“Such arrogance! Does she really think that the Feng family’s territory is her own home?”

As Qin Ruqing and the Manager(Steward) hurried to the council hall, a quick-witted servant had already reported the earlier incident.

Consequently, the senior members of the Feng family were now voicing their anger and accusations.

The steward lowered his head even further upon seeing the Third Elder wave him away, and quietly retreated.

The council hall, neither large nor small, had only three occupants.

Feng Qinxue sat in the center, with the other two, the top five elders, flanking her on either side.

These were the three highest authorities in the Feng family.

As for the First and Second Elders… The First Elder, although the highest in rank and nominally equivalent to the position of an Celestial clan leader, had been in seclusion for many years and did not manage clan affairs.

The Second Elder was also in poor health and only involved in major clan matters.

Thus, the highest actual authority in the Feng family was Feng Qinxue, who served as the Director of the Eastern Region.

Upon hearing the report of Qin Ruqing’s provocative actions, Feng Qinxue had not yet shown any reaction, while the other two elders were already expressing their frustration.

“I’ve heard about Qin Ruqing’s deeds and know her to be an audacious troublemaker with few moments of calm. We invited her to our Feng family and provided impeccable hospitality, yet she holds a grudge and retorts with sarcasm. It’s clear she’s narrow-minded. Our Feng family’s attempt to collaborate with her may turn into misfortune,” the woman speaking had a stern expression, her mouth curved downward, radiating an aura of anger.

The Fifth Elder, sitting on the right, also voiced his concerns, stating more strongly, “Just look at the outcome of the Fifth family’s cooperation with that girl. The Fifth family acted inappropriately, yet they gave Qin Ruqing benefits. Still, she turned on them, seeking revenge. This shows her narrow-mindedness and lack of gratitude. If our Feng family were to cooperate with her, not only might we gain nothing, but we could also end up being bitten by her in return. It’s truly worrying!”

The two elders were harshly denouncing Qin Ruqing.

After several remarks, they became parched and drank tea to soothe their throats, only then realizing that Feng Qinxue had remained silent.

The most senior Fourth Elder put down his teacup and looked at Feng Qinxue, asking, “Qinxue, what do you have to say?”

Though Feng Qinxue was the highest-ranking elder present, she was the youngest among them, so the other elders addressed her by name.

While the two elders were condemning Qin Ruqing, Feng Qinxue had been idly playing with her fingers.

At the query, she finally raised her head.

Though her lips held a smile, her gaze was sharp.

“If the Third and Fourth Elders hold this attitude, I suggest you refrain from participating in the upcoming meeting. If you do, it might end up bringing trouble to the Feng family!”

Such heavy words!

The two elders, both respected and accomplished, found it startling that Feng Qinxue implied they would bring trouble to the Feng family.

The authoritative elder struck the floor with her cane, making a dull “thud” sound, a clear sign of her anger and dissatisfaction.

Feng Qinxue seemed unfazed.

She casually flicked her fingers before turning her gaze to the Fifth Elder.

“Since the Fifth Elder mentioned the Fifth family, why not mention their initial attempt to coerce Qin Ruqing into helping them open the immortal tomb seal? I know the elders will say that even though it was coercion, Qin Ruqing still received benefits from the Fifth family… This is just the same outdated thinking as those old-fashioned fools in the Fifth family.”

The Fifth Elder’s anger towards Qin Ruqing almost shifted to Feng Qinxue with these nonchalant remarks.

By saying the Fifth family was outdated, she was implicitly criticizing herself as well.

“Elder, please be patient and listen to me,” Feng Qinxue remained calm.

“The collapse of cooperation between Qin Ruqing and the Fifth family, while they still preserved some semblance of face, was clear to everyone. The root of the issue lies in the Fifth family’s arrogance. They never truly regarded Qin Ruqing with respect,” Feng Qinxue emphasized the last sentence.

The authoritative elder could no longer restrain herself, exclaiming, “What more should we do to regard that girl with respect? Should we elevate her and offer incense to her? I fear she’s not worthy of such fortune!”

Feng Qinxue’s beautiful face showed a trace of irritation.

