Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

”Hmm?” The Law Enforcement Honored Guest Elder noticed Qin Chuan’s injured appearance and couldn’t help but frown, turning his gaze again to Zhao Zhiye.

”Fellow Daoist Zhao, the rules of the Business Alliance...”

”Rest assured, Fellow Daoist, this matter is not caused by me stirring trouble, but rather, it is the junior cultivator below who has gone too far. I, Zhao, will not let you be embarrassed.” Zhao Zhiye lightly smiled, confident and in control.

”Oh?” The Law Enforcement Honored Guest Elder relaxed slightly. Although he had taken on the Business Alliance’s task, it was naturally best to avoid offending anyone.

”Please, Fellow Daoist Zhao, state the facts of this matter clearly.”

Zhao Zhiye then repeated the pre-designed rhetoric.

”Forcing a purchase of the Foundation Establishment Pill? You all have quite the nerve!” The Law Enforcement Honored Guest Elder listened, squinting his eyes at Qin Chuan and his two companions below.

”Injustice, Senior, this is an injustice.” Qin Chuan shouted.

”Injustice? Hmph, the Foundation Establishment Pill in your storage pouch belongs to Fellow Daoist Zhao, does it not?” the Law Enforcement Honored Guest Elder questioned sternly.

Qin Chuan hurriedly retrieved the Foundation Establishment Pill from his storage pouch, holding it up in both hands and said loudly, ”Senior, please see clearly! This pill was indeed voluntarily sold to me for three thousand five hundred spirit stones by that Fellow Daoist Dan Chenzi earlier. Many fellow Daoists present can vouch for this! At the time of the transaction, he did not state that this pill belonged to the Zhao Clan Commerce Association, nor did he mention that it couldn’t be resold! This accusation of forcing a purchase, I dare not accept!”

The Law Enforcement Honored Guest Elder’s gaze swept around, seeing many cultivators watching from afar, but none stepped forward to testify. He understood: the Zhao family’s power was vast, and they were guests from Tiandu. Who would want to offend the Zhao family for a few strangers in these remote regions?

”You claim it was a willing transaction, do you have proof? Do you have a contract? Where is Fellow Daoist Dan Chenzi?” the Law Enforcement Honored Guest Elder asked in a deep voice.

Dan Chenzi, now standing behind Zhao Zhiye, immediately stepped forward with a face of distress and grievance, cupping his hands, ”Senior! I am Dan Chenzi, a loose cultivator from the Profound Sky Domain, usually having some pill dealings with the Zhao Clan Commerce Association. This Foundation Establishment Pill was indeed consigned to me by the Zhao Clan Commerce Association, priced at four thousand five hundred spirit stones with the clear condition of exchange only, requiring a Tier Three spirit grass ’Phoenix Tail Orchid’. Earlier, while chatting with these three fellow Daoists, I inadvertently took out the pill for appraisal, only for this Fellow Daoist Qin to forcibly take it for three thousand five hundred spirit stones upon seeing it. I couldn’t stop him, which led to the dispute... Please, Senior, make a judgment for me!”

His words were sincere, his expression spot on, acting out the forced purchase scene convincingly.

”You... you slander!” Qin Chuan was trembling with anger, pointing at Dan Chenzi, ”Clearly, it was you who voluntarily lowered the price for sale, how could it be said that I forcibly took it! Though I, Qin Chuan, come from a barren place, I understand honor and shame, how could I act like a robber!”

Xiaoqiao held the agitated Qin Chuan, her heart growing colder. The other party was thoroughly prepared, even having witnesses and rhetoric in place, clearly intending to pin them with the charge of ’violating forced purchase’.

She looked up at the Law Enforcement Honored Guest Elder, whose eyes were indifferent, evidently believing most of it. Then she looked at Zhao Zhiye, who wore a faint, elusive smile, his gaze fixated on her like a hawk examining its prey.

She knew she could remain silent no longer.

”Senior.” Xiaoqiao stepped forward, shielding Qin Chuan behind her, her voice cool and calm, ”There are many doubts in this matter. First, if this pill is indeed consigned by the Zhao Clan Commerce Association, would Fellow Daoist Dan Chenzi be unaware of its price and transaction condition?

Would he casually take it out to appraise with strangers?

Second, the three of us are newcomers, unfamiliar with Fellow Daoist Dan Chenzi, why would he upon first meeting voluntarily engage us in conversation and sell a rare Foundation Establishment Pill significantly below market price?”

Her words were calm and hit the mark: ”I dare to speculate that this is not a simple trade dispute but a trap set up by someone with unclear intentions. I sincerely ask Senior to temporarily detain this pill, invite both Fellow Daoist Dan Chenzi and Senior Zhao back to the Business Alliance, and thoroughly investigate the origins of this pill, transaction records, and verify consignment details with the Zhao Clan Commerce Association. The Business Alliance prides itself on integrity, surely it will not wrong the innocent nor let malicious individuals off.”

Xiaoqiao’s words highlighted Zhao’s suspicion while upholding the Business Alliance’s fairness, making it hard for the Law Enforcement Honored Guest Elder to easily side with either party.

