Chapter 683: Taiyi Zhenren's Speech Techniques Small Classroom

A rough and commanding voice boomed from the sky, accompanied by an overwhelming pressure that enveloped the entire Chentang Pass and its surrounding thousand li. Dark clouds filled the air, fierce winds whipped through the area, snapping tree branches and scattering roof tiles. Many ordinary people's unattended clothes were swept out of their courtyards.

More than a dozen elderly dragons coiled and surged through the clouds, their roar of "Li Jing!" echoing across Chentang Pass.

They made no attempt to conceal themselves, coming directly to demand justice, all seething with anger and causing the tens of thousands of ordinary people in Chentang Pass to tremble in fear.

In the backyard of the Li residence, young Nezha groggily opened his eyes. Yin Shi quickly went to the window and shut it, then returned to the bed, gently patting her third son until he fell back asleep.

In the front hall, Li Changshou's paper effigy had already vanished, but his voice had reached the ears of the three Sanqing immortals.

"If the Dragon Clan attacks, you may rely on the Sanqing to suppress them."

Taiyi Zhenren stood up straight, adjusting his sleeves, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

With those words, everything was settled.

Although he couldn't quite grasp what this fellow was plotting, since Li Changshou had said it, there must be some deeper scheme at play.

Yuding Zhenren stood up with a stern expression and walked to Taiyi Zhenren's side, whispering,

"The Dragon Clan need not be overly feared."

Taiyi Zhenren nodded calmly, a faint smirk at the corner of his mouth.

Today, he was ready to stir up trouble!

On the main seat, Li Jing slowly exhaled, his hands gripping the chair armrests, veins bulging slightly. His eyes flashed with two bursts of sword light before settling into calm.

He picked up his sheathed sword, took a steady step forward, his shoulder armor paired with his long robe, his face as sharp as if chiseled by a knife.

Li Jing said nothing as he walked out of the hall, looking up at the layers of dark clouds in the sky. He cupped his hands in front with the sword and stood tall, his clear voice carrying his immortal power to echo throughout Chentang Pass:

"Li Jing of Chentang Pass is here."

In the backyard corner, Li Changshou smiled faintly.

"Li Jing."

Thunder rumbled again, and the vast dark clouds began to slowly rotate. Directly below the funnel-shaped cloud, an aged dragon head emerged from the mist, its diameter exceeding a hundred zhang, with tendrils of whiskers dancing in the air.

"Do you know your crime?"

"Oh?" Li Jing lowered his arms, holding his sword in his left hand as he looked up at the sky, frowning. "I do not know. May I ask, Daoist friend, what position you hold in the Dragon Palace? Why have you come to Chentang Pass and directly accuse me?"

The dragon head's eyes were filled with icy coldness as it said sternly: "I am an elder of the East Sea Dragon Palace. Your third son killed the third prince of the East Sea Dragon Palace. Do you dare deny knowing about this?"

Li Jing nodded slowly, his initially calm tone gradually tinged with emotion:

"If this is about Ao Bing, then I am indeed aware.

He disregarded the heavenly rules, repeatedly coming to the borders of Chentang Pass for frivolous pleasures. He was stopped by my third son Nezha and harbored a grudge against him. Today, he even set an ambush in the East Sea with a killing formation to target my child, who is not yet three years old!

Is this the doing of the Dragon Palace?

Is this the behavior of the Dragon Clan's royal bloodline, the descendants of Ancestral Dragon!"

"Insolence!"

"Nonsense!"

More dragon heads emerged from the clouds, glaring angrily at Li Jing.

These dozen or so elderly dragons, with the weakest among them at the seventh rank of Golden Immortal realm, showcased the Dragon Clan's profound heritage.

Yet, they held back slightly, not directing their full pressure toward the mortals in the city, or it would have surely scattered countless souls.

As these waves of pressure bore down, Li Jing's Dao heart trembled violently, but he gripped his sword sheath tightly, his eyes as if ablaze, standing tall without retreating an inch.

