The fairy forced me to marry into her family, so I retorted by throwing myself into the Pool of Fate

"Mu family cultivators? What brings them here?"

Hong Peng was startled. He caught a glimpse of Li Ping's ambiguous, sly expression out of the corner of his eye and suddenly understood.

Tonight's feast is no reward banquet; it's clearly a trap set by Li Ping himself.

All his previous actions were just a charade.

What do you mean by being lustful and greedy for alcohol?

What kind of ascetic practice and diligent training?

He deliberately put on a show to lull them into a false sense of security.

As for Hong Xing's surveillance, he has probably already managed to evade it.

Upon realizing this, Hong Peng lost all his composure and was filled with fear.

His face turned pale, his legs went weak, and he collapsed to the ground.

The other Hong family cultivators, seeing Hong Peng's state, instantly came to their senses. When they realized that the Mu family cultivators had already subtly surrounded them, they immediately showed bitterness on their faces.

Naval battles are extremely brutal.

Especially between families, one side will never give up until the other side is completely eliminated.

The thought sent chills down Hong Heipi's spine.

He glanced around furtively and saw that the Mu family cultivators had blocked the way out, and he was filled with despair.

He caught a glimpse of Li Ping out of the corner of his eye, and a glimmer of hope suddenly rose in his heart.

"How dare you!"

"careful."

Two sharp shouts came in quick succession from Mu Jin and Mu Chongming.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Hong Heipi lunged at Li Ping, clearly trying to tear a hole in the wall.

"And yet, I actually had a slight liking for you."

Li Ping scoffed and raised his hand, unleashing a wave that seemed to solidify into a tangible form.

Just as Mu Jin and Mu Chongming lifted their feet, they heard a tearing sound and saw Hong Heipi flying backward, crashing heavily into the courtyard wall, spitting out blood.

The two men's expressions froze, and they couldn't help but be moved.

Fighting opponents of a higher level is not uncommon in the Qi Refining stage, but to render an opponent incapacitated with a single, casual strike like Li Ping's is no easy feat.

"This kid seems to be more than just smart."

"I told you long ago, how could my Yuebai possibly choose a good-for-nothing?"

The two composed themselves and quickly went to Li Ping's side, asking in unison, "Are you alright?"

"It's alright." Li Ping waved his hand. "Proceed according to plan and bring them under control first."

Mu Jin nodded and gave the two Mu family cultivators a wink.

The two understood each other and immediately came to Hong Ji's side. One of them restrained him, while the other pointed a finger at his dantian.

With his magical powers sealed, Hong Ji had no power to resist and could only lie on the ground, lost in thought.

Seeing Hong Heipi's fate, the other Hong family cultivators dared not resist and let the two do as they pleased.

When it was Hong Xing's turn, she suddenly screamed and crawled on her knees in front of Li Ping:

"Li Ping, please save me!"

I'm willing to follow you, and I'll never talk back to you again. I'll do whatever you ask me to do.

Upon hearing this, the Mu family cultivators all looked at Li Ping with strange expressions.

Mu Chongming stared directly at Li Ping, his eyes filled with scrutiny.

"I gave you a chance."

Li Ping patted Hong Xing's face and said calmly, "Such a big island needs someone to manage it. She's been here a long time and is familiar with the island's affairs, so..."

As soon as he finished speaking, Mu Chongming's expression softened.

Just as Li Ping breathed a sigh of relief, Mu Jin suddenly spoke up: "With so many people, why choose a woman?"

The emperor isn't worried, but the eunuch is; you're really getting worked up.

Li Ping cursed inwardly, wanting to explain but feeling it was pointless.

"Father-in-law, you handle this as you see fit. I'm not getting involved."

After saying that, he walked straight out of the courtyard, leaving everyone inside staring at each other in disbelief.

Mu Chongming glared at Mu Jin: "Serves you right for being so talkative."

