In fact, Moyi Qing was well aware of the Moyi Heavenly Clan’s stance toward the Chu Heavenly Clan.
It wasn’t just Chu Feng’s talent that the clan valued; their true aim was to curry favour with Chu Xuanyuan.
This was because a rumour had recently surfaced that Chu Xuanyuan’s cultivation hadn’t regressed but had instead grown even more formidable, and it was likely he had returned to the Ancestral Martial Starfield.
Under these circumstances, Moyi Qing himself felt that he shouldn’t oppose the Chu Heavenly Clan.
But faced with temptation, he had lost his composure. Now, though he had abandoned the idea of seizing the golden fruit, he was deeply unwilling to lose face in public.
Pointing at the Li Heavenly Clan Leader, he roared, “You keep talking about upholding the rules, but aren’t you just bullying the weak while fearing the strong? Otherwise, when that brat from Divine Body Royal City was snatching fruits from others, why didn’t you stop him?”
“It’s simple. He was taking from people like you and me—guests who came here.”
“But you tried to take something that belongs to the Chu Heavenly Clan.”
“This is the Great Thousand Upper Realm, and the Chu Heavenly Clan is its master.”
“The Chu Heavenly Clan has been generous enough to allow us outsiders to enter this place, giving us ample respect. How dare you try to steal what belongs to them?” said the Li Heavenly Clan Leader.
Clap—
Clap—
Clap—
Suddenly, a round of applause rang out, accompanied by a loud voice.
“Well said.”
Looking toward the source, the speaker was a figure clad in a black robe.
The black robe was tightly wrapped, concealing their face and identity. Even their aura was completely hidden.
“Who are you?” asked the Li Heavenly Clan Leader.
“Who I am isn’t important, but I must speak out against the injustice faced by Elder Moyi.”
“Your earlier words were so righteous, as if you were some envoy of justice. But as far as I know, your Li Heavenly Clan isn’t exactly virtuous. When the Upper Realm Gate opened, didn’t you try to dominate the Great Thousand Upper Realm?”
“Now you stand here, preaching righteousness. Don’t you feel ashamed?”
The black-robed figure’s words were laced with biting sarcasm.
“Well said! None of you are saints, yet you act so high and mighty here,” Moyi Qing said, clapping and looking relieved.
“You…” The Li Heavenly Clan Leader was furious but couldn’t retort. After all, it was true that the Li Heavenly Clan had targeted the Chu Heavenly Clan. In particular, Li Taiyi had once directly attacked the Chu Heavenly Clan Leader, a fact witnessed by many.
That incident was undeniably the Li Heavenly Clan’s fault, leaving him with no grounds to argue.
“As for the Chu Clan Leader, I have a few words for you as well,” the black-robed figure said, turning their gaze toward the Chu Heavenly Clan Leader.
“Brother, speak freely,” the Chu Heavenly Clan Leader replied, clasping his fists with utmost courtesy.
But the black-robed figure showed no appreciation, instead speaking in a deeply mocking tone.
“So many people have come to your Great Thousand Upper Realm, forming ties with your Chu Heavenly Clan. Do you really think they respect your clan?”
“They’re only interested in the strength of Chu Xuanyuan and his son, Chu Feng. As for the rest of you, you’re nothing but trash in their eyes.”
“Know your place.”
“As for that golden fruit, it should go to the most capable. Ask yourself honestly—do you truly deserve it?”
The black-robed figure’s words prompted members of various forces to turn their gazes toward the Chu Heavenly Clan Leader. Though they said nothing, their looks conveyed agreement with the black-robed figure’s statement.
In their view, if the golden fruit was meant for the most capable, the Chu Heavenly Clan Leader was indeed unworthy of it.
Yet, in response to the black-robed figure’s words and the crowd’s gazes, the Chu Heavenly Clan Leader showed no trace of displeasure. Instead, a faint smile appeared on his face.
“If it’s about the most capable, then in my opinion, among everyone present, I do indeed have the qualifications to claim this golden fruit,” said the Chu Heavenly Clan Leader.
His words caused a stir among the crowd, their gazes toward him filled with incredulity.
They hadn’t expected the Chu Heavenly Clan Leader to say such a thing.
Who gave him such confidence?
Did he really think his strength made him worthy of the golden fruit?
This was simply delusional.
“Hahaha…”
The black-robed figure burst into laughter.
“I never would’ve thought that at your age, you’d have such thick skin.”
The black-robed figure’s laughter was dripping with mockery.
“After all that talk, aren’t you just after the golden fruit yourself?”
“But with me, Li Dragon King, here, you’ll never succeed.”
As the Li Heavenly Clan Leader spoke, he advanced toward the black-robed figure with a menacing aura.
Thud—
Suddenly, the Li Heavenly Clan Leader fell to his knees.
It was oppressive might. Everyone present could feel a powerful wave of pressure sweeping out, forcing the Li Heavenly Clan Leader to kneel.
That pressure was that of a Ninth Rank Exalted.
And the one releasing it was none other than the mysterious black-robed figure.
“Exalted Pinnacle, Tantai Yinjian. I never thought you’d be so despicable,” the Li Heavenly Clan Leader said, glaring at the black-robed figure with fury.
He wasn’t alone in this thought. Many present immediately thought of Tantai Yinjian.
After all, among those who had come here, there were many experts, but the only one at the Exalted Pinnacle was Tantai Yinjian.
Now, this black-robed figure, refusing to reveal their identity, was clearly hiding their intentions—likely to seize the golden fruit.
But why hide their face if not to avoid exposure?
After much thought, Tantai Yinjian was the only person who came to mind.
“Tantai Yinjian? Don’t compare me to that sort,” the black-robed figure said, clearly displeased by the assumption.
“If you’re not Tantai Yinjian, then take off that black robe and show your true face,” said the Li Heavenly Clan Leader.
“Since you’re so eager to see, I’ll let you have a look.”
“But let me warn you—those who see my true face will die.”
Swish—
With a sudden flourish of their sleeve, the black-robed figure removed their robe.
“You!!!”
Upon seeing the black-robed figure’s true face, everyone’s expressions changed dramatically. Many faces were filled with terror.