"Li Jing," the central Dragon Clan elder snarled, "your third son killed our Dragon Clan's prince. Today, you must pay with your life! Kneel and beg for forgiveness now!

Otherwise, we will make Chentang Pass a burial ground for our prince!"

As the dragon spoke, the winds howled wildly, the black clouds churned, and thunder cracked incessantly.

"Ha—"

A light laugh came from the hall, easily drowning out the wind, thunder, and dragon roars.

There, the red-robed Zhenren stepped slowly from behind Li Jing, his Dao crown holding his long hair elegantly, his eyes holding hints of stars, his demeanor relaxed and composed, as if merely passing by to watch the spectacle.

This Daoist was Taiyi, this immortal was of Yin-Yang.

If winds rise, he could tarnish even a saint's name.

Taiyi Zhenren arrived with hands behind his back, glanced at Yuding Zhenren beside him, considered speaking but decided against it, knowing he wouldn't get the response he wanted. Instead, he turned his gaze to Li Jing.

With a quick thought, he had an idea;

As his mouth opened, it was like half of the ancient world.

"General Li, you know, this is where you're in the wrong."

The more than ten elderly dragons in the clouds were taken aback.

Taiyi Zhenren sighed: "Let me speak fairly. First, regardless of the cause, the Dragon Clan lost a prince.

What does that mean? It's a reserve Dragon King!

If the old Dragon King ever falters, and the other qualified successors die in battle, this one would step up and become the new Dragon King.

That's a position of great power—a single dragon's life is worth ten, no, a hundred ordinary dragon offspring!"

The elderly dragons listened, their brows furrowing.

It seemed like he was on their side, speaking their logic.

Why had they come today to demand justice?

Wasn't it to emphasize the third prince's status and force Li Jing, on behalf of the human race, to admit guilt, thus preserving some face for the Dragon Clan?

But listening to this Sanqing Zhenren's words, there was something... off, a strange undertone.

And the more they pondered, the stranger it felt.

Li Jing frowned deeply and said firmly: "Daoist friend, how can you say that? How can we ignore the cause?

That Dragon Clan third prince harbored murderous intent and tried to harm my son. My son fought back and survived by luck. I haven't gone to their Dragon Palace to demand justice because Chentang Pass borders the East Sea and relies on fishing for its people.

Where is the justice in this?"

Taiyi Zhenren said with a troubled expression: "But a prince is dead, and that carries weight."

Li Jing said resolutely: "If that's the case, then can the Dragon Clan's princes commit murder and arson without consequence?"

"Exactly!" Taiyi Zhenren said seriously. "He's the third prince—what status, what identity? Killing a few people is nothing!

What heavenly rules or punishments? Do you really think they can control the Dragon Palace?

The Heavenly Court only prospered because of the Dragon Clan's alliance.

The entire Dragon Clan was born to perfect the innate Dao!

They once served as Pangu's foundation and fought the Phoenix and Qilin Clans until they couldn't lift their heads, shattering the ancient wilderness, even collapsing the Nine Foul Springs. How many lives were lost, how much karma incurred, and yet they're still a great clan of the wilderness?

As for the human race being the protagonists of heaven and earth? That's just talk. In reality, it's all about the Dragon Clan.

Right?"

The more than ten elderly dragons in the clouds finally caught on.

This Taiyi Zhenren was mocking them at every turn, fanning the flames, practically itching for the Dragon Clan and human race to clash head-on. His words grew more piercing the more they listened.

"Taiyi Zhenren," the largest dragon head said with an extremely cold expression, "have you said enough?"

"How so?"

Taiyi Zhenren smiled: "Did I say anything false? The Dragon Clan bears boundless karma, and the Heavenly Court pulled you up, so now you think you're back on top?

But the wilderness today is nothing like ancient or primordial times.

Don't mention my disciple—he killed your East Sea third prince in self-defense. Even if it were over some trivial spat and they ended up killing him, you'd have to think twice about whether you can touch him!"

"Enough!"

