Zhan Mudan led her entourage flying over, but upon drawing close, she directed her gaze toward Chu Feng and the others before it finally settled on Zhan Moli.
"Why did you bring them here?"
"Is this a place they should be?"
"Zhan Moli, have you lost your mind?"
Zhan Mudan's face was livid with fury.
"If there is any responsibility to bear, I will take it." Zhan Moli produced the token once again.
Upon seeing that token, Zhan Mudan's expression soured considerably. "This matter concerns the safety of our entire clan. Can you truly bear that responsibility?"
"Sister, there is no need for you to worry about that. Since I possess this token, should anything go wrong, I will naturally be able to shoulder the consequences," Zhan Moli said.
"To stand up to your own sister like this over a group of outsiders?"
"Zhan Moli, you truly have lost your senses."
Zhan Mudan's face flushed red with rage once more, but she could do nothing about Zhan Moli. So she turned her venomous glare toward Elder Li.
"Elder Li, our clan has given you our finest resources, provided you with the blueprints — you are at least a True Dragon Spirit World Master, so how is it that you cannot handle even this small matter?"
Zhan Mudan demanded in an angry voice.
"Miss Mudan, this old man is merely a first-grade True Dragon Spirit World Master. In the end, my abilities are limited. This formation is beyond what I am capable of."
"I said from the very beginning that this was something I could not do. It was the Clan Master who promised that regardless of whether I succeeded or failed, so long as I was willing to attempt it, there would be no blame for failure. Only then did I agree."
"After repeated failures and the waste of so many precious resources, this old man feels deep shame. If Miss Mudan believes I am no longer suitable, then I will step down."
"You may find someone else." With those words, Elder Li moved to rise into the air and depart.
But suddenly, a vast and overwhelming pressure descended from above, enveloping Elder Li and rendering him completely immobile.
It was the doing of the elder standing behind Zhan Mudan.
"Please, no discourtesy," Zhan Moli hastily spoke up upon seeing this.
"Zhan Moli, silence yourself," Zhan Mudan snapped.
But before Zhan Moli could respond, Elder Li let out a long sigh and then spoke: "This old man was nothing more than a nobody — I merely happened to pass through this region back then. Had it not been for the fact that the Ancient War Tribe had no Spirit World Master and could not leave this place to seek out a greater expert, how would I ever have been given the chance to involve myself in something so important? And how would you ever have addressed me as 'Elder'?"
"This old man understands everything. You simply had no other option."
"But my abilities are truly limited. If the Ancient War Tribe wishes to kill me over this, then I deserve my death."
"I have always been a small fry — in your eyes, I am nothing but an insignificant ant. A single spit of yours could drown me. Since I no longer serve any purpose, then go ahead and do it."
With that, Elder Li closed his eyes and adopted the posture of one prepared to die.
But Chu Feng could see the uncontrollable trembling of the hands hidden within his sleeves. In truth, he was terrified of death — he was merely putting on a brave front.
As for Zhan Mudan, the fury on her face only deepened, yet she did not strike. Instead, she took a deep breath, and her expression underwent a complete transformation.
She signaled for the two elders to withdraw their pressure, then flew down and landed beside Elder Li.
"Elder Li, I apologize. That was rude of Mudan just now."
"But our clan is currently in a moment of crisis, and we urgently need you to succeed."
"I truly am desperate. If I said anything excessive in my words, please forgive me, Elder Li."
"I implore you — please help our clan."
"Once you succeed, I guarantee that the treasures we promised you will be no less than what was agreed upon — and possibly more."
Zhan Mudan's sudden change of demeanor was exactly what Elder Li wanted to hear.
After all, he was afraid of death. Seeing that they were offering him a way out, he eagerly seized the opportunity.
"Then this old man shall give it another try."
With that, Elder Li resumed his preparations.
"You know full well what Elder Li is working on," Zhan Mudan said, turning to look at Zhan Moli once more.
"Are you certain you want to leave them here to watch?"
Zhan Moli turned to Chu Feng and the others. "Miss Yu'er, Young Master Shaoyu, Young Master Chu Feng — I apologize for taking up your time. Since there is nothing of concern here, let us be on our way."
But Chu Feng spoke up. "May I take a look?"
"Young Master Chu Feng is interested in formation crafting?" Zhan Moli was somewhat surprised.
"My brother Chu Feng is the greatest Spirit World Master genius in the entire Martial Cultivation World today," Xianhai Shaoyu declared.
"The greatest Spirit World Master genius? What a joke. Him?" Zhan Mudan looked thoroughly disdainful. Naturally, she did not believe it.
"Your horizons are limited, so it is understandable that you have never heard of my brother Chu Feng. But you must have at least heard of Jie Ranqing?"
"He is Jie Ranqing's son," Xianhai Shaoyu said.
"My apologies, but I haven't heard of Jie Ranqing either," Zhan Mudan replied.
"Well, I'll be — you really are… clueless," Xianhai Shaoyu said, thoroughly exasperated.