Choosing to leave would undoubtedly mean losing face for the Nine Sects. If the news spread, it would be a tremendous blow to their reputation.
If they stayed, they would clearly be standing in opposition to Li Xuan. From the methods Li Xuan had displayed, Wu Yigou and the others could tell that Li Xuan had a powerful figure backing him.
If they were to harm Li Xuan in any way, they would likely face even greater disaster.
More importantly, it had been confirmed that Liu Shaoyun was the one responsible.
Wu Yigou, standing below, glanced at Liu Shaoyun beside him, a hint of helplessness flashing in his eyes. However, Wu Yigou and the leaders of the other families all stopped in their tracks, lost in thought.
In the silent expanse, Li Xuan's eyes flickered as he looked at the crowd below and slowly spoke again, "Ten breaths have passed. Are none of you planning to leave?"
Upon hearing this, Wu Yigou and the others' faces grew even more somber. Liu Shaoyun, at this moment, was already terrified by Li Xuan's chilling killing intent, his pale face revealing boundless fear.
"Esteemed sir, must you go this far for the sake of these two spirit beasts?"
Just then, an elder behind Wang Changye, who had evidently learned the entire course of events, looked at the enraged Li Xuan and spoke slowly.
Li Xuan, hearing this, let out a furious laugh. "And who might you be?"
"I am the head of the Wang family, Wang Can." Upon hearing this, the elder's aura surged to the heavens, his potent oppressive power hinting at an imminent breakthrough to the advanced stage of the Mingxuan realm.
"So, it is the head of the Wang family. Since no one has answered me, let us start with your Wang family. On this Crescent Peak, will your Wang family retreat, or will you not?"
Li Xuan calmly looked at Wang Can, a golden light faintly condensing in his eyes.
Wang Can's face instantly contorted with extreme displeasure. When had anyone dared to be so audacious in front of him?
Even after learning the full story, Wang Can had only thought that Li Xuan was making a fuss over nothing, seeking greater compensation. But he never expected Li Xuan to make his Wang family the first target.
At this moment, Wang Can felt a spark of anger within him.
If it weren't for the fact that Crescent Peak was already enveloped by the spirit formation Li Xuan had set up, and that Liu Yi, whose cultivation was only slightly inferior to his own, had been trapped within a spirit formation, would he be forced to be so meek?
Furthermore, although there were many clandestine struggles between the nine families, they were still considered members of the Nine Sects. If they were scared away by mere words, the Nine Sects would lose all face.
As the head of the Wang family, Wang Can was a figure of supreme authority. If he were to retreat now, he would likely find it difficult to hold his head high in the future.
"Since you are being so aggressive, my Wang family will have no choice but to witness your skills." Wang Can took a deep breath and instantly moved to stand directly opposite Li Xuan.
Wang Changye, standing below, revealed a complex expression, eventually shaking his head in resignation before also moving to stand by Wang Can's side.
"Uncle Wang, wait a moment."
As the atmosphere in the arena grew increasingly tense, Hong Shisan moved and suddenly appeared in front of Wang Can, then looked at Li Xuan and said, "Fellow Daoist Li, this matter is indeed the responsibility of our Nine Sects."
"However, Fellow Daoist Li has already found what he was looking for. Although injured, I believe our Nine Sects have the ability to heal them. Furthermore, I believe the Liu family can offer appropriate compensation and apologies. May I ask if you could be accommodating?"
Upon Hong Shisan's appearance, Wang Can's aura also subsided. As Hong Shisan finished speaking, Wang Can and Wang Changye both looked up at Li Xuan.
"Fairy Shisan, for the sake of the brief acquaintance we've had, your Hong family may stand aside. However, there will be no room for negotiation regarding today's matter."
Li Xuan paused for a moment, a hint of remembrance in his eyes, then slowly said, "In your eyes, they are indeed just two spirit beasts. But in my eyes, Li Xuan, they are my family. Those who harm my family will only face blood for blood!"
As Li Xuan finished speaking, his aura surged a few more notches. When he had seen A Jin and A Li, Li Xuan had examined their injuries.
If Li Xuan had arrived even a few days later, the vital essence within A Jin and A Li might have been completely drained.
Moreover, since Li Xuan had embarked on the path of cultivation, and as the people around him one by one disappeared, Li Xuan had come to cherish those present even more.
Where one's inverse scale lies, how could one not be enraged?
Li Xuan's sword path also did not allow him to yield even half a step.
Although Li Xuan knew that he bore some responsibility, and he had felt immense self-reproach after discovering that A Jin and A Li had been taken away, leaving them behind in such circumstances was also for their safety. However, even so, this did not justify Liu Shaoyun's arbitrary capture and draining of their vital essence.
Now that the matter had occurred, all Li Xuan could do was seek justice for A Jin and A Li.
Hong Shisan, Wang Can, and the others fell silent after hearing Li Xuan's words.
"Enough. This has nothing to do with you, and I am not deliberately seeking trouble with your Nine Sects. However, I must take this person with me today."
Seeing Hong Shisan and the others fall silent, Li Xuan took a deep breath, his eyes instantly fixing on Liu Shaoyun, his voice turning colder.
Wu Yigou and Wang Can, upon hearing this, let out bitter sighs.
Although they wished to stay out of it, everyone present knew that the Liu family was, after all, the ruling family of the entire Nine Sects.
Moreover, Liu Shaoyun was the only heir of the Grand Sect Master Liu Xuan. If they were to hand over Liu Shaoyun at this moment, the Nine Sects would cease to exist.
"Esteemed sir, we cannot and will not decide on handing over Liu Shaoyun. However, our families are willing to offer compensation. Furthermore, we will have Liu Shaoyun apologize to you and your spirit beasts. This is the maximum extent of what we can do."
Upon hearing this, Wu Yigou released Liu Shaoyun, moved, and appeared beside Wang Can, speaking with a sigh of helplessness.
Just then, a sound of breaking air abruptly echoed.
The next moment, a nonchalant voice resonated through the heavens and earth.
"Why should my son, Liu Xuan's son, have to apologize to an outsider!"