Chapter 181: Suizong's Predicament

Li Weiyi sat between two Pure Immortal Bodies of the Nine Springs at the Fifth Sea Realm, who were cultivating the Seventh Sea. He felt as if he stood at the confluence of two turbulent rivers, enduring strong winds and surging waves from both sides, giving him a sense of being adrift in a storm.

This was especially true of Yang Qingxi on his right.

Although her combat technique's intent had not manifested, Li Weiyi was close enough to clearly hear the rushing sound of a great river echoing in his ears.

This was no gentle stream; it was more like the Heavenly River passing by. Her combat technique's intent must be a unique variant. Someone capable of contending for the second position in Lizhou was naturally extraordinary.

At the same time, Li Weiyi distinctly saw wisps of spiritual energy escaping from Yang Qingxi's snow-white, slender fingers, climbing onto his arms, shoulders, waist, and legs. Her control over spiritual energy was exquisite, reaching the pinnacle of mastery. It was easy to imagine that with a single thought, these wisps of spiritual energy would instantly contract, transforming into deadly chains to strangle Li Weiyi.

Zuoqiut Ting, sitting on his left, lightly patted Li Weiyi's hand, effortlessly dispersing all the spiritual energy Yang Qingxi had released. She chuckled, "Miss Yang should be on the seventh floor, not sitting here at the same table with common folk like us. Could it be... you're afraid to go to the seventh floor?"

Yang Qingxi let out a soft exclamation, realizing she had encountered a master of at least equal standing. She withdrew her combat technique's intent, her eyes deepening as she stared directly at Zuoqiut Ting, trying to discern her true face beneath the disguise.

Li Weiyi pondered Zuoqiut Ting's words carefully and asked, "That's odd! Miss Yang must have been invited by the Dragon Gate as a VIP. How could she be afraid to go to the seventh floor?"

Zuoqiut Ting chuckled, "Brother, haven't you noticed? Miss Yang, like us, is sitting on the imperial court's side. Her current situation is quite difficult; she can't choose either side, nor can she afford to offend either. That's why she has to sit on the fourth floor to lie low, absolutely daring not to go any higher."

Accompanying Yang Qingxi, besides Sheng Qingyan, were Yang Yue and Yang Zhiyong, two highly renowned young masters in Lizhou. Their cultivation was unfathomable, ranking second and third in the Suizong sect. The three had already taken their seats opposite them, glaring intently at Zuoqiut Ting. This precisely indicated that Zuoqiut Ting was not speaking idly, but rather her words were like a spear, striking directly at their vulnerable points.

"Then you'll have to tell me all about it in detail. I've been in seclusion cultivating recently." Li Weiyi was not well-versed in the current situation and was curious how the once-glorious Suizong and Yang Qingxi had fallen into such a predicament, needing to lie low.

Zuoqiut Ting said, "Cangli has already set their sights on Miss Yang! If she doesn't choose a side, do you think she'll make it out of Qiuzhou City alive? Moreover, whether she chooses, and how she chooses, sometimes isn't even up to her, but the Suizong high command. However, the Suizong high command also faces the same dilemma as her; under an unclear situation, a single misstep could lead to eternal damnation."

Li Weiyi looked at Yang Qingxi beside him, who was dressed in masculine attire yet still exuded captivating charm. "Miss Yang, why don't you refute this?"

Yang Qingxi's expression shifted from sharp to subtle. "In these chaotic times, with various forces clashing and vying for power, those who can truly act as chess players can be counted on one's fingers. If you can't be a chess player, you can only make choices. And no matter how you choose, there's no guarantee of a hundred percent chance of winning. Li Weiyi, do you think the Jiuli Tribe is guaranteed to win by choosing the Zuoqiu lineage? If they choose incorrectly, they, too, will face eternal damnation."

Li Weiyi was about to ask why the Suizong still had the option to choose the imperial court.

