The noblewoman was rendered speechless by Liu Zixuan’s words, her brows furrowing deeply, uncertain whether she felt joy or anger.

She was not the kind of person who bullied others with her authority; reason was her guiding principle in every matter. Yet after a heated debate, she realized that if she were to force Liu Zixuan to compromise and hand over the Guiding Order to the Gu Family, it would indeed be unfair.

But for now, how could the two sides avoid further conflict?

At this moment, the noblewoman found herself unsure of how to resolve the stalemate.

However, Gu Daohe found a topic to exploit.

Liu Zixuan might not be aware of the noblewoman’s identity beside him, but Gu Daohe was absolutely clear.

The noblewoman beside him was the Great Elder of the Jade Maiden Sect. Not only that, she was also the elder sister of the Sect Leader of the Jade Maiden Sect. Although the sect only had a dozen or so members, each one was a standout in the Martial Realm.

Furthermore, the noblewoman’s strength surpassed even that of the Jade Maiden Sect Leader. It was only due to some incidents in the past that she did not inherit the position of Sect Leader, instead passing it to her younger sister, the current Sect Leader.

Yet her status in the entire Star Sea Martial Realm remained unchallenged.

Even as the second Patriarch of the Gu Family, Gu Daohe had to respectfully address her as ’senior’ while Liu Zixuan dared to utter such disrespectful words.

He schemed that Liu Zixuan’s words must have angered the noblewoman, and if he just added a bit more fuel to the fire, Liu Zixuan would surely be doomed today!

Then he stepped forward aggressively, looking at Liu Zixuan and said, "Not only did you harm the members of my Gu Family, you dared to seize our treasures and offend our senior."

"Our senior acts for the sake of the Star Sea Martial Realm, not for her own selfish gains. Yet you refuse to cooperate. Do you really intend to oppose the entire Star Sea Martial Realm?"

"Do you not know that the Star Sea Martial Realm is the defender of the Star Sea? By opposing it, aren’t you disregarding the well-being of the world?"

Every word, every sentence, sharp as frost, piercing like sword light, as if questioning Liu Zixuan as an irredeemable villain!

Liu Zixuan suddenly let out a mocking laugh on hearing this, "What? Does your Gu Family represent the Star Sea Martial Realm? Does the alliance between your Gu Family and the Jade Maiden Sect represent the well-being of the world? Gu Daohe, isn’t that accusation a bit too grand?"

"I’m just telling you the truth!" Gu Daohe shouted, bullying with his power.

"The truth?" Liu Zixuan retorted with a cold smile, "The truth is that all treasures must first go to your major forces? The truth is that you can confuse right and wrong at will? The truth is that the strong can always oppress the weak?"

"You!"

"Shut your mouth!" Liu Zixuan sternly interrupted Gu Daohe’s attempt to refute.

Suddenly, he stretched out his hand to grab Gu Daohe’s collar, enunciating each word emphatically, "If the Star Sea Martial Realm is as you say, what difference does it make if I offend it? If the people of the world blindly support those who have no distinction between right and wrong like you, then their fates don’t concern me one bit!"

The last four words were uttered by Liu Zixuan through gritted teeth.

He understood that the noblewoman’s intentions were good, and the Willow Association’s ancestor’s plans weren’t wrong, as they were entirely for the sake of the Star Sea Martial Realm.

But having the right intentions does not mean the methods used in the process are correct. You can find ways to enhance the power of Star Sea Martial Artists, but that doesn’t justify making the martial artists without any backing pay a heavy price.

Everyone says this world is fair.

But if it’s as they say, where does fairness come from?

It would be better to follow what Liu Zixuan said: without fairness, he would have to fight for fairness himself.

So don’t boast of being a gentleman because if you don’t retaliate, others will kill you!

Gu Daohe had overpowered strength backed by authority, but Liu Zixuan had an entirely different and more dominant form of strength, stemming from a powerful heart and a never-yielding spirit!

For a moment, the air around them thickened as if about to burst.

Gu Daohe was left dumbstruck by Liu Zixuan’s words, remaining in a stupor for a while, before finally speaking in a hoarse voice, "Release me, or else..."

"Or else what can you do?" Liu Zixuan released his grip but placed the Nameless Sword against Gu Daohe’s neck instead: "Gu, do you really think I won’t dare to kill you?"

"You!"

Schiing!

The sword’s edge had already cut through the skin on Gu Daohe’s neck, causing a thin trickle of blood to flow. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Liu Zixuan smiled chillingly, "Say one more word and I guarantee you won’t die whole!"

Gu Daohe was completely flabbergasted, standing there stunned, hardly daring to breathe heavily, watching Liu Zixuan warily.

He was truly scared!

"Big brother is so cool!"

Amidst this tense moment, Tongtong suddenly flashed a sweet smile, taking a piece of chocolate from her pocket, peeling off the wrapper, and offering it to Liu Zixuan: "This is the first time Tongtong is giving someone chocolate."

Liu Zixuan hesitated momentarily. For reasons unknown, the murderous intent in him dissipated the instant Tongtong spoke, and he suddenly became... somewhat peaceful.

Seeing Liu Zixuan motionless, Tongtong took another two steps forward: "Big brother, do you not like Tongtong’s chocolate? My master made it especially for me, and it’s very tasty."

"Tongtong..." The noblewoman felt it was somewhat inappropriate to speak at this moment, even though Tongtong had diffused the tension, the situation remained too dangerous.

Tongtong shook her head cutely, revealing her little tiger teeth, and said, "Auntie, I’ve thought it over, and I believe this big brother wasn’t wrong at all. But you and that wicked uncle from the Gu Family are being a bit petty."

"Me, petty?" The noblewoman surprisingly did not get angry, instead letting out a bitter laugh: "Indeed, I’ve been too narrow-minded, too stubborn."

Speaking thus, the noblewoman approached Liu Zixuan: "Zixuan, my young friend, I was in the wrong before, I’m sorry. The Guiding Order belongs to you. However, I’d still like to plead for him; the lesson has been taught, there’s no need to kill."

"Senior!" Gu Daohe was shocked.

The esteemed elder sister of the Jade Maiden Sect Leader had actually apologized to Liu Zixuan! And she did so personally!

This... this was a treatment never before accorded to any other family’s patriarch, even their ancestors.

"Second Patriarch, I advise you to go back and think carefully as well. The young friend Zixuan’s words are very reasonable. It’s not wrong for the Star Sea Martial Artists to grow stronger, but some of the rules have to be revised; they can’t remain so stubborn." The noblewoman advised.

Liu Zixuan took a deep breath. Considering such a prominent figure had spoken, how could he not pay heed? He sheathed the Nameless Sword, turned to look at the Divine Maiden Tongtong, accepted the chocolate, and put it in his mouth, smiling: "Your chocolate is special. It feels... not bitter at all, only sweet."

"Hehe, of course it’s special. Master says this chocolate is even more expensive than a building." Tongtong grinned.