"I was also thinking of Yuebai's best interests," Mu Jin said with a smile.

"Mind your own business," Mu Chongming said. "Hurry up and find the person. The patriarch can't wait that long."

Mu Jin nodded and led the other two late-stage Qi Refining cultivators to catch up.

Upon catching up with Li Ping, he quickly said, "Brother Li, I was just being blunt just now."

Li Ping stopped, glanced at him, and then looked at the man and woman behind him.

Upon seeing this, the male cultivator cupped his hands in a salute and said, "Mu Ming greets Fellow Daoist Li."

The female cultivator also gave a slight bow: "Mu Fang."

"Those at the seventh level of Qi Refining are all from the main lineage," Mu Jin added.

"Isn't there only five main branches?" Li Ping asked, puzzled.

"Both families produced Foundation Establishment cultivators in their ancestors' lineages, but after the ancestor passed away, no new Foundation Establishment cultivators appeared for sixty years, which is why they were relegated to branch lineages," Mu Jin explained. "However, since these two are expected to reach Foundation Establishment, we privately address each other as the main branch, as a way of congratulating them in advance."

Li Ping suddenly realized what was going on and exchanged pleasantries with the two of them, but his attitude toward Mu Jin remained indifferent.

"Brother Li, is it really necessary?" Mu Jin asked.

"Don't you know what kind of person my Yuebai is?" Li Ping said coldly.

"Hey, I admit I was wrong, okay? If Yuebai asks about it later, I'll explain it to you myself."

Upon hearing this, Li Ping's expression softened slightly.

As if remembering something, he changed the subject and asked, "How many contribution points does the clan plan to distribute for this campaign against the Hong family?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Mu Ming and Mu Fang's expressions changed slightly, and they looked directly at Mu Jin.

"It depends on the specific situation of the war. If the campaign is not going well and the losses are too great, we will provide additional compensation, but we will guarantee at least 300 contribution points."

Mu Jin paused, then looked at Li Ping: "Your discovery of the Hong family's scheme this time counts as a separate achievement, and you will be awarded additional contribution points."

"How many?"

"I heard from the elders that it's two hundred contribution points."

Upon hearing this, both Mu Ming and Mu Fang's eyes flashed with envy.

Li Ping nodded in satisfaction. With these 500 contribution points in hand, he could borrow the Mu family's power to help find the Thunder Sound Jade.

Even after destroying the Hong family, there should still be some gains to be made.

A thought struck him, and he asked again, "How were the spoils of war distributed?"

"All spoils of war must be handed over." Seeing Li Ping's disappointed expression, Mu Jin reminded him, "Don't just think about these things."

Although the Hong family is only a small force, which family doesn't have a backup plan? Especially when it comes to life and death.

Be careful, lest you lose your life before you even get the contribution points.

Li Ping and the other two nodded, abandoning their contempt.

However, he still had doubts.

"Wasn't it said that Patriarch Mu Rou had arrived?"

"The Ancestor has arrived, but she needs to inspect the battlefield to prevent any escapees and potential backup plans from the Hong family. She won't make a move easily," Mu Jin said. "The other two elders who are at the peak of Qi Refining will deal with two Qi Refining Ninth Level members from the Hong family."

The remaining cultivators in the early and middle stages of Qi Refining will need to be managed by the four of us.

This group has the largest number of people, and if they are surrounded, there is a risk of injury or death.

I thought it was going to be a winning game.

Li Ping shook his head, touched the second-tier talisman in his storage bag, and felt slightly relieved.

After arriving at another small courtyard, Mu Jin asked for permission via telepathy before the four of them pushed open the door and entered.

In the courtyard, Mu Rou remained as languid as ever. She leaned back in her chair, her fair legs crossed, and merely glanced at the people who arrived.

The two elders standing to the side were people Li Ping had met before: Mu Tongshou, the steward of the treasury, and Mu Yusheng, the elder of the General Affairs Hall.