79: Elder Xuan Shi, the art of words

The Elder's appearance instantly quelled the tense atmosphere on site.

In stark contrast to Aldashir's almost erupting fury was Kong Yao, who had already gracefully retreated to the side, her spiritual aura completely withdrawn, even her clothes calm.

She didn't even spare Aldashir an extra glance, only facing Elder Xuan Shi's direction, bowing slightly, her posture respectful and composed.

Evidently, she was more astute than Aldashir, having long anticipated that a conflict of such magnitude would inevitably alarm this 'Sea-Stabilizing Divine Needle' who oversaw the ferry's order.

Her cessation of fighting just now was both an obedience to the command and a wise move to avoid drawing trouble upon herself.

Elder Xuan Shi's turbid eyes, which had witnessed countless changes over the years, calmly swept over the still indignant Aldashir, and he spoke placidly, his tone even, yet every word was as heavy as a thousand jun:

"Chi Jie Young Lord, your inner fire is too strong; you need to suppress it with stillness."

As the word "stillness" was uttered, Aldashir felt a massive pressure, as if from heaven and earth, descend upon him.

This power was not exerted on his Physical Body, but directly suppressed his boiling Divine Soul and surging Huang Jie Sacred Fire Bloodline, forcing his restless emotions to forcibly cool and calm down, even slowing the churning Qi and blood within his body by several points, making it difficult for him to even form a single word of rebuttal.

Subsequently, Elder Xuan Shi's gaze turned to the seemingly submissive Kong Yao, his tone still placid:

"Azure Feather Lord, with wisdom in hand, you should also know when to stop."

As the word "stop" fell, Kong Yao's seemingly peaceful aura also subtly condensed, as if framed by an invisible boundary, making her clearly realize that any superfluous action at this moment would be inappropriate.

"That old monster's Law of the Spirit has advanced again!"

Her heart trembled slightly, and her posture became even more humble.

Only then did Elder Xuan Shi slowly sweep his gaze across the entire scene, his voice, imbued with the authority of a decree, like a proclamation of Law, clearly imprinted in everyone's hearts:

"The Xuan Yu and Chi Jie Clans, disregarding the council's regulations, engaged in private combat and displayed their power in the vital area of Thousand Sails Ferry, disrupting order and damaging public property. Effective immediately, the priority passage rights of both clans at Thousand Sails Ferry for the next year are revoked; this conduct will be reported to the council and recorded in the clan records as a warning; furthermore, the tax revenue dividends of both clans from this ferry for the next three months shall be confiscated and used for river dredging and ferry repairs, to serve as a deterrent!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire venue fell silent.

The severity of the punishment far exceeded everyone's imagination.

Not only did they lose tangible benefits, but they were also publicly reprimanded, losing crucial Face and convenience.

This was undoubtedly a heavy blow to the Chi Jie Clan and Xuan Yu Clan, who valued Face immensely.

Aldashir's Face instantly turned ashen, his lips moving, but under Elder Xuan Shi's calm yet seemingly rule-invoking gaze, he ultimately failed to utter a single word.

Kong Yao also sighed softly in her heart, knowing that this stern Elder would absolutely not show favoritism, and bowed again:

"The Xuan Yu Clan accepts the punishment."

Elder Xuan Shi nodded slightly, saying no more.

The black solitary boat turned its direction, silently gliding towards the depths of the ferry.

A storm finally concluded with both sides receiving equal punishment.

The dispute came and went quickly.

Both parties reined in their arrogant demeanor, ceased hostilities, and grudgingly adjusted their courses, guided by the council's small boats, slowly entering the busy yet orderly harbor of Thousand Sails Ferry according to the new instructions.

The various boats on the river that had been watching the excitement, seeing no further major spectacle, gradually dispersed, resuming their previous navigation order, as if the brief confrontation was merely an insignificant interlude.

