Chapter 1036 - Humans Don't Argue With Dogs

People once praised Liao Changhong as the brightest talent of the Liao Clan's younger generation, a prodigy who had successfully restored many of their ancient spiritual arrays.

However, all of that had come to a brutal end when Liu Wuxie had killed him in the Sacred Ground. It was a blow the Liao Clan had yet to recover from.

They wouldn't take such a loss lying down.

In the six months that followed, the Liao Clan launched multiple ambushes on the Liu Clan's caravans, inflicting devastating losses. Their desire for revenge was evident and unwavering.

Now, with enemies on all sides, the Heavenly Dao Society's delegation stood in stark contrast at the center of the storm, drawing the attention of countless spectators. Yet, most of those onlookers watched from the sidelines, indifferent to the rising tension.

"The Heavenly Dao Society? What kind of sect is that? Why haven't I heard of them before?" someone muttered.

Even the upper echelons of the assembled factions murmured in confusion. In all their dealings across the Central Plains, none had ever encountered the name "Heavenly Dao Society"—at least, not until now.

Titans filled the plaza: the Four Great Clans, the Profound Cloud Sect, the Scarlet Dragon Cult, and countless other ancient factions. Even the weakest faction among them claimed second-tier status or greater.

"The Heavenly Dao Society was founded just a year ago. No wonder you've never heard of them," someone explained offhandedly.

"What a joke?!" one of the Scarlet Dragon Cult's elders scoffed. "They've been around for a year and already think they qualify for the commerce fair? Did they get hit in the head?"

Laughter erupted from several factions.

Only a few, namely, the Flying Snow Sect, the Nine Profound Sect, and the Sky Feather Sect, remained silent, their expressions unreadable.

Amid the rising mockery, Liu Wuxie remained utterly indifferent.

Several members of the Heavenly Dao Society looked as if they were about to speak up, indignation burning in their eyes. But Xu Yilin raised his hand calmly, silencing them with a subtle gesture.

Now was not the time for rash words.

In this place, silence would speak louder than defensive words.

"Liu Wuxie, have you gone mute? Aren't you usually so eloquent? Why so quiet today?" Yuan Ziping taunted, his voice dripping with mockery as he basked in the attention. He was hoping to humiliate Liu Wuxie in front of everyone.

"Humans don't argue with dogs," Liu Wuxie said coolly.

His words were like a blade slicing through the noise.

Silence crashed over the plaza.

With those five words, Liu Wuxie insulted everyone who had ridiculed him, likening them to barking dogs. The implication was direct, cutting, and undeniable.

The members of the Heavenly Dao Society inwardly cheered. They had all been straining for a way to reply, only for Liu Wuxie to silence the entire crowd with a single, ruthless line.

From the surrounding crowd of neutral factions and cultivators, bursts of laughter erupted. Some scoffed in amusement, others chuckled at the sharpness of the retort, and a few sneered, impressed by Liu Wuxie's nerve.

However, regardless of their reactions, no one could deny that with a single line, Liu Wuxie had turned all the ridicule back on its source.

"Liu Wuxie, who are you calling a dog?" Yuan Ziping roared, his face twisted in fury.

"Kid, isn't it obvious? Whoever responds is the dog," someone replied from the crowd.

No one else reacted; only Yuan Ziping had taken the bait, effectively admitting to being the one insulted. The implication stung, and hatred surged on the faces of those around Liu Wuxie. Many now glared at him as if itching to tear him apart.

"There's no need to stoop to the level of a clown," someone from the Wang Clan said coldly. "We can pay the Heavenly Dao Society a proper visit after the commerce fair."

"Elder Wang is right," an elder from the Wang Clan echoed with a sneer. "The audacity of these nobodies to show their faces here. If the Heavenly Dao Society gets to participate, I'll kneel and kowtow on the spot!"

They made their intent unmistakable. They hadn't come merely to attend the commerce fair, but they had arrived ready to wipe out the Heavenly Dao Society while they were at it.

"You've all heard him," Liu Feng said, clasping his hands and turning to address the surrounding crowd. "If the Heavenly Dao Society can participate in the commerce fair, he'll kneel and kowtow. I ask everyone here to bear witness to that promise."

"They must be delusional to think they can participate in the Spirit Jade Pavilion's commerce fair. What a joke?!" members of the three clans jeered, laughing so hard they almost doubled over.

Meanwhile, the line slowly moved forward. The Scarlet Dragon Cult and Profound Cloud Sect representatives entered the passageway one after the other.

Soon, it was the Wang Clan's turn, followed closely by the Liao Clan. They had no time to continue arguing with Liu Wuxie, as attending the commerce fair took priority. Losing their partnership with the Spirit Jade Pavilion would deal a massive financial blow. After all, any powerful force needed a steady influx of resources to maintain its growth.

Those without invitations stood at a distance, watching enviously. Left with no other option, they took to the skies to view the event from above.

By then, people had flooded the floating plaza outside the Spirit Jade Pavilion. Aside from the central area, reserved for displays, the organizers had neatly arranged rows of seats along the perimeter to accommodate the audience.

The organizers had invited over five hundred distinguished guests to this year's commerce fair. Each one stood as a well-known figure in the Central Plains, a renowned expert in their field.

Among them was Qu Su from the Heavenly Spirit Celestial Academy, along with several elders from both the Heavenly Spirit Celestial Academy and the Dragon Emperor Academy. Their presence alone added immense weight to the event.

......