Zuoqiu Baiyuan walked over, glanced at the four newly arrived Suizong members, but didn't pay them much mind. His gaze fell upon Li Weiyi and Zuoqiut Ting, and he said in the gentlest possible tone, "The private chamber is ready. It's the South Tower, which has the best view of the Soldier Ancestor Swamp. Everyone, please come with me; we can move there."

At this moment, Zuoqiu Baiyuan was like a completely different person compared to his previous arrogant and indifferent demeanor. The air of a direct descendant from a prestigious clan was gone.

Seeing no one react, Li Weiyi had to be the first to rise from his seat and said with a smile, "Then let's move over. Brother Baiyuan, you've gone to a lot of trouble, please lead the way for us."

Zuoqiu Baiyuan quickly replied, "No trouble at all. Brother Li, you're truly a master who keeps a low profile."

Qi Wangshu and Gan Yanzhen could not fail to notice the implications, realizing that the "Second Young Lady" beside Li Weiyi was of no ordinary background, and Zuoqiu Baiyuan was likely just following orders. Who could be someone capable of challenging Yang Qingxi? Qi Wangshu's mind flashed to an individual known for their love of disguise and their ability to make Zuoqiu Baiyuan prostrate with a single word, but he immediately dismissed the thought. How could *that* person be here, acting as a younger sister to a martial cultivator at the Fourth Level of the Fifth Sea Realm?

Li Weiyi looked at Yang Qingxi, who was still seated. "Miss Yang, would you like to join us?"

"It's better to obey than to be polite." Yang Qingxi abruptly stood up, a gentle smile on her face, and walked gracefully towards them. The two looked as if they were true close friends.

Li Weiyi's expression froze, regretting having asked that question.

"Thump, thump!"

Disordered footsteps came from the staircase. Among the martial arts masters ascending the stairs, a chubby young man jumped out and shouted, "Brother Weiyi, I've been looking for you for days! Where have you been hiding? Didn't we agree to capture Yang Qingxi together? Why isn't there any... follow-up..."

Shi Shishi's voice abruptly stopped. As if he had seen a ghost, he stared at Yang Qingxi, who had emerged from behind Li Weiyi, completely dumbfounded, and instinctively scratched his head.

All the members of Suizong looked on with cold eyes. Even the air felt cold.

Yang Qingxi lowered her gaze in thought, her mind filled with confusion. She found it utterly incredible that two mortals, whose cultivation was below hers, dared to be so bold.

After a brief silence, Li Weiyi tried his best to remain composed. "We're sharing a table with Miss Yang. How about joining us, Dharma King Shishi?"

Shi Shishi, completely bewildered by the situation, cautiously retreated three steps and secretly transmitted a message with his spiritual energy: "Brother Weiyi, if she's captured and restrained you, just blink your eyes. Don't set me up; I can still go get reinforcements."

Li Weiyi couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time. "If you're scared, then don't follow us."

The Fourth Floor, South Tower.

Inside the tower, there was enough space for ten tables, but only one had been placed by the window, complete with delicious food and fine wine. A eunuch at the Fourth Level of the Fifth Sea Realm waited nearby like an old servant. There were four maids dressed in talisman robes.

After Li Weiyi, Zuoqiut Ting, Qi Wangshu, Zuoqiu Baiyuan, Gan Yanzhen, and the four Suizong members were all seated, Shi Shishi slipped in, squeezing into the space between Gan Yanzhen and Sheng Qingyan.

Li Weiyi chuckled, "How dare you come in again?"

Shi Shishi was already using his chopsticks to pick up food. "I suddenly figured it out! Even if Miss Yang has the Seventh Sea Realm, the Ten Absolute Sword Technique, and the Long River Intent, she wouldn't dare to kill anyone today. Being a hostile guest is equivalent to disrespecting the imperial court. We can't beat her, but she can't beat Grand Immortal Ge."

Yang Qingxi's eyes narrowed, and a cold aura emanated from her.

Li Weiyi slightly turned to her, smiling as he asked, "I was just wondering, Miss Yang, why aren't you sitting with the Dragon Gate's side?"