The Law Enforcement Honored Guest Elder’s brow furrowed slightly. He was not dull; Xiaoqiao’s words indeed had merit. The Zhao family was formidable in Tiandu, but under the current Alliance Leader Tong’s reorganization, the Business Alliance now had strict regulations. Especially with Yongning True Man’s celebration approaching and guests gathering from all directions, mishandling it would be a major blow to the Business Alliance’s reputation.

He pondered for a moment, looking to Zhao Zhiye, ”Fellow Daoist Zhao, what this Fellow Daoist says is not without reason. Why not follow her suggestion, first take the pill and Fellow Daoist Dan Chenzi back to the Business Alliance for verification? If it is truly a misunderstanding, the Business Alliance will certainly clear Zhao’s name.”

Zhao Zhiye’s face darkened slightly. He hadn’t expected this female cultivator to be so astute, disrupting the situation with a few words and even seizing the initiative. Taking it back to the Business Alliance for verification? The longer the delay, the greater the uncertainty. He absolutely couldn’t let this suspected Earth Spirit Master female cultivator slip out of control.

”Fellow Daoist,” Zhao Zhiye’s voice turned colder, ”my Zhao Clan Commerce Association has always acted openly and aboveboard. This pill is indeed our association’s property, evidenced by our association’s markings. Dan Chenzi, in his moment of foolishness, undersold the association’s goods, which is already a major error. Now, the person and evidence are both present; the proof is conclusive, why investigate further? Does the Business Alliance intend to damage my Zhao family’s reputation for a few unknown cultivators from a lower domain, chilling the hearts of visiting merchants?”

His words carried a pressure, subtly hinting at the cooperative relationship between the Business Alliance and the Zhao family.

The Law Enforcement Honored Guest Elder immediately felt pressured. On one side was the evidently aggrieved Zhao family, and on the other, the lower domain cultivators who, although weak, had reasonable arguments. He was caught in the middle, torn.

Just then, the silently observing elder from the Zhao family—Old Mr. Dong—slowly opened his half-closed eyes, a hoarse voice resonating, ”Zhiye, why waste words with these juniors? Since the Business Alliance fellow daoist finds it difficult, why not follow the Business Alliance rules and let them ’prove their innocence’.”

Zhao Zhiye’s eyes lit up, ”Old Mr. Dong means?”

Old Mr. Dong’s murky gaze swept over Xiaoqiao, speaking blandly, ”The simplest way to resolve disputes in the cultivation realm is ’Magical Combat Judging’. Since both sides hold to their stories, why not let the parties involved take the stage and compete. If these three young friends win, it proves they’re in the right. If they lose, it is indeed a case of forced purchase, and handled according to Business Alliance rules. How about it?”

He looked at the Law Enforcement Honored Guest Elder, ”This method is the fairest, and relieves you from being caught in the middle. Our Zhao family is willing to have Dan Chenzi participate.”

Dan Chenzi is at the early-stage True Core, while among the other three, Qin Chuan is heavily injured, Zhang Zhiwei is merely at Foundation Establishment, leaving only this female cultivator with True Core cultivation, seemingly at middle-level True Pill. With Dan Chenzi’s strength, the odds are in their favor. Even if by some chance they lose, it would force this female cultivator to reveal more cards, proving her Earth Spirit Master status.

The Law Enforcement Honored Guest Elder, hearing this, felt a stir in his heart. This indeed was a compromise, resolving the matter swiftly without overtly favoring one side. As for the combat outcome... he shook his head, not optimistic about the lower domain female cultivator. The Zhao family cultivators from Tiandu often had stronger combat power at the same level compared to those from the Outer Domain.

He looked at Xiaoqiao and her companions, ”The Zhao family senior proposes Magical Combat Judging, do you accept? If you win, the matter is settled, and the pill is yours; if you lose, it will be treated as a forced purchase, with compensation of ten times the spirit stones and acceptance of Business Alliance penalties.”

Qin Chuan turned pale, Zhang Zhiwei clenched his fists tightly. They both knew, though Xiaoqiao had True Core cultivation, the opponent hailed from Tiandu, possibly surpassing her in cultivation technique, magical treasure, and battle experience, not to mention Xiaoqiao needing to conceal her Earth Spirit Master identity...

All eyes focused on Xiaoqiao.

The mountain wind swept through, rustling her garments. She glanced at Qin Chuan, injured from using his magical treasures, then at the worried Zhang Zhiwei, and finally met Zhao Zhiye and Old Mr. Dong’s eyes, which held a sense of victory.

She knew, this battle was inevitable.

If she did not fight, it would be an admission of guilt, leaving her at their mercy.

If she fought, she must reveal more of her strength, risking the Earth Spirit Master secret being exposed.

But, at least there was a slim chance.

Xiaoqiao took a deep breath, her gaze becoming resolved. She stepped forward, addressing the Law Enforcement Honored Guest Elder, her voice clear and strong:

”I, as a young lady, am willing to prove my innocence through Magical Combat.”