Only Li Yinglong, standing alone at the bow of the dragon boat, with his hands behind his back, gazed deeply at the two gradually departing magnificent pleasure boats, the ripples in his heart unable to subside for a long time.

He clearly saw that Kong Yao of the Xuan Yu Clan and Aldashir of the Chi Jie Clan had obviously very high Cultivation Realm, but they had suppressed their Cultivation, hence no major destruction was caused.

However, the exquisite techniques, condensed power, and the full display of their uniqueGongti characteristics during their exchange, especially the unique Law and immense power displayed by the Peacock Bright King's power and the Huang Jie Sacred Fire, left him dazzled!

That seemed to be the nascent application of something close to the "Dao" and "Law."

Logically, witnessing such a level of power far beyond his imagination, he, a small Cultivator who had just stepped into the Qi Refinement Stage with a shallow Foundation, should have felt fear, bewilderment, and a deep sense of his own insignificance, like an ant.

However, the wisp of newly acquired true dragon source blood, dormant deep within his Dantian, was quietly stirred during that brilliant yet brief clash of Laws.

A burning Battle Intent, like surging subterranean fire, rose from the depths of his Bloodline, washing over his limbs and bones!

This Battle Intent was ancient, vast, noble, carrying a domineering pride that overlooked all beings and challenged the heavens.

It seemed to silently roar, urging and inspiring Li Yinglong, eager to contend with that level of power, wishing to test his mettle as a Azure Dragon against the divine light of the Peacock and the Huang Jie Sacred Fire!

It showed no fear, but rather an eager excitement!

Li Yinglong took a deep breath of the humid river air, forcibly suppressing the turbulent agitation of the Dragon Blood within him, his eyes regaining clarity, but his heart was filled with awe.

"What a domineering Bloodline instinct..."

He secretly marveled:

"It can directly influence my emotions, making me crave confrontation. Although this blood grants me immense potential, if my will is not firm, I fear I might instead be enslaved by it, becoming a Vicious Beast that only knows how to fight."

He could clearly feel that this true dragon source blood had been suppressed for too long.

The clash just now, imbued with the meaning of Law, was like a spark, instantly igniting its interest.

But Li Yinglong knew himself best.

Strength! Only strength was fundamental!

His own meager Dao cultivation, let alone confronting the elites of those great clans, even a random guard from their ships would probably be difficult to handle.

A powerful Barbaric Blood Guard like Dragon Two, whose strength focused more on close-quarters combat and Physical Body talent, when pitted against this kind of technique that mobilizes the Laws of heaven and earth and contains ancient Legacy, it was indeed hard to say who was superior.

Currently, he didn't even have the possibility of an equal dialogue with them.

"Without strength, all ambitions are castles in the air, moon in the water."

Li Yinglong's heart was vigilant:

"This passion is motivation, but it must never become an impulse to seek death."

This trip to the Southern Border, witnessing the ancient Legacy and survival wisdom of the Angry Dragon Clan, observing the prosperity and order of Thousand Sails Ferry, and personally experiencing the astonishing methods of the core disciples of the great Southern Border clans... all of this was like a mirror, reflecting his own and the Li Family's insignificance and shortcomings.

The Immortal Realm truly had heavens beyond heavens, and people beyond people!

The slight self-satisfaction he had previously felt from defeating a few Loose Cultivators and controlling a city with the help of the System and a few Opportunities, had now been completely shattered and ground into dust.

In this magnificent and powerful true Immortal Realm, he, Li Yinglong, and his Linhai Li Clan, were merely a small boat that had just set sail, liable to capsize at any moment in the fierce winds and waves.

The premonition of an impending chaotic era grew stronger; without sufficient strength, how could he protect his Family? How could he establish himself in this torrent, and even contend for a sliver of Opportunity for transcendence?

Although he did not directly participate in this battle, his mindset had undergone a tremendous change.

His former caution, tinged with a hint of pioneering excitement, now carried more of a heavy sense of urgency and reverence...