Chapter 415 - 208: Response from Demonic Factions
Not only Shangguan He, but the faces of other members of the Shangguan clan didn’t look too good either.
Among them, two clan elders were whispering and secretly discussing with their predecessors for a while.
Finally, Shangguan He changed his rhetoric, looking coldly at Chu Xuan, "You are the Celestial Evil, today I, on behalf of the Profound Celestial Sect and the Shangguan family, assure everyone present that this person is surely the Celestial Evil Demon Venerable!"
Although these words were forceful, after the previous turmoil, people were already skeptical. Now they looked either entertained, doubtful, sneering, disdainful, or anticipating a fight.
Li Fanzhou, originally appearing plain, suddenly emitted a powerful aura! Layers of cyan light faintly descended from the sky, startling the spectators, who retreated a large circle, fearing to be affected.
Li Fanzhou squinted his eyes and looked at Shangguan He indifferently, "So, you’re saying that your Shangguan family is bent on framing today?"
Shangguan He shook his head, "This is not framing, since Real Master Li is resolute in disbelief, then for the sake of Dao Palace, how about you two come to visit my clan?"
"Our Shangguan family will present our clan’s heritage to Real Master Li, to see whether this person is indeed the Celestial Evil Demon Venerable."
"If there’s even a one-thousandth chance that he’s not, then our clan will apologize heavily to Dao Palace and to you two, ensuring satisfaction."
The so-called "heritage" mostly referred to Immortal Artifacts, or powers equivalent to Immortal Artifact level, like the backup left by the ascending ancestor.
This wasn’t something a mere painting could compare to; it was much more credible.
Hearing this, people around grew more doubtful. Is the Shangguan family’s confidence actually this strong? Is Chu Xuan truly that suspicious? Though he might be amorous, there’s never been talk of him abducting beautiful female cultivators, right?
Li Fanzhou hadn’t responded yet, when Jiang Yiyi, who had been silently listening, finally stepped forward.
With a serious expression, she said, "You do not have the right to stand before me and make this unreasonable request. Have your Shangguan Yu come to speak with me."
Shangguan Yu naturally referred to the rumored "Profound Silence True Monarch" who had already ascended, with some even reverently calling him "Immortal Venerable."
Of course, the term "Immortal Venerable" carried too much weight, so the Shangguan family generally referred to him as True Monarch to avoid being ridiculed by ancient Daoist families.
At this moment, Jiang Yiyi’s words sounded so grandiose that outsiders only felt this young Dao Palace member was truly arrogant, but Shangguan He and a few others were shocked!
What did she mean? Could she have figured something out?
Just at this moment, another person stepped forward; he was a pale-faced, heavy-eyed, valiant young man. Although he was merely at the third realm, he spoke fearlessly:
"The Shangguan family bullies others too much!"
"Though I, Gan Yun, am only a nameless nobody, I have once received kindness from Brother Chu. Today you are pointing out deer as horses, slandering falsely; do you have even a trace of true Dao’s descendants’ demeanor?"
The spectators suddenly shifted their gaze to him. Chu Xuan was initially taken aback, then quickly recognized who it was, and Qingqing also exclaimed "ah," recognizing him as well.
It was the boy whom Chu Xuan had helped back on Ghost Street years ago.
Some were eager to watch the excitement and asked, "Which sect are you a disciple of, and how did you receive his kindness?"
Gan Yun cupped his hands toward the surroundings and said solemnly, "Gan Yun acts alone, not wishing to implicate the small sects and factions behind him. If the Shangguan family wants revenge in the future, just come after me alone."
Then he narrated his background, how he accidentally entered Ghost Street, witnessed his father’s tragic death, survived miserably, and how he received a Body Refining Technique and three major body refinement medicines from Chu Xuan.
Finally, Gan Yun said, "If it weren’t for the benefactor’s help, I would have long died alone and full of grievances on that eerie Ghost Street."
"He changed my fate; I not only extended my life through cultivation but also avenged my father’s killer with my own strength."
"Even after leaving Ghost Street, when I was confused and didn’t know where to go in this vast world, I accidentally met an old acquaintance of the benefactor, which led me to join my current small sect."
"Gan Yun’s aptitude is dull; I have yet to break through the heavenly barrier. I intended to thank the benefactor after entering the ’Unity Realm’."
"But seeing the Shangguan family behaving so tyrannically and bullying, I can’t silently hide among the crowd and do nothing!"
Upon hearing such impassioned words, most people nodded inwardly, especially those from righteous sects who looked at Chu Xuan with admiration, instructing their disciples to learn his ways of helping the weak and seeking no return.
After Gan Yun finished speaking, a weak female voice echoed in the crowd, "Me too!"
People turned their heads in surprise, discovering that it was a young girl from the East Sea Dragon King’s entourage.
She wore colorful clothing, with crystal dragon horns sprouting from her head, looking every bit like a pureblood dragon descendant.
She was naturally Tantai Xiang’er, though she was a little scared, she bravely raised her hand to speak out, even if her father glanced over with cold scrutiny.
"Years ago, when I was playful and left the dragon palace, transforming into a red carp, I almost got caught by two fierce cultivators; it was Chu brother who saved me..."
She recounted the events back then, merely omitting her exile and changing it to her being playful, leaving some dignity for her father.
The demons present, who previously watched with a theatrical mindset, now heard Chu Xuan rescuing a demon without any human cultivators’ usual prejudice against demons, looked upon him more favorably.