194: Chapter 194 Retorting to Rejection

Ye Jing gave a cold glance at the people with their various expressions. He didn't sit down, but instead said coldly, "Head of the Li Family, since this is a Trade Fair, treating guests like this seems a bit petty!"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone around froze.

Even Patriarch Li Xiuhe's expression darkened.

Ye Jing's words were too direct, bluntly retorting that the Li Family was insulting the Ye Family.

"You!" the youth beside Patriarch Li Xiuhe immediately shouted in anger. "Don't be ungrateful! My Li Family inviting you here has already given the Ye Family enough Face, yet you dare to be so picky! Do you think having a Foundation Establishment Junior allows you to be so arrogant in Tiangong Market?!"

Ye Jing let out a cold chuckle. He looked up at the youth, the chill in his eyes as piercing as an ice blade.

"Face?" Ye Jing's voice wasn't loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly. "The Head of the Li Family invited this old man to a banquet, yet treats me so coldly. Could it be that in your eyes, my Ye Family is only worth these few Spirit Fruits?"

Saying this, the Spiritual Power around Ye Jing's body surged, making the surrounding Cultivators break into a cold sweat. They couldn't help but wonder if this old man was crazy—did he intend to fight Patriarch Li Xiuhe right here?

Several Disciples from the Qingyun Sect and Lingxiao Sect nearby looked over. Watching the scene, they would step in to mediate if anything happened.

Patriarch Li Xiuhe rubbed the Thumb Ring on his hand, concealing the killing intent in his eyes. He then chuckled, "Patriarch Ye, why go to such lengths? It was just my Junior being ignorant. Someone, remove that seat and let Patriarch Ye take the seat of honor, the seat of honor!"

These repeated calls for him to take the "seat of honor" carried a hint of mockery.

Ye Jing secretly clenched his fists as he looked at the Head of the Li Family. He would remember today's humiliation! If given the chance, he would definitely repay it.

Several members of the Li Family escorted Ye Jing to the seat of honor, and the ancestors and Clan Chiefs of other Families also breathed a secret sigh of relief.

After this interlude, the Trade Fair officially began.

This was Ye Jing's first time attending such a Trade Fair. Although it was somewhat novel, he quickly lost interest. It was nothing more than shop owners and Clan Chiefs arguing over properties—not very interesting.

But he didn't stay idle either, chatting with a few Clan Chiefs to get acquainted. The Ye Family had just started, and he was quite relaxed about internal Family affairs, having not yet established any formal Family rules.

Now that the Ye Family had three generations living together, it was indeed time to set up a Genealogy. It would be improper if there were no records when his grandson started a Family.

While Ye Jing was considering Family matters, Patriarch Li Xiuhe suddenly stood up and said, "Everyone, in previous years, the Trade Fair has always been led by my Li Family. I have called you here today because I wish for us to plan a joint venture."

As soon as he finished speaking, several Immortal Attendants carrying vessels stepped out and brought them before each guest.

"I believe everyone has heard about the Xuanyou Sect's disturbances. To prevent the people of the Xuanyou Sect from causing trouble again, This Seat wishes to invite all Families to join my Li Family and receive our protection!"

Patriarch Li Xiuhe said loudly.

But the heads of the Families below all widened their eyes in shock.

Seeing this, Ye Jing understood what Patriarch Li Xiuhe was trying to do.

He wasn't looking to unite against the Xuanyou Sect; he clearly wanted to use the Xuanyou Sect's disturbances as a pretext to annex all the small and medium-sized Families in Tiangong Market, bringing the entire market's power under his own control.

In the future, the survival of their Families would be entirely up to Patriarch Li Xiuhe. How was this any different from becoming vassals?

The venue instantly fell into a deathly silence.

The Clan Chiefs who had previously been subservient to the Li Family now turned pale, not daring to even breathe loudly.

Patriarch Li Xiuhe was in no hurry to make them agree. He simply scanned the Families below. "What, do you all look down on my Li Family? You should know that the Xuanyou Sect is currently at odds with the Qingyun Sect. Wouldn't our union provide us with the power to protect ourselves?"

"Head of the Li Family, why don't you allow us to consider this further?" At this moment, a white-haired old man among the seats stood up tremblingly.

"A fine calculation, Head of the Li Family." Ye Jing suddenly spoke. His voice wasn't loud, but it broke the silence like a clap of thunder, and all eyes instantly converged on him.

Patriarch Li Xiuhe raised an eyebrow and a mocking smile curled at the corners of his mouth. "Patriarch Ye is quite perceptive. What, could it be that the Ye Family is willing to be the first to join and set an example for the other Families?"

