Chapter 776: Thigh

Chapter 772

Zhou Yuan’s expression remained unchanged when he heard Yi Qianji’s words. He only tightened his grip on Qiu Ling’s hand, while his Genesis Qi surged discreetly within him. If Yi Qianji showed any sign of backing down, he would immediately retreat with Qiu Ling as a hostage.

He couldn't be sure that the Yi family would truly be able to protect him under the pressure from the Heavenly Spirit Sect.

However, as Zhou Yuan's thoughts raced, a cold voice, also tinged with slight anger, rang out before Yi Qianji could speak: "Patriarch Qiu Long, the one who is mistaken is probably you!"

Zhou Yuan looked over and saw Yi Qiushui, her beautiful face sternly fixed on Qiu Long. She spoke without yielding: "The rules for the Prefecture Lord's competition were personally set by Grand Elder Cang Yuan back then. Your actions now are completely breaking those rules."

"Who gave you this courage? Is it Prefect Gu Yan?"

Qiu Long's expression shifted slightly. Denying Grand Elder Cang Yuan's rules was a charge he dared not admit, and even Prefect Gu Yan himself wouldn't dare openly defy it if he were here.

He hadn't expected that Yi Qiushui, despite appearing gentle and charming, could speak with such sharpness.

Qiu Long's eyes flickered, and he said in a deep voice, "Don't falsely accuse me. I haven't denied the rules of the Prefecture Lord's competition. It's just that this boy crippled Mo Yuan's arm, and I ultimately need him to explain himself to Prefect Gu Yan."

Yi Qiushui said coldly, "There's no need. If an explanation is required, you can seek out my grandfather."

"If my grandfather isn't sufficient, I can report this matter to Elder Xi Jing and ask her to make the final decision."

Qiu Long froze, his face turning ashen. He hadn't expected Yi Qiushui to be so unyielding, refusing to give even Prefect Gu Yan face for an unknown boy.

This kind of choice, made by any other shrewd patriarch, would probably not have been stated so explicitly.

After all, offending the Heavenly Spirit Sect in the Tianyuan Region was no simple matter, even with Yi Qiushui's grandfather holding a position in the Elder Council...

At this moment, the countless jeers within Xuanzhou City grew even louder. Many gazes directed at Qiu Long were filled with disdain; clearly, Qiu Long's actions today had caused the Qiu family to lose considerable prestige.

This could be described as losing both the battle and one's reputation.

Qiu Long's eyes flickered with uncertainty, and he had to swallow his burning anger. Finally, he gave Zhou Yuan a cold look and snapped, "Release Qiu Ling now!"

His eyes were full of unwillingness, for he knew that if the Yi family truly intended to fully protect Zhou Yuan, he truly couldn't do anything to the latter.

Yi Qiushui's bright eyes turned to Zhou Yuan, and she said softly, "Zhou Yuan, don't worry. If they don't know what's good for them, my Yi family won't let it go."

She knew Zhou Yuan's inner apprehension. After all, being in an unfamiliar place and having offended a family with several Heavenly Sun stage experts would naturally lead to a strong sense of insecurity.

Zhou Yuan glanced at Yi Qiushui, pondered for a moment, and then released Qiu Ling. Qiu Ling stared at him with a dark expression, looking as if he wanted to devour him whole.

Zhou Yuan ignored him, simply looking at Qiu Long and calmly smiling, "Patriarch Qiu Long, you certainly have a grand presence. If there's an opportunity in the future, I'll come to the Qiu family to seek guidance."

Given the current situation, a grudge with the Qiu family was inevitable. No matter how Zhou Yuan acted now, it wouldn't reconcile their relationship.

Of course, with Zhou Yuan's personality, he wouldn't seek reconciliation. Even if the Qiu family wanted to make peace, he would seize any future opportunity to settle today's score.

Therefore, he didn't mind speaking out now to make the Qiu family even more uncomfortable.

Qiu Long's eyes were sinister, and he sneered, "Sharp-tongued. Don't get too carried away. You crippled one of Mo Yuan's arms; his master won't let you off, and neither will the Heavenly Spirit Sect."

"Boy, you're still too green. You don't know the consequences of offending the Heavenly Spirit Sect in the Tianyuan Region."

"Therefore, I doubt you'll have any future opportunities."

Zhou Yuan shrugged, his expression indifferent. "Then you needn't trouble yourself, Patriarch Qiu."

