Wait a minute, where is my master?

After these words were spoken, the dark-scaled man did not leave.

He pondered for a moment and then spoke again.

"Qingmu Academy is indeed one of the Four Great Immortal Sects, with a well-deserved reputation in the Nine Provinces Realm. You, the three friends of Suìhán, are not nobodies either. However, this place is ultimately the Shui Clan's territory, and everything should be done according to our clan's rules and laws. I advise you to retreat quickly, lest you make a mistake.

"Otherwise... to provoke a conflict with the Shui Clan over such a trifling matter, one of the Four Great Immortal Sects, I fear you will not be able to bear the consequences."

As soon as these words came out, the surrounding crowd buzzed with astonishment.

They couldn't understand why a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator of the Shui Clan dared to speak to a Void Refinement Realm expert in this way, especially considering that this expert was from Qingmu Academy, one of the Four Great Immortal Sects.

Jin Xu was in the crowd, frowning slightly. He covered the whole island with his Spiritual Sense, but still could not figure out what the other party was relying on. Meanwhile, that dandy had already left the tavern and was unhurriedly making his way over here.

"This Nascent Soul Realm Shui Clan cultivator is... a bit too bold, isn't he?"

The little Taoist muttered quietly.

Yu Yaoer and Shiqi turned their heads in confusion and asked, "Son/Temple Master, what does bold mean?"

"Bold is... no, that's not important. Little Yu, does your Shui Clan's law truly forbid public peddling and the use of Spiritual Power to intimidate on the island?"

"Hmm, there seems to be a rule against the arbitrary use of Spiritual Power to intimidate, but it depends on the situation. In the case of the commotion just now, Mr. Song releasing his power shouldn't normally cause any Shui Clan law enforcement Cultivators to trouble him.

"But if someone did that in the city without reason and affected others, then they would definitely be punished. Minor offenses would be fined in Spirit Stones, while serious ones could lead to a few days in the Water Prison."

Yu Yaoer tilted her head, pondered for a moment, and gave her own answer.

"What about that thing they said about public peddling?"

Jin Xu continued to inquire through a psychic transmission.

"This kind of thing is simply not in the Shui Clan's major laws. Our clan relies on the sea for a living, and many cultivators hunt or find things in the sea. The trading companies don't offer high prices, so they prefer to set up their own stalls. According to what they're saying, most would end up in the Water Prison.

"However... each island's Island Master does have some autonomy to set minor laws that don't carry much weight.

"For instance, on Youren Island, under Uncle Water Monkey's jurisdiction, there's a rule that no one is allowed to drink in the streets. If you want to drink, you can only do it at home or in a tavern."

The little Taoist listened to Yu Yaoer's explanation and nodded gently.

I see.

It's likely that these laws were made up on the spot, just to find an excuse to take away the hidden moth held by the Fan father and son.

And at that moment, within the circle.

Mei Shouyi listened to the Shui Clan cultivator with the dark scales, his eyelids drooping as the smirk induced by anger on his face quickly vanished.

As senior cultivators of the Cultivation World who had gained fame long ago, the three friends of Suìhán were accustomed to receiving courteous treatment and warm welcomes wherever they declared their names.

But today was different.

This Nascent Soul Realm cultivator was being unreasonable, insisting on turning black to white and not only gave them no respect but also threatened them.

So, a conflict would arise just because he said so? Who does he think he is, our academy head?

Anger rose from Mei Shouyi's heart, fueling his boldness.

He gathered the Spiritual Power within his body, preparing to unleash the intimidating pressure unique to the Void Refinement Realm against the Cultivator before him, to teach this Shui Clan cultivator a lesson about respecting one's elders and being courteous and humble.

Of course, Mr. Mei's intention to discipline the person before him was just an incidental benefit; his real aim in releasing the Void Refinement Realm's pressure was to coax out the true power brokers on the island.

But before he could take any action,

a heavy hand suddenly landed on his shoulder.

"Boss Song, what is this?"

The remaining two of the Suihan Three Friends and Yao Qinxiao, who had left Youren Island earlier, appeared by his side at some unknown time.

"I know you want to draw out the real power holder on Sae Island, let me do it."

Song Xili said telepathically as he removed his heavy palm.

"Boss Song, you don't look down on me, thinking that my cultivation is not enough to draw out the person in charge of this island..."

Mr. Mei wore an expression of feeling disrespected.

"It's not like that..."

Song Xili was startled by the comment, but before he could explain, Mr. Zhu, who stood with his arms folded, sent a telepathic message.

"Old Mei, Boss Song is concerned about you.

"To my knowledge, while the Shui Clan's laws don't specifically punish congregating and selling, there is indeed a rule against casually releasing one's Spiritual Power to intimidate others in the island's cities. Although what Boss Song just did is unobjectionable, if this Cultivator insists on nitpicking, that would indeed be a violation of their laws.

"So now Boss Song is stopping you from unleashing your pressure. He will shoulder the responsibility himself, which is far better than both of you being implicated later."

"Although... it seems that the punishment is at most being confined for a couple of days."

Song Xili nodded slightly, acknowledging Zhu Chuanren's words, then added, "Also, we don't know the temperament of Sae Island's Island Master. If he is reasonable, then it's all fine. But if we encounter an unreasonable one, you and I, brothers, are not afraid. My worry is he might be reasonable yet also petty.

"Once the matter is resolved, if he focuses on the fact that both of us have exerted Spiritual Power pressure on the island, and if you were to be taken and held for a few days, wouldn't that be losing face in front of the new disciple you just took?"

Mei Shouyi pursed his lips on hearing this.

"Boss Song, the other party hasn't agreed to be my disciple yet. And if they really dare to nitpick with us, with the strength of the three of us..."

"If that's the case, how would we be any different from those spoiled young masters? When we are not in the right, we must not bully others with our power, otherwise, it would needlessly tarnish the reputation of Qingmu Academy."

Mr. Mei's telepathic message was directly interrupted by Song Xili.

Then, Mr. Song didn't delay any further. A unique Spiritual Power pressure belonging to someone in the Void Refinement Realm soared into the sky, exerting pressure on the Nascent Soul Realm law-enforcing Cultivator before him and spreading around the vicinity.

However, no sooner had he erupted, a purple-black shell was thrown into the crowd from the outside.

"Buzz!"

The shell vibrated slightly, swelling as it met the wind, and eventually turned into a light screen that enveloped the law-enforcing Cultivator and the others, keeping the Void Refinement Realm's pressure out.

"Hahahaha, dear friends from Qingmu Academy, why make such a fuss over a trivial matter?"

Amidst the crowd, two people accompanied by a cordial voice slowly entered the circle.

One of them was the fat Shopkeeper who had sneaked away earlier, and by his side was a handsome young man in a purple-black brocade robe, beaming with a bright smile.

"Esteemed elders from Qingmu Academy, why such a fiery temper? Could it be that my subordinates have been unruly?"

The young man's cultivation was not high, and the brocade robe he wore glimmered, evidently shielding him from Mr. Song's Spiritual Power pressure.

"Are you that scion of the Chen family?"