Chapter 120: Do You Dare to Accept?

The Cloud Palace Peak did not actually have such a rule; most cloud ships in the Shengtian Realm bear unique insignias, making it easy to identify which house they belong to upon sight.

The cloud ship of the Shangyang Li family, however, bore no markings at all. Given the sheer scale of the vessel Li Fusheng had acquired, failing to clarify its identity could have easily led to dire consequences for Cloud Palace Peak. After all, this was a war-grade cloud ship; if such a vessel were to enter the territory of Cloud Palace Peak without the sect taking any action, it would suggest a dangerously lax defense.

"Who I am is none of your business. Move aside!" Li Fusheng said in a low, sharp voice.

The Cloud Palace Peak cultivators who had intercepted the ship changed their expressions immediately upon hearing his tone. In the Shengtian Realm, they had never encountered anyone who dared to speak to members of Cloud Palace Peak in such a manner—especially while within the sect’s own territory.

"Notify the sect! A formidable enemy is approaching!" the leading cultivator commanded. A transmission jade slip was immediately sent flying into the distance.

Witnessing this, Wang Changsheng felt a sense of foreboding. It seemed they were on the verge of a conflict before even setting foot in Cloud Palace Peak. He knew Li Fusheng’s temperament well; if he was truly pushed, he was more than capable of escalating things.

"Everyone, please, there is no need for a misunderstanding!" Wang Changsheng called out to the cultivators. "We are from the Corpse Refining Sect, and we have come to pay a formal visit to Cloud Palace Peak." He was hoping to foster goodwill and had no desire to start a fight before they had even arrived.

"Corpse Refining Sect? Never heard of it!" one of the cultivators outside replied, paying no heed to Wang Changsheng.

"Never heard of it?" Wang Changsheng was stunned. The Corpse Refining Sect had once been a first-rate sect in the Shengtian Realm with top-tier strength; even now, its power was not to be underestimated. How could they have not heard of it?

"Where did these small-timers come from? Turn your ship around and leave the territory of Cloud Palace Peak at once, or do not blame us for being impolite!" the cultivator retorted coldly.

"Impolite?" Wang Changsheng’s expression darkened. Given the status of Cloud Palace Peak, it was impossible they were unaware of the Corpse Refining Sect. The only conclusion was that the status of these disciples was far too low. Otherwise, even if there was a grudge between the sects, they would not dare to be so blatant.

"Hahaha..." Li Fusheng burst into laughter upon hearing this. He looked at Wang Changsheng and mocked, "Wang Changsheng, your Corpse Refining Sect is nothing but a backwater minor sect. Get aside and don't block my way!"

Turning back to the cultivators, Li Fusheng declared, "I am a cultivator of the Shangyang Li family, here to visit Cloud Palace Peak. Move aside at once!"

"Shangyang Li family?" The cultivators looked puzzled, turning to one another. "Have you heard of the Shangyang Li family?" They shook their heads in unison.

The cultivators had initially been worried that such a massive ship might belong to someone of significant background, fearing they might be held responsible if they caused trouble. But since they had heard of neither the Corpse Refining Sect nor the Shangyang Li family, they felt entirely at ease.

"I don't care if you're the Shangyang Li family or the Xiayang Li family, get out of our territory!" the cultivator shouted. "If you wish to visit, then present a formal invitation properly!"

Pfft! Hahaha!

Wang Changsheng and his group could not help but laugh. As they continued to chuckle, Wang Changsheng noticed Li Fusheng’s expression turning increasingly grim. Li Fusheng had been mocking Wang Changsheng earlier, but now that the tables were turned, it was Wang Changsheng’s turn to laugh at him. In truth, the Shangyang Li family had long remained in seclusion, and with Cloud Palace Peak having so many disciples across various ranks, it was impossible for everyone to have heard of them.

"What are you laughing at!" Li Fusheng roared. He could not tolerate being humiliated in front of Wang Changsheng.

"Spirit Stone Cannons, prepare!"

With his command, several cannons emerged from the sides of the ship. Wang Changsheng had never seen such weapons before; the ship he had previously traveled on was either for transport or was far too small. This vessel was truly a war fortress.

"What are you doing?" The cultivators of Cloud Palace Peak suddenly looked terrified. Each blast from a Spirit Stone Cannon possessed the power of a Golden Core stage strike. While a true Golden Core cultivator would not fear them—as they were too slow to hit such a target—the cultivators blocking the way were only at the Huayuan stage and had no hope of surviving such an attack.

"Fire!" Li Fusheng showed no hesitation.

*Boom! Boom-boom!*

Three deafening roars echoed as three beams of light streaked toward the cultivators.

*Crashing sounds followed.* Wang Changsheng watched as the cultivators were blasted away, vomiting blood and pale-faced, clearly having sustained grievous injuries.

"At my speed, I could never dodge that..." Wang Changsheng gasped, feeling a chill. He noticed that one of the cultivators had vanished entirely—evidently reduced to dust by the blasts.

"Li Fusheng..." Wang Changsheng’s expression turned solemn. He had not expected Li Fusheng to actually fire.

"You... you..." the injured cultivators lay on the ground, gasping for breath. A jade slip flew from one of their hands as they lost consciousness, while the others were left in an even more wretched state.

"Li Fusheng, should we leave?" Wang Changsheng asked nervously, unable to fathom his companion's temper.

"Leave? Why would I leave?" Li Fusheng snapped. "They dared to look down on my Shangyang Li family. Not even Cloud Palace Peak gets to do that!"

Wang Changsheng was speechless. They hadn't looked down on anyone; they simply hadn't heard of them! To him, Li Fusheng’s reaction was far too aggressive.

The ship remained stationary. After about half a day, several streaks of light descended, revealing a group of figures. Wang Changsheng was surprised to see a familiar face among them.

"Cailing?"

The lead cultivator was Cailing, whom Wang Changsheng had met during his time in the Chengtian Realm. Cailing arrived, ordered her subordinates to tend to the injured, and then noticed the Spirit Stone Cannons still aimed at the ship. Her expression darkened as she approached and recognized Li Fusheng.

"Fellow Daoist Li, what is the meaning of this?" Cailing asked coldly. "Cloud Palace Peak has never offended you, and our relationship with the Shangyang Li family has always been amicable. Are you trying to declare war on us?"

Li Fusheng, his anger still unspent, sneered, "Cailing, what if I were to declare war?"

"I, Li Fusheng, can represent the Shangyang Li family in declaring war on Cloud Palace Peak. But you, Cailing—can you represent Cloud Palace Peak in accepting this challenge? Do you dare?"

His voice grew into a roar. Wang Changsheng could not understand why Li Fusheng was so furious. Cailing, who had been approaching, froze in mid-air, her expression flickering uncertainly. She knew that while Li Fusheng had the status to declare war, she certainly did not have the authority to accept such a challenge. She suddenly regretted her initial, overly formal tone; it was useless against someone like Li Fusheng. Unable to accept the challenge or even respond, she found herself trapped in an impossible position.