However, he muttered to himself, thinking he should quickly curry favor with Senior Sister Xi Jing. After all, as a lone individual, he couldn't possibly face a colossal entity like the Heavenly Spirit Sect.

Qiu Long snorted coldly. The countless mocking gazes in Xuanzhou City now made it impossible for him to remain. With a wave of his hand, over a dozen figures swiftly moved towards where Mo Yuan was buried, dug him out, and quickly carried him away.

Qiu Long also led the Qiu family members away quickly, their retreating figures undeniably appearing somewhat dishevelled.

Inside Xuanzhou City, a burst of cheers erupted. Countless gazes, filled with fervor, turned towards Zhou Yuan. No matter where, strength was always the most respected quality.

Furthermore, Zhou Yuan, a mid-stage Divine Dwelling practitioner, had defeated a skilled opponent like Mo Yuan, who was on the Divine Dwelling Rankings.

It was conceivable that once this news spread, it would undoubtedly cause quite a stir, and Zhou Yuan would become famous in the Tianyuan Region...

Meanwhile, around the high platform, figures emerged from various pavilions and approached Yi Qianji and his group, offering congratulations with smiles.

These were the leaders of various factions within Lesser Xuanzhou. Previously, with the situation between the Yi and Qiu families unclear, they had observed from the sidelines. Now that the Yi family had won and would continue to govern Lesser Xuanzhou in the future, they naturally came to show their support.

Although Yi Qianji secretly disliked these opportunists, he did not show it.

Zhou Yuan's surging Genesis Qi gradually receded. At this moment, Yi Qiushui approached him, her beautiful eyes glancing at his bare torso, and she teased, "Nice physique."

Zhou Yuan gave a dry chuckle and quickly took out clothes to put on.

"Zhou Yuan, thank you." Yi Qiushui's beautiful eyes gazed at Zhou Yuan, and she said softly.

She knew that if Zhou Yuan hadn't turned the tide today, their Yi family would have been swept away by Mo Yuan in this Prefecture Lord's competition, ultimately surrendering the position of Prefecture Lord.

"I'm paid to solve problems for others," Zhou Yuan chuckled.

"How about it? Although I charge a high price, it was worth it, wasn't it?"

If they had heard this before today, the young men and women of the Yi family around them would probably have sneered long ago. But now, they all chuckled inwardly, and even Liu Ming pursed her lips.

Their gazes, directed at him, were filled with curiosity and a mix of admiration and awe.

Yi Qiushui smiled faintly, then said seriously, "It was worth it. A hundred portions of high-grade Divine Dwelling Elixir are not comparable to the position of Prefecture Lord of Lesser Xuanzhou."

Zhou Yuan said, "Then, would you consider hiring me long-term?"

"Huh?"

Yi Qiushui paused, then her beautiful eyes flickered with a hint of panic. What did Zhou Yuan mean by that? Although Yi Qiushui had never lacked admirers over the years, this was the first time anyone had spoken to her like this. Was this an implicit confession?

"As long as you provide enough Divine Dwelling Elixirs for my cultivation," Zhou Yuan quickly added. His current cultivation required a large amount of Divine Dwelling Elixirs as resources, and the hundred portions of high-grade Divine Dwelling Elixir from this time probably wouldn't last very long.

He could sense that breaking through to the late Divine Dwelling stage would require extremely significant cultivation resources. After all, others had fewer Divine Dwellings, making their refinement naturally easier. But his nine-layered mutated Divine Dwelling was a terrifying money pit.

Before he could secure Senior Sister Xi Jing's full support, Zhou Yuan felt he couldn't give up on Yi Qiushui's "little long leg."

Thinking this, he couldn't help but glance at Yi Qiushui's legs. They were indeed quite long and straight.

Yi Qiushui lightly bit her silver teeth, shot Zhou Yuan a glance, and retorted exasperatedly, "Now that you've defeated Mo Yuan, your worth is completely different. I can't afford to hire you long-term."

"Also, I must congratulate you. From today onwards, you will be famous throughout the Tianyuan Region."

Zhou Yuan looked up at the sky and sighed wistfully. Being famous or not didn't matter; it was more practical to get some Divine Dwelling Elixirs. This girl had also become shrewd now, no longer easy to trick.

He could only go find Senior Sister then.

(Two updates today.)