"By any chance, could the killer have been sent by the Shape Stealing Spirit?" Shen Shou asked.
Everyone pondered the possibility.
"It's possible because the killer was a fiend cultivator." Shen Yu said.
"Second Uncle, i shall handle the matter of investigation. Someone dared to plot against my sister, i need to find out who!" Shen Jie said.
"Alright, if it's you, then i'll be at ease." Shen Yu agreed, no one objected to this either.
"Then i'll assist nephew Jie." Elder Kang spoke from the side.
"Then it's decided."
"Young Master Li, I hope you can tell us more about the Shape Stealing Spirits so we can prepare accordingly." Shen Jie added, cupping his fist.
Li Shenrong casually explained the spirit's strengths and weaknesses, leaving everyone in awe and giving them a new perspective of him.
"Sky Swallowing Saint! Come out and meet this seat!" Suddenly, a vast wave of spiritual energy exploded, shaking the ground beneath the Jade Sky Kingdom.
Everyone's expression changed in terror.
"A Demi God! A Demi God expert came with ill intention!"
In the sky, far away from the Shen estate, a slender figure floated silently, clad in the robe of the Sacred Sword Ground.
The Sky Swallowing Saint rose to greet him. "This old man greets Lord Wei."
Wei Wutong, an elder of the Sacred Sword Ground and a Demi God expert, exuded an aura that pressed heavily upon the ruler of the Jade Sky Kingdom.
"Sky Swallowing Saint I won't bully you, bring me the head of the Chen Family members as well as the brat name Li." Wei Wutong spoke, his voice boomed like thunder across the kingdom.
Sky Swallowing Saint was puzzled. What grudge could the mighty elder of the Sacred Sword Ground have against the small Shen family?
"Dare i ask what the Shen family has done?" he asked cautiously.
"Your Shen family colluded with the murderer of my Sacred Sword grounds disciple. Hand him and the Shen family over or face the consequences." Wei Wutong said, his voice devoid of emotion.
Sky Swallowing Saint was someone who didn't like trouble, he wouldn't shrink either if trouble come to his door. If he could resolve a problem without fighting then that was for the best.
"But…I definitely cannot just hand over my subordinates just because you said so." Sky Swallowing Saint thought inwardly. Although the Sacred Sword Ground elder was powerful, he didn't like their arrogant attitude.
"Lord Wei, allow me to visit the Shen family first. I will provide an explanation." He said.
Wei Wutong studied him, then smiled faintly. "Very well. I hope you make the right choice."
Sky Swallowing Saint understood the unspoken threat behind the words.
Soon, he visited the Shen family. Shen Yu explained everything, including the disappearance of the family head. The Sky Swallowing Saint, with how shrewd and observant he was, immediately realized the family head was likely dead.
After a brief silence, he said, "All this time, I protected the Shen family out of loyalty to the old head, but… today's matter exceeds what I can handle."
"Wei Wutong is a Demi‑God. His cultivation is unfathomable. As an elder of the Sacred Sword Ground, he alone could deter any force." The family members listened quietly.
"But, I can't just hand over my subordinates just because he ordered or else how would i raise my head in the future, you all are my loyal subjects. I will try to negotiate with him, although chances are slim but there's still hope." Sky swallowing Saint's eyes turned serious as he spoke, "But, that young man named Li must be handed over."
The Shen family member's faces changed as they glanced among themselves. Li Shenrong was their benefactor as well as guest.
"But…" Shen Yu wanted to say something but Sky Swallowing Saint's eyes turned cold. "Shen Yu, a clever man like you should understand the situation better than anyone else. Forget about getting help from the Gu clan. Do you think they lack geniuses? inviting that boy may have been Gu Zhen's personal wish. We can take a step back and think the Gu clan is sincere in inviting him. But, the Gu clan is so far away, how long do you think it would take for them to send reinforcements? As the saying goes, distant water cannot extinguish nearby fire. The Sacred Sword ground is close to our territory, they could destroy our kingdom just by sending a random elder. Who in our kingdom could oppose them?"
