Chapter 106: The Dispute

Mu Chen did not finish his sentence, but Li Muqiu understood his underlying meaning perfectly: with Che Wuyou’s mediocre aptitude, he stood no chance of passing the Tower of Heaven’s trial. Mu Chen secretly urged Li Muqiu not to pin so much hope on the boy.

"But this child might just be the one to cure my son’s illness!" Li Muqiu looked at Mu Chen with a solemn expression. Li Yiqiu’s condition had plagued him for over a decade, becoming his deepest obsession. He loathed owing others, fearing the entanglement of too much karma, yet for the sake of his son, he was willing to owe anyone everything.

"Junior Brother Sect Master, I watched Qiu'er grow up; I, too, wish for his swift recovery and cannot bear to see him in such agony. However, I do not believe a wet-behind-the-ears boy could possess such profound medical mastery. Think of how many high-level alchemists we have invited to the Qingchi Sect—all of them were at least third-tier or higher—and even with their expertise, they were all helpless. I simply cannot believe a fledgling novice has the ability to succeed where they failed."

"How will we know unless we try? As long as there is a glimmer of hope, I cannot rest without testing it," Li Muqiu’s voice rose slightly.

Mu Chen fell silent for a moment before saying, "To treat Qiu'er’s illness, the Void-Separation Grass is essential! Yet, according to Elder Qingdan, this herb is held either by the Pill Pavilion or the Beast Pavilion of the Lesser Sacred Grounds. Ever since the Greater Sacred Grounds retreated from worldly affairs, the four Lesser Sacred Grounds have sought to bring our four Sword Sects under their control. For years, they have imposed sanctions on the Qingchi Sword Sect, trying to force us into submission. When we previously requested the Pill Pavilion to refine the Defect-Mending Pill, we paid a harrowing price. If we ask for the Void-Separation Grass now, who knows what outrageous conditions they might demand."

"The Void-Separation Grass is not even that precious; surely they wouldn't be so unreasonable," Li Muqiu clenched his fists. The people of the Sacred Grounds were truly insufferable. Were it not for the many powerful factions within the Southern Continent, they might have dared to strike at the four Sword Sects long ago, having coveted the Tower of Heaven and the Qingchi Holy Water for years.

"Junior Brother, do you truly believe the Defect-Mending Pill was so precious? We provided all the materials, and the Pill Pavilion merely provided the labor for one refinement, yet they made exorbitant demands and siphoned away so much of our holy water. As for Qiu'er’s illness, a fifth-tier alchemist from the Pill Pavilion could cure it with ease, but they… alas."

"Second Brother, then let us trade for the Void-Separation Grass with the Beast Pavilion instead. They should be more straightforward, and since they raise Flaming Snakes, they must have an abundance of the grass."

"Junior Brother, do you still not see? The people of the four Lesser Sacred Grounds are all cut from the same cloth. No matter who we deal with, they will demand a king’s ransom."

"Second Brother, I have already lost A-Heng; I cannot lose Qiu'er. Whatever the cost, I must obtain that grass. Besides, even Elder Qingdan said this method is viable. He is a peak third-tier alchemist, so his words must hold weight."

Mu Chen shook his head but said nothing more. Although he felt that Li Muqiu’s current stubbornness was a misfortune for the Qingchi Sword Sect, Li Muqiu was the one in charge. He could only offer a word of caution without overstepping. He had said what needed to be said; if Li Muqiu did not go too far, he would simply turn a blind eye.

"Second Brother, if this boy, Che Wuyou, fails to reach the top one hundred, what if I grant him special permission to enter the Qingchi Sword Sect? What do you think?" Li Muqiu asked. He truly lacked confidence in Che Wuyou; for someone at the early stage of the Purple Mansion realm to stand out among so many experts at the Guiyuan realm and the peak of the Purple Mansion was virtually impossible.

Moreover, those participating in the test were no ordinary people. Many hailed from the great clans of the Southern Frontier, possessing foundations far deeper than the common folk. Some of the most gifted among them could even bridge the gap between the peak Purple Mansion and the Guiyuan realm. Che Wuyou, however, came from the most barren province in the Southern Frontier—Jizhou—and possessed both a weak foundation and rock-bottom aptitude. How could he possibly compete?

"Junior Brother, you… I have indulged you in everything else, but this? So many eyes are on the Qingchi Sword Sect, not just within our sect, but throughout the entire Southern Continent. To openly defy the ancestral laws? Where does that leave the reputation of our sect? How will others see you, or the sect itself? I will not agree to this—under no circumstances." Mu Chen’s expression darkened, and he glared at Li Muqiu with indignation. If Li Muqiu could disregard the ancestral laws, there was nothing he wouldn't do.

Li Muqiu had not expected such a fierce reaction. He wanted to keep Che Wuyou at Qingchi because if his methods truly worked, the treatment would be a long-term process. He wanted to reward the boy for his help, but he could not simply keep him there without a valid reason.

"Second Brother, I am only specially admitting one disciple. Is it really that serious? The ancestral laws were written eons ago; as the Sect Master, do I not even have this much authority?"

"Seventeenth Brother—Junior Brother—do you hear yourself? These are the ancestral laws! You wish to openly violate them? Do you know what has allowed the Qingchi Sword Sect to endure for so long? It is the statutes and regulations left by our founders. We have weathered countless storms and shifts in fortune, yet we stand at the pinnacle of the Southern Continent today. Do you know why? It is because—"

"Fine, fine, let us drop the matter," Li Muqiu interrupted, fearing an endless lecture. "If he cannot clear the Tower of Heaven, it is a failure of his own strength, and he can blame no one. I will find another way to keep him here."

"The Sect Master is wise," Mu Chen said, finally exhaling with relief. Before Li Muqiu took full control, he had been upright and gentle, always willing to listen to advice. But now, he had become increasingly stubborn. Years ago, the head of the Wu family had predicted that Li Muqiu would ascend to immortality within ten years, provided there were no accidents. Yet, over a decade had passed, and he had yet to ascend. In the end, it was his temperament that had changed.