Chapter 762: State Lord Struggle

Yi Qiushui's voice, emanating from the city gate, reached the ears of the many factions in Xuanzhou City who were closely observing the situation, immediately causing a low murmur to rise.

No one had expected Yi Qiushui to be so resolute.

On the city wall, Qiu Long's eyes narrowed slightly, and he sneered, "Niece Qiushui certainly possesses remarkable spirit." He then looked at Yi Qianji, who was suspended in mid-air, and asked, "Is this the stance of your Yi family?"

Yi Qianji glanced at Yi Qiushui, pondering for a moment before responding, "Before the clan leader's departure, he declared that Qiushui would be our Yi family's new head and simultaneously the new Governor of Little Xuanzhou. Her words, therefore, naturally represent my Yi family."

Qiu Long scoffed, "Her becoming the Yi family head is your internal affair; I have no comment on that. However, whether she becomes the new Governor of Little Xuanzhou is not something that can be decided by a single declaration from the Yi family head before his death. According to regulations, the appointment of a new Governor requires review and approval from the Elder Council of Tianyuan Domain!"

Yi Qianji calmly stated, "The previous Governor had the authority to appoint an interim Governor." He was well aware of the Qiu family's ambitions; at its core, they coveted the position of Governor of Little Xuanzhou. However, the Yi family would never concede it, especially since they had paid a significant price to secure that position initially.

"As you know, that's merely an interim Governor, and it doesn't hold definitive power," Qiu Long said, waving his hand dismissively. "My Qiu family can dispute this and initiate a Governor's Contest."

"A Governor's Contest?" The spread of these four words undoubtedly caused a stir within Xuanzhou City. Initiating a Governor's Contest would mean the Qiu and Yi families had completely broken ties.

Yi Qianji's gaze also sharpened as he asked, "Is the Qiu family truly intent on this?"

Qiu Long's eyelids drooped slightly. "It's still the same demand," he said. "Hand over the beast who killed my son, and our two families can maintain our previous relationship."

Yi Qianji said nothing further, simply directing his gaze toward Yi Qiushui.

Yi Qiushui's fair and smooth oval face remained serene. Despite Qiu Long's relentless pressure, she showed no sign of yielding. She merely gave a slight nod and stated, "If the Qiu family insists, then my Yi family accepts this Governor's Contest."

Countless factions and powerful individuals observing the scene were visibly moved. No one had anticipated that Yi Qiushui would be willing to openly defy the Qiu family simply to protect an unknown young man.

A slight curve appeared at the corner of Qiu Long's mouth. "Niece Qiushui is indeed a dragon among people," he remarked.

At this point, Yi Qianji stated in a deep voice, "According to the rules, Qiushui is at the Divine Mansion realm. Therefore, this Governor's Contest should naturally also take place at that level."

Qiu Long smiled faintly. "Of course. This Governor's Contest is a matter for those at the Divine Mansion realm." Yi Qiushui is only at the Divine Mansion realm. If they were to send a Heavenly Sun realm expert, the Governor's Contest would become unfeasible. If the Yi family then also sent a Heavenly Sun realm expert, the situation would only spiral out of control.

He tilted his head slightly, observing a figure emerge from behind Qiu Long. Countless gazes converged upon a tall, well-built man whose eyebrows resembled sharp blades, and who exuded a chilling, palpable aura. Behind Yi Qiushui, the younger generation from various families, including Mu Chao, saw this individual and their expressions abruptly changed. Fear flickered in their eyes as they exclaimed, "Qiu Ling?! Isn't he cultivating at the Tianling Sect?"

Yi Qiushui's beautiful eyes immediately fixed upon the figure as it appeared, her delicate face tensing slightly. The man before them was Qiu Ling, the Qiu family's eldest son! Unlike his younger brother, Qiu Ling was no waste. He was a prodigy among the younger generation in Little Xuanzhou, later recognized and recruited by the Tianling Sect. In recent years, Qiu Ling had rarely returned to Little Xuanzhou, but his reputation had soared. Now, he was renowned not only within Little Xuanzhou but also among the younger generation in the Tianyuan Domain. Thus, when Qiu Ling made his appearance, not only did individuals like Mu Chao feel the pressure, but even Yi Qiushui herself felt it.