One elderly dragon raged, a dragon claw bursting from the clouds and striking down at Taiyi Zhenren.

This elderly dragon was the most profound in cultivation among them. His angry strike, if dodged or blocked by Taiyi Zhenren, could easily bring disaster to Chentang Pass.

Taiyi Zhenren could block it, of course, but not without some mess.

But that was fine.

A flash of green light passed, and a figure quickly formed behind Taiyi Zhenren. With a wave of his sleeves, the dragon claw shattered instantly, and the elderly dragon in the clouds was flung back.

A powerful gust surged upward, dispersing half the dark clouds and revealing the dragons' bodies within, their scales like massive door panels glistening with various lights.

The elderly dragon that had attacked trembled, staring in shock at the figure behind Taiyi Zhenren.

Yuding Zhenren didn't even look up, saying calmly:

"My master, Yuanshi Tianzun."

Silence fell over Chentang Pass.

"Li Jing! This matter is not over!"

The central dragon head roared lowly, and the dozen or so elderly dragons turned and fled, the dark clouds retreating swiftly.

Taiyi Zhenren shook his head regretfully.

What a pity—he had prepared a precious pearl for a scene where he'd dismiss their plea with 'don't be ungrateful.'

But they left too quickly, too decisively.

Well, at least they knew when to back down.

"Hah..."

Li Jing slowly exhaled, standing silently, his back damp with cold sweat.

Yuding Zhenren pointed at Li Jing, steadying his Dao heart and giving him more confidence. Li Jing immediately cast a grateful look at Yuding Zhenren.

"Li Jing, you really need to improve your cultivation," Taiyi Zhenren said casually. "You can't keep having my precious disciple protect you as a father."

Li Jing held his sword and bowed his head in agreement.

Yuding Zhenren smiled: "You could always say that line from earlier."

Li Jing: ...

It was a bit embarrassing.

With that, the general and the two Sanqing Zhenren returned to the hall, where Li Changshou's paper effigy reappeared.

Huanglong Zhenren, who had stayed hidden earlier to avoid direct involvement, now appeared with a furrowed brow, sighing repeatedly.

As a Dragon Clan descendant and a Sanqing disciple, he was caught in the middle, unable to take a clear side.

Huanglong sighed: "Things have gotten so tense. I don't know how to resolve this afterward."

Li Changshou said warmly: "Senior Brother Huanglong, you don't need to get involved. Just observe from the sidelines and mediate at key moments to prevent the Dragon Clan from going to extremes."

Taiyi Zhenren, arms crossed, laughed: "How was what I said earlier?"

"Quite impressive," Li Changshou gave a thumbs-up and continued, "The Dragon Clan's visit was really to force Li Jing to bow and settle the matter.

Analyzing their motives, avenging the third prince isn't the main point—it's that Nezha, from the human race, killed a Dragon King bloodline.

They can't afford to lose that face."

Yang Jian put away his three-pointed, double-edged spear and asked: "Now that the Dragon Clan couldn't vent their anger, they'll find it hard to swallow. We should guard against them attacking Chentang Pass stealthily."

Countering Yang Jian was his own master, Yuding Zhenren:

"No need to worry about that. The Dragon Clan isn't the type to resort to sneak attacks; it's not in their nature."

"Master, it's always good to be cautious," Yang Jian said. "How about I go to Mount Mei and bring some immortal troops for deterrence?"

Li Changshou nodded approvingly and smiled: "No need for that trouble. I'll handle the arrangements.

Until this matter is resolved, I'll trouble the three Zhenren to secretly guard Chentang Pass in case any rogue dragons act against orders."

"Very well."

"Agreed."

The three Zhenren nodded, and Li Changshou took his leave, his paper effigy merging into the earth.

At the same time, Li Changshou's paper effigy in the Heavenly Court began to move, heading straight to Tongming Hall to find two important Heavenly Court officials.

Dongmu Gong and Wang Lingguan.

