C2 The Ling Long Hall's Lee Xiao

Earlier today, at high noon, the head shopkeeper of Exquisite Hall, Lee Xiao, paid a visit to Han Chen. Upon hearing the news, Han Chen made time to receive him.

However, after some time had passed, Lee Xiao revealed his true intention: to purchase the Purple Sanctum. Han Chen's displeasure grew with each word. He politely declined, "Uncle Lee Xiao, the Purple Sanctum and Exquisite Hall, just like the Han family and the Lee family, have always been both partners and competitors. The Purple Sanctum is the cornerstone of our Han family's livelihood. We will not sell it at any price. I must ask you to leave."

Lee Xiao was not deterred and continued to coax Han Chen. Seeing that Han Chen remained firm, Lee Xiao's demeanor turned icy as he announced, "Nephew Han Chen, you may not be aware that the last alchemist of the Purple Sanctum, Elder Mo, has now pledged allegiance to Exquisite Hall."

The news hit Han Chen like a thunderbolt from a clear sky!

In that moment, Han Chen's face went pale, and he felt as if he'd been struck by lightning.

Elder Mo was not only the last alchemist of the Purple Sanctum but also a distant relative of the Han family, known for his unwavering loyalty. Yet now, even he had defected to Exquisite Hall. Was there any hope left for the Purple Sanctum?

If the Purple Sanctum were to suffer, it would strike at the very heart of the Han family. Over time, would the Han family still hold its esteemed position in White Feather City, known as a family of martial prowess?

As if to jolt Han Chen into facing reality, or perhaps as part of a prearranged plan, at that very moment, an old man in a black robe stepped out from the carriage parked at the gates of the Han residence...

It was none other than Elder Mo himself.

Seeing Elder Mo in person, Han Chen was so enraged that he spat blood. Yet Lee Xiao was relentless. As if oblivious to Han Chen's distress, he leisurely mentioned the purchase price for the Purple Sanctum, which was barely enough to cover the value of the land it stood on!

"Nephew Han Chen, don't take offense at my bluntness. Currently, everyone in White Feather City knows that the Purple Sanctum exists in name only. You can either shut it down for good or sell it to the Lee family. Only then can you avoid tarnishing the esteemed name of the Purple Sanctum..."

Han Chen didn't catch the rest of the conversation; his anger had overwhelmed him to the point of fainting.

The old butler, visibly alarmed, quickly directed the servants to assist Han Chen back to his room for some quiet recuperation. Upon receiving a message from Liu San, Han Fei hurried to the scene to manage the situation, and this was the scene that greeted him.

"Nephew Han Fei."

As Han Fei entered the hall, Lee Xiao greeted him cheerfully, "I've heard you've returned from your travels. You've been secluded for several months, focusing not on cultivation, but on developing new pills. How has that been going?"

Han Fei gave Lee Xiao a measured look and replied coolly, "Are you the one who enraged my brother to the point of vomiting blood?"

Elder Mo, who had been silent up until now, suddenly spoke up, "Han Fei, is that any way to speak when addressed by an elder? Do you really think your brother's condition is Lee Xiao's doing? No, he brought it upon himself."

Han Fei's brow furrowed as he turned to Elder Mo, "What do you mean by that?"

"You're still too young, too inexperienced to grasp the situation," Elder Mo explained gravely. "Since it eludes you, let me lay it out. With the passing of the Old Master Han, your brother has stepped in as acting patriarch, but he's incapable of revitalizing the Han family's current predicament. Under his leadership, the Purple Sanctum is bound to deteriorate. It would be wiser to cut losses now and survive."

"In doing so, the Han family could secure a substantial compensation, which is better than nothing."

"Your brother realizes this, but he can't come to terms with it, or rather, he's afraid to confront the harsh reality. His own impotence is what truly infuriated him."

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Han Fei applauded, a smile on his face, "Well said, Elder Mo. Your points are well-structured and logical. It seems our Han family indeed has no room for such a talent as yourself. Now, if you would, please leave. My brother is the head of the Han family, and if he says the Purple Sanctum is not for sale, then it most certainly is not."