Under the scrutiny of countless eyes, Qiu Ling stood atop the city wall. He cast his gaze downward, smiled at Yi Qiushui, and said, "Qiushui, it has truly been a long time. I never imagined that when we met again, we would find ourselves as opponents." He spoke casually, not even sparing a glance for Zhou Yuan, who stood nearby.

Yi Qiushui's eyes remained wary, and she offered no reply.

Qiu Ling showed no concern. His voice was calm, betraying no emotion. "After all these years of acquaintance, my brother has died unjustly. For you to create such a commotion over an unrelated person, isn't that a bit too reckless?"

Yi Qiushui sneered, "I presume you are well aware of the reasons."

Qiu Ling shook his head and sighed, "Creating such a scene ultimately isn't good. It would be best for our two families to sit down and discuss this. I understand now, is that outsider causing you trouble? Your nature is simply too kind." He smiled and said, "If that's the case, then let me handle it. If he dies, you won't have to worry anymore, will you?"

The moment his final words faded, a formidable burst of primal qi erupted, and his figure vanished from the city wall like a phantom. In mid-air, Yi Qianji frowned, preparing to intervene. However, the three Heavenly Sun realm experts from the Qiu family immediately locked onto them. Qiu Long chuckled faintly, remarking, "Elder Qianji, you needn't interfere in matters concerning the younger generation, need you?" In the very instant they were being intercepted, Qiu Ling's figure had already appeared before Yi Qiushui and Zhou Yuan. Mu Chao and the others nearby quickly retreated, not daring to confront Qiu Ling.

A faint smile played on Qiu Ling's handsome face, yet his eyes were as cold and cruel as a lizard's in the dark. He stared at Zhou Yuan and spoke, "This is a matter between our two families. If you, a country bumpkin, were sensible, you would have taken your own life. Why do you insist on being an eyesore here? But I presume you lack such courage. In that case, allow me to send you on your way."

He clenched his fist, and primal qi erupted, manifesting three Divine Mansion halos behind him, each radiating eight colors! Late Divine Mansion Realm! What's more, he was a late Divine Mansion Realm practitioner who had opened eight Divine Mansions! No wonder he was so arrogant!

He unleashed a punch, and a torrent of violent primal qi roared forth, surging directly toward Zhou Yuan, brimming with murderous intent. The torrent of primal qi rapidly expanded in Zhou Yuan's eyes. However, just as he was about to act, Yi Qiushui's graceful figure appeared before him. Two eight-colored Divine Mansion halos materialized behind her, and primal qi coiled around her delicate hands as she met the incoming torrent head-on.

A primal qi shockwave erupted. The ground cracked. Yi Qiushui's delicate body trembled, and she stumbled backward. At the same moment, a hand reached out from behind her, pressed against her back, and steadied her.

"It seems, Qiushui, you don't wish for me to intervene and resolve this." Observing the scene, Qiu Ling smiled and shrugged. "Alright, alright," he said. "I hope he won't regret not having died swiftly right here." With that, he did not press the matter further, but slowly turned and walked away. His strike this time was primarily a show of deterrence, aimed at shattering the Yi family's confidence.

"Hey!" A voice called from behind him. Qiu Ling paused, turning his head slightly to look indifferently at Zhou Yuan, who stood behind Yi Qiushui. Zhou Yuan calmly stated, "If you prevent your Qiu family's Heavenly Sun realm experts from interfering, I believe I can beat you to death."

Qiu Ling smiled and shook his head, his expression betraying deep disdain. He was aware that even Xu Feng had suffered a setback at Zhou Yuan's hands, but what did that matter? If Xu Feng were to face him, he likely wouldn't even dare to make a move.

Qiu Ling's figure reappeared on the city wall before he swiftly moved into Xuanzhou City.

Qiu Long, the Qiu family head, cast a fleeting glance at Yi Qiushui and Zhou Yuan. "In seven days, the Governor's Contest will commence," he said. "We expect the Yi family to arrive as agreed." As he finished speaking, he and the other two Heavenly Sun realm experts from the Qiu family flew into Xuanzhou City.

With their departure, the tense atmosphere at the city gate immediately eased. However, countless factions and powerful individuals who had been observing knew that the Qiu and Yi families had truly come to a confrontation this time. The Governor's Contest in seven days would surely be a spectacle.