Ye Jing sneered and slowly stood up. The Spiritual Power around him began to circulate quietly. Although he hadn't released his full pressure, it already made the lower-level Cultivators in the room feel a sense of suffocation.

"An example?" He looked up at Patriarch Li Xiuhe, his gaze as sharp as a knife. "The Head of the Li Family uses a disaster as a threat; it's utterly laughable."

"You're looking for death!" Patriarch Li Xiuhe's Face darkened abruptly, and the killing intent around him could no longer be hidden. The Thumb Ring in his hand suddenly tightened. "Ye Jing, do you really think this old man doesn't dare touch you? I gave you Face before for the sake of the Ye Family having a Foundation Establishment Junior. Don't throw it back in my Face!"

"Touch me?" Ye Jing wasn't afraid at all; instead, he took a step forward, his Spiritual Power pressure growing even stronger. "The Head of the Li Family might as well try."

"If you dare to strike at me today, you will be the enemy of the Ye Family."

"Although my Ye Family is still in its early stages, if we give our all, we can make your Li Family pay a painful price! Moreover, with the Xuanyou Sect's disturbance imminent, if your Li Family rashly goes to war with my Ye Family, it will only result in mutual destruction. In the end, I'm afraid the Xuanyou Sect will be the one to benefit, and it won't be worth the loss."

These words were powerful and struck right at the heart of the matter. Patriarch Li Xiuhe's pupils contracted slightly, and his expression became uncertain.

He was indeed wary of that Foundation Establishment Junior from the Ye Family—in today's cultivation world, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator was already a minor expert. For the Ye Family to produce one, they might have a backer.

Furthermore, just as Ye Jing said, the Xuanyou Sect was watching like a tiger. If he went to war with the Ye Family now, it would only weaken the Li Family's strength. If the Xuanyou Sect took the opportunity to attack, the Li Family might truly fall into crisis.

Seeing this, the Disciples of the Qingyun Sect and Lingxiao Sect in the hall also slowly stepped forward. One of the Qingyun Sect Disciples spoke, "Head of the Li Family, what Patriarch Ye says is correct. The Xuanyou Sect's disturbance is a great threat. All Families should work together to resist the external enemy, rather than using the opportunity to annex others and cause internal chaos."

"With my Qingyun Sect and the Lingxiao Sect here, we will never allow anyone to use the Xuanyou Sect's name to harm the various Families!"

With the statement from the Disciples of the two great Sects, the atmosphere in the hall shifted instantly. The Clan Chiefs who were originally despairing felt hope rekindled in their eyes. They looked up at Patriarch Li Xiuhe with a bit more confidence in their gaze.

Patriarch Li Xiuhe stared intently at Ye Jing, then looked at the Disciples of the two great Sects. The killing intent around him gradually faded, but his heart was burning with rage.

He hadn't expected his carefully planned scheme to be exposed by Ye Jing in a single sentence, and even draw interference from the two great Sects. The cooked duck was about to fly away.

"Fine, what a Ye Jing!" Patriarch Li Xiuhe gritted his teeth, saying each word deliberately, his eyes full of resentment. "I will remember today's events."

"But the threat of the Xuanyou Sect is no lie. If the Families are unwilling to join the Li Family, do not come begging this old man when you suffer at the hands of the Xuanyou Sect in the future!"

Having said that, he waved his hand sharply, signaling the Immortal Attendants carrying the vessels to withdraw. Then he looked at everyone and said coldly, "The Trade Fair ends here. Everyone, please leave!"

With those words, Patriarch Li Xiuhe turned and stormed out of the hall. The youth followed closely behind, giving Ye Jing a vicious glare before leaving, his hatred unconcealed.

Once Patriarch Li Xiuhe left, the atmosphere in the hall immediately relaxed. The Clan Chiefs swarmed around, bowing to Ye Jing with Faces full of gratitude.

"Thank you, Patriarch Ye, for your help. If not for you, we would likely have fallen into Patriarch Li Xiuhe's trap today!"

Ye Jing waved his hand, his expression still indifferent. "There's no need for formalities. I did this for the sake of my Ye Family as well."

"The Li Family is ambitious. If they are allowed to annex the other Families, the Ye Family will be next. When the lips are gone, the teeth are cold—I understand this principle."

Then, he looked at the two Disciples from the Qingyun Sect and Lingxiao Sect and bowed slightly. "Thank you, Immortal Masters, for your assistance. The Ye Family is deeply grateful."