Chapter 101: False Accusation

Everyone present was a shrewd member of the clan; how could they fail to grasp the implication in Qu Yiqiu’s words? It was common knowledge that years ago, Qu Xiangwei had exhausted both manpower and resources in search of a woman capable of bearing offspring with superior spiritual roots. Everyone had also witnessed how wretched Qu Youyou’s life had been after her birth, as she could not compare to Qu Yiqiu’s five years of excellence. Qu Yiqiu’s words now served as a clear mockery of the cold, unfeeling nature of Qu Xiangwei’s affection for his daughter.

Feeling the subtle gazes of those around him, Qu Xiangwei bared his teeth in a smile. "In the Five Elements Realm, strength is the only thing that commands respect. Since your mind is filled with nothing but such trivialities, it is no wonder that even after consuming a second-grade Foundation Establishment Pill, you remain this weak and fragile—utterly vulnerable to a single blow!"

With a father like Qu Xiangwei, it was hardly a surprise that Qu Youyou had turned out the way she had.

Qu Yiqiu met his gaze coldly. "What I keep in my mind is of no concern to the Clan Leader. Today, you brought my master's disciple here without authorization, which has greatly displeased him. My master bade me tell you: next time, refrain from such brainless actions!"

"Hiss..." An elder could not help but gasp. Could Mo Qingli really have spoken such arrogant words? Li Xianjie and Qu Wenlian exchanged glances, each seeing a flicker of apprehension in the other’s eyes. Mu Yunjin, watching the hall erupt into murmurs over this statement, could not help but admire Senior Sister Qu. He knew that Mo Qingli was in seclusion and would never have told her to say such things.

Qu Xiangwei’s thick brows knitted together as he glared at Qu Yiqiu. "Very well! You are truly a fine disciple of Mo Qingli—turning your back on your own kin! What favors has he granted you that make you dare speak to me like this?"

Qu Yiqiu felt nothing but disdain. Qu Xiangwei’s cultivation was only at the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm; in her eyes, he was of no consequence. Why would she need courage to speak the truth to him?

"Reporting to the Clan Leader, the favors my master has bestowed upon me are far too numerous to list in a short time. If the elders wish to hear them, I can slowly compile a list for you all to admire."

Li Xianjie’s hand, which had been stroking his short beard, inadvertently tightened, pulling out a strand of hair. He stared at Qu Yiqiu in astonishment. This child was far too adept at spouting nonsense! No wonder she had managed to get Qu Youyou thrown into the Cliff of Confinement without exerting any real effort!

Qu Xiangwei’s neck bulged with veins. There was a reason he had always disliked this girl! Her tongue was sharp, she was more beautiful than Youyou, her talent was on the verge of surpassing the daughter he had so meticulously cultivated, and even after apprenticing under a good-for-nothing, she had managed to return to the path of the Great Dao! All these things combined made him loathe her.

"Enough! I have no time to listen to your gibberish. You must be aware that your senior sister, Youyou, is being held at the Cliff of Confinement. Why have you done nothing about it?"

"Why should I do anything? I wasn't the one who had her locked up." Qu Yiqiu had anticipated he would bring this up, and her expression remained unchanged.

"Hmph, you lack the capability to lock her up! Go and plead with Peak Master Su, or perhaps say a few words to Chi Yushu, and have them release Youyou. And those two children who were tending the spiritual plants on your Xiaoping Peak—have them released as well. It is such a small matter; do not be so petty!" Qu Xiangwei commanded from his position of authority, his tone brook no dissent.

"It was they who destroyed the spiritual fields on Xiaoping Peak. Why should Senior Sister have to plead for them?" Mu Yunjin, who had already learned what Zhao Wen and Huang Lan had done, stood up indignantly at the absurdity of Qu Xiangwei’s words.

"That’s right. Zhao Wen and Huang Lan destroyed our Xiaoping Peak; this is the punishment they deserve! If the Clan Leader wishes to save them, he should go and speak to Sect Leader Luo!" Qu Yiqiu looked at him fearlessly.

Qu Wenlian frowned and shrieked, "Qu Yiqiu, how can you be so unreasonable? Youyou is your cousin and the hope of the Qu family. By keeping her locked in the Cliff of Confinement, are you trying to ruin her cultivation and prevent her from breaking through?"

Qu Yiqiu remained unmoved. "As I said, Qu Youyou’s imprisonment has nothing to do with me. That was Peak Master Su’s decision; how could I possibly interfere?"

Qu Wenlian stood up and shouted, "Stop putting on an act! Do you think we don't know what you’ve been doing in the Tianyan Sect? The destruction of the Xiaoping Peak fields was merely a result of your own incompetence in setting up a protective formation. How can you blame a child like Youyou for that?"

Qu Yiqiu was almost amused to the point of laughter by her words. This elder was truly 'reasonable'! She was the same person who had chased after Zhao Yuexuan, vying for the chance to curry favor with her, was she not?

"Elder Wenlian, I truly do not understand what the destruction of the spiritual fields on Xiaoping Peak has to do with my cousin Youyou. Could you please enlighten me?"

Qu Wenlian froze, a flash of panic crossing her eyes, and she was left speechless.

Li Xianjie hurriedly stepped in. "It is simply that you have been whispering nonsense in Peak Master Su’s ear, shifting the blame onto Youyou. This was all the work of those two ignorant fools, Zhao Wen and Huang Lan. How could you let Youyou be locked in the Cliff of Confinement? Won't this delay her cultivation?!"

"Even though you have been gossiping to Peak Master Su and deliberately framing Youyou, as your uncle, I do not wish to make a scene. As long as you go back and have them release Youyou, and put in a good word for Zhao Wen and Huang Lan before Peak Master Mo so that their punishments are lifted, I will not invoke the clan rules to discipline you!"

Qu Xiangwei looked down at her with an air of magnanimity, his eyes filled with contempt.

Qu Yiqiu’s chest heaved with suppressed anger. "Discipline me using the clan rules? When have you ever even seen me go to find Su Xichen?"

"Audacious! Is the name of Peak Master Su something you can just toss around?" Qu Wenlian seized the opportunity to point at her and scold.

"My master’s name is not something he can toss around either. Why don't you scold him?" Mu Yunjin retorted, pointing at Qu Xiangwei without showing any weakness.

Qu Wenlian was left breathless, and Li Xianjie quickly moved to steer the conversation back. "Cough, cough. We are discussing Youyou’s future. Yiqiu’s master and Youyou’s master are fellow disciples; it would be very easy for you to have Peak Master Su release her from the Cliff of Confinement."

Calling her words gibberish, yet these people were the ones brazenly telling lies.

Qu Yiqiu said sternly, "Since the Clan Leader has brought up the clan rules, then show me the evidence that I slandered Qu Youyou to Peak Master Su!"

Qu Xiangwei snorted coldly. "You snuck off to see Peak Master Su precisely because you didn't want anyone to see you. Who could possibly have evidence?"

"Where is the Great Elder? I wish to see the Great Elder!" Qu Yiqiu scanned the room; she had long since noticed that the Great Elder, who held the most authority in the clan, was not present.

Qu Xiangwei assumed a stern, dignified mask. "The Great Elder is in seclusion, attempting to break through to the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm. He has no time to deal with such trivial matters!"

Qu Yiqiu saw through his intentions at once. "Did the Clan Leader deliberately choose this time to lure me here just to force me to release Qu Youyou and those two others? I wonder how much the Zhao and Huang families paid you for this?"

"Insolent! I am the head of this clan; it is not for a junior like you to question my actions!" Qu Xiangwei’s tone grew angry, and he released a sliver of his Golden Core pressure, bearing down upon her.