Shi Shishi, eating as he spoke, quickly answered, "Two reasons! First, the people of Suizong actually got entangled with the Ash Spirits and demons from the Far West Ash Region, which made Dragon Immortal Zhai quite displeased. The Eastern Dragon Gate and the Far West Ash Region have been at odds for thousands of years."

Sheng Qingyan coldly stated, "It was their Dragon Gate successor who first cooperated with the Far West Ash Region. In the matter of pursuing Jiang Ning, we were coerced. What benefit would offending the imperial court bring to our Suizong?"

Shi Shishi glanced at her, and upon realizing she wasn't a Pure Immortal Body, immediately lost interest and continued, "Second, Yao Qian, the leader of Suizong, recently paid a visit to the Second Palace Master of Lingxiao Palace. It's said that Yao Qian had long caught the Second Palace Master's eye, but he always hesitated to choose a side. His visit now is undoubtedly a signal that Suizong is aligning itself with the imperial court. This puts Miss Yang in an awkward position! Previously, some of the younger generation of martial cultivators under her command in Suizong participated in the pursuit of Jiang Ning, the Angel of Luan Platform. Now that the Suizong high command has aligned with the imperial court, she effectively becomes a subordinate of Jiang Ning. How could she escape reckoning?"

Yang Qingxi had not personally participated in the pursuit of Jiang Ning, but as Shi Shishi said, since some of Suizong's younger martial cultivators were involved, she couldn't possibly clear her name.

Zuoqiut Ting said, "Truly worthy of a Dharma King, to possess such insight at a young age. But you haven't told the whole story. Suizong's biggest problem is that despite insufficient strength, their ambition knows no bounds, like a snake trying to swallow an elephant.

"Initially, Suizong, acting as the leading power, intended to unite with San Chen Palace, Tianyi Gate, and Guan Hai Pavilion to form a four-sect alliance, aiming to destroy the Jiuli Tribe and seize control of all Lizhou. Fearing their strength might be insufficient, Suizong secretly colluded with the Dragon Gate and the Earth Wolf King's Army, who were in desperate need of resources and provisions.

"Unfortunately, they miscalculated at every turn. First, Coffin Mountain forcefully entered the fray, then Tianya Ridge wanted a share, none of whom Suizong could contend with. After the conflict began, they were shocked to discover that their junior ally, Guan Hai Pavilion, had already been controlled by the Jiuli Tribe, followed immediately by the Earth Wolf King's Army turning against them.

"What's more interesting is that San Chen Palace, which had always followed Suizong's lead, surprisingly had the backing of Night City and the Far West Ash Region, yet Suizong was completely unaware. Suizong suddenly found itself in an awkward position. They thought they were the main leader, but realized they couldn't defeat anyone. They believed they were the strategists, only to discover they were merely pawns of the Far West Ash Region, and not very important ones, purely used for exploitation. Because, in terms of strength, Suizong couldn't compare to Coffin Mountain. And in terms of trust from the Far West Ash Region, Suizong was inferior to Night City and San Chen Palace.

"If Suizong continues to be coerced in this manner, its end will inevitably be utter destruction. Turning to the imperial court now might offer a glimmer of hope. But with the imperial army facing imminent defeat, will aligning with them truly provide a way out?"

Yang Qingxi felt a sense of humiliation, as if she had been stripped naked and mocked on a table. The sharp glint in her eyes almost materialized. She controlled her emotions and met Zuoqiut Ting's gaze. "The situation is indeed unpredictable. We are mere juniors, entirely unqualified to choose sides. We can only, from our positions, try our best to do what we can. At the very least, we did not choose the Far West Ash Region. This shows that I stand with humanity; we are fundamentally different from those barbaric brigands who only care about immediate gains and lack foresight. To end the chaos and restore peace to the world—is that not a noble ideal?"

"Tell that ideal to Jiang Ning and see if she believes you. If she does, she'll naturally offer you a way out," Zuoqiut Ting said.