After explaining everything in detail, Dongmu Gong and Wang Lingguan nodded continuously, understanding the situation and what they needed to do.

When it came to quibbling, the Heavenly Court was the expert.

Ao Bing's death and the dozen or so elderly dragons from the Dragon Clan being humiliated by the Sanqing immortals at Chentang Pass spread like a massive wave through the Four Seas Dragon Palaces. Many dragons volunteered, eager to go to Chentang Pass and teach that Nezha a lesson.

The four Dragon Kings remained silent, and the influential elders only sighed without speaking.

Half a month later, the attention within the Dragon Clan hadn't waned; instead, it intensified, leading to outright unrest.

Ao Bing had been unremarkable in life, insignificant in the Dragon Clan, even privately called a waste among the Dragon King bloodlines, weaker than the others.

But now, he had become a symbol of the Dragon Clan's oppression, a vent for their pent-up grievances.

This surge of emotion left the four Dragon Kings unable to sit idly any longer.

They had to take action.

Thus, the four Dragon Kings gathered at the East Sea Dragon Palace and summoned the elders for a meeting to discuss how to handle the Nezha incident.

The aggrieved party was still the current East Sea Dragon King, Ao Guang, and the decision-making power rested with him.

Ao Guang said simply: "Do not act rashly."

The entire Dragon Clan hall fell silent.

An elder said:

"This isn't about us being rash, brothers. It's that the Sanqing immortals have gone too far, and we can't suppress the clan's fury.

Our Dragon Clan is no longer what it used to be, with our destiny rising and a resurgence ahead. If we let the Sanqing target us like this, it will greatly demoralize our clan."

Another elder said: "Your Majesty, in my view, we don't have the upper hand in this... If we keep dragging it out, we'll only suffer more. Better to let it go and maintain peace."

"Let it go? That's our East Sea Dragon Palace's third prince! Killed by Taiyi Zhenren's disciple just like that!"

"Ah..."

Ao Guang sighed slowly and said bitterly: "My son shouldn't have died so tragically. The Li family must pay some price."

The South Sea Dragon King said gravely: "The Li family isn't simple. Let's not dwell on Li Jing himself—we all know he's the adopted son of Taibai Jinxing, from the Ren School, and a nominal disciple of Du'e Zhenren.

His eldest son Jinzha and second son Muzha have already taken twelve Golden Immortals as masters.

With the combined forces of the Sanqing and Ren School, we must tread carefully."

An elder with considerable seniority snorted coldly: "We're not necessarily afraid of the Sanqing!"

"What about the Ren School?" The West Sea Dragon King muttered. "Taibai Jinxing once saved my life. I should advise him on this.

Taibai Jinxing is a master strategist, daring to challenge even saints. If we mishandle this, it could trigger a series of events."

Another elder whispered: "How about sending Ao Yi to plead with Taibai Jinxing? The clan is full of complaints; they just want some resolution."

"Hmm?"

On the Dragon King throne, Ao Guang opened his eyes, a cold light flashing in them, making the elder shudder.

"No one is to involve Ao Yi in this."

The elderly dragons bowed their heads in acknowledgment.

Ao Guang sighed again, stood up, and said: "Prepare the gifts for the Star Lord. I will go to the Heavenly Court to accuse Li Jing of allowing his son to commit murder."

The dragons pondered this, seeing it as a viable solution.

However, earlier that day at the Li residence in Chentang Pass...

Li Jing looked somewhat surprised at the figure in the corner and whispered: "Go to the Heavenly Court? Father, why should I go to the Heavenly Court?"

"Just come," Li Changshou said with a smile. "If I'm not mistaken, the East Sea Dragon King is already on his way. I'll keep an eye on Nezha—you hurry to the Zhongtian Gate; I've arranged for someone to meet you."

"Yes!"

Li Jing responded firmly, not daring to delay. He glanced at young Nezha playing with his wife and swiftly rode his flying treasure toward the Zhongtian Gate.

Next chapter is a big one, updated tomorrow morning.

(End of chapter)