Everyone was silent. They all understood the logic.
"Lord Shen Yu, why don't we…." Elder Kang said, "Why don't we just hand that boy over!"
"Yes, i agree with elder Kang." Many elders voiced their opinion.
"Youuu! Did you forget the young master saved our family from extinction?!" Shen Shou was furious.
"Humph! It was caused by that Kid, why should we feel grateful?" Someone snorted coldly.
"Shameless…!" Shen Lin scowled. "If my brother was here how could you behave so arrogantly?"
Sky Swallowing Saint spoke, "Little girl, if your brother was here, he would've made the same choice."
Shen Lin stayed silent, her fists were clenched tightly. The feeling of unable to change anything gnawed her from inside, bit by bit.
"Invite young master Li over." Finally Shen Yu ordered in a deep voice, his eyes resolute.
"Second brother!! I think you should think twice!" Shen Shou spoke anxiously.
"You don't need to say anymore third brother. This is for the family. Sometime we need to be heartless, just to survive." Shen Yu uttered indifferently.
"No need for an invitation. I am already here."
Everyone's gaze turned over as they saw a young man in white robe walking over, his face had a hint of smile.
Li Shenrong's eyes swept over everyone, finally landing on Shen Lin. Her eyes turned red, tears flickering. "Brother Li…."
He walked toward her but suddenly was blocked by the Shen family members. Their expressions unfriendly.
"So… the choice has been made." Li Shenrong uttered calmly. Surrounded by so many experts, he wasn't nervous.
"We've been poor hosts, Young Master Li. Forgive us, this is for the family's survival." Shen Yu said without any change in expression.
"Understandable…" Li Shenrong nodded, then glanced at Sky swallowing Saint. "Let's get going."
Sky Swallowing Saint felt the urge to slap him to death but held back his anger. "Young calfs know no fear." Uttering disdainfully he raised one finger, covering Li Shenrong in a white light then flying off to the distance. Li Shenrong didn't resist as he let him do it. He was nonchalant as ever.
Some of the core members of the Shen family followed behind.
Seeing the Sky swallowing Saint only appearing with Li Shenrong, Wei Wutong raised an eye brow, asking in an authoritative tone. "Where's the Shen family?"
"Lord Wei, the Shen family lost its family head recently, and i have also revoked their Duke status as punishment. Also, i have brought the boy you have asked for. Please do as you see fit. I just hope to do continuous co operation with the Sacred Sword ground and never had any intentions to oppose it." Sky swallowing Saint spoke humbly, lowering his posture as much as he could.
His words contained hidden meaning, saying, i punished the Shen family, my subordinate for your sake. Also handed over the criminal. This showed his sincerity as well as preserved his dignity. Then he asked Wei Wutong to do as he please, giving him the feeling of superiority which would reduce any leftover dissatisfaction within Wei Wutong. By saying he wanted co operation, meaning it wasn't just co operation. The Jade sky kingdom was on Sacred Sword ground's side, not on the side of the Gu family.
Wei Wutong smiled, understanding the subtext. "Wise men submit to circumstances. Very well, I will not make this difficult."
"I thank you Lord Wei."
"Now….." Wei Wutong's face turned cold as he fixed his gaze on Li Shenrong. "Boy, do you know your crime?"
His words alone caused ripple in air. Any cultivator below the realm of Demi-God would prostrate in submission under such pressure. The Sky Swallowing Saint who had retreated far away also felt his ears go numb.
However, Li Shenrong coolly placed his hands behind his back. His face expressionless and voice was tranquil as still water. "Crime? What kind of crime do you speak of?" He asked nonchalantly.
Wei Wutong's eyes narrowed slightly, he was surprised that Li Shenrong could still stand under his aura. "He must've a high grade treasure.." He thought.
"You murdered a disciple of the Sacred Sword Ground and insulted our sect, enough to deserve a thousand deaths." Wei Wutong said coldly.
"I killed a lot of people. Which one do you speak of?" Li Shenrong spoke, rubbing his chin as he thought very seriously.