Deep within the Spirit Jade Pavilion, a mysterious tower rose, shrouded in silence and secrecy.

Outside the tower, an unusual sight greeted the eye: a man in his thirties knelt motionless on the stone steps, his aura dim and withered, as if drained of all energy. From his gaunt and weathered looks, it was clear he had been kneeling there for days.

An invisible force field blanketed the entire pavilion, rendering divine sense completely useless. No one could spy within, regardless of their power.

Inside the tower sat a middle-aged man in stillness. Although he made no move, the pressure emanating from his body was immense.

"Take a look at this!"

A booklet flew out from the pavilion and landed in front of the kneeling man. Overwhelming pressure surged from within the tower and pressed down on him like a tidal wave.

The man shuddered violently under the force. As he opened the booklet and read its contents, panic overtook him. He immediately dropped to the ground and kowtowed repeatedly.

"Pavilion Master, please forgive me!" Shi Yuan cried out.

"Shi Yuan, you were trained by me. I do not want to kill you with my own hands. Abolish your cultivation and leave the pavilion," said the pavilion master, his voice calm yet resolute.

Shi Yuan, the elder of the Spirit Jade Pavilion, knelt outside.

"Pavilion Master, this must be a setup by the Heavenly Dao Society! They fabricated everything in this booklet!" Shi Yuan pleaded, desperation creeping into his voice.

The pavilion master had once shared that doubt. When Elder Qin had first handed him the booklet, he had been skeptical. But after days of thorough investigation, every detail matched the records exactly. The evidence was irrefutable.

"I do not wish to see you again. Leave," the pavilion master said coldly, dismissing him with a wave of his hand.

Shi Yuan kowtowed desperately.

"Pavilion Master, I was wrong! Please, give me another chance!"

He knew the rules of the Spirit Jade Pavilion well. The pavilion abolished the cultivation of anyone who violated the rules and cast them out without mercy.

The pavilion master let out a long sigh. "I have given you many chances. Did you think I didn't know what you've been doing?"

"Pavilion Master, please show me mercy! I will change!" Shi Yuan continued to kowtow, desperation clear on his face. To a cultivator, losing one's cultivation was worse than death. It meant the end of all future possibilities.

After a long silence, the pavilion master finally spoke. "If you don't want to die, there's still a chance."

Shi Yuan's eyes lit up with determination.

"Pavilion Master, pray tell! I'll do whatever is needed!"

"Find a way to stop the Heavenly Dao Society's goods from entering the Spirit Jade Pavilion," said the Pavilion Master, his tone cold as ice.

"Understood! I'll get it done immediately!" Shi Yuan stood and left without another word. If it were the Pavilion Master's command, he would obey without hesitation.

The tower fell silent once more.

Liu Wuxie had no idea that the Heavenly Dao Society's fate had just shifted with a single command from the Pavilion Master of the Spirit Jade Pavilion.

"Heavenly Dao Society... you're the first to bargain with my Spirit Jade Pavilion. You want the pavilion to display your goods? Not so easy," the Pavilion Master muttered coldly.

In the past, others would beg for the opportunity to enter the Spirit Jade Pavilion. Only the Heavenly Dao Society dared to make demands.

"Shadow," the Pavilion Master called out.

A black silhouette appeared outside the tower, his form completely obscured.

"Master, what are your orders?" the shadow asked.

"Go and investigate everything about the Heavenly Dao Society, especially Liu Wuxie. I want every detail," the Pavilion Master said, his tone indifferent.

To oversee a vast establishment like the Spirit Jade Pavilion, the Pavilion Master had to possess extraordinary means. He was no ordinary figure.

"Should I...?" The shadow raised his hand and made a slicing motion across his neck.

"Not yet. He doesn't pose a threat to the Spirit Jade Pavilion, at least, not for now. Besides, his background isn't simple," the Pavilion Master replied.

The news of Liu Wuxie being the chosen one had already spread among the higher echelons of the True Martial Continent.

The Spirit Jade Pavilion naturally received information on it.

"Roger that!" the shadow replied before he vanished into thin air.

......

The plaza buzzed with activity as a large number of Spirit Jade Pavilion elders emerged to oversee the proceedings.

Every commerce fair showcased more than just business. It displayed innovation at its grandest. New medicines, weapons, spiritual arrays, and talismans were all unveiled, drawing the attention of countless eyes from across the continent.

The streets of Astral Glory City gradually emptied as nearly everyone made their way to the floating plaza for the fair.

Yet, outside the entry gates, the members of the Heavenly Dao Society continued to wait.

"It's our turn now," Xu Yilin said, stepping forward to lead the group. They had deliberately waited for the crowd to thin before making their approach.

The surrounding onlookers gasped and murmured in disbelief. "What are they doing? Are they trying to enter? They'll be thrown out without an invitation!"

The elder in charge of verifying invitations frowned as he caught sight of the approaching group.

"Please present your invitation," he said with evident annoyance.

Without hesitation, Xu Yilin produced a golden invitation and handed it over to the elder.

As soon as the pristine invitation came into view, the Spirit Jade Pavilion elders exchanged puzzled glances. They remembered issuing exactly one hundred invitations. Everyone on that list had already submitted their entry.

Now there was one more, making it one hundred and one.

To top it all, the invitation in Xu Yilin's hand was unmistakably genuine. Its aura, craftsmanship, and seals left no room for doubt.

"Is there a problem?" Xu Yilin asked with a calm smile.