248: Chapter 248 Lady Qingli: I am willing to give anything to protect him

In the center seat sat an extremely old woman.

Her silver hair was combed meticulously and held in place by a simple wooden hairpin. Her face was covered in layers of wrinkles, her figure was stooped, and she wore a simple gray cloth robe. In her hand, she leaned on a staff that was neither metal nor wood, topped with a deep blue gemstone.

Her eyes were slightly closed as if she were dozing, but when she sat there, she naturally became the center of the entire hall. An unspeakable pressure and sense of wisdom, accumulated over endless years, silently spread out.

Below the jade pillars on both sides stood dozens of members of the Taihu Clan, men and women, old and young, all with outstanding appearances and extraordinary auras.

Their gazes fell in unison on Madam Qingli as she entered the hall, and... on Xu Ruyu, who was beside her.

Their eyes held curiosity, scrutiny, indifference, amusement, as well as undisguised doubt and... a faint hint of hostility.

Xu Ruyu immediately felt an invisible pressure envelop his entire body.

The owners of these gazes likely had cultivation levels at least in the Golden Core Stage. Nascent Soul Stage auras were everywhere, and there were even a few obscure and profound auras that made his Soul tremble slightly. They were likely Soul Transformation Stage or even higher existences!

Is this the foundation of the Taihu Clan?

“Qingli greets the Grand Elder, Elder Lan Yi, Elder Mo Feng, and the various Clan Elders.”

Madam Qingli took a few steps forward and respectfully performed an ancient salute toward the jade platform.

Xu Ruyu also hurriedly followed suit and bowed: “Junior Xu Ruyu greets the various Seniors of the Taihu Clan.”

The elderly Grand Elder in the center slowly opened her eyes.

What kind of eyes were those!

They weren't particularly bright, and were even somewhat cloudy, but when you met her gaze, it was as if you saw the endless river of time, the birth and death of stars, and the vicissitudes of the world.

All disguises and thoughts seemed to have nowhere to hide before these eyes.

The Grand Elder's gaze rested on Madam Qingli for a moment and she nodded slightly in response. Then, her gaze fell on Xu Ruyu.

Calm, deep, without joy or sorrow.

But Xu Ruyu felt as if he had been seen through from the inside out. Even the circulation path of the True Explanation of Taixu Source Energy within his body seemed to be faintly exposed.

He hurriedly concentrated his mind, circulated his Cultivation Technique to stabilize his spirit, and at the same time tried to appear neither humble nor arrogant.

After a full ten breaths, the Grand Elder finally spoke slowly. Her voice was old and peaceful, yet it carried a penetrating power that reached the Soul:

“Little Qingli, I am already aware of the matter you mentioned in your message.

The Hehuan Sect has undergone a great change, and you wish to lead its remnants into my Tianyin Mountains to take temporary shelter. This is to fulfill an old friendship and to repay the slight favor the Hehuan Fairy showed our clan back then.”

She paused, her gaze still lingering on Xu Ruyu: “However, the Tianyin Mountains are the ancestral dwelling place of my Taihu Clan, a place of secluded cultivation.

Suddenly introducing hundreds of foreign Cultivators, especially the Hehuan Sect, which is currently at the center of a storm and surrounded by enemies... this is no small matter.”

Elder Lan Yi on the left spoke. Her voice was gentle but carried a hint of being beyond question: “Sister Qingli, I understand your intentions.

You owed the Hehuan Fairy a favor back then, and now you want to repay it through her Sect's descendants. This is an act of faith and righteousness, and the clan rules do not forbid it.

However, rules are rules, and sentiment is sentiment.

Our Taihu Clan's protection of a foreign clan, especially such a sensitive power, requires sufficient reason, and even more so... confirmation of whether the protected party has the value worth our clan taking risks for.”

Elder Mo Feng on the right snorted coldly, his voice harsh: “Elder Lan Yi is being too polite.

In my view, this matter is extremely risky!

The Hehuan Sect is now a target for everyone. Both the Demonic Path and the Righteous Path want to eliminate them as quickly as possible!

Taking them in is equivalent to offending both the righteous and evil sides at the same time!

Just for a vague ‘old friendship’? For a bit of Elder Qingli's personal gratitude? Placing the entire clan in danger is simply reckless!”

His gaze was like a knife as it shot toward Xu Ruyu: “Especially this... Sect Leader Xu? Hah, I hear his cultivation is only at the Qi Refinement Stage, and he only ascended to a high position because he caught the Hehuan Patriarch's eye.

Now, in a time of crisis, he has abandoned his ancestral land and led the remnants to flee... With such Heart-Nature and such ability, how can anyone believe he can lead the Hehuan Sect through these difficulties, let alone have the value ‘worth our clan's investment’? I'm afraid he will only bring endless trouble to our clan!”

These words were quite blunt, directly belittling Xu Ruyu as worthless and laying out the disadvantages of sheltering the Hehuan Sect.

Among the clan members standing on both sides of the hall, a low murmur immediately broke out. Many people looked at Xu Ruyu with even more ill intent, and quite a few clearly agreed with Elder Mo Feng's view.

Madam Qingli's face darkened, and she was about to speak up in rebuttal.

But Xu Ruyu stepped forward half a pace and cupped his hands to Elder Mo Feng: “What Elder Mo Feng said is entirely reasonable.

The Hehuan Sect is indeed troubled right now, and it is also a fact that my cultivation is shallow.

Presumptuously requesting your clan's protection is indeed asking for the impossible.”

His attitude was sincere, neither humble nor arrogant, which caused the murmurs of some clan members to quiet down a bit.

Xu Ruyu continued: “However, although I am weak, I have never given up on my Sect and fellow disciples.

Withdrawing from our ancestral land was a matter of expediency under helplessness, only to preserve the seeds for the future.

I also know that there is no such thing as free protection in this world.

That your clan can allow us to temporarily reside in the Outer Valley of Tianyin Mountain is already a great favor.

If your clan has any concerns or requirements, as long as they do not violate morality or harm the foundation of my Hehuan Sect, I am willing to do my best to fulfill them to prove my sincerity and... to prove that the remnants of my Hehuan Sect are not a burden that is worthless and only drags others down.”

His words admitted their weakness and the risks brought, while also showing his determination not to give up and his willingness to pay the price for protection. His words were appropriate and his attitude was upright.

In the Grand Elder's cloudy eyes, a trace of an imperceptible ripple seemed to flash.

Elder Lan Yi nodded slightly, her gaze toward Xu Ruyu filled with more scrutiny.

Elder Mo Feng still had a cold face: “Anyone can say pretty words. Sincerity? Value? Words alone are no proof!

You say your Hehuan Sect has seeds and a future, but why should my clan believe you? Based on the empty promise of a Qi Refinement Stage Sect Master?”

At this time, Madam Qingli spoke, her voice clear and firm: “Grand Elder, the two Elders, and the various Clan Elders.

Qingli is willing to use all my authority, resources, and future merits within the clan as a guarantee to plead with the clan to give Sect Leader Xu and the Hehuan Sect a chance!

Although Sect Leader Xu's cultivation is still shallow, his Heart-Nature, wisdom, and especially the... certain special Legacy he possesses, have infinite potential!

Given time, he will certainly not be an ordinary person!

Providing help in their time of need now is far better than adding flowers to the embroidery later!”

“Special Legacy?” Elder Mo Feng sneered. “Elder Qingli, could it be that you've been deceived by his clever words? What kind of earth-shattering Legacy could a Qi Refinement Stage Cultivator possibly have?”

“Whether it is or not, one test will tell.”

Madam Qingli did not back down, her eyes shining as she looked at the Grand Elder.