tired of living?
Seeing Li Dashan fearless in the face of Ning Shangfeng’s oppressive aura, a cold smile played at the corner of Lin Chen’s mouth.
He thought to himself that it seemed he had guessed correctly—the Li Family was indeed not as simple as they appeared on the surface.