Shen Liuxing frowned and mumbled, "They are completely unrelated!"
Shen Teng chuckled awkwardly, unsure how to continue the conversation.
Shen Yue sneered, "I'm afraid some people will be eager to latch onto us then, and we won't be able to shake them off!"
He had an arrogant demeanor, and spoke too quickly. By the time Shen Teng wanted to stop him, it was already too late.
"Not good!"
Shen Teng inwardly cursed and was about to smooth things over when he saw Shen Liuxing's expression, which had just eased, turn grim again. "Hmph! I'll make it clear today, though I am not talented, I, Shen Liuxing, will not have any connection with your Shen family. I, Shen Liuxing, disdain to climb the dragon and attach to the phoenix!"
Shangguan Yulin also said angrily, "Don't assume that just because your Shen family is a native force on the Divine Remnant Continent, others must flock to you. To tell you the truth, following our Boss Zi is the most correct choice. So, put away your condescending attitude. As for your Shen family, Brother Shen doesn't think much of it!"
After he spoke, he stood behind Shen Liuxing, expressing his support for Shen Liuxing through his actions.
Rong Guang also said with slight anger, "Shangguan is right! Your Shen family might be wealthy and powerful, but that's no reason for you to insult Brother Shen. Moreover, Brother Shen never said he wanted to join you, so don't flatter yourselves!"
After speaking, he, like Shangguan Yulin, stood behind Shen Liuxing.
Xuan Yuanxun also frowned, "We brothers cannot afford to associate with your dragons and phoenixes, nor will we climb the dragon or attach to the phoenix. But your Shen family must remember, do not pester Brother Shen, otherwise, don't blame me for being ruthless!"
As his voice fell, he also stood beside Shen Liuxing and forcefully planted his Overlord Spear into the ground.
Zi Linling's pretty face curved into a mocking smile.
"Since you've said your piece, please leave. Of course, if you are here to rob us like them, feel free to try!"
She said, pointing to the four people, Ren Tianxing, Li Banxia, the effeminate man, and the bald monk, who were tossed aside like garbage.
Upon hearing this, Shen Yue became enraged.
He was about to speak when Shen Teng pulled him back.
Shen Teng shielded him and quickly explained to Zi Linling and the others, "Friends, please do not be angry! My second brother is just blunt and has no ill intentions, nor does he mean to insult Young Master Shen."
"Furthermore, Young Master Shen and we share a blood connection, so Young Master Shen is one of our Shen family. This is irrefutable."
"We have come today only to invite Young Master Shen to acknowledge his ancestors and return to the clan. We have no intention of being enemies with you. We kindly request that you accompany us to our Shen family for a chat!"
"No need!"
Zi Linling and Shen Liuxing refused coldly at the same time.
Shen Teng raised an eyebrow and said to Shen Liuxing with a fawning smile, "I know you haven't received any favors from the Shen family over the years and you have resentment towards us, but our Shen family truly did not know that your lineage was scattered outside. Moreover, acknowledging ancestors and returning to the clan is a major matter. You should reconsider!"
Then, he smiled fawningly at Zi Linling, "Miss Zi, I can see that you and Young Master Shen have a very good relationship. Please help me persuade him! At the very least, after he returns, he will have the resources of the Shen family to support him. Therefore, acknowledging his ancestors and returning to the clan is a good thing for him, not a bad thing!"
Shen Liuxing said coldly, "No need. Without your Shen family, I will live a better life!"
"This..."
Shen Teng felt a slight displeasure.
No matter what, as the head of the Shen family, he had personally invited them and spoken so humbly, yet he was still refused. This left him with no face at all.
Zi Linling chuckled coldly and said, "Patriarch Shen, you've heard what Liuxing said. Since he is unwilling, I will not force him. Furthermore, if he hadn't achieved what he has today, would your Shen family have invited him to acknowledge his ancestors and return to the clan?"
Shen Teng's intentions were exposed, and he became somewhat angry and ashamed.
His expression darkened slightly as he asked, "What does Miss Zi mean by that?"
Zi Linling snorted coldly, "You've already been exposed by me, yet you still want to pretend. Aren't you tired? Earlier, when we were fighting those four pieces of trash, you must have been secretly observing, right?"
"This..."
Shen Teng wanted to quibble, or rather, defend himself, but Zi Linling didn't give him a chance to speak, and continued, "Oh, right! It's not just your Shen family. The Du family and Xu family who appeared at the Nine Regions Chamber of Commerce auction must also be hidden in the dark, right?"
"If my senses are correct, every move you and I make right now is being watched by them. So, if you hadn't seen Liuxing's excellent performance just now, would you still have intended for him to acknowledge his ancestors and return to the clan?"
"This..."
Shen Teng was left speechless by the question.
Zi Linling saw through his intentions clearly.
Indeed, he had taken a liking to Shen Liuxing's potential, as well as Shen Liuxing's close relationship with Zi Linling and the others.
If Shen Liuxing agreed to acknowledge his ancestors and return to the clan, the Shen family would gain five experts for free.
Coupled with Zi Linling's identity as the Chosen One, the Shen family could then merely borrow her prestige and with a single call, countless families and forces, and even rogue cultivators, would obey the Shen family's command.
After all, the people of the Divine Remnant Continent knew that the Chosen One represented the Dao of Heaven, and they also knew that the birth of the Chosen One signified the coming of a great calamity.
And to survive this great calamity, only by following the Chosen One, Zi Linling, would there be a chance of survival.
It could be said that Shen Teng's plan was brilliant, but all of this depended on bringing Shen Liuxing back to the Shen family.
However, one could fear god-like opponents, but not teammates like pigs.
Shen Teng's brother, Shen Yue, was consistently arrogant. Upon his first contact with Shen Liuxing, he had touched Shen Liuxing's bottom line.
And Shen Teng's subsequent arrival had given his brother Shen Yue confidence, making his invitation seem like charity, thus arousing the collective displeasure of the group.
Now, Shen Teng's intentions had been nakedly exposed by Zi Linling, leaving him with nowhere to hide and all his calculations in vain.
Just as he felt there was no possibility of further discussion, he heard Zi Linling continue, "Patriarch Shen, you should already know my identity, so I can still give the Shen family the opportunity to borrow my prestige, rally support, and gain widespread response, but the Shen family must show sufficient sincerity."
Shen Teng froze, and became extremely excited.
This feeling of a twist of fate was almost unbelievable to him.
He asked joyfully, "What kind of sincerity does our Shen family need to show for Miss Zi to be willing to cooperate with us?"