Lee Xiao's visit to the Han estate was not a solo affair. Besides Elder Mo, a young man stood behind him, a first-level practitioner of the Vital Spirit Stage and a prodigy of the Lee family, accompanying Lee Xiao to gain experience.

As Han Fei finished his words of refusal, the Lee family disciple's eyebrows shot up, clearly irritated by Han Fei's demeanor. Without anyone noticing, he covertly took action.

Clutching his fan, he waved it subtly, sending a wave of unseen, profound inner energy across the room, aiming to trip Han Fei right then and there.

"Child's play."

Han Fei scoffed inwardly.

The Lee family disciple was at the first level of the Vital Spirit Stage, just like Han Fei. Although Han Fei had only recently advanced to this level, the underhanded tactics of the Lee family disciple couldn't shake him in the slightest, much less trip him up.

Furthermore, Han Fei, unshakable as a mountain, lightly pressed his foot to the ground, channeling his deep internal energy into the earth and striking back instantly!

The Lee family disciple, intent on teaching Han Fei a lesson, let out a pained cry as numbness shot through his feet. It felt as though a tremendous force had struck him, causing him to lose his balance and fall to the ground with a thud.

"Pfft..."

"Ha ha..."

In that moment, the hall was filled with more than just Han Fei, Old Mo, and Lee Xiao; the old butler, the Han family's steward Liu San, and numerous servants were also present. Witnessing the Lee family disciple's fall from grace, faces turned red, laughter was barely contained, and some couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Lee Xiao's brow furrowed deeply.

He was taken aback. He knew Han Fei's capabilities—mediocre talent and a cultivation at the third level of the Body Tempering Stage. Even with Han Fei's recent breakthrough, the two were supposed to be evenly matched. How could Han Fei have so effortlessly taken down Lee Feng?

With doubts swirling in his mind, Lee Xiao discreetly reprimanded the young man who had just made a spectacle of himself, signaling with his eyes as he spoke, "Lee Feng, did you just make a move against your cousin Han Fei? You're all part of the younger generation. If there's a dispute, air it out here and now. Let's keep the big issues small and the small issues nonexistent."

Lee Feng, a disciple of the Lee family, was no fool. His perception was sharp, and he quickly grasped Han Fei's implication. He offered a respectful bow and said, "My apologies, Third Young Master Han, for my earlier behavior. I got carried away. Perhaps you could spare a moment to spar and share a few pointers?"

His request to spar was a ruse to gauge Han Fei's true capabilities. Moreover, he saw it as an opportunity to openly discipline Han Fei and recover the respect he felt he had lost.

Han Fei, however, had no interest in engaging with such a buffoon. "I'm sorry, Brother Lee, but I'm quite busy and really don't have the time to entertain you. Uncle Han, Liu San, would you see our guests out? I'm going to check on my elder brother and see if he's come around."

Uncle Han, the venerable steward of the Han household, was about to escort the guests out when Lee Feng's face darkened with anger. "Han Fei, are you too cowardly to face me? Afraid, are you? I'll even give you a three-move head start!"

Without a backward glance, Han Fei departed. His parting words floated back: "If you insist, then yes, I am afraid. Afraid that you might take another tumble. The Han family's fortunes aren't what they used to be, certainly not when compared to your Lee family's Ling Long Hall. Should you injure yourself here, who would be liable for the damages?"

"You!" Lee Feng's face turned beet red with fury, his body shaking with unvented rage.

Uncle Han and Liu San approached with concealed amusement, their faces calm as they spoke, "Please, do come and visit the Han residence again."

With a snort of disdain, Lee Xiao rose to his feet, his displeasure evident. He briskly exited with Old Mo and Lee Feng in tow, remarking, "Business is as ruthless as war. I'm curious to see how the Purple Sanctum will fare without an alchemist at the helm."