Chapter 531: Hit the Nail on the Head

Every word Ye Yuan spoke struck Ren Xingchun's heart like a heavy punch.

A junior of such outstanding talent was something every clan desperately craved.

Even a fool could tell that Ye Yuan's future achievements would be extraordinary.

But now, Ren Xingchun had thoroughly offended this junior.

Of course, offending him was one thing; if it were an ordinary person, Ren Xingchun could have him captured and disciplined.

But the problem was, he simply had no way to deal with Ye Yuan!

"Hmph! What do you know at your age? Everything I've done is for the Ren Clan! Without me, how could the Ren Clan have suppressed the Cao Clan and held the top seat in Wufang City?"

Ren Xingchun was extremely arrogant; even though he felt regret over Ye Yuan, he would never bow his head to a junior like him.

Moreover, he didn't think he had done anything wrong.

That was the crux of the matter!

"Hahaha... You old man are hilarious! Is this game of self-deception fun?" Ye Yuan laughed heartily at Ren Xingchun's words.

The mockery in his smile was unmistakable.

Ren Xingchun said darkly, "Self-deception? I've managed Wufang City like an iron bucket; who dares to defy my orders?"

"Like an iron bucket? Perhaps. But it's only temporary! If you truly had the final say in Wufang City, when I challenged the Thousand Questions Wall that day, you should have sided with the Cao Clan, not just stood by. You should have taken the chance to uproot them! But you didn't dare, because the Cao Clan's foundation is too deep, and Wufang City's prestige still relies on them, not on you, the City Lord!"

Ye Yuan continued with a cold smile, "The Cao Clan's decline is only temporary; their foundation remains, and they will rise again sooner or later. But you... you're just an upstart, without foundation or future! Once your peak years are over, Wufang City will change hands again! You've realized that yourself, haven't you?"

"Hmph! Dong'er's talent far surpasses Cao Fang's, as you've seen. Once Dong'er grows up, the Cao Clan will still be trampled under our Ren Clan's feet!" Ren Xingchun remained stubborn.

Ye Yuan smiled, "I won't deny that, but do you really think Ren Dong can shoulder the burden alone? What can you leave him—a strong clan? Cao Fang is indeed inferior to Ren Dong, but they are only quasi-Dan Kings. What about the Dan King level? The Dan Emperor level? The Cao Clan can invite so many Dan Emperors every five years; they don't come for your sake, but for the Cao Clan's! In terms of foundation, connections, and talent, the Ren Clan can't compare to the Cao Clan in any aspect!"

Ye Yuan's words shattered Ren Xingchun's sense of superiority.

Ren Xingchun opened his mouth but couldn't find a rebuttal.

He seemed drained, as if he had aged many years in an instant.

Ye Yuan had hit the nail on the head, leaving him utterly unable to refute.

The Ren Clan's recent glory was only skin-deep; Ren Xingchun had long been aware of the crisis, which was why he spared no effort in training Ren Hongling and later Ren Dong.

But as Ye Yuan said, the Ren Clan's foundation was too shallow to compare with the Cao Clan's.

Indeed, no one in the Cao Clan's third generation could surpass Ren Dong, but their second generation was far stronger than the Ren Clan's!

Among the Cao Clan's second generation, there were several Dan Emperors alone; who could guarantee that none of them would become a peak Dan Emperor in the future?

If the Cao Clan produced a peak Dan Emperor, his position as City Lord would be in jeopardy!

As for the Ren Clan's second generation, there was only Ren Yujie, a junior Dan King.

Ren Yujie had some talent in city management, but in the Dao of Alchemy, he was somewhat out of his depth.

On one hand, Ren Xingchun spared no effort in suppressing the Cao Clan; on the other, he had to rely on their prestige to consolidate his rule over Wufang City.

Only he knew the hardships involved.

Who would have thought that such a young boy could see through the Ren Clan's crisis at a glance?

That was why, after learning Ye Yuan's identity, Ren Xingchun felt even more dejected.

Ren Xingchun desperately wished Ye Yuan could become a member of the Ren Clan, but his personality made it impossible for him to lower his pride and speak softly; his attitude remained very强硬.

Ignoring Ren Xingchun's embarrassment, Ye Yuan went to Xu Zihui and channeled his yuan power from his palm into Xu Zihui's body.

Ye Yuan could only refine quasi-fourth-tier pills, which would be of little help to Xu Zihui.

However, Ye Yuan had many medical methods; although his realm was not high, he could still use yuan power to alleviate Xu Zihui's injuries.

After a short while, Xu Zihui's complexion improved slightly. Though his injuries were far from healed, he could manage to speak a few words with effort.

Xu Zihui had been unable to interject during the conversation between the grandfather and grandson, but he had heard everything.

To be honest, he had always thought the City Lord was very capable, but he never realized the City Lord's Mansion's crisis had reached such a point.

Because of this, he admired Ye Yuan even more.

This young man, though young, possessed not only formidable strength and methods but also insight far beyond ordinary people; his future achievements would be limitless!

"Th-thank you, Young Master Ye!"

Xu Zihui struggled to stand and bow to Ye Yuan, but Ye Yuan stopped him and said displeasedly, "Not to mention that you were injured because of me, but given our friendship, there's no need for thanks."

Xu Zihui was stunned, then overjoyed.

From Ye Yuan's tone, he was treating him as a close friend!

Although his realm was far higher than Ye Yuan's, being acknowledged by Ye Yuan filled him with uncontrollable joy.

Becoming friends with a prodigy like Ye Yuan was something others could only envy!

Xu Zihui nodded firmly at Ye Yuan, indicating he understood.

Watching this, Ren Xingchun's face darkened even more.

This brat was so polite to his subordinate, yet kept him at arm's length.

He was definitely doing it on purpose!

Xu Zihui also noticed Ren Xingchun's expression and said with a wry smile, "Young Master Ye..."

"Brother Zihui, don't stand on ceremony. Just call me by my name, or call me younger brother," Ye Yuan interrupted.

Xu Zihui paused, then nodded. "Then I won't be pretentious. Ye Yuan, I know I'm an outsider, but may I say a few words?"

Ye Yuan nodded slightly, clearly giving his consent.

Relieved, Xu Zihui began, "I never dreamed that you would be the City Lord's grandson! I have followed the City Lord for many years, and he has been immensely kind to me! Even if he were to kill me, I would have no complaints. But seeing you two at odds like this truly saddens me!"