She was most impatient with those who were rigid and unchanging.

If she had spent time arguing with them, things might have already been accomplished.

Her voice grew cold, “How is she not worthy? Elder, do you think that because we and the Fifth family are Celestial, anyone we show favor to should be grateful? Yes, Celestial are noble, but are we Celestial every year? What were our ancestors like?”

“Forgive me for being disrespectful, but have you forgotten how our ancestors rose to prominence?”

Those words were truly rebellious.

The two old women’s expressions changed instantly, and they were about to rebuke Feng Qinxue, but for some reason, their words got stuck in their throats, and they couldn’t utter a single syllable.

Is an Celestial-grade always an Celestial-grade?

—Naturally not.

Since ancient times, Celestial-grade families have changed several generations.

How did our ancestors rise?

It was through a sudden realization from a ridiculous romance, then they fought their way into the Void Realm, where they obtained opportunities and thus rose to prominence.

Wait—Void!

The two Feng family elders shuddered.

If their ancestors could gain opportunities in the Void Realm and rise, why couldn’t Qin Ruqing?

Qin Ruqing is even younger, more awake, and more talented!

Today, they looked down on Qin Ruqing because of the “nobility” of being Celestial-grade, but in the future, who knows if the “nobility” will not be this girl they once underestimated?

Feng Qinxue saw that they were at a loss for words and knew that the two old folks had changed their minds.

Since she had started speaking, she decided to be clearer:

“I think the Qin family has great potential to become the third Celestial-grade family in the future.”

After finishing, she smiled again and added, “Oh, whether it will actually be three Celestial-grade families is still uncertain!”

Whether it will be three Celestial-grade families… if not three, then how many? Wait, does this mean…

The two elders broke out in a cold sweat from the awful realization.

Seeing that her reminder had taken effect, Feng Qinxue withdrew her intimidating gaze and glanced toward the main hall.

Sensing someone approaching the council hall, she pondered for a moment and said:

“It’s getting late today. The two elders must be tired. Why don’t you return and rest first? Let me speak with that girl.”

The Fourth and Fifth Elders exchanged glances.

Cultivators weren’t usually so short of energy.

However, they understood Feng Qinxue’s intention. The older generation’s mindset was not very flexible.

Even if they understood now, it was still difficult for them to be polite and lower their status in front of a junior, especially after so many years of habit.

If they said something unpleasant later, it might cause trouble with that sensitive girl. It was better to leave now.

---

When Qin Ruqing arrived, she saw Feng Qinxue alone in the hall.

Upon crossing the threshold, she greeted with a charming smile.

Feng Qinxue, who was renowned in the four domains in her youth, naturally dazzled the entire hall with such a smile.

Qin Ruqing’s eyes lit up, and she complimented immediately, “Aunt Feng, you’re truly radiant!”

Her voice was very sincere.

Feng Qinxue chuckled and gave her a playful glance, “You’re too sweet-talking.”

But she knew that this was the young girl trying to make up for her earlier display of arrogance.

She was someone who could bend and stretch.

Since there had been enough indirect probing over the past few days, some things were already clear between them.

Therefore, after a few polite words, Feng Qinxue directly brought up the main topic.

“Little girl, I won’t beat around the bush. You’re so smart; you must have anticipated this. We’ve invited you because the Feng family has something to ask of you.”

This statement put the position clearly.

“To ask” implies putting oneself in a lower position.

The initiative was now in Qin Ruqing’s hands.

Qin Ruqing immediately responded, “Aunt Feng, just speak frankly.”

Feng Qinxue nodded, “You might have guessed it’s about the Lu family.”

“The Lu family holds a key artifact for cultivating the Xuanming Dao. With this artifact, they have taken control of the Immortal Grade Inheritance, but now they refuse to return the artifact,” Feng Qinxue said with a furrowed brow, clearly very concerned about this.

Qin Ruqing responded, “I wonder how I might be able to help?”

“That artifact, if I explain it in detail, you should have heard of it. It’s a trial ground called Hell Path and Shura Path.”

Qin Ruqing’s pupils constricted.